Steve Suttles and Neil Ganju surveying the position of a deployed oceanographic platform in Great South Bay, NY
Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems Active
Lifespan of marsh units in Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia
Estuarine processes, hazards, and ecosystems describes several interdisciplinary projects that aim to quantify and understand estuarine processes through observations and numerical modeling. Both the spatial and temporal scales of these mechanisms are important, and therefore require modern instrumentation and state-of-the-art hydrodynamic models. These projects are led from the U.S. Geological Survey's Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, but are collaborative projects that include participation from other U.S. Geological Survey offices, other federal and state agencies, and academic institutions.
Research
Estuarine processes, hazards, and ecosystems describes several interdisciplinary projects that aim to quantify and understand estuarine processes through observations and numerical modeling.
Estuaries are dynamic environments where complex interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, watershed, ecosystems, and human infrastructure take place. They serve as valuable ecological habitat and provide numerous ecosystem services and recreational opportunities. However, they are modified by physical processes such as storms and sea-level rise, while anthropogenic impacts such as nutrient loading threaten ecosystem function within estuaries. This project collects basic observational data on these processes, develops numerical models of the processes, and applies the models to understand the past, present, and future states of estuaries.
Measuring parameters such as water velocity, salinity, sediment concentration, dissolved oxygen and other constituents in watersheds, tidal wetlands, estuaries, and coasts is critical for evaluating the socioeconomic and ecological function of those regions. Technological advances have made it possible to autonomously measure these parameters over timescales of weeks to months. These measurements are necessary to evaluate three-dimensional numerical models that can represent the spatial and temporal complexity of these parameters. Once the models adequately represent relevant aspects of the physical system, they can be used to evaluate possible future scenarios including sea-level rise, streamflow changes, land-use modifications, and geomorphic evolution.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Estuarine Processes Model Development
Morphologic changes from sound-side inundation of North Core Banks, NC during Hurricane Dorian
Morphologic changes from sound-side inundation of North Core Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina, during Hurricane Dorian
Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems-Study Sites
Estuarine Processes Eutrophication
Estuarine Processes Coastal Hazards
Estuarine Processes Tidal Wetlands
Estuarine Processes Geomorphic Change
Below are data releases associated with the Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems project.
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Chesapeake Bay
Tidal Datums, Tidal Range, and Nuisance Flooding Levels for Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay
COAWST model of Barnegat Bay creeks to demonstrate marsh dynamics
Unvegetated to vegetated marsh ratio in Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia
Geospatial Characterization of Salt Marshes for Massachusetts
Wave thrust values at point locations along the shorelines of Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Wave thrust values at point locations along the shorelines of Chesapeake Bay, Maryland and Virginia
Coastal wetlands of the Blackwater region, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
Coastal wetlands of Hudson Valley and New York City, New York
Coastal wetlands of north shore Long Island, New York
Slope Values Across Marsh-Forest Boundary in Chesapeake Bay Region, USA
Coastal wetlands of eastern Long Island, New York (ver. 2.0, March 2024)
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Steve Suttles and Neil Ganju surveying the position of a deployed oceanographic platform in Great South Bay, NY
![Neil Ganju and Patrick Dickhudt preparing an oceanographic platform to measure wetland sediment transport in Forsythe NWR, NJ](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/neil-ganju-ssb.jpg?itok=3ibkxjnV)
Neil Ganju (standing) and Patrick Dickhudt preparing an oceanographic platform to measure wetland sediment transport in Forsythe NWR, New Jersey
Neil Ganju (standing) and Patrick Dickhudt preparing an oceanographic platform to measure wetland sediment transport in Forsythe NWR, New Jersey
Inundated marsh at Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey.
Inundated marsh at Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey.
Flood tidal shoal at Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey (courtesy USGS EROS NAIP orthophotography)
Flood tidal shoal at Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey (courtesy USGS EROS NAIP orthophotography)
Measuring seagrass biomass in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland to constrain numerical models.
Measuring seagrass biomass in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland to constrain numerical models.
Storm induced erosion of marsh shorelines can provide significant quantities of sediment to the bay altering the deposition patterns.
Storm induced erosion of marsh shorelines can provide significant quantities of sediment to the bay altering the deposition patterns.
Surface sediments will be analyzed for various physical parameters that will be used as initial conditions in hydrodynamic and sediment transport models.
Surface sediments will be analyzed for various physical parameters that will be used as initial conditions in hydrodynamic and sediment transport models.
Box-cores provide a relatively undistributed look into the recent past to help better understand the processes contributing to sediment deposition and erosion.
Box-cores provide a relatively undistributed look into the recent past to help better understand the processes contributing to sediment deposition and erosion.
Visualization of hydrodynamics around seagrass patch.
