Estuarine Circulation

Estuaries are unique aquatic environments that share terrestrial and marine contributions, creating a set of interesting physical characteristics including bimodal circulation patterns (fresh water flowing along the surface and saline water entering along the bottom) and mixing processes induced by tides. To a lesser extent, continental shelf processes such as storm surges and wind-driven circulation can also influence circulation in estuaries. At first glance, most estuaries are governed by tidal oscillation and influenced by river discharges, so mixing processes account for most of the hydrodynamic characterization of estuaries. The resulting velocity and salinity fields have strong time variability, and the non-steady-state current patterns may be altered by sediment erosion, transport, and sedimentation, which contribute to bathymetric and margin changes.Full Tex