Li, H.; Beck, T.M.; Moritz, H.R.; Groth, K.; Puckette, T.; Marsh, J., and Sánchez, A., 2019. Sediment tracer tracking and numerical modeling at Coos Bay inlet, Oregon. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 4–25. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

An investigation was conducted on transport of dredged material placed in the nearshore area of an ocean dredged material disposal site (ODMDS) adjacent to the Coos Bay inlet, Oregon. A sediment tracer release/sampling and field data collection program was carried out and a numerical hydrodynamic, wave, and sediment transport model, the Coastal Modeling System, was developed to perform the analysis of sediment transport around the inlet system and the ODMDS. The data were used to calibrate and validate model calculations, and the model was set up to calculate sediment fluxes and to simulate the process of sediment tracer release and movement, and determine the pathways of sediment tracer under combined wave, current, and wind conditions within and around the immediate vicinity of the Coos Bay ODMDS. The calculations and the measurements indicate that sediment tracer movement is primarily controlled by tidal current inside Coos Bay and at the inlet entrance, and responding to wave and storm conditions in the open coastal area. A divergence in net sediment transport directions in the adjacent nearshore beach was apparent in the results of the tracer release and numerical simulations. This methodology may be used to determine sediment bypassing pathways and optimal placement of sediment within a nearshore environment adjacent to tidal inlets.

Yuan, J.; Liu, L.; Zhang, Y.; Shen, C., and Lin, S., 2019. Molecular processes and hub genes of Acropora palmata in response to thermal stress and bleaching. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 26–32. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Among many environmental factors, high temperature is the main factor that causes coral bleaching. Thus, analyses of the bleaching mechanism and important genes involved in coral responses to thermal stress and bleaching are important. This study explored the gene expression profiling data (GSE16151) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database by using bioinformatics analysis to study the molecular processes and hub genes involved in the thermal stress and bleaching responses of the coral Acropora palmata. The results suggest that thermal stress down-regulated the snoRNP genes, which led to a reduction of some ribosomal proteins, and then decreased biosynthesis, resulting in disruption of a series of biological processes such as the glyoxylate cycle and vitamin metabolic processes. Moreover, the coral cytoskeleton showed breakdown because the CCT7 gene was down-regulated and because of insufficient adenosine triphosphate production caused by the thermal stress. All these responses will destroy the P53 pathway and initiate apoptosis and ultimately necrosis. In addition, 107 differentially expressed genes were detected between the normal and bleached corals, indicating that snoRNPs, CCT7, RPL37, and RPS27A may be the hub genes responsible for thermal stress and bleaching responses. These genes can be used as new biomarkers to help solve the problem of coral bleaching.

Wan, W.; Feng, X.; Liu, Q.; Yin, B.; Yang, D., and Gao, G., 2019. Study of the tide and tidal currents in the Bay of Bengal based on refined simulations. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 33–40. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

A high-resolution, two-dimensional, hydrodynamic tidal model of the Bay of Bengal was developed using the Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) Model to study the tide and tidal currents in the Bay of Bengal. The simulations conformed to the observations, and because of the use of a high-resolution, triangular grid, characteristics of the tide and tidal currents were computed more accurately than in previous studies. The results indicated that tides in most of the Bay of Bengal are semidiurnal, whereas those in the seas SE of Sri Lanka are mixed and predominately semidiurnal. There are two degenerate amphidromic points, one at the NE end of the head of the bay and the other at SE Sri Lanka, whereas there is an amphidromic point at the seas SE of Sri Lanka. The form of the M₂ tidal current is rotary on the continental shelf and rectilinear in coastal areas and seas distant from the continental shelf. Four major tidal currents are in a NW–SE direction, in the western part of the head of the bay, and in a NE–SW direction in river estuary areas. Results from the eastern part are the opposite. The amplitudes and major axes of four tides and tidal currents increase upon entering the head of the bay, whereas those of the M₂ tide are the largest.

