Circulation studies for the Charlotte Harbor and Caloosahatchee River estuaries

What is it about?

Study looks at the relative dominance of various tidal inlets that connect the estuarine system with Gulf of Mexico. A Lagrangian particle tracking study revealed particles released within the Peace River during different hydrological conditions were comparably transported regardless of freshwater inputs and predominate wind direction. In contrast, particles released within the Caloosahatchee River were flushed into the Gulf of Mexico within 10 days during a usually wet El Niño, dry (November–April) season period whereas during the summer wet (May–October) season released particles remained in the estuary for a longer period (13 days), ultimately resulting in their further transport into Pine Island Sound and Matlacha Pass. The results also demonstrate the effect of freshwater river inputs and wind on the travel time of the neutrally buoyant particles within the estuarine system. The hydrodynamic and coupled particle tracking model serve as the first step in a forthcoming larval transport modeling study.

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Why is it important?

Study helps to understand the tidal flushing of the estuary under various hydrologic conditions.