Scales of Residence-Time Variation in Northwest Estuaries

Jennifer Ruesink, Department of Biology, University of Washington, and Neil Banas and Miles Logsdon, School of Oceanography, University of Washington

R/ES-67

Driven by small-scale tidal currents, patterns of flushing and retention (or residence time) can affect such things as nutrient loading, plankton distribution and oyster growth in coastal estuaries.  By understanding these patterns, scientists can more accurately predict how long pollutants may be held in the marine environment and the degree that nutrients and other materials from outside a bay might support the carrying capacity for natural populations and farmed species of fish and invertebrates. For this project, researchers will use high-resolution modeling technologies and data from field studies of oyster growth and environmental and biological conditions in two Washington estuaries.  Their findings may have broader applications in estuaries throughout the Northwest.