21 Marine and Coastal Science (Posters)

Monday, 21 March 2016
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Convention Hall

TIDES, FRONTS AND SEDIMENT TRANSPORT IN THE CONNECTICUT RIVER ESTUARY

Paper number: 21-5
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Authors

Abstract

A study of sediment transport in the Connecticut River estuary as part of a senior research seminar is underway at Boston College and in collaboration with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Measurements of water column properties, flow velocities and suspended sediment were made in September and October of 2015 to examine the mechanisms of frontogenesis and the effects of frontal processes on sediment transport, trapping, and accumulation. Measurements were taken with a variety of instrumentation in multiple frontal zones in the estuary. Suspended sediment concentration varied from 0-200 mg/l, salinity varied from 4-30 psu, and near bed tidal velocity ranged from 0.1 to -0.8 m/s. Frontal zones exhibit differences in mixing and stratification depending on phase of the tide, water depth, and distance from Long Island Sound. Suspended sediment transport appears to be flood dominant while bedload through much of the estuary is ebb dominant.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 48, No. 1

doi: 10.1130/abs/2016NE-272692

© Copyright 2016 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.