Changes of coastline and tidal flat and its implication for ecological protection under human activities: Take China’s Bohai Bay as an example

The change processes and trends of shoreline and tidal flat forced by human activities are essential issues for the sustainability of coastal area,which is also of great significance for understanding coastal ecological environment changes and even global changes.Based on field measurements,combined with Linear Regression(LR)model and Inverse Distance Weighing(IDW)method,this paper presents detailed analysis on the change history and trend of the shoreline and tidal flat in Bohai Bay.The shoreline faces a high erosion chance under the action of natural factors,while the tidal flat faces a different erosion and deposition patterns in Bohai Bay due to the impact of human activities.The implication of change rule for ecological protection and recovery is also discussed.Measures should be taken to protect the coastal ecological environment.The models used in this paper show a high correlation coefficient between observed and modeling data,which means that this method can be used to predict the changing trend of shoreline and tidal flat.The research results of present study can provide scientific supports for future coastal protection and management.

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 benthic macrofaunal communities in intertidal flat under hydrodynamic influence:a case study of Jiangsu coast,East China

To identify the distribution pattern of macrofaunal assemblages of the Dafeng intertidal flats in response to hydrodynamic and sediment dynamic processes in the northern Jiangsu coast,East China,macrofauna sampling and hydrodynamic observations were carried out simultaneously across the mud flat,mixed mud-sand flat,and silt-sand flat of the intertidal zone in June 2018.Results show that there was a clear zonal distribution pattern of the macrofaunal communities,as is controlled by local hydrological and sedimentary environments.Principal component analysis(PCA)revealed three types of intertidal area in terms of hydrological and surficial sediment parameters.Similarly,three distinct groups of the macrofaunal communities,i.e.,mud flat,mix mud-sand,and silt-sand groups,were recognized at similarity level of 24%based on the CLUSTER analysis in similarity profile(SIMPROF)test.Correlation analysis upon best variables stepwise search(BVSTEP)indicated the importance of the hydrodynamics(e.g.,water temperature and salinity,tidal duration,flow speed,suspended sediment concentration,and wave height)in the differentiation of macrofaunal communities with different taxonomic classes over the intertidal zone.Therefore,macrofaunal assemblages,similar to hydrology and surficial sediment,have a unique zonation pattern.Small-sized deposit feeders adapt better to low energy environments,thus dominated the upper part of the intertidal flat,whilst the heavy and large-sized filter feeders and deposit feeders were dominant over the middle and lower parts.The hydrodynamic and sediment processes cause biota-niche separation,which affected the biological processes across the intertidal flat.

Dramatical hydro-sedimentary changes induced by bamboo fences over mangrove tidal flat of the largest delta in Beibu Gulf, southwestern China

Mangrove forest is one of the most important ecological and environmental resources by effectively promoting tidal flat deposition and preventing the coastal region from typhoon.However,there have been mass loss of mangrove forests due to anthropogenic activities.It is an urgent need to explore an effective way for mangrove restoration.Here,three rows of bamboo fences with hydro-sedimentary observation set over Aegiceras corniculatum mangrove tidal flat of the Nanliu Delta,the largest delta of Beibu Gulf,China,were conducted to analyze the hydro-sedimentary variations induced by bamboo fences.Results identified that the mean horizontal velocity Um per burst(20 min)decreased by as much as 71%and 40%in comparison with those without bamboo fences in March and November,respectively,when the tidal current entering the bamboo area during flood.The maximum of mean horizontal flow velocity Um-max at bamboo area was 50%–75%of that without bamboo fences during ebb tide.The suspended sediment concentration of bamboo area suggested a maximum reduction of 57%relative to bare flat during flood,and was 80%lower than bare flat at ebb peak.Moreover,the turbulent kinetic dissipationεat flood tide was significantly higher than that at ebb tide,while the bamboo fences greatly increased the turbulent kinetic dissipationεby 2 to 5 times relative to bare flat,resulting in an increase of the bed elevation by inhibiting the sediment incipient motion and intercepting suspended sediment.The siltation rate at the bamboo area was 140%and 29.3%higher than that at the bare flat and the region covered with A.corniculatum,respectively.These results highlight that bamboo fences can effectively attenuate tidal current and thus promote siltation over mangrove flat,which contribute great benefit to mangrove survival.

The Effects of Farmyard Manure and Mulch on Soil Physical Properties in a Reclaimed Coastal Tidal Flat Salt-Affected Soil

Careful soil management is important for the soil quality and productivity improvement of the reclaimed coastal tidal flat saline land in northern Jiangsu Province, China. Farmyard manure（ FYM） and mulch applications, which affect soil characteristics and plant significantly, are regard as an effective pattern of saline land improvement. As a conventional management in the study region, FYM and mulch are used for the amendment of the new reclaimed tidal flat regularly, but little is known about their effects on soil physical properties functioning. A study was conducted on a typical coastal tidal flat saline land, which was reclaimed in 2005, to evaluate the effects of FYM, polyethylene film mulch（PM）, straw mulch（SM）, FYM combined with PM（FYM＋PM）, FYM combined with SM（FYM＋SM）, on soil hydraulic properties and soil mechanical impedance. CK represented conventional cultivation in study area without FYM and mulch application and served as a control. The experiment, laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications, was studied in Huanghaiyuan Farm, which specialized in the agricultural utilization for coastal tidal flat. Result showed that capillary water holding capacity（CHC）, saturated water content（SWC）, saturated hydraulic conductivity（ Ks） and bulk density（BD）, cone index（CI） were affected significantly by the FYM and mulch application, especially in the 0-10 cm soil layer. FYM and mulch management increased CHC, SWC and Ks over all soil depth in the order of FYM＋SM〉FYM＋PM〉FYM〉SM〉PM〉CK. With the contrary sequence, BD and CI decreased significantly; however, FYM and mulch application affected BD and CI only in the upper soil layers. CHC, SWC and Ks decreased significantly with the increasing of soil depth, BD and CI, and a significant liner equation was found between CHC, SWC, Ks and BD, CI. With the highest CHC（38.15%）, SWC（39.55%）, Ks（6.00 mm h-1） and the lowest BD（1.26 g cm-3） and CI（2.71 MPa）, the combined management of FYM and SM was recommend to be an effective method for the melioration of reclaimed coastal tidal flat saline soil.

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.

The variation of sediments organic carbon content in Chongming east tidal flat during Scirpus mariqueter growing stage

The investigations on the organic carbon （OC） of core sediments were carried out in Chongming east tidal fiat （CM） during Scirpus mariqueter growing stage （from April to December 2004） in Yangtze Estuary. The Yangtze River annually transports a runoff discharge of 30,000 m^3/s, carrying about 480 million tons of sediments to the estuarine and coastal area, which formed a great OC pool. In the sampling spots, seven quadrats of 50 cm × 50 cm and five sediments cores of 20 cm deep （40 cm deep in December） were randomly established in order to collect vegetations and core sediments samples during the low tide each month except November. After pretreatment, the core sediments were sieved and their OC contents were measured according to the potassium dichromate method. The results show that the higher surface sediment OC content in summer comes from allochthonous terrigenous particle settlements on the Chongming east middle tidal fiat S. mariqueter zone. In autumn and winter, the decomposing of the defoliated S. mariqueter increases the surface sediments OC content. Settling velocity, sediment temperature and S. mariqueter growth are the main factors that can control the sediment carbon content. Summer is the “carbon losing” period of the tidal fiat sediments, while from September, it changes into the “carbon accumulating” period of sediment OC pool because of the decomposing of dead S. mariqueter community in the sediments. From this alternation of “carbon losing” period and “carbon accumulating” period, we conclude that carbon in the OC pool of the middle tidal fiat S. mariqueter zone sediments mainly comes from the atmospheric carbon rooted by S. mariqueter photosynthesis.

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.

A numerical study on the effect of tidal flat's slope on tidal dynamics in the Xiangshan Bay, China

The Xiangshan Bay is a semi-enclosed and narrow bay, which is characterized by large scale tidal flats and has been historically utilized through coastal construction and aquaculture engineering. The hydrodynamic model using the Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model（FVCOM） was constructed to examine the changes of tidal dynamics due to the variation of tidal flat slopes. According to the model results, a decreased slope of a tidal flat would amplify the M2 tidal amplitude and delay the M2 tidal phase in the inner harbor, due to an increased tidal prism, and vice versa. The amplitude of the main shallow-water tide M4 would be amplified/dampened in the entire bay due to the changed bottom friction, if the tidal flat＇s slope were reduced/increased at the Tie inlet. The phase was advanced. The change of a tidal flat＇s slope at the Tie inlet had greater impacts on tidal amplitude,phase and duration asymmetry, than that at the Xihu inlet. The impact of changes of the tidal flat slope at the Xihu inlet was small and was constrained locally. Changes in the tidal flats＇ slopes at the Tie and Xihu inlets changed the tidal duration asymmetry, residual current and tidal energy via modulating tides. The ebb dominance decreased when the tidal flat＇s slope at the Tie inlet was changed. Decreased/increased ebb dominance occurred when the tidal flat＇s slope was reduced/increased at the Xihu inlet. The residual current and tidal energy density was amplified/dampened and more/less tidal energy was dissipated, with reduced/increased slope at both of the inlets. The findings in this study are instructive to coastal engineering and estuarine management.

Processes,feedbacks,and morphodynamic evolution of tidal flat-marsh systems:Progress and challenges

Tidal flats and saltmarshes have been a long-standing research focus because of their high socio-economic and ecological values.The evolution of tidal flat-marsh systems is highly complex due to the intertwined processes operating over a variety of spatial and temporal scales.As a traditional research highlight,the role of regular hydrodynamic processes such as tides,waves,and river flows have been explored comprehensively with fruitful outcomes.Over past decades,the changing environment(e.g.,sea level rise,increasing anthropogenic activities,and extreme weather conditions)has attracted more attention with many reported insightful results.More recent advances indicate that biological activities play a critical role in tidal flat-marsh morphodynamics but are still poorly understood.The field of research that connects the bio-logical and physical processes is commonly described as"biogeomorphology"and requires the joint efforts by scientists from multiple dis-ciplines ranging from hydraulics,ecology,and geography to sociology.This review aims to provide a synthesis of the current research status of tidal flat-marsh morphodynamics,with a particular emphasis on the understanding of various processes and feedbacks underlying the devel-opment of morphodynamic models.Some future research needs and challenges are identified to facilitate a more sustainable management strategy for tidal flats and saltmarshes under climate change.

The rule of sediment transport on the Nanhui tidal flat in the Changjiang Estuary

The Nanhui tidal flat is located in the area of slow current where the ebb currents from the Changjiang Estuaryand the Hangzhou Bay converge and the flood current from the sea diverges into the estuary and the bay. The flat extends seaward in tongue shape and has a wide and gentle surface with a marked difference of tidal levels on its two sides, which results in the sediment longitudinal transport on the flat. The water-sediment conditions are diverse at different locations. The velocity and sediment concentration in intertidal zone are higher during the flood tide than those during the ebb tide. The net sediment transport is landward, resulting in a large amount of deposition of sediments on the shoal. However, the ebb current is the dominant one in deep-water area where the net sediment transport is seaward. There exist two circulation systems in plane view on the shoal and in its adjacent deep-water area, which results in the sediment exchanges between the flat and channel and between the estuary and the bay. The landward storm waves erode shoal face, causing the rise of water level on the flat, originating the formation of the vertical circulation system of the sediment transport, and consequently * accelerating the evolution process of the tidal flat.

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.

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.

Processes of small-scale tidal flat accretion and salt marsh changes on the plain coast of Jiangsu Province,China

Large-scaled reclamation modifies the coastal environment dramatically while accelerating the disappearance of salt marshes,which causes the degradation of the coastal ecosystem and the biodiversity function.In this study,we explored the changes of tidal flat and salt marsh coverage in a small-scale tidal flat with an area of ~160 000 m^2 in the plain coast of Jiangsu Province,China.Human activities（e.g.,the construction of dikes） are a crucial contributor that benefits for the tidal flat accretions and the following changes of salt marsh coverage.Located in the front of the man-made ＂concave coastline＂,the study area is suitable for sediment accretion after the dike construction in the end of 2006.On the basis of the annual tidal surface elevation survey from 2007 to 2012,the sedimentation rates in the human influenced tidal flat varied from a few centimeters per year to 23 cm/a.The study area experienced a rapid accretion in the tidal flat and the expansion of the salt marsh,with the formation of a longshore bar,and a subsequent decline of the salt marsh.Breaking waves during the flooding tide brought much sediment from the adjacent tidal flat to the study area,which caused burial and degeneration of the salt marsh.The vertical grain size changes within a 66 cm long core in the study area also demonstrated the above changes in the tidal environment.This study indicates that the responses of small-scale tidal flat changes to reclamation are significant,and the rational reclamation would benefit for the new salt marsh formation in front of the dikes.Further research about the evolution of small scale tidal flat as well as the spatial planning of the polder dike should be strengthened for the purpose to maintain a healthier coastal environment.

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.

