Sea-bed mixing and particle residence times in biologically and physically dominated estuarine systems: a comparison of lower Chesapeake Bay and the York River subestuary

Biologically dominated lower Chesapeake Bay and the physically dominated York River subestuary are contrasted in terms of the dynamics of sediment mixing, strata formation and sea-bed particle residence times. Two lower bay sites were examined; both are located within the bay stem plains and are characterized by muddy sand and an abundance of large, deep-dwelling organisms. X-radiographs indicate extensive biological reworking of sediments, with no long-term preservation of physical stratification. 210Pb profiles reveal low sediment accumulation rates at both lower bay sites (<0.1 cm year-1), but significant differences in biological mixing depths (25 vs 40 cm) and biodiffusivity (>80 vs 6-30 cm2 year-1). In contrast, the York River site, located within a partially-filled palaeochannel, is predominantly mud with a depauperate benthic community dominated by small, short-lived, shallow-dwelling organisms. Although 210Pb accumulation rates at the York River site (<0.2 cm year-1) are similar to those measured in the lower bay, there is little bioturbation. In addition, transient bed forms at the York River site form laterally persistent, linear ridges and furrows sub-parallel to the channel, spaced 10-20 m apart. These observations, coupled with evidence of episodic erosion and deposition from radioisotope and porosity profiles, and X-radiographs, suggest that the upper 60-120 cm of the sea-bed are dominated by physical mixing. Deep mixing and low accumulation rates result in long residence times of particles in the mixed upper portion of the sea-bed (similar to 102 year) at both locations, despite different mixing controls [i.e. biological (diffusive) vs physical (advective)]. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limited.