COASTAL ECOLOGY INSTITUTE

COASTAL HYDROLOGY RESEARCH PROGRAM

Coastal hydrologists at CEI study water sources and water movement in the coastal zone. Water movement with tides and storms governs sediment deposition and erosion in coastal estuaries. Hydrologic connectivity between groundwater (well water), rivers and coastal bays affects many aspects of water quality in coastal environments.  Hydrologic factors, such as flooding and salinity, are some of the most important factors in the distribution and productivity of coastal wetland plants.

Water level recorders and salinity gauges are used to follow water movements in marshes. Long-term data from tide gauges are used to estimate relative sea-level rise. Current CEI hydrology research uses tracers (such as radon gas) to budget and follow groundwater flow into coastal zones, and to budget movement of nutrients important for marsh and plankton productivity .

Top : Erick Swenson down loads data from a water level gauge.
Photograph by Guerry Holm.

Bottom : Gene Turner demonstrates a permeameter to students, Kim Gibson, Mary Ellen Slayter, and Forrest Davis.
Photograph by Brian Fry.