Fortnightly Tidal Modulations Affect Net Community Production in a Mesotidal Estuary

Optical in situ chemical sensors enable sampling intervals and durations that rival acoustic techniques used for measuring currents. Coupling these high-frequency biogeochemical and physical measurements in estuaries to address ecosystem-scale questions, however, is still comparatively novel. This study investigated how tides affect ecosystem metabolism in a mesotidal estuary in central California (Elkhorn Slough). Dissolved oxygen measurements were used to estimate the terms in a control volume budget for a tidal creek/marsh complex at tidal timescales over several weeks. Respiration rates were 1.6 to 7.3 g O₂ m^?2 day^?1; net community production approached 20 g O₂ m^?2 day^?1. We found that aquatic NCP integrated throughout the creek complex varied significantly over the spring-neap cycle. The intertidal contribution to aquatic metabolism was net heterotrophic during spring tides and generally in balance during neap tides because spring-tide marsh inundation was limited to nighttime, and therefore the marsh could not contribute any primary production to the water column. At the estuary scale, the fortnightly export of oxygen from the main channel to the intertidal was largely balanced by an advective flux up-estuary.     

Climatic and Tidal Forcing of Hydrography and Chlorophyll Concentrations in the Columbia River Estuary

Hydrographic patterns and chlorophyll concentrations in the Columbia River estuary were compared for spring and summer periods during 2004 through 2006. Riverine and oceanic sources of chlorophyll were evaluated at stations along a 27-km along-estuary transect in relation to time series of wind stress, river flow, and tidal stage. Patterns of chlorophyll concentration varied between seasons and years. In spring, the chlorophyll distribution was dominated by high concentrations from freshwater sources. Periods of increased stream flow limited riverine chlorophyll production. In summer, conversely, upwelling winds induced input of high-salinity water from the ocean to the estuary, and this water was often associated with relatively high chlorophyll concentrations. The frequency, duration, and intensity of upwelling events varied both seasonally and interannually, and this variation affected the timing and magnitude of coastally derived material imported to the estuary. The main source of chlorophyll thus varied from riverine in spring to coastal in summer. In both spring and summer seasons and among years, modulation of the spring/neap tidal cycle determined stratification, patterns of mixing, and the fate of (especially freshwater) phytoplankton. Spring tides had higher mixing and neap tides greater stratification, which affected the vertical distribution of chlorophyll. The Columbia River differs from the more tidally dominated coastal estuaries in the Pacific Northwest by its large riverine phytoplankton production and transfer of this biogenic material to the estuary and coastal ocean. However, all Pacific Northwest coastal estuaries investigated to date have exhibited advection of coastally derived chlorophyll during the upwelling season. This constitutes a fundamental difference between Pacific Northwest estuaries and systems not bounded by a coastal upwelling zone.     

Lateral Baroclinic Forcing Enhances Sediment Transport from Shallows to Channel in an Estuary

We investigate the dynamics governing exchange of sediment between estuarine shallows and the channel based on field measurements at eight stations spanning the interface between the channel and the extensive eastern shoals of South San Francisco Bay. The study site is characterized by longitudinally homogeneous bathymetry and a straight channel, with friction more important than the Coriolis forcing. Data were collected for 3 weeks in the winter and 4 weeks in the late summer of 2009, to capture a range of hydrologic and meteorologic conditions. The greatest sediment transport from shallows to channel occurred during a pair of strong, late-summer wind events, with westerly winds exceeding 10 m/s for more than 24 h. A combination of wind-driven barotropic return flow and lateral baroclinic circulation caused the transport. The lateral density gradient was produced by differences in temperature and suspended sediment concentration (SSC). During the wind events, SSC-induced vertical density stratification limited turbulent mixing at slack tides in the shallows, increasing the potential for two-layer exchange. The temperature- and SSC-induced lateral density gradient was comparable in strength to salinity-induced gradients in South Bay produced by seasonal freshwater inflows, but shorter in duration. In the absence of a lateral density gradient, suspended sediment flux at the channel slope was directed towards the shallows, both in winter and during summer sea breeze conditions, indicating the importance of baroclinically driven exchange to supply of sediment from the shallows to the channel in South San Francisco Bay and systems with similar bathymetry.     

