Abstract
The delta evolution and erosion process of the abandoned Yellow River Delta (AYRD) have been extensively studied. However, the variation of sediment at a large littoral scale along the north coast of Jiangsu is less understood. In this study, the data of surface sediment samples obtained in the littoral area of the Yellow River Delta in 2006 and 2012 is used to study the sediment variability and sediment transport trends by using the geostatistics analysis tool and the grain size trend analysis model. In order to ensure the applicability of the model, the geostatistics method is used to determine the characteristic distance (D c) with the average range value (Ao) of grain size parameter. Filtering method (removing data that not at a sampling station) is used to improve accuracy of data selection. The results show that sedimentary spatial correlation in Lianyun Port area and southern part of the abandoned Yellow River Delta (AS) is better than that in the northern part of the abandoned Yellow River Delta (AN). Sediment in the area is found to be anisotropy at the northeast-southeast direction. The grain size trend analysis reveals that the sediment trend is towards bayhead and southerly in the Haizhou Bay, southeasterly along the shoreline in the south Lianyun Port, northwesterly in AN and easterly-southeasterly in AS respectively. The investigation of possible relationships between D c, Ao, sediment transport and delta evolution shows a close link between D c and Ao of one sediment combination. It is also found that sediment transport trends could reasonably represent the delta evolution to a certain degree.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Antunes Do Carmo J S, Seabra-Santos F J, 2002. Near-shore sediment dynamics computation under the combined effects of waves and currents. Advances in Engineering Software, 33: 37–48.
Balsam W L, Beeson J P, 2003. Sea-floor sediment distribution in the Gulf of Mexico. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 50(12): 1421–1444.
Caeiro S, Painho M, Goovaerts P et al., 2003. Spatial sampling design for sediment quality assessment in estuaries. Environmental Modelling & Software, 18: 853–859.
Chen Bin, Zhou Liangyong, Liu Jian et al., 2011. The relation between the suspended sediment movement and tidal current dynamic characteristic in Old Yellow River Delta. Marine Sciences, 35(5): 73–81. (in Chinese)
Chen Binlin, 2006. Environmental evolution and countermeasure research of Lianyungang offshore area. Shanghai: Dissertation for doctor degree of East China Normal University. (in Chinese)
Chen Kefeng, 2008. Research of land and ocean interactions progress of the coastal zone in Jiangsu Province since the Yellow River flows northward. Nanjing: Dissertation for doctor degree of Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute. (in Chinese)
Cheng P, Gao S, Bokuniewicz H, 2004. Net sediment transport patterns over the Bohai Strait based on grain size trend analysis. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 60(2): 203–212.
Dong L X, Guan W B, Chen Q et al., 2011. Sediment transport in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 93: 248–258.
Duman M, Avci M, Duman S et al., 2004. Surficial sediment distribution and net sediment transport pattern in Izmir Bay, western Turkey. Continental Shelf Research, 24(9): 965–981.
Fan S J, 2001. Coastal ocean morphodynamics and the resulting erosion and deposition: an analytical approach. USA: Dissertation for doctor degree of Old Dominion University.
Folk R L, Andrews P B, Lewis D W, 1970. Detrital sedimentary rock classification and nomenclature for use in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 13(4): 937–968.
Gao S, 2001. The use of grain size trends in marine sediment dynamics: A review. Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, 19(3): 265–271.
Gao S, 2009a. Modeling the preservation potential of tidal flat sedimentary records, Jiangsu coast, eastern China. Continental Shelf Research, 29: 1927–1936.
Gao S, 2009b. Grain size trend analysis: Principle and applicability. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 27(5): 826–836. (in Chinese)
Gao S, Collins M, 1991. A critique of the McLaren Method for defining sediment transport paths: Discussion. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 61(1): 143–146.
Gao S, Collins M, 1992. Sand sediment transport patterns inferred from grain-size trends based upon definition of “transport vectors”. Sedimentary Geology, 80(1/2): 47–60.
Gao S, Collins M, 1994a. Analysis of grain size trends, for defining sediment transport pathways in marine environments. Journal of Coastal Research, 10 (1): 70–78.
Gao S, Collins M, 1994b. Net sediment transport patterns inferred from grain-size trends, based upon definition of ‘transport vectors’: Reply. Sedimentary Geology, 90: 157–159.
Liu T, Shi X F, Li C X et al., 2012. The reverse sediment transport trend between abandoned Huanghe River (Yellow River) Delta and radial sand ridges along Jiangsu coastline of China: An evidence from grain size analysis. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 31(6): 83–91.
Ma F, Wang Y P, Li Y et al., 2010. The application of geostatistics in grain size trend analysis: A case study of eastern Beibu Gulf. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 20(1): 77–90.
Matheron G, 1963. Principles of geostatistics. Economic Geology, 58: 1246–1266.
Mc Laren P, 1981. An interpretation of trends in grain size measures. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 51(2): 611–624.
Mc Laren P, Bowles D, 1985. The effects of sediment transport on grain-size distributions. Journal of Sedimen tary Petrology, 55(4): 457–470.
