The relationships among hydrodynamics, sediment distribution, and chlorophyll in a mesotidal estuary

• Published in: Estuarine, coastal and shelf science Vol. 144; pp. 54 - 64
• Main Authors: Fagherazzi, S., Mariotti, G., Banks, A.T., Morgan, E.J., Fulweiler, R.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Bars; Biological and medical sciences; Brackish; Brackish water ecosystems; Chlorophylls; Estuarine environments; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Marine; microphytobenthos; Mud; Sand; Sediments; Silts; Synecology; Tidal currents; tidal flats; tides; waves; ANW, USA, Massachusetts; ANW, USA, Massachusetts, Plum Island Sound; waves; microphytobenthos; tidal flats; tides; sediments; Brackish water environment; Tidal flat; Estuaries; Hydrodynamics; Sediments; Tides; Chlorophyll a; Phytobenthos
• ISSN: 0272-7714; 1096-0015
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2014.04.003

Tidal bars and tidal flats in shallow, mesotidal estuaries are subject to the action of tidal currents and waves. This complex forcing gives rise to large variations in bottom sediments and related benthic ecosystems. In this research we study the spatial relationships among tidal currents, waves, sediment characteristics, chlorophyll a, and pheophytin in the shallow bars and flats of Plum Island Sound, Massachusetts, USA. Waves and tides have a mild effect on the sand grain size and percent of silt and mud of these shallow deposits. Average wave conditions are more important than extreme events, like Nor’easters, in sediment sorting. The spatial distribution of pheophytin, an indicator of dead microphytobenthos, mimics that of silt and mud whereas chlorophyll a, a proxy for the live microphytobenthos stock, is greatest in sandy areas characterized by intermediate values of tidal velocity. •In an energetic estuary bottom sediments are weakly related to waves and currents.•chlorophyll a is greatest in sandy areas with intermediate values of tidal velocity.•Average wave conditions are more important than Nor’easters in sediment sorting.