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The knowledge and understanding of sediment transport is essential for the development of effective management strategies for nutrient and sediment loading in estuarine systems. Estuarine suspended sediment (in high concentrations), has the ability to adversely impact upon surrounding ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Due to a recent decline in water and sediment quality, it has recently been mandated that a number of tropical, coastal estuarine systems in Queensland, such as the Fitzroy River estuary, have their sediment loading reduced. In order to meet these requirements, a greater understanding of the sediment transport dynamics and driving processes (such as flocculation and settling velocity) needs to be achieved, and the accuracy of estimation improved. This research project was motivated by the need to improve the general accuracy of field measurements for estuarine suspended sediment transport and dynamics. Field-based measurements (especially settling velocity) are necessary for the parameterisation of sediment transport models. The difficulty in obtaining accurate, in situ data is well documented and is generally limited to methods that isolate a water sample from its natural environment, removing all influences of estuarine turbulence. Furthermore, the water samples are often extracted from points (Eulerian) where the history of the suspended particles is generally unknown. These sampling methods typically contain intrinsic errors as suspended sediment transport is essentially Lagrangian (i.e., flows with the net motion of flow-field) in nature. An investigation into different drogue systems conducted in parallel with a study into the tidal states of the Fitzroy River estuary led to the development of a novel Lagrangian drogue device, the LAD. Additionally, the water-tracking ability of the LAD was tested and found to accurately follow a parcel of estuarine water over a slack water period. Therefore the LAD was deployed in the Fitzroy River to assist in the further understanding of complex sediment transport processes such as flocculation and settling velocity in a natural estuarine flow field. The final device (the LAD - Lagrangian Acoustic Drogue) was developed, utilizing the principals of acoustic backscatter intensity-derived SSC measurements. The investigation of a series LAD deployments (during slack water) in the Fitzroy River estuary, revealed the dominant suspended sediment processes and also gave an insight into the prevailing flow-patterns. Results showed the presence of a settling lag mechanism between low and high tide, which can initiate a net sediment flow upstream with each flood tide. The bulk settling velocity showed comparable results at both low and high water. The LAD derived bulk settling velocity as a function of concentration (SSC), yielding a strong positive correlation (r2 = 0.73). Also the importance of flocculation in the bulk settling and clear up of the water column during periods of still water (high and low tide) was demonstrated as all in situ settling velocities (0.33 - 1.75 mm s-1) exceeded single grain approximations (0.47 mm s-1). This research demonstrates the potential for Lagrangian drogue studies as an effective measuring platform for the accurate quantification of estuarine suspended sediment dynamics. The application of the LAD in the Fitzroy River has lead to a significant improvement in the understanding of the system's real sediment transport processes. This research has provided an effective and accurate technique for measuring real settling velocities for input into numerical models or for the validation of existing model outputs. Furthermore, this technique shows great potential for application in other estuarine systems.

Le concept de réseau d'interactions est central en Écologie et différents modèles et méthodes ont été utilisés. Ce travail de thèse met en relation deux approches développées par des courants séparés : l'étude des matrices de communauté et les analyses entrée-sortie. Il confronte leurs hypothèses aux propriétés fondamentales des écosystèmes estuariens. Il précise explicitement les liens entre les différentes matrices, ainsi que la signification des mixed trophic impacts. Les matrices de la storage et de la throughflowanalyses sont reliées à des jacobiennes de modèles à compartiments dont les flux sont contrôlés par les compartiments donneurs ou receveurs. Contrairement à ce qui est le plus souvent présenté dans la littérature, l'analyse des mixed trophic impacts est ici interprétée en terme de présence-absence du compartiment considéré. Avec les données disponibles sur les réseaux trophiques de cinq estuaires européens, des matrices qualitatives et quantitatives sont construites afin de réaliser des analyses de sensibilité. Ces premières explorations montrent des niveaux d'incertitudes très élevés, et ceci même pour le signe des prédictions. Par ailleurs, ce travail de thèse approfondit les possibilités d'étude de dynamiques transitoires à partir de la matrice de communauté. Il souligne des éléments importants qu'il est nécessaire de prendre en compte lorsque ces approches sont choisies. / Networks are a key concept in ecology and a number of models and methods have been used. This PhD dissertation links two approaches, the community matrix and input-output analyses, which have been developed by separate streams of theory. It compares their assumptions with important features of estuarine systems. It explicitly analyses the links between the matrices and the significance of the mixed trophic impacts analysis. Matrices of storage and throughflow analyses are linked to Jacobian matrices of donor or recipient controlled compartment models. Unlike most of what can be seen in the litterature, here the mixed trophic impacts are interpreted as the effects of a compartment being present or absent. Using available data in the case of five European estuaries, qualitative and quantitative matrices are built in the aim of performing sensitivity analyses. First explorations reveal high levels of uncertainties, even in the sign of the predictions. Furthermore, this work examines in more details the possibilities to explore transient dynamics from the community matrix. This PhD dissertation emphasises important features which are necessary to consider when choosing such approaches.

