Impact of River-Tide Dynamics on the Temporal-Spatial Distribution of Residual Water Level in the Pearl River Channel Networks

The behavior of the residual water level in estuarine environment is complex due to the highly nonlinear interaction between river flow and tide and the contributions made by these two external forcing to the dynamics of the residual water level are not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigate the effect of river-tide dynamics on the temporal-spatial changes of flow in terms of residual water level in the Pearl River channel networks, which is one of the complex channel networks in the world. Making use of a nonstationary tidal harmonic analysis, the continuous time series observations of water level covering a spring-neap cycle in 1999 (representing flood season) and 2001 (representing dry season) collected from around 60 stations in the Pearl River channel networks have been used to extract the temporal-spatial changes in stage and tidal properties (including amplitudes and phases) as a function of variable freshwater discharge and ocean tide. It was shown that the averaged residual water level during the flood season (ranging 0–5 m) is one order magnitude than that during the dry season (ranging 0–0.35 m). The distribution of the residual water level clearly indicates that the Pearl River channel networks feature two sub-systems, i.e., the central part of the channel networks being river-dominated with high value of residual water level and the eastern and western sides being tide-dominated with low value of residual water level. To understand the relative importance of river flow and tide on the temporal-spatial distribution of the residual water level, an idealized model is subsequently applied to the Modaomen estuary, which debouches the largest portion of river discharge into the South China Sea. Analytical results showed that the residual water level is mainly determined by the variation of the freshwater discharge for the flood season, while it is primarily controlled by the tidal forcing for the dry season and features a typical spring-neap cycle.     

长江口表层沉积物粒度时空分布特征

结合近期长江口558个表层沉积物采样资料，分析了长江口表层沉积物时空分布特性，得到了近期长江口表层沉积物中值粒径和沉积物类型分布特征。横沙以上海域表层沉积物粒径洪枯季变化较小；浑浊带海域洪季粗，枯季细；口外海域则枯季粗，洪季细。横沙以上和口外海域沉积物类型洪枯季变化较小，浑浊带海域沉积物类型变化较复杂。无论洪枯季北港表层沉积物最粗，北槽次之，南槽最小。表层沉积物大小潮变化较小，两次采样平均差别为9.7％；沉积物年际变化随大通流量和输沙量的变化而变化。近十五年来，长江口表层沉积物类型变化较大的区域主要是北支上段、南北港分流口、北槽和南槽浑浊带海域，主要与河槽的自然演变和人类活动有关。结合Pejrup新三角图对长江口各沉积动力环境进行分区，对比各沉积环境亚区的粒度特征，并对黄河口、长江口、珠江口表层沉积物粒度参数进行对比。     

Nitrate sources and sinks in Elkhorn Slough,California: Results from long-term continuous in situ nitrate analyzers

Nitrate and water quality parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and depth) were measured continuously with in situ NO₃ analyzers and water quality sondes at two sites in Elkhorn Slough in Central California. The Main Channel site near the mouth of Elkhorn Slough was sampled from February to September 2001. Azevedo Pond, a shallow tidal pond bordering agricultural fields further inland, was sampled from December 1999 to July 2001. Nitrate concentrations were recorded hourly while salinity, temperature, depth, oxygen, and turbidity were recorded every 30 min. Nitrate concentrations at the Main Channel site ranged from 5 to 65 μM. The propagation of an internal wave carrying water from ≈100 m depth up the Monterey Submarine Canyon and into the lower section of Elkhorn Slough on every rising tide was a major source of nitrate, accounting for 80–90% of the nitrogen load during the dry summer period. Nitrate concentrations in Azevedo Pond ranged from 0–20 μM during the dry summer months. Nitrate in Azevedo Pond increased to over 450 μM during a heavy winter precipitation event, and interannual variability driven by differences in precipitation was observed. At both sites, tidal cycling was the dominant forcing, often changing nitrate concentrations by 5-fold or more within a few hours. Water volume flux estimates were combined with observed nitrate concentrations to obtain nitrate fluxes. Nitrate flux calculations indicated a loss of 4 mmol NO₃ m^?2 d^?1 for the entire Elkhorn Slough and 1 mmol NO₃ m^?2 d^?1 at Azevedo Pond. These results suggested that the waters of Elkhorn Slough were not a major source of nitrate to Monterey Bay but actually a nitrate sink during the dry season. The limited winter data at the Main Channel site suggest that nitrate was exported from Elkhorn Slough during the wet season. Export of ammonium or dissolved organic nitrogen, which we did not monitor, may balance some or all of the NO₃ flux.     

