Exploration of the Mechanisms for the Low Sensitivity of Deposition Flux to Upstream Sediment Reduction in the North Passage, Yangtze Estuary

Deltas are densely populated industrialized regions,and home to important ports and navigation channels.Due to human interferences,the Yangtze Estuary has experienced a significant reduction in sediment load caused by the Three Gorges Dam(TGD),as well as adjustment to local morphodynamics by the Deep-water Navigation Channel(DNC).While the dramatic reduction in sediment triggers the increased channel erosion,the deposition flux of the DNC located at the estuary mouth has little change.To explore the physical mechanism of this phenomenon,a two-dimensional model is used to establish the relationship between sediment load and the sediment budget of channels based on the bathymetry in 2016.Model results show that the tidal reach and the inner estuary have a negative sediment budget.And the seasonal characteristics of water and sediment fluxes become less obvious downstream.Sensitivity analysis shows that the influence of upstream sediment load on deposition flux decreases along the channel,with a transition from deposition to erosion occurring in the tidal reach.For the last-level bifurcation,the annual siltation of sediment in the North Passage(NP)decreases by 4.5%with low sensitivity.This is attributed to the reduction of sediment load partially mitigated by riverbed erosion and cascade bifurcations.In addition,the lateral sediment supply,which accounts for 68%of the sediment input in the NP,is stable.Overall,this study strengthens the understanding of the relationship between sediment load and artificially deepened systems,thus allowing for better management of estuarine sediment and navigation channel.

Mechanism of the Impact of Floods and Typhoons on the Morphological Evolution of the Yangtze Estuary

In the last two decades,the Yangtze Estuary has undergone significant changes under the influence of reduced sediment inflow and estuary engineering.This study investigates the influence of floods and typhoons on sediment concentration and the morphological evolution of shoals and channels in the Yangtze Estuary.The analysis is conducted through the utilization of topographic data measured pre-and post-flood events and observations of hydro-sedimentary changes during typhoons.By using a generalized estuary mathematical model,this study examines the interplay between varying tidal ranges,tidal divisions,runoff volumes,and regulation projects on the erosion and deposition of shoals and channels in bifurcated estuaries.The results show that due to the implementation of river and waterway regulation projects,the impact of the 2020 flood on the main channel and shoal was significantly less than that of the1998 flood.The swing amplitude of the South Branch main channel decreased.However,local river sections such as the Southern Waterway of Baimao Shoal exhibited erosion.During typhoons,sediment concentration in the 20 cm above the bottom increased significantly and was closely related to wave processes,with a weakened correlation to tidal dynamics.After typhoons,high shoals in South Passage above 0 m were silted up,while the terrain on one side of the tail of Jiuduan Shoal in the downstream deep-water area was generally scoured due to strong wave action.The generalized mathematical model of the bifurcated estuary revealed that M2 tidal component contributed most to the ero sion and deposition evolution of estuary shoals and channels,with floods exhibiting characteristics of sedime ntation on shoals and erosion on channels.With the implementation of a branch rectification project,branch resistance increased,diversion decreased,and the riverbed changed from pre-project erosion to post-project sedimentation,with an increase in erosion in non-project branches.

Study on Volume Variation and Stability of Riverbed in the Yangtze Estuary

In recent years,regional floods and typhoons have occurred in the Yangtze Estuary.Changing dynamic conditions and dramatic reduction of sediment discharge in the basin are affecting the dynamic equilibrium pattern of the Yangtze Estuary.Based on the field measurement data and theoretical derivation,this paper analyzed the changing process of runoff-sediment discharge into the sea after the operation of the Three Gorges Project(TGP),and the tidal dynamics and sediment variation characteristics of the Yangtze Estuary.The erosion of South Branch mainly occurs in the channel below-10 m contour,and the riverbed volume below contours 0 m and-10 m has a good correlation with the sediment discharge of Datong Station in the previous year.On this basis,the ratio of the horizontal distance from the starting point to the section centroid below the average water level(B_c)and the water depth at the section centroid(H_c)was proposed to describe the change of the section shape.The relationships between the water-diverting ratio,the sediment-diverting ratio and the water-diverting angle,the conditions of runoff and sediment discharge from the upper reach and the characteristics of the riverway section were established,and the theoretical calculation equations of the water-diverting ratio,the sediment-diverting ratio and the diverting angle of each bifurcation were also established.