McManus J, 1988. Grain size determination and interpretation. In: Tucher M (ed.). Techniques in Sedimentology. Oxford: Blackwell, 63–85.
Meng Qinghai, 2000. Geomorphic evolution and trend of abandoned delta: Focus on abandoned Yellow River Delta of north Jiangsu Province. Shanghai: Dissertation for doctor degree of East China Normal University. (in Chinese)
Murraya C J, Leeb H J, Hampton M A, 2002. Geostatistical mapping of effluent-affected sediment distribution on the Palos Verdes shelf. Continental Shelf Research, 22: 881–897.
Nanjing Hydraulic River-Port Research Institute, 1993. Hydrogeological investigation and data analysis of Binhai Seas field. (in Chinese)
Peng Jun, Chen Shenliang, 2010. Response of delta sedimentary system to variation of water and sediment in the Yellow River over past six decades. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 20(4): 613–627.
Poizot E, Mear Y, Thomas M et al., 2006. The application of geostatistics in defining the characteristic distance for grain size trend analysis. Computers & Geosciences, 32: 360–370.
Ren Mei’e, 1985. Coastal and Tidal Flat Resources Investigation of Jiangsu Province. Beijing: China Ocean Press. (in Chinese)
Roux J P, O’Brien R D, Rios F et al., 2002. Analysis of sediment transport paths using grain-size parameters. Computers & Geosciences, 28: 717–721.
Wan Yanshen, Zhang Qinian, 1985. The source and movement of sediments of radiating sand ridges off Jiangsu coast. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica, 16(5): 392–399. (in Chinese)
Wang Baochan, Yu Zhiying, Liu Cangzhi et al., 1980. The change of coasts and beaches and the movement of longshore sediments of Haizhou Bay. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2(1): 80–96. (in Chinese)
Wang X H, Qiao F L, Lu J et al., 2011. The turbidity maxima of the northern Jiangsu shoal-water in the Yellow Sea, China. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 93: 202–211.
Wang X Y, Ke X K, 1997. Grain-size characteristics of the extant tidal flat sediments along the Jiangsu coast, China. Sedimentary Geology, 112: 105–122.
Wang Yanhong, 2006. Study of variation features during coastal erosion processes on the Abandoned Huanghe River Delta and integrated protection measures. Nanjing: Dissertation for doctor degree of Nanjing Normal University. (in Chinese)
Wang Y P, Gao S, Jia J J et al., 2012. Sediment transport over an accretional intertidal flat with influences of reclamation, Jiangsu coast, China. Marine Geology, 291–294: 147–161.
Wang Zhengquan, 1999. Statistics and Application in Ecology. Beijing: Science Press, 59–149. (in Chinese)
Wei Qinsheng, Yu Zhigang, Ran Xiangbin et al., 2011. Characteristics of the western coastal current of the Yellow Sea and its impacts on material transportation. Advances in Earth Science, 26(2): 145–156. (in Chinese)
Xie Fei, Pang Yong, Song Zhirao, 2007. Three-dimensional numerical simulation of tidal current in offshore area of Haizhou Bay. Journal of Hohai University (Natural Sciences), 35(6): 718–721. (in Chinese)
Xie Fei, Pang Yong, Zhuang Wei et al., 2008. Study on regularity of matter transportation in the nearshore area of the Haizhou Bay. Advances in Marine Science, 26(3): 347–353. (in Chinese)
Xing Fei, Wang Yaping, Gao Jianhua et al., 2010. Seasonal distributions of the concentrations of suspended sediment along Jiangsu coastal sea. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica, 41(3): 459–468. (in Chinese)
Yuan D L, Hsueh Y, 2010. Dynamics of the cross-shelf circulation in the Yellow and East China Sea in winter. Deep-Sea Research II, 57: 1745–1751.
Yun Caixing, Cai Mengyi, Wang Baoquan, 1981. An analysis of the diffusion of suspended sediment discharged from the Changjiang River based on the satellite images. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica, 12(5): 391–401. (in Chinese)
Zhang Chunyong, 2013. Sediment transport trend in Lianyungang nearshore area. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 35(3): 172–178. (in Chinese)
Zhang Dongsheng, Zhang Changkuan, 1993. Dynamic analysis of estuarine deposition in Guanhe estuary. Journal of Hohai University, 21(4): 29–37. (in Chinese)
Zhang Yong, Swift Donald J P et al., 1998. Modeling of coastal profile evolution on the abandoned delta of the Huanghe River. Marine Geology, 145: 133–148.
Zhao Lirong, 2010. Spatial variability of soil nutrients under different parent materials. Chongqing: Dissertation for master degree of Southwest University. (in Chinese)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Foundation: Special Funding of Global Change Research Major Scientific Research Plan Project, No.2010CB951202; State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, ECNU, No.SKLEC-2012KYYW06
Author: Zhang Lin (1982–), PhD Candidate, specialized in marine geology and sedimentary dynamics.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhang, L., Chen, S., Pan, S. et al. Sediment variability and transport in the littoral area of the abandoned Yellow River Delta, northern Jiangsu. J. Geogr. Sci. 24, 717–730 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-014-1115-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-014-1115-1