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Predicting net suspended sediment fluxes in coastal regions is important for promoting good water quality, maritime transport and marine industries. Aggregation and disaggregation of suspended particulate matter responding to spatial and temporal variations in turbulence can control particle size and hence settling speed; little is currently known about how this influences the net suspended sediment flux. A tidal strait, in which the flux is confined to be in one of two directions, makes a good site for observing the effect of changes in particle size on the suspended sediment flux. The Menai Strait in North Wales is a narrow tidal strait in which the flow speeds increase to a maximum in the narrowest central region, the Swellies. Observations at sites on either side of the Swellies show that the median size of suspended particles varies with the speed of the tidal current, but also depends on the direction of the flow, with the smallest particles seen when the current is flowing out of the Swellies. The implication (supported by model results) is that the strong currents in the centre of the strait tear up flocs into small pieces which are then carried out towards both ends of the strait by the tide. Averaged over a tidal cycle, there is a net flux of larger particles into the Swellies and a net flux of small particles out. These results are relevant to the formation of isolated turbidity maxima around a region of strong turbulence. • We present observations of current velocity, suspended particle concentration and size at two locations in a tidal strait. • The size of the particles varies over a tidal cycle and is smallest when the flow is directed from the centre of the strait towards the observing site. • There is a net flux (averaged over a tide) of larger particles from both ends of the strait towards the centre and a net flux of small particles in the opposite direction. • A simple model of suspended particle transport in a tidal strait has been constructed to help interpret these observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In shallow, tidal seas, daily total seabed light is determined largely by the interaction of the solar elevation cycle, the tidal cycle in water depth, and any temporal variability in turbidity. Since tidal range, times of low water, and often turbidity vary in regular ways over the springs–neaps cycle, daily total seabed light exhibits cycles of the same periodicity. Corresponding cycles are likely to be induced in the daily total primary production of benthic algae and plants, particularly those light-limited specimens occupying the lower reaches of a sub-tidal population. Consequently, this effect is an important control on the growth patterns, depth distribution and survival of, for example, macroalgal forests and seagrass meadows. Seasonal changes in daylength exert an important additional control on these cycles, as they alter the fraction of the tidal and turbidity cycles occurring within daylight hours. Bowers et al. (1997) modelled this phenomenon numerically and predicted that for a site with low water at about midday and midnight at neaps tides, 6am and 6pm at springs, daily total seabed light peaks at neaps in winter, but the ‘sense’ of the cycle ‘switches’ so that it peaks at springs in summer — the longer daylength permits the morning and evening low water springs to contribute substantially to the daily total. Observations for such a site in North Wales (UK), presented in this paper, show that no such ‘switch’ occurs, and neaps tides host the largest daily totals throughout the year. The predicted ‘switch’ is not observed because turbidity increases generally at spring tides, and specifically at low water springs, both of which were not accounted for in the model. Observations at a second site in Brittany (France), diametrically opposite in terms of the times of low water at neaps and at springs, indicate a peak at springs throughout the year. Analytical tools are developed to calculate the percentage of daily total sea surface irradiance reaching the bed at a site of interest on any given day, and to determine the sense of any springs–neaps cycle thereof for a given season. The conditions required for a ‘switch’ are explored graphically, resulting in the identification of criteria (and a useful parameter) for predicting their occurrence. Consequences for the growth patterns, depth limits and long-term survival of benthic algae and plants are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Visible-band satellite pictures of the Irish Sea reveal the presence of isolated areas of enhanced turbidity which are geographically fixed and present all year, although they are more strongly marked in winter. The positions of these maxima coincide with areas of fast tidal currents: some of the dissipated tidal energy is used to raise fine sediments into suspension, producing the turbidity. However, there is no obvious source of fine sediment at the maxima, and without a source they would be expected to diffuse away, down the turbidity gradient. Their continued presence is therefore a puzzle, and it has proved difficult to reproduce these features in numerical models. Recent observations, presented here, suggest a possible mechanism by which isolated turbidity maxima may be maintained. These measurements show that the gradients of concentration on the sides of the turbidity maximum are in opposite senses for different particle sizes, and that there is a flux of fine particles out of the maximum and one of larger particles into it. A mechanism which can explain this observation, and which can also explain the continued presence of turbidity maxima isolated from a local source is as follows: the high turbulent energy levels at the centre of the patch tear flocculated particles apart. These fine particles then diffuse away down the gradient of fine particles and to areas of lower energy. Here they aggregate to form larger particles which diffuse back down the gradient of large particles towards the centre of the turbidity maximum, where they are torn up and the cycle continues. The source of material for the turbidity maxima is therefore larger flocculated particles in the surrounding water. This idea is tested quantitatively with an analytical solution to the steady-state diffusion equation incorporating aggregation and dis-aggregation of particles as simple functions of turbulent energy. The solution shows that isolated maxima of fine suspended particles can be maintained at regions of high turbulence without the necessity to invoke a local (non-sustainable) source. Within the maximum, strong vertical mixing lifts the slow settling fine particles to the surface to produce an isolated surface turbidity maximum as observed. We conclude that for models to successfully produce turbidity maxima in the presence of diffusion they should incorporate at least two particle size classes and aggregation and dis-aggregation of particles according to the local level of turbulence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Energy is required to maintain a particle heavier than water in suspension in the sea. In equilibrium, energy must be supplied at a rate equal to the product of the weight of the particle and its sinking