View source for Tidal Characteristic Numbers of Suspended Sediment Transport

[[category:Tidal Characteristic Numbers]]
[[de: Tidekennwerte des Schwebstoffgehalts]]
[[Tidal Characteristic Numbers of Salinity|graphical representations of the characteristic numbers of salinity]]
==Motivation==
The calculation as well as the graphic visualization of various tidal characteristic numbers of [[suspended sediment concentration]] and also for the advective transport of suspended sediment contributes to an improved understanding of tidally dominated transport processes in estuaries. Spatial variations of [[suspended sediment concentration]], advective transport of suspended sediment by means of [[flood]] and ebb currents can be highlighted for areas like coastal seas and estuaries as well.
* As the calculations are performed separately for the durations of ebb- and [[flood]]-current it can be shown that transport paths can differ significantly for the two tidal phases. From this one can get additional insight with respect to the relevant transport mechanisms dominated by the tidal currents. This can be related to locally varying [[flood]]-ebb asymmetries for [[ebb volume]] and [[flood volume]]. Also the presence of horizontal gradients can contribute to this effect.
* The variation of [[suspended sediment concentration]] resulting from the local maximum as well as the local minimum of suspended sediment concentration can be quite large. This is a consequence of the different availability of suspended sediments, e. g. inside or outside of the turbidity maximum. The value for the local suspended sediment concentration variation is mainly the result of the product between the horizontal suspended sediment concentration [[gradient]] and the lagrangian drift of a water particle during a complete tidal cycle, but also effected by the strong spatial variation of deposition and [[erosion]] of suspended sediments throughout the [[estuary]].

'''Automatic analyses for all of the above mentioned tidal characteristic numbers of suspended sediment are carried out for 2D- as well as for 3D-data by the programs [[TDKSF]] and [[NCANALYSE]]''' (modes '''TDKC''' (flood current, ebb current) and '''TDWC''' (flood, ebb)).

For modes '''TDKC''' and '''TDWC''' the periods of analysis and integration are differently defined:
* mode '''TDKC'''
** flood current: period between ebb slack (or start of flooding) and flood slack;
** ebb current: period between flood slack and ebb slack (or end of flooding);
** tide: period between first ebb slack (or start of flooding) and second ebb slack (or end of flooding). 
* mode '''TDWC'''
** flood: period between tidal low water (or start of flooding) and tidal high water;
** ebb: period between tidal high water and tidal low water (or end of flooding);
** tide: period between first tidal low water (or start of flooding) and second tidal low water (or end of flooding).

==Definitions for the Tidal Characteristic Numbers of Suspended Sediment Transport==

===Program [[NCANALYSE]]===

====Flood Current====

=====Advective Flood Transport of Suspended Load=====
Exact amount of [[suspended load]] (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section during flood current due to advection. This quantity makes use of the normal flow of [[suspended load]] only, which is orthogonal to the flow face. Reconstruction of the total vector by means of [[projection]] is left to visualization programs (e. g. [[NCPLOT]]).

=====Diffusive Flood Transport of Suspended Load=====
Exact amount of [[suspended load]] (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section during flood current due to (turbulent) diffusion. This quantity makes use of the normal flow of suspended load only, which is orthogonal to the flow face. Reconstruction of the total vector by means of [[projection]] is left to visualization programs (e. g. [[NCPLOT]]).

=====Advective Flood Transport-Rate of Suspended Load=====
Exact transport rate of suspended load (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section during flood current due to advection. This quantity makes use of the normal flow of suspended load only, which is orthogonal to the flow face. Reconstruction of the total vector by means of [[projection]] is left to visualization programs (e. g. [[NCPLOT]]). On tidal flats this quantity is computed for the period of inundation only. 

=====Diffusive Flood Transport-Rate of Suspended Load=====
Exact transport rate of suspended load (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section during flood current due to (turbulent) diffusion. This quantity makes use of the normal flow of suspended load only, which is orthogonal to the flow face. Reconstruction of the total vector by means of projection is left to visualization programs (e. g. [[NCPLOT]]). On tidal flats this quanmtity is computed for the period of inundation only.

=====Mean Suspended Load Flood Current=====
Mean value of suspended load during flood current duration of a tide.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: Mean suspended load flood current]]. <br /> -->

====Ebb Current====

=====Advective Ebb Transport of Suspended Load=====
Exact amount of suspended load (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section during ebb current due to advection. This quantity makes use of the normal flow of suspended load only, which is orthogonal to the flow face. Reconstruction of the total vector by means of projection is left to visualization programs (e. g. [[NCPLOT]]).

=====Diffusive Ebb Transport of Suspended Load=====
Exact amount of suspended load (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section during ebb current due to (turbulent) diffusion. This quantity makes use of the normal flow of suspended load only, which is orthogonal to the flow face. Reconstruction of the total vector by means of projection is left to visualization programs (e. g. [[NCPLOT]]).

