Relative Importance of Fluvial and Non-Fluvial Sediment Sources in Galveston Bay

Summary

Fluvial inputs to the Galveston Bay system were estimated based on discharge and sediment concentration data from the U.S. Geological Survey gauging stations in the lower coastal plain of southeast Texas, sediment monitoring records and lake sedimentation estimated from lake capacity surveys.  The sediment budget was developed from the fluvial estimates, along with aerial-photo-based data on shoreline changes and land loss available through the Texas General Land Office. Magnetic properties of sediments were analyzed to determine source areas. The results are crosschecked with other methods for determining or estimating sediment sources and residence times, such as color, red ox status, grain angularity, and grain coatings of iron oxides.