Dr Martin Austin
Senior Lecturer in Ocean Sciences
Additional Contact Information
Office: 211 Marine Centre Wales Phone: 01248 382803
Email: m.austin@bangor.ac.uk
Web: Google Scholar ResearchGate ORCID
Twitter: @mart_austin
I am an observational oceanographer and specialise in the hydro- and morpho-dynamics of the inter-tidal and shallow sub-tidal regions of the coastal ocean. My present research at Bangor includes:
- The turbulent flow dynamics around sub-sea cables that causes seabed scour and subsequent cable failure. This ESPRC-funded research works in collaboration with three industry partners from the Marine Renewable Energy sector. It aims to reduce costs within the industry, where cable failures in 2014-17 cost the sector £250M.
- The dynamics of large-scale turbulent motions in tidally energetic regions. This EPSRC- and NRN-funded work seeks to quantify large-scale turbulent motions and assess the impacts on tidal energy extraction and infrastructure. Observational field experiments are being undertaken in the Menai Strait and around north Wales, and include industry collaborators from UK, Europe and the USA.
- WASP - Waves Across Shore Platforms. EPSRC-funded grant investigating wave attenuation processes across rocky shore platforms at multiple sites across the UK and New Zealand to produce a new numerical modelling tool.
- Nearshore inter- to sub-tidal sediment exchange caused by the interaction of wave-driven nearshore currents, tidal currents and cross-shelf currents. This is linked to the Crown Estates Anglesey Tidal Test Site, with particular interest in nearshore sub-sea cable pathways, and encompasses field measurements of the full water column velocity, turbulence and sediment profiles. Autonomous Coastal Observatory buoy units are being deployed to support this work in spring 2018.
I graduated from Plymouth University in 2002 with a BSc in Ocean Science and completed my PhD in gravel beach morphodynamics at Loughborough University in 2005. I have subsequently been a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at: Plymouth University (2005 - 2007, Cross-shore sediment transport on sandy beaches); Loughborough University (2007, Dust generation on an Arctic pro-glacial flood plain); before returning once again to Plymouth (2007 - 2010, Impacts of offshore wave energy arrays on seabed and shoreline processes; and 2010 - 2013, Dynamics of rip currents and implication for beach safety). Research Areas
Qualifications
- PhD: Swash-groundwater interactions on a natural gravel beach
Loughborough University, - BSc: Ocean Sciences
University of Plymouth,
Teaching and Supervision
PhD Students
- Guy Walker-Springett
- Natasha Lucas
- Alex Virod
Masters Teaching
I offer both MSc and MSci research projects on shallow water physical oceanography and sediment dynamics processes, and contribute to several taught MSc modules.
Undergraduate Teaching
I am the progarmme organiser for the BSC Geological Oceanography degree and am the module organiser for OSX-3006 and OSX-3007, and contribute to OSX-1000, OSX-2000, OSX-2004, OSX-2006, DXX-2007, OSX-3000, DXX-3018 and OSX-4023.
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
Project 1:
I am keen to develop a PhD project with a student to investigate the sediment resuspension and scour that occurs when sub-sea cables are exposed by bedform migration on the energetic continental shelf.
It is hypothesised that wake effects from emplaced objects on the seabed modify bedform migration rates through increased turbulent velocities and lead to a higher incidence of cable damage.
This project links with the Marine Renewable Energy industry and at the finer scale aims to take field measurements of turbulent flows and sediment suspension over a section of free-spanning sub-sea cable.
Wider-scale observations will aim to link far-field changes in bedform migration (and hence cable exposure) rates to wake effects of emplaced objects.
Project 2:
I am interested in developing a PhD project with a potential student to investigate the coupling between the sub-tidal and inter-tidal sections of the beachface and a dynamic aeolian sand dune field.
It is hypothesised that over-stabilised sand dunes minimise the exchange of sand between dunes and beachface, and combined with storm-driven offshore sand transport, result in a lowering the beach elevation and enhanced wave energy flux impacting the dune foot.
Long-term large-scale dyanmics of an extensive offshore sandbank system appear to exert a significant alongshore control on the wave impacts experienced by the dune foot.
This project is based in North Wales and could potentially collaborate with National Resources Wales.