Visualization of hydrodynamics around seagrass patch.
Satellite image of Hurricane Sandy (courtesy NASA GOES http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/)
Satellite image of Hurricane Sandy (courtesy NASA GOES http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/)
Macroalgae, seagrass, and litter in West Falmouth Harbor, MA
Macroalgae, seagrass, and litter in West Falmouth Harbor, MA
Below are publications associated with the Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems project.
Modeling the dynamics of salt marsh development in coastal land reclamation
How much marsh restoration is enough to deliver wave attenuation coastal protection benefits?
Quantifying slopes as a driver of forest to marsh conversion using geospatial techniques: Application to Chesapeake Bay coastal-plain, USA
Development of a submerged aquatic vegetation growth model in the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST v3.4) model
Simulated estuary-wide response of seagrass (Zostera marina) to future scenarios of temperature and sea level
Dynamics of marsh-derived sediments in lagoon-type estuaries
Sediment delivery to marsh platforms minimized by source decoupling and flux convergence
Sediment budget estimates for a highly impacted embayment with extensive wetland loss
A non-linear relationship between marsh size and sediment trapping capacity compromises salt marshes’ resilience to sea-level rise
Sediment transport in a restored, river-influenced Pacific Northwest estuary
Predicting the success of future investments in coastal and estuarine ecosystem restorations is limited by scarce data quantifying sediment budgets and transport processes of prior restorations. This study provides detailed analyses of the hydrodynamics and sediment fluxes of a recently restored U.S. Pacific Northwest estuary, a 61 ha former agricultural area near the mouth of the Stillaguamish Ri
Spatiotemporal variability of light attenuation and net ecosystem metabolism in a back-barrier estuary
Determining the drivers of suspended sediment dynamics in tidal marsh-influenced estuaries using high-resolution ocean color remote sensing
Below are data releases associated with this project.
National UVVR Map
This map shows the unvegetated and vegetated area of coastal wetlands and adjacent land (inland and shorelines) for the Conterminous United States computed from 2014-2018 Landsat imagery at ~30 meter horizontal resolution.
U.S. Geological Survey Oceanographic Time-Series Data Collection
Oceanographic time-series measurements made by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1975 and the present as part of research programs. The data were collected to address specific research questions and were primarily collected over durations less than a year, using stationary platforms, with sensors near the sea floor. These data have been used to study of ocean dynamics and to validate ocean models
Estuarine processes, hazards, and ecosystems describes several interdisciplinary projects that aim to quantify and understand estuarine processes through observations and numerical modeling. Both the spatial and temporal scales of these mechanisms are important, and therefore require modern instrumentation and state-of-the-art hydrodynamic models. These projects are led from the U.S. Geological Survey's Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, but are collaborative projects that include participation from other U.S. Geological Survey offices, other federal and state agencies, and academic institutions.
Research
Estuarine processes, hazards, and ecosystems describes several interdisciplinary projects that aim to quantify and understand estuarine processes through observations and numerical modeling.
Estuaries are dynamic environments where complex interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, watershed, ecosystems, and human infrastructure take place. They serve as valuable ecological habitat and provide numerous ecosystem services and recreational opportunities. However, they are modified by physical processes such as storms and sea-level rise, while anthropogenic impacts such as nutrient loading threaten ecosystem function within estuaries. This project collects basic observational data on these processes, develops numerical models of the processes, and applies the models to understand the past, present, and future states of estuaries.
Measuring parameters such as water velocity, salinity, sediment concentration, dissolved oxygen and other constituents in watersheds, tidal wetlands, estuaries, and coasts is critical for evaluating the socioeconomic and ecological function of those regions. Technological advances have made it possible to autonomously measure these parameters over timescales of weeks to months. These measurements are necessary to evaluate three-dimensional numerical models that can represent the spatial and temporal complexity of these parameters. Once the models adequately represent relevant aspects of the physical system, they can be used to evaluate possible future scenarios including sea-level rise, streamflow changes, land-use modifications, and geomorphic evolution.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Estuarine Processes Model Development
Morphologic changes from sound-side inundation of North Core Banks, NC during Hurricane Dorian
Morphologic changes from sound-side inundation of North Core Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina, during Hurricane Dorian
Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems-Study Sites
Estuarine Processes Eutrophication
Estuarine Processes Coastal Hazards
Estuarine Processes Tidal Wetlands
Estuarine Processes Geomorphic Change
Below are data releases associated with the Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems project.
