鄂尔多斯盆地西缘上奥陶统拉什仲组包卷层理成因机制探讨*

包卷层理是软沉积物变形构造的一种重要类型,其成因较为复杂。在深水沉积环境中,探讨内波、内潮汐作用与包卷层理成因之间的关系,对于丰富包卷层理形成机制和完善内波、内潮汐沉积鉴别标志均具有重要意义。鄂尔多斯盆地西缘北部内蒙古桌子山地区上奥陶统拉什仲组阻塞浊流沉积中发育的包卷层理,依据形态可分为倾向型规则包卷层理和回旋状包卷层理2类: 前者具有紧闭背形、开阔向形及背形之下发育砂核等特征,常和双向交错层理伴生; 后者属于层内扭曲变形,多限定在具有削截现象的层系内,常和复合流沉积构造及浪成波纹层理伴生。综合沉积特征、包卷层理特征、伴生沉积构造及相关研究成果可推测: 倾向型规则包卷层理主要由内潮汐形成,在液化过程中出现明显的密度倒置,因瑞利—泰勒不稳定引起变形,在流体持续剪切作用下进一步改造形成; 回旋状包卷层理主要由短周期内波形成,包括浊流反射形成的随机内波和内潮汐裂解形成的内孤立波,表现为同沉积分层液化,但一般不出现密度倒置现象,因开尔文—亥姆霍兹不稳定引起变形,流体剪切也有一定的改造作用。     

成都金沙遗址区全新统震积岩的发现及其地质意义

震积岩是灾变性事件岩的典型代表,是具有震积构造和震积岩序列有一定成因联系的一组岩石的总称。成都金沙遗址区全新统地层中首次发现震积岩,该地层自下而上为底部砾石层、中部暗色(含炭)泥质层、上部褐黄色土壤层,整体属河流冲积物。通过野外观察,研究区发育一组走向SE120°的正断层,断层两盘的底部砾石层顶界面有明显的错断。构成地垒构造;在IT6511、IT6610层位中的断层带中见明显阶梯状断裂,其以张性正断层为主,断距约为10~90cm。在靠近阶梯状断裂的IT6512、IT6613-6614层位中发现一系列地震成因的软沉积物变形标志及破裂构造,包括砂土液化(脉)、液化卷曲变形构造、负载构造、微断裂、地裂缝、震塌岩等。分析认为这些软沉积物变形标志及破裂构造是由同期地壳活动引起的地震作用形成的。金沙遗址区震积岩的发现,对研究四川盆地全新世以来的古环境有重要意义。     

Earthquake triggered soft sediment deformational structures (seismites) in the Karewa formations of Kashmir valley–An indicator for palaeo-seismicity

The intermontane Karewa basin contains a wide variety of seismically induced soft sediment deformation structures, interpreted as seismites and occurs in 1300 m thick succession of upper and lower Karewas. The Karewa Formation of Kashmir valley are glacio- fluvial-lacustrine and aeolian loess of Plio-Pleistocene age. The soft sediment deformational structures occurs in various formations and members of Karewas and vary greatly in terms of morphology and pattern. The Karewa Formations were frequently confronted with recurrent seismic activities during differential upliftment of Pir Panjal and Zanaskar ranges which resulted in various deformation structures during their evolution and development. In the present study, an attempt has been made to relate the palaeo-seismicity events in Karewa formations with the deformed structures of various formations. The origin of these deformational structures have been interpreted and analyzed from the field evidences by applying paleo-seismological approach. During and after the deposition of Karewas different soft sediment deformation structures (seismites) like load cast, convolute lamination, pseudonodules, recumbent folds, sand dykes etc. were formed during liquefaction and triggered by tectonic impulsive events. The deformational structures are evidenced by their unique nature, distribution, association, behaviour and deformation, and can be used as vital indicators for palaeo-seismicity.     