=====Advective Ebb Transport-Rate of Suspended Load=====
Exact transport rate of suspended load (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section during ebb current due to advection. This quantity makes use of the normal flow of suspended load only, which is orthogonal to the flow face. Reconstruction of the total vector by means of projection is left to visualization programs (e. g. [[NCPLOT]]). On tidal flats this quantity is computed for the period of inundation only. 

=====Diffusive Ebb Transport-Rate of Suspended Load=====
Exact transport rate of suspended load (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section during ebb current due to (turbulent) diffusion. This quantity makes use of the normal flow of suspended load only, which is orthogonal to the flow face. Reconstruction of the total vector by means of projection is left to visualization programs (e. g. [[NCPLOT]]). On tidal flats this quanmtity is computed for the period of inundation only.

=====Mean Suspended Load Ebb Current=====
Mean value of suspended load during ebb current duration of a tide.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: mean suspended load ebb current]]. <br /> -->

====Tidal Cycle====

=====Advective Residual Transport of Suspended Load=====
Residual based on exact volume of suspended load (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section during a tidal cycle (flood current plus ebb current) due to advection. This quantity makes use of the normal flow of suspended load only, which is orthogonal to the flow face. Reconstruction of the total vector by means of projection is left to visualization programs (e. g. [[NCPLOT]]). 

=====Diffusive Residual Transport of Suspended Load=====
Residual based on exact volume of suspended load (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section during a tidal cycle (flood current plus ebb current) due to diffusion. This quantity makes use of the normal flow of suspended load only, which is orthogonal to the flow face. Reconstruction of the total vector by means of projection is left to visualization programs (e. g. [[NCPLOT]]).

=====Advective Tidal Transport of Suspended Load=====
Sum of individual transports (magnitudes) based on exact amount of suspended load (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section during a tidal cycle (flood current plus ebb current) due to advection. This quantity makes use of the normal flow of suspended load only, which is orthogonal to the flow face. 

=====Advective Suspended Load Transport, Flood-Ebb-Ratio=====
Based on exact volume of suspended load (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section during a tidal cycle (flood current, ebb current) due to advection. Quantity is computed from the (face) normal components only.

=====Advective Suspended Load Transport, Flood-Tide-Ratio=====
Based on exact amount of suspended load (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section (flood current, flood current plus ebb current) due to advection. Quantity is computed from the (face) normal components only.

=====Advective Suspended Load Transport, Ebb-Tide-Ratio=====
Based on exact amount of suspended load (with exception of roundoff) which passes a certain cross section (ebb current, flood current plus ebb current) due to advection. Quantity is computed from the (face) normal components only.

=====Maximum Suspended Load=====
Maximum value of suspended load during a full tidal cycle (period between two subsequent slack water times of ebb current).<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: maximum suspended load]]. <br /> -->

=====Minimum Suspended Load=====
Minimum value of suspended load during a full tidal cycle (period between two subsequent slack water times of ebb current).<br /> 
<!-- [[Example figures: minimum suspended load]]. <br /> -->

=====Mean Suspended Load=====
Average value of suspended load during a full tidal cycle (period between two subsequent slack water times of ebb current).<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: mean suspended load]]. <br /> -->

=====Tidal Variation of Suspended Load=====
Difference between maximum and minimum values of suspended load during a full tidal cycle (period between two subsequent slack water times of ebb current).<br /> 
<!-- [[Example figures: tidal variation of suspended load]]. <br /> -->

=====Mean Suspended Load Flood Current : Mean Suspended Load=====
Ratio between mean suspended load during flood current and mean suspended load during the full tidal cycle.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: mean suspended load flood current : mean suspended load]]. <br /> -->

=====Mean Suspended Load Ebb Current : Mean Suspended Load=====
Ratio between mean suspended load during ebb current and mean suspended load during the full tidal cycle.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: mean suspended load ebb current : mean suspended load]]. <br /> -->

=====Mean Suspended Load Flood Current : Mean Suspended Load Ebb Current=====
Ratio between mean suspended load during flood current and mean suspended load during ebb current.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: mean suspended load flood current : mean suspended load ebb current]]. <br /> -->

=====Tidal Variation of Suspended Load : Mean Suspended Load=====
Ratio between tidal variation of suspended load and mean suspended load during the tidal cycle.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: tidal variation of suspended load : mean suspended load]]. <br /> -->

=====Maximum Suspended Load : Mean Suspended Load=====
Ratio between maximum suspended load and mean suspended load during the tidal cycle.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: maximum suspended load : mean suspended load]]. <br /> -->

=====Minimum Suspended Load : Mean Suspended Load=====
Ratio between minimum suspended load and mean suspended load during the tidal cycle.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: minimum suspended load : mean suspended load]]. <br /> -->

====Flood====

=====Mean Suspended Load Flood=====
Mean value of suspended load during flood duration of a tide. This value is typically lower than the respective mean computed for flood current duration.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: mean suspended load during flood]]. <br /> -->
Data analysis: [[NCANALYSE]].

