河口湾水动力环境对滩涂利用的累积响应——以珠江口伶仃洋为例

为揭示河口湾水动力环境对滩涂利用的累积响应过程,以珠江口伶仃洋河口湾为例,基于潮波数学模型和潮流数学模型,研究了1981年以来湾内进出潮量、分潮振幅和潮流流速的累积变化。结果表明:相对于1981年,2018年岸线条件下伶仃洋湾口断面涨落潮量累积减少4.9%~6.0%、内伶仃断面涨落潮量累积减少9.0%~12.8%、深圳湾断面涨落潮量累积减少17.8%、南沙断面涨落潮量累积减少5.0%~6.3%;伶仃洋M₂分潮振幅呈增加趋势,振幅增幅由南向北增加,潮波由南向北变形进一步加剧;伶仃洋最大可能潮差变化与M₂分潮振幅变化趋势一致,潮汐性质没有发生变化;伶仃洋潮流流速总体减小,西岸流速减幅高于东岸,湾顶附近流速略有增加。     

Tidal and nontidal flushing of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon

The flushing of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon is investigated as a response to tidal and low-frequency lagoon-shelf exchanges in the presence of freshwater gains and losses. A one-dimensional computer model uses the continuity equation to convert water-level variations into both advective transport within the lagoon and lagoon-shelf exchanges. The model also incorporates transport by longitudinal diffusion. Flushing is quantified by calculating the 50% renewal time, R₅₀, for each of 16 segments. R₅₀ is calculated for tidal exchanges enhanced by 0–30 cm nontidal fluctuations in coastal sea level, then for a range of rainfall rates. In both series of simulations, results suggest that in the northern sub-basin, R₅₀ increases dramatically with distance from the inlet due to relatively weak tidal and nontidal exchanges. A 50% renewal occurs in about one tidal cycle just inside Sebastian Inlet; at the northern end of the northern sub-basin, R₅₀ is over 230 d, and only coastal sea-level variations on the order of 30 cm and/or dry season rainfall rates decrease R₅₀ to less than 1 yr. R₅₀ is 1 wk or less throughout the central and southern sub-basins, where lagoon-shelf exchanges occur through two inlets. Simulations involving seasonal variations in precipitation and evaporation indicate that maximum and minimum rates of freshwater input lead minimum and maximum salinities by time periods on the order of 2–3 wk for the lagoon as a whole and in the northern sub-basin. The central and southern sub-basins respond in 1–2 wk.     

Freshwater Contributions and Nitrogen Sources in a South Texas Estuarine Ecosystem: a Time-Integrated Perspective from Stable Isotopic Ratios in the Eastern Oyster (<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Crassostrea virginica</Emphasis>)

Freshwater inflows to Texas estuaries vary widely due to regional climate fluctuations and are being substantially altered by human activities. The natural abundance stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen in oyster adductor muscle were used to acquire a time-integrated view of freshwater and nitrogen contributions to the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve in South Texas. The study objective was to determine the influence of inputs from the San Antonio and Guadalupe rivers, which deliver approximately 1.6 km³ of water to the mid-Texas coastal region annually. A transect of sampling stations extending from the head of San Antonio Bay (northeast of the Reserve boundary) to the Aransas Pass ship channel (roughly 70 km to the southwest) was visited multiple times between 2009 and 2011. Carbon isotopic values increased from approximately ?25 to ?17‰ while δ¹⁵N values decreased from approximately +16 to +10‰ between the bay and ship channel. This range of carbon isotope values translates into time-integrated freshwater fractions as high as 0.8 (1 = 100% fresh) at the most inland sampling station to freshwater fractions around zero approaching the Gulf of Mexico. Contributions from the San Antonio and Guadalupe rivers to waters of the reserve vary between wet and dry years, but overall, the data suggest that these rivers are persistent and substantial sources of fresh water and nitrogen to the reserve. This study emphasizes the importance of connectivity and lateral exchanges among bays/lagoons when considering potential sources of fresh water and nitrogen that control ecosystem structure and function.     