Mattheus, C.R.; Diggins, T.P.; Boyce, C.; Cockrell, J.; Kruske, M., and VanWinkle, M., 2019. Geomorphology of a harbor-breakwater beach along a high sand-supply, wave-dominated Great Lakes littoral cell. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 41–55. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

The geomorphology of a breakwater beach along Lake Superior's high-energy SE margin is investigated from aerial photographs, historic nautical charts, and ground-penetrating radar imagery to provide information on littoral dynamics. The study goal was to address shoreline behavior and depositional architecture of the expanding beach in the context of hydrodynamic changes over the last century. Understanding influences of variables such as wave climate, lake level, and winter-ice cover on breakwater-beach development has many coastal management applications, particularly along highly modified coastlines characterized by fragmented littoral cells. Subsurface architectural models of the wedge-shaped Grand Marais beach and shoreline reconstructions are evaluated in the context of hydrologic data. Statistical analyses suggest that although event-based shoreline changes can create lasting depositional architectures, multiyear to decadal patterns of beach development are driven largely by hydrodynamic trends that affect littoral sediment delivery, alter the beach face directly, or both. Periods of above-average wave-height maxima coincide with increased beach growth phases, while high lake levels favor a reduction therein. The direct geomorphic effects of increased erosion through beach inundation and stronger wave climate appear to outweigh influences of higher littoral sediment inputs from increased bluff erosion upstream and accelerated rates of longshore transport. This dynamic stands in contrast to that observed for systems along the southern Lake Erie margin, which are highly sensitive to upstream changes in sediment input. Winter-ice-cover extents and durations are statistically nonsignificant or marginally convincing drivers (low R²) of beach geomorphology.

Do, A.T.K.; de Vries, S., and Stive, M.J.F., 2019. The estimation and evaluation of shoreline locations, shoreline-change rates, and coastal volume changes derived from Landsat images. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 56–71. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Shoreline-change data are of primary importance for understanding coastal erosion and deposition as well as for studying coastal morphodynamics. Shoreline extraction from satellite images has been used as a low-cost alternative and as an addition to traditional methods. In this work, satellite-derived shorelines and corresponding shoreline-change rates and changes in volumes of coastal sediments have been estimated and evaluated for the case of the data-rich North-Holland coast. This coast is globally unique for its long in situ monitoring record and provides a perfect case to evaluate the potential of shoreline mapping techniques. A total of 13 Landsat images and 233 observed cross-shore profiles (from the JAaRlijkse KUStmeting [JARKUS] database) between 1985 and 2010 have been used in this study. Satellite-derived shorelines are found to be biased in seaward direction relative to the JARKUS-derived shorelines, with an average ranging 8 m to 9 m over 25 years. Shoreline-change rates have been estimated using time series of satellite-derived shorelines and applying linear regression. The satellite-derived shoreline-change rates show a high correlation coefficient (R² > 0.78) when compared with the JARKUS-derived shoreline-change rates over a period of 20 and 25 years. Volume changes were calculated from the satellite-derived shoreline-change rates using assumptions defining a closure depth. Satellite-derived volume changes also show a good agreement with JARKUS-based values. Satellite-derived shorelines compare better with in situ data on beaches that have intertidal zone widths ranging from one- to two-pixel sizes (30 m–60 m). The results show that the use of Landsat images for deriving shorelines, shoreline-change rates, and volume changes have accuracies comparable to observed JARKUS-based values when considering decadal scales of measurements. This shows the potential of applying Landsat images to monitor shoreline change and coastal volume change over decades.

