Tidal-creek extension and saltwater intrusion in northern Australia

Research Article| August 01, 1991 Tidal-creek extension and saltwater intrusion in northern Australia A. David Knighton; A. David Knighton 1Department of Geography, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Kevin Mills; Kevin Mills 2Department of Geography, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Colin D. Woodroffe Colin D. Woodroffe 2Department of Geography, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information A. David Knighton 1Department of Geography, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, England Kevin Mills 2Department of Geography, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia Colin D. Woodroffe 2Department of Geography, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1991) 19 (8): 831–834. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0831:TCEASI>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation A. David Knighton, Kevin Mills, Colin D. Woodroffe; Tidal-creek extension and saltwater intrusion in northern Australia. Geology 1991;; 19 (8): 831–834. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0831:TCEASI>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Low-lying Holocene coastal plains supporting freshwater wetlands are often close to or even below the level reached by the highest tides. The vulnerability of such freshwater systems to saltwater intrusion will increase should the sea level rise as a consequence of global warming. In areas with a large tidal range, one of the main processes inducing a reversion to saltwater influence is likely to be the rapid extension of tidal-creek systems. This is demonstrated with an example from the coastal plains of the Mary River in northern Australia, where tidal-creek systems have extended more than 30 km inland in 50 years, invading freshwater wetlands and destroying associated vegetation over an area of at least 17000 ha. Networks have grown at an exponential rate through a combination of headward extension along main channels and tributary development. Large tidal range, very small elevational differences over the plains, the presence of incompletely infilled paleochannels, and uncontrolled feral buffalo have been major factors contributing to the rapid rate of expansion. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.