Morphodynamic signatures derived from daily surface elevation dynamics can explain the morphodynamic development of tidal flats

Understanding the sensitivity of tidal flats to environmental changes is challenging.Currently,most studies rely on process-based models to systematically explain the morphodynamic evolution of tidal flats.In this study,we proposed an alternative empirical approach to explore tidal flat dynamics using statistical indices based on long-term time series of daily surface elevation development.Surface elevation dynamic(SED)indices focus on the magnitude and period of surface elevation changes,while morphodynamic signature(MDS)indices relate sediment dynamics to environmental drivers.The statistical analyses were applied to an intervention site in the Netherlands to determine the effect of recently constructed groynes on the tidal flat.Using these analyses,we were able to(1)detect a reduction in the daily SED and(2)determine that the changes in the daily SED were predominantly caused by the reduction in wave impact between the groynes rather than the reduction in tidal currents.Overall,the presented results showed that the combination of novel statistical indices provides new insights into the trajectories of tidal flats,ecosystem functioning,and sensitivity to physical drivers(wind and tides).Finally,we suggested how the SED and MDS indices may help to explore the future trajectories and climate resilience of intertidal habitats.

Relative importance of tidal flats and artificial habitats for two spoonbill species and related interspecific differences

Artificial/seminatural environments,such as aquacultural ponds,saltpans,and croplands,have recently been acknowledged as important habitats for coastal waterbirds.Although coastal waterbirds tend to use artificial habitats around tidal flats as roosting sites during high-tide,it remains unclear whether the importance of surrounding habitats relative to tidal flats varies among landscape types,seasons,species,or tidal conditions.The Black-faced Spoonbill(Platalea minor)and Eurasian Spoonbill(P.leucorodia)are two closely related sympatric species in East Asia with narrow and wide distribution ranges and habitat requirements,respectively.We therefore expect that both species will use surrounding artificial habitats across seasons at high tides,but Blackfaced Spoonbills will use them less frequently than Eurasian Spoonbills.Here,we address these hypotheses in the Imazu tidal flat and its surrounding environments in southern Japan.We investigated the habitat use and behavioral patterns of both species through route and behavioral surveys during the fall migration and wintering seasons in 2021.We found that both species used surrounding habitats including artificial ones more frequently than the tidal flat regardless of the tidal condition or season,but spoonbills used these habitats more frequently in winter than in autumn.We also found that Eurasian Spoonbills foraged in surrounding artificial habitats more frequently than Black-faced Spoonbills.These results not only demonstrate how coastal waterbirds exploit surrounding habitats relative to tidal flats but also suggest that the importance of surrounding habitats varies among species and seasons.Our study thus emphasizes that valuing and managing surrounding habitats in addition to tidal flats are key to conserving globally declining waterbirds.

Distribution of ^137Cs and ^210Ppb in sediments of tidal flats in north Jiangsu Province

Seven cores were collected from different sediment zones of tidal flats at Xin- yanggang in north Jiangsu province in August 2007. Sediment grain-size distribution and radioisotopes of ^137Cs and ^210Ppb analysis were carried out for these cores. Sediment rates of the cores and radioisotopes distribution in surface sediment in different zones of the tidal flat were calculated from the ^137Cs and ^210Ppb activities in sediments cores. The results indicated that each tidal zone had experienced different evolution phases, hydrological dynamics in the tidal flats made the grain-size of the surface sediment change gradually. ^137Cs and ^210Ppb activities on the superficial layer of the cores varied spatially and the reason was discussed. On tidal flats, the fluctuation of ^137Cs and ^210Ppb activities in the cores reflected the special sedimentary characteristics. Vegetation affects the grain-size distribution and the vertical profiles of ^137Cs and ^210Ppb in the upper depths. ^137Cs and ^210Ppb chronology got the comparable average sediment rates on the tidal flat. The characteristics of ^137Cs and ^210Ppb in the cores reflected various depositional dynamical environments in different tidal zones and gave information on the different evolvement phases of the tidal zones. Based on the information of grain-size distribution, texture of the cores, sediment rates and topography, the evolution lines of the tidal flat were reconstructed.