The rise and fall of the estuarine intertidal zone

Water level records from two study sites in Indian River Lagoon, along Florida’s Atlantic Coast, are used to characterize the vertical displacement of the estuarine intertidal zone in response to subtidal frequency forcing. A 22-year water level record indicates that the seasonal cycle has a range approximately one-quarter greater than the mean tidal range. The intertidal zone thus rises and falls to such an extent that over time scales in excess of several weeks there is no layer which consistently experiences an alternating exposure and inundation. Six-year sets of high and low tide extremes from the second study site are expressed in the form of cummulative histograms to determine the probabilities with which high tide and low tide levels lying outside of median values will occur in response to the interaction of tidal constituents and low-frequency forcing. High and low water values are then stratified by month, and probability distributions are recomputed for each subset. In this study area, unpredictable, low-frequency water level fluctuations perturb the intertidal zone to such an extent that the probabilities of extreme high and low water levels, in addition to mean high and low water, must be determined to characterize the stuarine intertidal zone adequately. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY034 00002     

Seasonal Variability and Estuary–Shelf Interactions in Circulation Dynamics of a River-dominated Estuary

The long-term response of circulation processes to external forcing has been quantified for the Columbia River estuary using in situ data from an existing coastal observatory. Circulation patterns were determined from four Acoustic Doppler Profilers (ADP) and several conductivity–temperature sensors placed in the two main channels. Because of the very strong river discharge, baroclinic processes play a crucial role in the circulation dynamics, and the interaction of the tidal and subtidal baroclinic pressure gradients plays a major role in structuring the velocity field. The input of river flow and the resulting low-frequency flow dynamics in the two channels are quite distinct. Current and salinity data were analyzed on two time scales—subtidal (or residual) and tidal (both diurnal and semidiurnal components). The residual currents in both channels usually showed a classical two-layer baroclinic circulation system with inflow at the bottom and outflow near the surface. However, this two-layer system is transient and breaks down under strong discharge and tidal conditions because of enhanced vertical mixing. Influence of shelf winds on estuarine processes was also observed via the interactions with upwelling and downwelling processes and coastal plume transport. The transient nature of residual inflow affects the long-term transport characteristics of the estuary. Effects of vertical mixing could also be seen at the tidal time scale. Tidal velocities were separated into their diurnal and semidiurnal components using continuous wavelet transforms to account for the nonstationary nature of velocity amplitudes. The vertical structure of velocity amplitudes were considerably altered by baroclinic gradients. This was particularly true for the diurnal components, where tidal asymmetry led to stronger tidal velocities near the bottom.     

Tidal-Fluvial and Estuarine Processes in the Lower Columbia River: II. Water Level Models,Floodplain Wetland Inundation,and System Zones

Spatially varying water-level regimes are a factor controlling estuarine and tidal-fluvial wetland vegetation patterns. As described in Part I, water levels in the Lower Columbia River and estuary (LCRE) are influenced by tides, river flow, hydropower operations, and coastal processes. In Part II, regression models based on tidal theory are used to quantify the role of these processes in determining water levels in the mainstem river and floodplain wetlands, and to provide 21-year inundation hindcasts. Analyses are conducted at 19 LCRE mainstem channel stations and 23 tidally exposed floodplain wetland stations. Sum exceedance values (SEVs) are used to compare wetland hydrologic regimes at different locations on the river floodplain. A new predictive tool is introduced and validated, the potential SEV (pSEV), which can reduce the need for extensive new data collection in wetland restoration planning. Models of water levels and inundation frequency distinguish four zones encompassing eight reaches. The system zones are the wave- and current-dominated Entrance to river kilometer (rkm) 5; the Estuary (rkm-5 to 87), comprised of a lower reach with salinity, the energy minimum (where the turbidity maximum normally occurs), and an upper estuary reach without salinity; the Tidal River (rkm-87 to 229), with lower, middle, and upper reaches in which river flow becomes increasingly dominant over tides in determining water levels; and the steep and weakly tidal Cascade (rkm-229 to 234) immediately downstream from Bonneville Dam. The same zonation is seen in the water levels of floodplain stations, with considerable modification of tidal properties. The system zones and reaches defined here reflect geological features and their boundaries are congruent with five wetland vegetation zones.     

