Variations in tidal currents and suspended sediment concentration of the upper part of the North Channel of Changjiang Estuary over the past 10 years

The tidal current duration （TCD） and velocity （TCV） and suspended sediment concentration （SSC） were measured in the dry season in December, 2011 and in the flood season in June, 2012 at the upper part of the North Channel of Changjiang Estuary. They were assimilated with the measured data in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007, using the tidal range＇s proportion conversion. Variations in TCD and TCV, preferential flow and SSC have been calculated. Influences of typical engineering projects such as Qingcaosha fresh water reservoir, Yangtze River Bridge, and land reclamation on the ebb and flood TCD, TCV and SSC in the North Channel for the last 10 years are discussed. The results show that： （1） currently, in the upper part of North Channel, the ebb tide dominates; after the construction of the typical projects, ebb TCD and TCV tends to be larger and the vertical average ebb and flood SSC decrease during the flood season while SSC increases during the dry season; （2） changes in the vertical average TCV are mainly contributed by seasonal runoff variation during the flood season, which is larger in the flood season than that in the dry season; the controlling parameters of increasing ebb TCD and TCV are those large-scale engineering projects in the North Channel; variation in SSC may result mainly from the reduction of basin annual sediment loads, large-scale nearshore projects and so on.

Impact of the cord-grass Spartina alterniflora on sedimentary and morphological evolution of tidal salt marshes on the Jiangsu coast,China

The tidal flats of the Wanggang area, on the Jiangsu coast, represent the largest continuously distributed coastal wetland in terms of area coverage in China, and the dynamics of tidal flat accretion and erosion is highly complicated. The cord-grass Spartina alterniflora, which was introduced artificially into the Jiangsu coast, has significant influences on the regional tidal flat evolution in terms of deposition rate, spacial sediment distribution patterns and tidal creek morphology. On the basis of the data set of bed elevation and accumulation rate for different periods of time, the applicability of the Pethick - Allen model to the Jiangsu tidal salt marshes is discussed. In addition, caesium-137 dating was carried out for sediment samples collected from the salt marsh of the Wangang area. In combination with the caesium-137 analysis and the data collected from literature, the Pethick - Allen model was used to derive the accumulation rate in the Wanggang tidal flat for the various periods. The results show that the pattern of tidal flat accretion has been modified, due to more rapid accretion following the iatroduction of S. alterniflora to the region. Surficial sediment samples were collected from representative profiles and analyzed for grain size with a laser particle analyzer. The result shows that fine-grained sediment has been trapped by the plant, with most of the sediment deposited on the Suaeda salsa and Spartina angelica flats being derived from drainage creeks rather than the from gently sloping tidal flats. Remote sensing analysis and in situ observations indicate that the creeks formed in the S. alterniflora flat have a relatively small ratio of width to depth, a relatively high density, and are more stable than the other tidal flat creek systems in the study area.

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.

Heavy metal pollution in tidal zones of Bohai Bay using the dated sediment cores

Three sediment cores were collected in November 2003 from Dagu estuary to Qikou estuary. The main polluted heavy metals in the sediment of tidal zones for the Bohai Bay have been found by analyzing the relationship among the contents of heavy metals, the contents of geochemical elements （Fe, AI and Mn） and the size of grain. The dominating contaminative elements in tidal sediments of Bohai Bay are Pb, Zn and Cd. Their contents are higher than the corresponding upper limit of environmental background values and they have very faint correlation with the corresponding contents of geochemical elements and the size of grain, indicating the anthropogenic enrichment. Especially, the preliminary study on the pollution sources and the history of heavy metals in the Dagu estuary has been done using the dated results. The contamination by Zn and Cd also started in the middle 1950s, while the contamination by Pb appeared in the early 1940s. The pollution by Zn and Cd mainly originate from sewage discharge, while the pollution by Pb has many sources, like atmosphere deposition and industrial discharRe.

Remediation of Coastal Sediments by Addition of Calcium Nitrate and Presence of Benthos in a Muddy Tidal Flat

This study investigated the change in denitrification rate in muddy tidal flats sediment by chemical and biological remediation. Column experiments were conducted to determine the dependence of denitrification rate on the redox potential. Filtered seawater was fed continuously to the pipe filled with sediment from the muddy tidal flats. An increase in the redox potential from -198 mV to 21 mV with bioturbation led to increases in the denitrification rate from 24.2 mg/m2/day to 29.8 mg/m2/day. The increase in denitrification was explained by the acceleration of mass transfer in the sediment. Redox-potential increased from -400 mV to -200 mV by the addition of 10 g calcium nitrate, acid volatile sulfide was below the detection limit to 20 cm depth, and denitrification rate was increased from 21.3 mg/m2/day to 36.4 mg/m2/day. It is considered that the increased nitrogen concentration led to an increase in microbial activity.

