Mechanisms of Sediment Retention in Estuaries

PERILLO, G.M.E.; SYVISTKI, J.M.P.

Elsevier

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2010 p. 66

NOTA: POR SER UN NUMERO ESPECIAL DE REVISTA INTERNACIONAL NO SE INDICA ISBN. EL ISSN DE ECSS 0272-7714 Estuaries are the primary receiver and retainer of sediment delivered to the coast by rivers. Their geomorphologic and dynamic characteristics as well as their prevailing biological conditions are essential to define the capability of each estuary to retain sediments within the system. Whether the accommodation space available and the amount of sediment received are enough to permit the evolution of the estuary in phase with long-term sea level trends or anthropogenic modifications requires an in-depth analysis of the unique conditions present. Many estuaries are out of equilibrium given 20th century boundary conditions. The sediment load delivered to estuaries has often change through land use (Syvitski and Milliman, 2007) and from restrictions to offshore sediment sources. Estuaries and wetlands often respond quickly to reductions in sedimentary flux, decreasing their potential to withstand the expected eustatic sea level rise (Nicholls, 2004). Subtidal regions similarly respond to changes in the estuarine sediment budget; a point seldom considered when coastal wetlands are investigated.