2011 Experiment on submarine levee
growth via channelized Turbidity Currents
Tulane Deepwater Basin: This basin has approximate dimensions of 2.2 m deep, 6 m long, and 4 m wide.
The depth of the basin is great enough to conduct experiments focused on both delta construction under
conditions of varying base-level and deep-water/continental slope fan construction. This depth and width
are also great enough to construct delta/fan deposits thick enough to investigate stratigraphic
architecture with minimal boundary-effects imposed by the basin walls. The basin has the option of two
methods for delivering water and sediment to the basin. 1) An ocean control system that controls water
discharge rates into the basin in addition to providing millimeter base-level resolution via a motorized
weir in hydraulic communication to the basin. Sediment is delivered to the basin via a Schenck AccuRate
sediment feeder. Base-level, sediment feed, and water feed to the basin are controlled through a computer
interface. 2) A constant head tank system fed from a 2500 L reservoir mixing tank via a centrifugal pump.
An XYZ data collection carriage mounted on the basin houses a Keyence long distance reflective laser sensor
and data logger. This system allows us to monitor the topography of the evolving sediment surface and
collect topographic maps with grid spacing as low as 2 mm grids and a vertical resolution of 0.1 mm.
Topography can also be collected in the basin utilizing a 35-MHz ultrasonic transducer connected to a JSR
pulse-receiver box. The transducer system allows for the collection of topography in high turbidity
conditions. In addition, the measurement carriage allows for the positioning of various additional probes
housed in the sediment dynamics lab. These currently include 2 Nortek ADV’s and a Nortek PCADP. A second
manually positioned carriage on the basin allows us to position instruments, such as siphon racks, during
experiments.
Learn more about the cart system
See images of the Deepwater Basin Construction
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Tulane Deepwater Basin