Publications
2024
- E-pub ahead of printAssessing hydrodynamic impacts of tidal range energy impoundments in UK coastal waters
Roome, E., Robins, P., Ahmadian, R., Austin, M., Hanousek, N., Guo, B. & Neill, S., 18 Oct 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Renewable Energy. 121601.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2023
- PublishedCharacterizing the Marine Energy Test Area (META) in Wales, UK
Neill, S., Fairley, I., Rowlands, S., Young, S., Hill, T., Unsworth, C., King, N., Roberts, M., Austin, M., Hughes, P., Masters, I., Owen, A., Powell, B., Reeve, D. E. & Lewis, M., 1 Mar 2023, In: Renewable Energy. 205, p. 447-460
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedExploring regional coastal sediment pathways using a coupled tide-wave-sediment dynamics model
Davies, A. G., Robins, P., Austin, M. & Walker-Springett, G., 15 Jan 2023, In: Continental Shelf Research. 253, 104903.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedField measurements of cable self-burial in a sandy marine environment
Unsworth, C., Austin, M., Van Landeghem, K., Couldrey, A., Whitehouse, R., Lincoln, B., Doole, S. & Worrall, P., Sept 2023, In: Coastal Engineering. 184, 22 p., 104309.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedRenewable infrastructure in a field of dunes: changes to near bed turbulence & sediments
Unsworth, C., Austin, M., Van Landeghem, K., Couldrey, A. & Whitehouse, R., 1 Jan 2023, p. 299-306. 7 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - PublishedThe UK’s first climate refugees: why more defences may not save this village from rising sea levels
Ward, S. & Austin, M., 31 Mar 2023, The Conversation.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article - PublishedThe need for a people’s perspective when exploring climate change and cultural heritage
Forino, G., Yorke, L., Robinson, G., Austin, M., Sieradzan, K. & Hewitt, J., 28 Jun 2023, Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers .
Research output: Other contribution › peer-review
2022
- PublishedFlow changes in the wake of a large sediment wave: helping to understand geological and ecological impacts of seabed infrastructure.
Van Landeghem, K., Unsworth, C., Austin, M. & Waggitt, J., 23 May 2022.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract - PublishedTurbulence and Coherent Structure Characterisation in a Tidally Energetic Channel
Lucas, N., Austin, M., Rippeth, T., Powell, B. & Wakonigg, P., Jul 2022, In: Renewable Energy. 194, p. 259-272
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUsing a natural laboratory to quantify sediment mobility in the turbulent wake of instrument frames and offshore infrastructure.
Unsworth, C., Austin, M. & Van Landeghem, K., 23 May 2022.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract
2021
- PublishedCoastal sand dunes: storms and (over-)stabilisation
Austin, M. & Walker-Springett, G., 1 Nov 2021, Geography Review, 35, 2, p. 8-13 6 p.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article - PublishedComment on: “Is ‘re-mobilisation’ nature restoration or nature destruction? A commentary”, by Delgado-Fernandez et al.
Austin, M. & Walker-Springett, G., 13 Jan 2021, In: Journal of Coastal Conservation. 25, 1, 10.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review - PublishedThe annual cycle of energy input, modal excitation and physical plus biogenic turbulent dissipation in a temperate lake
Simpson, J., Woolway, I., Scannell, B., Austin, M., Powell, B. & Maberly, S. C., Jun 2021, In: Water Resources Research. 57, 6, 2020WR029441.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2020
- PublishedInfragravity wave generation on shore platforms: bound long wave versus breakpoint forcing
Poate, T. G., Masselink, G., Austin, M., Inch, K., Dickson, M. & McCall, R. D., 1 Feb 2020, In: Geomorphology. 350, 106880.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2018
- PublishedThe role of bed roughness in wave transformation across sloping rock shore platforms
Poate, T. G., Masselink, G., Austin, M., Dickson, M. & McCall, R. T., Jan 2018, In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. 123, 1, p. 97-123
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2017
- PublishedGrain size selection in seagrass beds
Conley, D., Austin, M., Davidson, I., Buscombe, D. & Masselink, G., 17 Jun 2017.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - PublishedModelling incident-band and infra gravity wave dynamics on rocky shore platforms
McCall, R. T., Masselink, G., Austin, M., Poate, T. & Jager, T., Jun 2017, p. 1658-1669.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
2016
- PublishedBoundary layer dynamics in the swash zone under large-scale laboratory conditions
Ruju, A., Conley, D., Masselink, G., Austin, M. J., Puleo, J., Lanckriet, T. & Foster, D., 1 Jul 2016, In: Coastal Engineering. 113, July, p. 47-61
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedGroundwater fluxes and flow paths within coastal barriers: Observations from a large-scale laboratory experiment (BARDEX II)
Turner, I. L., Rau, G. C., Austin, M. J. & Andersen, M. S., Jul 2016, In: Coastal Engineering. 113, p. 104-116
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedRip currents are a natural hazard along our coasts - here's how to spot them
Austin, M., 27 Jul 2016, The Conversation.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
2015
- PublishedDynamics of rip currents associated with groynes — field measurements, modelling and implications for beach safety
Scott, T., Austin, M. J., Masselink, G. & Russell, P., 30 Oct 2015, In: Coastal Engineering. 107, p. 53-69
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2014
- PublishedControls on macrotidal rip current circulation and hazard
Scott, T., Masselink, G., Austin, M. J. & Russell, P., 15 Feb 2014, In: Geomorphology. 214