Sediment dynamics of turbidity maximum in Changjiang River mouth in dry season

High-resolution current velocity and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) data were collected by using an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) at two anchor stations and a cross-section in the South Channel of the Changjiang River mouth during meso and neap tides on Nov. 16, 2003. In addition, tidal cycle (13-hour) observation at two stations was carried out with traditional methods during the spring tide. Results indicated that resuspension occurred not only at the flood and ebb maximum, but also in the early phase of ebb in the meso and neap tide. When tidal current transited from high to ebb phase, current speed accelerated. Subsequently, fine-grained sediment with low critical threshold was resuspended and increased concentration. The river mouth area remained in siltation in the meso and neap tidal phase during the observation season, with calculated resuspension flux in the order of magnitude of 10⁻⁴–10⁻⁷ kg·m−2/s. Suspended sediment transport in the South Channel was dominated by freshwater discharge, but the Storks drift, vertical circulation and vertical shear effect due to tidal oscillation also played an important role in resuspension and associated sediment transport. In contrast, resuspension sediment flux in the spring tide was larger than that in meso and neap tide, especially at the ebb maximum and flood maximum. The present study revealed that intensive resuspension corresponded well with the larger current velocity during winter. In addition, the ‘tidal pumping’ effect and tidal gravity circulation were also vital for forming the turbidity maximum in the Changjiang River estuary.     

Of sand and mud: Sedimentological criteria for identifying the turbidity maximum zone in a tidally influenced river

The thickness and lateral distribution of sand and mud beds and bedsets on channel bars from the tidally influenced Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada, are quantitatively assessed. Fifty‐six vibracores totalling ca 114 m of vertical section are used to tabulate bed thicknesses. Statistical calculations are undertaken for nine channel bars ranging from the freshwater and tidal zone, to the sustained brackish water and tidal zone. The data reveal that thickness trends can be organized into three groups that broadly correspond to time‐averaged hydrodynamic and salinity conditions in the various distributary channels. Thick sand beds (up to 30 cm) and thin mud beds (up to 5 cm) characterize the freshwater tidal zone. The tidal and freshwater to brackish‐water transition zone comprises thin sands (up to 10 cm) and thicker muds (up to 19 cm), and the sustained brackish water tidal zone consists of thin muds (up to 6 cm) with relatively thicker sands (up to 25 cm). The results suggest that the locus of mud deposition occurs in the tidal freshwater to brackish‐water zone, probably reflecting mud flocculation and deposition at the turbidity maximum. Landward of the turbidity maximum, mud deposition is linked to tidal influence (tidal backwater effect and reverse eddy currents on channel margins) as mud beds thin in the landward direction. These results support the hypothesis that mud deposition is greatest at the turbidity maximum and decreases in both the seaward and landward direction. This study also showcases that mud‐bed thicknesses are greatest towards the turbidity maximum and thin in both the landward and seaward direction. In the rock record, the apex of mud deposition probably marks the position of the palaeo‐turbidity maximum.     

磨刀门水道盐度混合层化机制

基于Simpson方法和磨刀门水道2009年枯季水文实测资料,选取上、下游两个站位的径流层化、潮汐混合、风致扰动3个影响河口水体分层的主要因素进行盐度混合的层化机制分析。研究表明:由于M1站位处上游,径流作用相对占优,分层不明显,只在涨潮急流时出现微弱的盐度分层;M2站则水体分层明显,小潮期间径流作用占主导,水体呈持续性分层,当由小潮转为中潮后,潮流作用增强,出现周期性分层现象,大潮以后,由于上游径流增加,潮流与径流作用相当,仍为周期性分层,但分层有所加强。层化的发育程度依赖径流致层化作用与潮汐、风致混合作用的博弈。     

Effect of a broad shallow sill on tidal circulation and salt transport in the entrance to a coastal plain estuary (Mira—Vila Nova de Milfontes, Portugal)