Heavy metals and phosphorus in tidal flat sediments of the Yangtze estuary

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr and Cd), and phosphorous (P) were determined in surface tidal flat sediments of the Yangtze estuary and Shanghai coast. Results demonstrate that there were significant differences among the accumulation of the heavy metals in sediments, following the order: Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd. The spatial distribution and chemical forms of heavy metals in tidal flat sediments were closely related to the distribution of pollution resources (outlet of sewage) and the local sedimentary and hydrodynamic conditions. The dominated form of non-residual heavy metals is bound to Fe/Mn oxides, and the next form is bound to carbonates. Moreover, contents of total P in sediments range from 18.0 μmol.g?1 to 31.4 μmol.g?1 along the coastline, speciation of P in sediments was different, most of P in tidal flat sediments is associated with calcium phases (as Ca-P) similar to marine sediments.

Seasonal Distribution of Meiofaunal Assemblages in the Mangrove Tidal Flat of Futian,Shenzhen,China

Meiofauna are fundamental components in mangrove ecosystem which play important roles in the energy flow and mat-ter cycling.In order to reveal the spatio-temporal distribution of meiofaunal assemblages in mangrove habitats,sediment samples were collected in July(summer)and October(autumn)of 2013,January(winter)and April(spring)of 2014 in the mangrove tidal flat of Futian,Shenzhen,China.A total of 14 meiofaunal taxa were identified,including free-living marine nematodes,benthic copepods,polychaetes,oligochaetes,ostracods,isopods,etc.Additionally,there were also undetermined taxa.Results showed that the abun-dance range of meiofauna was(488.35±71.29)-(5136.36±623.38)ind(10 cm)−2.Marine nematodes were the most dominant group,with an average abundance of(1869.56±227.92)ind(10 cm)−2,accounting for 98.35%of the total abundance of meiofauna.The sea-sonal distribution of meiofauna showed that the abundance was the highest in summer,followed by those in spring,winter,and au-tumn.Vertical distribution showed that meiofauna were mainly distributed in the upper sediment layer(0-5 cm),with a proportion of 89.56%.Correlation analysis between meiofauna and environmental factors showed that meiofaunal abundance and biomass had significantly negative correlation with salinity.BIOENV analysis between meiofaunal assemblages and environmental factors show-ed that meiofaunal assemblages were affected by the combined effects of temperature,salinity,sediment median grain size,water content,and chlorophyll a content.

Impact of Human Activities on Depositional Process of Tidal Flat in Quanzhou Bay of China

As a very important component of a coastal system,tidal flats come to be a focus of the studies on land-ocean interaction in the coastal zone because those areas are subjected to intense human activities and are highly sensitive to the global change.The Quanzhou Bay,located along the middle part of Fujian coast of China,covers about 136.4km2,and the area of coastal wetland in the entire bay from intertidal to subtidal with 6m of water depth accounts for 96% of the total area.Seven short cores were collected and divided in situ with the interval of 5cm on the coastal wetlands of Quanzhou Bay on April 19,2006.The sediment samples were scattered and the grain sizes were measured by using Mastersizer 2000.Human beings' activities on tidal flat have disturbed the vertical distribution of sediments in stratigraphic sequence and accelerated the sedimentation rates.Grain size analysis results show that the grain size diameters increase and sediment becomes worse sorted towards the sea under the strong human disturbance;Spartina alterniflora can play a role of trapping the fine sediment;but near the bank,the sediment becomes coarse and there are two peak values on frequency curve influenced by the sandpile.The trough formed by human activities along the coastline changes the transport path of water and suspended sediment.The sediments are transported through the trough and deposit in it during the flood;the ebb flow is retarded by the flow output through the adjacent trough,and the deposited sediment can not be re-suspended;then,the sedimentation rate increases.In situ observation show that the sedimentation rate is about 8-10cm/yr.

Acid Volatile Sulfide and Simultaneously Extracted Metals in Tidal Flat Sediments of Jiaozhou Bay, China

It is well known that acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) plays an important role in influencing the toxicity of divalent cationic metals within anoxic sediments. In studying sediment core samples collected from tidal flats within the Jiaozhou Bay, China, we found that the AVS concentration gradually increases with depth and decreases from high tidal flat to low tidal flat areas. We evaluated the chemical activity and bioavailability of heavy metals in the tidal flat based on the molar ratio of simultaneously ex- tracted metals (SEM) and AVS. The value of SEM/AVS is generally less than 1 in this area except for the surface layer, which suggests that the heavy metals only have chemical activity in the surface layer. SEM is most highly concentrated at the boundary of the redox layer. SEM have similar depth distributions throughout the tidal flat. The aeration of low tidal flat sediment indicates that SEM gradually move to deeper sites via interstitial water.