SUSPENDED SEDIMENT TRANSPORT IN THE HAN ESTUARY, WEST COAST OF KOREA

Abstract

Hydrodynamic measurements were carried out around the Han Estuary during 2006-2008 to reveal suspended transport of the Han-derived fined-grained sediments through two dominant tidal channels, Sukmo and Yumhwa. The onboard measurements across the channels show that most of the suspended sediments are transported through the Yumwha Channel rather than the Sukmo Channel, although tidal modeling indicates that water discharge of the former is quite smaller than that of the latter. Evaluations of hydrodynamic forces controlling water movements in channels suggest that rotation and slope gradient play a major role in reaching an equilibrium state of lateral circulation. In addition, benthic-tripod data demonstrate tidal asymmetry of both current and suspended sediment concentration, providing a schematic view of near-bed sediment transport directions on tidal flats as well as in channels.