ABSTRACT

Field observations were carried out in the north-western Caofeidian sea area, silt-dominate coast, in China. The characteristics of tidal currents, waves, and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) changes under different hydrological conditions were analyzed. Results show that silt-dominated sediments are sensitive to flow dynamics: the SSCs increase rapidly under strong flow dynamics, and higher concentration exists near the bottom; as a result, the high SSC causes heavy sudden siltation in navigation channels. Human activities are intensive in the Bohai Bay, for example, reclamations of the Caofeidian Port and Tianjin Port. Different instruments were installed on the side and top bars at different heights. A two meters high tripod observation system was installed in Bohai Bay. It consisted of AWAC, Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), Optical Backscatter Point Sensor (OBS)-3A and Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) with different observation objectives, as well as other auxiliary parts such as anchors, ropes, floats, and flashing light.