Hydrodynamic exposure – on the quest to deriving quantitative metrics for mariculture sites

This work attempts to define metrics for hydrodynamic exposure, using known oceanographic variables to provide a universal site assessment method for mariculture structures. Understanding environmental conditions driving open-ocean mariculture siting is crucial in establishing consistent ocean gover...

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Main Authors: Oliver Lojek, Nils Goseberg, Heidi Moe Føre, Tobias Dewhurst, Thea Bölker, Kevin Gerald Heasman, Bela H. Buck, David W. Fredriksson, Samuel Rickerich
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-10-01
Series:Frontiers in Aquaculture
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/faquc.2024.1388280/full
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author Oliver Lojek
Nils Goseberg
Nils Goseberg
Heidi Moe Føre
Tobias Dewhurst
Thea Bölker
Kevin Gerald Heasman
Bela H. Buck
Bela H. Buck
David W. Fredriksson
Samuel Rickerich
author_facet Oliver Lojek
Nils Goseberg
Nils Goseberg
Heidi Moe Føre
Tobias Dewhurst
Thea Bölker
Kevin Gerald Heasman
Bela H. Buck
Bela H. Buck
David W. Fredriksson
Samuel Rickerich
author_sort Oliver Lojek
collection DOAJ
description This work attempts to define metrics for hydrodynamic exposure, using known oceanographic variables to provide a universal site assessment method for mariculture structures. Understanding environmental conditions driving open-ocean mariculture siting is crucial in establishing consistent ocean governance, minimizing adverse environmental impacts, and facilitating economically sustainable farm operations. To provide a metric of oceanic conditions and associated requirements for structural design and operation of aquaculture systems, six Exposure Indices (EI) are proposed that consider physical energy levels related to hydrodynamic forces at a site. Four of the proposed indices consider only environmental conditions, while the other two also consider the dimensions of the gear that is exposed to the external loads. These indices are: Exposure Velocity (EV), Exposure Velocity at Reference Depth (EVRD), Specific Exposure Energy (SEE), Depth-integrated Energy Flux (DEF), Structure-centered Depth-integrated Energy (SDE), and a Structure-centered Drag-to-Buoyancy Ratio (SDBR). While these indices are derived with a focus on aquaculture structures, they may also have applications for estimating biological stressors and operational challenges. The proposed exposure indices were evaluated for a range of known aquaculture sites around the world. A sensitivity analysis was conducted that quantified the relationship between the exposure indices and storm event return period. At a regional scale, hindcast numerical data for the German Bight combined with calculations of 50-year extreme values were used to calculate and map each proposed index spatially. Resulting maps showed that exposure is not simply a function of distance from shore. The six indices show plausible performance regarding the objective assessment of aquaculture sites. The authors herein present the indices to the aquaculture and ocean engineering communities for discussion, application, and potential adoption of one or more of the proposed indices.
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spelling doaj-art-356aaf2f45b648e79ec3c026ccb3001c2025-08-20T02:31:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Aquaculture2813-53342024-10-01310.3389/faquc.2024.13882801388280Hydrodynamic exposure – on the quest to deriving quantitative metrics for mariculture sitesOliver Lojek0Nils Goseberg1Nils Goseberg2Heidi Moe Føre3Tobias Dewhurst4Thea Bölker5Kevin Gerald Heasman6Bela H. Buck7Bela H. Buck8David W. Fredriksson9Samuel Rickerich10Department of Hydromechanics, Coastal- and Ocean Engineering, Leichtweiß-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, GermanyDepartment of Hydromechanics, Coastal- and Ocean Engineering, Leichtweiß-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, GermanyCoastal Research Center, Joint Research Facility of Technische Universität Braunschweig and Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Energy and Transport, SINTEF Ocean, Trondheim, NorwayKelson Marine Co., Portland, ME, United StatesDepartment of Hydromechanics, Coastal- and Ocean Engineering, Leichtweiß-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, GermanyBlue Technology Group, Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New ZealandMarine Aquaculture, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Bremerhaven, GermanyApplied Marine Biology, University of Applied Sciences Bremerhaven, Bremerhaven, GermanyCenter for Sustainable Seafood Systems, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United StatesKelson Marine Co., Portland, ME, United StatesThis work attempts to define metrics for hydrodynamic exposure, using known oceanographic variables to provide a universal site assessment method for mariculture structures. Understanding environmental conditions driving open-ocean mariculture siting is crucial in establishing consistent ocean governance, minimizing adverse environmental impacts, and facilitating economically sustainable farm operations. To provide a metric of oceanic conditions and associated requirements for structural design and operation of aquaculture systems, six Exposure Indices (EI) are proposed that consider physical energy levels related to hydrodynamic forces at a site. Four of the proposed indices consider only environmental conditions, while the other two also consider the dimensions of the gear that is exposed to the external loads. These indices are: Exposure Velocity (EV), Exposure Velocity at Reference Depth (EVRD), Specific Exposure Energy (SEE), Depth-integrated Energy Flux (DEF), Structure-centered Depth-integrated Energy (SDE), and a Structure-centered Drag-to-Buoyancy Ratio (SDBR). While these indices are derived with a focus on aquaculture structures, they may also have applications for estimating biological stressors and operational challenges. The proposed exposure indices were evaluated for a range of known aquaculture sites around the world. A sensitivity analysis was conducted that quantified the relationship between the exposure indices and storm event return period. At a regional scale, hindcast numerical data for the German Bight combined with calculations of 50-year extreme values were used to calculate and map each proposed index spatially. Resulting maps showed that exposure is not simply a function of distance from shore. The six indices show plausible performance regarding the objective assessment of aquaculture sites. The authors herein present the indices to the aquaculture and ocean engineering communities for discussion, application, and potential adoption of one or more of the proposed indices.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/faquc.2024.1388280/fullaquaculture sitingdegree of exposurehydrodynamic loadingaquaculture technologyaquaculture engineeringquantitative assessment
spellingShingle Oliver Lojek
Nils Goseberg
Nils Goseberg
Heidi Moe Føre
Tobias Dewhurst
Thea Bölker
Kevin Gerald Heasman
Bela H. Buck
Bela H. Buck
David W. Fredriksson
Samuel Rickerich
Hydrodynamic exposure – on the quest to deriving quantitative metrics for mariculture sites
Frontiers in Aquaculture
aquaculture siting
degree of exposure
hydrodynamic loading
aquaculture technology
aquaculture engineering
quantitative assessment
title Hydrodynamic exposure – on the quest to deriving quantitative metrics for mariculture sites
title_full Hydrodynamic exposure – on the quest to deriving quantitative metrics for mariculture sites
title_fullStr Hydrodynamic exposure – on the quest to deriving quantitative metrics for mariculture sites
title_full_unstemmed Hydrodynamic exposure – on the quest to deriving quantitative metrics for mariculture sites
title_short Hydrodynamic exposure – on the quest to deriving quantitative metrics for mariculture sites
title_sort hydrodynamic exposure on the quest to deriving quantitative metrics for mariculture sites
topic aquaculture siting
degree of exposure
hydrodynamic loading
aquaculture technology
aquaculture engineering
quantitative assessment
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/faquc.2024.1388280/full
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