scholarly journals Seasonal stratification and property distributions in a tropical estuary (Cochin estuary, west coast, India)

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Shivaprasad ◽  
J. Vinita ◽  
C. Revichandran ◽  
P. D. Reny ◽  
M. P. Deepak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlorophyll A ◽  
River Discharge ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Cochin Estuary ◽  
Salt Intrusion ◽  
Salinity Field ◽  
Salt Wedge ◽  
Water Column Stability ◽  
Upwelled Water

Abstract. The intratidal, spring–neap and seasonal variations in stratification were examined in the Cochin estuary. The observations established a strong connection with the distribution of chemical and biological properties. The influence of tides and river discharge forcing in water column stability was quantified using potential energy anomaly (PEA) and stratification parameter. Partially mixed (neap) and well-mixed (spring) conditions during low river discharge (dry) period were altered in monsoon by the salt wedge intrusions. The ecological impact of salt wedge propagation on high tides bringing upwelled water to the system was evident from the bottom hypoxic, high chlorophyll a and nutrient-rich conditions. Phosphate and nitrite concentrations were higher at the bottom saline conditions but silicate and nitrate were clearly supplied by river water. However, during ebb tide this front was driven out of the estuary. The periodic advance and retreat of the salt wedge was inevitable in making the system immune from extended hypoxia/anoxia and maintaining the health of the Cochin estuary. For the seasonally varying river flow in the estuary, salt intrusion receded with increasing river flow in monsoon and rebounded with decreasing river flow in dry season. During monsoon, the intense flushing and reduction in salinity field expansion seemed to be responsible for the limited chlorophyll a levels along the surface of the Cochin estuary.

scholarly journals Seasonal stratification and property distributions in a tropical estuary (Cochin estuary, west coast, India)

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 8979-9010
Author(s):  
A. Shivaprasad ◽  
J. Vinita ◽  
C. Revichandran ◽  
P. D. Reny ◽  
M. P. Deepak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlorophyll A ◽  
River Discharge ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Cochin Estuary ◽  
Salt Intrusion ◽  
Salinity Field ◽  
Salt Wedge ◽  
Water Column Stability ◽  
Upwelled Water

Abstract. The intratidal, spring-neap and seasonal variations in stratification were examined in Cochin estuary. The observations established a strong connection with the distribution of chemical and biological properties. The influence of tides and river discharge forcing in water column stability was quantified using potential energy anomaly (PEA) and stratification parameter. Partially mixed (neap) and well-mixed (spring) conditions during low river discharge (dry) period were altered in monsoon by the salt wedge intrusions. The ecological impact of salt wedge propagation on high tides bringing upwelled water to the system was evident from the bottom hypoxic, high chlorophyll a and nutrient-rich conditions. Phosphate and nitrite concentrations were higher at the bottom saline conditions but silicate and nitrate were clearly supplied by river water. However, during ebb tide this front was driven out of the estuary. The periodic advance and retreat of the salt wedge was inevitable in making the system immune from extended hypoxia/anoxia and maintaining the health of Cochin estuary. For the seasonally varying river flow in the estuary, salt intrusion receded with increasing river flow in monsoon and rebounded with decreasing river flow in dry season. During monsoon, the intense flushing and reduction in salinity field expansion seemed to be responsible for the limited chlorophyll a levels along the surface of Cochin estuary.

scholarly journals How winds and river discharge affect circulation in a mesotidal estuary, San Francisco Bay, USA

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianqian Liu ◽  
Huijie Xue ◽  
Fei Chai ◽  
Zhengui Wang ◽  
Yi Chao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
San Francisco ◽  
River Discharge ◽  
River Flow ◽  
San Francisco Bay ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Wind Forcing ◽  
Salt Flux ◽  
Tidal Range ◽  
Salt Intrusion

