CWT analyses show that the predicted amplitude behavior for the tidal species is approximately correct. In the past, further progress in understanding river tides has been limited by a lack of data analysis tools. Data analysis tools are now clearly better than the available analytical solutions. Thanks to Ed Flinchem for creating the above figures. WA Abstract .
Estuaries are more diverse than any other marine environment.
Scientists and managers presently face a range of issues associated with global alteration of estuarine systems without a thorough understanding of how such changes affect either estuaries or the larger coastal and global oceans to which they are connected. Traditional classification systems focused almost exclusively on the influences of tidal forcing and buoy-ancy on circulation in narrow estuaries. Fluid mechanics and geomorphology can be con-nected through description of forcing variables for sediment movement in estuaries in terms of hydrodynamic parameters. We argue, moreover, that not just mean TR, but its temporal variability and spatial heterogeneity should be considered. Finally, we suggest a hypothesis concerning estuarine particle retention processes that, if correct, should al-low prediction of residence time and trapping efficiency for at least some estuarine types within the next few years.