Dedication: Dr. Scott W. Nixon (1943–2012)

The availability of suspended sediments will be a dominant factor influencing the stability of tidal wetlands as sea levels rise. Watershed-derived sediments are a critical source of material supporting accretion in many tidal wetlands, and recent declines in wetland extent in several large river delta systems have been attributed in part to declines in sediment delivery. Little attention has been given, however, to changes in sediment supply outside of large river deltas. In this study, significant declines in suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) over time were observed for 25 of 61 rivers examined that drain to the East and Gulf Coasts of the USA. Declines in fluvial SSC were significantly correlated with increasing water retention behind dams, indicating that human activities play a role in declining sediment delivery. There was a regional pattern to changes in fluvial sediment, and declines in SSCs were also significantly related to rates of relative sea level rise (RSLR) along the coast, such that wetlands experiencing greater RSLR also tend to be receiving less fluvial sediment. Tidal wetlands in the Mid-Atlantic, Mississippi River Delta, and Texas Gulf especially may become increasingly vulnerable due to rapid RSLR and reductions in sediment. These results also indicate that past rates of marsh accretion may not be indicative of potential future accretion due to changes in sediment availability. Declining watershed sediment delivery to the coastal zone will limit the ability of tidal marshes to keep pace with rising sea levels in some coastal systems.     

基于卫星高度计的全球大洋潮汐模式的准确度评估

依据152个深海验潮站与大洋岛屿地面验潮站观测得到的8个主要分潮(M2、S2、K1、O1、N2、K2、P1及Q1)调和常数,对现有7个全球大洋潮汐模式的准确度进行了检验,结果显示各模式在深海大洋区域均达到了比较高的准确度:M2分潮的潮高均方根偏差在1.0～1.3cm之间;8个分潮的和方根偏差在2.1～2.3cm之间,与早期的模式相比,准确度又有了进一步提高。还依据中国近海18个岛屿的调和常数对其中的5个大洋潮汐模式的准确度进行了检验,结果表明,M2分潮均方根偏差在4.4～10cm,明显高于大洋的均方根偏差。其中日本国家天文台的潮汐模式NAO99在中国近海的结果相对较准确。     

Tidal inundation mapping under enhanced land subsidence in Semarang,Central Java Indonesia

Tidal inundation by high tide under enhanced land subsidence is a damaging phenomenon and a major threat to the Semarang urban area in Indonesia. It impacts on economic activities, as well as the cost of an emergency program and causes interruption of pubic services, danger of infectious diseases and injury to human lives. This study examines a spatial analysis tool on the GIS-raster system for the tidal inundation mapping based on the subsidence-benchmark data and modified detail digital elevation model. Neighborhood operation and iteration model as a spatial analysis tool have been applied in order to calculate the encroachment of the tidal inundation on the coastal area. The resulting map shows that the tidal flood spreads to the lowland area and causes the inundation of coastal settlement, infrastructure, as well as productive agricultural land, i.e., the fish-pond area. The monitoring of the vulnerable area due to the tidal inundation under the scenario of extended land subsidence plays an important role in long-term coastal zone management in Semarang.     

河口湾潮坪潮汐水道发育特征及地质意义 ——以钱塘江为例

河口湾中的砂体是有利的油气储集层,但复杂的水动力变化导致古代河口湾识别困难。通过对现代钱塘江河口湾的研究表明,河口湾潮坪环境潮汐水道可以成为识别古河口湾的一种辅助标志。基于野外实地观测,结合卫星地图对潮坪环境潮汐水道的发育特征进行了详细的描述,并探讨了它的地质意义。结果表明:1）泥坪潮汐水道横截面形态主要有“V”型及宽缓的透镜状,平面上由海向陆可划分为曲折的A段、平直的B段和树状分叉的C段;2）砂坪潮汐水道横截面形态主要有“U”型和阶梯型,平面上由海向陆可划分为曲折或平直的A'段和树状分叉的B'段,A'段的平直与曲折主要受控于砂坪潮道规模的大小;3）在砂质潮坪中常见炭屑层、包卷层理、液化流痕、垮塌构造、波痕等特殊的沉积构造;不同形态和规模的潮坪潮道主要受控于潮坪坡度、沉积物粒度、河口湾形态及相对海平面高低的影响,高坡度、低海平面有利于完整序列潮道的发育;4）不同类型河口湾潮坪潮道的特征及其伴生的特殊沉积构造可以为确定地质历史时期的古河口湾及其演化提供参考。     

