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Tidal Inlet Equilibrium, in Relation to Cross-sectional Area and Sediment Transport Patterns

Tidal Inlet Equilibrium, in Relation to Cross-sectional Area and Sediment Transport Patterns
Tidal Inlet Equilibrium, in Relation to Cross-sectional Area and Sediment Transport Patterns
Equilibrium cross-sectional area is a crucial parameter in the assessment of the stability of tidal inlets; it has been related to tidal prism, through the empirical O'Brien method. Analyses presented here, based upon equations associated with equilibrium, show that other factors (i.e. not tidal prism alone) are also important: (1) flood and ebb tidal durations; (2) freshwater discharges; and (3) sediment transport through the entrance. Analytical approaches are suggested for evaluating tidal inlet equilibrium conditions. The method can be applied to analyse the equilibrium of individual inlets, reducing errors in the application of the O'Brien method. Equilibrium conditions for inlet systems at Langstone Harbour (southern England) and Yangpu Harbour (southern China) are compared, suggesting some deviation from the conclusion that maximum cross-sectional mean current speed for a stable inlet should be around 1·0 m s-1.
tidal inlets, equilibrium, sediment transport, southern China coast, southern England coast
0272-7714
157-172
Gao, Shu
467252e2-525c-4729-8e99-b98cde7ee1d9
Collins, Michael
3b70278b-0004-45e0-b3c9-0debdf0a9351
Gao, Shu
467252e2-525c-4729-8e99-b98cde7ee1d9
Collins, Michael
3b70278b-0004-45e0-b3c9-0debdf0a9351

Gao, Shu and Collins, Michael (1994) Tidal Inlet Equilibrium, in Relation to Cross-sectional Area and Sediment Transport Patterns. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 38 (2), 157-172. (doi:10.1006/ecss.1994.1010).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Equilibrium cross-sectional area is a crucial parameter in the assessment of the stability of tidal inlets; it has been related to tidal prism, through the empirical O'Brien method. Analyses presented here, based upon equations associated with equilibrium, show that other factors (i.e. not tidal prism alone) are also important: (1) flood and ebb tidal durations; (2) freshwater discharges; and (3) sediment transport through the entrance. Analytical approaches are suggested for evaluating tidal inlet equilibrium conditions. The method can be applied to analyse the equilibrium of individual inlets, reducing errors in the application of the O'Brien method. Equilibrium conditions for inlet systems at Langstone Harbour (southern England) and Yangpu Harbour (southern China) are compared, suggesting some deviation from the conclusion that maximum cross-sectional mean current speed for a stable inlet should be around 1·0 m s-1.

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More information

Published date: February 1994
Keywords: tidal inlets, equilibrium, sediment transport, southern China coast, southern England coast

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 192421
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/192421
ISSN: 0272-7714
PURE UUID: f79968bf-8ac6-4a63-b1cc-4f56cf46d9a2

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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2011 13:07
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 03:49

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Author: Shu Gao
Author: Michael Collins

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