Article
Oceanography
E. F. Eidam, D. A. Sutherland, D. K. Ralston, T. Conroy, B. Dye
Summary: Estuaries worldwide have undergone modifications over centuries, impacting sediment dynamics. The Coos Bay Estuary in Oregon, a small estuary with complex geometry, has experienced significant changes since 1865, leading to alterations in tidal amplitudes, salinity intrusion, and estuarine flow. These changes have resulted in reduced current magnitudes, increased stratification, and the formation of an estuarine turbidity maximum supplying sediment to proximal embayments.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zoe Bainbridge, Jon Olley, Scott Wilkinson, Rebecca Bartley, Stephen Lewis, Cameron Dougall, Sana Khan, Petra Kuhnert, Joanne Burton
Summary: This study adopts a novel approach to refine and map the sediment source zones within the Bowen catchment by integrating three independently derived sediment budgets, targeted tributary water quality monitoring, and geochemical sediment source tracing. The field data and finer resolution predictions have identified the Little Bowen River and Rosella Creek as the largest sediment sources in the Bowen River catchment. The use of integrated datasets provides a higher level of certainty in predicting fine sediment sources and can inform catchment management prioritization.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Le Ngoc Anh, Dung Duc Tran, Nguyen Thong, Can Thu Van, Dang Hoa Vin, Nguyen Hai Au, Edward Park
Summary: Recent riverbed sand mining activities have significantly altered estuarine morphology and sedimentation patterns in Southeast Asian deltas. The Soai Rap Estuary in Southern Vietnam is one of the most intensively mined areas in the region. This study used hydrodynamic modeling to investigate the effects of intensive riverbed mining on the estuarine morphology and sediment dynamics. The results showed that dredging activities substantially changed the hydraulic regimes, morphological patterns, and sediment dynamics of the estuary.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Iain Perry, Ifan B. Jams, Roser Casas-Mulet, Josefina Hamutoko, Angela Marchbank, Selma Lendelvo, Erold Naomab, Benjamin Mapani, Simon Creer, Heike Wanke, Isabelle Durance, Peter Kille
Summary: eDNA approaches, by identifying DNA fragments in the environment, offer a cost-effective tool for monitoring biodiversity. This study tested eDNA protocols in semi-arid ecosystems in Namibia and successfully gathered data on various organisms. However, challenges such as high turbidity and a lack of reference data were identified.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jun Young Seo, Yong Hoon Kim, Jongseong Ryu, Ho Kyung Ha
Summary: In this study, the researchers used acoustic Doppler current profilers to investigate the mechanisms of water and sediment transport in Onsan Bay. They found that water circulation in the bay was influenced by freshwater discharge from the river and exchange with the open sea, as well as by wind-induced currents. The sediment transport within the bay was mainly controlled by estuarine residual circulation, and frequent resuspension events contributed to an increase in sediment concentration. Considering the prevailing winds in the area, sedimentation is expected to persist in Onsan Bay.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Oluwafemi Soetan, Jing Nie, Huan Feng
Summary: This preliminary study aimed to investigate the short- and long-term effects of remedial dredging on metal contamination, dredging efficacy and ecological status of the Lower Passaic River. The short-term results showed effective reduction of heavy metal concentrations, although they increased in the water column, increasing the risk of bioaccumulation in aquatic biota. On the long-term, metal concentrations increased in surface sediments.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Oceanography
Li Li, Yihan Ren, Taoyan Ye, Xiao Hua Wang, Jianyu Hu, Yuezhang Xia
Summary: Curvature variations in tidal flats have a strong influence on sediment dynamics in macro-tidal turbid bays. This study used a validated 3D sediment model to investigate the interactions between tidal flats and sediment dynamics in Hangzhou Bay. The results showed that the geometry of the tidal flats greatly affects hydrodynamics and sediment transport processes. Tidal flat reclamation alters the curvature of tidal channels and subsequently influences the circulation and sediment transport. The study highlights the importance of anthropogenic activities in shaping the geomorphological evolution of estuaries.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Murilo Barros Saibro, Maria Virginia Alves Martins, Josefa Varela Guerra, Rubens Cesar Lopes Figueira, Felipe de Castro Figueiredo Simoes, Tatiana Pinheiro Dadalto, Tailisi Hoppe Trevizani, Paulo Alves de Lima Ferreira, Cleverson Guizan Silva, Antonio Tadeu dos Reis, Denise Terroso, Layla Cristine da Silva, Sergio Bergamaschi, Fernando Rocha, Monica Heilbron
