Distribution and speciation of heavy metals in surface sediments from the Yangtze estuary and coastal areas

The concentrations and speciation of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the sediments of the nearshore area, river channel and coastal zones of the Yangtze estuary, China, were systematically investigated in this study. The concentrations of all heavy metals except Ni in the sediments of the nearshore area were higher than those of the river channel and coastal zones. In the nearshore area, the concentrations of most heavy metals except Hg in the sediments of the southern branch were higher than those of the northern branch because of the import of pollutants from the urban and industrial activities around. When compared with the threshold effect level (TEL) and geochemical background levels, Cr, Ni and As accumulated and posed potential adverse biological effects. The speciation analysis suggested that Cd, Pb and Zn in the sediments of the three zones showed higher bioavailability than the other heavy metals, and thus posed ecological risk. Significant correlations were observed among Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn (r > 0.77) in the nearshore area, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb (r > 0.85) in the river channel and Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn (r > 0.75) in the coastal zone. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the discharge of unban and industrial sewage, shipping pollution and the properties of the sediments (contents of Fe, Mn, Al, TOC, clay and silt) dominated the distribution of heavy metal in the nearshore area, river channel and coastal zones of the Yangtze estuary.     

海南岛南渡江河口动力沉积模式

河口是一个迅速变化的、动态的海岸巨系统。作为陆地河流和和海洋过程的重要链接,河口的动力沉积过程一直是陆海相互作用研究的核心和焦点内容。本文基于2011年8月在南渡江河口采集的大范围表层沉积物样品,利用经验正交函数分析技术（EOF）对河口的动力沉积特征进行研究。结果表明:南渡江河口海床表层沉积物主要以砂为主,沉积物总体偏粗;河口的动力沉积特征自陆向海可分为三种动力沉积模式:①波控模式,该模式主要分布在河口地区10 m以浅的近岸区域,呈与岸线平行的带状分布,其表层沉积物以粉砂质砂为主,分选较差;②径、潮流耦合作用下的沉积模式,在径流和潮流的共同控制作用下,沉积物主要表现为粒径较粗,该模式呈扇形分布,其中20 m以浅河口海床受控于径流和潮流的共同作用,20 m以深海床表现为潮流控制的沉积模式;③台风或风暴潮控制的沉积模式,即整个河口海床都表现出受控于台风或者风暴潮作用的沉积特征,沉积物主要是以粗砂为主。常态作用下,河口以径、潮流控制的沉积模式为主,波浪、径流和潮流以及潮流控制的沉积模式自陆向海的规律性分布体现出南渡江河口近岸以波浪作用为主,而离岸则受河口尤其是洪水作用形成的喷射流以及沿岸潮流的影响。此外,尽管南渡江河口在过去的成果中将其归纳为波控河口,但目前的研究发现:该河口区域沉积类型变化明显受控于不同的动力作用,河口形态以及琼州海峡的障蔽和“狭管效应”为河口沉积环境变化的主要控制因素。     

Depositional environment in and around Tamiraparani estuary,and off Tuticorin,Tamil Nadu,India: clues from grain size studies

The sediments of the estuaries and offshore Tuticorin along the southern coast of Tamil Nadu were studied for their textural variation. Ninety sediment samples were collected from three sectors (river, estuary, offshore) on the basis of prevailing energy conditions and oceanographic parameters. Frequency curves show unimodal to bimodal in nature. Offshore samples also fall in bimodal with medium and fine sand where sediment is additionally deposited by the Tamiraparani River. The mean values ranging from 1.69 to 2.01 φ with medium to fine sand. The fine sand in the riverine region indicates the depositional nature of the sediments. In pre-monsoon, the standard deviation ranges from 0.29 to 0.81 φ, which falls in the very well sorted to moderately well sorted. Estuary ranges from 0.63 to 1.30 φ, with moderately sorted, whereas in the marine sediments ranges from 0.4 to 1.01 φ, with moderately to moderately well- sorted and some patches of poorly sorted is observed. In both monsoons, the grain size variations are mostly influenced in river and offshore samples compared to the estuaries. The CM pattern indicates the deposition of sediments in graded suspension. In estuary, the sediments are medium sand with moderately to poorly sorted, fine skewed which are indicative of denudation processes taking place there. In marine, the sediments are medium-to-fine, moderately-to-well sorted, and fine skewed to very fine skewed sediments, probably as a result of the influence of palaeo-sediments deposited by rivers from inland as well as by waves and currents from offshore. Further, the marine samples also highlight depositional processes.     

