Nearshore processes of a coastal island : physical dynamics and ecological implications
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- Mixing and transport in coastal upwelling systems have dramatic effects on larval dispersal, contaminant dilution, hypoxia development, and exposure to ocean acidification -- all targets for marine policy and conservation efforts. In the coastal zone, winds, waves, tides, and density gradients interact extensively, making understanding the dominant processes and their effects on coastal ecosystems difficult. The goal of this work is to improve our understanding of how mixing and transport are affected by topography, density gradients, and the presence of headlands and kelp beds in coastal upwelling regions of the California Current. I examine the hydrodynamics of shelf circulation patterns and nearshore (within two kilometers offshore) physical processes using a combination of long and short-term observational studies at Isla San Jeronímo, Baja California Norte, Isla Natividad and Isla Magdalena, Baja California Sur. Our results show that exposure to larger scale dynamics and regional water masses can have a direct impact on local water quality and residence time, depending on nearshore hydrodynamics, exposure, and geographical restrictions. The effects from interannual-to-interdecadal events on local water characteristics can also influence variation in kelp density, with further effects on nearshore water flow. Furthermore, flow drivers around the Isla Natividad vary significantly due to coastal geometry and regional forcing.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Form | electronic resource; remote; computer; online resource |
| Extent | 1 online resource. |
| Place | California |
| Place | [Stanford, California] |
| Publisher | [Stanford University] |
| Copyright date | 2019; ©2019 |
| Publication date | 2019; 2019 |
| Issuance | monographic |
| Language | English |
Creators/Contributors
| Author | AlNajjar, Maha Walid |
|---|---|
| Degree supervisor | Monismith, Stephen Gene |
| Thesis advisor | Monismith, Stephen Gene |
| Thesis advisor | Micheli, Fiorenza |
| Thesis advisor | Woodson, Brock |
| Degree committee member | Micheli, Fiorenza |
| Degree committee member | Woodson, Brock |
| Associated with | Stanford University, Civil & Environmental Engineering Department. |
Subjects
| Genre | Theses |
|---|---|
| Genre | Text |
Bibliographic information
| Statement of responsibility | Maha W. Alnajjar. |
|---|---|
| Note | Submitted to the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department. |
| Thesis | Thesis Ph.D. Stanford University 2019. |
| Location | electronic resource |
Access conditions
- Copyright
- © 2019 by Maha Walid AlNajjar
- License
- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).
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