The effects of climate and landscape position on chemical denudation and mineral transformation in the Santa Catalina mountain critical zone observatory

Understanding the interactions of climate, physical erosion, chemical weathering and pedogenic processes is essential when considering the evolution of critical zone systems. Interactions among these components are particularly important to predicting how semiarid landscapes will respond to forecasted changes in precipitation and temperature under future climate change. The primary goal of this study was to understand how climate and landscape structure interact to control chemical denudation and mineral transformation across a range of semiarid ecosystems in southern Arizona. The research was conducted along the steep environmental gradient encompassed by the Santa Catalina Mountains Critical Zone Observatory (SCM-CZO). The gradient is dominated by granitic parent materials and spans significant range in both mean annual temperature (>10 °C) and precipitation (>50 cm a^?1), with concomitant shift in vegetation communities from desert scrub to mixed conifer forest. Regolith profiles were sampled from divergent and convergent landscape positions in five different ecosystems to quantify how climate-landscape position interactions control regolith development. Regolith development was quantified as depth to paralithic contact and degree of chemical weathering and mineral transformation using a combination of quantitative and semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses of bulk soils and specific particle size classes. Depth to paralithic contact was found to increase systematically with elevation for divergent positions at approximately 28 cm per 1000 m elevation, but varied inconsistently for convergent positions. The relative differences in depth between convergent and divergent landscape positions was greatest at the low and high elevation sites and is hypothesized to be a product of changes in physical erosion rates across the gradient. Quartz/Plagioclase (Q/P) ratios were used as a general proxy for bulk regolith chemical denudation. Q/P was generally higher in divergent landscape positions compared to the adjacent convergent hollows. Convergent landscape positions appear to be collecting solute-rich soil–waters from divergent positions thereby inhibiting chemical denudation. Clay mineral assemblage of the low elevation sites was dominated by smectite and partially dehydrated halloysite whereas vermiculite and kaolinite were predominant in the high elevation sites. The increased depth to paralithic contact, chemical denudation and mineral transformation are likely functions of greater water availability and increased primary productivity. Landscape position within a given ecosystem exerts strong control on chemical denudation as a result of the redistribution of water and solutes across the landscape surface. The combined data from this research demonstrates a strong interactive control of climate, landscape position and erosion on the development of soil and regolith.     

Sensitivity Analysis on GIS Procedures for the Estimate of Soil Erosion Risk

Land degradation by water erosion is one of the majorissues in the field of environmental planning. Soilerosion and sediment transport are spatiallydistributed processes, and their evaluation can beeasily realised by means of the use of GeographicInformation Systems. The greater availability ofdigital and geo-lithological data managed and storedinside GIS has implied the development of techniquesand procedures aimed at the definition of the spatialprediction of erosion and deposition rates across acatchment. In this paper using terrain data measuredon an experimental basin in southern Italy, asensitivity analysis on different GIS-basedmethodologies for the estimate of a Length-Slope factorhas been developed with the aim of determining whichof these is more reliable for spatial erosion riskassessment. Specifically, by using the unit stream powertheory, different estimates are shown, depending on thescheme adopted to represent the hydrological andtopographic three-dimensional effects inside theLength-Slope factor. The performances of theprocedures analysed have been evaluated through theinformation content of the corresponding spatialdistributions, estimated as an entropy measure. Theresults obtained have shown that among the approachesutilised to describe the routing of the surface runoffalong the hillslope profiles, the two-dimensionalscheme appeared to be more realistic both on divergingand converging surfaces. Such a scheme, during thecomputational phases also aimed at distinguishing the areasof the basin experiencing net erosion from those areasexperiencing net deposition, resulted, being inaccordance with on-site investigations.     

Paleosol profiles in the Shiohama Formation of the Lower Cretaceous Kanmon Group,Southwest Japan and implications for sediment supply frequency

This paper describes the pedogenic features of paleosols in the upper Lower Cretaceous Shiohama Formation, the lowest unit of the Shimonoseki Subgroup, in Yoshimi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, southwest Japan. The paleosol profiles in the Shiohama Formation are compound and complex, characterized by the presence of abundant calcrete horizons. An analysis of these profiles reveals that the floodplain upon which the Shiohama Formation was deposited was part of an unstable aggradation system characterized by the intermittent influx of sediments and occasional erosion. Furthermore, the mean annual range of precipitation was less than about 30 mm, suggesting only minor seasonal change between wet and dry conditions during deposition of the Shiohama Formation. The microstructures of the observed calcretes include dense microfabric, floating detrital grains, micronodules, circum-granular cracks, and complex cracks. These features formed by chemical precipitation under dry conditions, with little bioactivity. The calcrete horizons are classified into seven types (I–VII) based on their modes of occurrence. Two processes of carbonate accumulation can be identified based on the size and abundance of nodules: VI–V–III–(II)–I and VI–(V)–IV–II–I. These processes represent the development of calcrete horizons from the early to late stages of calcretization. Type I represents the most highly developed stage of calcretization. Calcretes within the Lower Member sequence of the Shiohama Formation show repetitions of type I and types II and III. Thus, it is interpreted that the frequency of sediment supply to the floodplain changed repeatedly over time.     