Suspended-Sediment Flux and Retention in a Backwater Tidal Slough Complex near the Landward Boundary of an Estuary

Backwater tidal sloughs are commonly found at the landward boundary of estuaries. The Cache Slough complex is a backwater tidal region within the Upper Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta that includes two features that are relevant for resource managers: (1) relatively high abundance of the endangered fish, delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), which prefers turbid water and (2) a recently flooded shallow island, Liberty Island, that is a prototype for habitat restoration. We characterized the turbidity around Liberty Island by measuring suspended-sediment flux at four locations from July 2008 through December 2010. An estuarine turbidity maximum in the backwater Cache Slough complex is created by tidal asymmetry, a limited tidal excursion, and wind-wave resuspension. During the study, there was a net export of sediment, though sediment accumulates within the region from landward tidal transport during the dry season. Sediment is continually resuspended by both wind waves and flood tide currents. The suspended-sediment mass oscillates within the region until winter freshwater flow pulses flush it seaward. The hydrodynamic characteristics within the backwater region such as low freshwater flow during the dry season, flood tide dominance, and a limited tidal excursion favor sediment retention.     

长江口泥沙输移扩散与沉降过程高分辨率声学现场观测

河口悬沙属性的现场观测对于泥沙输移和沉积过程研究具有重要的意义,现场超声探测较其他观测技术和方法具有较大的优势.本文应用ASSM-Ⅱ型声学悬浮泥沙观测系统对长江口悬沙输移扩散进行高分辨率观测,洪季涨潮期现场观测发现:①在潮流和颗粒重力共同作用下,抛泥泥沙同时存在输移扩散和沉降过程;②抛泥泥沙输移扩散存在2种基本的模式,即表层低密度羽状流和底层高密度羽状流.在正常天气涨潮流作用下,泥沙沉降可形成二级泥跃层,平流输送和沿程密度差产生的压力梯度形成底层高密度羽状流,它是泥沙输移扩散的主要方式.     

渤海西部河口潮间带区海水及沉积物中重金属研究

通过对渤海湾西部永定新河河口潮间带区海水及沉积物中重金属含量及污染状况的研究,认为海水中重金属含量平均值的大小顺序为Zn＞Cu＞Pb＞Hg＞Cd;因海水中重金属输入径的不同,不同潮期海水中重金属含量存在差异:大潮期海水中重金属Cu,Pb和Hg的含量大于小潮期海水中的含量,而重金属Zn和Cd的含量则小于小潮期海水中的含量;因受海水中悬浮物含量、种类及河口区成淡水混合发生絮凝作用等的影响,海水中重金属含量在垂向上也存在差异.无论是大潮期还是小潮期,海水中重金属舍量总是表层略大于底层;按一类水质标准对海水中重金属污染状况的分析,认为研究区海水已局部受到重金属污染,污染最严重的是重金属Zn,其次为重金属Pb,Hg和Cu,不存在重金属Cd污染;沉积物中重金属舍量平均值的大小顺序与海水中的相同,说明海水与沉积物中重金属循环处于相对平衡状态.沉积物中重金属含量平均值均在渤海湾环境背景值范围内,且是渤海海域含量最低的区域.经过对沉积物重金属污染状况的分析,研究区沉积物重金属污染轻微.     

Suspended Sediment Transport in the Freshwater Reach of the Hudson River Estuary in Eastern New York

