Skip to main content
Log in

Wind-wave and Tidally Driven Sediment Resuspension in a Macrotidal Basin

  • Published:
Estuaries and Coasts Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A coupled hydrodynamic-wave-sediment model is used to simulate the broad-scale tidal circulation, surface waves, and suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) in Minas Basin, a 70-km long tidal estuary in the Bay of Fundy, during winter and summer periods. The model hydrodynamics are validated using acoustic-Doppler current profile observations, the surface SSC predictions are compared to satellite observations, and model results indicate that strong seasonal signals in SSC can be explained in part by seasonal changes in fetch-limited surface waves generated by local winds over the basin. The spatial and temporal variability of SSC is evaluated in this study by focussing on different forcing conditions from waves and tidal currents, the two primary physical process that influence the response of sediments in suspension. Model predictions in the intertidal areas indicate that surface waves can increase the bed shear stress from tidal currents alone by up to 1–5 Nm− 2, causing excess bed shear stresses to be higher and result in higher SSC by 100–200 gm− 3 particularly during wind events that are stronger and more frequent in winter months. Resuspension of sediments on tidal flats is driven by the combination of shear stresses from near-bed wave orbital velocities and tidal currents, and transport of the suspended materials over deeper areas of the basin is driven by advection from the strong tidal currents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amos, C., G. Daborn, H. Christian, A. Atkinson, and A. Robertson. 1992. In situ erosion measurements on fine-grained sediments from the Bay of Fundy. Marine Geology 108: 175–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amos, C., and B Long. 1980. The sedimentary character of the Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy, ed. McCann S., 80–10. Halifax, NS. Number GSC.

  • Amos, C., N. van Wagoner, and G Daborn. 1988. The influence of subaerial exposure on the bulk properties of fine-grained intertidal sediment from Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Sci 27: 1–13.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ashall, L.M., R.P. Mulligan, and B.A. Law. 2016a. Variability in suspended sediment concentration in the Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy, and implications for changes due to tidal power extraction. Coastal Engineering 107: 102–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashall, L.M., R.P. Mulligan, D. van Proosdij, and E. Poirier. 2016b. Application and validation of a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model of a macrotidal salt marsh. Coastal Engineering 114: 35–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Battjes, J., and J. Janssen. 1978. Energy loss and set-up due to breaking of random waves. In Proc. Intl. Conf. Energy on Coastal Eng. 1978, 569–587. Hamburg: ASCE.

  • Black, K., T. Tolhurst, D. Paterson, and S. Hagerthey. 2002. Working with natural cohesive sediments. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering 128(1): 2–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Booij, N., R. Ris, and L. Holthuijsen. 1999. A third-generation wave model for coastal regions, 1. model description and validation. Journal of Geophysical Research 104(4): 7649–7666.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borsje, B., M.B. de Vries, S. Hulscher, and G.M. de Boer. 2008. Deling large-scale cohesive sediment transport affected by small-scale biological activity. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 78: 468–480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, M.M., R.P. Mulligan, and R.L. Miller. 2014. Modeling the transport of freshwater and dissolved organic carbon in the neuse river estuary, nc, usa following hurricane irene (2011). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 139: 148–158.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clunies, G.J., R.P. Mulligan, D.J. Mallinson, and J. Walsh. 2017. Modeling hydrodynamics of large lagoons: insights from the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 189: 90–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doerffer, R., K. Sorensen, and J. Aiken. 1999. MERIS Potential for coastal zone applications. International Journal of Remote Sensing 20(9): 1809–1818.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dupont, F., C. Hannah, D. Greenberg, J. Cherniawsky, and C. Naimie. 2002. Modelling System for Tides. Technical Report 221(vii); Can. Tech. Rep. Hydrogr Ocean Sci.

  • Edmonds, D.A., and R.L. Slingerland. 2010. Significant effect of sediment cohesion on delta morphology. Nature Geoscience 3(2): 105.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eid, B., E. Dunlap, M. Henschel, Wind, and wave climate atlas. 1991. Volume 1: the east coast of Canada Technical Report TP 10820E; Transport Canada.

  • Elias, E.P., G. Gelfenbaum, and A.J. Van der Westhuysen. 2012. Validation of a coupled wave-flow model in a high-energy setting: The mouth of the Columbia River. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans 117(C9).

  • Fagherazzi, S., C. Palermo, M.C. Rulli, L. Carniello, and A. Defina. 2007. Wind waves in shallow microtidal basins and the dynamic equilibrium of tidal flats. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 112(F2).