Previous studies suggest importance of wind forcing on salt intrusion length and salt flux in river-dominated microtidal estuaries (with tidal range < 2 m). In this study, we investigate the role of wind forcing on salt intrusion in a mesotidal estuary, San Francisco Bay (SFB), with tidal ranges between 2 m and 4 m, through an open-source model of high transferability, the Semi-implicit Cross-scale Hydroscience Integrated System Model (SCHISM). Meanwhile, we investigate circulation and salinity variation of San Francisco Bay. The model’s performance in hydrodynamics at tidal, spring/neap and seasonal time scales is validated through model-observation comparisons. Through realistically forced and process-oriented experiments, we demonstrate that spring/neap tides can cause fortnightly variations in salinity and currents by modulating vertical mixing and stratification; and seasonal variability of circulation in North Bay is determined by change of river discharge and modified by winds, while in South Bay it is dominated by wind-driven flows. Furthermore, we revealed the role of wind on X2 (the distance from the Golden Gate Bridge to the 2-PSU isohaline at the bottom). The model results show that X2 is primarily influenced by river flow and proportional to river flow to the ¼ power. Meanwhile, wind plays a secondary role in modifying X2 by increasing X2 from 0 to 5 km during low discharge period, while spring/neap tide modulation on X2 is negligible but important for salt balance in sub-regions downstream of X2.

Investigation of spatial and temporal salinity distribution in river deltas through idealized numerical modelling

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constantinos Matsoukis ◽  
Laurent Amoudry ◽  
Lucy Bricheno ◽  
Nicoletta Leonardi
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modelling ◽  
Environmental Change ◽  
River Discharge ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Salinity Distribution ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Salt Intrusion ◽  
Salinity Field ◽  
River Deltas

&lt;p&gt;The world's river deltas are increasingly vulnerable due to pressures from human activities and environmental change. In deltaic regions, the distribution of salinity controls the resourcing of freshwater for agriculture, aquaculture and human consumption; it also regulates the functioning of critical natural habitats. Despite numerous insightful studies, there are still significant uncertainties on the spatio-temporal patterns of salinity across deltaic systems. In particular, there is a need for a better understanding of the salinity distribution across deltas&amp;#8217; channels and for simple predictive relationship linking salinity to deltas&amp;#8217; characteristics and environmental conditions. We address this gap through idealized three-dimensional modelling of typical delta configurations (river, tide dominated etc.) and by investigating the relationship between salinity, river discharge and channels&amp;#8217; bifurcation order. Model results are then compared with data from real delta cases. Results demonstrate the existence of simple one-dimensional and analytical relationships describing the salinity field in a delta. Salinity and river discharge are exponentially and negatively correlated. There is a correlation between salinity and channels bifurcation order and salinity increases linearly with decreasing stream order. These useful parametrizations of salinity distribution following deltas&amp;#8217; features and geometry might be applied to real case scenarios to support the investigation of deltas vulnerability to environmental change and the management of deltaic ecosystems.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keywords&lt;/strong&gt;: salinity, salt intrusion, river deltas, numerical modelling, idealized river delta models&lt;/p&gt;

Kajian Debit Sungai di DAS Wae Ruhu, Kota Ambon

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-23
Author(s):  
Matheus Souisa ◽  
Paulus R. Atihuta ◽  
Josephus R. Kelibulin
Keyword(s):  
River Discharge ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Data Retrieval ◽  
Sediment Discharge ◽  
Flood Prevention ◽  
Retrieval Processes ◽  
Water Catchment ◽  
Steep Slopes ◽  
Station Point

Ambon City is a region consisting of hilly areas and steep slopes with diverse river characteristics. Research has been carried out in the Wae Ruhu watershed in Ambon City which starts from upstream (water catchment) to downstream. This study aims to determine the magnitude of river discharge and sediment discharge in the Wae Ruhu watershed. This research was conducted in several stages including, secondary data collection, research location survey, preparation of research tools and materials as well as field data retrieval processes which included tracking coordinates at each station point and entire watershed, calculation of river flow velocity, river geometry measurements, and sampling sediment. The results showed that the average river discharge in the Wae watershed in the year 2018 was 1.24 m3 / s, and the average sediment discharge was 6.27 kg / s. From the results of this study and the field observations proposed for flood prevention and the rate of sediment movement are the construction of cliffs with sheet pile and gabions.