Summary: A multiproxy approach was used to reconstruct natural and anthropogenic changes in a distal region of Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro State. The results showed that the area has been heavily polluted and has high ecological risk.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. N. Livsey, R. D. R. Turner, P. R. Grace
Summary: Optical and acoustic backscatter measurements are combined to quantify suspended-sediment concentration and particle size in suspensions dominated by muddy flocculated sediment. The sediment composition index (SCI) is used to predict the ratio of suspended-sediment concentration to acoustic backscatter under changes in particle size and density, and to estimate suspended-sediment concentration that is independent of changes in particle size and density. The SCI is found to be sensitive to changes in particle size and the estimates of particle bulk apparent density from SCI are biased by changes in particle size.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
S. Abdul Azeez, K. R. Muraleedharan, C. Revichandran, Sebin John, G. Seena, Ravikumar C. Nair, K. S. Arya, K. Sudheesh, M. P. Prabhakaran
Summary: This study investigated the sediment spill plume movement during dredging/dumping operations at the Old Mangalore port and recommended conducting dredging operations during the ebb tide to protect the mangrove ecosystem.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Carmen Zarzuelo, Alejandro Lopez-Ruiz, Maria Bermudez, Miguel Ortega-Sanchez
Summary: This paper presents a hybrid database combining field surveys and a numerical model to analyze the estuarine dynamics of the highly anthropized Bay of Cadiz. The dataset provides valuable insights into spatial and seasonal variability, as well as the effects of severe weather events. It has significant implications for stakeholders and scientists in various sectors, including environmental management, water engineering, ecology, urban development, and energy.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE DATA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Huljek, Sabina Strmic Palinkas, Zeljka Fiket, Hana Fajkovic
Summary: The former manganese ferroalloy plant and its remaining tailings continue to impact the environment in Sibenik Bay, Croatia, with high manganese values found in recently collected dust samples. Despite the influence on sediments, concentrations of potentially toxic elements are within legal limits. The tailings still contain valuable elements such as rare earth elements, offering potential for reuse and recovery.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaozhu Liu, Yanqing Sheng, Qunqun Liu, Zhaoran Li
Summary: This study investigated the spatial distribution, chemical fraction, ecological risks, and potential sources of heavy metals in surface sediments and sediment cores in Dingzi Bay, Shandong Peninsula. The results showed that Cd and As posed high environmental risks in both surface sediments and sediment cores, with high concentrations mainly found in the middle and the mouth of the bay. The source identification revealed that shipping and aquaculture were the main sources of most heavy metals, while industrial pollution contributed to the levels of As and Ni. Furthermore, the correlation coefficients indicated that the presence of fine particles, total nitrogen, total organic carbon, total phosphorus, and acid-volatile sulfides significantly increased the bioavailability of most heavy metals in surface sediments.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yanfang Li, Pei Xiao, Sandra Donnici, Jiaojiao Cheng, Cheng Tang
Summary: Microplastic pollution in the marine environment is strongly influenced by human activities in coastal areas. Seasonal samples collected from various environmental contexts exhibited different abundance and shape variations. The common microplastic shapes in water and sediment were fibers and fragments, while foams were present seasonally on the beach sand. The results indicate that coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to human activities such as aquaculture and fisheries. Further investigations are necessary to fully understand the distribution of microplastics in the coastal region.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shuaishuai Gao, Xigang Xing, Shiming Ding, Xianfang Fan
Summary: The study found that the total dissolved Cr concentrations in the non-dredged site exceeded the fisheries water quality standard in summer and winter, but were lower in the dredged site in winter. However, in spring and autumn, the total dissolved Cr concentrations in the dredged site were higher, likely due to increased rainfall and river discharge. DGT-labile Cr(VI) concentrations in both sites were within drinking water quality standard requirements, indicating that sediment dredging reduced Cr mobility in sediments.