Intratidal and spatial variability over a slope in the Ems estuary

Robust along-channel SPM transport versus episodic events

Journal article (2020)

Authors

K. Schulz Universiteit Utrecht, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
Hans Burchard Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde
Volker Mohrholz Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde
Peter Holtermann Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde
H.M. Schuttelaars Mathematical Physics - EEMCS
M Becker University of Kiel
Christian Maushake Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute
Theo Gerkema Universiteit Utrecht, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
Research Group
Mathematical Physics (EEMCS) (TU Delft)
Ems estuary Lateral circulation EDoM18 SPM transport
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

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Faculty

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Department

Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics

Research Group

Mathematical Physics

Abstract

Results from measurements are presented that were collected during a full tidal cycle in the Ems estuary, involving two landers and an anchored research vessel. The conditions were characterized by very weak winds, no wave effects, and low river run-off, so that the state was close to tide-only. We find that the lateral (i.e., cross-slope) transport of water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) much of the time shows a vertically layered structure, which is however subject to sudden transitions. Moreover, even on the small spatial scale of these measurements (i.e., within a distance of 200 m), a strong lateral variability is observed in the circulation patterns. We analyze its dynamics by means of dimensionless parameters. In addition, near-bottom peaks in SPM concentration are observed, notably during early flood. However, these episodic events have little effect on the overall transport of SPM, which involves the whole water column: the measurements show a high vertically integrated SPM signal during late ebb, resulting in an ebb-dominance in the transport at this position in the tidal channel.