Spatial and Temporal Variability of Residual Current and Salinity according to Freshwater Discharge in Yeoungsan River Estuary

In this study, field measurements were conducted in the section about 7 km from sea dike to westward. The observations of along channel current were carried out, and water temperature and salinity were measured simultaneously at 10 stations during one tidal cycle, and sampling interval is 1 hour. The maximum ebb current is about 1.5 m/s at the surface layer but flood current is 0.4 m/s at the bottom layer during discharge period. Residual current during river discharge shows two layer structures which is typical characteristic of the estuary system. On the other hand, residual current during a period with no discharge has shown multi-layer structure different from general estuarine systems. The distribution of high salinity can be seen at the bottom layer as the effect of discharge does not reach down to the bottom layer during discharge. As a result, freshwater is not effected at the bottom layer during observation, and mixing of surface layer to bottom layer is reduced by stratification. 핵심용어: Yeoungsan estuary, river discharge, residual current, salinity distribution, 영산강 하구, 방류, 잔차류, 염분 분포