title: Dramatic increase in mud distribution across a large sub-tropical embayment, Moreton Bay, Australia.
abstract: Major flood events can dramatically alter the coastal sediment environment. This study established the current sediment distribution in a large sub-tropical embayment, Moreton Bay, Australia, and examined the effect of three recent floods on modifying this distribution. In 2015, surface sediment samples were collected from 223 sites across the study area and analysed for particle size distribution with the resultant sediment distribution mapped. In addition, sampling of flood waters during two major events in 2011 and 2013 was undertaken and particle size distribution of suspended sediment was determined. Data was compared to the result of an earlier large-scale survey completed in 1970, with three large flood events occurring between the two surveys. The sediment environment has undergone a dramatic change with muddy sediments now covering an estimated area of over 860km2, more the double the area found in 1970. Mud is now the dominant sediment type within Moreton Bay.
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lockington
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Badin R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Gibbes
authors.affiliation: Health Waterways, 200 Creek Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Maxwell
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. Electronic address: a.grinham@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Alistair R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Grinham
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D061006:Bays; D055868:Floods; D019015:Geologic Sediments
keywords: Catchment inflow; Moreton Bay; Mud expansion; Sediment load; South East Queensland; Sub-tropical embayment