| Abstract: | A field experiment was carried out in Massachusetts Bay in August 1998 to assess the role of large-amplitude internal waves (LIWs) in resuspending bottom sediments. The field experiment consisted of a four-element moored array extending from just west of Stellwagen Bank (90-m water depth) across Stellwagen Basin (85- and 50-m water depth) to the coast (24-m water depth). The LIWs were observed in packets of 5-10 waves, had periods of 5-10 min and wavelengths of 200-400 m, and caused downward excursions of the thermocline of as much as 30 m. At the 85-m site, the current measured 1 m above bottom (mab) typically increased from near 0 to 0.2 m/s offshore in a few minutes upon arrival of the LIWs. At the 50-m site, the near-bottom offshore flow measured 6 mab increased from about 0.1 to 0.4-0.6 m/s upon arrival of the LIWs and remained offshore in the bottom layer for 1-2 h. The near-bottom currents associated with the LIWs, in concert with the tidal currents, were directed offshore and sufficient to resuspend the bottom sediments at both the 50- and 85-m sites. When LIWs are present, they may resuspend sediments for as long as 5 hours each tidal cycle as they travel westward across Stellwagen Basin. At 85-m water depth, resuspension associated with LIWs is estimated to occur for about 0.4 days each summer, about the same amount of time as caused by surface waves. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70028586 |
| Citation Author: | Butman, B.; Alexander, P. S.; Scotti, A.; Beardsley, R. C.; Anderson, S. P. |
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| Citation End Page: | 2049 |
| Citation Issue: | 17-18 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Continental Shelf Research |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 21 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Large internal waves in Massachusetts Bay transport sediments offshore; 2006; Article; Journal; Continental Shelf Research; Butman, B.; Alexander, P. S.; Scotti, A.; Beardsley, R. C.; Anderson, S. P. |
| Citation Start Page: | 2029 |
| Citation Volume: | 26 |
| Citation Year: | 2006 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Large internal waves in Massachusetts Bay transport sediments offshore; 2006; Article; Journal; Continental Shelf Research; Butman, B.; Alexander, P. S.; Scotti, A.; Beardsley, R. C.; Anderson, S. P. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2006.07.022 |
| Date Other: | Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00 -0600 |
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