SEDIMENTARY CHARACTERISTICS OF SILTY CLAY FACIES IN THE SOUTH YELLOW SEA SHELF

Grain size analysis, X ray diffraction analysis and biostratigraphy analysis of the structure, composition and formation conditions of the neritic silty clay facies sediments extensively distributed in the central part of the South Yellow Sea showed that the sediments were composed of more than 70% clay, less than 30% silt, had very little or no sand, and were characterized by homogenous texture, soapy feeling, high plasticity, light green gray color and elliptical distribution being about 3 m thick in the center, being thinner towards the margin and finally thinning out. These shelf cyclonic eddy environment sediments formed a sedimentary facies different from that of the sediments in the neighbouring area and revealed the particular sediment dynamic pattern in the environment.

Grain size analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis and biostratigraphy analysis of the structure, composition and formation conditions of the neritic silty clay facies sediments extensively distributed in the central part of the South Yellow Sea showed that the sediments were composed of more than 70% clay, less than 30% silt, had very little or no sand, and were characterized by homogenous texture, soapy feeling, high plasticity, light green gray color and elliptical distribution being about 3 m thick in the center, being thinner towards the margin and finally thinning out. These shelf cyclonic eddy environment sediments formed a sedimentary facies different from that of the sediments in the neighbouring area and revealed the particular sediment dynamic pattern in the environment. Key words cyclonic eddy environment - neritic silty clay facies - South Yellow Sea shelf Contribution No. 4002 from the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Project 49376263 supported by NSFC, and by China-Korea Joint Study of Sedimentary Dynamics and Paleoenvironments in the Yellow Sea, and also supported by Key Laboratory of Marine Science and Numerical Modelling, State Oceanic Administration (No.9909).