Soft-sediment deformation structures in late Albian to Cenomanian deposits, São Luís Basin, northern Brazil: evidence for palaeoseismicity

Soft-sediment deformation structures from the Alcântara Formation (late Albian to Cenomanian), São Luís Basin, northern Brazil, consist of (1) contorted structures, which include convolute folds, ball-and-pillow structures, concave-up paths with consolidation lamination, recumbently folded cross-stratification and irregular convolute stratification that grades into massive beds; (2) intruded structures, which include pillars, dykes, cusps and subsidence lobes; and (3) brittle structures, represented by fractures and faults displaying planes with a delicate, ragged morphology and sharp peaks. These structures result from a complex combination of processes, mostly including reverse density gradients, fluidization and liquefaction. Reverse density gradients, promoted by differential liquefaction associated with different degrees of sediment compaction, led to the genesis of convolute folds. More intense deformation promoted the development of ball-and-pillow structures, subsidence lobes and sand rolls, which are attributed to denser, and thus more compacted (less liquefied), portions that sank down into less dense, more liquefied sediments. Irregular convolute stratification that grades into massive beds would have formed at periods of maximum deformation. The subsidence of beds was accompanied by lateral current drag and fluid escape from water-saturated sands. In addition, the fractures and faults record brittle deformation penecontemporaneous with sediment deposition. All these mechanisms were triggered by a seismic agent, as suggested by a combination of criteria, including (1) the position of the study area at the edge of a major strike-slip fault zone that was reactivated several times from the Albian to the Holocene; (2) a relative increase in the degree of deformation in sites located closer to the fault zone; (3) continuity of the deformed beds over large distances (several kilometres); (4) restriction of soft-sediment deformation structures to single stratigraphic intervals bounded by entirely undeformed strata; (5) recurrence through time; and (6) similarities to many other earthquake-induced deformational structures.     

塔河油田南部石炭系卡拉沙依组沉积相研究

综合应用沉积学、古生物学、地球化学等多学科理论,通过岩心观察描述,结合测井、录井、古生物、地球化学等资料综合分析认为:塔河油田南部石炭系卡拉沙依组上部砂泥岩段砂岩中发育羽状交错层理、波状层理、透镜状层理,砂泥岩薄互层,低砂地比,半咸水生物或广盐度生物大量发育,反映了一种潮坪环境;平面上,研究区北部偏粗、含砾,反映存在河流注入,为具有河口湾性质的潮坪沉积体系,卡拉沙依组砂泥岩段主要处于潮间带,发育潮道、砂坪、砂泥混合坪、泥坪、河口坝等微相。下部的上泥岩段为深灰色、灰褐色、棕褐色泥岩,偶夹薄层泥质粉砂岩、灰质泥岩条带,发育平行层理,为泻湖相沉积。     

Terrestrial-marine transition in the Cambrian rocks of Kangaroo Island, South Australia

The upper part of the Lower Cambrian succession in northeast Kangaroo Island comprises three interbedded facies associations. The fine-grained association is composed of siltstone, mudstone and minor sandstone. It contains flat lamination and abundant ripple cross-lamination which shows bipolar palaeocurrents, and occurs in combinations of flaser bedding, lenticular bedding and wavy lamination. Although body fossils are relatively rare, trilobite traces and desiccation cracks are common, and the association is interpreted as a predominantly subtidal to intertidal deposit. The conglomerate facies association contains horizontally bedded cobble to boulder conglomerate, with subordinate trough cross-stratified coarse sandstone to granule/pebble conglomerate. Fabrics and structures in the coarse conglomerates are consistent with alluvial transport (stream and debris flow), but not beach deposition. The conglomerate association is attributed to tectonic uplift and erosion of a Precambrian-Lower Cambrian succession developed adjacent to the present north coast of Kangaroo Island. Southward progradation of an alluvial fan complex occurred across east-west oriented tidal flats on which limited wave activity reworked sand and fine gravel, but not coarser material. The sandstone facies association mainly comprises trough cross-stratified and plane-laminated sandstone, the latter with current lineation predominantly sub-parallel to the east-west shoreline. Trough cross-stratification is ascribed to onshore waves and longshore currents, and current lineation to predominantly shore-parallel tidal currents, augmented by longshore drift and storm surge. Tectonic movements gave rise to cycles of transgression and regression as tidal and alluvial processes dominated alternately.     

