Seasonal changes in heat flux and heat storage forth estuary, scotland in the intertidal mudflats of the forth estuary, scotland

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Abstract
The surface energy balance of intertidal sediments is complex. Heat is exchanged across sediment‐atmosphere and sediment‐water interfaces at differing states of the tide. This takes place within the context of seasonal changes in the temperature of the atmospheric boundary layer, and sea and river water. Subsurface heat flux in an intertidal mudflat near Grangemouth in the Forth Estuary, Scotland, was determined over a full seasonal range of ambient conditions during 1981. Measurements of temperature and weather variables were made from a 4.3m high instrument tower. Thermal properties of the muddy sediment were determined under laboratory conditions. Heat flux in and out of a 0.1 m deep surface layer of mud was calculated. Time of high water exerts a strong control over net heat flux in a 24 hour period. This is due to variation in heat exchange across the sediment‐water interface during tidal inundation, and across the sediment‐atmosphere interface at low water. The relationship between time of high water and net heat flux during inundation follows a broadly similar form at all seasons. Season, however, determines the magnitude of heat exchanges.