We describe the tidal circulation and salinity regime of a coastal plain estuary that connects to the ocean through a flood tide delta. The delta acts as a sill, and we examine the mechanisms through which the sill affects exchange of estuarine water with the ocean. Given enough buoyancy, the dynamics of tidal intrusion fronts across the sill and selective withdrawal (aspiration) in the deeper channel landward appear to control the exchange of seawater with estuarine water. Comparison of currents on the sill and stratification in the channel reveals aspiration depths smaller than channel depth during neap tide. During neap tide and strong vertical stratification, seawater plunges beneath the less dense estuarine water somewhere on the sill. Turbulence in the intruding bottom layer on the sill promotes entrainment of fluid from the surface layer, and the seawater along the sill bottom is diluted with estuarine water. During ebb flow, salt is effectively trapped landward of the sill in a stagnant zone between the aspiration depth and the bottom where it can be advected farther upstream by flood currents. During spring tide, the plunge point moves landward and off the sill, stratification is weakened in the deep channel, and aspiration during ebb extends to the bottom. This prevents the formation of stagnant water near the bottom, and the estuary is flooded with high salinity water far inland. The neapspring cycle of tidal intrusion fronts on flood coupled with aspiration during ebb interacts with the sill to play an important role in the transport and retention of salt within the estuary.     

A model study of turbidity maxima in the York River estuary,Virginia

A three-dimensional numerical model is used to investigate the mechanisms that contribute to the formation of the turbidity maxima in the York River, Virginia (U.S.). The model reproduces the basic features in both salinity and total suspended sediments (TSS) fields for three different patterns. Both the prominent estuary turbidity maximum (ETM) and the newly discovered secondary turbidity maximum (STM) are simulated when river discharge is relatively low. At higher river inflow, the two turbidity maxima move closer to each other. During very high river discharge event, only the prominent turbidity maximum is simulated. Diagnostic model studies also suggest that bottom resuspension is an important source of TSS in both the ETM and the STM, and confirm the observed association between the turbidity maxima and the stratification patterns in the York River estuary. The ETM is usually located near the head of salt intrusion and the STM is often associated with a transition zone between upriver well mixed and downriver more stratified water columns. Analysis of the model results from the diagnostic studies indicates that the location of the ETM is well associated with the null point of bottom residual flow. Convergent bottom residual flow, as well as tidal asymmetry, is the most important mechanisms that contribute to the formation of the STM. the STM often exists in a region with landward decrease of bottom residual flow and net landward sediment flux due to tidal asymmetry. The channel depth of this region usually decreases sharply upriver. As channel depth decreases, vertical mixing increases and hence the water column is better mixed landward of the STM.     

Temporal and spatial evolution of surface sediments characteristics in the Dagu River estuary and their dynamic response mechanism

Based on the 39 surface sediment samples collected in the flood season and the dry season in 2012 respectively and the measured hydrological data in October 2012, the sediment grain size characteristics has been analyzed and the response mechanism of surface sediments to estuarine hydrodynamics was revealed by calculating the range of waves and tidal currents. The results show that: (1) The grain size of the surface sediment samples decreased gradually from land to sea in the flood season. The fine sediment was redistributed under marine hydrodynamics in the dry season and the sediments showed coarser tendency ingeneral; (2) tidal current stirring sediment was very obvious in Dagu River estuary area, and wave stirring sediments mainly occurred in the tidal flat area and estuary sand bar area; (3) in the flood season, surface sediment sat the estuary were transported towards south and southeast. In the dry season, surface sediments were transported towards southwest at the north area of Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, and sediments were transported towards northeast area at the south of Jiaozhou Bay Bridge.     

Hydrodynamics of suspended particulate matter in the tidal freshwater zone of a macrotidal estuary (the Seine Estuary, France)

The effects of fortnightly, semidiurnal, and quaterdiurnal lunar tidal cycles on suspended particle concentrations in the tidal freshwater zone of the Seine macrotidal estuary were studied during periods of medium to low freshwater flow. Long-term records of turbidity show semidiurnal and spring-neap erosion-sedimentation cycles. During spring tide, the rise in low tide levels in the upper estuary leads to storage of water in the upper estuary. This increases residence time of water and suspended particulate matter (SPM). During spring tide periods, significant tidal pumping, measured by flux calculations, prevents SPM transit to the middle estuary which is characterized by the turbidity maximum zone. On a long-term basis, this tidal pumping allows marine particles to move upstream for several tens of kilometers into the upper estuary. At the end of the spring tide period, when the concentrations of suspended particulate matter are at their peak values and the low-tide level drops, the transport of suspended particulate matter to the middle estuary reaches its highest point. This period of maximum turbidity is of short duration because a significant amount of the SPM settles during neap tide. The particles, which settle under these conditions, are trapped in the upper estuary and cannot be moved to the zone of maximum turbidity until the next spring tide. From the upper estuary to the zone of maximum turbidity, particulate transport is generated by pulses at the start of the spring-neap tide transition period.     

