Estuarine turbidity maximum

Answer 1

Strong tidal forces push salinity upriver beneath the outflowing river water. The turbulence caused by this tidal forcing results in resuspension of sediment and other particulate material present on the river bed. Concurrently, dissolved material in the river water flocculates when it comes into contact with the salt wedge pushing its way upriver. The combination of these two processes results in elevated levels of suspended particulate material: the estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM). Within the region of the ETM, material in the water column, and on the bed of the estuary, is trapped, resuspended and advected. ETMs vary in strength and distance they move with the tides depending on the strength of the tide and the flow of the river. Hope this helps!