Anomalous current recorded at lower low water off the Changjiang River mouth, China

A hydrographic-sedimentological investigation was conducted in May 2001, aimed at assessing dynamic sedimentation patterns near and off the Changjiang River mouth, East China Sea. Current speed/direction, suspended sediment concentration (SSC), and turbidity were measured at eight nearshore and offshore sites, spanning a distance of ca. 150 km. The results identified a high-speed current ranging from 0.9 to 1.6 m/s at lower low water in the front of the turbidity maximum zone. This anomalous current, lasting about 4 h, was the fastest recorded over two semi-diurnal tidal cycles. Simultaneous measurements showed a high SSC (0.5 g/l) and high turbidity (> 230 ppm) near the seafloor. This phenomenon would help explain periodic enhancement of sediment resuspension in the area, and an associated southward transport route from the Changjiang River mouth.