Date of Award

2000

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Oceanography and Coastal Sciences

First Advisor

John W. Day, Jr

Abstract

Material concentrations and fluxes in Oyster Bayou, a tidal channel connecting Fourleague Bay, Louisiana and the northern Gulf of Mexico, were sampled every three hours for 3-months, to examine the importance of atmospheric cold fronts and riverine forcing on the functioning of this estuarine system. The Atchafalaya River was the primary source of nitrate+nitrite (NO2+NO3), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) to the estuary with greater influence associated with northerly post-frontal winds. Riverine influence coupled with wind-forced resuspension events led to the greatest concentrations of total suspended sediment (TSS) and particulate organic carbon (POC). Ammonium (NH4) concentrations were highly variable with decreased concentrations associated with riverine influence, suggesting the importance of biological processes, while phosphate (PO4)concentrations remained relatively stable throughout the study suggesting riverine, Gulf, and biological sources. High concentrations of sediment and nutrients entering the northern bay from the Atchafalaya River coupled with wind-forced transport led to large net exports of water (138.4 m3 s--1) TSS (24.1 kg s--1), POC (1.2 kg s--1), NO 2+NO3 (43.5 g s--1), NH4 (10.6 g s--1) TN (98.5 g s--1) PO4 (3.1 g s--1), and TP (13.6 g s--1), to the Gulf of Mexico. Increased instances of material imports occurred in the latter part of April as a result of tidally-dominated hydrodynamics and lack of high-energy wind events. Ratios of DIN:DIP in Oyster Bayou averaged 37:1 suggesting a potential P-limitation for the majority of the study with brief periods of potential N-limitation during April. High rates of N retention/loss, approximately 50% of each NO2+NO3 and TN inputs, within the estuary and surrounding wetlands were calculated with retention rates inversely related to loading rates and estuarine flushing time. The results indicate that the high energy subsidy provided by natural pulsing events such as atmospheric cold fronts and seasonal river discharge are efficient mechanisms of sediment and nutrient delivery to adjacent wetlands and are important in maintaining coastal sustainability. If managed properly, the use of shallow estuarine and wetland systems in coastal restoration initiatives (for example, river diversions) may increase productivity and reduce excess water column nutrient concentrations prior to reaching offshore waters.

ISBN

9780599853447

Pages

161

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.7221

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