Abandoned channel fill sequences in the tidal estuary of a small mountainous,dry‐summer river

This study proposes a modification of the current model for abandoned channel fill stratigraphy produced in unidirectional flow river reaches to incorporate seasonal tidal deposition. Evidence supporting this concept came from a study of two consecutive channel abandonment sequences in Ropers Slough of the lower Eel River Estuary in northern California. Aerial photographs showed that Ropers Slough was abandoned around 1943, reoccupied after the 1964 flood, and abandoned again in 1974 with fill continuing to the present. Planform geomorphic characteristics derived from these images were used in conjunction with sub‐centimetre resolution stratigraphic analyses to describe depositional processes and their resultant sedimentary deposits. Both abandonment sequences recorded quasi‐annual scale fluvial/tidal deposition couplets. In both cases, tidal deposits contained very little sand, were higher in organic and inorganic carbon content than the sandier, fluvially dominated deposits, and possessed millimetre‐scale horizontal laminations. The two abandonment fills differed significantly in terms of the temporal progression of channel narrowing and fluvial sediment deposition characteristics. Aerial photographic analysis showed that the first abandonment sequence led to a more rapid narrowing of Ropers Slough and produced deposits with a positive relationship between grain size/deposit thickness and discharge. The second abandonment resulted in a much slower narrowing of Ropers Slough and generally thinner fluvial deposits with no clear relationship between grain size/deposit thickness and discharge. The δ¹³C values and organic nitrogen to organic carbon ratios of deposits from the first phase overlapped with Eel River suspended sediment characteristics found for low flows (one to five times mean discharge), while those of the second phase were consistent with suspended sediment from higher flows (seven to ten times mean discharge). When considered together, the results indicate that the early fill sequence recorded a reach experiencing regular fluvial deposition through flow conditions during the wet season, while the latter fill sequence records a reach more disconnected from the main stem in terms of flow and sediment. The major factor affecting the difference in sedimentation between the two fill periods appears to have been the morphology of the upstream river bend in relation to the position of the bifurcation node. During the first fill period, the upstream entrance to Ropers Slough seems to have remained open, in part due to the placement of its entrance on the outside of the mainstem river bend, and despite stronger tidal effects caused by a larger tidal prism and closer proximity to the tidal inlet. By the second fill sequence, the upstream bend morphology had altered, placing the entrance to Ropers Slough on the inner bank of the mainstem bend, which resulted in more rapid plug bar formation. The role of tidal effects in the geomorphic trajectory of the two abandonment sequences is unclear, but appears to have been less important than local bifurcation geometry.     

强潮河口区近底部沉积动力过程的高分辨率观测与分析

现场试验表明,三角架观测系统稳定性良好,获取了边界层内多层位、连续的温、盐、流速、浊度同步观测数据,适用于浅海近底部沉积动力过程高分辨率观测及物质输运研究。观测结果显示:观测期间,边界层内存在向陆的余流,并呈现逐渐减小的趋势,其主要由涨、落潮流的不对称造成,大风天气和密度环流亦是影响余流强弱的重要因素;观测期间多数时刻底部切应力大于起动切应力,底质沉积物可产生明显的搬运甚至再悬浮;悬沙浓度对沉积动力的响应在涨、落潮,大、小潮阶段均有各自的特点,水动力的变化、潮流加/减速时间的长短、床面泥沙的供应量、上部水体泥沙的沉降是导致悬沙浓度变化的主要原因;底部边界层内,涨、落潮期间不对称输沙导致潮周期内悬沙净向河口湾内输运。     

An ephemeral turbidity maximum generated by resuspension of organic-rich matter in a macrotidal estuary, S.W. Wales

