Author(s): Jan Claus; Jelle Malschaert; Pieter Mallants; Sarah M. P. Berben; Jonathan Kemp; Arash Bakhtiari

Linked Author(s): Arash Bakhtiari

Keywords: Suspended Particulate Matter; Monitoring; Scheldt estuary; OMES

Abstract: Along and in estuaries a lot of activities are taking place. To determine the impact of the major activities on the estuarine ecosystem in the Scheldt Estuary (Belgium), a monitoring and research program has launched in 1995, called OMES. The OMES monitoring program aims to extend the biogeochemical knowledge of the Sea Scheldt. Monthly campaigns observe the long-term effects along the Belgian Scheldt Estuary on the basic water quality, carbon cycle and suspended particulate matter (SPM), phytoplankton and phytobenthos, primary production and Zooplankton. This paper focuses on the SPM observations obtained during the OMES monitoring program, especially those of the latest 5 years. In this period, the SPM observations at the surface are extended over the full water column. An overview is given of the monitoring set-up, measuring techniques, results and analysis.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/IAHR-39WC2521711920221443

Year: 2022