Deposition of Hudson River sediment into New York Harbor interferes with navigation lanes and requires continuous dredging. Sediment dynamics at the Hudson estuary turbidity maximum (ETM) have received considerable study, but delivery of sediment to the ETM through the freshwater reach of the estuary has received relatively little attention and few direct measurements. An acoustic Doppler current profiler was positioned at the approximate limit of continuous freshwater to develop a 4-year time series of water velocity, discharge, suspended sediment concentration, and suspended sediment discharge. This data set was compared with suspended sediment discharge data collected during the same period at two sites just above the Hudson head-of-tide (the Federal Dam at Troy) that together represent the single largest source of sediment entering the estuary. The mean annual suspended sediment–discharge from the freshwater reach of the estuary was 737,000 metric tons. Unexpectedly, the total suspended sediment discharge at the study site in November and December slightly exceeded that observed during March and April, the months during which rain and snowmelt typically result in the largest sediment discharge to the estuary. Suspended sediment discharge at the study site exceeded that from the Federal Dam, even though the intervening reach appears to store significant amounts of sediment, suggesting that 30–40% of sediment discharge observed at the study site is derived from tributaries to the estuary between the Federal Dam and study site. A simple model of sediment entering and passing through the freshwater reach on a timescale of weeks appears reasonable during normal hydrologic conditions in adjoining watersheds; however, this simple model may dramatically overestimate sediment delivery during extreme tributary high flows, especially those at the end of, or after, the “flushing season” (October through April). Previous estimates of annual or seasonal sediment delivery from tributaries and the Federal Dam to the ETM and harbor may be high for those years with extreme tributary high-flow events.     

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。     

Satellite Estimates of Wide-Range Suspended Sediment Concentrations in Changjiang (Yangtze) Estuary Using MERIS Data

The Changjiang (Yangtze) estuarine and coastal waters are characterized by suspended sediments over a wide range of concentrations from 20 to 2,500 mg l⁻¹. Suspended sediment plays important roles in the estuarine and coastal system and environment. Previous algorithms for satellite estimates of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) showed a great limitation in that only low to moderate concentrations (up to 50 mg l⁻¹) could be reliably estimated. In this study, we developed a semi-empirical radiative transfer (SERT) model with physically based empirical coefficients to estimate SSC from MERIS data over turbid waters with a much wider range of SSC. The model was based on the Kubelka–Munk two-stream approximation of radiative transfer theory and calibrated using datasets from in situ measurements and outdoor controlled tank experiments. The results show that the sensitivity and saturation level of remote-sensing reflectance to SSC are dependent on wavelengths and SSC levels. Therefore, the SERT model, coupled with a multi-conditional algorithm scheme adapted to satellite retrieval of wide-range SSC, was proposed. Results suggest that this method is more effective and accurate in the estimation of SSC over turbid waters.     

A Breadth Averaged Numerical Model for Suspended Sediment Transport in Hooghly Estuary,East Coast of India

Sedimentation is of vital concern in the conservation, development and utilization ofour soil and water resources. The suspended sediment in estuarine waters is hazardousto navigation in estuaries, which have important ports and harbours. A breadth-averagednumerical model to study circulation and sediment transport is presented in this paper.The model is applied to Hooghly estuary, along the east coast of India. The model is fullynon-linear and uses a semi-explicit finite difference scheme to solve mass, momentum andadvection diffusion equation for suspended sediments in a vertical plane. The erosion anddeposition have been computed by empirically developed source and sink terms in thesuspended sediment equation.     

长江口潮位变化对潮型影响的研究

利用代表潮位站吴淞站19752010年实测资料,分析了长江口潮位变化对潮型的影响。研究结果表明,随着年平均潮位的上升,代表站年平均高（低）潮位会相应抬升,二者线性相关关系非常密切,而潮差、潮历时与年平均潮位的相关关系不明显。另外,年最高（低）高（低）潮位、年最大涨（落）潮潮差、年最大（小）涨（落）潮历时等各项极值与年平均潮位变化也没有明显的相关关系。     

Multi-Century Record of Anthropogenic Impacts on an Urbanized Mesotidal Estuary: Salem Sound,MA

Salem, MA, located north of Boston, has a rich, well-documented history dating back to settlement in 1626 ce, but the associated anthropogenic impacts on Salem Sound are poorly constrained. This project utilized dated sediment cores from the sound to assess the proxy record of anthropogenic alterations to the system and compared the proxy records to the known history. Proxies included bulk stable isotopes of organic matter, magnetic susceptibility, and trace metal concentrations. Our data reveal clear changes in organic matter composition and concentration associated with land use changes and twentieth century sewage disposal practices. Further, metal data correspond with local industrial activity, particularly the historic tanning industry in Peabody, MA. Although conservation practices of past decades have improved the state of Salem Sound, the stratigraphic record demonstrates that the environment is still affected by anthropogenic influences, and has not attained conditions consistent with pre-anthropogenic baseline. The approach and results of this study are applicable to coastal embayments that are being assessed for remediation, especially those with scant historic or monitoring data.     