An ephemeral estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) occurs at high water in the macrotidal Taf estuary (SW Wales, United Kingdom). A new mechanism of ETM formation, due to resuspension and advection of material by flood tidal currents, is observed that differs from classical mechanisms of gravitational circulation and tidal pumping. The flood tide advances across intertidal sand flats in the main body of the estuary, progressively entraining material from the rippled sands. Resuspension creates, a turbid front that has suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) of about 4,000 mg I⁻¹ by the time it reaches its landward limit which is also the landward limit of salt penetration. This turbid body constitutes the ETM. Deposition occurs at high slack water but the ETM retains SSC values up to 800 mg I⁻¹, 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than ambient SSC values in the river and estuarine waters on either side. The ETM retreats down the estuary during the ebb; some material is deposited thinly across emergent intertidal flats and some is flushed out of the estuary. A new ETM is generated by the next flood tide. Both location and SSC of the ETM scale on Q/R³ where Q is tidal range and R is river discharge. The greatest expression of the ETM occurs when a spring tide coincides with low river discharge. It does not form during high river discharge conditions and is poorly developed on neap tides. Particles in the ETM have effective densities (120–160 kg m⁻³) that are 3–4 times less than those in the main part of the estuary at high water. High chlorophyll concentrations in the ETM suggest that flocs probably originate from biological production in the estuary, including production on the intertidal sand flats.     

Tidal currents,bed sediments,and bedforms at the South Branch and the South Channel of the Changjiang (Yangtze) estuary,China: Implications for the ripple-dune transition

Measurements were made of tidal currents, bed sediment particle sizes, and bedform dimensions at the South Branch and the South Channel of the Changjiang estuary, China, during the dry season in 1997 and the flood season in 1998. The near bottom current speed and direction were measured by a mechanical current meter for 10 h in 1997. The near surface current speed and direction were measured by a Current Meter of Endeco/YSI Inc. 174 SSM for 14 h in 1997 and 1998. Nine bed sediment samples were taken and their particle sizes were analyzed with sieves and siphons. The bedforms were nautically detected by an echo sounder and a side scan sonar. Results show that the ebb tides had larger near-bottom and near-surface current speeds and longer durations than the flood tides, in which the former occurred during the flood season in 1998 and not in the dry season in 1997. The bed sediments were composed of coarse silts and very fine sands during the dry season but of fine sands during the flood season. Bedforms were dominated by ebb tidal currents, the height∶length ratios of dunes and lee face angles were low, and heights and lengths were larger during the flood season in 1998. The ebb and flood tidal currents, bed sediment sizes, and dune morphology were largely controlled by the seasonal runoff variations. A new tentative boundary might be proposed for natural dunes in very fine sand with the availability of additional field data in the future.     

山溪性强潮河口最大浑浊带形成机制及其模拟

为阐明强潮河口最大浑浊带的形成机制及其运动规律,通过瓯江和椒（灵）江实测资料分析,系统分析了强潮河口最大浑浊带形成的影响因素及其与河口地貌的响应关系。考虑黏性细颗粒泥沙运动特性和盐度的影响,开发了强潮河口最大浑浊带数学模型,对椒（灵）江枯季大潮最大浑浊带运移过程进行了模拟。结果表明:①强潮河口最大浑浊带是潮波变形、咸淡水混合、泥沙再悬浮等复杂因素在一定河口边界和泥沙条件下相互作用的产物,潮波变形和泥沙供给是影响最大浑浊带形成的关键因素。②强潮河口最大浑浊带模拟必须充分考虑潮流、盐淡水混合、泥沙周期性起动、絮凝和沉积密实等因素,所建立的数学模型可用于强潮河口最大浑浊带研究。     

Longitudinal dispersion processes in the upper tamar estuary

Measurements of velocity, salinity, and suspended solids concentration have been used to investigate the intra-tidal variation of vertical and transverse shear-induced dispersion. For the study research the interaction of the longitudinal density gradient and vertical shear during the early part of the ebb tide accounted for much of the net longitudinal dispersion of solute landward. The same mechanism also is shown to lead to a net particulate transport landward. The landward flux, however, takes place during the flood tide. The field data are also used to elucidate the tidally averaged tidal pumping mechanism.     