南黄海辐射沙脊群表层沉积物中底栖有孔虫埋葬群分布特征及其环境意义

对南黄海辐射沙脊群海域123个表层沉积物样品中的有孔虫埋葬群进行了分析,发现其中浮游有孔虫含量低,平均不到7%,其分布与外海潮流有关,底栖有孔虫以浅水广盐性属种为主。通过对研究区至少在3个样品中含量大于2%的59个底栖有孔虫属种的Q型因子分析,提取了3个底栖有孔虫组合,结合沉积物粒度特征、现代海洋环境要素,将研究区划分成3个环境分区:(1)辐射沙脊群主干沙脊及大型潮流通道区,对应Ammonia beccarii vars.-Nonion akitaense-Cribrononion frigidum组合。该区可再分为两个亚区:辐射沙脊群主干沙脊及大型潮流通道北部亚区,代表受低温沿岸流和潮流影响的强水动力近岸砂质沉积环境;辐射沙脊群南部长江口偏北部亚区,反映强潮流的河口、低盐缺氧环境,兼受外海悬浮泥沙的影响。(2)海州湾及废黄河口区,对应Ammonia compressiuscula-Spiroloculina laevigata-Elphidium advenum组合,代表粉砂、黏土质底质,和水深50 m以浅的浅海环境。(3)辐射沙脊南部近岸浅水区,对应Nonion anomalinoidea-Ammonia maruhasii-Ammonia pauciloculata组合,反映了粉砂及砂质底质的近岸浅水、低盐潮间带和潮下带环境。总之,辐射沙脊群海域底栖有孔虫种群的分布,不仅受海水温盐、水深影响显著,还与此区独特的水动力条件,即外海潮波与内陆河流的共同作用有关。     

Nearshore cool-water carbonate sedimentation and provenance of Holocene calcareous strandline dunes,southeastern Australia

The southeastern coastal plain of South Australia contains a spectacular and world-renowned suite of Quaternary calcareous eolianites. This study is focused on the provenance of components in the Holocene, actively forming sector, of these carbonate eolian deposits. Research was carried out along seven transects across a lateral distance of 120 km from ～30 m water depth offshore across the beach and into the dunes. Offshore sediments were acquired via grab sampling and SCUBA. Results indicate that dunes of the southern Lacepede and Bonney coasts are composed of siliciclastic particles (mainly quartz), relict allochems, Cenozoic and limestone pieces, but dominated by Holocene invertebrate and calcareous algal biofragments. The most numerous grains are from molluscs > benthic foraminifera ≥ coralline algae, > echinoids and > bryozoans. Most of these particles originate in carbonate factories such as macroalgal forests, rocky reefs, seagrass meadows and low-relief sea-floor rockgrounds. Incorporation of Holocene carbonate skeletons into coastal dunes, however, depends on a combination of: (1) the addition of infauna from intertidal and nearshore environments; (2) the physical characteristics of different allochems and their ability to withstand bioerosion, fragmentation and abrasion; (3) the character of the wave and swell climate; and (4) the nature of eolian transport. Most eolian dune sediment is derived from nearshore and intertidal carbonate factories. This is well illustrated by the abundance of robust infaunal bivalves that inhabit the nearshore sands and virtual absence of bryozoans that are common as sediment particles in offshore water depths >15 m. Importantly, the calcareous eolianites in this cool-water, open-platform carbonate setting are not simply an allochthonous reflection of the offshore marine shelf factories, but more a product of autothonous shallow nearshore–intertidal skeletal production and modification. These findings explain the preponderance of mollusc fragments and lack of bryozoans in similar older Pleistocene calcareous eolianites up to ca 1 million years old across ～2000 km of southern Australia with implications for the older rock record.     

