Langmuir Supercells: A Mechanism for Sediment Resuspension and Transport in Shallow Seas
A. Gargett,*
J. Wells,
A. E. Tejada-Martínez,
C. E. Grosch
Recent measurements at a cabled sea-floor node in 15 meters
of water off the coast of New Jersey suggest that Langmuir supercells,
Langmuir circulations that achieve vertical scales equal to
the water depth under extended storms, are an important mechanism
for major sediment resuspension events on the extensive shallow
shelves off the eastern U.S. coast. Because sediment resuspension
is a prelude to transport, supercell events are a necessary
condition for major sediment transport. Such events may also
contribute to shelf-sea exchange and to offshore gradation of
benthic community structure in shallow seas.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: gargett{at}ccpo.odu.edu
