Abstract
Processes involved in erosion, transport and deposition of cohesive materials are studied in a transect from shallow (16 m) to deep (47 m) water of the SW Baltic Sea. The wave- and current-induced energy input to the seabed in shallow water is high with strong variability and suspended matter concentrations may double within a few hours. Primary settling fluxes (from sedimentation traps) are less than 10 g m (-2) day (-1), whereas resuspension fluxes (evaluated from sedimentation flux gradients) are 15-20 times higher and the residence time for suspended matter in the water column is 1-2 days. Settling velocities of aggregates are on average six times higher than for individual particles resulting in an enhanced downward transport of organic matter. Wave-induced resuspension (four to six times per month) takes place with higher shear stresses on the bottom than current-induced resuspension (three to five times per month). The short residence time in the water column and the frequent resuspension events provide a fast operating benthic-pelagic coupling. Due to the high-energy input, the shallow water areas are nondepositional on time scales longer than 1-2 weeks. The sediment is sand partly covered by a thin fluff layer during low-energy periods. The presence of the fluff layer keeps the resuspension threshold very low (
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 151-168 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | JOURNAL OF MARINE SYSTEMS |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2002 |
Keywords
- Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
- DYNAMICS
- SETTLING VELOCITY
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
- SATELLITE DATA
- POMERANIAN-BIGHT
- Oceanography
- BENTHIC BOUNDARY-LAYER
- ODER RIVER
- WATER
- INSTRUMENT
- SEDIMENT RESUSPENSION
- CONTINENTAL-MARGIN