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损失率最快的地区之一，其中大部分损失是由于缺乏沉积物输送到沿海地区。这次洪水可能会把大量的沉积物带到沿海地区，因此可能会导致南路易斯安那海岸的土地形成。本研究是对2011年5月下旬阿恰法拉雅河淡水的大量释放是否会导致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引发从阿恰法拉雅河口向西沿切尼尔平原海岸延伸的大型移动泥带的发展的快速响应。这些假设正在通过检查内大陆架的物理和地质海洋学以及确定最近沉积的沉积物的模式而得到检验。提出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。更广泛的影响包括支持EPSCoR州的两个机构和学生培训。

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.