Future Change to Tide‐Influenced Deltas
Abstract Tides tend to widen deltaic channels and shape delta morphology. Here we present a predictive approach to assess a priori the effect of fluvial discharge and tides on deltaic channels. We show that downstream channel widening can be quantified by the ratio of the tide‐driven discharge and t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2018-04-01
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| Series: | Geophysical Research Letters |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL077638 |
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| author | Jaap H. Nienhuis A. J. F. (Ton) Hoitink Torbjörn E. Törnqvist |
| author_facet | Jaap H. Nienhuis A. J. F. (Ton) Hoitink Torbjörn E. Törnqvist |
| author_sort | Jaap H. Nienhuis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Tides tend to widen deltaic channels and shape delta morphology. Here we present a predictive approach to assess a priori the effect of fluvial discharge and tides on deltaic channels. We show that downstream channel widening can be quantified by the ratio of the tide‐driven discharge and the fluvial discharge, along with a second metric representing flow velocities. A test of our new theory on a selection of 72 deltas globally shows good correspondence to a wide range of environments, including wave‐dominated deltas, river‐dominated deltas, and alluvial estuaries. By quantitatively relating tides and fluvial discharge to delta morphology, we offer a first‐order prediction of deltaic change that may be expected from altered delta hydrology. For example, we expect that reduced fluvial discharge in response to dam construction will lead to increased tidal intrusion followed by enhanced tide‐driven sediment import into deltas, with implications for navigation and other human needs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e97b6a3dba2a4cbbaf2ff14b9e7d26ce |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0094-8276 1944-8007 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2018-04-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geophysical Research Letters |
| spelling | doaj-art-e97b6a3dba2a4cbbaf2ff14b9e7d26ce2025-08-20T02:25:28ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072018-04-014583499350710.1029/2018GL077638Future Change to Tide‐Influenced DeltasJaap H. Nienhuis0A. J. F. (Ton) Hoitink1Torbjörn E. Törnqvist2Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Tulane University New Orleans LA USAEnvironmental Sciences Department Wageningen UR Wageningen NetherlandsDepartment of Earth and Environmental Sciences Tulane University New Orleans LA USAAbstract Tides tend to widen deltaic channels and shape delta morphology. Here we present a predictive approach to assess a priori the effect of fluvial discharge and tides on deltaic channels. We show that downstream channel widening can be quantified by the ratio of the tide‐driven discharge and the fluvial discharge, along with a second metric representing flow velocities. A test of our new theory on a selection of 72 deltas globally shows good correspondence to a wide range of environments, including wave‐dominated deltas, river‐dominated deltas, and alluvial estuaries. By quantitatively relating tides and fluvial discharge to delta morphology, we offer a first‐order prediction of deltaic change that may be expected from altered delta hydrology. For example, we expect that reduced fluvial discharge in response to dam construction will lead to increased tidal intrusion followed by enhanced tide‐driven sediment import into deltas, with implications for navigation and other human needs.https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL077638tidesriver deltachannel widthestuary |
| spellingShingle | Jaap H. Nienhuis A. J. F. (Ton) Hoitink Torbjörn E. Törnqvist Future Change to Tide‐Influenced Deltas Geophysical Research Letters tides river delta channel width estuary |
| title | Future Change to Tide‐Influenced Deltas |
| title_full | Future Change to Tide‐Influenced Deltas |
| title_fullStr | Future Change to Tide‐Influenced Deltas |
| title_full_unstemmed | Future Change to Tide‐Influenced Deltas |
| title_short | Future Change to Tide‐Influenced Deltas |
| title_sort | future change to tide influenced deltas |
| topic | tides river delta channel width estuary |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL077638 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jaaphnienhuis futurechangetotideinfluenceddeltas AT ajftonhoitink futurechangetotideinfluenceddeltas AT torbjornetornqvist futurechangetotideinfluenceddeltas |