The Northern Muddy Intertidal: Seasonal Factors Controlling Erosion and Deposition — A Review

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Abstract
This review summarizes the seasonal physical and biological processes which take place on and in the muddy intertidal zone during the year and affect the erosion or deposition of sediment. The main physical processes that are considered are the effects of ice, waves, sediment dewatering, rain, and mud and water temperatures. The biological processes include the growth of benthic diatoms, algal mats, and higher plants as well as the effects of bioturbation, pellet formation, biodeposition, and changes in the intertidal microrelief.In the early spring in northern temperate estuaries, ice break-up is the most significant factor affecting muddy intertidal sedimentation. The ice-roughened intertidal has not yet been affected significantly by either plant or animal activity, and is particularly susceptible to sediment resuspension by waves. During the summer, organic processes dominate the intertidal as organisms feed on, pelletize, and bioturbate the sediments. Plant growth, especially benthic diatoms and algal mats, may stabilize the sediment. The few storms during this season combined with lower rainfall insure that the muddy intertidal only rarely undergoes erosion. In fall, seasonal storms increase while both plant and animal activity begin to slow down. Lower rates of bioturbation make the muddy intertidal more resistant to erosion, but the intensity of the fall storms, and higher rainfall, cause significant sediment scouring. With the onset of winter, ice forms over and on the muddy intertidal, reducing resuspension and erosion. However, significant sediment erosion and transportation occurs during winter thaws, when temporary ice break up occurs. But the effect of ice "armoring" all but eliminates sediment resuspension by waves over the muddy intertidal for most of the coldest winter months.Key words: intertidal zone, erosion, deposition

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