Jia, H.; Chen, M.; Su, W.; Zhang, S., and Zhao, K., 2019. Structural characteristics and associated factors influencing phytoplankton abundance and species composition in Huangmaohai Bay, Pearl River Estuary. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 72–81. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Temporal–spatial variations of phytoplankton abundance and species composition, as well as associated environmental factors, were investigated to understand phytoplankton succession at Huangmaohai Bay in December 2010 and August 2011. Concentrations of both chlorophyll-a and nutrient showed apparent spatial variability with significantly higher levels in the upstream area of the estuary than in the offshore area. Temporal variation of the chlorophyll-a concentration showed that the concentration in the summer was 1.25 times higher than that in the winter. Significantly higher abundances of cyanobacteria and chlorophytes were found at the upstream sites where the system was influenced by freshwater input. In contrast, diatoms and dinoflagellates primarily dominated at the downstream sites. Phytoplankton abundance was higher in the summer (629.66 × 10⁴ cells/m³) than in the winter (466.75 × 10⁴ cells/m³). A canonical correspondence analysis of phytoplankton community and environmental factors indicated that dissolved inorganic phosphorus, nitrogen, and salinity were the key environmental factors influencing the spatial variation of phytoplankton. Dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria, and chlorophytes were generally sensitive to salinity, whereas diatoms were generally sensitive to nutrients. Because Huangmaohai Bay is part of the Pearl River Estuary, this study not only fills a gap toward understanding this region but also aids marine protection department personnel in making effective management plans that can be put into action.

França, M.C.; Cohen, M.C.L.; Pessenda, L.C.R.; Francisquini, M.I.; de Jesus Ribeiro, C.M., and de Oliveira, T.R., 2019. Tannin as a new indicator of paleomangrove occurrence within an Amazonian coastal region. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 82–90. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Three sediment cores, sampled from a (1) mangrove zone, (2) mangrove–várzea zone, and (3) várzea zone at the Marajó Island–Amazonian coastal region were studied to compare the pollen and the sedimentological signals with tannin concentrations in sediments accumulated during the last millennium. The integration of these data allowed the interpretation of mangrove paleoecology based on pollen content along stratigraphic sequences. Most stratigraphy of the cores indicated a direct relationship between Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove) pollen content and tannin content. Some stratigraphic intervals showed a high percentage of R. mangle pollen, which may be interpreted as the mangrove forest mainly being occupied by R. mangle. A decrease of tannin content suggests a decrease of R. mangle density or a late mangrove colonization. The spectrophotometric method using tannin concentrations, proposed in this paper and supported by pollen data, may be considered an additional tool for the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of mangrove areas and an innovative tool that will allow reduction of costs in the studies of paleomangrove environment identification.

Bachtouli, S. and Comte, J.-C., 2019. Regional-scale analysis of the effect of managed aquifer recharge on saltwater intrusion in irrigated coastal aquifers: Long-term groundwater observations and model simulations in NE Tunisia. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 91–109. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

In overexploited coastal aquifers threatened or affected by saline intrusion, managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is increasingly applied in the aim of maintaining or recovering freshwater quantity and quality. The long-term regionalscale effectiveness of MAR, however, lacks field examples. The Korba coastal aquifer (Tunisia) has been increasingly overexploited since the 1960s and intensively studied over the last few decades. Groundwater abstraction has resulted in a decline of groundwater levels and a dramatic increase in salinity through both lateral seawater intrusion and shallow salinization from irrigation. MAR strategies, including freshwater injection wells and sewage-water infiltration basins, have been progressively implemented since 1990. Using 50 years of groundwater head and salinity records, a regional three-dimensional numerical groundwater model is calibrated to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of groundwater salinization including the past and future impact of the MAR operations. Results suggest that lateral seawater intrusion from the coast and shallow infiltration of evapoconcentrated saline irrigation water are the two interlinked dominant regional processes of groundwater salinization, equivalent in magnitude. In accordance with the groundwater observations, simulated historical MAR operations are shown to have contributed to slowdown and stabilized the regional salinization, which contrasts with the steady rise that is obtained in the hypothetical absence of MAR. The future MAR simulation scenarios suggest that spatial management of irrigation supplies and injection points from dam freshwater has a potential for further reducing the salinization of shallow groundwater and potentially reversing the inland progression of the seawater front. Further works should look at reconciling modelling recommendations with management practice options.