Spatial-temporal changes of tidal flats in the Huanghe River Delta using Landsat TM/ETM+ images

Integrating remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS) and fractal theory, change characteristics of tidal flats and tidal creeks in the Huanghe (Yellow) River Delta over the period of 1986-2001 were discussed. The results show that evolutions of tidal flats throughout the Huanghe River Delta are influenced by various factors, and that progressive succession and regression of tidal flats concur in different coastal segments of the delta. Human activities have played an increasingly important role in the succession process of tidal flats. Due to land reclamation in coastal zones of the delta in the last 15 years, lots of tidal flats were occupied, the artificial coastline migrated seaward (the maximum change rate was 0.8 kmyr-1) and tidal creeks became sparser (the highest decreasing rate of length of tidal creeks was 14.9 kmyr-1). Except for two coastal segments from the Tiaohe Estuary to the 106 Station and from the south of the Huanghe River mouth to the north of the Xiaodao River Estuary, fractal dimension values of tidal creeks in the remaining coastal segments of the delta decreased. In addition, the time dimension, sediment fluxes into the sea, waves and tidal-currents have profound influences on the evolution process of tidal flats. Four types of tidal flats-river-dominated tidal flats, tide-dominated tidal flats, wave-dominated tidal flats and man-dominated tidal flats can be identified. Owing to the intensification of human activities in coastal zones of the delta, man-dominated tidal flats have become the main kind of tidal flats.

Nesting patterns of raptors;White backed vulture (<i>Gyps africanus</i>) and African fish eagle (<i>Haliaeetus vocifer</i>), in Lochinvar National Park on the kafue flats, Zambia

This study assessed the nesting patterns of raptors, Gyps africanus and Haliaeetus vocifer in Lochinvar National Park. The main objective of the study was to determine whether tree species, height, girth size, and habitat influenced raptor’s nest placement within Lochinvar National Park. Two species were selected as indicator species for the raptors. Habitat types and tree species were identified and measurements of tree species with nests measured. It was found that the minimum height of nest placement was 10 meters above ground and Acacia woodland was found to be the most preferred habitat for nest placement. Raptors avoided human disturbance by placing their nests at least 100 meters away from human disturbance and from the National park boundary inwards or abandoning if human encroachment comes close to the nest. More research is required to assess nesting materials used, and to determine whether raptors can swap nets or return to the abandoned nests when human disturbance ceases.

Sources of sediment in tidal flats off Zhejiang coast,southeast China

The growth of tidal flats off Zhejiang coasts in southwestern China has provided substantial areas for local agriculture and construction activities.To evaluate modern and future development of tidal flats in the region,a good understanding of sediment sources is necessary.Previous research has concluded that the Changjiang(Yangtze)River is the dominant supplier of sediments to this part of the southeast Chinese coast,despite the fact that sediment delivery from this source has been decreased markedly in the past two decades.In this study,we investigated the sources of tidal flat sediments,and the magnetic and geochemical properties of recent tidal flat sediments along the Zhejiang coast were compared with those discharged from rivers.Magnetic and geochemical properties of the tidal flat samples reveal statistically distinct sediment provenance groups.The magnetic and geochemical scatter plots show that the suspended sediment samples are naturally divided into two different groups,one including the Changjiang River and Qiantang River material,and the other including the Jiaojiang,Oujiang,and Feiyun Rivers that located in the central and southern parts of the study areas.At last,a binary source of tidal flat sediments along the Zhejiang coast was determined,with the substantial majority originating from local rivers,while a much smaller proportion emanates from the Changjiang River to the north.We conclude that the sediment contribution of the Changjiang River to tidal flat development in the region has been markedly overestimated,with important implications for management.

Standing crop and primary production of benthic microalgae on tidal flats in the Sanggou and Jiaozhou Bays, China

The standing crop and primary production of benthic microalgae on tidal flats have seasonally been observed in the Sanggou and Jiaozhou Bays of the northern China coast during 1999 - 2000. The results show that the annual primary productions of benthic microalgae on tidal flats in the two bays are 2 532 and 7 542 tons carbon, which would be able to support 3.1 x 103 and 9.2 x 103 tons shellfish meat, respectively. The nature of sediment is essential for governing the biomass and primary production of benthic microalgae on tidal flats. The biomass and primary production of benthic microalgae on tidal flats with muddy sediments are higher than those with sandy sediments, which resulted from higher nutrient concentration and lower grazing pressure. That is the reason why in comparison with Xiangshan Bay the standing crop and production of benthic microalgae on tidal flats of the Sanggou and Jiaozhou Bays are low. Light was a key factor controlling vertical distribution of biomass and production of benthic microalgae on tidal flats of the two bays, resulted in appearance of maximum chlorophyll a and primary production at the surface layer and sharply decreased with depth of sediment.

