Weather and climate induced spatial variability of surface suspended particulate matter concentration in the North Sea and the English Channel

Fettweis, M.; Monbaliu, Jaak; Baeye, M.; Nechad, Bouchra; Eynde, D. Van den

doi:10.1016/j.mio.2012.11.001

Cited by 36 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…There is increasing evidence that sticky algae excretions such as transparent exopolymer particles mediate aggregation and increase shear resistance of particles to fragmentation, potentially enabling algae to clear the water column from mineral load (Fettweis et al, 2014). As shown in the conceptual model (Sect.…”

Section: Biological Modulation Of the Transition Zone?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main North Sea tidal wave turns counterclockwise and drives the large-scale current system (Sün-dermann and Pohlmann, 2011). SPM originating from the British coast is transported eastwards by the East Anglian Plume and occasionally reaches the surveyed area (Fettweis et al, 2012;Pietrzak et al, 2011). In the southern North Sea, SPM and dissolved nutrients that enter through the River Rhine are transported eastward along the Dutch and German East Frisian shore by this large-scale current system.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They are particularly subjected to algae and microbial extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) excretions such as transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs) that are known to mediate aggregation processes. TEPs bridge and glue mineral particles together (Decho, 1990) and potentially increase resistance to particle fragmentation (Fettweis et al, 2014). By these mechanisms, TEPs are hypothesized to enable phytoplankton to clear the water column of suspended sediments (Fettweis et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…TEPs bridge and glue mineral particles together (Decho, 1990) and potentially increase resistance to particle fragmentation (Fettweis et al, 2014). By these mechanisms, TEPs are hypothesized to enable phytoplankton to clear the water column of suspended sediments (Fettweis et al, 2014). Such clearing ability may contribute to spatial variability of w s , which would affect biogeochemical cycles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Maximum sinking velocities of suspended particulate matter in a coastal transition zone

et al. 2016

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Abstract. Marine coastal ecosystem functioning is crucially linked to the transport and fate of suspended particulate matter (SPM). Transport of SPM is controlled by, amongst other factors, sinking velocity w s . Since the w s of cohesive SPM aggregates varies significantly with size and composition of the mineral and organic origin, w s exhibits large spatial variability along gradients of turbulence, SPM concentration (SPMC) and SPM composition. In this study, we retrieved w s for the German Bight, North Sea, by combining measured vertical turbidity profiles with simulation results for turbulent eddy diffusivity. We analyzed w s with respect to modeled prevailing dissipation rates and found that mean w s were significantly enhanced around log 10 ( (m 2 s −3 )) ≈ −5.5. This region is typically found at water depths of approximately 15 to 20 m along cross-shore transects. Across this zone, SPMC declines towards the offshore waters and a change in particle composition occurs. This characterizes a transition zone with potentially enhanced vertical fluxes. Our findings contribute to the conceptual understanding of nutrient cycling in the coastal region which is as follows. Previous studies identified an estuarine circulation. Its residual landward-oriented bottom currents are loaded with SPM, particularly within the transition zone. This retains and traps fine sediments and particulate-bound nutrients in coastal waters where organic components of SPM become remineralized. Residual surface currents transport dissolved nutrients offshore, where they are again consumed by phytoplankton. Algae excrete extracellular polymeric substances which are known to mediate mineral aggregation and thus sedimentation. This probably takes place particularly in the transition zone and completes the coastal nutrient cycle. The efficiency of the transition zone for retention is thus suggested as an important mechanism that underlies the often observed nutrient gradients towards the coast.

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Section: Biological Modulation Of the Transition Zone?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Maximum sinking velocities of suspended particulate matter in a coastal transition zone

et al. 2016

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“…In addition, both anthropogenic and natural sound sources may mask the signal as the signal-to-noise ratio becomes too low (De Jong et al, 2011;Huveneers et al, 2016). The BPNS, for instance, is a shallow ocean basin with sandy sediments and strong tidal currents and winds (Baeye et al, 2011;Fettweis et al, 2012). In addition, intensive shipping traffic and offshore industry result in high anthropogenic noise generation (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental factors influence the detection probability in acoustic telemetry in a marine environment: results from a new setup

et al. 2018

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Acoustic telemetry is a commonly applied method to investigate the ecology of marine animals and provides a scientific basis for management and conservation. Crucial insight in animal behaviour and ecosystem functioning and dynamics is gained through acoustic receiver networks that are established in many different environments around the globe. The main limitation to this technique is the ability of the receivers to detect the signals from tagged animals present in the nearby area. To interpret acoustic data correctly, understanding influencing factors on the detection probability is critical. Therefore, range test studies are an essential part of acoustic telemetry research. Here, we investigated whether specific environmental factors (i.e. wind, currents, waves, background noise, receiver tilt and azimuth) influence the receiver detection probability for a permanent acoustic receiver network in Belgium. Noise and wind speed in relation to distance, the interaction of receiver tilt and azimuth and current speed were the most influential variables affecting the detection probability in this environment. The study indicated that there is high detection probability up to a distance of circa 200 m. A new setup, making use of features that render valuable information for data analysis and interpretation, was tested and revealed general applicability.

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Seasonal variation in concentration, size, and settling velocity of muddy marine flocs in the benthic boundary layer

Fettweis

Baeye

2015

JGR Oceans

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Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) concentration profiles of the lowest 2 m of the water column and particle size distribution at 2 m above the bed were measured in a coastal turbidity maximum area (southern North Sea) during more than 700 days between 2006 and 2013. The long-term data series of SPM concentration, floc size, and settling velocity have been ensemble averaged according to tidal range, alongshore residual flow direction, and season, in order to investigate the seasonal SPM dynamics and its relation with physical and biological processes. The data show that the SPM is more concentrated in the near-bed layer in summer, whereas in winter, the SPM is better mixed throughout the water column. The decrease of the SPM concentration in the water column during summer is compensated by a higher nearbed concentration indicating that a significant part of the SPM remains in the area during summer rather than being advected out of it. The opposite seasonality between near-bed layer and water column has to our knowledge not yet been presented in literature. Physical effects such as wave heights, wind climate, or storms have a weak correlation with the observed seasonality. The argument to favor microbial activity as main driver of the seasonality lies in the observed variations in floc size and settling velocity. On average, the flocs are larger and thus settling velocities higher in summer than winter.

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Weather and climate induced spatial variability of surface suspended particulate matter concentration in the North Sea and the English Channel

Cited by 36 publications

References 35 publications

Maximum sinking velocities of suspended particulate matter in a coastal transition zone

Maximum sinking velocities of suspended particulate matter in a coastal transition zone

Environmental factors influence the detection probability in acoustic telemetry in a marine environment: results from a new setup

Seasonal variation in concentration, size, and settling velocity of muddy marine flocs in the benthic boundary layer

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