Bhat, S.; Jain, P., and Deo, M.C., 2019. Application of regional climate models for coastal design parameters along India. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 110–121. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Coastal structures are generally designed on the basis of significant wave height, H_s2, corresponding to a return period of 100 years. This design wave height is derived by fitting an appropriate statistical distribution to a set of long-duration H_s data, either observed or simulated, using historical wind conditions. This study investigates what might happen if wind conditions projected on the basis of regional climate models (RCMs), reflecting the effect of climate change, are instead used. At a series of 91 coastal stations spread over the entire 7000-km-long coastline of India, waves were simulated for two time slices of 27 years each in the past and future using a numerical wave model driven by an ensemble of RCMs. The RCMs were earlier run for a moderate global warming scenario. The long-term statistical analysis of resulting wave data was carried out, and H_s with a 100-year return period were derived at each location. It was noticed that if projected wind were used in the place of past wind, an increase in the magnitude of design H_s is likely to be encountered at most stations, although there might be some locations where a decrease instead of an increase might happen. Because the west coast is subjected to different wind conditions than the east coast, it also showed different behavior in terms of the change. These observations were supported by comparative analysis of trends, probability distributions, and wave rose diagrams of past and projected wave data.

Loría-Naranjo, M.; Sibaja-Cordero, J.A., and Cortés, J., 2019. Mangrove leaf litter decomposition in a seasonal tropical environment. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 122–129. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Seasonal changes in rainfall might have an impact on the decomposition of mangrove leaf litter. This study analyzed the influence of weather conditions (season) on the decay rate, nitrogen, and phosphorus content as a decomposition indicator of leaf litter of Rhizophora racemosa. These measurements were taken at two sites in the Térraba–Sierpe National Wetland (TSNW) South Pacific, Coasta Rica, in 2013. The dry and wet season decay constants were similar and fast (k = 0.012 day^–1). Decay constants were positively associated with salinity and water temperature (p <0.10). Moreover, season had an effect on the leaf litter nitrogen (high in dry season) and phosphorus content (high in rainy season). The effect of decomposition time on nitrogen and phosphorus content varies between sites. Leaf litter from R. racemosa acts as a substrate that releases nutrients to the ecosystem, contributing to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus budgets. The similar and fast decay constants among seasons is possibly because of the small difference in seasonal rainfall in TSNW, while seasonal variation in nitrogen and phosphorus is possibly a result of changes in microbial activity. This study highlights the need for an integral approach to research on nutrient cycling in mangrove forests because of its complex decay patterns.

Lindner, B.L.; Alsheimer, F., and Johnson, J., 2019. Assessing improvement in the public's understanding of hurricane storm tides through interactive visualization models. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 130–142. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

In order to better understand the efficacy of efforts to educate the public about the risks of hurricane storm surge, links on the local National Weather Service (NWS) website and various media outlets were used to recruit 575 Charleston-area residents to complete two anonymous internet-based surveys. Most participants knew that storm surge was the primary risk from a hurricane in low-lying areas, particularly younger, new residents with less prior experience with hurricanes. One in five participants indicated that the NWS always or usually overstates the dangers of hurricanes, although most participants actually overestimated the accuracy of NWS track forecasts. Many users of a hurricane storm-tide visualization model anticipated more storm surge than they would actually receive in various hurricane scenarios. After model usage, there was a noted increase in user understanding of the importance of landfall location on the amount of storm surge, particularly among women and older participants. Comparing surveys completed before and after model usage, there was no change in the number of users that claimed they would evacuate for a hurricane scenario that produced a small storm tide, but there was a substantial increase in the number that claimed they would evacuate for a hurricane scenario that produced a large storm tide, particularly among younger and new residents. A quarter of users stated they would have reconsidered living in their current home if they had investigated the model prior to their move. Thus, significant evidence exists to demonstrate the effectiveness of this type of model in improving risk awareness among users.

