Sediment is advected on to the marsh surface from an adjacent tidal creek. Magnitude and direction changes depending on whether tide is rising or falling. The velocities tend to be greater on the falling tides. We think that resuspension of sediment from the marsh surface may occur on the falling tide when velocities are greatest. Concentrations are highest on the rising tide, and decrease to a constant low level on the falling tide.
Concentrations also decrease with distance from the creek.
It is expected that concentration levels and hence rate of deposition is related to to innundation duration and frequency. Based on long-term records of tidal variation and wind speed and direction data, we have determined the types of weather patterns that produce prolonged innundation of the marsh surface and thus can be expected to enhance sediment deposition. It appears that North Easterly storms produce the highest water levels on the marsh and these storms are most common in the winter season between October and April. Literature Cited Return to table of contents.