枕、球—枕构造：地层中的古地震记录

枕状构造(pillow)与球—枕构造(ballandpillow)、负载构造(load))是地层中的软沉积物变形构造,它们在形态、产状、变形机制等方面是不同的。枕状构造是砂层中一组呈“凹”形弯曲的变形沉积体,它的原始层平行于枕状体的底面,顶面则是一个平直的截切面。枕状构造是由于层状砂层强烈液化向上覆软沉积砂层流动、穿刺,使之弯曲褶皱,在原地固定位置形成,因此枕状构造在一个层内是沿岩层走向呈现一系列相间隔的向形和很窄的背形。形成球—枕构造与负载构造的软沉积层包括细砂单元与上覆粗砂单元。他们的变形机制与砂层的液化作用有关。下伏细粒砂单元具强的液化变形而上覆粗砂单元为弱变形层。上覆粗砂单元（比重大）在下伏细砂单元（比重小）之上形成一个不稳定重力驱动系统,地震发生时的剪切力使重的粗砂（弱液化）陷落下沉至下伏细粒单元（强液化）中成负载构造和球—枕构造。球—枕体位于细砂层的不同位置,表明他们是下沉穿越细砂层单元为异地沉积体。形成枕、球—枕及负载体的软沉积物液化变形机制不同,但液化作用的触发机制是强地震。这些液化变形构造在实验室砂层的振动液化模拟实验中也已得到证实。地层中的枕状构造及球—枕、负载构造代表一次Ms>5的古地震灾变事件。古地震往往是沿着某些古地震断裂分布,是古地震断裂活动的表现。本文将举例讨论我国古老地层中的某些枕状构造、球—枕与负载构造,并简述当时发震的构造背景。     

2018年5月28日中国吉林松原M5.7级地震引起的液化构造*

2018年5月28日,吉林松原市宁江区毛都站镇牙木吐村发生M5.7级地震(45°16'12″N,124°42'35″E),震源深度13 km,震中位于郯庐断裂带西北侧的扶余/松原—肇东断裂带、第二松花江断裂带和扶余北断裂带交汇处。地震诱发震中距3 km范围内普遍的液化和地表裂缝,给当地居民带来严重灾害。可见液化构造以砂火山为主,其次为液化砂堆、液化砂脉和液化砂席等。液化砂火山又可分为有火山口型砂火山、无火山口型砂火山和无砂型(水)火山。地震液化伴生软沉积物变形构造有变形层理、负载构造和火焰构造、滑塌褶皱、碟状构造和包卷层理等。地震诱发液化砂火山形成过程包括液化层内超孔隙流体压力形成、上覆低渗透层破裂和水、砂喷出地表后砂涌3个阶段。液化和流化砂体在上涌过程中会注入低渗透黏土层形成各种形态的砂脉、砂席和多种类型的变形构造。垂向上地震液化结构可划分为底部松散可液化层、下部液化变形层、上部液化变形层和地表砂火山4层结构。液化层埋深2~5 m,液化层厚度2 m。松原M5.7级地震发震机制为NE-SW(35°~215°)方向挤压应力使断层活跃,推测扶余/松原—肇东断裂是主要的发震断层。松原地震液化构造研究为现代地震活动区和灾害易发区预测提供依据,为地震引发的现代软沉积物变形构造研究提供丰富的素材,兼具将今论古意义,为揭示本世纪以来郯庐断裂带北段进入了一个强断裂和地震活跃阶段提供了最新的实际资料。     

Lithology, Biostratigraphy, and Magneto stratigraphy of Gas Hydrate-Bearing Sediments in the Eastern Nankai Trough

Abstract: Stratigraphic controls on the formation and distribution of gas hydrates were examined for sediments from a BH-1 well drilled in the landward slope of the Nankai Trough, approximately 60 km off Omaezaki, Japan. Three lithologic units were recognized in the 250 m-thick sequence of sediments: Unit 1 (0–70 mbsf) consists of calcareous silt and clay with thin volcanic ash layers, Unit 2 (70–150 mbsf) consists of calcareous silt and clay with volcanic ash and thin sand layers, and Unit 3 (150–250 mbsf) consists of weakly consolidated calcareous silt and clay with thick and frequent sand layers. Soupy structures and gas bubbles in the sediments indicate the presence of two hydrate zones between 40 and 130 mbsf and below 195 mbsf. Nannofossil biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy indicate that the sequence recovered at the BH-1 well is mostly continuous and represents sediments deposited from 0 to 1.5 Ma. Calculation of the sedimentation rate reveals a condensed section between 65 and 90 mbsf. The inferred distribution of gas hydrates in the BH-1 well appears to be strongly controlled by the stratigraphy and lithology of the sediments. Thick, gently inclined sand layers in Unit 3 provide a conduit for the migration of gases from deeper regions, and are considered responsible for the formation of the hydrate zone below 195 mbsf. At shallower levels, thin, gently inclined sand layers are also considered to allow for the migration of gases, leading to the formation of the upper hydrate zone between 40 and 130 mbsf. The overlying sub-horizontal silt and clay of the condensed section, truncating the underlying gently inclined sand and silt/clay layers, may provide an effective trap for gases supplied through the sand layers, further contributing to hydrate formation in the upper hydrate zone.     