Knott, J.F.; Jacobs, J.M.; Daniel, J.S., and Kirshen, P., 2019. Modeling groundwater rise caused by sea-level rise in coastal New Hampshire. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 143–157. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Coastal communities with low topography are vulnerable from sea-level rise (SLR) caused by climate change and glacial isostasy. Coastal groundwater will rise with sea level, affecting water quality, the structural integrity of infrastructure, and natural ecosystem health. SLR-induced groundwater rise has been studied in coastal areas of high aquifer transmissivity. In this regional study, SLR-induced groundwater rise is investigated in a coastal area characterized by shallow unconsolidated deposits overlying fractured bedrock, typical of the glaciated NE. A numerical groundwater-flow model is used with groundwater observations and withdrawals, LIDAR topography, and surface-water hydrology to investigate SLR-induced changes in groundwater levels in New Hampshire's coastal region. The SLR groundwater signal is detected more than three times farther inland than projected tidal flooding from SLR. The projected mean groundwater rise relative to SLR is 66% between 0 and 1 km, 34% between 1 and 2 km, 18% between 2 and 3 km, 7% between 3 and 4 km, and 3% between 4 and 5 km of the coastline, with large variability around the mean. The largest magnitude of SLR-induced groundwater rise occurs in the marine and estuarine deposits and peninsulas with tidal water bodies on three sides. Groundwater rise is dampened near streams. Groundwater inundation is projected to contribute 48% of the total inundated area from both SLR-induced groundwater rise and marine tidal flooding in the city of Portsmouth, with consequences for built and natural resources. Freshwater wetlands are projected to expand 3% by the year 2030, increasing to 25% by the end of the century, coupled with water-depth increases.

Vitale, A.J.; Genchi, S.A., and Piccolo, M.C., 2019. Assessing the surface radiation balance and associated components in an intertidal wetland. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 158–164. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Knowledge of the surface radiation balance and associated components in intertidal wetlands is essential to the understanding of the ecosystem. The aim of this study is to assess the behavior of the radiation balance (or net radiation) and its components in a salt marsh environment (Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina), taking into consideration two different tidal conditions: nonflooded salt marsh (NFS) and flooded salt marsh (FS). In situ measurements were made during a 1-year period. An adequate measurement system to record meteorological and oceanographic parameters by using a floating structure was implemented. The results showed that the tide led to an increase of 5% in net radiation for a typical summer day (NFS = 3485 W m^-2 d^-1; FS = 3663 W m^-2 d^-1), while for a typical winter day, the net radiation under NFS and FS conditions was similar (NFS = -616 W m^-2 d^-1; FS = -615 W m^-2 d^-1) but showing differences throughout the day. With the purpose of strengthening the results, a spectral analysis using Fourier and wavelet transforms was performed on the net radiation and tide level time series.

Coch, N.K., 2019. Sediment facies and dispersal systems in the estuaries of easternmost Long Island, New York, U.S.A. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 165–176. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

A multidecadal study of the estuarine systems of easternmost Long Island, New York, U.S.A. has provided detailed data on sediment facies, structures, and sediment dispersal patterns in this important estuarine–oceanic system. In addition, new data are presented on the unique morphology, sediment type, and distribution and geological history of the three deep channels connecting Block Island Sound and Long Island systems. Detailed sediment facies mapping has delineated six separate sediment dispersal systems in the study area.

