Journal of Earth System Science

, Volume 123, Issue 5, pp 1097–1114 | Cite as

Sediment grain size and hydrodynamics in Mediterranean coastal lagoons: Integrated classification of abiotic parameters

  • Emanuela Molinaroli
  • Alessandro Sarretta
  • Christian Ferrarin
  • Emanuele Masiero
  • Antonietta Specchiulli
  • Stefano Guerzoni
Article
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Abstract

Integrated classification maps were produced by combining sediment grain-size and hydrological data (water renewal time, WRT) from two Mediterranean lagoons, Lesina (LL) and Varano (LV), Italy. The geophysical characteristics of the two basins, derived from detailed bathymetric charts, are quite distinct: ∼30% of LL (mean depth ∼1 m) but only 3% of LV (mean depth ∼3 m) is shallower than 1 m. The sediments of both lagoons are mainly composed of mud (∼80%). A detailed multivariate analysis of grain-size data by EntropyMax classified the lagoon beds of LL and LV into five sedimentary facies. WRT data, computed by a hydrodynamic model, indicated different hydrological conditions in the two lagoons: LL showed a sharp west–east gradient, with a basin-wide average of ∼190 days, whilst LV showed a fairly uniform distribution and a higher basin-wide average (∼260 days). The distribution of sedimentary facies and water renewal times were combined in a composite map representing the distribution of environmental patterns. The approach outlined in this study can be used to improve zonation schemes by providing a hydromorphological perspective on transitional and coastal environments.

Keywords

Sediment grain-size water renewal time bathymetry abiotic classification EntropyMax lagoon 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

The useful comments of Alex Callaway and two anonymous reviewers are kindly acknowledged. Stefano Menegon provided invaluable assistance in preparing maps and plots. Mr. George Metcalf revised the English text. Supplementary information with the database is available at the link:http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.1044121.

Supplementary material

12040_2014_445_MOESM1_ESM.xls (124 kb)
(XLS 124 KB)
12040_2014_445_MOESM2_ESM.xls (125 kb)
(XLS 125 KB)

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Copyright information

© Indian Academy of Sciences 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  • Emanuela Molinaroli
    • 1
  • Alessandro Sarretta
    • 2
  • Christian Ferrarin
    • 3
    • 4
  • Emanuele Masiero
    • 5
  • Antonietta Specchiulli
    • 6
  • Stefano Guerzoni
    • 3
  1. 1.Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali Informatica e StatisticaUniversità Ca’ Foscari VeneziaVeneziaItaly
  2. 2.CNR–Consiglio Nazionale delle RicercheISMAR – Istituto di Scienze Marine in BolognaBolognaItaly
  3. 3.CNR–Consiglio Nazionale delle RicercheISMAR – Istituto di Scienze Marine in VeneziaVeneziaItaly
  4. 4.CNR–Consiglio Nazionale delle RicercheIAMC – Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero in OristanoTorregrandeItaly
  5. 5.Urban PlanningVeggianoItaly
  6. 6.CNR–Consiglio Nazionale delle RicercheISMAR Istituto di Scienze Marine in LesinaLesina (FG)Italy

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