Diurnal and semidiurnal tidal currents in the deep mid-Arabian Sea

Current meter records from two depths, approximately 1000 and 3000 m, at three moorings in the deep mid-Arabian Sea were used to study tidal components. Tidal ellipses for the semi-diurnal (M₂, S₂ and K₂) and the diurnal (K₁, and P₁) tidal constituents have been determined using the currents recorded at hourly intervals during May 1986–May 1987. The clockwise rotating M₂ tidal currents were the strongest. The maximum horizontal velocities due to M₂,₂ and K₁ tides were 2.2 cm/s, l.0cm/s and 0.89 cm/s respectively. The amplitudes of the other two constituents (P₁, and K₂) were much smaller. The barotropic M₂ ellipses have been estimated by averaging the M₂ tidal currents at the upper and lower levels. Although the amplitudes of computed ellipses are lower than those that have been predicted using numerical models of global tidal model, their orientations are the same.     

Evolution of tidal flats in China and ecological exploitation of tidal flat resources

Tidal flats play a tremendous role for solving the problem of land use because of the crisis of population increments. Many coastal countries have carried out reclamation projects near seas in various degrees for a long time. China currently has about 2.13?million?hm² of tidal flats that are mainly scattered in the delta plains and coastal regions near medium- to large-sized rivers. The tidal flats in China are reserves featuring dynamic growth and a capacity for continuous expansion; the tidal flat area undergoes an annual increase of over 20,000?hm². In recent years, countries around the world have paid much attention to the marine ecological environment and have taken measures to restrict the scale and range of sea reclamation. Although widespread reclamation of tidal flats in China has taken place, such activities have also brought some negative effect: (1) water overdraft, seawater intrusion, (2) tidal gates and channel silting, (3) environment pollution, unbalanced ecosystem, and (4) loss of wetlands and threats to the survival of species. This paper examines the mechanisms associated with tidal flat dynamic growth, and points out that artificial siltation can greatly increase the growth speed of tidal flats, and the actual measured annual siltation thickness may reach 0.5?C2.7?m. At present, this paper proposes a theory relating to the ecological exploitation of this ecosystem as follows: (1) the principle of adjustment to local conditions; (2) the principle of three-dimensional distribution; (3) the principle of ecological balance; (4) the principle of green and environmental protection. In practical terms, this dynamic growth may play a significant role in mitigating conflicts relating to land use demands in coastal areas.     

Development of Tide–Surge Interaction Model for the Coastal Region of Bangladesh

In this paper, a two-dimensional, vertically integrated hydrodynamic model is developed taking into account entrained air bubbles during storm surges as well as incorporating inverted barometer, and river and land dynamics. The model is specifically designed for the coastal region of Bangladesh. A nested scheme method with a fine mesh scheme (FMS), capable of incorporating the complex coastline and all major offshore islands accurately, nested into a coarse mesh scheme (CMS) covering up to 15° N latitude in the Bay of Bengal is used. To incorporate the small and big offshore islands in the Meghna estuarine region with its complex coastline accurately, a very fine mesh scheme (VFMS) is again nested into the FMS. Along the northeast corner of the VFMS, the Meghna river discharge is taken into account. The coastal and island boundaries are approximated through proper stair steps. The model equations are solved by a semi-implicit finite difference technique using a staggered C-grid. A stable appropriate tidal condition over the model domain is generated by applying tidal forcing with the four major tidal constituents M ₂, S ₂, K ₁, and O ₁ along the southern open boundary of the CMS. This tidal regime is introduced as the initial state of the sea for nonlinear interaction of tide and surge. The model is applied to simulate water levels due to the interaction of tide and surge associated with the cyclones April 1991 and Aila at different coastal and island locations along the coast of Bangladesh. The results are found to be quite satisfactory with root mean square error of ～0.50 m as calculated for both the storm events. Tests of sensitivities on water levels are carried out for air bubbles, offshore islands, river discharge, inverse barometer, and grid resolution. The presence of air bubbles increases simulated water levels a little bit in our model, and the contribution of air bubbles in increasing water level is found around 2 %. Further, water levels are found to be influenced by offshore islands, river discharge, inverse barometer as well as grid resolution.     

