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Jennifer Frances Parry SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARUTIONS IN SUSPENDED SEDIMENT AND SEDIMENT DEPOSITION, CUMBERLAND BASIN, BAY OF FUNDY A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Guelph by JENNIFER FRANCES PARRY In partial fülfilment of requirements For the degree of Master of Science August, 200 1 O Jennifer Frances Parry, 200 1 Bibliothèque nationale du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services sewices bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Ottawa ON KI A ON4 Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microfonn, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la fome de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyxight in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substanbal extracts hmit Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otheMrise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. ABSTRACT CONTROLS AFFECTING THE SPATIAL AND TEMPOM VARIATIONS IN SEDIMENT DEPOSITION, CUMBERLAND BASIN, BAY OF FUNDY Jennifer Frances Parry Advisor: University of Guelph, 200 1 Professor J. Ollerhead Co-Advisor: Professor R. Davidson-Arnott The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of spatial and temporal variation in sediment deposition rates between several saltmarshes over a tidal cycle, within the Cumberland Basin to the following geomorphic controls: (1) wind waves and tidal currents, (2) suspended sediment concentrations, (3) vegetation, and (4) marsh morphology. Five diverse marshes were chosen along the length of the Basin. Sarnples of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and sediment deposition were collected simultaneously over individual tidal cycles, while continuous measurements of wind direction and velocity were collected over the duration of the study. More detailed measurernents were made during several tidal inundations by an electronic instrument array. Results indicate that waves generated at the mouth of the Basin are of key importance to sediment availability in the water colurnn throughout the Basin. Spatial variation in sediment deposition between marshes is primdy a function of two intemal controls: marsh rnorphology and relative roughness index (ratio between vegetation height and mean water depth). However, no one geomorphic control cm be determined as dominant, as sediment deposition in the Cumberland Basin is the result of complex interrelationships between various controls. 1 would like to thank my advisors Dr. Jeff OIlerhead and Dr. Robin Davidson- Arnott first and foremost for giving me the opportunity to become involved in the ongoing research project in the Bay of Fundy - it has been an invaluable expenence. Moreover. 1 would like to thank them for their patience and guidance both on the field and in the process of analysis and writing. I would also like to thank Jaime Dawson for her experienced help and advise throughout the project and Danika van Proosdij for her time and support (you have been in this position too!). A great big thank you to my invaluable field assistant, Michelle Zehr who helped make things run srnoothly and for the additional help provided by Dr. Patrick Hesp, Erin Whittley and Kelvin Macquamie. Also, thank you to Mario Finoro, our chief techincian who provided his techincal expertise and patience throughout the process of this research. My thanks would not be complete without a big thank you to my farnily and friends (especially Mom, Dad and Pete) who were there to encourage me through the thick and the thin of it aI1. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by a Latomell Travel Grant, University of Guelph Graduate Scholarships and Ontario Graduate Scholarship of Science and Technology, as well as NSERC grants to JWO and RDA. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF TABLES CHAPTER 1 RESEARCH CONTEXT AND OBJECTrVES 1 .O Coastal saltmarshes 1.1 Significance of study 1.2 Directions of saltmarsh research 1.3 Controls on saitrnarsh sedimentation 1.3.1 Sediment supply 1.3.2 Wind stress and wave height 1.3.3 Tides 1.3.4 Vegetation 1.3.5 Morphology 1.4 Patterns and rates of inorganic deposition 1 -5 Study purpose and objectives 1S. 1 FieId work CHAPTER II STUDY AREA AND SITE SELECTION 2.1 Cumberland Basin, Bay of Fundy 2.2 Site selection 2.3 Site characterization 2.3-1 Pecks Cove marsh 2.3.2 West Allen Creek marsh 2-33 Westcock marsh 2.3 -4 Tantrarnar marsh 2.3 -5 Fort Beauséjour marsh CHAPTER III FUSEAIRCH DESIGN AND Ml3THODOLOGY 3.1 Research design 3.2 Instrumentation and procedures 3.2.1 Sediment