1. Simulated fate of catchment-derived sediment on the Great Barrier Reef shelf.
- Author
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Margvelashvili, N., Andrewartha, J., Baird, M., Herzfeld, M., Jones, E., Mongin, M., Rizwi, F., Robson, B.J., Skerratt, J., Wild-Allen, K., and Steven, A.
- Subjects
ENVIRONMENTAL degradation ,WATERSHED ecology ,MARINE sediments ,WATER masses ,RIVER ecology - Abstract
Abstract Numerical experiments using a 3D model of fine sediment transport in the Great Barrier Reef region indicate deposition of the bulk mass of catchment sediments from river plumes within a few tens of kilometres from river mouths. A very fine fraction of easily resuspended catchment sediment has a capacity to propagate over much greater distances reaching out into the mid-shelf and outer-shelf regions. The model suggests such particles, instrumental to the development of low density flocs in the marine environment, can play a critical role in altering optical properties of water masses over the shelf during wet years. The mid-term (4 year) impact of Great Barrier Reef catchments on the probability of suspended sediment concentration exceeding the ecologically significant trigger value of 2 mg/L is confined to inshore regions adjacent to river mouth locations. Highlights • A bulk mass of catchment sediments in the GBR region deposits within a few tens of kilometres from river mouths. • A very fine fraction of catchment sediment has a capacity to alter optical properties of water masses over the shelf. • The impact of GBR catchments on the probability of suspended sediment exceeding 2 mg/L is confined to inshore regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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