Calculation of Diversion Ratio of the North Channel in the Yangtze Estuary

The circumfluence around the Jiuduan Sandbank is thoroughly studied by means of the princi-ple of least resistance in fluid dynamics.The diversion ratio of the North Channel for 1998 is calculated,which is almost the same as the field survey data.The normal and minimum diversion ratios of the NorthChannel after stages Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ regulation works as well as the future phase are obtained.The numeri-cal results and predicted value are accurate.

Impacts of Different Dynamic Factors on the Saltwater Intrusion in the Northern Branch of the Yangtze Estuary

A 3-D baroclinic numerical model is established to study the temporal and spatial distribution of salinity in the Northern Branch(NB) of the Yangtze Estuary(YE) in response to river runoff, wind and currents. The idealized,process-oriented studies show that the lower river runoff in the dry season is the main driving factor for the spilling over from the NB to the Southern Branch(SB). The NB takes longer time to get in dynamic stable state compared with the SB, as the runoff transfers from the wet season to the dry season. The vertical stratification intensity of the NB has obvious periodic phenomena in the dry season, and the stratification strength is enhanced under the action of low runoff and north wind, which further weakens the vertical transport of water. Momentum balance analysis suggested that the landward net flux increases when considering the influence of the moderate north wind, and the landward flux will enhance if considering the boundary current during the spring tide. With the influence of the boundary current, increases the average salinity of the NB, as well as the intrusion degree from the NB to the SB.This indicates that the nearshore ocean current of the Yellow Sea is an important factor affecting the saltwater intrusion in the NB of the YE.

Physical Modeling of Localized Scour for the Yangtze Estuary Waterway Improvement Project,Phase Ⅰ

In order to examine the effectiveness of engineering protection against localized scour in frontof the south groin-group of the Yangtze Estuary Waterway Improvement Project,Phase I,an undistort-ed physical model on a geometric scale of 1:250 is built in this study,covering two groins and their adacentestuarine areas.By use of rinsing fix-bed model as well as localized mobile-bed model,the experiment isundertaken under bi-directional steady flow.According to the experimental results,waterway dredgingleads to the increase in steram velocity,the increase being larger during the ebb than during the flood.Con-struction of the upstream groin has some influence on the flow patterns near the downstream groin.Local-ized scour in front of the groin-heads is controlled mainly by ebb flow.In the case of a riverbed composedentirely of silt,the depths of localized scour in front of the two groin-heads are 27 m and 29 m,respectively.In reality,the underneath sediment of the prototype riverbed is clay whose threshold

Response of nearshore circulation outside Yangtze Estuary to El Nino events

With consideration of the comprehensive effects of runoff from the Yangtze River, East China Sea background circulation, and tidal currents,a regional circulation model, including the Yangtze Estuary, Hangzhou Bay, and adjacent sea areas was established. The 2002/2003 El Ni^no event was chosen for study of the anomalies of circulation outside the Yangtze Estuary. The coastal and ocean current systems of the East China Sea and the current structure outside the Yangtze Estuary were accurately described. The results of vertical circulation analysis basically coincide with those of horizontal circulation analysis, showing that the circulation outside the Yangtze Estuary is mainly affected by the Taiwan warm current, runoff from the Yangtze Estuary, and the tide-induced residual current. The El Ni^no event weakens Yangtze Estuary circulation to a certain degree, and the impacts are more significant in summer than in winter. During the 2002/2003 El Ni^no event, the flux of the Taiwan warm current decreases, and the northward component of the Taiwan warm current decreases by half in February 2003 compared to the previous year. However, its path is relatively stable.

