2013 - University College Cork

Research Projects Listing
SEDIMENTARY PROCESSES & QUATERNARY
STRATIGRAPHY OF THE CELTIC SEA, (OFFSHORE
SOUTH COAST) IRELAND AND THE IRISH SEA
(OFFSHORE NORTH COAST) IRELAND: IMPLICATIONS
FOR OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY
DEVELOPMENT
Research Centre/Department/School:
School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences
Contact PI: Andy Wheeler (a.wheeler@ucc.ie)
Researchers: Marian McGrath, Alistair Ruffell
Start Year: October 2011
End Year: October 2012
Funding Body: ESB-North South Universities Grant
Funding: €15k
Collaborating Partners: Queen’s University of Belfast
This project aims to quantify recent sedimentary processes and to integrate these into a hydrodynamical
model for offshore Kilkeel and offshore Dungarvan/Rosslare to better understand the
engineering significance of geological variability and apply that in the context of windfarm site
suitability. A GIS based backscatter facies analysis of multibeam data from two areas of interest:
south coast off Hook Head and northern Irish Sea off Kilkeel was completed. This involved
defining seabed sediment facies based on visual backscatter density variations and using Quester
Tangent Classification (QTC) facies interpretation. A rigorous appraisal of the two independent
interpretations is to be developed to produce a robust seabed facies classification map.
Additional sparker seismic data, vibrocores as well as multibeam data have collected in the study
area. Multibeam includes repeat surveys of existing blocks to assess seabed mobility in areas for
potential offshore renewable wind energy development. Vibrocore samples have been analysed for
geotechnical properties as well as particle size XRD. This data will be integrated with seismic and
multibeam interpretations to build up a model of seafloor development to the present data within
a geotechnical framework.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
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