To study the ecology of organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts, the changes in species composition, diversity, and seasonal variations of cyst flux in the sediment trap deployed in the Strait of Georgia (BC, Canada) were examined. The cyst production rate varied from ~600 to 336,200 cysts m-2 day-1, with an average of 20,000 cysts m-2 day-1. Throughout the study period (March, 1996 - January, 1999), cyst assemblages were mostly dominated by cysts produced by heterotrophic dinoflagellates, such as Protoperidineaceae (Brigantedinium spp., Quinquequspis concreta, and cysts of Protoperidinium americanum). Cysts produced by heterotrophic dinoflagellates peaked in June each year, whereas cysts produced by autotrophic taxa were most abundant during August-September. The total annual dinoflagellate cyst flux was higher in 1996 than in 1997 and 1998, being enhanced by the bloom of Alexandrium spp. The warmer sea-surface temperature in 1998 had a positive effect on the production of both autotrophic and heterotrophic dinoflagellates, as inferred from the cyst fluxes.

A Formação Tombador, Mesoproterozoico, compreende diferentes sistemas deposicionais, depositados em um bacia sag, que abrangem desde sistemas aluviais a estuarinos. Os depósitos bem preservados e sua ampla ocorrência em escala regional (~300 km) faz com que a Formação Tombador seja um excelente caso de estudo no Proterozoico. Foram reconhecidas três sequências deposicionais, limitadas por superfícies erosivas em escala regional no topo da Formação Tombador. A Sequência I é composta na base por canais fluviais cascalhosos entrelaçados rasos, que são sotopostos por depósitos de dunas e lençóis de areia eólicos e inundações em lençol intermediário. O limite inferior desta sequência é caracterizado por uma discordância angular intra-Tombador sobre os sistemas fluvio-estuarinos, evidenciada por uma mudança abrupta de fácies e mudança nas paleocorrentes. Os sistemas fluvio-estuarinos abaixo da discordância apresentam paleocorrentes para noroeste enquanto que os sistemas fluviais acima do limite de sequências indicam um transporte para sul. Uma nova entrada abrupta de depósitos conglomeráticos relacionados a sistemas de leques aluviais sobre a sucessão fluvio-eólica, marca o limite da Sequência II. A Sequência III é caracterizada por sistemas fluvio-estuarinos na porção superior da Formação Tombador, que são progressivamente sucedidos por sistemas marinhos rasos (Formação Caboclo), definindo uma tendência geral transgressiva. As Sequências I e II refletem um soerguimento da área-fonte em resposta a movimentações tectônicas. A mudança abrupta de paleocorrentes dos fluviais basais da Sequência I indicam uma reestruturação regional das redes de drenagens, enquanto que os sistemas de leques aluviais da Sequência II sugerem sedimentos depositados por uma tectônica sin-deposicional. Os limites de sequências II e III é marcado por uma superfície erosiva regional. A discordâncias entre as sequências II e III revela um hiato significante no topo da Formação Tombador sugerindo uma origem tectônica para esta discordância. / The Mesoproterozoic Tombador Formation encompasses different depositional systems deposited in a sag basin, ranging from estuarine to alluvial. The well preserved deposits and their wide occurrence in the regional scale (~300 km) define the Tombador Formation as an excellent case study for the depositional patterns prevailing during the Proterozoic. Three depositional sequences were recognized for the Upper Tombador Formation, bounded by three semi-regional scale unconformities. Sequence I is composed of shallow, gravel-bed braided channels at its base, which are overlain by fine- to coarse-grained sandstones related to aeolian sand sheets and dunes and intermediate sheetfloods. The lower boundary of this sequence is characterized by an angular unconformity cutting fluvio-estuarine deposits, evidenced by an abrupt change of facies and fluvial palaeocurrents. The fluvio-estuarine deposits below the sequence boundary display palaeocurrents to northwest, whereas the fluvial strata above the unconformity show southeastward palaeocurrents. A new abrupt entrance of conglomeratic deposits related to alluvial fans systems overlying the fluvio-aeolian successions marks the lower boundary of Sequence II. The Sequence III is characterized by fluvio-estuarine systems in the top of the Upper Tombador Formation, that are progressively covered by shallow marine systems (Caboclo Formation), defining a general transgressive trend. The pattern of sequences I and II probably reflects the uplift of source areas in response to tectonic movements. The palaeocurrent change in Sequence I indicates a regional rearrangement of the drainage networks, while the alluvial fan systems of sequence II suggest sin-depositional tectonic pulses. The regional erosive surface between sequences II and III reveals a significant hiatus close to the Tombador Formation top, what suggests a tectonic origin for this unconformity.

