Hervey Bay: an inverse subtropical estuary
Presentation
Paper/Presentation Title | Hervey Bay: an inverse subtropical estuary |
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Presentation Type | Presentation |
Authors | |
Author | Ribbe, Joachim |
Journal or Proceedings Title | Proceedings of the Inaugural Queensland Coastal Conference 2007: Shifting Sands |
Number of Pages | 3 |
Year | 2007 |
Place of Publication | Bundaberg, Australia |
Web Address (URL) of Paper | http://www.bmrg.org.au/information.php/2/55/69 |
Conference/Event | Inaugural Queensland Coastal Conference 2007: Shifting Sands |
Event Details | Inaugural Queensland Coastal Conference 2007: Shifting Sands Event Date 17 to end of 19 Sep 2007 Event Location Bundaberg, Australia |
Abstract | [Abstract]: Declining rainfall, persistent drought conditions along Queensland coasts and increasing temperatures are impacting upon hydrological and coastal marine conditions. During a four day hydrographic survey into Hervey Bay, near-coast salinity values were found to be higher than those of oceanic water. This distribution of salinity is indicative of an inverse circulation within the Bay. The evaporation-precipitation-runoff balance which is dominated by a net loss of freshwater leading to the production of high salinity water during the period of the survey yields further evidence of a possible inverse circulation within the Bay. To compensate for the export of this high salinity water, oceanic water with lower salinity is entering the Bay at the surface. Analysis of the historical water balance indicates that the inverse circulation is likely to be a climatological feature of this estuary which is not limited to the dry season of the year. Simple physical modelling of the oceanic circulation led to some insight into Bay flushing and water exchange time scales between Bay and oceanic water. Due to declining rainfall in coastal northeast Australia, inverse circulation conditions are likely to persist into the near future and should to be considered for coastal management. |
Keywords | rainfall, coastal circulation, inverse estuary, climate variability, drought, Hervey Bay, hydrological cycle, salinity, coastal management |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 370201. Climate change processes |
370904. Palaeoclimatology | |
370803. Physical oceanography | |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | Department of Biological and Physical Sciences |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9y708/hervey-bay-an-inverse-subtropical-estuary
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