Morphodynamic Characteristics and Medium-Term Simulation of the North-South Passage Under the Impact of the Yangtze Estuary Deepwater Navigation Channel Project

The morphological evolution characteristics of the North-South Passage area since the construction of the Yangtze Estuary Deepwater Navigation Channel Project(DNCP)are analyzed on the basis of the measured data.A twodimensional morphodynamics numerical model of the Yangtze Estuary is established to verify the morphological evolution of the North-South Passage under the influence of the DNCP and to predict the future evolution in the next 40 years.Data analysis shows that the North Passage has experienced rapid adjustment stages and adaptive stages after the construction of the DNCP.Slow erosion occurred along the main channel,and slow siltation could be observed in the area between the groins.The South Passage showed a state of upper section erosion and down section deposition.At present,the whole South Passage is in a slight erosion state.According to the numerical model,the eroding and silting speed of the North Passage will slow down in the future.The present state that erosion occurs in the main channel and siltation occurs between the groins will continue.The South Passage will still maintain upper section erosion and down section deposition in the future.Due to the main channel erosion of the North Passage and siltation of the South Passage,the sediment division ratio of the North Passage will increase in the future but still be smaller than 50%.After morphological evolution of 40 years,the direction of residual sediment transport caused by M2 and M4 tidal components in the North Passage has not changed,but the transport rate will decrease.It is considered that the morphological evolution of the North-South Passage could reach a relatively stable state after 40 years.

Control System Design and Implementation at Flexible, Distributed Offshore Sensor Test Sites in the Yangtze Estuary Area

Marine in situ testing is a necessary step for stereotyping newly developed marine sensors. The use of test sites in the Yangtze Estuary area, which has high turbidity and abundant nutrients, can effectively reduce the needed testing time owing to its harsh conditions. Five test stations were established, and a floating buoy and fixed test equipment were designed. A control system, including a sensor connection, data processor, video remote transmission, and corresponding control algorithm, was developed. The control system enabled the nondestructive monitoring of biological attachments and bidirectional, real-time communication between an upper server on land and the control system at the test sites. The dissolved oxygen(DO), temperature, and pH data of DOS600 and DPS600 sensors were compared with those of AP2000 sensors. Temperature recording using the DOS600 sensor was performed nearly as well as that of the AP2000 sensor. The mean DO values(standard deviations) were 8.414 mg L-1(2.068) and 6.896 mg L-1(1.235) for the DOS600 and AP2000 sensors, respectively, indicating that the DOS600 performance was unsatisfactory. The pH recording of the DPS600 was slightly worse than that of the AP2000 sensor. Experimental results showed that the DO value was more easily affected by the buoy movement of waves compared to the pH and temperature. Moreover, data fluctuations showed that the DO and pH parameters were more vulnerable to biofouling than temperature. Waves and biofouling create a harsh test environment, and the performance difference between the developed sensors and a standard sensor can be obtained in a short time period.

Characteristics and Origins of Suspended Pyrite in the Mixing Zone of the Yangtze Estuary

For a long time,most studies about pyrite have focused on sediments while only a few have focused on pyrite in water.In this study,a method that combines the scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry(EDS)was used to compare pyrite particles suspended in water to those in associated bottom sediments,both obtained from the mixing zone of the Yangtze Estuary.It was found that the pyrite particles in the two media have similar morphologies and size distributions.The particle morphology mainly includes two types,single crystal and aggregate,and the particle size mainly ranges from 0.5 to 2μm.The pyrite particles in water exhibit an increase in relative content towards the sea,and their transport and deposit processes are mainly affected by hydrodynamic conditions.It is concluded that the pyrite particles in the suspended matter mainly derived from the resuspension of sediments,which are products of the early diagenesis.Precursor minerals may appear during the formation of pyrite,but are generally restricted by the diagenetic environment and local microenvironment.

Stability of the Stratification of Water Bodies in the North Passage of the Yangtze River Estuary Based on the EFDC Model

To study the stratified stability of a water column in the North Passage of the Yangtze River Estuary,a numerical model of the hydrodynamics of this estuary is established using the EFDC model.On the basis of EFDC results,this paper derives and pro-vides the discriminative index of water body stability caused by salinity and analyzes the along-range variation in water body strati-fication stability in the North Passage of the Yangtze River Estuary and the periodic variation at a key location(bend area)based on the simulation results of the numerical model.This work shows that the water body in the bend area varies between mixed and strati-fied types,and the vertical average flow velocity has a good negative correlation with the differential velocity between the surface and bottom layers of the water body.The model simulation results validate the formulae for the stratified stability discriminant during spring tides.