A Formação Tombador, Mesoproterozoico, compreende diferentes sistemas deposicionais, depositados em um bacia sag, que abrangem desde sistemas aluviais a estuarinos. Os depósitos bem preservados e sua ampla ocorrência em escala regional (~300 km) faz com que a Formação Tombador seja um excelente caso de estudo no Proterozoico. Foram reconhecidas três sequências deposicionais, limitadas por superfícies erosivas em escala regional no topo da Formação Tombador. A Sequência I é composta na base por canais fluviais cascalhosos entrelaçados rasos, que são sotopostos por depósitos de dunas e lençóis de areia eólicos e inundações em lençol intermediário. O limite inferior desta sequência é caracterizado por uma discordância angular intra-Tombador sobre os sistemas fluvio-estuarinos, evidenciada por uma mudança abrupta de fácies e mudança nas paleocorrentes. Os sistemas fluvio-estuarinos abaixo da discordância apresentam paleocorrentes para noroeste enquanto que os sistemas fluviais acima do limite de sequências indicam um transporte para sul. Uma nova entrada abrupta de depósitos conglomeráticos relacionados a sistemas de leques aluviais sobre a sucessão fluvio-eólica, marca o limite da Sequência II. A Sequência III é caracterizada por sistemas fluvio-estuarinos na porção superior da Formação Tombador, que são progressivamente sucedidos por sistemas marinhos rasos (Formação Caboclo), definindo uma tendência geral transgressiva. As Sequências I e II refletem um soerguimento da área-fonte em resposta a movimentações tectônicas. A mudança abrupta de paleocorrentes dos fluviais basais da Sequência I indicam uma reestruturação regional das redes de drenagens, enquanto que os sistemas de leques aluviais da Sequência II sugerem sedimentos depositados por uma tectônica sin-deposicional. Os limites de sequências II e III é marcado por uma superfície erosiva regional. A discordâncias entre as sequências II e III revela um hiato significante no topo da Formação Tombador sugerindo uma origem tectônica para esta discordância. / The Mesoproterozoic Tombador Formation encompasses different depositional systems deposited in a sag basin, ranging from estuarine to alluvial. The well preserved deposits and their wide occurrence in the regional scale (~300 km) define the Tombador Formation as an excellent case study for the depositional patterns prevailing during the Proterozoic. Three depositional sequences were recognized for the Upper Tombador Formation, bounded by three semi-regional scale unconformities. Sequence I is composed of shallow, gravel-bed braided channels at its base, which are overlain by fine- to coarse-grained sandstones related to aeolian sand sheets and dunes and intermediate sheetfloods. The lower boundary of this sequence is characterized by an angular unconformity cutting fluvio-estuarine deposits, evidenced by an abrupt change of facies and fluvial palaeocurrents. The fluvio-estuarine deposits below the sequence boundary display palaeocurrents to northwest, whereas the fluvial strata above the unconformity show southeastward palaeocurrents. A new abrupt entrance of conglomeratic deposits related to alluvial fans systems overlying the fluvio-aeolian successions marks the lower boundary of Sequence II. The Sequence III is characterized by fluvio-estuarine systems in the top of the Upper Tombador Formation, that are progressively covered by shallow marine systems (Caboclo Formation), defining a general transgressive trend. The pattern of sequences I and II probably reflects the uplift of source areas in response to tectonic movements. The palaeocurrent change in Sequence I indicates a regional rearrangement of the drainage networks, while the alluvial fan systems of sequence II suggest sin-depositional tectonic pulses. The regional erosive surface between sequences II and III reveals a significant hiatus close to the Tombador Formation top, what suggests a tectonic origin for this unconformity.

