Multiscale Spatio‐Temporal Variations of Suspended Sediment Fronts in the Semi‐Enclosed Bohai Sea, China.

Suspended sediment fronts (SSFs) significantly affect water quality, ecology, and geomorphological evolution of estuarine and coastal waters. Based on 10‐year suspended sediment concentration data derived from satellite images, the multiscale spatio‐temporal variability of SSFs in the Bohai Sea was studied. Frontal probability (FP) was used to quantify the intensity of frontal activity. The 10‐year averaged FP was higher near the coast and decreased with increasing offshore distance. The arc‐shaped distributions of FP near the Yellow River Estuary revealed two tidal shear frontal zones. In the eastern Bohai Sea, 13 finger‐shaped high‐FP areas reflected the spatial pattern and fine structures of tidal sand ridges. The complex topography and strong tidal dynamics provided the essential conditions for frontogenesis. The seasonality of frontal activity was dominantly regulated by the change in wind waves associated with monsoons and stratification. The direct or indirect effects of sediment discharges from the Yellow River and Liaohe River on seasonal and annual variations of frontal activity only existed within close proximity to the estuaries. Frontal activity generally showed an interannual weakening trend, especially in the Laizhou Bay (−0.27%/yr), while an opposite trend was identified in the Liaodong Bay (0.10%/yr). This phenomenon was related to the interannual variations of wind speeds. Meanwhile, wind speed anomalies caused by El Niño‐Southern Oscillation events could explain the significant interannual fluctuations in frontal activity such that, frontal activity was significantly enhanced (suppressed) when El Niño (La Niña) events occurred, especially during 2015–2016 (2017–2018). Plain Language Summary: Suspended sediment fronts, one of the most common phenomena in estuarine and coastal waters, are defined as narrow zones with large spatial changes in suspended sediment concentration over relatively short distances. The Frontogenesis and frontal variability of the Bohai Sea, east coast of mainland China have unique patterns because of its complex hydro‐sedimentary environment, but no relevant studies have been systematically conducted yet. In this study, the intensity of frontal activity in the Bohai Sea was quantified by using satellite observation data spanning 10 years. Our analyses revealed that strong frontal activity mainly occurred in areas with dramatic changes in topography and shoreline and distinct tidal features. The seasonal and year‐to‐year variations of frontal activity were closely related to wind waves, stratification, riverine sediment input, and El Niño‐Southern Oscillation events. Nevertheless, their influence mechanisms varied in different regions. The new findings are of significance to further investigate the sedimentary patterns and the ecological effects of sub‐mesoscale processes in the Bohai Sea, and can also shed light on frontal variability of semi‐enclosed shallow seas worldwide. Key Points: Geostationary Ocean Color Imager remote sensing data were used to quantify suspended sediment front variations in the Bohai SeaSpatial patterns and seasonal‐to‐interannual variability of frontal activity were revealedEffects of dynamic factors on the spatio‐temporal variations of frontal activity were analyzed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]