低能海岸的垂直层序和风暴沉积

我国淤泥质海岸由微型和小型层序构成。微型层序主要是潮汐作用形成的,小型层序由粗、细粒单层构成,其中粗粒单层形成于风暴时期,细粒单层形成于平静天气。小型层序系完整的风暴层序。在游泥质海岸层序中风暴沉积的厚度超过非风暴沉积,且排列有序。低潮坪沉积物粗,向陆向海变细,从而构成中间粗、两端细的淤泥质海岸典型垂直层序。随着条件和因素的变化,典型垂直层序可以产生若干变异,识别出三种变异层序。     

Sedimentology of the December 26, 2004, Sumatra tsunami deposits in eastern India (Tamil Nadu) and Kenya

The December 26, 2004 Sumatra tsunami caused severe damage at the coasts of the Indian ocean. We report results of a sedimentological study of tsunami run-up parameters and the sediments laid down by the tsunami at the coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and between Malindi and Lamu, Kenya. In India, evidence of three tsunami waves is preserved on the beaches in the form of characteristic debris accumulations. We measured the maximum run-up distance at 580 m and the maximum run-up height at 4.85 m. Flow depth over land was at least 3.5 m. The tsunami deposited an up to 30 cm thick blanket of moderately well to well-sorted coarse and medium sand that overlies older beach deposits or soil with an erosional unconformity. The sand sheet thins inland without a decrease of grain-size. The deposits consist frequently of three layers. The lower one may be cross-bedded with foresets dipping landward and indicating deposition during run-up. The overlying two sand layers are graded or parallel-laminated without indicators of current directions. Thus, it remains undecided whether they formed during run-up or return flow. Thin dark laminae rich in heavy minerals frequently mark the contacts between successive layers. Benthic foraminifera indicate an entrainment of sediment by the tsunami from water depths less than ca. 30 m water depth. On the Indian shelf these depths are present at distances of up to 5 km from the coast. In Kenya only one wave is recorded, which attained a run-up height of 3 m at a run-up distance of ca. 35 m from the tidal water line at the time of the tsunami impact. Only one layer of fine sand was deposited by the tsunami. It consists predominantly of heavy minerals supplied to the sea by a nearby river. The sand layer thins landward with a minor decrease in grain-size. Benthic foraminifera indicate an entrainment of sediment by the tsunami from water depths less than ca. 30 m water depth, reaching down potentially to ca. 80 m. The presence of only one tsunami-related sediment layer in Kenya, but three in India, reflects the impact of only one wave at the coast of Kenya, as opposed to several in India. Grain-size distributions in the Indian and Kenyan deposits are mostly normal to slightly positively skewed and indicate that the detritus was entrained by the tsunami from well sorted pre-tsunami deposits in nearshore, swash zone and beach environments.     

Megaripples, ridges and runnels on intertidal flats of the Wash, England

Observations have been made of parts of the channels and the outer portions of the sand banks in the Wash using 1 : 10 000 air photographs and brief ground surveys at low spring tides. Two principal structures are found. In the channels megaripples 0.3–0.6 m high and of 10–15 m modal spacing are dominantly flood orientated. They do not reverse during ebb tide. On the outer parts of banks low ridges of 0.5 m height and 50-100 m spacing are interpreted as wave-formed ridge and runnel structure. They contain wave-rippled mud patches in the runnels and although they have shorewards asymmetry do not appear to migrate to any great extent. It is suggested that only in sheltered areas do the Wash intertidal flats show a lower mudflat subfacies; the norm is outer bank sand flats with ridge and runnel structure eventually overlain by Arenicola sand-flats during progradation.     

