Author(s)

S. So, Y. Khare, K. Park & A. Mehta

Abstract

At shallow lakes laden with organic muck the relationship between wind and bottom erosion flux which influences turbidity is a matter of interest to lake management. This relationship is assessed in reference to Lake Apopka in central Florida. Time-series of data on the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and wind speed were obtained during a field experiment. The data have been used to describe the behavior of the critical wind speed for rise in SSC and the dependence of erosion flux on the bed shear stress in conjunction with six erosion equations. The critical wind speed appeared to be higher during cool water months compared to warmer conditions possibly because, in addition to likely biogenic effects, fine sediment erosion flux varies with water temperature. Although a more robust set of data is required for a fuller assessment of the applicability of the equations, it is tentatively inferred that two of the six equations that incorporate the notion of a maximum erosion flux cap may not be consistent with natural erosion behavior. Keywords: eutrophication, sediment erosion, sediment resuspension, water quality, wind waves.

Keywords

eutrophication, sediment erosion, sediment resuspension, waterquality, wind waves.