deposition 3.2.2 Suspended sediment concentrations Rising stage bottles Optical Backscatterance Sensors 32.3 Wind and wave conditions Wave stdf Wave prediction 3.2.4 Tides Tide tables Pressure transducer 3 2.5 Vegetation 3.2.6 FieId mapping 3.2.7 Data analysis CHAPTER IV RESULTS 4.0 Introduction 4.1 Temporal and spatial variation in suspended sediment concentrations (S SC) 4.1.1 Temporal variations in SSC 4.1.2 Spatial variations in SSC across each marsh 4.1.3 Spatial variations in SSC between marshes 4.1 -4 Variations in SSC as a fünction of local and regional wave height Local predicted wave height Regional predicted wave height 4.1.5 Variations in SSC as a function of tidal amplitude 4.2 Relative significance of each geomorphic control on sediment deposition 4.2.1 Wind waves 4.22 Tides 4.2.3 Suspended sediment concentrations 4.2.4 Vegetation 4.3 Spatial variation of sediment deposition 4.3.1 Variations in sediment deposition across each marsh 4.3.2 Variations in sediment deposition between marshes CHAPTER V DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS 5.0 Introduction 5.1 Temporal and spatial variation of suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) 5.1.1 Temporal variations in SSC 5.1.2 Spatial variations in SSC across each marsh 5.1.3 Spatial variations in SSC between marshes 5.1.4 Variation in SSC as a function of intense rainfall 5.1.5 Variation in SSC as a function of local and regional wave height 5.1.6 Variation in SSC as a function of tidal amplitude 5.2 Relative significance of each geomorphic control on sediment deposition 5.2.1 Susvended sediinent concentration 5.2.2 Wind waves 5.2.3 Tidal amplitude 5.2.4 Vegetation 5.3 Spatial variation of sediment deposition 5.3.1 Pecks Cove marsh 5.3.2 West Allen Creek marsh 5.3.3 Westcock marsh 5.3 -4 Tantrarnar mars h 5.4 Conclusions REFEFWNCES APPENDICIES LIST OF FIGURES Ficure 1.1: Conceptual mode1 of the intrinsicfextrinsic factors and process variables affecting sediment deposition over the temporal scde of a tidal cycle. annually and decadally (modified from van Proosdij, 2001). Figure 2.1: Map of the Cumberland Basin. Bav of Fundv (modified frorn Gordon et al.. 1985). Figure 2.2: Pecks Cove marsh; a) marsh margin and b) location of the instnunent array. Fiirure 2.3: West Allen Creek marsh; a) rnarsh margin and b) location of the instrument array. Figure 2.4: Westcock marsh: a) aerial view of the rnarsh and b) the cliffed marsh margin. Figure 2.5: Tantrarnar marsh; a) Tantrarnar river with the dark meen Iow marsh vegetation bordering the channel and b) location of the instnunent array. Figure 2.6: Fort Beausejour marsh: a) the cliffed marsh margin and b) location of the instrument array. Figure 3.1 (a andb): Plan view diagrarns of the transect orientation with respect to the marsh margin and relative location of the Stations, rising stage bottles, and sediment deposition traps. Figure 3.2: instrument array on the H-fiarne. Shown from the right: EMCM, OBS, and pressure transducer. b) Custom-built wave staff. Figure 3.3: Site set-up for Pecks Cove marsh. Fiirure 3.4: Site set-up for West Allen Creek marsh. Ficure 3.5: Site set-up for Westcock marsh. Figure 3.6: Site set-up for Tantramar marsh. Figure 3.7: Site set-up for Fort Beauséjour marsh. Figure 3.8 (a to e): Cross profile of transect on each marsh. Figure 3.9: A sediment deposition trap is on the left. and a rising stage bottle is fixed to the stake on the right. Fimre 3.10: Relationship between six risinp; stage bottle sarnples taken simultaneously at Pecks Cove marsh. Variation between sarnples is < 16% of the rnean. Figure 3.11 : OBS calibration. Results of regression based on cornparison between in situ bottle sarnples and the OBS. Figure 3.12: Exarnple of vegetation quadrat at West Allen Creek, Station 1 on June 29, 2000. Fi~ure4.1: Exarnple of instrument summarv data for June 5.2000. Fieure 4.2: Correlation of suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) across each marsh. Fieure 4.3: Correlation of SSC at Stations III between marshes Fieure 4.4: Anotnalous SSC results for Julian dav 186. Ficure 4.5: ReIationship between predicted local wave height and SSC. Fieure 4.6: ConeIation between wind speed and SSC. Figure 4.7: Relationship between predicted regional wave height and SSC. Figure 4.8: Relationship between wind direction and SSC. Figure 4.9: Correlation between tidal amplitude and SSC. Fimre 4.10: Relationship between sediment deposition and tidal amplitude. Fieure 4.1 1: Statisticallv significant relationships between sedirnent deposition and SSC.
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