The impact of the Scheldt input on the trace metal distribution in the Belgian coastal area (results of 1981-1983 and 1995-1996)
Baeyens, W.F.J.; Elskens, I.; Van Ryssen, R.; Leermakers, M. (1998). The impact of the Scheldt input on the trace metal distribution in the Belgian coastal area (results of 1981-1983 and 1995-1996), in: Baeyens, W.F.J. (Ed.) Trace metals in the Westerschelde Estuary: a case-study of a polluted, partially anoxic estuary. Developments in Hydrobiology, 128: pp. 91-108. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3573-5_6
In: Baeyens, W.F.J. (Ed.) (1998). Trace metals in the Westerschelde Estuary: a case-study of a polluted, partially anoxic estuary. Developments in Hydrobiology, 128. Springer Netherlands: Dordrecht. ISBN 978-0-7923-5158-0; e-ISBN 978-94-017-3573-5. XVI, 167 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3573-5, more
Related to:Baeyens, W.F.J.; Elskens, I.; Van Ryssen, R.; Leermakers, M. (1997). The impact of the Scheldt input on the trace metal distribution in the Belgian coastal area (results of 1981-1983 and 1995-1996). Hydrobiologia 366: 91-108. https://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1003128411757, more
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| Author keywords |
trace metals; North Sea; coastal waters; fluxes; residual flows; riverinputs |
| Authors | | Top |
- Baeyens, W.F.J., more
- Elskens, I.
- Van Ryssen, R., more
- Leermakers, M., more
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| Abstract |
Offshore fluxes of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg were calculated based on residual flow patterns and salinity gradients along the Belgian coast. The residual flow lines along the Belgian coast are more or less parallel to the coast except the area where the north-easterly flowing water mass coming from the Channel encounters the south-westerly-oriented Scheldt outflow, forming a residual hydrodynamical front. From the steady-state salinity pattern, diffusion coefficients perpendicular to the residual flow were deduced; they ranged from 21 to 108 m² s-¹ . Offshore fluxes of dissolved and particulate trace metals based on diffusive and mixing processes are calculated. The steady state profiles of dissolved metals show a dilution effect in the coastal waters, reaching an almost constant concentration in the marine water mass in the 1981-1983 dataset. The ratios of the Scheldt input of trace metals to the total dissolved offshore flux vary from 38 to 55% (1981-1983), depending on the kind of metal, and from 5 to 91 % (1995-1996). The ratio of the Scheldt input to the dissolved metal flow parallel to the coast, is in both periods (1981-1983 and 1995-1996), smaller than 1 %. The steady-state concentration profiles of particular metals versus salinity are fairly constant in the coastal-estuarine and marine water masses, but decrease very abruptly from the first to the second water mass. Assuming a conservative behaviour of the particular metals, offshore fluxes and the resulting concentration increases agree fairly well with the observed values. The ratios of the Scheldt input to the particulate trace metal offshore flux vary between 30 to 46% (1981-1983) and 13 to 37% (1995-1996). The contribution of the Scheldt estuary to the flows parallel to the coast ranges from 1.6 to 2.9% (1981-1983) and from O.6 to 1.6% (1995). |
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