Tidally induced turbulence and suspended sediment

Souza, Alejandro J.; Alvarez, Luis G.; Dickey, Tommy D.. 2004 Tidally induced turbulence and suspended sediment. Geophysical Research Letters, 31 (20). L20309. 10.1029/2004GL021186

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Abstract/Summary

Nearly continuous data collected using novel methods are utilized to advance the understanding of turbulence and suspended particulate matter (SPM) dynamics under strong tidal flow conditions. Key instrumentation includes a single acoustic current profiler that provides nearly continuous, concurrent turbulence and SPM information with respect to depth near the seafloor and within the water column. Observations show a lag of about 1 hour in turbulence production between the bottom and 12 meters above the bottom (mab), and of about 1.5 hours for SPM. Estimates of eddy viscosity show values ranging between 10−3 and 10−2 m2 s−1, with an almost constant mean value of 3.5 × 10−3 m2 s−1 within the bottom 7 meters. The present observations and a previously reported theory show good agreement in both amplitude and phase for SPM and turbulence, when values of eddy viscosity ranging between 3.5 × 10−3 (mean) and 10−2 (maximum) are used. Our data set is valuable for evaluating, developing, and improving turbulence and SPM numerical models.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1029/2004GL021186
Programmes:	POL Programmes > Shallow coastal seas - function and impacts of change > Process experiments at small scale POL Programmes
ISSN:	0094-8276
Additional Keywords:	Turbulence, diffusion, and mixing Sediment transport shelf sea dynamics Benthic Boundary Layer
NORA Subject Terms:	Marine Sciences
Date made live:	18 Jul 2013 10:56 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/502668

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