  • Garrett, C. 1972. Tidal resonance in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine. Nature 238: 441–443.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garwood, J.C., P.S. Hill, H.L. MacIntyre, and B.A. Law. 2015. Grain sizes retained by diatom biofilms during erosion on tidal flats linked to bed sediment texture. Continental Shelf Research 104: 37–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grant, W.D., and O.S. Madsen. 1979. Combined wave and current interaction with a rough bottom. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans (1978-2012) 84(C4): 1797–1808.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, D. 1979. A numerical model investigation of tidal phenomena in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine. Marine Geodesy 2(2): 161–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, D., and C. Amos. 1983. Suspended sediment transport and deposition modeling in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia-a region of potential tidal power development. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 40(S1): 20–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasegawa, D., J. Sheng, D. Greenberg, and K. Thompson. 2011. Far-field effects of tidal energy extraction in the Minas Passage on tidal circulation in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine using a nested-grid coastal circulation model. Ocean Dynamics 61(11): 1845–1868.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasselmann, K., T. Barnett, E. Bouws, H. Carlson, D. Cartwright, K. Enke, J. Ewing, H. Gienapp, D. Hasselmann, P. Kruseman, A. Meerburg, P. Müller, D. Olbers, K. Richter, W. Sell, and H. Walden. 1973. Measurements of wind-wave growth and swell decay during the Joint North Sea Wave Project (JONSWAP). Technical Report A(8)12; Dtsch. Hydrogr Z.

  • Hu, K., P. Ding, Z. Wang, and S. Yang. 2009. A 2D/3D hydrodynamic and sediment 484 transport model for the Yangtze Estuary, China. Journal of Marine Systems 77(1): 114–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karsten, R., J. McMillian, and M. Lickley. 2008. Assessment of tidal current energy in Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy. Proceedings IMeche Part A: J Power Energy 222: 493507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Law, B., T. Milligan, P. Hill, J. Garwood, and V. Zions. 2018. Temporal and spatial changes in grain size on a macro-tidal channel-flat complex: results from Kingsport, Nova Scotia, Bay of Fundy. Ocean Dynamics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-018-1237-6.

  • Lesser, G., J. Roelvink, J. van Kester, and G. Stelling. 2004. Development and validation of a three-dimensional morphological model. Coastal Engineering 51: 883–915.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luijendijk, A.P., R. Ranasinghe, M.A. de Schipper, B.A. Huisman, C.M. Swinkels, D.J. Walstra, and M. Stive. 2017. The initial morphological response of the sand engine: a process-based modelling study. Coastal Engineering 119: 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ménard, Y., L.L. Fu, P. Escudier, F. Parisot, J. Perbos, P. Vincent, S. Desai, B. Haines, and G Kunstmann. 2003. The jason-1 mission special issue: Jason-1 calibration/validation. Mar Geodesy 26 (3-4): 131–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mulligan, R., W. Perrie, and S. Solomon. 2010. Dynamics of the Mackenzie River plume on the inner Beaufort shelf during an open water period in summer. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 89(3): 214–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mulligan, R., P. Smith, P. Hill, J. Tao, and D. van Proosdij. 2013. Effects of tidal power generation on hydrodynamics and sediment processes in the upper Bay of Fundy. In Proc. Can. Soc. Civil. Eng., Montreal, QC.

  • O’Laughlin, C., D. Van Proosdij, and T. Milligan. 2014. Flocculation and sediment deposition in a hypertidal creek. Continental Shelf Research 82: 72–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Proosdij, D., R. Davidson-Arnott, and J. Ollerhead. 2006. Controls on the spatial patterns of sediment deposition across a macro tidal salt marsh over single tidal cycles. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Sci 69(1-2): 64–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Rijn, L.C. 2007. Unified view of sediment transport by currents and waves. ii: suspended transport. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering 133(6): 668–689.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, J., B. Todd, M. Li, and Y. Wu. 2012. Anatomy of the tidal scour system at Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy, Canada. Marine Geology 323-325: 123–134.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soulsby, R., L. Hamm, G. Klopman, D. Myrhaug, R. Simons, and G. Thomas. 1993. Wave-current interaction within and outside the bottom boundary layer. Coastal Engineering 21(1-3): 41– 69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tao, J., P.S. Hill, R.P. Mulligan, and P.C. Smith. 2014. Seasonal variability of total suspended matter in Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 151: 169–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ward, L., W. Kemp, and W Boynton. 1984. The influence of waves and seagrass communities on suspended particulates in an estuarine embayment. Marine Geology 59: 85–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, Y., J. Chaffey, D.A. Greenberg, K. Colbo, and P.C. Smith. 2011. Tidally-induced sediment transport patterns in the upper Bay of Fundy: a numerical study. Continental Shelf Research 31(19): 2041–2053.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeo, R., and M. Risk. 1979. Intertidal catastrophes: effect of storms and huricanes on intertidal benthos of the Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada 36: 667–669.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Danika van Proosdij (Saint Mary’s University) for the OBS data and discussions on sediments in tidal marshes; Gordana Lazin and Gary Bugden (Bedford Institute of Oceanography) for processing the satellite data and the ADCP observations; and Tim Milligan and Brent Law (Bedford Institute of Oceanography) for discussions on sediment dynamics in the Bay of Fundy. Detailed comments from two anonymous reviewers are greatly appreciated. This research was supported by the Offshore Energy Research Association of Nova Scotia (OERA) and by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grant program of the first author.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ryan P. Mulligan.

Additional information

Communicated by Mead Allison

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mulligan, R.P., Smith, P.C., Tao, J. et al. Wind-wave and Tidally Driven Sediment Resuspension in a Macrotidal Basin. Estuaries and Coasts 42, 641–654 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-018-00511-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-018-00511-z

Keywords

Navigation