Field observations of flow and sediment transport in a tributary channel through intertidal mudflats indicate that suspended sediment was closely linked to advection and dispersion of a tidal salinity front. During calm weather when tidal forcing was dominant, high concentrations of suspended sediment advected up the mudflat channel in the narrow region between salty water from San Francisco Bay and much fresher runoff from the small local watershed. Salinity and suspended sediment dispersed at similar rates through each tidal inundation, such that during receding ebbs the sediment pulse had spread spatially and maximum concentrations had decreased. Net sediment transport was moderately onshore during the calm weather, as asymmetries in stratification due to tidal straining of the salinity front enhanced deposition, particularly during weaker neap tidal forcing. Sediment transport by tidal forcing was periodically altered by winter storms. During storms, strong winds from the south generated wind waves and temporarily increased suspended sediment concentrations. Increased discharge down the tributary channels due to precipitation had more lasting impact on sediment transport, supplying both buoyancy and fine sediment to the system. Net sediment transport depended on the balance between calm weather tidal forcing and perturbations by episodic storms. Net transport in the tributary channel was generally off-shore during storms and during calm weather spring tides, and on-shore during calm weather neap tides.

中文翻译：

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泥滩支流河道泥沙输移的潮汐和气象强迫

通过潮间带泥滩对支流河道中的水流和泥沙输移的现场观察表明，悬浮泥沙与潮汐盐度前沿的平流和弥散密切相关。在潮汐强迫占主导地位的平静天气期间，高浓度的悬浮沉积物在来自旧金山湾的咸水和来自当地小流域的更新鲜的径流之间的狭窄区域的泥滩通道上平流。每次潮汐淹没时，盐度和悬浮沉积物以相似的速率分散，因此在退潮期间，沉积物脉冲在空间上扩散，最大浓度降低。在平静的天气中，由于盐度锋的潮汐应变导致分层的不对称性增强了沉积，因此净沉积物在平静的天气中适度输送，特别是在较弱的小潮潮强迫期间。冬季风暴会周期性地改变潮汐强迫造成的沉积物运输。在风暴期间，来自南方的强风产生风浪并暂时增加悬浮沉积物的浓度。降水导致支流河道的流量增加对泥沙输送产生更持久的影响，为系统提供浮力和细沙。净沉积物输送取决于平静天气潮汐强迫和偶发性风暴扰动之间的平衡。在风暴和平静天气大潮期间，支流航道中的净运输通常在离岸，而在平静天气小潮期间则在岸上。来自南方的强风产生了风浪并暂时增加了悬浮沉积物的浓度。降水导致支流河道的流量增加对泥沙输送产生更持久的影响，为系统提供浮力和细沙。净沉积物输送取决于平静天气潮汐强迫和偶发性风暴扰动之间的平衡。在风暴和平静天气大潮期间，支流航道中的净运输通常在离岸，而在平静天气小潮期间则在岸上。来自南方的强风产生了风浪并暂时增加了悬浮沉积物的浓度。降水导致支流河道的流量增加对泥沙输送产生更持久的影响，为系统提供浮力和细沙。净沉积物输送取决于平静天气潮汐强迫和偶发性风暴扰动之间的平衡。在风暴和平静天气大潮期间，支流航道中的净运输通常在离岸，而在平静天气小潮期间则在岸上。净沉积物输送取决于平静天气潮汐强迫和偶发性风暴扰动之间的平衡。在风暴和平静天气大潮期间，支流航道中的净运输通常在离岸，而在平静天气小潮期间则在岸上。净沉积物输送取决于平静天气潮汐强迫和偶发性风暴扰动之间的平衡。在风暴和平静天气大潮期间，支流航道中的净运输通常在离岸，而在平静天气小潮期间则在岸上。