A Formação Tombador, Mesoproterozoico, compreende diferentes sistemas deposicionais, depositados em um bacia sag, que abrangem desde sistemas aluviais a estuarinos. Os depósitos bem preservados e sua ampla ocorrência em escala regional (~300 km) faz com que a Formação Tombador seja um excelente caso de estudo no Proterozoico. Foram reconhecidas três sequências deposicionais, limitadas por superfícies erosivas em escala regional no topo da Formação Tombador. A Sequência I é composta na base por canais fluviais cascalhosos entrelaçados rasos, que são sotopostos por depósitos de dunas e lençóis de areia eólicos e inundações em lençol intermediário. O limite inferior desta sequência é caracterizado por uma discordância angular intra-Tombador sobre os sistemas fluvio-estuarinos, evidenciada por uma mudança abrupta de fácies e mudança nas paleocorrentes. Os sistemas fluvio-estuarinos abaixo da discordância apresentam paleocorrentes para noroeste enquanto que os sistemas fluviais acima do limite de sequências indicam um transporte para sul. Uma nova entrada abrupta de depósitos conglomeráticos relacionados a sistemas de leques aluviais sobre a sucessão fluvio-eólica, marca o limite da Sequência II. A Sequência III é caracterizada por sistemas fluvio-estuarinos na porção superior da Formação Tombador, que são progressivamente sucedidos por sistemas marinhos rasos (Formação Caboclo), definindo uma tendência geral transgressiva. As Sequências I e II refletem um soerguimento da área-fonte em resposta a movimentações tectônicas. A mudança abrupta de paleocorrentes dos fluviais basais da Sequência I indicam uma reestruturação regional das redes de drenagens, enquanto que os sistemas de leques aluviais da Sequência II sugerem sedimentos depositados por uma tectônica sin-deposicional. Os limites de sequências II e III é marcado por uma superfície erosiva regional. A discordâncias entre as sequências II e III revela um hiato significante no topo da Formação Tombador sugerindo uma origem tectônica para esta discordância. / The Mesoproterozoic Tombador Formation encompasses different depositional systems deposited in a sag basin, ranging from estuarine to alluvial. The well preserved deposits and their wide occurrence in the regional scale (~300 km) define the Tombador Formation as an excellent case study for the depositional patterns prevailing during the Proterozoic. Three depositional sequences were recognized for the Upper Tombador Formation, bounded by three semi-regional scale unconformities. Sequence I is composed of shallow, gravel-bed braided channels at its base, which are overlain by fine- to coarse-grained sandstones related to aeolian sand sheets and dunes and intermediate sheetfloods. The lower boundary of this sequence is characterized by an angular unconformity cutting fluvio-estuarine deposits, evidenced by an abrupt change of facies and fluvial palaeocurrents. The fluvio-estuarine deposits below the sequence boundary display palaeocurrents to northwest, whereas the fluvial strata above the unconformity show southeastward palaeocurrents. A new abrupt entrance of conglomeratic deposits related to alluvial fans systems overlying the fluvio-aeolian successions marks the lower boundary of Sequence II. The Sequence III is characterized by fluvio-estuarine systems in the top of the Upper Tombador Formation, that are progressively covered by shallow marine systems (Caboclo Formation), defining a general transgressive trend. The pattern of sequences I and II probably reflects the uplift of source areas in response to tectonic movements. The palaeocurrent change in Sequence I indicates a regional rearrangement of the drainage networks, while the alluvial fan systems of sequence II suggest sin-depositional tectonic pulses. The regional erosive surface between sequences II and III reveals a significant hiatus close to the Tombador Formation top, what suggests a tectonic origin for this unconformity.