Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Development Of The Turbidity Maximum In A Coastal Plain Estuary : Final Report, Maynard M. Nichols, Galen Thompson

Reports

A study of the turbidity maximum in the Rappahannock Estuary; Virginia was conducted to determine how high concentrations of suspended sediment accumulate to form a maximum.

Time-series observations of current velocity, salinity and suspended sediment over 8 to 18 tidal cycles reveal that the maximum forms in a convergence of bottom residual currents near the transition between fresh and salty water. Sediment supplied mainly by the river is transported into the convergence by density currents and accumulates since velocity is nearly zero and settling exceeds upward mixing.

The maximum forms in the middle estuary after freshet or flooding and shifts …