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 relationship between tidal current field and sediment transport in the Huanghai Sea and the Bohai Sea

-Based on a two-dimensional numerical M2 tidal model of the Huanghai and Bohai Seas, sediment transport of particles with different sizes in the computational area is given. It is concluded that tidal currents play an important role in sediment transport and deposition in the Huanghai and Bohai Seas.

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 simulation of sediment lifted by waves and transported by tidal currents

The analysis of the scabed processes of a muddy coast has been described in this paper. On the basisof the basic differential equation of tidal current and sediment movement influenced by waves, a numerical simulation system for sediment lifted by waves and transported by tidal currents and scabed processes has been established by using MADI method, and applied to the sea area of Tianjin Port with good results.

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.

A combined numerical model of three-dimensional tidal motion and sediment transport in tidal current and its application

A calculation scheme, which combines a horizontal upwind finite element method with vertical implicit differences, is used to establish a three-dimensional mathematical model of tidal motion and sediment transport in tidal current. Compared with those of the relative theoretical formula, the results are satisfactory. The model mentioned above has been applied to the water area of the Lianzhou Bay, Guangxi Province. On the basis of the analysis and comparison with the field data, it shows clearly that the model calculation results are reasonable.

Hydrodynamic Characteristics and Sediment Transport of A Tidal River Under Influence of Wading Engineering Groups

By taking the Yong River for example in this paper, based on the multiple measured data during 1957 to 2009, the change process of runoff, tide feature, tidal wave, tidal influx and sediment transport are analyzed. Then a mathematical model is used to reveal the influence mechanism on hydrodynamic characteristics and sediment transport of the wading engineering groups such as a tide gate, a breakwater, reservoirs, bridges and wharves, which were built in different periods. The results showed the hydrodynamic characteristics and sediment transport of the Yong River changed obviously due to the wading engineering groups. The tide gate induced deformation of the tidal wave, obvious reduction of the tidal influx and weakness of the tidal dynamic, decrease of the sediment yield of flood and ebb tide and channel deposition. The breakwater blocked estuarine entrances, resulting in the change of the tidal current and the reduction of the tidal influx in the estuarine area. The large-scale reservoirs gradually made the decrease of the Yong River runoff. The bridge and wharf groups took up cross-section areas, the cumulative affection of which caused the increase of tidal level in the tidal river.

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.

Changes in Sedimentation Rate of Tidal Flat and Environmental Significance at Qidong Foreland of the Yangtze Estuary

The sedimentation rate is an important environmental parameter to understand the evolution of coastal geomorphology. The tidal flat around Qidong foreland is located in the junction between Yangtze Estuary and Jiangsu coast,where the land-ocean interactions are strong and highly sensitive to environmental changes. The QDZ-1 core sediments collected at Qidong foreland was analyzed for137 Cs dating and grain size.The results showed that silt is the main sedimentary type with a trend of gradually fining from the bottom to the top,conforming to the sedimentation characteristic of the silt muddy tidal flat. The sedimentation rate could be divided into three distinct stages: 1963 to 1986 was 2. 61 cm/yr,1963 to 2011 was 1. 82 cm/yr,and 1986 to 2011 was 1. 10 cm/yr. Based on these,further explanation was made for the significance of environmental changes. According to the estimation of sedimentation rate,the impact of extreme environmental change was reflected by the sudden increase in sand proportion at the depth of 172. 5 cm. Since the introduction of Spartina alterniflora in the 1970 s,it has played an important role in tidal flat development. The tidal flat has a high sedimentary rate during this time. With continuous accretion of the tidal flat,low tidal flat turns to high tidal flat,the sedimentation rate gradually declines,and tidal flat sedimentation appears.

岱山—洋山跨海通道水沙环境影响数值模拟研究

杭州湾是世界闻名的强潮河口,具有不规则的岸线边界、独特的地形地貌特征和复杂的水动力泥沙环境。岱山—洋山跨海通道位于杭州湾湾口水域,将岱山与洋山近35km连通,实现了上海—洋山—岱山—舟山—宁波跨海通道的全线贯通,其建设具有非常重要的意义。基于考虑波浪作用的潮流泥沙数值模型,讨论了岱山—洋山跨海通道几种工况对杭州湾大范围海域水沙环境的影响。研究结果表明:跨海通道实施后潮位变化在大桥轴线附近较为敏感,远离则基本没有影响,高低潮位变化幅度大多在2 cm以内。杭州湾涨落潮量减小小于0.6%。水流流态和水下地形仅在大桥附近水域存在明显变化。从对杭州湾水沙环境影响角度考虑,岱山—洋山跨海通道几种工况均可行,建议关注桥墩和人工岛附近的局部冲刷问题。