Impacts of relative sea level rise on the shoreface deposition,Shuidong Bay,South China

The influence of relative sea level rise on shoreface deposition helps to elucidate changes in beach and nearshore geomorphology in response to different forcing factors. In this study, two sets of sediment samples, one from 1982 and one from 2004, from the Shuidong Bay of South China were analyzed to determine the changes in shoreface depositions. An EOF (Empirical orthogonal function) method was used to examine how these depositions changed based on the relative sea level rise. The results show that shoreface sediments of Shuidong Bay are mainly composed of sand. Fine-grained sediments are distributed in the lower shoreface/offshore area, and coarse-grained sediments are mainly found in the upper shoreface/nearshore area. Due to the altered hydrological forcing caused by relative sea level rise, the sand fraction in sediments increased from 84.7 % in 1982 to over 90 % in 2004, and the clay and silt fractions decreased from 11.8 % in 1982 to 5.6 % in 2004. Grain-size parameters in sediments in 2004 became coarser, slightly more well sorted, less skewed and had lower kurtosis than those in 1982. In addition, the shoreface deposition of Shuidong in 1982 and 2004 is distinctly different: a polarized mode was described by the first eigenfunctions, and a homogenized mode was described by the second eigenfunctions. The former means that the sediment components developed towards the two opposite poles, undergoing both coarsening and refining processes. The second mode indicates that the secondary variation in sediment components was mostly in the three intermediate-grained sand components. In the future, the Shuidong Bay shoreface may be subjected to even further erosion because of increases in the energy of the environment resulting from rapid relative sea level rise.     

Impact of river damming on sediment texture and trace metals distribution along the watershed and the coastal zone of Nestos River (NE Greece)

This study examines the sediment particle size distribution and the trace metal concentrations from a dammed-river watershed (Nestos River) to its deltaic zone in NE Greece. The study area is relatively unpolluted. The distribution of trace metals (Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb, Hg) in sediments throughout the catchment area showed selective “trapping” of certain elements behind the two artificial dams (Thissavros and Platanovrisi dams) in the watershed and a sudden reduction downstream (83% for Cd, 81% for Cr, 94% for Cu, 90% for Ni, 86% for Hg and 33% for Pb). Marked sediment particle separation is observed at the upstream dam (Thissavros), where coarse material including sand is trapped (coarse fraction 12.9–49.3%). Fine-grained material (<63 μm) is trapped behind the Platanovrisi dam (68.1%), and the reservoir showed elevated metal concentrations, especially for Cu and Cd (16.3 and 0.5 μg/g, respectively). Lead exhibited a homogenous distribution throughout the watershed (20.1–32.3 μg/g). All other trace metals (Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni and Hg) decline sharply downstream of the dam complex. In the delta system, nearshore sediments consist of shallow deposits in the vicinity of river mouth and are enriched in Cr (4.4–53.0 μg/g) and Ni (2.6–44.3 μg/g), while the further offshore and slightly deeper (20–40 m) sediments illustrate elevated Hg (0–0.07 μg/g), Cd (0.09–0.18 μg/g), Cu (11.5–18.3 μg/g) and Ni (38–54.5 μg/g).     

Linking watershed disturbance with nearshore sedimentation and the shell beds of Lake Tanganyika (Mahale Mountains,Tanzania)

Extensive deposits of shell-rich sediments in the nearshore environment of Lake Tanganyika, Africa, form a unique habitat for a diverse group of endemic gastropods, crustaceans, fish and sponges, among other organisms. Anthropogenic alteration of the lake’s hinterland from deforestation, fires, and agriculture threaten this crucial habitat through sediment pollution of the littoral environment. This study examines the sedimentology of these nearshore shell beds along a study area north of the Mahale Mountains (Tanzania) to test whether varying levels of watershed disturbance, determined by analysis of satellite imagery, within three moderately sized watersheds (>?100 km²) results in sedimentological differences offshore. The results show that shell beds adjacent to disturbed watersheds (Lagosa and Rukoma) contain more fine-grained sediment compared to shell beds offshore of the undisturbed watershed (Katumbi). Widespread burning, clearance, and land cultivation, and rains of the wet season are causal factors that result in significant differences in fine-grained sedimentation, larger sediment plumes offshore, and increased shoreline progradation. In areas most affected by sedimentation, sponges are largely absent, and shell coverage, which is a measure of fish-nesting capabilities, is lower. The discovery of a small population of live Neothauma tanganyicense offshore of the Katumbi river suggests that the presence of shell-bed forming gastropods in front of a relatively low disturbance watershed, and their conspicuous absence offshore of the other two watersheds, could be related to recent watershed disturbance and increased sedimentation. The increased fine-grained sedimentation and limited shell production by the reduced modern gastropod populations may signal that the shell-bed ecosystem of Lake Tanganyika is at risk.     

