Between January 9-31, 1990, tidal current speeds collected in Sebastian
Inlet on the east coast of central Florida, shows that the average Eulerian and Stokes
residual currents are both lagoonward. This pattern can be used to explain the long-term
accumulation patterns (trapping) of marine sediments on the flood tidal delta
adjacent to the inlet. Numerical model results indicate that the Stokes residual current is
mainly determined by the tidal characteristics of the lagoon and ocean, and
subsequently, less variable. The lagoonward Eulerian currents on the other hand, are
interrupted by episodic storms which can cause abrupt superelevation of instantaneous
water-levels on the lagoon side of the inlet. The instantaneous superelevation of lagoon
water-levels and fresh water outflow can cause temporary reversal of Eulerian residual
current in the inlet, and thus, the reduction of the sediment trapping capability of the
inlet. Therefore, the overall effectiveness of sediment trapping in Sebastian Inlet is not
only determined by the tidal characteristics of the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River
lagoon, but also by the climatic pattern of the area, and by the long-term mean sea-level
difference between the lagoon and the ocean.
Member of
Contributors
Publisher
American Society of Civil Engineers
Date Issued
1991
Note
Language
Type
Genre
Form
Extent
17 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
FA00007253
Additional Information
Between January 9-31, 1990, tidal current speeds collected in Sebastian
Inlet on the east coast of central Florida, shows that the average Eulerian and Stokes
residual currents are both lagoonward. This pattern can be used to explain the long-term
accumulation patterns (trapping) of marine sediments on the flood tidal delta
adjacent to the inlet. Numerical model results indicate that the Stokes residual current is
mainly determined by the tidal characteristics of the lagoon and ocean, and
subsequently, less variable. The lagoonward Eulerian currents on the other hand, are
interrupted by episodic storms which can cause abrupt superelevation of instantaneous
water-levels on the lagoon side of the inlet. The instantaneous superelevation of lagoon
water-levels and fresh water outflow can cause temporary reversal of Eulerian residual
current in the inlet, and thus, the reduction of the sediment trapping capability of the
inlet. Therefore, the overall effectiveness of sediment trapping in Sebastian Inlet is not
only determined by the tidal characteristics of the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River
lagoon, but also by the climatic pattern of the area, and by the long-term mean sea-level
difference between the lagoon and the ocean.
Inlet on the east coast of central Florida, shows that the average Eulerian and Stokes
residual currents are both lagoonward. This pattern can be used to explain the long-term
accumulation patterns (trapping) of marine sediments on the flood tidal delta
adjacent to the inlet. Numerical model results indicate that the Stokes residual current is
mainly determined by the tidal characteristics of the lagoon and ocean, and
subsequently, less variable. The lagoonward Eulerian currents on the other hand, are
interrupted by episodic storms which can cause abrupt superelevation of instantaneous
water-levels on the lagoon side of the inlet. The instantaneous superelevation of lagoon
water-levels and fresh water outflow can cause temporary reversal of Eulerian residual
current in the inlet, and thus, the reduction of the sediment trapping capability of the
inlet. Therefore, the overall effectiveness of sediment trapping in Sebastian Inlet is not
only determined by the tidal characteristics of the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River
lagoon, but also by the climatic pattern of the area, and by the long-term mean sea-level
difference between the lagoon and the ocean.
Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contribution 823
This manuscript is an author version with the final
publication available and may be cited as: Liu, J. T. (1991). Residual currents-the variability of an inlet
sediment trapping mechanism. In N. C. Kraus, K. J. Gingerich, & D. L. Kriebel (Eds.), Coastal sediments
’91, Volume II: proceedings of a Specialty Conference on Quantitative Approaches to Coastal Sediment
Processes, Seattle, Washington, June 25-27, 1991 (pp. 1419-1433). New York, NY: American Society of
Civil Engineers.
publication available and may be cited as: Liu, J. T. (1991). Residual currents-the variability of an inlet
sediment trapping mechanism. In N. C. Kraus, K. J. Gingerich, & D. L. Kriebel (Eds.), Coastal sediments
’91, Volume II: proceedings of a Specialty Conference on Quantitative Approaches to Coastal Sediment
Processes, Seattle, Washington, June 25-27, 1991 (pp. 1419-1433). New York, NY: American Society of
Civil Engineers.
Date Backup
1991
Date Text
1991
Date Issued (EDTF)
1991
Extension
FAU
IID
FA00007253
Organizations
Attributed name: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Person Preferred Name
Liu, James T.
Physical Description
17 p.
Title Plain
Residual currents-the variability of an inletsediment trapping mechanism
Origin Information
1991
American Society of Civil Engineers
New York
Place
New York
Title
Residual currents-the variability of an inletsediment trapping mechanism
Other Title Info
Residual currents-the variability of an inletsediment trapping mechanism