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2003 Field measurements of wave penetration and sedimentation in Port of Anzali Anzali - Iran Anzali port is located on the southern border of Caspian Sea, north of Iran. This port is one of the most important ports of Iran and the Caspian Sea. For more than a hundred years, this port has been used as a trade center linking Iran to other countries around the sea. In the stormy weather, the wave direction and the alignment of breakwaters cause the port to get wavy, and as a consequence, the ships hit the port side resulting in frequent reports of broken fenders. Furthermore, due to the high rate of sedimentation, dredging has to be applied everyday. Iranian Port and Shipping Organization (PSO) introduced the comprehensive project of Field Measurement and Mathematical Modeling of Wave Penetration and Sedimentation in Port of Anzali which could setup some mathematical models for both wave penetration and sedimentation in the port. Those models could be used to assess all the possible alternatives and choosing the best technical and economical remediation method. To calibrate the model, two field measurement campaigns were performed successfully, reporting the actual conditions of the site and the measured required parameters. To conduct the project, a joint venture arranged between Water Research Centre (WRC) and a Canadian company called Baird & Associates Coastal Engineers. A contract was formally signed between PSO and WRC on March 2003, for the field measurement and consultation services. There was no previous information available neither for the scales of the waves, currents and other hydraulic and hydrodynamic parameters, nor for the existing sources and conditions of sedimentation in the port; therefore, the client decided to carry out two separate field measurements in calm (May 21, 2003 to June 26, 2003) and harsh (November 11, 2003 to December 8, 2003) seasons to calibrate the mathematical model. I got involved in the project from the very first steps while it was at its proposal phase. In May 2003 when the kickoff meeting was held at WRC, As the head of field and environmental departments, I got assigned to do the field measurements and the laboratory tests as the field manager. The study area was approximately 5 sqkm and included the lagoon of Anzali, the port area, bridge of Anzali and the sea shore (1.5 km from each port entrance side, and 2 km into Caspian Sea). Field studies included the following items: a. Bathymetry operation (including the whole study area and model margins) b. Continuous measurements b.1. Water level measurement (3 stations) b.2. Wave measurement (directional and non-directional, 2 stations) b.3. Current measurement (5 stations) b.4. Physical parameters of water (Turbidity, EC, Temperature, Density) b.5. Meteorological parameters measurement (1 station) c. Daily measurements c.1. CTD (at 5 stations and 6 non-dimensional depths) c.2. Current speed and direction (at 5 stations and 6 non-dimensional depths) d. Periodical measurements d.1. Current speed and direction (using float tracking method at 22 stations) d.2. Current transects using Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (at required sections - for the first time in Iran) d.3. Additional current profiling using Valeport 108 (to check ADCP operation) e. Water sampling e.1. Total suspended solids (at 5 stations and 6 non-dimensional depths) e.2. Total organic matters e.3. Settling tube (fall velocity) f. Bed sediment sampling (disturbed and undisturbed at 70 stations) f.1. Soil classification (UNIFIED method) f.2. Physical properties (unit weight, Gs, water content) f.3. Total organic matters This project was mainly conducted by WRC and Baird & Associates Coastal Engineers played the role of modeling supervisor and advisor. Since this project was divided into field and desk studies, two departments were involved: Field & Environmental Studies and Coastal & Port Engineering. In this project, I was the manager of the Field & Environmental Studies Department and I was also responsible for the field studies of both campaigns and technical accuracy of the measurements so I was present in both campaigns all the time. Our staffs were in charge of the main field activities. Equipment and Computer Affairs was responsible for maintenance of the instruments. The collected data delivered to Coastal & Port Engineering Department; after the verifications and any required processing, Hydro-Informatics Department setup and analyzed the mathematical models. My duties in this project were: - Field management for both campaigns - Checking the technical accuracy of the field measurements - Technical advisor and supervisor for the instruments calibration - Technical advisor for the instrument locations and positioning - Technical advisor and supervisor for the measurements, samplings and tests - Technical advisor of the sedimentation studies - Preparation and approving of the field operation reports and other outcomes In order to visualize any complex current patterns, for the first time in Iran, I prepared the necessary current transects using the Nortek AWAC ADCP instrument. During the operation, many current speed and direction profiles at different sections were measured. Following each campaign, we demobilized the site and returned to WRC. Any remaining tests on water and sediment samples were done in laboratory under my supervision. I supervised the data downloading and processing, too. After verifying the data, in collaboration with our staff, I presented the necessary information in form of a report, within a suitable format to the project manager. I tried to find and describe the possible causes for any anomaly in data, if existing.