长江口吴淞-浏河滨岸带沉积物AVS和SEM含量的空间分布特征

对长江口吴淞-浏河滨岸带37个站位沉积物中酸可挥发性硫化物（AVS）和同时可提取态重金属（SEM）含量及其空间分布特征进行了研究。结果表明,SEM在37个站位沉积物中浓度范围为0．20～1．37μmol／g,平均值为0．74μmol／g;AVS的浓度范围为0．20—0．80μmol／g,平均值为0．23μmol／g;沉积物中AVS含量与总有机碳（TOC）和含水率呈显著正相关关系,而SEM分别与TOC和含水率呈显著正相关关系,与沉积物中值粒径呈显著负相关关系。依据SEM／AVS比值评价方法以及美国EPA（SEM—AVS）差值评价方法对沉积物中重金属的生物有效性的判断表明,除了B2站点无显著生物毒性外,吴淞-浏河滨岸带沉积物中重金属对水生生物均处于中等毒性水平。     

Sediment characteristics and molluscan fossils of the Farasan Islands shorelines,southern Red Sea,Saudi Arabia

The Farasan Islands are located about 40 km offshore of Jizan area, southern Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. This is a preliminary study aiming to collect shoreline sediments from 17 stations to describe their main lithologic characters and identify the dominant molluscs that could help to evaluate the environmental conditions of these islands. Also, a sediment core FARA2 was collected from the intertidal area of Khor As Sailah Lagoon to see the development of shoreline sediments in this area with time. The results indicated that the shoreline sediments of the Farasan Islands comprised mainly of white, biogenic sand enriched in remains of corals, molluscs, calcareous algae, and benthic foraminifera. Thirty-four mollusc species were recorded from these sediments. Among them, Strombus fasciatus, Strombus tricornis, Chicoreus ramosus, Chicoreus virgineus, Tridacna maxima, and Tridacna squamosa were the most common molluscan in/near the shoreline sediments of Farasan Islands. Frequency abundances of sediment grain-size fractions in the core FARA2 indicated that the shoreline of the Khor As Sailah Lagoon is developing towards shallow intertidal setting due to high production of biogenic sediments by reefal communities. Metal concentrations (Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) in the sediment of the core FARA2 were stable throughout, showing no remarkable changes. This finding could indicate that flux of detrital components by fresh water runoff or wind-blown dust over the Farasan Islands was un-detectable during the deposition of these sediments.     

Chloride contamination in construction aggregates due to periodic saline water intrusion: a case study in the Kaluganga River Estuary, Sri Lanka

The Kaluganga River Estuary is one of the main sources of construction sand in Sri Lanka. Salt water intrusion along this estuary due to extensive sand mining has increased over the years. Thus, the focus of the current research is to understand the relationship between river sand mining, salt water intrusion, and the resultant effects on construction sand. Two surveys were conducted along the Kaluganga Estuary along an 11 km stretch from the river mouth at predetermined intervals to measure depth water quality profiles, and to collect sediment samples. These surveys were carried out during maximum spring tide; first in a dry period and then in a wet period, to understand hydrographic effects on the quality of river sands. Sand samples were analysed for absolute chloride content and grain size distribution. Results showed significant salt water intrusion during the dry period, averaging 2,307 μS cm^?1 in surface waters throughout the surveyed 11 km stretch along with 3,818 μS cm^?1 (average) in bottom waters up to 5.6 km upstream from the river mouth causing above normal chloride content in the bottom sandy sediments. The high chloride content in bottom sands was recorded up to 5.5 km from the river mouth making them unsuitable for construction purposes. However, during wet period, salt water intrusion levels in the bottom waters were insignificant (average 61 μS cm^?1) and the chloride content in bottom sediments was very low. This study highlighted the requirement for regulations on river estuary sandmining for construction purposes.     

Spectral Irradiance, Phytoplankton Community Composition and Primary Productivity in a Salt Marsh Estuary, North Inlet, South Carolina, USA

