Integrating Laboratory Experiments and Field Instrumentation to Study Storm Impacts on Atlantic Canada’s Coastlines

Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy highlights that climate change will bring more frequent and intense extreme storms, combined with sea-level rise. Atlantic Canada is especially at risk, as hurricanes generate large waves, storm surges, and coastal erosion that threaten communities and infrastructure. The devastating impacts of Hurricane Fiona in 2022, which caused more than $800 million in damages, revealed how unprepared the region is for future climate-driven extremes. This research project takes steps toward closing that gap by combining laboratory experiments with long-term field monitoring at Martinique Beach, Nova Scotia. In the Queen’s Coastal Engineering Laboratory, I worked with a demonstration flume tank and dyes to capture, through camera-based image processing, how sediments and contaminants move through flowing water. These experiments offered a clear way to see and measure how materials are transported under storm-like conditions. In parallel, I helped prepare and test instrumentation in the large wave basin, including wave buoys and pressure sensors, before they were deployed to the field. The fieldwork centred on setting up a network of monitoring equipment at Martinique Beach: SOFAR Spotter buoys to track offshore wave conditions, Diver piezometers to measure groundwater response, and RBR sensors to record tides and storm surge. This system will operate for the next two years, creating a detailed field site model to monitor beach wave conditions and storm impacts. Through this project, I gained hands-on experience in sensor setup, field preparation, data analysis, and research communication, while working alongside a collaborative team from Queen’s and Dalhousie. The work not only deepened my understanding of storm impacts on coastal systems but also contributed to the broader effort of building resilience for Atlantic Canada’s coastlines in a changing climate.