Bedforms, bed material, and bedload transport in a salt-wedge estuary: Fraser River, British Columbia

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1440-1452 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Kostaschuk ◽  
M. A. Church ◽  
J. L. Luternauer
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
River Discharge ◽  
Bedload Transport ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Salt Wedge ◽  
Migration Rates ◽  
Material Load ◽  
Bed Material

The lower main channel of the Fraser River, British Columbia, is a sand-bed, salt-wedge estuary in which variations in velocity, discharge, and bedform characteristics are contolled by river discharge and the tides. Bed-material composition remains consistent over the discharge season and in the long term. Changes in bedform height and length follow but lag behind seasonal fluctuations in river discharge. Migration rates of bedforms respond more directly to river discharge and tidal fall than do height and length. Bedform characteristics were utilized to estimate bedload transport in the estuary, and a strong, direct, but very sensitive relationship was found between bed load and river discharge. Annual bedload transport in the estuary is estimated to be of the order of 0.35 Mt in 1986. Bedload transport in the estuary appears to be higher than in reaches upstream, possibly because of an increase in sediment movement along the bed to compensate for a reduction in suspended bed-material load produced by tidal slack water and the salt wedge.

scholarly journals Analysis Methods for Characterizing Salinity Variability from Multivariate Time Series Applied to the Apalachicola Bay Estuary

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven L. Morey ◽  
Dmitry S. Dukhovskoy
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
River Discharge ◽  
River Flow ◽  
High Salinity ◽  
Multivariate Time Series ◽  
Salinity Range ◽  
Apalachicola Bay ◽  
Analysis Methods ◽  
Salinity Variability

Abstract Statistical analysis methods are developed to quantify the impacts of multiple forcing variables on the hydrographic variability within an estuary instrumented with an enduring observational system. The methods are applied to characterize the salinity variability within Apalachicola Bay, a shallow multiple-inlet estuary along the northeastern Gulf of Mexico coast. The 13-yr multivariate time series collected by the National Estuary Research Reserve at three locations within the bay are analyzed to determine how the estuary responds to variations in external forcing mechanisms, such as freshwater discharge, precipitation, tides, and local winds at multiple time scales. The analysis methods are used to characterize the estuarine variability under differing flow regimes of the Apalachicola River, a managed waterway, with particular focus on extreme events and scales of variability that are critical to local ecosystems. Multivariate statistical models are applied that describe the salinity response to winds from multiple directions, river flow, and precipitation at daily, weekly, and monthly time scales to understand the response of the estuary under different climate regimes. Results show that the salinity is particularly sensitive to river discharge and wind magnitude and direction, with local precipitation being largely unimportant. Applying statistical analyses with conditional sampling quantifies how the likelihoods of high-salinity and long-duration high-salinity events, conditions of critical importance to estuarine organisms, change given the state of the river flow. Intraday salinity range is shown to be negatively correlated with the salinity, and correlated with river discharge rate.

scholarly journals Analytical approach for determining the mean water level profile in an estuary with substantial fresh water discharge

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1177-1195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huayang Cai ◽  
Hubert H. G. Savenije ◽  
Chenjuan Jiang ◽  
Lili Zhao ◽  
Qingshu Yang
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
River Discharge ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Water Discharge ◽  
Value Theory ◽  
Velocity Amplitude ◽  
Mean Water Level ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fresh Water Discharge

Abstract. The mean water level in estuaries rises in the landward direction due to a combination of the density gradient, the tidal asymmetry, and the backwater effect. This phenomenon is more prominent under an increase of the fresh water discharge, which strongly intensifies both the tidal asymmetry and the backwater effect. However, the interactions between tide and river flow and their individual contributions to the rise of the mean water level along the estuary are not yet completely understood. In this study, we adopt an analytical approach to describe the tidal wave propagation under the influence of substantial fresh water discharge, where the analytical solutions are obtained by solving a set of four implicit equations for the tidal damping, the velocity amplitude, the wave celerity, and the phase lag. The analytical model is used to quantify the contributions made by tide, river, and tide–river interaction to the water level slope along the estuary, which sheds new light on the generation of backwater due to tide–river interaction. Subsequently, the method is applied to the Yangtze estuary under a wide range of river discharge conditions where the influence of both tidal amplitude and fresh water discharge on the longitudinal variation of the mean tidal water level is explored. Analytical model results show that in the tide-dominated region the mean water level is mainly controlled by the tide–river interaction, while it is primarily determined by the river flow in the river-dominated region, which is in agreement with previous studies. Interestingly, we demonstrate that the effect of the tide alone is most important in the transitional zone, where the ratio of velocity amplitude to river flow velocity approaches unity. This has to do with the fact that the contribution of tidal flow, river flow, and tide–river interaction to the residual water level slope are all proportional to the square of the velocity scale. Finally, we show that, in combination with extreme-value theory (e.g. generalized extreme-value theory), the method may be used to obtain a first-order estimation of the frequency of extreme water levels relevant for water management and flood control. By presenting these analytical relations, we provide direct insight into the interaction between tide and river flow, which will be useful for the study of other estuaries that experience substantial river discharge in a tidal region.

