Abstract
Influences of river hydrodynamic behaviours on hydrochemistry (salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen saturations and dissolved phosphorus) were evaluated through high spatial and temporal resolution study of a sandbar-regulated coastal river. River hydrodynamic during sandbar-closed event was characterized by minor dependency on tidal fluctuations, very gradual increase of water level and continual low flow velocity. These hydrodynamic behaviours established a hydrochemistry equilibrium, in which water properties generally were characterized by virtual absence of horizontal gradients while vertical stratifications were significant. In addition, the river was in high trophic status as algae blooms were visible. Conversely, river hydrodynamic in sandbar-opened event was tidal-controlled and showed higher flow velocity. Horizontal gradients of water properties became significant while vertically more homogenised and with lower trophic status. In essence, this study reveals that estuarine sandbar directly regulates river hydrodynamic behaviours which in turn influences river hydrochemistry.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for funding this research (FRGS 59113). We are grateful to all the research assistants involved directly and indirectly in the fieldworks.
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The authors hereby declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Koh, M.K., Sathiamurthy, E., Suratman, S. et al. Sandbar-regulated hydrodynamic influences on river hydrochemistry at Mengabang Telipot River, Peninsular Malaysia. Environ Monit Assess 184, 7653–7664 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2525-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2525-0