Cyclical variability of suspended sediment concentration over a low-energy tidal flat in Jiaozhou Bay, China: Effect of shoaling on wave impact

S. L. Yang, P. Li, A. Gao, J. Zhang, W. X. Zhang, M. Li

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25 Scopus citations

Abstract

During the spring-neap period of 17-24 August 2004, turbidity, horizontal and vertical current velocities and echo intensity were measured using OBS-3A and ADP-XR instruments over an intertidal flat within the semi-enclosed Jiaozhou Bay, China, to examine patterns in suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and possible control factors. SSC was found to be lower than 30 mg l-1 in most of the water column and for most of the tidal cycle. This is attributed mainly to the low hydrodynamic energy, in particular weak currents (near-bottom maximum 1- and 8-min-interval velocities were only 26.1 and 14.2 cm s-1, respectively), and limited fine-grained sediment supply by rivers. However, high SSC values ranging from 100 to >1,000 mg l-1 occurred over short periods at the beginning and the end of inundation. This phenomenon is attributed to the shoaling effect of frequent wind-generated waves, as a result of which near-bottom SSC fluctuations display a U-shaped trend during each tidal cycle.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)345-353
Number of pages9
JournalGeo-Marine Letters
Volume27
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2007

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