Effects of tides, wind and river discharge on the salt intrusion in a microtidal tropical estuary

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 400-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Héctor Perales-Valdivia ◽  
Rosario Sanay-González ◽  
Arnoldo Valle-Levinson
Keyword(s):  
River Discharge ◽  
Tropical Estuary ◽  
Salt Intrusion

scholarly journals Comparison of empirical models with intensively observed data for prediction salt intrusion in the Sumjin River estuary, Korea

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1879-1905 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Shaha ◽  
Y.-K. Cho
Keyword(s):  
River Discharge ◽  
Neap Tide ◽  
Spring Tide ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
High Water ◽  
Empirical Models ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Salt Intrusion ◽  
Salinity Data ◽  
Comparative Results

Abstract. Intensive measurements of salt intrusion in the Sumjin River estuary were taken at high and low waters during both spring and neap tides in each season from August 2004 to April 2007. The estuary demonstrated partially- and well-mixed characteristics during the spring tide and stratified condition during the neap tide. The salt intrusion at high water varied from about 13.39 km in summer 2005 to 25.62 km in autumn 2006. The salt intrusion depended primarily on the freshwater discharges rather than those of spring-neap tidal oscillations. Analysis of three years of observed salinity data indicated that the salt intrusion length scale in the Sumjin River estuary was proportional to the river discharge to the −1/5 power. Five empirical models were applied to the Sumjin River estuary to explore the most suitable as an easy-to-use tool for prediction of the salt intrusion length as functions of the geometry, river discharge and tide. Comparative results showed that the Nguyen and Savenije (2006) model developed under both partially- and well-mixed estuaries yielded the most satisfactory results of all the models studied for computing the salt intrusion length in the Sumjin River estuary. Our study suggests that the model can generate reasonable results for stratified conditions also.

scholarly journals Using an Isohaline Flux Analysis to Predict the Salt Content in an Unsteady Estuary

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 2811-2828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D. Rayson ◽  
Edward S. Gross ◽  
Robert D. Hetland ◽  
Oliver B. Fringer
Keyword(s):  
River Flow ◽  
Salt Content ◽  
Box Model ◽  
Flux Analysis ◽  
Galveston Bay ◽  
Exchange Flow ◽  
Salt Intrusion ◽  
Adjustment Time ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Salinity Difference

AbstractAn estuary is classified as unsteady when the salinity adjustment time is longer than the forcing time scale. Predicting salt content or salt intrusion length using scaling arguments based on a steady-state relationship between flow and salinity is inaccurate in these systems. In this study, a time-dependent salinity box model based on an unsteady Knudsen balance is used to demonstrate the effects of river flow, inward total exchange flow (tidal plus steady), and the salinity difference between inflow and outflow on the salt balance. A key component of the box model is a relationship that links the normalized difference between inflowing and outflowing salinity at the mouth and the mean salinity content. The normalized salinity difference is shown to be proportional to the mean salinity squared, based on theoretical arguments from the literature. The box model is validated by hindcasting 5 years of mean salinity in Galveston Bay (estimated from coarse observations) in response to highly variable river discharge. It is shown that this estuary typically has a long adjustment time relative to the forcing time scales, and, therefore, the volume-averaged salinity rarely reaches equilibrium. The box model highlights the reasons why the adjustment time in a large, partially mixed estuary like Galveston Bay is slower when the mean salt content is higher. Furthermore, it elucidates why the salt content in the estuary is more responsive to changes in river flow than in landward exchange flow at the estuary mouth, even though the latter quantity is usually several times larger.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document