Intratidal and spatial variability over a slope in the Ems estuary: Robust along-channel SPM transport versus episodic events
Schulz, K.; Burchard, H.; Mohrholz, V.; Holtermann, P.; Schuttelaars, H.M.; Becker, M.; Maushake, C.; Gerkema, T. (2020). Intratidal and spatial variability over a slope in the Ems estuary: Robust along-channel SPM transport versus episodic events. Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 243: 106902. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106902 In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0272-7714; e-ISSN 1096-0015, more |   |
| Author keywords | Lateral circulation; SPM transport; Ems estuary; EDoM18 |
| Authors | | Top | - Schulz, K., more
- Burchard, H.
- Mohrholz, V.
- Holtermann, P.
| - Schuttelaars, H.M., more
- Becker, M.
- Maushake, C.
- Gerkema, T., more
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| Abstract | Results from measurements are presented that were collected during a full tidal cycle in the Ems estuary, involving two landers and an anchored research vessel. The conditions were characterized by very weak winds, no wave effects, and low river run-off, so that the state was close to tide-only. We find that the lateral (i.e., cross-slope) transport of water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) much of the time shows a vertically layered structure, which is however subject to sudden transitions. Moreover, even on the small spatial scale of these measurements (i.e., within a distance of 200 m), a strong lateral variability is observed in the circulation patterns. We analyze its dynamics by means of dimensionless parameters. In addition, near-bottom peaks in SPM concentration are observed, notably during early flood. However, these episodic events have little effect on the overall transport of SPM, which involves the whole water column: the measurements show a high vertically integrated SPM signal during late ebb, resulting in an ebb-dominance in the transport at this position in the tidal channel. |
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