A comparative analysis of eutrophication patterns in a temperate coastal lagoon

The coastal bays and lagoons of Maryland extend the full length of the state's Atlantic coast and compose a substantial ecosystem at the land-sea margin that is characterized by shallow depth, a well-mixed water column, slow exchange with the coastal ocean, and minimal freshwater input from the land. For at least 25 years, various types of measurements have been made intermittently in these systems, but almost no effort has been made to determine if water quality or habitat conditions have changed over the years or if distinctive spatial gradients in these features have developed in response to changing land uses. The purpose of this work was to examine this fragmented database and determine if such patterns have emerged and how they may be related to land uses. Turbidity, dissolved inorganic phosphate, algal biomass, and primary production rates in most areas of the coastal bays followed a regular seasonal pattern, which was well correlated with water temperature. Nitrate concentrations were low (<5 μM), and only modestly higher in tributary creeks (<20 μM). Additionally, there was little indication of the spring bloom typical of river-dominated systems. There does appear to be a strong spatial gradient in water quality conditions (more eutrophic in the upper bays, especially in tributary creeks). Comparisons of water quality data collected between 1970 and 1991 indicate little temporal change in most areas and some small improvements in a few areas, probably related to decreases in point-source discharges. Seagrass communities were once extensive in these systems but at present are restricted to the eastern portion of the lower bays where water clarity is sufficient to support plant survival. Even in these areas, seagrass densities have recently decreased. Examination of diel dissolved oxygen data collected in the summer indicates progressively larger diel excursions from lower to upper bays and from open bays to tributary subsystems; however, hypoxic conditions (<2 mg 1^?1) were rarely observed in any location. Nitrogen input data (point, surface runoff, groundwater and atmospheric deposition to surface waters) were assembled for seven regions of the coastal bay system; annual loading rates ranged from 2.4 g N m^?2 yr^?1 to 39.7 g N m^?2 yr^?1. Compared with a sampling of loading rates to other coastal systems, those to the upper and lower bays were low while those to tributaries were moderate to high. Regression analysis indicated significant relationships between annual nitrogen loading rates and average annual total nitrogen and chlorophyll a concentrations in the water column. Similar analyses also indicated significant relationships between chlorophyll a and the magnitude of diel dissolved oxygen changes in the water column. It is concluded that these simple models, which could be improved with a well-designed monitoring program, could be used as quantitative management tools to relate habitat conditions to nutrient loading rates.     

Nutrient Loading and Transformations in the Columbia River Estuary Determined by High-Resolution In Situ Sensors

The Columbia River estuary is characterized by relatively large tidal currents and water residence times of a few days or less. These and other environmental conditions tend to suppress water column productivity and favor the export of riverborne nutrients to the coastal ocean. However, hotspots of biological activity may allow for significant nutrient transformation and removal within the estuary, but these processes have previously been difficult to quantify due to the challenges of obtaining measurements at appropriate frequency and duration. In this study, nutrient biogeochemical dynamics within the salt-influenced region of the estuary were quantified using high-resolution in situ observations of nutrients and physical water properties. During 2010, three autonomous nutrient sensors (Satlantic SUNA, SubChem Systems Inc. APNA, WET Labs Cycle-PO4) that together measured nitrate?+?nitrite, orthophosphate, ammonium, silicic acid, and nitrite were deployed on fixed observatory platforms. Hourly measurements captured tidal fluctuations and permitted an analysis of river and ocean end-member mixing. The results suggested that during summer, the lower estuary released high concentrations of ammonium and phosphate despite low concentrations in the river and coastal ocean. This was likely a result of organic matter accumulation and remineralization in the estuarine turbidity maximum and the lateral bays adjacent to the main channel.     

A description of the tides and effect of Qeshm canal on that in the Persian Gulf using two-dimensional numerical model

The main semidiurnal (M2 and S2) and diurnal (K1 and O1) tidal constituents are simulated in the Persian Gulf (PG). The topography is discretized on a spherical grid with a resolution of 30 s in both latitude and longitude. It includes coastal areas prone to flooding. The model permits flooding of drying banks up to 5 m above mean sea level. At the open boundary, it is forced by 13 harmonic constituents extracted from a global tidal model. The model results are in good agreement with tide gauge observations. Co-tidal charts and flow extremes are presented for each tidal constituent. The co-tidal charts show two amphidromic points for semidiurnal and one for diurnal tidal constituents. Maximum amplitudes of sea level are obtained for the north-western part of the PG, where coastal flooding prevails in wide areas. Strong tidal currents occur in different parts of the PG for different types of constituents. Maximum velocities are found in shallow regions. Particularly, high amplitudes of elevations and high speed currents are founded in the canal between Qeshm Island and the mainland. Rectification of tides around Qeshm Island affects the propagation of tides in the PG as far as the coast of Saudi Arabia and the northern part of the PG.     

