Multi-faceted monitoring of estuarine turbidity and particulate matter provenance: Case study from Salem Harbor, USA

Turbidity is a water quality parameter that is known to adversely affect aquatic systems, however the causes of turbid water are often elusive. We present results of a study designed to constrain the source of particulate matter in a coastal embayment that has suffered from increased turbidity over...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2017-01, Vol.574, p.629-641
Main Authors: Hubeny, J. Bradford, Kenney, Melanie, Warren, Barbara, Louisos, Jeremy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
monitoring buoy
phytoplankton
Salem Sound
stable isotopes
time series analysis
water quality
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Summary:Turbidity is a water quality parameter that is known to adversely affect aquatic systems, however the causes of turbid water are often elusive. We present results of a study designed to constrain the source of particulate matter in a coastal embayment that has suffered from increased turbidity over past decades. Our approach utilized monitoring buoys to quantify turbidity at high temporal resolution complemented by geochemical isotope analysis of suspended sediment samples and meteorological data. Results reveal a complex system in which multiple sources are associated with particulate matter. Weight of evidence demonstrates that phytoplankton productivity in the water column, however, is the dominant source of particulate matter associated with elevated turbidity in Salem Harbor, Massachusetts. Allochthonous matter from the watershed was observed to mix into the pool of suspended particulate matter near river mouths, especially in spring and summer. Resuspension of harbor surface sediments likely provides additional particulates in the regions of boat moorings, especially during summer when recreational boats are attached to moorings. Our approach allows us to constrain the causes of turbidity events in this embayment, is helping with conservation efforts of environmental quality in the region, and can be used as a template for other locations. [Display omitted] •Estuarine turbidity examined through monitoring buoys and stable isotopes•Provenance of particulates is complex and varies by location and time•Weight of evidence reveals phytoplankton as dominant turbidity source•Sediment resuspension and allochthonous input contribute to mixed suspended load•Combined buoy, isotope, and meteorological approach robust for turbidity studies
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.081