Wetland sedimentation from hurricanes Katrina and Rita
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, more
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| Keywords |
Atmospheric depressions > Tropical depressions > Storms > Hurricanes
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Turner, R.E.
- Baustian, J.J.
- Swenson, E.M.
- Spicer, J.S.
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| Abstract |
More than 131 X 106 mt of inorganic sediments accumulated in coastal wetlands when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita crossed the Louisiana coast in 2005, and another 281 X 106 mt when prorated for open water area. The annualized combined amount per hurricane equals: i) 12% of the Mississippi River's suspended load, ii) 5.5 times the inorganic load delivered by overbank flooding before flood protection levees were constructed, and, iii) 227 times the amount introduced by a river diversion built for wetland restoration. The accumulation from hurricanes is sufficient to account for all the inorganic sediments in healthy salt marsh wetlands. |
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