| dc.description.abstract | This study investigates the potential impact of an offshore industrial harbor construction near the Datan natural gas station in Taoyuan on the algal reef ecosystem, specifically focusing on the variation of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) caused by the construction. Uncertainty remains regarding the temporal variations in SSC and whether these variations are statistically significant. Furthermore, the hydrodynamic, SSC level and bottom roughness conditions in this algal reef offer a unique and compelling research opportunity compared to other coastal reef environments. Therefore, it is essential to conduct research to comprehend the variations in SSC over an algal reef system. Long-term measurements indicate seasonal variation in SSC, with higher values observed during the winter (140 mg/l) and lower values during the summer (70 mg/l) due to significant wave condition in the winter. Besides, these SSC values are significantly higher (30-300 mg/l) compared to other coral reef ecosystems (1-10 mg/l). Additionally, a correlation is observed between the variation of SSC and wave-induced bed shear stress. A field experiment utilizing various instruments examines the relationship between SSC, turbulent properties, and size distributions of SS in the algal reef environment. The study reveals a close association between the physical characteristics of turbulence and SSC. Furthermore, the investigation of vertical flux on suspended sediment demonstrates that upward diffusive flux surpasses gravitational settling. The laboratory experiment found that the slope of optical backscatter sensor (OBS) calibration values is influenced by the particle size of SS, with higher slopes associated with larger particle sizes. Consequently, re-calibration of the OBS is necessary for long-term measurements SSC in algal reef environments. Another field experiment reveals that organic matter in SS affects OBS measurements, with a power regression observed between organic matter and SSC density measured by OBS. Overall, besides of understanding the variation of the SSC in the algal reef area, this study also emphasizes the importance of considering hydrodynamic conditions and SS compositions in the changing of SSC over the algal reefs | en_US |