Abstract
The effect of a succession of eleven storm events (hourly averaged wind speeds exceeding 10.8ms−1) on the
sediment suspension was investigated in a coastal lagoon through in situ measurements of hydro- and sediment
dynamics from a mobile jack-up platform. Results showed that wave-driven bed shear stress (0.1–0.7 Nm−2)
was the main driver for sediment suspension in contrast to large-scale flushing, which did not trigger sediment
suspension. The suspended particulate matter concentration (SPMC) reached a maximum of 200 mg l−1. A
meteorologically-driven lagoonal seiche effect was identified, which could be the driver for advective sediment
transport in the lagoon. Two major findings for the suspension of sediment can be drawn from the results. First,
the energy applied to the bed during successive high-energy storm events caused a reduction in the vegetation
cover during a particular strong storm event. This increased the SPMC relative to the bed shear stress, suggesting
that the sediment availability increased. Second, successive high-energy storm events decreased the bed shear
stress threshold for sediment suspension subsequent to initial consolidation of the bed, suggesting an increase in
the bed erodibility. The average bed shear stress threshold for sediment suspension was 0.1 Nm−2. Furthermore,
successive high-energy storm events increased the SPMC relative to the bed shear stress subsequent to initial
consolidation of the bed, before an ultimate decrease. This suggested that the sediment availability subsequent to
initial consolidation of the bed increased, but ultimately decreased. The impacts were possibly caused by advective
sorting processes during settling of the suspended sediment. The study helps improve numerical modelling
of coupled physical and biological environments during successive storm events and thus contributes to
advance coastal management of shallow coastal lagoons under a changing climate.
sediment suspension was investigated in a coastal lagoon through in situ measurements of hydro- and sediment
dynamics from a mobile jack-up platform. Results showed that wave-driven bed shear stress (0.1–0.7 Nm−2)
was the main driver for sediment suspension in contrast to large-scale flushing, which did not trigger sediment
suspension. The suspended particulate matter concentration (SPMC) reached a maximum of 200 mg l−1. A
meteorologically-driven lagoonal seiche effect was identified, which could be the driver for advective sediment
transport in the lagoon. Two major findings for the suspension of sediment can be drawn from the results. First,
the energy applied to the bed during successive high-energy storm events caused a reduction in the vegetation
cover during a particular strong storm event. This increased the SPMC relative to the bed shear stress, suggesting
that the sediment availability increased. Second, successive high-energy storm events decreased the bed shear
stress threshold for sediment suspension subsequent to initial consolidation of the bed, suggesting an increase in
the bed erodibility. The average bed shear stress threshold for sediment suspension was 0.1 Nm−2. Furthermore,
successive high-energy storm events increased the SPMC relative to the bed shear stress subsequent to initial
consolidation of the bed, before an ultimate decrease. This suggested that the sediment availability subsequent to
initial consolidation of the bed increased, but ultimately decreased. The impacts were possibly caused by advective
sorting processes during settling of the suspended sediment. The study helps improve numerical modelling
of coupled physical and biological environments during successive storm events and thus contributes to
advance coastal management of shallow coastal lagoons under a changing climate.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science |
| Volume | 212 |
| Pages (from-to) | 329-340 |
| ISSN | 0272-7714 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Nov 2018 |
