Lecture 21- Estuarine geomorphology and processes I Flashcards
What is estuarine geomorphology?
-The study of estuaries as landforms: how they got there, how they operate, and how will they evolve -The interaction of processes and how they control the system
What are estuarine processes?
-Waves, tides, river flow and currents -change is associated with tide levels and sea levels -main process are detrmined by its location -have combination of river, sea and land -inflow and outflow (ebb) -also sediments brought there -barrier -tiddes= have strong control over salinity in the estuary -river flow= controls the flow of freshwater into the estuary -if weak flow= the mouth may close into the estuary
Why is geomorphology important for zoology?
-the landforms are what the ecology and biology exists on -sediments that compose the landforms are the primary habitat -species have preferences for different habitats, so species distribution changes as habitat changed both spatially and temporally -sediments are important sinks, stores and sources of nutrients and pollutants
What are the processes that drive hydrodynamics determined by?
-The processes that drive hydrodynamics are also determined by the morphology of the landscape. -the wave tide and flow are also influenced by the topography
What is a resident time of a sediment and what does it indicate?
-resident time of sediment= how long it stays -indicated the rate of change in the estuary
What are deltas and estuaries associated with?
-dynamic systems associated with the mouths of rivers
What are deltas composed of?
-river-derived sediment -Deltas form from deposition of sediment carried by a river as the flow leaves its mouth.
What are estuaries?
-tidal-influenced lower parts of river and their valleys -a semi-enclosed coastal body of water, which has a free connection with the open sea, and within sea water is measurably diluted with freshwater derived from land drainage
What is the distinction between a delta and an estuary?
-mouth can be closed off by sediment -delta only from the river -estuary is both marine and from river
Where will deltas occur?
-in an estuary
How are deltas and estuaries a continuum?
estuary into delta
What is the definition of an estuary?
-The tidally influenced lower parts of catchments where a river enters the ocean
What is the definition of a delta?
-An area of sediment deposition as a river flows to the ocean!
How are deltas and estuaries members of an evolutionary continuum?
- balance between the three things
- so estuary can change into a delta
- regression= down sea level
- progression= up sea level
What is the continuum of process dominance?
-
What are the two types of estuaries? (based on physical classifications of mixing)
- Wave dominated 2. Tide dominated (higher proportion of tide energy) (3. River dominated= she didn’t say it but it is)