Articles | Volume 18, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-213-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-213-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Responses of estuarine circulation to the morphological evolution in a convergent, microtidal estuary
Rui Zhang
School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Bo Hong
School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of
Technology, Wushan RD, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510641, China
Lei Zhu
School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai),
Zhuhai 519000, China
Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of
Education, Zhuhai 519082, China
School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai),
Zhuhai 519000, China
Heng Zhang
School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai),
Zhuhai 519000, China
Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of
Education, Zhuhai 519082, China
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This study explores how wind and wave dynamics affect the movement of riverine sediment to the ocean. Using advanced modeling, we found that most riverine sediment stays near the estuary in wet summer, with strong winter winds resuspending it for transport. Our findings highlight the significant impact of seasonal changes on sediment movement, which is crucial for understanding coastal ecosystems and managing sediment-related challenges.
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From 2021 to 2022, a particular sub-estuary (East River estuary) suffered greatly from an enhanced salt intrusion. We conducted observation analysis, numerical simulations, and analytical solution to unravel the underlying mechanisms. This study is of help in the investigation of salt dynamics in sub-estuaries connected to main estuaries and of implications for mitigating salt intrusion problems in the regions.
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Salt intrusion in the Pearl River Estuary is a dynamic process that is influenced by a range of factors, and few studies have examined the effects of winds and waves. Therefore, we investigate these effects using the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport modeling system in this region. It was found that enhancement of the salt intrusion is comparable between the remote and local winds. Waves decrease the salt intrusion by increasing the water mixing.
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Short summary
(1) The intensity of the longitudinal estuarine circulation kept increasing as the estuary width continued to decrease.
(2) The changes in water depth were the dominant factor affecting lateral circulation intensity.
(3) The changes in the estuarine circulation were dominated by the changes in the baroclinic pressure gradient force and advection.
(1) The intensity of the longitudinal estuarine circulation kept increasing as the estuary width...