Mixing and dispersion processes in the vicinity of an ocean outfall system in Southern California

Yicun Wu*, Libe Washburn, Burton H. Jones

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ocean wastewater plumes are important for the disposal of municipal wastes in Southern California. These plumes, which are discharged from sanitation systems, can be distinguished in the ocean water column by combinations of bio-optical and physical properties. Interactions between the plume and the surrounding ocean are complicated because of spatial and temporal variability of the ocean currents and water mass structure. We have conducted a series of field studies to examine the effluent field from a large outfall system operated by the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County. We find that the intermittence of ocean currents produces complex three- dimensional effluent fields. The identification of effluent fields is complicated by the presence of phytoplankton and suspended sediments. Sediment resuspension events are observed during these shipboard surveys when the ocean currents reach a magnitude of the order of 0.1 m/s. However, surface waves may also contribute to the sediment resuspension processes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationCoastal Zone
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the Symposium on Coastal and Ocean Management
EditorsOrville T. Magoon, Hugh Converse, Virginia Tippie, Thomas L. Tobin, Delores Clark
PublisherPubl by ASCE
Pages124-134
Number of pages11
ISBN (Print)0872628094
StatePublished - 1991
Externally publishedYes
EventProceedings of the 7th Symposium on Coastal and Ocean Management Part 4 (of 4) - Long Beach, CA, USA
Duration: Jul 8 1991Jul 12 1991

Publication series

NameCoastal Zone: Proceedings of the Symposium on Coastal and Ocean Management
Volume1

Other

OtherProceedings of the 7th Symposium on Coastal and Ocean Management Part 4 (of 4)
CityLong Beach, CA, USA
Period07/8/9107/12/91

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oceanography
  • Ocean Engineering

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