Wind and tide induced resuspension of sediment and microphytobenthos from tidal flats in the Ems estuary
De Jonge, V.N.; van Beusekom, J.E.E. (1992). Wind and tide induced resuspension of sediment and microphytobenthos from tidal flats in the Ems estuary, in: De Jonge, V.N. Physical processes and dynamics of microphytobenthos in the Ems estuary (The Netherlands). pp. 139-155 In: De Jonge, V.N. (1992). Physical processes and dynamics of microphytobenthos in the Ems estuary (The Netherlands). Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management: The Hague. ISBN 90-369-0112-X. 176 pp., more |
Keywords | Aquatic communities > Benthos > Phytobenthos Motion > Water motion > Water currents > Tidal currents Particulates > Suspended particulate matter > Sediments > Resuspended sediments Topographic features > Landforms > Coastal landforms > Tidal flats Velocity > Wind speed Water waves ANE, Germany, Ems Estuary [Marine Regions] Marine/Coastal |
Authors | | Top | - De Jonge, V.N., more
- van Beusekom, J.E.E., more
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Abstract | The resuspension of microphytobenthos (mainly benthic diatoms) and mud (<55-pm fraction) from tidal flats was studied in the Ems estuary (Netherlands/Germany), of which -50% is covered by intertidal areas. Mud and microphytobenthos are resuspended simultaneously from the tidal flats in the estuary. The concentrations of these parameters in the main channels of the estuary are strongly affected by erosion due to wind-induced waves and by settlement during calm weather conditions. The resuspension of mud can be described as a linear function of the “effective windspeed,” which is defined as the windspeed averaged over three high-water (6 h bracketing high water) periods preceding sampling. The resuspended fraction of microphytobenthos from the top 0.5-cm layer of sediment can also be described as a linear function of the effective windspeed. Our data indicate that for this estuary, the proper quantification of resuspension of mud and microphytobenthos requires consideration of relatively large areas. |
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