We investigated spatial and temporal changes in spectral irradiance, phytoplankton community composition, and primary productivity in North Inlet Estuary, South Carolina, USA. High concentrations of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were responsible for up to 84 % of the attenuation of photosynthetically available radiation (PAR). Green-yellow wavelengths were the predominant colors of light available at the two sampling sites: Clam Bank Creek and Oyster Landing. Vertical attenuation coefficients of PAR were 0.7–2.1 m^?1 with corresponding euphotic zone depths of 1.5–6.7 m. Phytoplankton biomass (as chlorophyll a [chl a]) varied seasonally with a summer maximum of 16 μg chl a l^?1 and a winter minimum of 1.4 μg chl a l^?1. The phytoplankton community consisted mainly of diatoms, prasinophytes, cryptophytes and haptophytes, with diatoms and prasinophytes accounting for up to 67 % of total chl a. Changes in phytoplankton community composition showed strongest correlations with temperature. Light-saturated chl a-specific rates of photosynthesis and daily primary productivity varied with season and ranged from 1.6 to 14 mg C (mg chl a) ^?1?h^?1 (32–803 mg C m^?3?day^?1). Calculated daily rates added up to an annual carbon fixation rate of 84 g C m^?3?year^?1. Overall, changes in phytoplankton community composition and primary productivity in North Inlet showed a strong dependence on temperature, with PAR and spectral irradiance playing a relatively minor role due to short residence times, strong tidal forcing and vertical mixing.     

The grain-size characterisation of coastal sand from the Somme estuary to Belgium: Sediment sorting processes and mixing in a tide- and storm-dominated setting

Sand-rich Holocene to modern clastic deposits in the eastern English Channel and the southern North Sea coasts of France and Belgium occur extensively as nearshore-sand bank, estuarine-tidal flat, aeolian dune and beach sub-environments. Sand samples (n = 665) collected from these deposits suggest the presence of three different populations: a largely dominant (83%) medium to fine quartz sand population (“b”), and finer- (14%) and coarser-grained (4%) populations (respectively “c” and “a”). The distribution of these populations among the four sub-environments reflects tide- and storm-dominated sorting and transport processes and a variable degree of mixing. These populations are derived from a mixture of very fine- to very coarse-grained fluvial, outwash and paraglacial sediments deposited on the beds of the eastern English Channel and southern North Sea during the late Pleistocene lowstand. The nearshore-sand bank environment, which also corresponds to the main offshore source area of the coastal deposits, exhibits population heterogeneity reflecting the variability of hydrodynamic conditions and sediment sorting in this zone. The nearshore topography of tidal ridges, banks and troughs in these tidal seas leads to variable bed and tide- and storm-induced shear stress conditions. These conditions only allow for the mobilisation and onshore transport of some of the finer fractions (populations “b” and “c”), leaving an offshore mixture of these finer populations with coarser, less mobilisable sediments (population “a”). Once in the coastal zone, these two finer populations undergo further hydrodynamic sorting and segregation. Variably sorted very fine sands to silts (population “c”) are trapped in the low-energy estuarine-tidal flat sub-environment, while the highly homogeneous population “b” is further sorted in aeolian dune and beach sub-environments. This sorting occurs via a coastal sand transport pathway linking the Somme estuary mouth to the southern North Sea bight where tidal range and wave energy decrease relative to the English Channel. Since this sand transport pathway enables longshore transport of hydrodynamically sorted medium to fine sand derived directly from the immediate nearshore zone, it has further contributed to a net flux of this sand population from the eastern English Channel sea bed to the southern North Sea.     

近期长江口-杭州湾邻近海域沉积物粒径的时空变化及其影响因素

为了研究长江口-杭州湾外近海沉积物粒径的现状和近期变化,于2008年4月在该区域用箱式取样器取得了33个表层样,用震动活塞采样器取得7个柱状样;在室内用激光粒度仪对沉积物样品进行了粒度分析并与历史时期的研究成果进行对比。结果表明,1）表层沉积物总体上呈东粗（砂）西细（泥）的特点,粒径总体上的空间格局与历史时期相似;但砂-泥区界线在研究区北部（长江口和杭州湾外）有向西迁移（蚀退）迹象（西移10~30 km）,而在南部（舟山群岛以南）则出现明显向东迁移（淤进）现象（最大超过50 km）。2）当前的表层沉积物形成一条南北连续的泥质带（粒径向南逐渐变细）,反映过去存在于舟山群岛以东的最细组分（“黏土”）带不连续现象在表层现已趋于消失。3）表层沉积物粒径趋势分析揭示长江入海泥沙的运移方向主要是向南-东南。4）泥质区柱状沉积物具有粉砂和黏土为主但在垂向上（反映在时间上）有粗细多变的特点（侵蚀区表层沉积物有粗化迹象）。研究认为,长江口-杭州湾邻近海域现代沉积物对流域和沿海重大人类活动有较敏感的响应。     

Lithological and palynological evidence of late Quaternary depositional environments in the subaqueous Yangtze delta, China