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMorphodynamic variability of high-energy macrotidal beaches, Cornwall, UK
Poate, T., Masselink, G., Russell, P. & Austin, M., 1 Apr 2014, In: Marine Geology. 350, p. 97-111
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedRole of wave forcing, storms and NAO in outer bar dynamics on a high-energy, macro-tidal beach
Masselink, G., Austin, M. J., Scott, T., Poate, T. & Russell, P., 2 Aug 2014, In: Geomorphology. 226, p. 76-93
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2013
- PublishedCoastal sand barrier hydrology - observations from the BARDEX II prototype-scale laboratory experiment
Turner, I. L., Rau, G. C., Andersen, M. S., Austin, M. J., Puleo, J. A. & Masselink, G., 2013, In: Journal of Coastal Research. 65, S2, p. 1886-1891
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedGroundwater dynamics in coastal gravel barriers backed by freshwater lagoons and the potential for saline intrusion: Two cases from the UK
Austin, M. J., Masselink, G., McCall, R. T. & Poate, T. G., Aug 2013, In: Journal of Marine Systems. 123-124, p. 19-32
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedRip Current Prediction: Development, Validation, and Evaluation of an Operational Tool
Austin, M. J., Scott, T. M., Russell, P. E. & Masselink, G., 1 Oct 2013, In: Journal of Coastal Research. 29, 2, p. 283-300 18 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedWater-level controls on macro-tidal rip currents
Austin, M. J., Masselink, G., Scott, T. M. & Russell, P. E., 16 Dec 2013, In: Continental Shelf Research. 75, p. 28-40
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2011
- PublishedAlongshore fluid motions in the swash zone of a sandy and gravel beach
Austin, M. J., Masselink, G., Russell, P. E., Turner, I. L. & Blenkinsopp, C. E., Aug 2011, In: Coastal Engineering. 58, 8, p. 690-705
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedDust generation on a proglacial floodplain, West Greenland
Bullard, J. E. & Austin, M. J., Jun 2011, In: Aeolian Research. 3, 1, p. 43-54
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedRip current hazards on large-tidal beaches in the United Kingdom
Scott, T. M., Russell, P. E., Masselink, G., Austin, M. J., Wills, S. & Wooler, A., 9 May 2011, Rip Currents: Beach Safety, Physical Oceanogaphy, and Wave Modeling. Leatherman, S. & Fletemeyer, J. (eds.). CRC Press, p. 225-242 18 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
2010
- PublishedMean Lagrangian flow behavior on an open coast rip-channeled beach: A new perspective
MacMahan, J., Brown, J., Brown, J., Thornton, E., Reniers, A., Stanton, T., Henriquez, M., Gallagher, E., Morrison, J., Austin, M. J., Scott, T. & Senechal, N., 15 Jan 2010, In: Marine Geology. 268, 1-4, p. 1-15
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedTemporal observations of rip current circulation on a macro-tidal beach
Austin, M., Scott, T., Brown, J., Brown, J., MacMahan, J., Russell, P. E. & Masselink, G., 31 May 2010, In: Continental Shelf Research. 30, 9, p. 1149-1165
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2009
- PublishedMacrotidal rip current experiment : circulation and dynamics
Austin, M. J., Scott, T. M., Brown, J. W., Brown, J. A. & Macmahan, J. H., 2009, In: Journal of Coastal Research. 2009, 56, p. 24-28
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedOnshore sediment transport on a sandy beach under varied wave conditions: Flow velocity skewness, wave asymmetry or bed ventilation?
Austin, M., Masselink, G., O'Hare, T. & Russell, P. E., 15 Apr 2009, In: Marine Geology. 259, 1-4, p. 86-101
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2008
- PublishedCross-shore sediment transport and morphological response on a macrotidal beach with intertidal bar morphology, Truc Vert, France
Masselink, G., Austin, M., Tinker, J., O'Hare, T. & Russell, P. E., 6 Jun 2008, In: Marine Geology. 251, 3-4, p. 141-155
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMorphological change and sediment dynamics of the beach step on a macrotidal gravel beach
Austin, M. J. & Buscombe, D., 31 Mar 2008, In: Marine Geology. 249, 3-4, p. 167-183
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe effect of bedform dynamics on computing suspended sediment fluxes using optical backscatter sensors and current meters
Austin, M. J. & Masselink, G., Mar 2008, In: Coastal Engineering. 55, 3, p. 251-260
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2007
- PublishedGeometry and dynamics of wave ripples in the nearshore zone of a coarse sandy beach
Masselink, G., Austin, M. J., O'Hare, T. J. & Russell, P. E., 24 Oct 2007, In: Journal of Geophysical Research. 112, C10
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedRelaxation time effects of wave ripples on tidal beaches
Austin, M. J., Masselink, G., O'Hare, T. & Russell, P. E., 28 Aug 2007, In: Geophysical Research Letters. 34, 16, p. 1-5 5 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedSediment trend models fail to reproduce small-scale sediment transport patterns on an intertidal beach
Masselink, G., Buscombe, D., Austin, M., O'Hare, T. & Russell, P., 20 Nov 2007, In: Sedimentology. 55, 3, p. 667-687
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2006
- PublishedObservations of morphological change and sediment transport on a steep gravel beach
Austin, M. & Masselink, G., 30 May 2006, In: Marine Geology. 229, 1-2, p. 59-77
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedSwash-groundwater interaction on a steep gravel beach
Austin, M. J. & Masselink, G., Dec 2006, In: Continental Shelf Research. 26, 20, p. 2503-2519
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Activities
2024
- ECOFLOW - stakeholder co-development workshop
Workshop with stakeholders to co-develop project impact plan and deliverables.
