This project will investigate El Nino/ Southern Oscillation (ENSO) effects on the estuarine circulation through the analysis of suspended particulate matter (SPM) budgets. An important justification for the study is the observed correlation of West coast river outflows with ENSO cycles. The ENSO effects appeared to be amplified in fluvial SPM discharge since the latter typically varies non linearly (with a power greater than one) with the river discharge. The hypothesis that estuarine circulation will amplify ENSO signals in river outflow and SPM transport by altering the residual flow and the hydrodynamic trapping of particles will be tested in the Columbia River using historical and recent (1997-98 El Nino) data sets.