吉林省通榆县地方氟中毒与地质环境关系的研究

各类型氟中毒病区与各类地质环境存在着明显的一致性。中、重病区类型区分布于地下水迳流的区域汇水区 冲积湖积低平原 水化学作用的元素富集区。单一中病类型区分布在迳流区——汇水区的过渡带 风砂覆盖的冲积湖积平原和冲积湖积平原的结合部 水化学作用方向的砂丘水对致病水层的补给淡水。单一轻病类型区分布在地下水的迳流区 风砂覆盖的冲积湖积平原 水化学作用方向的元素迁移区。镶嵌于中、重病类型区内的轻病区分布在冲积平原(霍林河河漫滩) 水化学作用方向为河水的对致病水层补给淡化。饮水氟含量与氟骨症患病率呈定域正相关关系,当饮水氟含量超过6 mg/l时,患病率保持基本不变。影响氟中毒滋生的诸地质环境因素中地下水动力条件起着根本性作用。     

渤海湾西北岸埋藏牡蛎礁礁顶上下沉积物中硅藻对“礁泥转换”古沉积环境的重建

渤海湾西北岸大吴庄牡蛎礁是近年来研究程度最高的礁体,天津空港物流中心牡蛎礁则是近年来新发现的礁体。该两处礁体上部的牡蛎个体内部充填的泥、个体之间的泥以及礁体上覆沉积泥层中的硅藻研究表明,礁顶上下（即礁体的上部-顶部和上覆沉积泥层的下部）均富含潮间带环境指示种的Auliscus caelatus,表明礁体发育后期和上覆沉积泥层的初期,均为潮间带环境。尽管如此,从礁顶向上覆沉积泥层转换方式在两处礁体却不相同:（1）大吴庄:Auliscus caelatus种向上逐渐减少,暗示着大吴庄剖面由礁体上部的潮间带中上部、直至上覆沉积泥层下部的潮间带上部、进一步向上覆沉积泥层上部的潮上带转化的趋势。（2）空港:牡蛎礁上覆沉积泥层出现了比例达6%~23%的河口咸水-半咸水种Achnanches brevipes,而下伏礁体内则未见该种,暗示此处泥层受河口作用显著影响。此种不同揭示了礁体停止发育的原因有所不同:在5 520cal BP时,大吴庄礁顶进入潮间带中上部,礁体经常脱离海水而发育停止;在约4 000 cal BP时,空港礁体所在位置因河流作用突然增强,在时间上看很可能是黄河改道在天津入海,古黄河携带大量泥砂入海,掩盖了潮间带的牡蛎礁而导致牡蛎礁发育停止。     

A case of normal regression with sea level transgression: Example from the Ganurgarh shale,Vindhyan basin,Maihar area,M.P., India

The Ganurgarh shale, a formation belonging to the Bhander Group of Vindhyan basin is investigated using field based detailed lithofacies and petrofacies analyses in order to interpret the depositional environment in a sequence stratigraphic context. Five major lithofacies have been recognized consisting of calcareous sandstones, laminated mudstones, rippled siltstones, red-grey shales and sandy limestones characterized by small to large-scale cross-bedding, ripple cross-lamination of wave and current origin, parallel lamination, low-angle horizontal bedding, flaser and lenticular bedding, mud-cracks, salt pseudomorphs, convolute bedding and load structures. The constituent lithofacies are recurring and grouped into three lithofacies associations where, the association A is composed of fining upwards and B with coarsening upwards cycles at the lower and middle levels of the succession respectively, are dominantly arenaceous whereas, the association C occurring at upper levels is fining upwards (FU) and becomes calcareous with meager representation of clastics. Petrographically, the section offers three main petrofacies viz., (a) sandstone- (b) siltstone- (c) sandy limestone-petrofacies. Lithofacies characters complimented with petrography show that deposition occurred within the shoreface (subtidal) to foreshore intertidal domain involving tidal flats with sub-environments ranging from intertidal to supratidal. However, lithofacies associations within the Ganurgarh shale of Maihar area represent a case of normal regression during sea level transgression. In the beginning, probably because of excessive sediment supply the sea level had a falling trend during an overall transgressive phase ultimately culminating into limestone sedimentation.     

Sedimentation and water escape structures in some late Precambrian shallow marine sandstones from Finnmark, North Norway

Water escape structures are abundant in the Grønnes Formation, a tectonically undeformed, late Precambrian shallow marine sandstone deposit in North Norway. Trough cross-bedded sandstones of the current-dominated shallow marine environment were frequently liquefied, presumably due to recurring seismic shocks. Subsequent dewatering resulted in deformation of the cross-bedding and the formation of convolute lamination. A three-fold upward vertical sequence developed where liquefaction occurred below the sediment-water interface: convoluted bed → passively deformed bed → undeformed bed. The passively deformed bed resulted from differential subsidence of a relatively plastic bed above a liquefied bed. It is characterized by anticlinal ridges and sand volcanoes at the sites of vertical sediment extrusion, and synclinal troughs at the sites of lateral sediment movement. Liquefaction may have been induced by either tectonic (earthquake shocks) or non-tectonic (storm-induced microseisms) trigger mechanisms, or a combination of both. The restriction of such a high frequency of water escape structures to deposits immediately above a gentle regional unconformity lends support for a tectonic trigger mechanism.     

元古界会理群凤山营组风暴流沉积特征

四川省会理县洪川桥地区,是会理群凤山营组广泛分布地区之一,出露面积达百余平方公里。在洪川桥凤山营组剖面的上部(洪剖119层—108层),发育一套约845m厚的风暴流沉积。现将其特征及形成机制作一初步分析,以供参考。一、岩性特征风暴流沉积物,主要为灰—深灰色粉砂质粉屑灰岩和部分泥质灰岩。有时两者呈薄的互层出现。一般层厚几毫米到几厘米,沿走向在数十厘米或几米内尖灭,形成一个个薄的透镜     

金沙江上游雪隆囊古滑坡堰塞湖溃坝堆积体的发现及其环境与灾害意义

西藏芒康县金沙江上游雪隆囊河谷史前时期(全新世晚期)发生了一次明显的堰塞事件,形成了一个湖水体积约3.1×108 m3的大型堰塞湖。该堰塞湖形成后期发生溃决并引发异常大洪水,这一溃决事件发生在大约1 117 A.D.。地震诱发山体滑坡可能是金沙江发生堰塞的直接原因。在雪隆囊古堰塞坝体的下游一侧到其下游3.5 km的范围内,发现大量由砾石、砂和少量黏土组成的混杂堆积体,判定其为滑坡堰塞湖的溃坝堆积,是滑坡坝体及上游河床物质在坝体溃决后快速堆积形成。整套溃坝堆积体具有支撑-叠置构造、叠瓦构造和杂基构造等沉积特征,还具有一种特殊的沉积构造:即在垂向剖面上发育粗砾石层与细砂砾层的韵律互层,但剖面中缺少砾或砂的透镜体。这种沉积构造("互层构造")是溃坝堆积相区别于冲-洪积相、泥石流相等的一种重要判别标志。采用水力学模型反演确定雪隆囊古滑坡堰塞湖溃决洪水的平均流速为7.48 m/s,最大洪峰流量为10 786 m3/s。雪隆囊溃坝堆积体沉积特征及其环境的研究,不但有助于揭示古洪水事件发生的过程和机制,同时对于认识金沙江上游地区的环境演变也具有重要意义。     

An ephemeral turbidity maximum generated by resuspension of organic-rich matter in a macrotidal estuary, S.W. Wales

An ephemeral estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) occurs at high water in the macrotidal Taf estuary (SW Wales, United Kingdom). A new mechanism of ETM formation, due to resuspension and advection of material by flood tidal currents, is observed that differs from classical mechanisms of gravitational circulation and tidal pumping. The flood tide advances across intertidal sand flats in the main body of the estuary, progressively entraining material from the rippled sands. Resuspension creates, a turbid front that has suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) of about 4,000 mg I⁻¹ by the time it reaches its landward limit which is also the landward limit of salt penetration. This turbid body constitutes the ETM. Deposition occurs at high slack water but the ETM retains SSC values up to 800 mg I⁻¹, 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than ambient SSC values in the river and estuarine waters on either side. The ETM retreats down the estuary during the ebb; some material is deposited thinly across emergent intertidal flats and some is flushed out of the estuary. A new ETM is generated by the next flood tide. Both location and SSC of the ETM scale on Q/R³ where Q is tidal range and R is river discharge. The greatest expression of the ETM occurs when a spring tide coincides with low river discharge. It does not form during high river discharge conditions and is poorly developed on neap tides. Particles in the ETM have effective densities (120–160 kg m⁻³) that are 3–4 times less than those in the main part of the estuary at high water. High chlorophyll concentrations in the ETM suggest that flocs probably originate from biological production in the estuary, including production on the intertidal sand flats.