Temperature and Salinity

Behaviors that should be displayed by the model with respect to temperature include (Selberg et al. 2001; Luettich Jr. et al. 1999): that the magnitude of variation in temperature across the estuary at any given time should range between 1-5 $\ensuremath{^\circ\text{C }}$; smaller variation in temperature over the estuary during winter; inversion of temperature with season (deeper areas cooler in summer and warmer in winter than shallow areas). For salinity, the behaviors desired included (Selberg et al. 2001; Luettich Jr. et al. 1999): seasonal component to variation; wide variation in salinity across the estuary (generally within 0 to 5 psu at the west end of the estuary and between 5 to 21 psu on the east end); and salinity should generally be greater in deeper waters. The only experimental conditions shared by the model and estuary are the time course over which the above criteria are to hold.

With respect to the qualitative behaviors desired, temperature and salinity in the model agreed with those reported for the Neuse. Both the Neuse and the model (see movies) display temperature inversions with season. Deeper areas were $\approx 3\ensuremath{^\circ\text{C }}$ cooler in summer and $\approx 3\ensuremath{^\circ\text{C }}$ warmer in winter than shallow areas. Maximum temperature was approximately 30 $\ensuremath{^\circ\text{C }}$ with the largest variation ( $\approx 5\ensuremath{^\circ\text{C }}$) in September. Over a year, salinity was generally 0 to 5 psu at the west end of the estuary and between 5 to 21 psu on the east end. Over the estuary, salinity ranged between 0 to $\approx$ 10 psu during winter and between $\approx$ 5 to $\approx$ 20 psu during summer with deeper areas always more saline than shallower.