Effect of Flats Speed on Card Sliver Quality

The effect of flats speed,especially higher flats speed,on card sliver quality was studied.Card sliver produced at seven flats speeds was tested with Uster AFIS.Test results show that over-high flats speed is not beneficial to removing impurities and neps of card sliver.The flats speed from 450 to 550 mm/min is the best for removing impurity;while a speed of 450 or 650 mm/min is the best for removing neps of card sliver.The 1 050 mm/min flats speed is the best for removing short fibers.Accordingly,the flats speed of 450 mm/min is the most advantageous to improve the comprehensive quality of card sliver.It is also found that installing back-web-cleaner is very helpful to remove neps.It is also favorable to reduce short fibers,thus increasing the average length.But it is not helpful to reduce impurities in the sliver.

Patterns of nest placement of lappet faced vulture (<i>Torgos tracheliotos</i>) in Lochinvar National Park, Kafue Flats, Zambia

This study assessed the nesting patterns oflappet faced vulture inLochinvar National Park, on the Kafue flats,Zambia. Road drives and foot patrols were used to identify and take GPS coordinates of lappet faced vulture nests. The main objectives of the study were: 1) to obtain basic breeding information of lappet-faced vulture in Lochinvar National Park and the Kafue Flats in general, 2) to determine size of the breeding population in the National Park, 3) todocument distribution of the nesting sites, 4) tofacilitate development of a monitoring programme that would secure the nesting sites from human disturbance, and 5) to determine availability of suitable nesting sites and major threats that may interfere with breeding. Tree species on which nests were found were identified and height of nest above ground was estimated. A total of 22 nests were recorded with 5 (23%) being lappet faced vulture nests on seven species of trees. The mean height for nest placamenet was10 mabove ground. Host tree physiognomy, size and height were important characteristics in nest placement. Large trees of 10mand above are critical in facilitating nest placement and must be protected in identified breeding sites.

Mesoscale Impacts on Cold Season PM_(2.5) in the Yukon Flats

Near-surface PM2.5 and meteorological observations were performed in three rural communities in the high latitude Yukon Flats valley at various times during the cold season (October to April). These data were synthesized with data from other meteorological sites, NCEP reanalysis and MAIAC retrieved aerosol optical depths data to analyze the role of mesoscale processes and radiation on air quality. Under weak large-scale forcing mountain-valley circulations develop that are driven by the differences in insolation. During the long dark nights, radiative cooling occurs in the near-surface layer of the mountain slopes of the Brooks, Ogilvie and White Mountains Ranges and at the bottom of the valley. Here surface-based inversions (SBI)—known as roof-top inversions—forms, while the cold air drains from the slopes. A frontal wedge forms when the cold air slides over the relatively colder air in the valley. Drainage of cold air from the Brooks Range governed the circulation and cold air pooling in the valley. Concentrations during times with and without SBI differed significantly (at 95% confidence) at two sites indicating that local emissions were the major contributor. At the site, which is closest to the mountains, concentrations marginally changed in the presence of inversions. At all sites, 24-h mean PM2.5 remained below the National Ambient Air Quality Standard.

Observations of boundary layer parameters and suspended sediment transport over the intertidal flats of northern Jiangsu, China

A current-turbidity monitoring system (CTMS) was deployed on the intertidal flat at Wanggang, northern Jiangsu during October 16-17, 2000, to measure the tidal current speeds and seawater turbidities at 5 levels above the seabed. Based upon the logarithmic-profile equation, the boundary layer parameters, i.e., u, z0 and C60, were obtained for 247 tidal flow velocity profiles. Around 90% of the profiles were logarithmic according to the critical correlation coefficient. Internal consistency analysis shows that these parameters derived by different methods are consistent with each other. In addition, the height of the bedforms observed is close to the seabed roughness lengths calculated from the velocity profiles, indicating that the boundary layer parameters obtained can reveal the conditions at the sediment-water interface on the intertidal flats. Suspended sediment concentrations were obtained from the 5 CTMS turbidity meters using laboratory and in-situ calibrations. The results show that the in-situ calibrated SSCs have a much higher accuracy than the laboratory calibrated ones. Calculation of suspended sediment fluxes on the intertidal flats, with a magnitude of 104 kg/m per spring tidal cycle, indicates that suspended sediment moves towards the northwest, which is reversal to the transport pattern controlled by the southward Northern Jiangsu Coastal Current in the sub-tidal zone and adjacent shallow waters.

THE TIDAL FLATS MORPHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE COASTAL LAND RECLAMATION IN SHANGHAI

More than 904.2 km2 of the flats are above the theorotical datum level with progressive rate of 20-200 m/a to the sea in Shanghai. Since the reclaimed land is vital important to the city, multiple approaches to accelerating siltation are proposed in the paper according to detailed study of dynamics, sedimentary structure and landform evolution based on plentiful in situ data. It is of great significance to utilize tidal flats and reclamation of land in Shanghai.

