Role of physical and biological processes in sediment dynamics of a tidal flat in Westerschelde Estuary, SW Netherlands

This article synthesises a series of studies concerned with physical, chemical and biological processes involved in sediment dynamics (sedimentation, erosion and mixing) of the Molenplaat tidal flat in the Westerschelde (SW Netherlands). Total sediment accretion rate on the flat (sand to muddy sand) was estimated to be ~2 cm yr-1, based on 210Pb and 137Cs profiles. 7Be showed maximum activity in the surface sediments during summer, reflecting accretion of fine silt at this time of year, and total vertical mixing of sediment to be in the order of 50 cm2 yr-1. The extent to which different physi... Mehr ...