Abstract
In this chapter a range of sediment sampling techniques specifically suited to estuarine conditions are briefly described and discussed. Advice is provided about the selection of appropriate coring sites and techniques for a variety of conditions, including water depth, varying sediment composition, and sample analytical requirements. In the section on experimental design we briefly consider issues to do with sample replication from both a biological and geological perspective. During coring, alterations are inevitably made to the texture of the sediment, including compaction and water loss, resulting in changes to bulk density and the structure of the pore spaces, and physical disruption to layering. We comment on the nature of some of these disturbances, their dependency on sediment composition, which techniques to choose to minimise occurrence and, if necessary, how and when to make measurements to determine the amount of change caused by coring. Several factors need to be considered during the core recovery phase to ensure optimal retrieval of the core. These include use of core catchers and plugs to minimise or prevent loss of sediment during recovery. Freeze coring is recommended where the sediment-water interface is poorly defined or the sediments are particularly watery. Finally, we discuss transport and initial storage of cores.
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Acknowledgements
We thank the editors for the opportunity to contribute to this volume, and the two anonymous reviewers who provided thoughtful and detailed feedback towards its improvement. Images have been provided by a number of our colleagues and we are extremely grateful for their contributions; Duncan Cook (Australian Catholic University), Joanna Ellison (University of Tasmania), Dimitri Gutierrez (IMARPE, Peru), Matthew Hayes (University of Queensland), Kostas Kormas (University of Thessaly), Richard Niederreiter (Uwitec), Tim Patterson, Carleton University), Kaarina Weckström (GEUS), Wayne Wurtsbaugh (Utah State University), Vincent Vohnout (GeoCore).
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Skilbeck, C.G., Trevathan-Tackett, S., Apichanangkool, P., Macreadie, P.I. (2017). Sediment Sampling in Estuaries: Site Selection and Sampling Techniques. In: Weckström, K., Saunders, K., Gell, P., Skilbeck, C. (eds) Applications of Paleoenvironmental Techniques in Estuarine Studies. Developments in Paleoenvironmental Research, vol 20. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-0990-1_5
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