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Document Type

Book Chapter

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Editors

Bruce J. Nelson, Albert Kuo and John Brubaker

Publication Date

1989

Book Title

Estuarine Circulation

Publisher

Humana Press

City

Clifton, New Jersey

Abstract

Hydraulic model dye test results are examined to provide estimates of nontidal horizontal circulation and movement/retention of oyster larvae in the James River Estuary. Test conditions maintained a constant mean tide and average summer low freshwater discharge. It was assumed that movement of dye in the model would approximate movement of the planktonic (larval) stages of oysters (Crassostroa virginica) in the prototype. Test results were used to rank six dye release points (candidate brood stock locations) with respect to relative quantities of dye retained in areas of the model representing commercially important seed oyster beds during the period 20-40 tidal cycles after release (the time, after spawning, when oyster larvae will permanently attach to a suitable substrate). Under the test conditions, nontidal circulation in the model was similar to that found in a weak partially mixed estuary: upstream motion along the bottom and over the right hand shoals (looking upstream) and downstream motion elsewhere. The pattern was modified by cyclonic motion of surface waters in the upstream and downstream reaches which increased residence time of material in the seed oyster bed region. Greatest retention during the 20-40 tidal cycle period was from releases over upstream and right hand side shoals and is reflected in release point ranking.

Interaction Between Circulation of the Estuary of the James River and Transport of Oyster Larvae


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