Geospatial characterization of salt marshes in Chesapeake Bay
Tidal Datums, Tidal Range, and Nuisance Flooding Levels for Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay
COAWST model of Barnegat Bay creeks to demonstrate marsh dynamics
Unvegetated to vegetated marsh ratio in Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia
Geospatial Characterization of Salt Marshes for Massachusetts
Wave thrust values at point locations along the shorelines of Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Wave thrust values at point locations along the shorelines of Chesapeake Bay, Maryland and Virginia
Coastal wetlands of the Blackwater region, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
Coastal wetlands of Hudson Valley and New York City, New York
Coastal wetlands of north shore Long Island, New York
Slope Values Across Marsh-Forest Boundary in Chesapeake Bay Region, USA
Coastal wetlands of eastern Long Island, New York (ver. 2.0, March 2024)
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Steve Suttles and Neil Ganju surveying the position of a deployed oceanographic platform in Great South Bay, NY
Steve Suttles and Neil Ganju surveying the position of a deployed oceanographic platform in Great South Bay, NY
![Neil Ganju and Patrick Dickhudt preparing an oceanographic platform to measure wetland sediment transport in Forsythe NWR, NJ](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/neil-ganju-ssb.jpg?itok=3ibkxjnV)
Neil Ganju (standing) and Patrick Dickhudt preparing an oceanographic platform to measure wetland sediment transport in Forsythe NWR, New Jersey
Neil Ganju (standing) and Patrick Dickhudt preparing an oceanographic platform to measure wetland sediment transport in Forsythe NWR, New Jersey
Inundated marsh at Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey.
Inundated marsh at Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey.
Flood tidal shoal at Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey (courtesy USGS EROS NAIP orthophotography)
Flood tidal shoal at Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey (courtesy USGS EROS NAIP orthophotography)
Measuring seagrass biomass in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland to constrain numerical models.
Measuring seagrass biomass in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland to constrain numerical models.
Storm induced erosion of marsh shorelines can provide significant quantities of sediment to the bay altering the deposition patterns.
Storm induced erosion of marsh shorelines can provide significant quantities of sediment to the bay altering the deposition patterns.
Surface sediments will be analyzed for various physical parameters that will be used as initial conditions in hydrodynamic and sediment transport models.
Surface sediments will be analyzed for various physical parameters that will be used as initial conditions in hydrodynamic and sediment transport models.
Box-cores provide a relatively undistributed look into the recent past to help better understand the processes contributing to sediment deposition and erosion.
Box-cores provide a relatively undistributed look into the recent past to help better understand the processes contributing to sediment deposition and erosion.
Visualization of hydrodynamics around seagrass patch.
Visualization of hydrodynamics around seagrass patch.
Satellite image of Hurricane Sandy (courtesy NASA GOES http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/)
Satellite image of Hurricane Sandy (courtesy NASA GOES http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/)
Macroalgae, seagrass, and litter in West Falmouth Harbor, MA
Macroalgae, seagrass, and litter in West Falmouth Harbor, MA
Below are publications associated with the Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems project.
Modeling the dynamics of salt marsh development in coastal land reclamation
How much marsh restoration is enough to deliver wave attenuation coastal protection benefits?
Quantifying slopes as a driver of forest to marsh conversion using geospatial techniques: Application to Chesapeake Bay coastal-plain, USA
Development of a submerged aquatic vegetation growth model in the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST v3.4) model
Simulated estuary-wide response of seagrass (Zostera marina) to future scenarios of temperature and sea level
Dynamics of marsh-derived sediments in lagoon-type estuaries
Sediment delivery to marsh platforms minimized by source decoupling and flux convergence
Sediment budget estimates for a highly impacted embayment with extensive wetland loss
A non-linear relationship between marsh size and sediment trapping capacity compromises salt marshes’ resilience to sea-level rise
Sediment transport in a restored, river-influenced Pacific Northwest estuary
Predicting the success of future investments in coastal and estuarine ecosystem restorations is limited by scarce data quantifying sediment budgets and transport processes of prior restorations. This study provides detailed analyses of the hydrodynamics and sediment fluxes of a recently restored U.S. Pacific Northwest estuary, a 61 ha former agricultural area near the mouth of the Stillaguamish Ri
Spatiotemporal variability of light attenuation and net ecosystem metabolism in a back-barrier estuary
Determining the drivers of suspended sediment dynamics in tidal marsh-influenced estuaries using high-resolution ocean color remote sensing
Below are data releases associated with this project.
National UVVR Map
This map shows the unvegetated and vegetated area of coastal wetlands and adjacent land (inland and shorelines) for the Conterminous United States computed from 2014-2018 Landsat imagery at ~30 meter horizontal resolution.
U.S. Geological Survey Oceanographic Time-Series Data Collection
Oceanographic time-series measurements made by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1975 and the present as part of research programs. The data were collected to address specific research questions and were primarily collected over durations less than a year, using stationary platforms, with sensors near the sea floor. These data have been used to study of ocean dynamics and to validate ocean models