Collaborative Research: Rapid: Activation of the Inner Continental Shelf In Response to the Great Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Flood of 2011

密西西比河和阿查法拉亚河正在经历一场具有重大地质意义的历史性洪水。南路易斯安那州是地球上土地流失速度最快的地区之一，大部分土地流失是由于缺乏泥沙输送到沿海地区。这场洪水可能会把大量的沉积物输送到沿海地区，因此可能会促进南路易斯安那州海岸的土地建设。这项研究是一项快速反应，旨在调查2011年5月下旬从阿查法拉亚河大规模释放的淡水是否会导致以淡水为主的大陆架环境的发展，以及洪水释放的沉积物是否会启动从阿查法拉亚河河口向西沿着切尼尔平原海岸向西延伸的大型流动泥浆带的发展。这些假设正在通过检查内大陆架的物理和地质海洋学并确定最近沉积的沉积物模式来检验。这项拟议的研究为研究沿海生态系统中泥沙供应和土地建设的关键过程提供了难得的机会。更广泛的影响包括对EPSCoR州的两个机构的支持和学生培训。

The Mississippi River and Atchafalaya River are experiencing a historic flood of major geological significance. South Louisiana has one of the fastest land loss rates on any region on Earth, with much of the loss due to a lack of sediment delivery into the coastal zone. This flood is likely to deliver large amounts of sediments to the coastal zone, and therefore could potentially contribute to land building along the South Louisiana coast. This research is a rapid response to investigate whether the massive release of freshwater from the Atchafalaya River in late May, 2011 will lead to the development of a freshwater-dominated continental shelf environment and whether sediments released by the flood will initiate the development of a large mobile mud belt that will extend from the mouth of the Atchafalaya River westward along the Chenier Plain Coast. These hypotheses are being tested by examining the physical and geological oceanography of the inner continental shelf and determining the patterns of recently deposited sediments. The proposed research provides a rare opportunity to study the critical processes of sediment supply and land building in a coastal ecosystem. Broader impacts include support of two institutions in EPSCoR states and student training.