Flow,stress and sediment resuspension in a shallow tidal channel

In October of 2004, a 3-d observational program to measure flow and sediment resuspension within a coastal intertidal salt marsh was conducted in the North Inlet/Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve located near Georgetown, South Carolina. Current and acoustic backscatter profiles were obtained from a moored acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) deployed in a shallow tidal channel during the spring phase of the tidal cycle under high discharge conditions. The channel serves as a conduit between Winyah Bay, a large brackish estuary, and North Inlet, a saline intertidal coastal salt marsh with little freshwater input. Salinity measurements indicate that the water column is vertically well mixed during flood, but becomes vertically stratified during early ebb. The stratification results from brackish (15 psu) Winyah Bay water entering North Inlet via the tidal channel, suggesting an exchange mechanism that permits North Inlet to receive a fraction of the poor water quality and high discharge flow from upland rivers. Although maximum flood currents exceed maximum ebb currents by 0.2 m s⁻¹, suspended sediment concentrations are highest during the latter ebb phase and persist for a longer fraction of the ebb cycle. Even though the channel is flood-dominated, the higher concentrations occurring over a longer fraction of the ebb phase indicate net particulate transport from Winyah Bay to North Inlet during spring tide accompanied by high discharge. Our evidence suggests that the higher concentrations during ebb result from increased bed friction caused by flow asymmetries and variations in water depth in which the highest stresses occur near the end of ebb near low water despite stronger maximum currents during flood.     

Reconsidering the physics of the Chesapeake Bay estuarine turbidity maximum

A series of cruises was carried out in the estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) region of Chesapeake Bay in 1996 to examine physical and biological variability and dynamics. A large flood event in late January shifted the salinity structure of the upper Bay towards that of a salt wedge, but most of the massive sediment load delivered by the Susquehanna River appeared to bypass the ETM zone. In contrast, suspended sediments delivered during a flood event in late October were trapped very efficiently in the ETM. The difference in sediment trapping appeared to be due to increases in particle settling speed from January to October, suggesting that the fate of sediments delivered during large events may depend on the season in which they occur. The ETM roughly tracked the limit of salt (defined as the intersection of the 1 psu isohaline with the bottom) throughout the year, but it was often separated significantly from the limit of salt with the direction of separation unrelated to the phase of the tide. This was due to a lag of ETM sediment resuspension and transport behind rapid meteorologically induced or river flow induced motion of the salt limit. Examination of detailed time series of salt, suspended sediment, and velocity collected near the limit of salt, combined with other indications, led to the conclusion that the convergence of the estuarine circulation at the limit of salt is not the primary mechanism of particle trapping in the Chesapeake Bay ETM. This convergence and its associated salinity structure contribute to strong tidal asymmetries in sediment resuspension and transport that collect and maintain a resuspendable pool of rapidly settling particles near the salt limit. Without tidal resuspension and transport, the ETM would either not exist or be greatly weakened. In spite of this repeated resuspension, sedimentation is the ultimate fate of most terrigenous material delivered to the Chesapeake Bay ETM. Sedimentation rates in the ETM channel are at least an order of magnitude greater than on the adjacent shoals, probably due to focusing mechanisms that are poorly understood.     

Short-term water quality variability in two tropical estuaries,central Sumatra

We examined high frequency fluctuations in water quality parameters in two tropical coastal plain estuaries in response to changing tidal flow conditions. The variability in total suspended sediments (TSS), volatile suspended solids (VSS), total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations, and indicators of water quality, including pH, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, over one spring tidal cycle during the early wet monsoon season was measured in two estuaries in eastern Sumatra. The relatively high rainfall experienced throughout the year, in combination with the recent extensive vegetation clearing and modification of the landscape, resulted in significant concentrations of TSS, VSS, and TOC being discharged to coastal waters. Maximum values are reached on the ebb tide (TSS > 1,013 mg l⁻¹; VSS > 800 mg l⁻¹; TOC >60 mg l⁻¹). The influence of freshwater discharge and tidal flow on water properties of the lower estuaries is also marked by the variability in salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH over the tidal cycle, with minimum values for each of these parameters following maximum current velocities and after the completion of the strong ebb tide. Estimation of seaward sediment fluxes, which are of significant interest in a region where rapid environmental change is occurring, would require further examination of sedimentary processes, such as resuspension and advection of sediment, as well as a consideration of neap-spring tidal variations and the effect of seasonality on estuarine circulation.