Adjustment and extension of the Hansen and Rattray estuarine classification diagram

The classification diagram developed by Hansen and Rattray (1966, Limnol. Oceanogr.) is one of the classic papers on classification of estuarine salinity dynamics. However, we found several inconsistencies in both their stratification-circulation and estuarine classification diagrams. These findings considerably change the interpretation of their work. Furthermore, while their classification includes salt wedge estuaries, the model used to derive this is only applicable to well-mixed and partially mixed estuaries. Here, we identify and solve these inconsistencies, and we propose new adjusted and extended stratification-circulation and classification diagrams. To this end, we summarise the model of Hansen and Rattray and extend their work to find analytical model solutions and an adjusted stratification-circulation diagram. Using this new diagram, it is shown that Hansen and Rattray incorrectly discussed the behaviour of dispersion dominated estuaries and that several parts of the diagram correspond to physically unrealistic model solutions. This is then used to demonstrate that several estuarine classes identified by Hansen and Rattray correspond to physically unrealistic model solutions and can therefore not be interpreted. A new and extended classification is proposed by using a recently developed model that extends the work of Hansen and Rattray to salt wedge estuaries. This results in an extended estuarine classification including examples of the location of 12 estuaries in this new diagram.

Salinity effects on pressure-based tide gauges in a macro-tidal estuary

<div>Estuarine salinity can be highly variable, resulting in significant density variability. So tide-gauges measuring pressure (either directly or as bubblers) can experience salinity-induced pressure variations of up to 1% of their range. They can therefore record depths with up to 1% variability that is not seen in other measurement systems. In most places this is a small effect compared to other sources of varibility but in macro-tidal estuary such as the Severn in the UK it amounts around 10cm difference between high and low tide. This is comparable to levels of accuracy being sought by current surge forecasts. </div><div> </div><div>This effect can be seen in neighbouring radar and pressure gauges in the Severn. It could result in spurious seasonal and spring-neap constituents. Elsewhere, similar errors could result related to unusual freshwater river flow in estuarine locations that are usually saline, or unusual saline storm surge in usually freshwater sites. It has implications for assessment of storm surge and multi-hazard forecasting, and accurate calibration of new gauge installations.  </div><div> </div>

Modeling the influence of the gravitational circulation on estuarine sand dunes

<p>Estuaries are hydrodynamically complex regions where a river meets saline water. In many estuaries, sand dunes can be found; these are large-scale rhythmic bedforms. Observational studies have revealed several estuarine processes that affect sand dune dimensions and dynamics. These are for instance sand-mud interactions and tidal amplification. Here, we build upon an observational study in the Gironde Estuary, France, which indicated that the gravitational circulation – present in many estuaries due to the interaction between (heavy) seawater and (light) freshwater – is significant enough to affect sand dunes (Berne et al., 1993). Our aim is to understand the effect of this circulation on bedform dimensions and dynamics, and to explain the underlying mechanisms.</p><p>To this end, we develop an idealized process-based model which contains descriptions for the motion of water and non-cohesive sediment transport within a local section of a generic estuary. On this geometry, we impose a steady river discharge, superimposed on an oscillatory tidal flow. Furthermore, we include the effect of salinity-induced density differences by following the model as presented by MacCready (2004). In here, we adopt a diagnostic approach, meaning that the along-estuarine salinity gradient is imposed on the domain instead of being an unknown which interacts with the flow. The alternative, a so-called prognostic approach, is also explored.</p><p>This model is analyzed using a so-called linear stability analysis, as applied earlier to e.g. marine sand waves (Hulscher, 1996) but not yet to estuarine dunes. Within this analysis, the reference state with a flat bed is slightly perturbed, and the model shows whether these perturbations decay (the flat bed is stable) or grow (it is unstable). The model results provide a generic insight into the role of the gravitational circulation on bedform dimensions and dynamics, particularly growth and migration; the latter possibly directed opposite to the river discharge. To test our model, it is then applied to the specific settings of the Gironde. Furthermore, a systematic sensitivity analysis shows the effect of environmental parameters on bedform development when subject to the gravitational circulation. Including this estuarine-specific process is a novel and first step in obtaining a solid understanding of the behavior of estuarine sand dunes.</p><p> </p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p>Berne, S., Castaing, P., le Drezen, E., & Lericolais, G. (1993). Morphology, Internal Structure, and Reversal of Asymmetry of Large Subtidal Dunes in the Entrance to Gironde Estuary (France). Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 63(5), 780–793. https://doi.org/10.1306/d4267c03-2b26-11d7-8648000102c1865d</p><p>Hulscher, S. J. M. H. (1996). Tidal-induced large-scale regular bed form patterns in a three-dimensional shallow water model. Journal of Geophysical Research, 101(C9), 727–744. https://doi.org/10.1029/96JC01662</p><p>MacCready, P. (2004). Toward a unified theory of tidally-averaged estuarine salinity structure. Estuaries, 27(4), 561–570. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02907644</p><p> </p>