Corrosion mechanism of ceramic glaze from the Yangtze EstuaryⅡ

Ancient lead-glazed ceramics frequently corrode physically,chemically,and biologically when buried in soil,submerged in water,or exposed to air.In comparison to the other two environments,relatively little research has been conducted on how leadglazed ceramics deteriorate in the water environment.Four lead-glazed ceramic samples from the Yangtze EstuaryⅡwere examined for their micromorphology and structural composition using scanning electron microscopy-energy spectrum analysis,micro-area X-ray diffraction analysis,fluorescence microanalysis,and Fourier infrared spectroscopy analysis.The results demonstrate the formation of deposits of PbCO_(3),Pb(OH)Cl,and Cu FeS_(2)and corrosion pits and fractures on the glaze layer surfaces.According to the corrosion phenomenon,the lead glaze layers of ceramics mainly underwent chemical and microbial corrosion in water,and the corrosion process of the lead glaze was expounded and modeled.The research results deepen the understanding of the corrosion mechanism of lead-glazed ceramics,which is of great significance for the study of the conservation of lead-glazed ceramics and other types of ceramic relics and can also provide a reference for the long-term preservation of contemporary silicate products.

Distribution and Controlling Factors of Dissolved Gaseous Mercury and Reactive Mercury in Seawater Near Yangtze River Estuary

Complex hydrocultural conditions in the estuary affect the migration and transformation of mercury.Using two voyages in July and October 2018,Dissolved Gaseous Mercury(DGM)and Reactive Mercury(RHg)were determined to explore the source,transformation and influence of DGM content in the adjacent waters of Yangtze River Estuary in summer and autumn.The results showed the contents of DGM and RHg in summer were higher than those in autumn,and both of them were higher than those in open sea.In summer and autumn,the Yangtze River brought a higher concentration of DGM,and different flow direction and runoff resulted in differences in the high value region of the surface.The emergence of low-oxygen zones in summer was conducive to the production of DGM.In autumn,windy weather allowed seawater disturbances to promote the release of mercury from the underlying sediments,especially in shallow sea in northwest.RHg showed a higher concentration in the offshore than in the open sea in summer,but there was no such trend in autumn,reflecting the influence of less runoff input.DGM is the main product of RHg reduction,and there was a significant positive correlation between DGM and RHg in summer(r=0.356,P<0.05),while the correlation between DGM and RHg was not significant in autumn due to the influence of light intensity,wind speed and nutrients.The exchange flux of mercury in the adjacent waters of the Yangtze River Estuary was higher than that in the open sea.There was no significant difference of the release flux of mercury in summer and autumn.This article highlighted that the input of mercury from the Yangtze River runoff promotes the release of mercury in seawater,and the hypoxic zone caused by eutrophication is conducive to the production of DGM.

In situ nitrogen removal processes in intertidal wetlands of the Yangtze Estuary

Estuarine and intertidal wetlands are important sites for nitrogen transformation and elimination.However,the factors controlling nitrogen removal processes remain largely uncertain in the highly dynamic environments.In this study,continuous-flow experiment combined with 15 N isotope pairing technique was used to investigate in situ rates of denitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation(anammox)and their coupling with nitrification in intertidal wetlands of the Yangtze Estuary.The measured rates varied from below the detection limit to 152.39μmol N/(m^2·hr)for denitrification and from below the detection limit to 43.06μmol N/(m^2·hr)for anammox.The coupling links of nitrogen removal processes with nitrification were mainly dependent on nitrate,organic carbon,sulfide,dissolved oxygen and ferric iron in the estuarine and intertidal wetlands.Additionally,it was estimated that the actual nitrogen removal processes annually removed approximately 5%of the terrigenous inorganic nitrogen discharged into the Yangtze Estuary.This study gives new insights into nitrogen transformation and fate in the estuarine and intertidal wetlands.