Avifauna are essential for maintaining the structure and functioning of mangrove ecosystems, which are particularly sensitive to habitat transformation. Although exotic cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, is an increasing threat to mangrove ecosystems (including the associated unvegetated shoals) of China, its effects on the avifauna in such ecosystems are poorly understood. In Zhanjiang, China, the avifaunal Shannon-Weiner diversity, Simpson's diversity, Margalef's species richness, Pielou's evenness and density indices were compared in (1) an Avicennia marina monoculture vs. an S. alterniflora–invaded A. marina stand (a mixture of A. marina and S. alterniflora) and (2) an unvegetated shoal vs. an S. alterniflora–invaded shoal that had rapidly become an S. alterniflora monoculture. All avifaunal community parameters except for the Simpson index were significantly lower in the S. alterniflora + A. marina mixture than in the A. marina monoculture, and in the S. alterniflora monoculture than in the unvegetated shoal. These results indicate that the presence of S. alterniflora reduces the suitability of the Zhanjiang mangrove ecosystem for avifauna. Among the four habitats, the Shannon-Weiner diversity index, species richness, and density of the avifaunal community were highest in the unvegetated shoal. Further analysis indicated that the differences in the avifaunal community between invaded and noninvaded sites were associated with vegetation characteristics (mainly plant height and density) and macrobenthic faunal metrics (mainly species richness and density). The reduced avifaunal diversity and abundance associated with S. alterniflora invasion probably resulted from the decline in food resources or from the increased difficulty in foraging and roosting. The findings indicate that the conservation of birds in mangrove ecosystems may depend on controlling or eradicating exotic S. alterniflora, maintaining tidal mudflats, and diversifying the habitats in mangrove wetlands.

Emami, A.; Bryan, K.R., and de Lange, W.P., 2019. Spatial patterns in groundwater seepage and surf zone morphology: Muriwai Beach, New Zealand. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 186–195. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Groundwater seeping from the beach face can induce erosion and so may play a role in controlling the development of beach morphology. A study at Muriwai Beach, New Zealand, was conducted to measure the relationship between surf zone morphology, groundwater, and intertidal beachface volume. Time exposure images from a video camera were used to study the surf zone morphology. Statistical analysis showed that the volume variation correlated with alongshore variation of the seepage line and surf zone morphology. Higher groundwater was always associated with lower volume. The surf zone morphology also correlated with changes in volume. This correlation was generally positive in winter (volume decreased with reduced pixel intensity) and negative in summer, suggesting a seasonal switch in the processes responsible for the correlation. To provide insight into the processes leading to this correlation, the sensitivity of the seepage line to hydraulic conductivity, beach morphology, tide, and wave setup was modeled using an exploratory model based on the Boussinesq formula. Results indicated that changes in setup played an important role in changing the seepage line location across the beach face. Spatial patterns in setup are likely to be driven by changes to wave breaking patterns caused by morphodynamic patterns. The results also showed that changes in conductivity and slope had a significant influence on seepage line variation. These findings indicated that alongshore variations in groundwater dynamics, which could in part be driven by offshore and onshore changes to water level, may play a stronger role in pattern development on beaches than previously expected.

Alcántara-Carrió, J.; Caicedo, A.; Hernández, J.C.; Jaramillo-Vélez, A., and Manzolli, R.P., 2019. Sediment bypassing from the new human-induced lobe to the ancient lobe of the Turbo Delta (Gulf of Urabá, Southern Caribbean Sea). Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 196–209. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Artificial river diversions cause intense and unpredictable changes in the geomorphological evolution and sedimentary dynamics of deltas. This study analyzes the effects of the 1958 course diversion of the Turbo River delta, Gulf of Urabá, southern Caribbean Sea. Recent satellite images were analyzed and beach topography was monitored to obtain the shoreline migration and sediment budget; surface sediments were seasonally sampled, and their grain size parameters were determined; and seasonal sediment transport directions were deduced according to grain size trends. It was concluded that the bimodal wave regime controls the seasonal sedimentary patterns associated with southward longshore transport during both the dry and rainy seasons, and the northward longshore transport occurs in the midsummer drought. Beach morphodynamics of Yarumal Point, close to the present-day river mouth, show that this is the most exposed sector to waves, whereas fluvial sediment inputs are evidenced by a decrease in mean grain size and by poorly sorted sediments in the rainy season. A new spit is forming in Yarumal Point, with an intense increase in area and a westward progradation related to high fluvial sediment inputs from the La Niña event of 2010–12 and low erosion from the El Niño events of 2009–10 and 2015–16. In the central sector, longshore drift has formed the Yarumal barrier spit with a southeastward progradation that recently closed the interdistributary El Uno Bay. Consequently, a humaninduced sand barrier–lagoon system resulted with a stable or slightly regressive shoreline. Moreover, the Yarumal barrier spit has generated a new sediment bypass to Barajas Beach in the northern limit of the Las Vacas spit (i.e. the ancient delta lobe). Therefore, there is an unusual accretion of the abandoned delta lobe by sediment supply from the new lobe.