velocity. If the energy supply rate is known, it becomes possible to predict the total weight, and hence the concentration of suspended particles in the sea. This principle has been applied to a model of fine suspended sediments in the Irish Sea. The model is used to test the hypothesis that the supply of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) alone controls both the spatial pattern and seasonal changes in concentration. TKE is supplied by the tide and wind, and a fixed fraction of this energy is used to keep sediment in suspension. There is assumed to be a readily available supply of fine sediments at the sea bed, which rises into suspension as soon as TKE becomes available, and sinks down again when it is not. The model incorporates 2-layer thermal stratification and vertical mixing between layers but there is no horizontal advection or diffusion. The model is driven by smoothly varying wind speeds and heating over the year and spatially varying tidal stirring. The particles have a constant settling velocity of 10 m day−1, and a density twice that of water. A fraction 0.00006 of the total (tide+wind) TKE energy input is used to stir the sediment. The results of the model are in agreement with both the observed spatial pattern and the seasonal variation of fine suspended sediments in the surface waters of the Irish Sea to within the limits of measurement accuracy and natural variability. This energy model performs at least as well as conventional stress-driven models in this regard. We therefore conclude that the general behaviour of fine suspended sediments in the Irish Sea can be explained by TKE supply alone. Other factors, such as changes in particle size and density over the year, can be used for fine tuning but are not necessary to give a broadly correct picture. The result is that we have a simple, physically coherent, method of predicting the turbidity (and hence the light regime) of a shelf sea from physical inputs alone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents new in situ optical and associated measurements from 85 stations in the central and southern Irish Sea. There is a strong linear relationship between the irradiance reflectance RA in the orange–red part of the spectrum (580–680 nm) and the diffuse attenuation coefficient, K, for white light:K=0.05+0.26 RA,where K is in m−1 and RA has been corrected to just above-surface reflectance and expressed as a percentage. The significance of this result is that this particular reflectance can be measured by the advanced very high resolution radiometer on board the NOAA series of satellites. In principle, therefore, cloud cover permitting, the transparency of the Irish Sea to sunlight, can be mapped from space. This result is shown to be consistent with a simple optical model in which light scattering is principally by mineral suspended solids, and light absorption is by water, mineral suspended solids and chlorophyll. Best fit between model and observations is achieved with a specific scattering coefficient of 0.5 m2 g−1. The measurements were made during four cruises, at different times of year and across the range of turbidity found in the Irish Sea. The geographical distribution of suspended sediments confirms the presence, previously inferred from satellite imagery, of two separate turbidity maxima, one off Wicklow Head, the other off Anglesey. These correspond to the areas of strongest tidal currents. Yellow substance was found in highest concentration in a band along the Irish coast. Chlorophyll concentrations were generally low during these cruises. A residual problem is that a direct comparison of in situ reflectance and satellite measured reflectance possible on one of the cruises shows a serious discrepancy, although on average there appears to be a good agreement between satellite and in situ reflectance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A two-dimensional model has been developed in order to improve understanding of the processes which interact to maintain the sediment concentrations at an isolated turbidity maximum in the Irish Sea throughout the year. The model comprises two interchangeable populations of particles with different diameters, one of fine cohesive material, the other made up of flocs. Both populations are slow settling, and subject to horizontal diffusion, resuspension, settling, aggregation and disaggregation. The equations used to describe the processes of aggregation and the break-up of flocs in response to sediment concentration and turbulent shear have been developed by the tuning of the model to observations. Due to high turbulent shear at the turbidity maximum, the particles are predominantly fine, while the sediment in the surrounding water is made up of larger flocs. Diffusion of small particles out of the turbidity maximum balanced by the diffusion of aggregated material towards it provides a mechanism for its maintenance. The modelled sediment concentrations at the turbidity maximum can be reproduced year-on-year, with no loss due to diffusive processes. This is achievable with a limited, exhaustible source of material which is not replenished once resuspended. Through comparison with satellite imagery the correlation of the modelled sediment concentrations with observations is investigated, both spatially and temporally. The seasonal cycle is reproduced well by the model with winter and summer concentrations matching those observed. Spatially the model also performs well in both turbid regions and those where the surface sediment load is low. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper examines two data sets, separated by 33 years, for evidence of long-term changes in turbidity in the Menai Strait, North Wales. The rationale for this examination is that there is evidence for a steady deterioration in water clarity in a 27-year time series (1962–1988) of Secchi depth measurements. The data sets compared here were collected in 1963 and 1964, and in 1996, and comprise measurements of sediment concentrations, both organic and inorganic, determined by traditional sampling methods. In addition, the 1996 data set includes daily measurements of total and inorganic suspended sediment load determined by a recording colour sensor, calibrated using the samples from that year. In each of the years 1963, 1964 and 1996, the suspended sediment load is observed to change with an annual cycle; annual mean suspended sediment concentrations are determined by fitting a curve to the data in each year. The result is that there has been a small increase in the suspended sediment load in the Strait between 1963 and 1996, but that this increase is not statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. The concentrations in 1996 are also significantly lower than those predicted by extrapolating the data from the 27-year time series. It is proposed that the turbidity in the Menai Strait is responding to long-term variations in wind forcing: the mean wind strength over the British Isles increased during the period 1960–1990, but then decreased during the 1990s. If this interpretation is correct, it would imply that the trends observed in the Menai Strait would have been widespread in similarly shallow water throughout north-west Europe. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]