Abstract
The effect of internal seiches on horizontal hypolimnetic bottom currents and on the stationary well-mixed benthic boundary layer (BBL) induced by these currents was studied for 2 weeks in a small prealpine lake using thermistor strings, an acoustic current meter and a CTD (C: conductivity, T: temperature, D: depth) equipped with a transmissometer. 150 profiles of temperature, conductivity and transmissivity taken during two days clearly indicate the existence of a well-mixed BBL 2 to 7 m thick. This is the result of intense mixing in the zone of high shear above the sediment associated with seiching motion. The concentration of suspended or resuspended particles, mainly of organic nature, within the BBL, was 2 to 4 times greater than that measured directly above the BBL. Resuspension is thought to be associated rather with high-frequency burst-like currents with measured speeds ranging up to 7 cm s−1 than with the average bottom current speed of about 2 cm s−1.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baker, E. T. & J. W. Lavelle, 1984. The effect of particle size on the Light attenuation coefficient of natural suspensions. J. Geophys. Res. 89: 8197–8203.
Bloesch, J. & U. Uehlinger, 1986. Horizontal sedimentation differences in a eutrophic Swiss lake. Limnol. Oceanogr. 31: 1094–1109.
Dewey, R. K. & W. R. Crawford, 1988. Bottom stress estimates from vertical dissipation rate profiles on the continental shelf. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 18: 1167–1177.
Elliott, A. J., 1984. Measurements of the turbulence in an abyssal boundary layer. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 14: 1778–1786.
Imboden, D. M. & A. Wüest, 1994. Mixing mechanisms in Lakes. (to be published in ‘Lakes’ (ed.), Springer).
Johnson, C. A., M. Ulrich, L. Sigg & D. M. Imboden, 1991. A mathematical model of the manganese cycle in a seasonally anoxic lake. Limnol. Oceanogr, 36: 1415–1426.
Jørgenssen, B. B. & D. J. Des Marais, 1990. The diffusive boundary layers of sediments: Oxygen microgradients over a microbial mat. Limnol. Oceanogr. 35: 1343–1355.
LaZerte, B. D., 1980. The dominating higher order vertical modes of the internal seiche in a small lake. Limnol. Oceanogr. 25: 846–854.
Lemmin, U. & D. M. Imboden, 1987. Dynamics of bottom currents in a small lake. Limnol. Oceanogr. 32: 62–75.
Miller, M. C., I. N. McCave & P. D. Komar, 1977. Threshold of sediment motion under unidirectional currents. Sedimentology 24: 507–527.
Münnich, M., A. Wüest & D. M. Imboden, 1993. Observations of the second vertical mode of the internal seiche in an alpine lake. Limnol. Oceanogr. 37: 1705–1719.
Pak, H. & J. R. Zaneveld, 1983. Temporal variations of beam attenuation coefficient on the continental rise off Nova Scotia. J. Geophys. Res. 88: 4427–4432.
Sandilands, R. G. & A. Mudroch, 1983. Nepheloid Layer in Lake Ontario. J. Great Lakes, 9: 190–200.
Shields, A. 1936. Anwendung der Aehnlichkeitsmechanik und der Turbulenzforschung auf die Geschiebebewegung. Mitt. preuss. Versuchsanst. Wasserbau Schiffbau, Berlin 26: 1–26.
Thorpe, S. A., 1988. The dynamics of the boundary layers of the deep ocean. Sci. Prog., 72: 189–206.
Vanoni, V. A., 1964. Measurements of critical shear stress for entraining fine sediments in a boundary layer. Report No. KH-R-7, W. M. Keck Laboratory Caltech, Pasadena, California.
Wehrli, B., G. Friedl & A. Manceau, 1993. Reaction rates and products of manganese oxidation at the sediment-water interface. In Huang, C. P., C. O'Melia & J. J. Morgan (eds), Aquatic Chemistry. ACS Advances in Chemistry, Washington DC, Series 244 (in press).
Wiegand, R. C. & V. Chamberlain, 1987. Internal waves of the second vertical mode in a stratified lake. Limnol. Oceanogr. 32: 29–42.
Yalin, M. S, 1977. Mechanics of sediment transport. Pergamon Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gloor, M., Wüest, A. & Münnich, M. Benthic boundary mixing and resuspension induced by internal seiches. Hydrobiologia 284, 59–68 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005731
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005731