THE GRAPH INDUCED BY AFFINE M-FLATS OVER FINITE FIELDS II

Let AG(n,F q) be the n-dimensional affine space over F q,where F q is a finite field with q elements.Denote by Γ (m) the graph induced by m-flats of AG(n,F q).For any two adjacent vertices E and F of Γ (m),Γ (m)(E)∩Γ (m)(F) is studied.In particular,sizes of maximal cliques in Γ (m) are determined and it is shown that Γ (m) is not edge-regular when m<n-1.

Numerical Tidal Current Modeling Using Fine Boundary-Fitted Grids for Tidal Flats

Fine grids with small spacing in boundary-fitted coordinates are normally used to treat the computation of fluid dynamics for estuarine areas and tidal flats. However, the adoption of Cartesian components of velocity vectors in this kind of non-orthogonal coordinates will definitely result in a difficulty in solving implicitly the transformed momentum equations, and also complicate the wet-dry point judgement used for flood areas. To solve this problem, equations in terms of generalized contravariant velocity vectors in curvilinear coordinates are derived in the present study, by virtue of which, an Alternative-Direction-Implicit numerical scheme in non-orthogonal grids would then be easily obtained, and wet-dry point judgement would as well be largely simplified. A comparison is made between the explicit scheme and implicit scheme, showing that the present model is accurate and numerically stable for computations of fluid dynamics for estuarine areas and tidal flats.

Distribution and Source of Main Contaminants in Surface Sediments of Tidal Flats in the Northern Shandong Province

Twenty-nine samples of surface sediments from tidal flats in the Northern Shandong Province were collected for grain size, heavy metal(Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cr), and oil pollution analyses. The geoaccumulation index(Igeo) and factor analysis were introduced to evaluate sediment quality and source of contaminants. The mean concentrations of Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, and oil in the surface sediments in the study area are 0.033, 17.756, 19.121, 55.700, 0.291, 59.563, and 14.213 μg g-1, respectively. The heavy metal contamination in the old delta lobe is slightly higher than that in the abandoned delta lobe; however, the opposite was observed for oil pollution. The Igeo results revealed that the overall quality of the surface sediments in the study area is in good condition. The heavy metal pollution levels show a descending order: Cd> Hg> Cr> Cu> Zn> Pb, Cd being the main pollutant. The contamination level for in the study area is relatively lower than those for China's other tidal flats. Heavy metals are mainly derived from natural sources of rock weathering and erosion, partly influenced by industrial and agricultural discharge. However, oil pollution is mainly from runoff input, motorized fishing boat sewage, and oil exploitation.

FACTORIAL ANALYSIS OF ANNUAL EROSION-ACCRETION CYCLES OF TIDAL FLATS IN THE FRONT AREA OF THE SOUTHERN CHANGJIANG RIVER DELTA

Based on surveyed data from seven coastal sections and the collected data of wind, sea level, tide, nearshore suspended sediment concentration and river flux from adjacent stations, this paper deals with regressive correlation between monthly average flat elevation and monthly average figures of the influential factors. All sections except one which is located within the river mouth showed negative correlation between flat elevation and sea level and between flat elevation and tidal range, with correlation coefficients being 0.53- 0.91(-0.77 on the average) in the former condition and 0.56- 0.97 (-0.80 on the average) under the latter. Each of the sections with available suspended sediment concentration (SSC) data shows a positive correlation between flat elevation and SSC, with correlative coefficients being 0.35-0.97 (0.66 on the average). Only two sections (one in the Changjiang River Estuary and the other in the Hangzhou Bay) which are similar to beaches in sediment grain size and slope gradient showed a negative correlation between flat elevation and onshore wind frequency and between flat elevation and average wind velocity, with correlative coefficients being respectively -0.57 and -0.69 (-0.63 on the average) in the former situation and -0.61 and -0.75 (-0.68 on the average) in the latter. Other sections did not show uniform relationship between flat elevation and wind conditions. Due to local marine factors the nearshore SSC in the studied area is negatively correlated with the Changjiang River sediment flux (r=-0.78), which results in false negative correlation between flat elevation and river sediment flux. The paper also gives sediment dynamic and morphodynamic explanation for the above correlations. Sea level rise results in the spread of breaker zone from subtidal area to intertidal area and then increases the intertidal water energy. The larger the tidal range, the stronger the tide currents and the easier for the flat to be eroded. The higher the SSC of flood water, the easier for the sediment to deposit down. Because of correlations among the influential factors, it is difficult to give the prime one which dominates the erosion and accretion processes in tidal flats.