AMS ¹⁴C ages of post-glacial core sediments from the subaqueous Yangtze delta, along with sedimentary structures and distributions of grain size, pollen spores, and dinoflagellate cysts, show an estuarine depositional system from 13 to 8.4 cal ka BP and a deltaic system from 5.9 cal ka BP to the present. The estuarine system consists of intertidal to subtidal flat, estuarine, and estuarine-front facies, characterized by sand–mud couplets and a high sedimentation rate. The deltaic system includes nearshore shelf and prodelta mud featured by lower sedimentation rate, markedly fewer coastal wetland herbaceous pollens, and more dinoflagellate cysts. We explain the extremely high sedimentation rate during 9.2–8.4 cal ka BP at the study site as a result of rapid sea-level rise, high sediment load due to the unstable monsoonal climate, and subaqueous decrease of elevation from inner to outer estuary. A depositional hiatus occurred during 8.2–5.9 cal ka BP, the transition from estuarine to deltaic system, caused possibly by a shortage of sediment supply resulting from delta initiation in paleo-incised Yangtze valley and strong tidal or storm-related reworking in offshore areas. The subsequent development of deltaic system at the study site indicates accelerated progradation of Yangtze delta post-5.9 cal ka BP.     

Response of sediment-dwelling annelida community in relation to geochemical parameters in the Gorgan Bay,Caspian Sea

This study aimed to investigate the population of annelida communities in relation to environmental factors and heavy metals accumulated in sediments of the Gorgan Bay. The pollution load index and potential ecological risk (PER) were calculated. The results indicated mean concentrations (ppm) of heavy metals were (mean ± SD) Pb: 11.5 ± 4.88, Cu: 18 ± 8.83, Zn: 42 ± 22.15, Ni: 29.20 ± 14.68, Co: 10.56 ± 14.68, As: 7.77 ± 2.12, Sr: 1,449 ± 902.59 and V: 26.64 ± 10.25. Considering PER, sediments of the Gorgan Bay had low ecological risk. Based on abundance data, dominant species were Streblospio gynobranchiata, Nereis diversicolor, Tubificoides fraseri and Tubificidae unknown, respectively. Results of redundancy analysis displayed that T. fraseri and N. diversicolor were associated with high values of Sr. All the species were negatively correlated with As. There were positive correlation between S. gynobranchiata and N. diversicolor with values of clay, salinity, depth and silt. The present study provided the relative importance of heavy metals and environmental variables which partly assist in structuring assemblages of annelida in a transitional area.     

酒泉盆地营尔凹陷下白垩统下沟组沉积体系研究

根据对营尔凹陷下沟组岩心、测井和地震资料的分析,运用现代沉积学、层序地层学理论,将营尔凹陷下白垩统下沟组划分为4个三级层序。营尔凹陷下沟组主要发育辫状河三角洲、扇三角洲、近岸水下扇、远岸水下扇、滑溻浊积体、湖泊共6种沉积相类型,形成不同类型砂体。三角洲前缘亚相及远岸水下扇沉积相砂岩发育,砂岩物性较好,具备储集空间且储盖组合条件好,有利于油气成藏。三角洲平原亚相及近岸水下扇以粗碎屑沉积为主,砂泥分异差,储集物性差,难以形成油气藏。有利沉积相带空间展布与构造的配置关系决定了油气富集高产区的空间分布。     

扬子陆块早奥陶世末期—中奥陶世Darriwilian初期沉积分异

研究表明 ,扬子陆块早奥陶世末期至中奥陶世 Darriwilian初期各类沉积呈明显带状分布 ,但南北两侧沉积带分布并不对称。各沉积带总体走向为南西—北东向 ,不同阶段沉积带类型及位置略有变化。自古陆向东南方向 ,早奥陶世末期—中奥陶世初期依次发育近岸砂砾质沉积带 ,近岸砂质、泥质沉积带 ;内陆架泥质夹碳酸盐沉积带 ;浅外陆架碳酸盐夹泥质沉积带 ,含铁泥质碳酸盐沉积带 ,边缘碳酸盐沉积带 ;深外陆架斜坡泥质夹砂质、碳酸盐沉积带 ,泥质夹粉砂质沉积带 ,泥质、碳质沉积带。中奥陶世早期至 Darriwilian初期演变为近岸白云质与陆源碎屑沉积带 ;内陆架碳酸盐与泥、砂质沉积带 ;浅外陆架碳酸盐夹泥质沉积带 ,含铁泥质碳酸盐沉积带 ,边缘碳酸盐沉积带 ;深外陆架斜坡泥质夹砂质、碳酸盐沉积带 ,泥质夹粉砂质沉积带 ,泥质、碳质沉积带。扬子陆块北缘早奥陶世末期—中奥陶世初期发育浅外陆架粉砂质、泥质、碳酸盐沉积带 ,边缘碳酸盐沉积带 ;中奥陶世早期至 Darriwilian初期则包括浅外陆架碳酸盐沉积带 ,粉砂质、泥质 ,外陆架碳酸盐沉积带 ,边缘碳酸盐沉积带     

Geochemistry of the Cauvery Estuary,East Coast of India

Major ion chemistry of water and elemental geochemistry of suspended and surficial sediments collected from the Cauvery Estuary were studied to understand the geochemical processes in this tropical estuarine system. Specific conductance (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended matter (TSM) increased conservatively with increasing chlorinity. In general, SO₄ ^2?, Na, K, Ca, and Mg showed an increasing trend while H₄SiO₄ and PO₄ ^3? showed a decreasing trend toward the sea. Additional removal mechanisms operating for these ions in the Cauvery Estuary have been identified based on observed concentrations. Factor analysis pointed out the sources contributing to the observed trends in estuarine water chemistry. POC and PON decreased toward the high chlorinity zone. TSM in the Cauvery Estuary were mostly of inorganic nature. Stable carbon isotope values showed that the carbon was equally of marine and terrestrial origin and helped to delineate the contribution of river water and seawater. The ? mean size (a logarithmic grain size scale commonly used by sedimentologists) indicated that the surficial sediments were primarily comprised of coarse and silt, whereas suspended sediments were principally silt and clay. Suspended sediments were enriched in clays compared to surficial sediments. Quartz and feldspar were abundant among detritals while chlorite, kaolinite, and montmorillonite were dominant among clays. Silicon was the most abundant element in the sediments followed by Al, Ca, Na, K, Fe, Mn, and P. Heavy metals were enriched in the suspended sediments compared to the surficial bottom sediments as follows: Fe = 3.5, Mn = 7.4, Pb = 1.1, Zn = 15.2, Cu = 7.4, and Cr = 4.0. The levels of Cd, Cr, Zn, and Fe increased up the middle reaches and then decreased toward the sea due to urban effluent and fertilizer input. Size fractionation studies indicated that the metal concentration in the finer fraction was 50% higher by mass than the coarse silt and fine silt fractions. Chemical fractionation studies showed that the abundance of metals were in the order of residual > organic/sulfide > carbonate > Fe/Mn oxide > exchangeable fractions.     

Status of sedimentation in King Talal Dam,case study from Jordan

This paper focuses on characterizing the current status of physical and chemical characteristics of King Talal Dam (KTD) sediments. The quality of sediments was investigated based on several international sediment quality guidelines. The volume of sediment and sedimentation rate in (KTD) was also estimated. Five types of granulometric textural facies were observed for the sediments of KTD reservoir bed, with an average grain size distribution of gravel (1.38%), sand (32.38%), silt (32.35%) and clay (32.38%). The fraction of <63 micron showed that the total mean size was 8.0 micron. Other sediment parameters in KTD were 7.0% for total organic matter (TOM), 7.3 for pH, 35.9% for CaCO₃ and 100.5 meq/100 g for cation exchange capacity, with dominant mineralogical constituents of quartz, calcite, dolomite, clay minerals and minor feldspar. The total concentrations of F, Cl, NO₂, NO₃, PO₄ and SO₄ in sediment samples were lower inward for KTD. The vast majority of trace metals in sediments were generally within the standard limits recommended for soils. TOM and grain size of sediment are major factors governing the trace metal concentrations. The calculated geoaccumulation index (I _geo) and enrichment factor of metals in bottom sediments showed that the metals were in the following order: Cd > Pb > Zn > Co > Cr > Ni > Fe > Cu > Sr > Mn and Cd > Zn > Pb > Co > Cr > Ni > Cu > Sr > Mn, respectively. Based on the sonic survey of KTD reservoir, the annual sedimentation rate was about 0.4061 MCM/year, in which about 18.66% of the reservoir initial storage capacity was lost to sediments and a projected lifespan of about 198 years.