Cohesive sediment dynamics on an inter-tidal bank on the tidal trent, UK

This paper uses Photo-Electronic Erosion Pin (PEEP) data and measurements o f sediment dynamics on an active inter-tidal bank to determine the signific ance of changes in tidal range, sediment availability and meteorological co nditions on sediment accretion and erosion. The results show how sediment a ccumulates on the upper bank at a rate of up to 50 mm per tide in response to increased suspended sediment concentrations during spring tides. However , sedimentary processes differ on the lon er bank as deposition occurs appr oaching spring tides, only to be eroded by high boundary shear stresses gen erated by the flow as tidal range increases to a maximum. Erosion from the upper bank appears to be dominated by wind-induced wave activity which dest abilises the transient, active sediment layer. These results have implicati ons for evaluating the behaviour and residence times of sediment and pollut ants within the estuarine system, the impact of the turbidity maximum on th e recirculation of sedimentary deposits, and the significance of wave activ ity on erosion processes in inter-tidal zones. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.