Flushing time of solutes and pollutants in the central Great Barrier Reef lagoon, Australia

Wang, Yonghong, Ridd, Peter V., Heron, Mal L., Stieglitz, Thomas C., and Orpin, Alan R. (2007) Flushing time of solutes and pollutants in the central Great Barrier Reef lagoon, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research, 58 (8). pp. 778-791.

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Abstract

The flushing time of the central Great Barrier Reef lagoon was determined by using salinity as a tracer and developing both an exchange model and a diffusion model of the shelf exchange processes. Modelling suggests that the cross-shelf diffusion coefficient is approximately constant for the outer half of the lagoon but decays rapidly closer to the coast. The typical outer-shelf diffusion coefficient is ~1400 m2 s–1, dropping to less than 100 m2 s–1 close to the coast. Flushing times are around 40 days for water close to the coast and 14 days for water in the offshore reef matrix.

Item ID: 2381
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1448-6059
Keywords: diffusion coefficient; exchange and diffusion model
Date Deposited: 03 Jul 2009 02:12
FoR Codes: 02 PHYSICAL SCIENCES > 0299 Other Physical Sciences > 029999 Physical Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970102 Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciences @ 100%
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