Sediment Flux and Trapping on the Skagit Tidal Flats
Abstract
The long-term objective is to determine the hydrodynamic processes controlling sediment transport and the associated morphologic response on tidal flats. The objectives of our research program were: * quantify the influence of barotropic (tidal) convergence on the lower Skagit tidal flats as a mechanism of sediment trapping and creation of ephemeral mud and sand deposits; * determine the role of density fronts in creating and transporting high concentration sediment suspensions, and assess the influence of these processes on sediment deposition and short-term morphological change; * distinguish the influence of wave-induced sediment transport from tidal/fluvial processes, and determine how variations in tidal, fluvial and wind/wave forcing alter the bedform geometry, transport pathways, surficial sediment characteristics and tide-flat morphology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 31, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA516875
Entities
People
- David K Ralston
- Peter Traykovski
- Wayne Rockwell Geyer
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution