Sand Grain Size and Organic Matter Concentration in the Intertidal Zones on the Southwest Coast of Taiwan

From April 2013 to April 2014, the average pH and water temperature of the Taisi oyster cultivation area (TS, Yunlin County, Taiwan) were 8.05 (7.35 - 8.45) and 24.7˚C (13.7˚C - 32.8˚C) (N = 8226) The average organic matter (OM) concentration at sites TS-A and TS-B were 6.9% ± 1.3% and 6.9% ± 1.2%, and the weight of drift sand was 40.3 ± 19.1 g/d/m2 and 28.5 ± 34.3 g/d/m2 (N = 27). Considerable sand drifting typically occurs during the southwest monsoon season in summer. The average OM concentration at five dunes from Zhuoshui estuary to Zengwun estuary was 23.9 ± 4.5 g/kg. The percentage of sand grain weight of 0.15 - 0.25 mm and 0.25 - 0.60 mm was 82.5% ± 14.2% and 10.5% ± 12.0%. In the spring and autumn of 2015, the average OM concentration at the eight intertidal zones from Hanbao to Cigu was 49.8 ± 34.1 g/kg (N = 177), and the OM concentrations at Huwei estuary and Hanbao and Fangyuan intertidal zones were relatively high. The OM concentration (95.3 ± 75.7 g/kg) of the low tide zone of Huwei estuary was the highest among all tidal zones. The OM concentration during spring (59.4 ± 41.7 g/kg, N = 95) was higher than that in autumn (39.1 ± 17.8 g/kg, N = 84). For sand grain size ranges 0.15 - 0.25 and 0.063 - 0.15 mm, the weight ratio of intertidal sediment was 39.4% ± 26.9% and 27.6% ± 20.1%, respectively. The broad and flat intertidal zone was marked by fine sand and long intertidal zone;the weight ratio of SGSs < 0.25 mm exceeded 65%, and the OM concentration was between 20 and 30 g/kg. Coastal habitat diversity creates differences in biological communities, especially among crabs and benthic organisms. A greater understanding of coastal environments can aid in the management of coastal wetlands.

Influence of Gating System,Sand Grain Size,and Mould Coating on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Thin-Wall Ductile Iron

Two gating systems namely stepped and tapered runners were used to cast strip samples with different thicknesses by CO2/silicate process using sand grain sizes of AFS 151 and 171. To assess the effect of mould coating on the properties of thin wall ductile iron, half of the moulds were coated whilst the rest were not coated. Molten metal with the carbon equivalent of 4.29% was prepared and poured at 1 450 ℃. Microstructure of the specimens was analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscopes. Count, area fraction, roundness and diameter of the graphite nodules of the samples were measured by image analyzer. Brinell hardness and tensile tests of all the samples were also conducted. The results show that by using stepped runner gating system with uncoated and coarse sand mould, roundness and count of the graphite nodules decrease whereas diameter and area fraction increase. Although fine sand and coated mould cause longer distance of molten metal travel, hardness and strength of the samples decrease.

An experimental investigation on the effect of grain size on oil-well sand production

Sand production in oil wells is closely related to the mechanical behavior and petrographical properties of sandstones reservoir. Grain size is one of the main parameters controlling the phenomenon, which is studied in this paper. Large-scale hollow cylindrical synthetic samples with the same rock strength but different grain sizes were tested by an experimental setup in the laboratory. Different external stresses and fluid flow rates were applied to the samples and produced sand was measured continuously. Results show two different trends between sanding stress level and grain size. For the samples with finer grain size （D50〈0.3 mm）, the required confining stress for different sanding levels decreased with an increase in the grain size and for the samples with the coarser grains （D50〉0.3 mm） the required confining stress for different sanding levels dramatically increased with an increase in the grain size. Those two different trends were discussed and explained. The first one was production of individual grains and the second was bigger chunks in the slab form. In samples with large grains, plastic zones around hole were changed to a completely loose zone including interlocked individual grains or cluster of grains. In these samples after breakage of these interlocked zones sand was produced in the form of individual grains and clusters. Contrary to this, for samples with smaller grain size, shear bands were formed around the plastified hole and sand was produced in the form of big chunks or slabs.

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

To reveal the sediment transporting mechanism between the abandoned Huanghe River （Yellow River） Delta and radial sand ridges, “End Member” Model and grain size trend analysis have been employed to separate the “dynamic populations” in the surficial sediment particle spectra and to determine the possible sediment transporting pathway. The results reveal four “dynamic subpopulations”（EM1 to EM4） and two reverse sediment transporting directions： a northward transport tend from the radial sand ridges to mud patch, and a southward transport trend in deep water area outside the mud patch. Combined with the published hydrodynamic information, the transporting mechanism of dynamic populations has been discussed, and the main conclusion is that the transporting of finer subpopulations EM1 and EM2 is controlled by the “anticlockwise residual current circulation” forming during tidal cycle, which favor a northward transporting trend and the forming of mud patch on the north of radial sand ridges, while the transporting of coarser EM3 is mainly controlled by wind driven drift in winter, which favors a southward transporting direction.

East Asian Winter Monsoon record from the environmental sensitive grain size component of QF Old Red Sand, Haitan Island, China

The ＂Old Red Sand＂ is widely distributed along the coast of Fujian Province, China. Most studies have been carried out from as- pects of the origin, age and laterization of the ＂Old Red Sand＂, but this paper focused on reconstructing the history of the Asian Winter Monsoon change. On the basis of granulometric analysis of high-resohition samples, we have obtained environmental sen- sitive grain size component （ESGSC） from the Qingfeng （QF） profile by using the grain size-standard deviation method, which proves that the selected ESGSC is an important climate proxy. The mean grain size of this ESGSC could be used to reconstruct the East Asian Winter Monsoon （EAWM） intensity. As such, the history of the EAWM change since 44.0 ka reconstructed here reveals three main phases based on chronology dates of previous researches： （1） 44.0-25.5 ka B.P., the EAWM is relatively weak but increases gradually with fluctuations; （2） 25.5-15.5 ka B.P., relatively strong with high frequency fluctuations; （3） 15.5-7.1 ka B.P., with a weaker winter monsoon, but during 11-10 ka B.P. is remarkably enhanced. The EAWM recorded by mean grain size of the two neighboring sections have a better repeatability, so the millennial scales oscillation should be a reliable signal of the EAWM intensity. The climate recorded by ESGSC of the QF ＂Old Red Sand＂ compared to 6-80 of Huhi Cave stalagmites and Greenland GISP2 ice cores shows a good consistency, especially in detail, the YD event and four Heinrich events are all recorded, but the signal of D-O cycles was relatively weak.

Grain Size Analysis of a Growing Sand Bar at Sonadia Island, Bangladesh

Sonadia is one of the most important islands of Bangladesh. South-eastern shore of the island, which is a growing sand bar, has to encounter continuous and rapid morphological changes. So study of the sediment characteristics of this Sand Bar is very important. In the present study, grain size analysis of this Sand Bar has been done on the basis of laboratory analysis. Sediment samples were collected from 9 (Nine) stations and texture analysis of sediment was completed following a standard procedure of sieve analysis of sand samples. The average value of median (MD), mean (M), standard deviation (s), skewness (SK) and kurtosis (K) of sediment of the Sand Bar of Sonadia Island was 1.93, 1.87, 0.44, 0.11 and 1.88 respectively. Highest median, mean, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis of Sand Bar of Sonadia Island was 2.98 (Station 2, Lower Shore), 2.68 (Station 1, Lower Shore), 0.83 (Station 1, Middle Shore and Station 2, Lower Shore), 0.65 (Station 2, Lower Shore) and 3.59 (Station 1, Lower Shore) respectively. Lowest median, mean, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis of Sand Bar of Sonadia Island was 1.42 (Station 9, Middle Shore), 1.45 (Station 9, Middle Shore), 0.30 (Station 5, Lower Shore and Station 8, Lower Shore), 0.04 (Station 5, Upper Shore) and 0.94 (Station 6, Upper Shore) respectively.

Spatial Variations in Particle Size,Heavy Mineral Assemblage and Magnetic Concentration of Dark-reddish Sands on Cedar Beach,Western Lake Erie,Ontario,Canada

Environmental magnetic research on beaches and shoreline processes is limited.Therefore,we carried out environmental magnetic studies on the heavy mineral-enriched,dark-reddish sands on Cedar Beach of western Lake Erie(41.68°N,82.40°W).Magnetite has been identified as the dominant magnetic mineral of these sands.This study reveals a spatial variation in concentration of magnetite particles,distribution of

甘肃青土湖地区不同类型沙丘的表沙理化特征及其环境意义

沙丘表层沉积物的理化特征在揭示风沙的来源、沉积过程、风化作用等方面具有重要作用。本研究采用野外实地采样和实验室分析方法分析了甘肃青土湖地区不同类型沙丘表层沉积物的粒度和地球化学特征。结果表明:(1)青土湖地区沙丘表层沉积物以细砂为优势粒级,平均含量达72.08%,其次为极细砂,黏粒成分很少。频率分布曲线为单峰分布,概率累积曲线表现为三段式,反映出沉积环境较为稳定。(2)研究区沙丘表层沉积物常量元素以SiO2为主,平均含量为76.40%,其次为Al2O3和CaO,平均含量分别为5.05%、3.74%。微量元素以Cr、Mn、Co、Sr、Ba、Ti、Ce和P为主,平均含量均>100 mg/L。(3)Y、Zr和Y/Zr、Rb/Zr双变量图、A-CNK-FM图解表明巴丹吉林沙漠和腾格里沙漠为其沙源。风沙搬运过程中的磨蚀、风选作用是研究区富集Fe、Mg元素的主要原因。此外,下伏湖相沉积物就地起砂,石羊河冲积物也为其提供了部分沙物质。(4)A-CN-K和A-CNK-FM三角模式图表明研究区风化程度较弱,处于初期脱Na、Ca阶段。在沙丘固定过程中成土作用增强但淋溶作用减小,这是由于植被的影响导致半固定、固定沙丘Na、Ca含量较高。

江西星子镇沙岭沙山顶部一处红色砂层的粒度分析及释光年代研究

鄱阳湖作为我国最大淡水湖,其周边分布若干沙山。此前研究多认为这些沙山为风成堆积的产物。选取星子镇沙岭沙山顶部(吴淞高程约58.3 m)一处红色砂层(含泥质团块)为研究对象,开展粒度分析和释光测年,以进一步揭示其形成环境和年代。粒度结果为:(1)以中粗砂为主;(2)粒度分选性差;(3)频率分布曲线显示该红色砂层包含多峰;(4)概率累积曲线显示该红色砂层包含1个推移组分、2个跃移组分和4个悬移组分;(5)萨胡判别公式值均>-2.74。之后,对红色砂层下伏泥层、红色砂层和红色砂层上覆黄色砂层开展石英单颗粒释光测年,其年代分别为:(24.7±2.1) ka、(24.0±2.4) ka和(22.4±3.9) ka。研究表明该红色砂层虽然形成于MIS2阶段,但其不是干旱环境下的风成沉积砂层。

Features of Sand-dust Deposits in Harbin City,China

From the sedimentologic view,this paper analyses the grain-size distribution and the chemical composition of the deposits from sand-dust storm,occurring in Harbin on March 20,2002.The result indicates that there exist plentiful coarse matters in the sand-dust deposits in Harbin,and the sand-dust composition presents obvious three peak distribu-tion characteristics,indicating that the sand-dust in Harbin is composed of multi-origin components.The grain-size composition consists of silt(4-8Ф),accounting for 71.18% of the total,sand(>4Ф),21.70%,and clay(<8Ф),only 7.13%.The average grain size(Mz) is 5.14Ф.The chemical elements of the deposits are mainly SiO2 and Al2O3 and Fe2O3,totally occupying 77.8%.The enrichment factors(EF) of Mg,K,Si,Fe,Mn,P,Ti,Co,Ni and V elements are all about 1,which mainly come from lithosphere source,while parts of Cu,Pb,Zn,Cr and Se elements are from pollution sources out of lithosphere source,and As,Cd and Sb elements are mainly from pollution sources.Based on the com-prehensive analysis of grain-size,chemical composition,enrichment factor(EF),discriminant function(DF) and matter source index(PI),this paper points out that the grain-size distribution and element composition of the sand-dust deposits in Harbin are evidently different from the loess and sand-dust in Lanzhou,and that matter source of the sand-dust in Harbin is different from the loess in Northwest China and the sand-dust in Lanzhou.The sand-dust deposits in Harbin are an admixture of coarse grains transmitted in short distance and fine grains transported in long distance.The plentiful coarse grains of the sand-dust deposits in Harbin origin from sand of local spot,and are the near-source deposits transported by low altitude airflow.

A late Holocene winter monsoon record inferred from the palaeo-aeolian sand dune in the southeastern Mu Us Desert, northern China

The variation of the Asian winter monsoonal strength has seriously affected the climate and environmental conditions in the Asian monsoonal region, and even in marginal islands and the ocean in the East Asian region. However, relevant under-standing remains unclear due to the lack of suitable geological materials and effective proxies in the key study areas. Here, we present a grain-size record derived from the palaeo-aeolian sand dune in the southeastern Mu Us Desert, together with other proxies and OSL dating, which reflect a relatively detailed history of the winter monsoon and abrupt environmental events during the past 4.2 ka. Our grain-size standard deviation model indicated that 〉224 μm content can be considered as an indicator of the intensity of Asian winter monsoon, and it shows declined around 4.2–2.1 ka, enhanced but unstable in 2.1–0.9 ka, and obviously stronger since then. In addition, several typical climate events were also documented, forced by the periodic variation of winter monsoonal intensity. These include the cold intervals of 4.2, 2.8, 1.4 ka, and the Little Ice Age （LIA）, and relatively warm sub-phases around 3.0, 2.1, 1.8 ka, and the Medieval Warm Period （MWP）, which were roughly accordant with the records of the aeolian materials, peat, stalagmites, ice cores, and sea sediments in various latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Combined with the previous progresses of the Asian summer monsoon, we prelimi-narily confirmed a millennial-scale anti-correlation of Asian winter and summer monsoons in the Late Holocene epoch. This study suggests that the evolution of the palaeo-aeolian sand dune has the potential for comprehending the history of Asian monsoon across the desert regions of the modern Asian monsoonal margin in northern China.

Sand wave deposition in the Taiwan Shoal of China

The Taiwan Shoal is the convex terrain in the southern Taiwan Strait, the largest strait in China. In 2006 and 2007, 21 samples and more than 200-km sub-bottom data as well as 80-km near shore side-scan sonar data were gotten, which gave an initial image of the boundaries of the Taiwan Shoal and revealed the internal structure of the sand waves in this area. The results showed that the major component of the sediment samples was sand, and sand waves occurred everywhere in this area, which closely followed the range of the Taiwan Shoal as we know. The western boundary of the Taiwan Shoal thus reaches the 30 m isobaths near the shore, and as a result, its area potentially covers approximately 12 800-14 770 km2. The sand waves have different shapes under the complex ocean dynamics, and the height of sand waves in the near shore is usually smaller than that in the Taiwan Shoal. The number of sand waves ranged from 1-5 per kilometer, with more waves in the isobath-intensive area, suggesting the importance of topography for the formation of sand waves. The stratigraphic structure under the seabed has parallel bedding or cross bedding, and large dipping groove bedding can be seen locally in different parts, which may be the result of terrestrial deposition since the Late Pleistocene.

Deposition of sandstorms in a vegetation-covered sand dune in Ejin Oasis and its characteristics

＂Ejin Section＂ found in a typical vegetation-covered sand dune in Ejin Oasis was investigated. In this study, 263 samples were taken from the section for grain-size analysis, 25 for chemical analysis, 11 for ^14C dating and 6 for scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The results of the study indicate that 3 types of the sediments in the section can be identified, YS, LS and ST. YS, homogeneous yellow-brown dune sands, is equal to those of inland deserts, LS, loess-like sandy soils, is the same as the sandy loess in the middle Yellow River and modem falling dusts, and ST, sandy sediments interbeded with the deadwood and defoliation of Tamarix spp, represents the depositional process of the section interrupted by abrupt changes in climate. The Ejin Section has recorded the repeated dust-storms or sandstorms since 2500 yr BP and the peak periods of the dust-storms or sandstorms revealed by the section are consistent with the records of ＂dust rains＂ in historical literatures, indicating that the change of climate is a key factor to increase sandstorms or dust-storms, whereas, ＂artificial＂ factor may only be an accelerating one for desertification.

Influences of sand cover on erosion processes of loess slopes based on rainfall simulation experiments

Aeolian-fluvial interplay erosion regions are subject to intense soil erosion and are of particular concern in loess areas of northwestern China. Understanding the composition, distribution, and transport processes of eroded sediments in these regions is of considerable scientific significance for controlling soil erosion. In this study, based on laboratory rainfall simulation experiments, we analyzed rainfall-induced erosion processes on sand-covered loess slopes （SS） with different sand cover patterns （including length and thickness） and uncovered loess slopes （LS） to investigate the influences of sand cover on erosion processes of loess slopes in case regions of aeolian-fluvial erosion. The grain-size curves of eroded sediments were fitted using the Weibull function. Compositions of eroded sediments under different sand cover patterns and rainfall intensities were analyzed to explore sediment transport modes of SS. The influences of sand cover amount and pattern on erosion processes of loess slopes were also discussed. The results show that sand cover on loess slopes influences the proportion of loess erosion and that the compositions of eroded sediments vary between SS and LS. Sand cover on loess slopes transforms silt erosion into sand erosion by reducing splash erosion and changing the rainfall-induced erosion processes. The percentage of eroded sand from SS in the early stage of runoff and sediment generation is always higher than that in the late stage. Sand cover on loess slopes aggravates loess erosion, not only by adding sand as additional eroded sediments but also by increasing the amount of eroded loess, compared with the loess slopes without sand cover. The influence of sand cover pattern on runoff yield and the amount of eroded sediments is larger than that of sand cover amount. Furthermore, given the same sand cover pattern, a thicker sand cover could increase sand erosion while a thinner sand cover could aggravate loess erosion. This difference explains the existence of intense erosion on slopes that are thinly covered with sand in regions where aeolian erosion and fluvial erosion interact.

A transport-rate model of wind-blown sand

Sand transport by wind plays an important role in environmental problems.Formulating the sand-transport rate model has been of continuing significance,because the majority of the existing models relate sand-transport rate to the wind-shear velocity.However,the wind-shear velocity readapted to blown sand is difficult to determine from the measured wind profiles when sand movement occurs,especially at high wind velocity.Detailed wind tunnel tests were carried out to reformulate the sand-transport rate model,followed by attempts to relate sand-transport rate to parameters of wind velocity,threshold shear-velocity,and grain size.Finally,we validated the model based on the data from field observations.

Variability of Sand Mobility Surrounding Cylinder Object Freely Resting on the Seabed under the Action of Typhoon

In sandy sediments, scour and fill is the key process contributed to mine burial. The scour processes surrounding the cylinder mines freely resting on the sandy seabed under the 12-hr combined action of tidal currents and wind-generated waves, especially over typhoon events are numerically simulated using the DRAMBUIE model. The East China Sea is a good case study due to the dominant impact of summer typhoon events on sediment transport and scour. The numerical results show that the scour depth generally increases with time under the combined current and wave stresses exerted on the seabed, while the depth of the scour pit depends on infill once the currents subside. There is a positive relationship between the scour depth and the bottom orbital velocity after experiencing 12-hr wave action including storm waves, while the relation is not linear. The experimental results also display an elevated trend for scour depth with the increase of orbital velocity. The numerical results reveal a surprising phenomenon: the mobility of sand altering with the increasing bed shear stress larger than the certain threshold, which is also manifested as the curves of scour depth with the different grain size might cross each other. For laboratory experiments, the variability of sand mobility does not occur, likely because typhoon storm waves cannot be reproduced in the flume. More numerical tests indicate that the intersection will be triggered by the division of critical Shields parameter. The preliminary analysis suggests that the phenomenon never documented is likely generated from the error of empirical formulae.

底砂粒径对方斑东风螺生长、消化、抗氧化及底质的影响

为探究不同粒径养殖底砂对方斑东风螺(Babylonia areolata)稚螺养成效果的影响,在微流水养殖系统中采用3种不同粒径养殖底砂(细砂1 mm、中砂2 mm和粗砂3 mm)进行了养殖对比试验,比较其对稚螺生长、消化、抗氧化的影响以及对底质氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮含量的影响。试验稚螺的初始体质量、壳高、壳宽分别为(0.2633±0.0033)g、(10.67±0.11)mm、(7.06±0.15)mm,试验周期为30 d。结果显示:试验结束时,细砂组稚螺的体质量、壳高、壳宽分别为(0.5603±0.0263)g、(12.72±0.06)mm、(8.50±0.16)mm,存活率为(92.67±0.94)%,均显著高于中砂组和粗砂组(P<0.05);随着养殖时间的推移,中砂组和粗砂组稚螺的存活率逐步降低,试验结束时分别降至(58.22±4.57)%、(48.44±1.13)%;中砂组稚螺最终的体质量、壳高、壳宽分别为(0.4520±0.0246)g、(12.13±0.17)mm、(7.91±0.13)mm,粗砂组分别为(0.4275±0.0196)g、(12.26±0.02)mm、(7.90±0.18)mm。试验结束时,细砂组的胃蛋白酶(PES)活力高于中砂组和粗砂组,但各组间无显著性差异(P>0.05);细砂组的总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)为(1.272±0.072)mmol/g,显著高于中砂组和粗砂组(P<0.05)。试验过程中细砂组底质的氨氮含量虽然显著高于其他组,但一直在安全范围内。结果表明,方斑东风螺稚螺的消化酶、抗氧化酶活力及膜脂过氧化物含量受到养殖底砂粒径规格的影响,粒径较小的底砂更适合用于稚螺养成阶段,有利于方斑东风螺稚螺存活率和生长性能的提高。

巴丹吉林-腾格里沙漠间沉积物粒度和磨圆度的空间分异

为探索巴丹吉林沙漠与腾格里沙漠交界处风沙口的沉积物分异特征,沿风沙口主风向走向(NW-SE)对沙丘表层沉积物取样,并进行粒度和磨圆度分析。结果表明,(1)沙丘表层沉积物中砂含量占比最高,细沙和粗砂含量次之;迎风坡顶部中砂占比最多,迎风坡中部细砂占比最多,背风坡底粗砂占比最多。(2)沿主风向从风沙口至腾格里沙漠腹地的平均粒径和中值粒径呈波动增大趋势;分选系数呈波动降低的趋势;偏度值在正负偏度值之间波动。(3)沉积物石英砂的磨圆度次圆占比最高;迎风坡顶部沙样的磨圆度最好,背风坡底的磨圆度最差。

基于土壤颗分粒径的泥沙来源量化研究

[目的]揭示黄土高原风水复合侵蚀区风力作用对水蚀的影响,为具有不同泥沙粒径侵蚀物质来源识别提供一种有效的方法支撑,也为风水复合侵蚀区侵蚀泥沙来源辨识提供理论参考。[方法]以覆沙模拟风蚀产物,基于室内模拟试验,研究覆沙之后坡面侵蚀发育特征,同时为了有效区分不同时刻侵蚀物质的来源,尝试采用泥沙粒径作为指纹因子进行侵蚀泥沙来源贡献的辨识。[结果]不同泥沙粒径组的3个指纹因子(粒径范围分别为:26.303~34.674,104.713~138.038,138.038~181.970μm)通过检验被确定为最佳指纹因子。基于最佳指纹因子,通过多元混合模型计算得出,在对同一土槽进行的3个阶段模拟降雨试验中覆沙层和黄土层的平均泥沙贡献率分别为48.2%和51.8%,24.8%和75.2%,6.8%和93.2%,且MAF>0.8。覆沙层的泥沙贡献率为第一阶段试验>第二阶段试验>第三阶段试验,计算结果与DEM相吻合。[结论]泥沙源地和侵蚀泥沙中的不同泥沙粒径组可作为指纹因子进行泥沙来源辨别,复合指纹法具有较好的适用性。