Shallow-Water Equation Simulations of 1D Colliding Turbidity Currents

Motivated by future deep-sea mining for polymetallic nodules, we investigate colliding turbidity currents in one horizontal dimension. The standard shallow-water equations are amended to include the sediment concentration and pressure difference with the ambient fluid. Our simulations show that upon collision turbidity currents develop a reflecting wave in each current, in agreement with experimental observatinos. Using box-model ideas, we present a model for the progression of this reflected wave. Moreover, to understand the overall impact of the mining process on the ocean floor, we present the resulting patterns of sediment deposition.