An observational study of the carrying capacity of suspended sediment during a storm event.
We measured the in situ suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and hydrodynamics (waves, currents, and sea level) concurrently during a storm event using self-recording instruments at offshore of the Shandong Peninsula in the Yellow Sea. We analyzed the temporal variation in suspended sediment carrying capacity and its correlation with wave, current, and water-level conditions. There was about 40% increase in SSC during the storm event. A 3-4-h lag was observed between the peak of wave height and SSC. The SSC increased in a fluctuating pattern up to the peak then decreased rapidly. This process was positively correlated with wave height and duration. The maximum SSC was 524.3 mg/l, which is about 10 times of that under normal weather conditions. This peak was observed after of a series of 1.8 m waves. The increased suspended sediments were the fine particles resuspended by the storm waves from seabed near the observation spot and transported by northward ebb currents from Shidao Bay.
First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao 266061, China. bianshuhua@fio.org.cn
Shuhua
S
Bian
Zejian
Z
Hu
Zuo
Z
Xue
Jingfu
J
Lv
D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014872:Water Movements; D014887:Weather