三维水沙模型在航道减淤措施中的应用

山东滨州港港区于2015年11月经历一次大风骤淤过程,造成原有3万t级航道严重淤积,建设和发展滨州港,航道的骤淤治理是关键。基于三维潮流泥沙模型FVCOM及波浪模型SWAN,考虑水动力和泥沙间的相互作用,建立了基于新型三维辐射应力的三维水沙模型,依据2014年全潮水文观测资料对此三维水沙模型进行潮流场、波浪场及悬沙场的模拟和分析,验证了模型的可靠性,并计算了大风条件下现状航道淤积量和延长出水堤堤头位置至7.5 m方案和9.0 m方案的淤积量,分析了导致航道淤积的原因。模拟结果的对比论证表明,出水堤延伸越远,航道减淤量越大,但出水堤继续延伸后单宽减淤量会逐渐降低。本研究可为航道淤积治理及减淤措施设计等提供参考。

六垛南闸下游引河泥沙淤积特性数值分析

为了明确六垛南闸下游引河的淤积特性,基于Mike软件数值计算求解了该闸下游引河的水沙运动,对闸下引河冲淤进行了预测分析,并通过闸下实测水位和预测水位进行对比验证了计算模型的正确性。结果表明:各泄流量时下游引河的水流均为顺岸流动,流速分布规律相同;相同流量时沿程流速整体呈增大趋势。闸下引河的冲淤特性呈现出潮位越低,冲淤量越大的特点。建议六垛南闸开闸冲淤应尽量选择入海口潮位<0.3m时进行,同时可按照10d一个周期进行开闸冲淤。研究成果可为江苏省同类沿海挡潮闸防淤减淤提供参考。

长江口南槽悬沙纵向和横向输运过程与机制研究

河口悬沙输运对于最大浑浊带形成发育、地貌演变、港口航道安全、水质以及生态系统健康至关重要。本文基于2017年洪季长江口南槽拦门沙海域4站位同步观测的沉积动力数据,采用Scully和Sommerfield改进的通量机制分解法来获取垂向各层平流通量和潮泵通量及累积动态变化,以确定平流和潮汐泵送对悬沙净通量的相对贡献,探讨纵向和横向的水沙输运时空格局和动力机制,弥补了传统通量机制分解法仅限计算时空平均值的缺陷。研究发现:(1)洪季长江口南槽拦门沙海域大潮期间存在横向余环流,小潮期间出现表层向海、底层向陆的纵向余环流;(2)平流和潮泵作用是影响净输运的关键因素,南槽拦门沙海域由平流作用主导、悬沙向海净输运,横向上向西南边滩输运,为南汇边滩围垦区向海淤长提供物源,且靠近主槽区域横向悬沙通量对沉积过程的贡献与纵向通量相当;(3)潮泵输运在河口滞流点和拦门沙海域均较显著,泵送的大小和方向与径潮流相互作用和底床物源有关,纵向上由大潮期间向陆泵送占优转为小潮期间的向海净输运占优。综上,南槽拦门沙海域近底层悬沙呈现由浅滩向主槽辐聚的格局,浅滩区域的近底层悬沙净输运受潮泵作用控制,且对整个水柱悬沙输运贡献显著,可能是拦门沙形成和最大浑浊带发育的重要机制。

基于挟沙力方法的潮滩剖面形态演变数值模型

为研究波流共同作用下的潮滩剖面形态演变,推导了基于切应力方法的挟沙力公式,开发了基于挟沙力方法的潮滩剖面形态演变数值模型,模拟结果与Delft3D模型基本一致,计算效率明显提升。分别采用切应力方法和挟沙力方法模拟潮滩形态的演变过程,挟沙力方法在潮间带上部区域的模拟效果优于切应力方法,更容易模拟出淤积条件下的上凸形剖面,整体剖面形态更接近实测剖面。计算模拟了潮滩剖面在不同波浪条件下的演变过程,波浪对潮滩形态有极强的塑造作用,入射波高的提升加剧了潮间带的侵蚀,形成明显的下凹形剖面。

Effects of Suspended Culture of the Seaweed Laminaria japonica Aresch on the Flow Structure and Sedimentation Processes

The culture of suspended kelp, such as Laminaria japonica Aresch, has arisen in nearshore areas for approximately 30 years since the 1980 s. This long-term activity has significant impact on the regional hydrodynamic and sedimentary environments. In this study the impact was investigated, based on synchronized multi-station data from continuous observations made within and around the culture area. In total, three current velocity profiles were identified inside and on the landward side of the culture area. Based on the current velocity profiles we calculated the boundary layer parameters, the fluxes of erosion/deposition, and the rate of sediment transport in different times at each observation site. Comparison between culture and non-culture periods showed that the presence of suspended kelp caused the reduction in the average flow velocity by approximately 49.5%, the bottom friction velocity by 24.8%, the seabed roughness length by 62.7%, and the shear stress and the flux of resuspended sediment by approximately 50%. From analyses in combination with the corresponding vertical variation of the suspended sediment distribution, it is revealed that the lifted sediments by resuspension is mixed with the upper suspended material, which will modify the regional distribution of suspended sediment. These changes in flow structure and sediment movement will accelerate seabed siltation, which corresponds to the changes in seabed erosion/deposition. However, under the influences of the seasonal changes in kelp growth the magnitude of change with the seabed siltation was not obvious inside the culture area, but a fundamental change was apparent around the culture area.