Near bottom velocity and turbidity measurements in coastal waters of NW Estonia

Abstract

Dependence of near bottom currents and turbidity on wind and wave parameters is analyzed. Measurements campaigns with an acoustic Doppler velocymeter (ADV Field/Hydra, SonTek/YSI) were curried out in two bays in north western Estonia — the first one on Naissaar Shallow in Tallinn Bay (22.12.2009–12.01.2010, water depth 9 m, 37 cm from the bottom) and the second one in Keibu Bay (03.06.2010–26.06.2010, water depth 7m, 27 cm). Near bottom velocities were recorded with frequencies 2 Hz (currents) and 0.2 Hz (wave induced orbital motion). Additionally the water turbidity at the same level as flow measurements was performed using an integrated turbidity meter OBS 3+ (YSI). Wave parameters were recorded using a pressure wave gauge (PTR Group, Tallinn). The ADV measured flows consist of wind induced currents, wave induced orbital motions and turbulence. Maximum of wind induced currents reached meanly 10–15 cm/s at both measurement locations, while the maximum near bed orbital motions peaked over 40 cm/s. Measurements showed that the near bottom velocities in Keibu Bay were in correlation with wind speed, but turbidity values showed a significant increase only in some special weather conditions. From the comparison of ADV, turbidity meter and wave gauge characteristics it followed that turbidity was clearly depending on the wave energy. It means only quite long and high waves inducing bottom orbital velocities (calculated from the wave gauge data) over 20 cm/s were able to resuspend bottom sediments.