Natural and trawling induced sediment disturbances in a tributary of the Pamlico River, NC / by James E. Frank.
| Author/creator | Frank, James E. author. |
| Other author | Corbett, D. Reide (David Reide), 1971- degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Geology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2004. |
| Description | ix, 145 leaves : illustrations (some color), maps (some color) ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | During 2001 and 2002, a total of six experimental trawling events on a tributary of the Pamlico River, NC were studied to examine sediment/water column interactions compared with the natural variations of the system. The direct and indirect dynamics of sediment resuspension by either natural (wind) or anthropogenic (commercial fishing) origin are thought to have a significant impact on the quality of the overlying water column and sediment characteristics. Total suspended solids (TSS) and percent loss on ignition for the overlying water column along with sedimentary variables such as ²³⁴Th and ⁷Be inventories, grain size, porosity, percent loss on ignition were determined from intense water/sediment sampling methods, punctuated by experimental trawls. Significant correlations of TSS with northeast, east and southwest wind stresses were observed, due to relatively large fetches from those directions, promoting large fluctuations of sediment concentrations within the water column. The associated increase in TSS, directly from trawling, falls within the confines of the natural range during such wind conditions. Therefore, preliminary research suggests that the frequency and amplitude of sediment resuspension that occurs naturally from NE, E and SE winds masks the direct contribution from trawling. This only takes into account acute and not chronic trawling events that may have a completely different set of results. Future work should focus on chronic trawling, the timeframe surrounding trawling events and the associated increase in nutrient production and subsequent advection into the water column. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Geology. |
| General note | Advisor: D. Reide Corbet |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 2004 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-84). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |