On the measurement of turbulence in estuaries

Evaluation of the diffusion characteristics of an estuary requires an understanding of the turbulence structure and a measure of the range and variability of the eddy diffusion coefficients. Such data are of primary importance to investigators seeking to estimate possible environmental changes through predictive numerical or hydraulic models. This paper presents a review of the turbulence problem with particular emphasis on estuaries. Both spectral characteristics and spatial scales are considered and related to experimental procedures. Currently available instrumentation is reviewed and its performance critiqued. Emphasis is placed on long-term reliability. Both Lagrangian and Eulerian methods are discussed.