====Ebb====

=====Mean Suspended Load Ebb=====
Mean value of suspended load during ebb duration of a tide. This value is typically larger than the respective mean computed for ebb current duration.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: mean suspended load ebb current]]. <br /> -->
Data analysis: [[NCANALYSE]].

====Tidal Cycle (between two subsequent tidal low waters)====

=====Maximum Suspended Load=====
Maximum value of suspended load during a complete tidal cycle (period between two subsequent tidal low [[waters]]). This value is typically identical to the respective maximum computed for the period between two subsequent ebb slacks.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: maximum suspended load]]. <br /> -->
Data analysis: [[NCANALYSE]].

=====Minimum Suspended Load=====
Minimum value of suspended load during a complete tidal cycle (period between two subsequent tidal low [[waters]]). This value may differ from the respective minimum computed for the period between two subsequent ebb slacks.<br /> 
<!-- [[Example figures: minimum suspended load]]. <br /> -->
Data analysis: [[NCANALYSE]].

=====Mean Suspended Load=====
Average value of suspended load during a complete tidal cycle (period between two subsequent tidal low [[waters]]). This value is typically comparable to the respective mean computed for the period between two subsequent ebb slacks.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: mean suspended load]]. <br /> -->
Data analysis: [[NCANALYSE]].

=====Tidal Variation of Suspended Load=====
Difference between the extreme values of suspended load during a complete tidal cycle (period between two subsequent tidal low waters). This value may differ from the respective value computed for the period between two subsequent ebb slacks.<br /> 
<!-- [[Example figures: tidal variation of suspended load]]. <br /> -->
Data analysis: [[NCANALYSE]].

=====Mean Suspended Load Flood : Mean suspended load=====
Ratio of mean suspended load of flood to mean Suspended Load during the complete tide (period between two subsequent tidal low waters).<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: mean suspended load flood  : mean suspended load]]. <br /> -->
Data analysis: [[NCANALYSE]].

=====Mean Suspended Load Ebb : Mean Suspended Load=====
Ratio of mean suspended load of ebb to mean suspended load during the complete tide (period between two subsequent tidal low waters).<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: mean suspended load ebb : mean suspended load]]. <br /> -->
Data analysis: [[NCANALYSE]].

=====Mean Suspended Load Flood : Mean Suspended Load Ebb=====
Ratio of mean suspended load of during flood to mean suspended load during ebb.<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: mean suspended load flood : mean suspended load ebb]]. <br /> -->
Data analysis: [[NCANALYSE]].

=====Tidal Variation of Suspended Load : Mean Suspended Load=====
Ratio of tidal variation of suspended load to mean suspended load value of the tide (period between two subsequent tidal low waters).<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: tidal variation of suspended load : mean suspended load]]. <br /> -->
Data analysis: [[NCANALYSE]].

=====Maximum Suspended Load : Mean Suspended Load=====
Ratio of maximum suspended load of the tide to mean suspended load value of the tide (period between two subsequent tidal low waters)..<br />
<!-- [[Example figures: maximum suspended load : mean suspended load]]. <br /> -->
Data analysis: [[NCANALYSE]].

===Program [[TDKSF]]===

====Flood Current====

=====Advective Flood Transport of Suspended Sediment=====

Suspended sediment mass, which is transported by means of flood current through a cross section<br />
Example: not available.

====Ebb Current====

=====Advective Ebb Transport of Suspended Sediment=====

Suspended sediment mass, which is transported by means of ebb current through a cross section<br />
Example: not available.

====Tidal Cycle====

=====Maximum Suspended Sediment Concentration=====

Maximum value of suspended sediment concentration during a complete tidal cycle (period between two subsequent slack water times of ebb current)<br />
Example: not available.

=====Minimum Suspended Sediment Concentration=====

Minimum value of suspended sediment concentration during a complete tidal cycle (period between two subsequent slack water times of ebb current)<br />
Example: not available.

=====Mean Suspended Sediment Concentration=====

Average value of suspended sediment concentration during a complete tidal cycle (period between two subsequent slack water times of ebb current)<br />
Example: not available.

=====Tidal Variation of Suspended Sediment Concentration=====

Difference between the extreme values of suspended sediment concentration during a complete tidal cycle (period between two subsequent slack water times of ebb current)<br />
Example: not available.

=====Advective Residual Transport of Suspended Sediment=====

Residual suspended sediment mass which is transported by means of ebb and flood currents through a cross section (the different transport directions are taken into account). If the advective transport by means of flood current is equal but in opposite direction of the ebb current transport this will result in a zero advective residual transport of suspended sediment.<br />
Example: not available.

=====Advective Suspended Sediment Transport, Flood-Ebb-Ratio=====

Flood to ebb ratio for the suspended sediment volumes which are transported by means of flood and ebb currents<br />
Example: not available.

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