Departmental Seminar

Estuarine salt intrusion is a growing global concern with significant ecological consequences. The Albemarle–Pamlico Estuarine System, the largest coastal lagoon in the United States, is located along the northeastern coast of North Carolina and experiences both seasonal and episodic salt intrusion. The system is also subject to rapid sea-level rise and increasing drought risk, raising concerns about intensified intrusion in the future. This talk presents results from recent studies that examine (1) the physical mechanisms driving episodic intrusion, (2) its response to regional climate change, including changes in river discharge and sea-level rise, and (3) the role of salinity in regulating salt marsh vulnerability to sea-level rise.