Tidal Changes and Coastal Hazards: Past,Present and Future

A review is presented of the nature of tidal changes and their importance in the context of coastal hazards. This is done in order to illustrate the way in which tides do and may impact on the coast as a hazard and highlight the need for research to be carried out in this context. Three main aspects of tides are significant in this respect – these are: (1) tidal heights, including tidal range and the asymmetry or otherwise of the flood/ebb cycle; (2) tidal currents, the speed and direction of which affect sediment movement, sources and sinks; and (3) tidal mixing of fresh water with water of varying levels of salinity and differing temperatures. A variety of tools, from geological data to modelling, and tide gauges to satellites, may be used to assess tidal changes. Tides form the basis on which all other coastal processes operate and are therefore important with regard to the physical, chemical and biological hazards in the coastal zone. There is an urgent need to study tidal changes – both their nature and causes – in order to ensure successful coastal management.     

豫西太原组、山西组中潮道沉积的类型和特征

豫西太原组中的潮道为陆表海滨岸潮道类型,其特点为:向上变细的层序,冲刷切割下伏的灰岩层,具大型板状、槽状交错层理和双向交错层理,潮道曲流砂坝发育。山西组下段的潮道为障壁后潮道,位于障壁砂坝后的潮坪区;潮道砂岩泥质杂基较高,正粒序,砂体自海向陆分叉尖灭;潮坪、潮道等亚环境组合影响了其上发育的煤层的厚度变化。山西组上段的潮道为下三角洲平原潮道类型,多位于分流河口,砂岩为正粒序,双(单)粘土层和潮汐周期层序发育。     

Analytical models for the groundwater tidal prism and associated benthic water flux

The groundwater tidal prism is defined as the volume of water that inundates a porous medium, forced by one tidal oscillation in surface water. The pressure gradient that generates the prism acts on the subterranean estuary. Analytical models for the groundwater tidal prism and associated benthic flux are presented. The prism and flux are shown to be directly proportional to porosity, tidal amplitude, and the length of the groundwater wave; flux is inversely proportional to tidal period. The duration of discharge flux exceeds the duration of recharge flux over one tidal period; and discharge flux continues for some time following low tide. Models compare favorably with laboratory observations and are applied to a South Atlantic Bight study area, where tide generates an 11-m³ groundwater tidal prism per m of shoreline, and drives 81 m³ s?^?1 to the study area, which describes 23% of an observational estimate. In a marine water body, the discharge component of any oscillatory benthic water flux is submarine groundwater discharge. Benthic flux transports constituents between groundwater and surface water, and is a process by which pollutant loading and saltwater intrusion may occur in coastal areas.     

Basin dimensions and morphology as controls on amplification of tidal motions (the Early Miocene North Hungarian Bay)

Following the Late Aquitanian sea-level fall, tide-influenced deposition started in the North Hungarian Bay, an embayment in the Paratethys open to the north-east. The relatively narrow, funnel shape of the bay supported amplification of tidal movements, resulting in the generation of strong tidal currents. The length and the depth of the North Hungarian Bay and the connecting seaway through East Slovakia fell into the ‘Tidal Amplification Window’and thus fulfilled the conditions needed for resonant amplification of semidiurnal (M2) tides. Tide-influenced deposits were formed at both sides of the North Hungarian Bay. They reflect dominant currents in opposite directions and of different strengths at either side of the basin. This difference was the result of bottom-tide interactions. Cyclonic (anticlockwise) residual currents were induced above the asymmetrical central depression in the bay and were superimposed upon the tidal currents, producing an anticlockwise, time-and-velocity asymmetrical current system. The North Hungarian Bay and other examples show that amplification of tidal motions and formation of tide-influenced deposits may occur if basin dimensions pass through the ‘Tidal Amplification Window’. This window represents ideal conditions for resonant or amphidromic amplification of tidal currents. It determines an ideal length/depth or width/depth ratio relative to the wavelength of the astronomical tides. Thus signs of strong tidal influence in fossil basin fills can be used to reconstruct the dimensions (length, depth and width) of such basins.