Spatial, Temporal, and Human-Induced Variations in Suspended Sediment Concentration in the Surface Waters of the Yangtze Estuary and Adjacent Coastal Areas

To delineate temporal and spatial variations in suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in the Yangtze (Changjiang) Estuary and adjacent coastal waters, surface-water samples were taken twice daily from 10 stations over periods ranging from 2 to 12?years (total number of samples >28,000). Synoptic measurements in 2009 showed an increase in surface SSC from 0.058?g/l in the upper sections of the estuary to ??0.6?g/l at the Yangtze River turbidity maximum at the river mouth, decreasing seaward to 0.057?g/l. Annual periodicities reflect variations in the Yangtze discharge, which affect the horizontal distribution and transport of SSC, and seasonal winds, which result in vertical resuspension and mixing. Over the past 10?C20?years, annual surface SSC in the lower Yangtze River and the upper estuary has decreased by 55%, due mainly to dam construction in the upper and middle reaches of the river. The 20?C30% decrease in mean surface SSC in the lower estuary and adjacent coastal waters over the same period presumably reflects sediment resuspension, in part due to erosion of the subaqueous Yangtze Delta. SSCs in the estuary and adjacent coastal waters are expected to continue to decline as new dams are constructed in the Yangtze basin and as erosion of the subaqueous delta slows in coming decades.     

悬沙浓度标定相关性问题的探索

为研究影响OBS悬沙浓度标定相关性的因素,通过大量的数据分析发现常用的两种瞬时式采样器存在自身局限,无法精确控制采集点位置,以及无法完全封闭已经采集的水样。这两个局限是导致悬沙浓度标定相关系数较低的关键因素。在流态复杂的河口区,采样器的局限导致的影响更加明显。建议现场采集水样并进行后续处理时,需要注意仪器观测对象与标定样品的一致性。     

波流共同作用下潮滩剖面沉积物和地貌分异规律——以长江口崇明东滩为例

通过对崇明东滩两个海滩剖面、表层沉积物和悬沙粒度以及同步水沙资料的分析,探讨波流共同作用下表层沉积物和地貌的分异规律。受波流共同作用的影响,表层沉积物中值粒径由破波带向两侧逐渐变细,分选由破波带向两侧逐渐变差,偏度由极正偏变为正偏,峭度由很窄尖变为宽平和中等峭度。由破波带向岸方向,流速逐渐减小,含沙量逐渐增加。悬沙和表层沉积物粒度特征的对比分析表明,潮间带上部的悬沙主要来源于破波带泥沙的再悬浮。破波带内泥沙以“波浪掀沙”引起的分选运移为主,而破波带两侧的泥沙以潮流对破波带水体的“平流输移”为主。以潮汐水位和高精度海滩剖面数据对崇明东滩微地貌类型按高程进行了新的划分。     

Broad Timescale Forcing and Geomorphic Mediation of Tidal Marsh Flow and Temperature Dynamics

Tidal marsh functions are driven by interactions between tides, landscape morphology, and emergent vegetation. Less often considered are the diurnal pattern of tide extremes and seasonal variation of solar insolation in the mix of tidal marsh driver interactions. This work demonstrates how high-frequency hydroperiod and water temperature variability emerges from disparate timescale interactions between tidal marsh morphology, tidal harmonics, and meteorology in the San Francisco Estuary. We compare the tidal and residual flow and temperature response of neighboring tidal sloughs, one possessing natural tidal marsh morphology, and one that is modified for water control. We show that the natural tidal marsh is tuned to lunar phase and produces tidal and fortnight water temperature variability through interacting tide, meteorology, and geomorphic linkages. In contrast, temperature variability is dampened in the modified slough where overbank marsh plain connection is severed by levees. Despite geomorphic differences, a key finding is that both sloughs are heat sinks in summer by latent heat flux-driven residual upstream water advection and sensible and long-wave heat transfer. The precession of a 335-year tidal harmonic assures that these dynamics will shift in the future. Water temperature regulation appears to be a key function of natural tidal sloughs that depends critically on geomorphic mediation. We investigate approaches to untangling the relative influence of sun versus tide on residual water and temperature transport as a function of system morphology. The findings of this study likely have ecological consequences and suggest physical process metrics for tidal marsh restoration performance.     

