Ebb stage surface circulation in an estuary by calcium electrode measurement

Abstract

The Calcium Activity Electrode was used to study the ebb stage circulation in a coastal plain estuary. Moss Landing estuary receives a large amount of calcium waste from the manufacture of magnesia brick at the Kaiser Refractory plant located adjacent to one of the tributaries of the estuary. One hundred and eighty-nine water samples were collected and analyzed to provide calcium distribution data at the confluence of three tributaries in the estuary. A continuity model is described that determines the surface layer circulation pattern in the confluence area using the calcium data. The circulation pattern determined by electrode is in good agreement with supporting information provided by current and dye studies in the confluence area.