22 Apr 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker) - ECOFLOW Champions Stakeholder Workshop
16 Apr 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker) - ECOWIND-ACCELERATE annual meeting
14 Mar 2024 – 15 Mar 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker) - RNLI NW Region Beach Safety Workshop
Impact led meeting contributing to RNLI safety planning
21 Feb 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)
2023
- BU-IIA Funded Project: Translating Sand waves: a new evidence register for sustainable sand bank recoveries
In the process of consenting for new wind farms, regulators will set the terms for what evidence industry needs to deliver. This includes information on sand bank and sand wave mobility, as well as their recovery post construction. However the current level of understanding of these processes at regulator level is insufficient, and the proposed reduction in consenting timescales add pressure onto regulators to be fast, accurate and consistent in delivering advice. This proposal focusses on how we can help regulators to better inform industry of what evidence to present for the consenting process to be successful, appropriate, and robust.
Funding awarded through the Bangor University Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £29,613
1 Aug 2023 – 31 Jul 2024
Activity: Other (Contributor) - Warning to beach goers about the threat of tidal cut off
Initial findings of a UK and Irish survey of public understanding of the tide, found that 38% of the British public were unaware that the tide typically comes in twice a day. A surprising 15% of the public have some experience of being cut off by the tide.
Bangor University and RNLI press releases, aiming to warn people about tidal cut off around the extreme tides over Easter weekend were picked up by several TV and radio outlets.
BBC Wales news (audio) MediaView (tveyes.com)
S4C News (video) MediaView (tveyes.com)
ITV News (video uploaded here)
BBC Radio Cymru (interview with Prof Thora Tenbrink)
5 Apr 2023
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)
2022
- BU-IIA Funded Project: Cut Off By Tide
Project abstract: Every year, hundreds of lifeboat and lifeguard operations occur to rescue coastal users who have become cut off by tide. Despite the RNLI’s best efforts there are still multiple fatalities.
Ultimately, to reduce the number of emergencies a deeper understanding of the reasons why coastal users become exposed to this hazard is required. This project will address this by looking at people’s concepts and understanding of the tide. Our goal is to help the RNLI develop precautionary measures in a more targeted way, responding directly to coastal users’ conceptual needs.
For instance, people will naturally generalise from previous experiences with the tide, not realising that tidal movements can differ radically between places and at different times. Furthermore, they will normally expect that the water will come in straight to the shore, not diagonally or in a curved or irregular fashion; they expect tide to come in quite slowly, and to be able to simply walk back on the sandbanks to the shore. However, the tide rarely just uniformly advances and retreats across a beach. Instead, it will initially flow laterally along channels and around sandbanks, cutting them off from the mainland and removing any safe route back to land.
Funding awarded through the Bangor University Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £11,514
1 Apr 2022 – 31 Mar 2023
Activity: Other (Contributor)
Projects
-
Gravel barrier resilience in a changing climate (#gravelbeach)
01/11/2023 – 30/11/2027 (Active)
-
Cable scour from fluid-seabed interactions in regions of mobile sedimentary bedforms
01/02/2021 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)
-
KESS II Phd with Sefton Council - Liverpool Bay Coastal Group BUK2E048
01/10/2020 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)
-
Measurable metrics for characterisation of large-scale turbulent structures in tidal races
01/07/2017 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)
-
Characterisation of large-scale turbulent structures
01/03/2017 – 01/08/2017 (Finished)
-
KESS II Phd with Nortek UK- BUK2108
01/03/2017 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)
-
Waves Across Shore Platforms (WASP)
01/08/2014 – 12/08/2017 (Finished)
Other Grants and Projects
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Cable Scour from fluid-seabed interactions in regions of mobile sedimentary bedforms
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
-
Measurable metrics for characterisation of large-scale turbulent structures in tidal races for the marine tidal energy industry
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council -
Waves Across Shore Platforms
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council -
BU-IIA Tidal Cut off with RNLI S28904