Influences of tidal current on cohesive sediment transport in Balikpapan Bay.

The present study performs a coupled hydrodynamic-cohesive sediment transport to investigate tidal flow patterns and suspended solid distribution caused by the sedimentation process and human activities in Balikpapan Bay. Model results of tidal flow show the current moves into the bay during flood tide and reversely moves out of the bay during ebb tide. The maximum velocity of the tidal current during spring tide could reach 52 cm s-1 in the study area. The present study shows the flow pattern and intensification of tidal currents are similar to the previous findings, where the intensification occurs in several narrow gaps (between small islands), such as in the northern part of the bay during ebb tide and the southern part of the bay during flood and ebb tides. The present study demonstrates that the tidal current is dominant in controlling the sedimentation and erosion processes, including the distribution of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) concentration in Balikpapan Bay. The sediment supply from land and rivers could increase TSS concentrations in Balikpapan Bay by about 22% in the surface layer and about 9% in the bottom layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]