Azuz-Adeath, I.; González-Campos, C., and Cuevas-Corona, A., 2019. Predicting the temporal structure of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) for agriculture management in Mexico's coastal zone. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 210–226. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

The influence of global-scale modes of climate variability on Mexico's coastal zone is investigated through the analysis of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) effect on the long-term (decadal) behavior of three climatic variables (rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures) and agricultural production in 17 coastal states. Statistical methods to predict the annual and decadal behavior of the AMO index were proposed, assessed, and used to predict the long-term production phase (above or below the production trend) for the principal crops in the states where the highest correlation among climate signals and agricultural production was found. The near-term (1 y to decades) temporal variability structure of the AMO index was modeled by analytic functions (decadal component) and through discrete simulation (yearly component), using the fractal dimension as a nonlinear measure to assess and mimic the irregularity of the original time series with good results. For the decadal signals, significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between AMO and climatic variables in 13 of 17 states with rain and 14 of 17 states with maximum and minimum temperatures. AMO and total production correlate in 12 of 17 states, and for specific crops, 34 of 51 values were significant. For the purposes of coastal management, the long-term forecasts obtained may be good enough to propose adaptation measures to climate variability related to agricultural activity in 5-year horizons, which closely correspond to periods of government in Mexico.

Jo, Y.-H.; Kim, H.-C.; Hu, C.; Klemas, V.V., and Turpie, K.R., 2019. Potential applications of HyspIRI for the observation of sea-margin processes. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(1), 227–239. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

The Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI) mission will observe the effects of future environmental changes upon the world's ecosystems. Among other applications, this paper reviews three different sea-margin processes that can be monitored by the HyspIRI spectrometer, i.e. groundwater and surface-water discharge, meltwater-pond formation, and shoreline delineation. Groundwater and surface-water discharge to coastal regions affects local ecological conditions through changes in the local temperature, salinity, and nutrient load. Water-quality changes and temperature variability resulting from such discharge can be estimated from observation in the visible-to-shortwave-infrared (VSWIR) and the mid- and thermal-infrared (TIR) regions, respectively. The processes of meltwater forming ponds and entering the sea have unique ecological characteristics and are of additional interest because they are also highly subject to climate change. HyspIRI can use TIR to observe the spatial distribution of meltwater, whereas its VSWIR spectrometer can be used to quantify the changes of phytoplankton pigments (e.g., chlorophyll a). Quantifying seamargin changes requires accurate delineation of margin positions wherein tidal influence is minimal. Since the HyspIRI VSWIR data cover a wide spectral range and offer high spatial resolution, they are particularly suitable for shoreline delineation/change detection, as well as flood mapping. The signal-to-noise ratio of HyspIRI is expected to be comparable to that of the Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean and much higher than that of Hyperion and Landsat Enhanced Thermal Mapper Plus, making it suitable for studying optically complex coastal aquatic environments. Herein, using examples from existing satellite sensors, HyspIRI's potential to study these complex sea-margin processes is presented and discussed.