Hydrodynamics and Biogeochemistry of Estuarine Systems
Summary
Estuarine systems represent dynamic interfaces where freshwater from rivers meets saline ocean waters, generating complex circulation patterns that shape sediment transport, nutrient distribution and ecological productivity. The interplay of tidal forcing, river discharge, wind-driven currents and wave action creates spatial and temporal variability in salinity, temperature and suspended particulate matter. Vertical stratification and mixing processes govern oxygen and nutrient fluxes across the sediment–water interface, regulating zones of primary production and organic matter decomposition. Biogeochemical reactions within sediments and the water column—such as nutrient regeneration, denitrification and carbon burial—are tightly coupled to hydrodynamic drivers. Feedbacks between flow regimes and sediment deposition influence habitat formation, while redox gradients control the fate of contaminants and the availability of essential elements. Understanding these coupled processes is critical for managing fisheries, mitigating pollution and adapting to sea-level rise and climate-driven shifts in freshwater inputs.
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Hydrodynamics and Biogeochemistry of Estuarine Systems publication trend
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Technical terms
Hydrodynamics: The study of water motion and its governing forces, including tides, currents and turbulence.
Biogeochemistry: The investigation of chemical, physical and biological processes that cycle nutrients and elements in ecosystems.
Stratification: The formation of discrete water layers of differing density, often due to salinity or temperature gradients.
Flocculation: The aggregation of fine particles into larger settling clusters under certain chemical or physical conditions.
Suspended particulate matter (SPM): Solid particles carried in the water column, comprising organic and inorganic material.
Turbidity: A measure of water clarity, influenced by the concentration of suspended particles that scatter light.
Numerical hydromorphodynamic modelling: Computational simulation of coupled flow, sediment transport and bed-evolution processes in aquatic environments.
References
- Hydromorphodynamics modeling of dredging and dumping activities in Mirim lagoon, RS, Brazil. Ocean Engineering (2023).
- Optimizing Optical Coastal Remote-Sensing Products: Recommendations for Regional Algorithm Calibration. Remote Sensing (2024).
- Dispersion Plumes in Open Ocean Disposal Sites of Dredged Sediment. Water (2021).
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