Bedform variability and flow regime in a barrier-inlet system. The mesotidal Piedras mouth (Huelva, SW Spain)

Bedform fields from the Piedras River mouth (Huelva, SW Spain) have been studied using side-scan sonar techniques, combined with visual scuba-dives, and direct geometric measuring. The dominant flow regime has been determined from the results in these tidal environments, where erosive processes dom...

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Main Authors: J.A. MORALES, I. DELGADO, J.M. GUTIÉRREZ-MAS
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Geociències Barcelona (Geo3BCN), Institut de Diagnosi Ambiental i Estudis de l'Aigua (IDAEA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) 2015-06-01
Series:Geologica Acta
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistes.ub.edu/index.php/GEOACTA/article/view/8468
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author J.A. MORALES
I. DELGADO
J.M. GUTIÉRREZ-MAS
author_facet J.A. MORALES
I. DELGADO
J.M. GUTIÉRREZ-MAS
author_sort J.A. MORALES
collection DOAJ
description Bedform fields from the Piedras River mouth (Huelva, SW Spain) have been studied using side-scan sonar techniques, combined with visual scuba-dives, and direct geometric measuring. The dominant flow regime has been determined from the results in these tidal environments, where erosive processes dominate during ebb, transporting sand as a bedload towards the mouth and central sector of the tidal channel. The process is reversed during tidal floods. During neap tides, larger bedforms maintain their geometry and position, whereas small ripples are re-oriented under different tidal conditions. Sand patches, dunes and ripples are interpreted as sediment bypassing zones. Large forms indicate high energy flow, which can only migrate when flow velocity reaches threshold values for the movement, with net sand transport towards open areas. Depositional features indicate low, moderate, and high-energy conditions. Here, a depositional regime dominated by sediment accommodation is dominant, where sandy sediments are continuously remobilized, transported and re-deposited, even closer to the estuarine mouth. In inner zones finer particles, such as clay and silt, are transported by tides as suspended matter and deposited in protected inner areas. The final results are long narrow tidal flats, which alternate with sandy areas dominated by erosion.
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publisher Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Geociències Barcelona (Geo3BCN), Institut de Diagnosi Ambiental i Estudis de l'Aigua (IDAEA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
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spelling doaj.art-107966552d1f4698a5ef2f6d219c30f12023-10-20T07:22:50ZengUniversitat de Barcelona (UB), Geociències Barcelona (Geo3BCN), Institut de Diagnosi Ambiental i Estudis de l'Aigua (IDAEA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)Geologica Acta1696-57282015-06-01132Bedform variability and flow regime in a barrier-inlet system. The mesotidal Piedras mouth (Huelva, SW Spain)J.A. MORALES0I. DELGADO1J.M. GUTIÉRREZ-MAS2Departamento de geología, universidad de Huelva. Avda. 3 de marzo, s/n, 21007 Huelva, Spain.Departamento de geología, universidad de Huelva. Avda. 3 de marzo, s/n, 21007 Huelva, Spain.Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Río San Pedro, s/n, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain. Bedform fields from the Piedras River mouth (Huelva, SW Spain) have been studied using side-scan sonar techniques, combined with visual scuba-dives, and direct geometric measuring. The dominant flow regime has been determined from the results in these tidal environments, where erosive processes dominate during ebb, transporting sand as a bedload towards the mouth and central sector of the tidal channel. The process is reversed during tidal floods. During neap tides, larger bedforms maintain their geometry and position, whereas small ripples are re-oriented under different tidal conditions. Sand patches, dunes and ripples are interpreted as sediment bypassing zones. Large forms indicate high energy flow, which can only migrate when flow velocity reaches threshold values for the movement, with net sand transport towards open areas. Depositional features indicate low, moderate, and high-energy conditions. Here, a depositional regime dominated by sediment accommodation is dominant, where sandy sediments are continuously remobilized, transported and re-deposited, even closer to the estuarine mouth. In inner zones finer particles, such as clay and silt, are transported by tides as suspended matter and deposited in protected inner areas. The final results are long narrow tidal flats, which alternate with sandy areas dominated by erosion. https://revistes.ub.edu/index.php/GEOACTA/article/view/8468EstuaryEbb-tidal deltaBedformsFlow regimeSedimentary dynamics
spellingShingle J.A. MORALES
I. DELGADO
J.M. GUTIÉRREZ-MAS
Bedform variability and flow regime in a barrier-inlet system. The mesotidal Piedras mouth (Huelva, SW Spain)
Geologica Acta
Estuary
Ebb-tidal delta
Bedforms
Flow regime
Sedimentary dynamics
title Bedform variability and flow regime in a barrier-inlet system. The mesotidal Piedras mouth (Huelva, SW Spain)
title_full Bedform variability and flow regime in a barrier-inlet system. The mesotidal Piedras mouth (Huelva, SW Spain)
title_fullStr Bedform variability and flow regime in a barrier-inlet system. The mesotidal Piedras mouth (Huelva, SW Spain)
title_full_unstemmed Bedform variability and flow regime in a barrier-inlet system. The mesotidal Piedras mouth (Huelva, SW Spain)
title_short Bedform variability and flow regime in a barrier-inlet system. The mesotidal Piedras mouth (Huelva, SW Spain)
title_sort bedform variability and flow regime in a barrier inlet system the mesotidal piedras mouth huelva sw spain
topic Estuary
Ebb-tidal delta
Bedforms
Flow regime
Sedimentary dynamics
url https://revistes.ub.edu/index.php/GEOACTA/article/view/8468
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