CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEAR-BOTTOM SUSPENDED SEDIMENT FIELD OVER THE CONTINENTAL-SHELF OFF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BASED ON OPTICAL ATTENUATIONMEASUREMENTS DURING STRESS AND SMILE

Time-series measurements of current velocity, optical attenuation and surface wave intensity obtained during the Sediment Transport Events o n Shelves and Slopes (STRESS) experiments, combined with shipboard mea surements of conductivity, temperature and optical attenuation obtaine d during the Shelf Mixed Layer Experiment (SMILE), provide a descripti on of the sediment concentration field over the central and outer shel f off northern California. The questions addressed are: (1) existence and characteristics of bottom nepheloid layers and their relationship to bottom mixed layers; (2) characteristics of temporal fluctuations i n sediment concentration and their relationship to waves and currents; (3) spatial scales over which suspended sediment concentrations vary horizontally; and (4) vertical distribution of suspended sediment.