A Statistics-Based Analytical Framework for Intratidal and Tidally Averaged Salinity Distribution in Estuaries

Abstract

Near year-long time series of salinity at five stations were used to depict the intratidal and subtidal salinity structure along an estuary: the Suwannee River in West Florida. The salinity field was described with statistical and analytical methods. Along-estuary salinity distributions were first characterized with Hilbert Empirical Orthogonal Functions (HEOFs). Then, an analytical function, based on advection-diffusion processes, was fitted to the amplitude and phase of the HEOFs to understand the direction of salinity transport due to riverine and oceanic pulses. The statistical and analytical approach proposed here, showed how the salinity distribution varied throughout the year depending on the subtidal water level and the river discharge. Also, the approach identified the dominance of oceanic or riverine pulses in molding the salinity field.