Extreme storm surge induced coastal inundation in Yangtze Estuary regions

Coastal inundation induced by the storm surge belongs to one of the major natural hazards in Shanghai and other regions around the Yangtze Estuary.The worst scenarios of coupling the extreme storm and the sea level rise are presented to assess the storm surge hazard in the Yangtze Estuary.The numerical model MIKE 21 FM is adopted to implement the numerical study,which includes wind,current,tide and wave.The storm surge induced by typhoon 9711 is simulated,and the measurements of six tide gauges are used to validate the numerical model.To identify the worst case scenario of severe typhoon(9711)and super typhoon(5612),we propose seven typhoon tracks through the Yangtze Estuary and fourteen scenarios of landfall time for each typhoon track,which generates 196 cases.Finally,based on the worst case scenario and the relative sea level rise in the range of 0 m to 0.7 m,the coastal inundation maps of Pudong New District and Changxing Island are provided and discussed.

Diel vertical migration of dominant planktonic crustaceans in the south branch of Yangtze Estuary,China

Zooplanktons are important food organisms of fishes,and their spatial and temporal distribution pattern has an important influence on the growth and reproduction of fishes in local habitats.The Yangtze River Estuary of China is rich in fishery resources,but the knowledge on the distribution pattern of zooplankton in this area is still very limited.The diel vertical migration(DVM)patterns and seasonal variations of the crustacean community,and their relationship with environmental factors were investigated in the south branch of the Yangtze Estuary,from June 2017 to May 2018.The results showed that the dispersion patterns of dominant crustacean taxa in the Yangtze Estuary were mostly aggregated.Migration amplitudes of crustacean were greater in spring and summer than in autumn and winter,and different migratory patterns occurred in different seasons.Sinocalanus dorrii,Schmackeria inopinus,Mesmackeria leuckarti,Bosmina longirostris,and B.fatalis,unlike S.forbesi,showed a significant DVM.The DVM patterns of crustaceans was possibly influenced by light dentisy,temperature,and total dissolved solids in the water column,and the fish predation effect;whereas,the nutrient concentration and pH were not supposed to be key factors.

Concentrations and sinking rates of transparent exopolymer particles(TEPs)in a coastal sea:the Changjiang River(Yangtze River)Estuary

Transparent exopolymer particles(TEPs)are ubiquitous throughout the oceans,and their sedimentation is considered an efficient biological carbon sink pathway.To investigate the role of coastal TEPs in sinking carbon from the upper layer,samples were collected in the spring and summer of 2011 in the Changjiang River(Yangtze River)Estuary,a typical coastal water.The concentrations and sinking rates of TEPs were measured,and potential sedimentation flux of TEPs was estimated.TEPs concentrations ranged from 40.00μg/L to 1040.00μg/L(mean=(209.70±240.93)μg/L)in spring and 56.67μg/L to 1423.33μg/L(mean=(433.33±393.02)μg/L)in summer,and they were higher at bloom stations than at non-bloom stations during both cruises.A significant positive correlation between TEPs concentration and chlorophyll a(Chl a)concentration was detected,suggesting that phytoplankton was the primary source of TEPs in this area.TEPs sinking rates ranged from 0.08 m/d to 0.57 m/d with a mean of(0.28±0.14)m/d in spring and 0.10 m/d to 1.08 m/d with a mean of(0.34±0.31)m/d in summer.The potential sedimentation flux of TEP-C ranged from 4.95 mg/(m2·d)to 29.40 mg/(m2·d)with a mean of(14.66±8.83)mg/(m2·d)in spring and 6.80 mg/(m2·d)to 30.45 mg/(m2·d)with a mean of(15.71±8.73)mg/(m2·d)in summer,which was^17.81%to 138.27%(mean=65.15%±31.75%)of sedimentation flux of phytoplankton cells in the study area.Due to the increase of TEPs concentrations and their sinking rates,sedimentation fluxes of TEPs at the bloom station were obviously higher than at the non-bloom station during both cruises.This study indicates that TEPs serve as a carbon sink in the Changjiang River Estuary,especially during bloom events,and their sedimentation should be taken into account when we study the carbon sedimentation in the coastal sea.