Modeling Sediment Suspensions in an Idealized Tidal Embayment: Importance of Tidal Asymmetry and Settling Lag

Suspended sediment transport processes in a short tidal embayment with a simple geometry are investigated using analytic and numerical models. On the basis of numerical results, the horizontal gradient of depth-averaged suspended sediment concentration can be parameterized with a combination of the first harmonic and mean. Using the parameterization, the solution of the analytic model is obtained. Evaluation of the major terms from the solution of the analytic model shows that a quarter-diurnal frequency is significant near the mouth while a semidiurnal component dominates the interior area. The settling lag consists of local and nonlocal components. The local phase lag is a function of the ratio between tidal period and settling time. The nonlocal phase lag is determined by the phase difference between tidal velocity and the horizontal gradient of sediment concentration and by the strength of erosion and horizontal advection.     

Effects of Tidal-Forcing Variations on Tidal Properties Along a Narrow Convergent Estuary

A 1D analytical framework is implemented in a narrow convergent estuary that is 78 km in length (the Guadiana, Southern Iberia) to evaluate the tidal dynamics along the channel, including the effects of neap-spring amplitude variations at the mouth. The close match between the observations (damping from the mouth to ～ 30 km, shoaling upstream) and outputs from semi-closed channel solutions indicates that the M₂ tide is reflected at the estuary head. The model is used to determine the contribution of reflection to the dynamics of the propagating wave. This contribution is mainly confined to the upper one third of the estuary. The relatively constant mean wave height along the channel (<?10% variations) partly results from reflection effects that also modify significantly the wave celerity and the phase difference between tidal velocity and elevation (contradicting the definition of an “ideal” estuary). Furthermore, from the mouth to ～ 50 km, the variable friction experienced by the incident wave at neap and spring tides produces wave shoaling and damping, respectively. As a result, the wave celerity is largest at neap tide along this lower reach, although the mean water level is highest in spring. Overall, the presented analytical framework is useful for describing the main tidal properties along estuaries considering various forcings (amplitude, period) at the estuary mouth and the proposed method could be applicable to other estuaries with small tidal amplitude to depth ratio and negligible river discharge.     

感潮河网区水沙运动的数值模拟

根据感潮河网区水沙运动特征,建立了一维感潮河网区非恒定水沙数学模型,对河网区水沙运动和河床变形进行了数值模拟,并在水沙模拟的范围内着重对河网区内动边界的处理、挟沙力公式的选用、内边界含沙量的确定等问题进行了讨论,提出了解决问题的途径和技术处理方法。采用东江下游感潮河网区的水文和河道地形资料对所建模型进行了检验,模拟结果较好地反映了感潮河网区水沙运动的往复输运特征和河道冲淤的宏观效应。     

Characteristics of Extreme Meteorological Forcing and Water Levels in Mobile Bay, Alabama

The paper presents comprehensive statistical analyses of winds and water levels in Mobile Bay, Alabama, based on long-term meteorological and tidal observations at several locations. A procedure has been developed to select the most probable parent distribution function from a list of candidate distributions. The theoretical functions that fit the data best enable us to predict the extreme values of winds and water levels at different return periods. We have demonstrated the importance of dividing the winds into hurricane and nonhurricane seasons and separating astronomical tides from weather-driven water level changes. The statistical analysis suggests that the wind speed averaged over 8 min at Dauphin Island, Alabama, at the 100-year return period would be 48.9 m/s, which is equivalent to a sustained 1-min wind of 205 km/h, a very strong category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The probability distribution models predict that the 100-year maximum water level would be 3.23 m above the mean lower low water (MLLW) level at the bay entrance and 3.41 m above the MLLW level near the head of the bay, respectively. Extremely low water levels important to navigation are also found. Application of the predicted extreme winds and surges is illustrated through the development of a storm wave atlas in the estuary. It is expected that the methodology and results presented in this paper will benefit the management and preservation of the ecosystems and habitats in Mobile Bay.