Data/hora: 09/06/2024 11:38:29

Provedor de dados: 	20	
País: 	Belgium	
Título: 	Tides, tidal currents and their effects on the intertidal ecosystem ofthe southern bay, lnhaca Island, Mozambique	
Autores: 	Rydberg, L.; de Boer, W.F.; Saide, V.	
Data: 	2005-09-08	
Ano: 	2000	
Palavras-chave: 	Tidal currents; Ecosystems.	
Resumo: 	Sediment characteristics and tidal currents were studied in the 1500 ha intertidal area south of Inhaca Island, Mozambique. Thetide is semi-diurnal with a range at spring of about 3 m. The area connects directly to the ocean through the Ponta Torres Straitand (indirectly) through several narrow tidal channels ending up in Maputo Bay. Velocities of up to 0.75 m s-1 were measured in the Ponta Tones strait. After Low Water, Indian ocean water starts entering the tidal flats, while entrance from the MaputoBay side is delayed by one to several hours. With only one tide gauge and one current meter at hand, we found indications of ahigher mean sea level on the oceanic side (probably due to ocean wave set up) and a mean flow in the Ponta Torres Straitdirected towards Maputo Bay. A storm from the SW hada particularly strong influence on the sea level of Maputo Bay, and fora period of a few days the current flowed constantly towards Maputo Bay. Measurements in the innermost Saco channelindicated higher velocities during ebb than during flood. The resulting residual current will increase sedimentation in the bay, a process which is confirmed by aerial photographs and could be linked to the sanding of the coral reefs and the mangroveextension in the area. Extensive sandbanks are sitUated around both inlets as a result of the higher current velocities in these areas, thereby inhibiting the settlement of finer sediments and organic matter. Where the two flows meet, formation ofmti"dflats and seagrass beds are favoured. Mudflats are found mainly below High Water Neap, exposed only during spling tides. This longer inundation period favours the settlement of finer material and organic matter. The area and location of thesubstrates have great influence on the richness and abundance of the benthic fauna, as grainsize and organic matter have been correlated with richness and abundance in other studies	
Tipo: 	Journal Contribution	
Idioma: 	Inglês	
Identificador: 	Hydrobiologia, 428 (1), p. 187-196

0018-8158

http://hdl.handle.net/1834/701	
Editor: 	Springer - Kluwer	
Relação: 	http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1004030605474

10.1023/A:1004030605474	
Formato: 	622934 bytes

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