Wave-scale observations of sediment resuspension and subsequent transport across a fringing reef flat

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Abstract

During a 3-month deployment on a broad, fringing reef flat in Moloka’i, Hawai’i, we observed over 28,000 wave-driven resuspension (WDR) events of coarse-grained sediment in order to identify major factors. These events were short-lived (2-11 s) and distinct from the longer-duration patterns of water-column backscatter. The wave-driven transport of WDR events was onshore, but the net cross-shore transport was ultimately controlled by water levels. Higher water levels produced larger reef-flat waves, which were requisite for these events to occur. But rising water levels also drove stronger offshore flows. Consequently, onshore net transport of WDR events only occurred within a narrow water-level range, when waves were sufficiently large, but the offshore flow was still weak. Our observations demonstrate how cross-shore transport of coarse-grained material over reef flats is sensitive to changing water levels. Rising sea levels will likely alter transport patterns, which will in turn affect cross-shore delivery of carbonate sand to adjacent shorelines.

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Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Wave-scale observations of sediment resuspension and subsequent transport across a fringing reef flat
DOI 10.1142/9789811275135_0149
Year Published 2023
Language English
Publisher World Scientific
Contributing office(s) Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 14 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Conference publication
Larger Work Title The proceedings of the coastal sediments 2023
First page 1607
Last page 1620
Conference Title Coastal Sediments 2023
Conference Location New Orleans, LA
Conference Date April 11-15, 2023
Country United States
State Hawaii
Other Geospatial Moloka’i
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