Turbidity,suspended sediment concentrations, clay mineralogy of suspended sediments, and the origin of theturbid near-bottom water layer -- Louisiana shelf south of Timbalier Bay -- August 1972 - January 1974-- with comments on a process model for turbid

Turbidity of surface waters in the OEI study area varied seasonally from
a mean of 61% T/m (α= 0.50; 0.8 optical mg/l) in October 1972, to 5% T/m
(α=2.93; 5.3 optical mg/l) following a Mississippi River flood. Mid-depth
waters were the clearest, often registering 85% T/m (α =0.l6; 0.15 optical
mg/l). A turbid bottom-water layer was present 96-100% of the time on
the Louisiana shelf; turbidity, thickness, and other properties varied
greatly, from 41% T/m (α =0.91; 1.5 mg/l; 4.8 m thick) in July 1973, to
0% T/m (α ≥4.61; >10 mg/l; 3.8 m thick) in January 1974. The turbid
layer was not found at four stations, similar in depth to the platform
area, but on the Florida-Alabama shelf. No differences in turbidity
existed between the area of numerous oil production platforms and the
undeveloped Louisiana shelf control area.

Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contribution 24

This manuscript is an author version
with the final publication available and may be cited as: Griffin, G. M., & Ripy, B. J. (1974). Turbidity,
suspended sediment concentrations, clay mineralogy of suspended sediments, and the origin of the
turbid near-bottom water layer -- Louisiana shelf south of Timbalier Bay -- August 1972 - January 1974
-- with comments on a process model for turbid layer transport. Galveston, TX: Gulf Universities
Research Consortium.