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.

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.

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.

Sequence stratigraphic framework and sedimentary model of Shanxi Formation in northeast Zhoukou Depression of the North China Plate

The sequence stratigraphic framework of Shanxi Formation in the northeast Zhoukou Depression was established based on detailed sequence stratigraphical and sedimentological analysis by utilizing the logging and core data of six wells drilled in the eastern tectonic unit of Zhoukou Depression.It was divided into three third-order sequences,namely SQs1,SQs2,and SQs3 from bottom to top.Each sequence can be divided into a transgressive system tract(TST)and a highstand system tract(HST).Furthermore,four sequence boundaries and three maximum flooding surfaces were identified,and they are the bottom interface SBs and maximum flooding surface mfss1 of SQs1,the bottom interface SBs1 and maximum flooding surface mfss2 of SQs2,the bottom interface SBs3 and maximum flooding surface mfss3 of SQs3,and the top interface SBx from bottom to top.Carbonate tidal flat–clastic tidal flat sedimentary system developed in Shanxi Formation in the northeast Zhoukou Depression(also referred to as the study area)under the control of regression.Meanwhile,four sedimentary microfacies were identified in the sedimentary system,which are lime-mud flats,sand flats,mixed flats,and mud flats.The transgression in the study area occurred from the southeast to the northwest.Therefore,the northwestern part is the seaward side,and the southeastern part is the landward side.As revealed by relevant drilling data,SQs1 of the Shanxi Formation is characterized by the development of limestone and carbonaceous mudstone,with limestone,dark mudstone,and carbonaceous mudstone mainly developing.Meanwhile,lime-mud flats were mainly deposited in it.During the periods of SQs2 and SQs3,the sedimentary environment of the study area changed from the carbonate tidal flats to clastic tidal flats as the coastline migrated towards the sea.In these periods,sand flats mainly developed near the maximum flooding surfaces and were relatively continuous in the eastern and southern parts of the transgressive system tract;mixed flats were relatively continuous in the western and northern parts of the transgressive system tract as well as the eastern and southern parts of the highstand system tract;mud flats widely developed in the highstand system tract.Peat flats mainly developed in the period of HSTs2,with coal seams relatively developing in the southeastern part of the study area as revealed by drilling data.The peat flats in SQs2 are favorable hydrocarbon source layers,the lime-mud flats in SQs1 and sand flats formed in the transgression periods of SQs2 and SQs3 constitute favorable hydrocarbon reservoirs,and the mud flats form in the transgressions periods serve as favorable cap rocks.Therefore,the study area features a reservoir-cap assemblage for self-generating and self-storing of hydrocarbon,and the southeastern part of the study area can be taken as a favorable exploration area.