Study on Peat-Forming Mechanism of Tropic and Sub-TropicTidal Flats

Tropic and sub-tropic tidal flats (generalised) are a kind of speific peat-forming environments. Taking the Mangrove tidal flats and mangrove pets in Hainan island as a example, the authors deeply study and discuss the peat-forming mechanism of tropic and sub-tropic tidal flats. The conclusions are as follows: intrusion accretiou of plant organic matter is more important ; the organic matter has accumulated witk high productivity, high return rate and high decompeition rate ;anaerobic bacterin play a more important role during early peatification ; sea level change is the fundameutal factor controlling the formation and evolution of tidal flat peat-forming environments; lagoon peat-flat and delta peat-flat are main types of tidal flat peat-forming euvironments ;tidal flat peat-forming environments are remarkably characterized by low-level and rabe properties.

Standing Crop and Primary Production of Benthic Microalgae on the Tidal Flats in Yueqing Bay

The standing stock and primary production of benthic microalgae on tidal flats were measured seasonally at 3 transects (Puqing, Dahengchuang and Puqi) in Yueqing Bay during 2002 2003. The results showed that the integral chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration in tidal flat mud exhibited a seasonal variation with the order of magnitude: winter (14.0 4.2 mg m-2) > spring (13.0 6.3 mg m-2) > autumn (7.7 5.9 mg m-2) > summer (4.6 3.2 mg m-2). The primary production showed an order of magnitude: spring (270.5 224.9 mgC m-2 d-1)>winter (238.7 225.5 mgC m-2 d-1)>autumn (214.1 56.2 mgC m-2 d-1)>summer (71.6 44.6 mgC m-2 d-1). Both chlorophyll a and primary production showed maximum values in the surface layer of sediment, and decreased rapidly with increasing depth due to sun light limitation. The results of variance analysis indicated that seasonal variation and tidal flat condition affected Chl a greatly, but had no significant effect on primary production. The annual primary production of benthic microalgae on tidal flats in Yueqing Bay was estimated at 16143 tons carbon, which is sufficient to support 1.02×105 tons shellfish production. The environmental factors affecting chlorophyll and primary production on the tidal flats in Yueqing Bay were discussed. By comparing with other bays on China's coast, it was observed that Yueqing Bay is a region with high benthic microalgae standing crop and primary production, which may be related to the type of its sediment.

DEPOSITS OF THE MANGROVE TIDAL FLATSAND MANGROVE PEATS IN HAINAN ISLAND

In this paper, the environment characteristics, micro-environment division and evolution of the mangrove tidal flats, peats and their genetic markers are discussed. It proves that the mangrove tidal flat is a kind of tidal flats and the peat flats are developed in a specific evolution stage of mangrove tidal flats; the mangrove peats are the products of a specific evolution stage of the mangrove tidal flats.

Soil organic carbon storages and bacterial communities along a restored mangrove soil chronosequence in the Jiulong River Estuary:From tidal flats to mangrove afforestation

Among many ecological services provided by mangrove ecosystems,soil organic carbon(SOC)storages have recently received much attention owing to the increasing atmospheric partial pressure of dissolved CO_(2)(pCO_(2)).Bacteria are fundamental to ecosystem functions and strongly influence the coupling of coastal carbon,nitrogen,and sulfur cycling in soils.The SOC storage and bacterial communities along a restored mangrove soil chronosequence in the Jiulong River Estuary were explored using the 16S rDNA sequencing technique.The results showed the SOC storage in the 100 cm soil profile was 103.31±5.87 kg C m^(−2)and 93.10±11.28 kg C m^(−2)for mangroves with afforestation ages of 36 and 60 years,respectively.The total nitrogen(TN)and total sulfur(TS)contents exhibited significant correlations with the SOC in the mangrove soils,but only TN and SOC showed significant correlation in tidal flat soils.Although the tidal flats and mangroves occupied the contiguous intertidal zone within several kilometers,the variations in the SOC storage along the restored mangrove soil chronosequence were notably higher.The Functional Annotation of Prokaryotic Taxa(FAPROTAX)database was used to annotate the metabolic functions of the bacteria in the soils.The annotation revealed that only four metabolic functions were enriched with a higher relative abundance of the corresponding bacteria,and these enriched functions were largely associated with sulfate reduction.In addition,the specifically critical bacterial taxa that were associated with the SOC accumulation and nutrient cycling,shaped the distinct metabolic functions,and consequently facilitated the SOC accumulation in the mangrove soils with various afforestation ages.The general homogenization of the microbial community and composition along the intertidal soil chronosequence was primarily driven by the reciprocating tidal flows and geographical contiguity.