Lateral variability of sediment deposition across tidal bars Dr. Steven C. Pennings University of Houston

Department of Biology and Biochemistry University of Houston Houston Texas 77204-5513 USA

scpennin@central.uh.edu https://uh.edu/nsm/biology-biochemistry/people/profiles/steven-pennings/ https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4757-7125 Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Project

Dept. of Marine Sciences University of Georgia Athens Georgia 30602-3636 USA

gcelter@uga.edu https://gce-lter.marsci.uga.edu/ Dr. Steven C. Pennings University of Houston

Department of Biology and Biochemistry University of Houston Houston Texas 77204-5513 USA

scpennin@central.uh.edu https://uh.edu/nsm/biology-biochemistry/people/profiles/steven-pennings/ https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4757-7125 Principal investigator Dr. Zoe Hughes Boston University

Department of Earth Sciences Boston University 675 Commonwealth Avenue Boston Massachusetts 02215 USA

zoeh@bu.edu Co-investigator 2026

The goal of this project is to determine the unique characteristics of sediment deposition on tidal bars and to identify the processes by which sediments are deposited on these bars.

Question 2: How do the spatial and temporal patterns of biogeochemical processes, primary production, community dynamics, decomposition, and disturbance vary across the estuarine landscape, and how do they relate to environmental gradients? (more information)

mud flat water column/neritic depth sedimentology temperature water flow LTER NSF GCE geology geophysics Overall geographic extent of the research project -81.586458 -81.151037 31.563840 31.170266 2012-05-15 2012-12-30

Shell Oil Company, $100,000. Funding is to Dr. Zoe Hughes, who is a visiting scientist in Pennings' laboratory.

estuary marsh complex GCE Domain - Primary study area of the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research Program -81.586458 -81.151037 31.563840 31.170266 GPS data file (Trimble, Excel) https://gce-lter.marsci.uga.edu/private/registration/files/gps_data/GCE-28-2012_GPS_Duplin_ADCP_and_seismic.kml

An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) is deployed for periods of up to two weeks to measure currents. We also collect sub-bottom seismic data using a towed "boomer" instrument.

Across the GCE domain, but emphasizing the Duplin River.

One or two ADCP instruments on frames (each approximately 50 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm) weighing 50 pounds will be deployed in the deepest part of the Duplin River channel adjacent to the bar for 7-14 days. A small float will be used to mark the instrument.