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Geology topics

D. H. Schoellhamer

Publications and source records attributed to D. H. Schoellhamer.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
USGS1996

Anthropogenic sediment resuspension mechanisms in a shallow microtidal estuary

The mechanisms that resuspend bottom sediments in Hillsborough Bay, a shallow, microtidal, subtropical estuary in West-central Florida, were determined by analysing hydrodynamic and suspended-solids concentration data collected during several instrument deployments made in 1990 and 1991. Large vessels in a dredged ship channel can generate forced solitary long waves that cause large water velocities and sediment resuspension at the study sites. An experiment was conducted with a trawler that resuspended bottom sediments, and some of the resuspended sediments remained in suspension for at least 8 h. A secondary impact of vessel-generated long waves and trawling is that sediments that are resuspended and newly deposited are more susceptible to resuspension by tidal currents than undisturbed bottom sediments. Natural sediment resuspension by wind waves and tidal current is less frequent or of smaller magnitude than anthropogenic sediment resuspension. The annual mass of sediment resuspended by vessel-generated long waves is estimated to be one order of magnitude greater than the annual mass of sediment resuspended by wind waves generated by winter storms.

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science↗
USGS1996

Summary of suspended-solids concentration data, San Francisco Bay, California, water year 1994

Suspended-solids concentration data were collected in San Francisco Bay during water year 1994. Optical backscatterance sensors and water samples were used to monitor suspended solids continuously at two sites in Suisun Bay, two sites in Central San Francisco Bay, and three sites in South San Francisco Bay. Sensors were positioned at two depths at each site. In addition, a shallow-water instrument package was deployed in South San Francisco Bay three times for periods of several weeks to measure suspended-solids concentration and water velocity. Water samples were collected periodically and were analyzed for concentrations of suspended solids. The results of the analyses were used to calibrate the electrical output of the optical backscatterance sensors. This report presents the data-collection methods used and summarizes the suspended-solids concentration data collected from October 1993 through September 1994. Calibration plots and edited data for each sensor also are presented.

California↗
USGS1996

Summary of suspended-solids concentration data, San Francisco Bay, California, Water Year 1995

Suspended-solids concentration data were collected in San Francisco Bay during water year 1995 (October 1, 1994September 30, 1995). Optical backscatterance sensors and water samples were used to monitor suspended solids continuously at two sites in Suisun Bay, two sites in Central San Francisco Bay, and three sites in South San Francisco Bay. Sensors were positioned at two depths at each site. Water samples were collected periodically and were analyzed for concentrations of suspended solids. The results of the analyses were used to calibrate the electrical output of the optical backscatterance sensors. This report presents the data-collection methods used and summarizes the suspended-solids concentration data collected from October 1994 through September 1995. Calibration plots and edited data for each sensor also are presented.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1995

Sediment resuspension mechanisms in Old Tampa Bay, Florida

The mechanisms that resuspend bottom sediments in Old Tampa Bay, a shallow, microtidal, subtropical estuary in west-central Florida, were determined by analysing data collected during several periods from 1988 to 1990. Hydrodynamic and suspended-solids concentration data were collected at a relatively deep (4 m) site where a permanent platform was built and at a relatively shallow (1·5 m) site where a submersible instrument package was deployed. Bottom sediments were non-cohesive silts and fine sands. The primary sediment resuspension mechanism at both sites was wind waves, which were generated by strong and sustained winds associated with winter storms and tropical storms. At the platform, waves were depth-transitional, and estimated bottom shear stresses were most sensitive to wave period and water depth. Concentrations of suspended solids at this site corresponded well with wave motion, and non-linear wave-current interaction was small. At the shallow-water site, concentrations of suspended solids were elevated during periods of strong north-easterly winds and large bottom orbital velocities. At both sites, wind direction was an important factor in determining the occurrence and magnitude of sediment resuspension. Resuspended sediments settled within several hours as storm intensity diminished. Winds and waves generated by thunderstorms were more transient than those generated by winter storms and tropical storms. Based on the data collected during this study, thunderstorms are less likely to resuspend bottom sediment than winter storms and tropical storms. Maximum tidal currents at the study sites are usually less than 15 cm s −1 and did not increase observed concentrations of suspended solids.

Florida↗
USGS1995

Summary of sediment resuspension monitoring activities, Old Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay, Florida, 1988-91

Sediment resuspension was studied in Old Tampa BaY, the northwestern subembayment of Tampa Bay, and in Hillsborough Bay, the northeastern subembayment of Tampa Bay located along the coast of west-central Florida. Electromagnetic current meters, optical backscatterance sensors, and water samples were used to collect sediment resuspension data at several study sites in the two bays. This report describes the data-collection methods and summaries sediment resuspension data collected intermittently from October 1988 through December 1990 in Old Tampa Bay and from March 1990 through September 1991 in Hillsborough Bay. Example data are presented for selected monitoring events.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1986

Programmers manual for a one-dimensional Lagrangian transport model

A one-dimensional Lagrangian transport model for simulating water-quality constituents such as temperature, dissolved oxygen , and suspended sediment in rivers is presented in this Programmers Manual. Lagrangian transport modeling techniques, the model 's subroutines, and the user-written decay-coefficient subroutine are discussed in detail. Appendices list the program codes. The Programmers Manual is intended for the model user who needs to modify code either to adapt the model to a particular need or to use reaction kinetics not provided with the model. (Author 's abstract)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1986

Users manual for a one-dimensional Lagrangian transport model

A Users Manual for the Lagrangian Transport Model (LTM) is presented. The LTM uses Lagrangian calculations that are based on a reference frame moving with the river flow. The Lagrangian reference frame eliminates the need to numerically solve the convective term of the convection-diffusion equation and provides significant numerical advantages over the more commonly used Eulerian reference frame. When properly applied, the LTM can simulate riverine transport and decay processes within the accuracy required by most water quality studies. The LTM is applicable to steady or unsteady one-dimensional unidirectional flows in fixed channels with tributary and lateral inflows. Application of the LTM is relatively simple and optional capabilities improve the model 's convenience. Appendices give file formats and three example LTM applications that include the incorporation of the QUAL II water quality model 's reaction kinetics into the LTM. (Author 's abstract)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