A comment on the use of flushing time, residence time, and age as transport time scales

• DOI: 10.4319/lo.2002.47.5.1545
• Publication Date: 2010-06-30T20:24:51Z
• Authors: Nancy E. Monsen; James E. Cloern; Lisa V. Lucas; Stephen G. Monismith
• Keywords: Temporal scales; Flushing; Transit time

Applications of transport time scales are pervasive in biological, hydrologic, and geochemical studies yet these times not consistently defined applied with rigor the literature. We compare three (flushing time, age, residence time) commonly used to measure retention water or scalar quantities transported water. identify underlying assumptions associated each scale, describe procedures for computing idealized cases, pitfalls when real‐world systems deviate from idealizations. then apply scale definitions a shallow 378 ha tidal lake illustrate how deviations between real bodies examples can result from: (1) non‐steady flow; (2) spatial variability bathymetry, circulation, scales; (3) tides that introduce complexities accounted cases. These no single is valid all periods, locations, constituents, one describes processes. encourage aquatic scientists rigorously define it applied, application concept, ask if those approach systems.