Seasonal and tidal variations in the hydrology of Wellington harbour

Abstract

Observations were made on several hydrological features of Wellington Harbour, New Zealand (41° 16' S, 174° 51' E) during 1970 to 1972. These suggest that the harbour is topographically partially isolated from oceanic influences, and that waters within the harbour undergo efficient mixing.Monthly mean sea-surface temperatures ranged seasonally between 10.5°c and 18.5°c, and some stratification was observed during summer and winter. Salinities usually ranged from 33.5% O to 34.5% O , and water transparency by Secchi disc from 3 m to 6 m. Dissolved oxygen content ranged from 96% to 127% saturation, usually exceeding 100% saturation in surface waters.Under normal discharge conditions during winter, the Hutt River was observed to markedly affect surface temperatures and salinities as far south as Somes Island to a depth of about 5 m.

Where are the mussels on Cook Strait (New Zealand) shores? Low seston quality as a possible factor limiting multi-species distributions

“…Several authors have suggested that Wellington Harbour is at least partially isolated from the shelf area immediately outside the harbour entrance (Maxwell 1956, Booth 1975, Harris 1990). The Harbour is a sheltered, well-mixed, nutrient-rich, semi-enclosed body of water (85 km2 in area) with a flushng time of -9 d (Maxwell 1956, Brodie 1958, Booth 1975, Heath 1977. By comparison, the south coast shelf system (Cook Strait) is a high-energy, very exposed coastline.…”

Common bivalve larvae from New Zealand: Leptonacea

“…Details of the plankton sampling programme, including the areas, times, and methods have been described by Booth (1974Booth ( , 1975Booth ( , 1977. In brief, three plankton stations were occupied in the Bay of Islands (35°1 5'S, 174°10'E) (Apr 1970-Dec 1971, four in Wellington Harbour (41°16'S, 174°51'E) (May 1970-Feb 1972 and four at Raumati Beach (40°56'S, 174°5…”

“…8'E) (Jun 1971-Jun 1972; the positions of these stations are given in Booth (1977;figs 1 & 2). Details of the hydrology of the Bay of Islands and Wellington Harbour during the sampling period are given in Booth (1974Booth ( , 1975.…”

“…This is the third paper in a series (Booth 1977(Booth , 1979 on the common bivalve larvae recovered from plankton samples taken at the Bay of Islands, Wellington Harbour, and Raumati Beach, New Zealand during 1970-72 (Booth 1972). The paper deals with the larvae of six leptonacean (= erycinacean) species: Family Erycinidae -Kellia cycladiformis (Deshayes), Lasaea rubra hinemoa Finlay, L. maoria (Powell), Borniola reniformis (Suter), Arlhritica crassijormis Powell, and A. bifurca (Webster).…”

“…Arthritica bifurca, a bivalve of similar size, occurs free-living in mud or muddy sand, though probably not deeper than 190 m (Ponder 1965), and also in association with the tubeworm Pectinaria australis according to Wear (1966). Observations made in Bay of Islands estuaries ( Table 2, also Booth 1972) suggest that in this area at least, the species is common in its free-living mode, and it was not found in association with the P. australis present.…”