Author(s): Qizhong Guo
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: A method is developed for quantifying the flushing time in estuaries with an unknown amount of freshwater input. All existing methods require the information on freshwater input. However, freshwater inputs from downstream watersheds of major streams, from minor surface streams, and from the subsurface may not be readily available. The developed method uses the information on flow and salinity at the estuary-ocean boundary rather than that on freshwater inputs. In addition to quantifying the flushing time, the developed method can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of turbulent mixing in the estuary and can potentially be used to estimate the amount of groundwater inflow to the estuary.
Year: 1997