A Mixing Rate Approach to Understand Nutrient Distributions in the Plume of Mississippi River

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-1993

Department

Marine Science

Abstract

Studies of estuarine chemical and biological distributions frequently focus on biogeochemical processes while ignoring how the rates of these processes might compare with mixing rates. This is understandable in view of the complex physical regime of many estuaries. In this report a mixing rate diagram is described which shows freshwater transit times versus salinity. This approach is straightforward to construct and can provide information regarding relative rates of mixing (or dilution) in different parts of an estuarine/coastal mixing zone. A simplified preliminary application of this approach suggests that nutrient uptake in the plume of the Mississippi River may be related to a slowing of the mixing process at high salinities.

Publication Title

Marine Chemistry

Volume

43

Issue

1-4

First Page

211

Last Page

216

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