Residual Currents and Long-Term Transport

Estuaries, bays and contiguous coastal seas are the world's most valuable, and yet most vulnerable marine ecosystems. Fundamental to the protection and management of these important resources is an understanding of the physical processes involved which affect the circulation, mixing and transport of salt, nutrients and sediment. This book explores the processes that appear to have direct control over freshwater inflows, contaminant loadings, dispersion and transport of sediments and nutrients, and causes of declining living resources. It provides a comprehensive summary of the research results on these processes in estuaries and bays. Contributions include results based on theoretical formulations, analyses of field data, numerical models and case studies.