Soil erosion susceptibility assessment and validation using a geostatistical multivariate approach: a test in Southern Sicily

A certain number of studies have been carried out in recent years that aim at developing and applying a model capable of assessing water erosion of soil. Some of these have tried to quantitatively evaluate the volumes of soil loss, while others have focused their efforts on the recognition of the areas most prone to water erosion processes. This article presents the results of a research whose objective was that of evaluating water erosion susceptibility in a Sicilian watershed: the Naro river basin. A geomorphological study was carried out to recognize the water erosion landforms and define a set of parameters expressing both the intensity of hydraulic forces and the resistance of rocks/soils. The landforms were mapped and classified according to the dominant process in landsurfaces affected by diffuse or linear water erosion. A GIS layer was obtained by combining six determining factors (bedrock lithology, land use, soil texture, plan curvature, stream power index and slope-length factor) in unique conditions units. A geostatistical multivariate approach was applied by analysing the relationships between the spatial distributions of the erosion landforms and the unique condition units. Particularly, the density of eroded area for each combination of determining factors has been calculated: such function corresponds, in fact, to the conditional probability of erosion landforms to develop, under the same geoenvironmental conditions. In light of the obtained results, a general geomorphologic model for water erosion in the Naro river basin can be depicted: cultivated areas in clayey slopes, having fine-medium soil texture, are the most prone to be eroded; linear or diffuse water erosion processes dominate where the topography is favourable to a convergent or divergent runoff, respectively. For each of the two erosion process types, a susceptibility map was produced and submitted to a validation procedure based on a spatial random partition strategy. Both the success of the validation procedure of the susceptibility models and the geomorphological coherence of the relationships between factors and process that such models suggest, confirm the reliability of the method and the goodness of the predictions.     

关于固体地球系统与地质作用的三点认识

文中讨论了作为极复杂巨系统的固体地球内部运动规律的 3条推论 :(1)地球系统在偏离平衡态时 ,有选择能量耗散最小方式的“惯性” ,在系统内禀熵急增时或者回到一种准稳定的定态 ,或者通过自组织迅速减少内禀熵增加率。换言之 ,地球系统可能有种尽量保存自身内能不受大量耗散的惯性 ,使其总体内禀熵产生率对时空的积分取极小值。我们把这一认识称为总体熵产生率取极小准则 ,对于孤立与渐变的地质过程 ,它等同于热力学第二定律与普里高津最小熵产生原理 ,对于极复杂地球巨系统及远离平衡态情况加了“总体”两字 ,意思是在局部或短期突变时熵产生率可能是大的 ,但它对全球与长时间的积分而言仍然取极小。换句话说 ,作为一个巨系统 ,固体地球在其局部远离平衡状态时 ,仍然能保持总体上内能消耗取极小的惯性 ,维持对全部固体地球时空系统总体熵产生率取极小准则。 (2 )关于地质作用过程演化的定态遍历准则。地球系统的复杂性不仅表现在其非线性 ,即同时存在着多种可能的定态作为其演化的趋势 ,而且表现在其时空发展过程中将经历尽可能多的定态。非线性非平衡态动力学的一般规律符合大多数包含激变事件的地质作用过程。将来在地球系统偏离平衡态足够远时 ,它可能会具有无穷多个耗散结构 ,因而使系统进入完全?     

Studying surface properties of desert pavements and their relation to soil properties and plant growth in Hajaligholi playa,Iran

As we know, desert pavement is a superficial feature from wind erosion widespread throughout arid lands and plays a dynamic role in geomorphic, hydrologic, and ecologic processes. In these regions, the plant cover is low or inexistent. Desert pavement is usually covered with large, small, and angular stones. Spatial distribution of stones at the surface is reflecting rainfall distribution at the land surface. Our objective in this study was to determine the relationship between the surface physical characteristics of desert pavement (meter scale), water movement, subsoil, and plant cover. The density and type of cover in land surface are also investigated. For this purpose, two different areas (Hajaligholi playa, Damghan) with different geology were selected. In each region, profiles were dogged. In site one, six different profiles were dogged, and each profile samples in different horizons (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50 cm) were being taken. In site two, three profiles were dogged, and the same horizon samples were being taken. The type and density of vegetation were determined. Finally, two sites were being compared. The results showed that strong relationship is between the stone cover, soil genesis, and plant distribution. Physicochemical properties (particle sorting, stones rates, electrical conductivity, pH, and gypsum) highly depend on the upland geological characteristics of the region. Also, soil structure and salt concentration have strong relationship with stone component. The distribution and density of vegetation show strong linkage with these properties. Also, in sites with desert pavements and dense plant cover, soils are protected and, thus, reduce desertification (loss fertile soils).     

Pliocene pedosedimentary cycles in the southern Pampas, Argentina

Well‐developed Bt horizons of five palaeosols (P1–P5) have been recorded previously within a 20‐m‐thick succession of Pliocene siltstones and clayey siltstones in the southern part of the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina. This paper reports a detailed field and micromorphological (thin section) investigation of a 6‐m portion of the sequence encompassing P2 and P3. Large‐scale faunal burrow infillings occur throughout: other bioturbation features in the form of channel and spongy microstructures are mainly confined to the siltstones. The intervening clayey siltstones (Bt horizons) have been affected more by shrink–swell disruption, as evidenced by slickensides and a range of striated b‐fabrics in thin sections. Clay coatings, indicative of illuvial accumulation of clay translocated in suspension from overlying A or E horizons, occur in both the siltstones and clayey siltstones. The types, microstratigraphic associations and depth functions of features are interpreted in terms of changing interactions, balances and dominances between sedimentary, pedogenic and erosional processes over time, thus providing the basis for the pedosedimentary reconstruction of landscape evolution in the region during part of the Pliocene represented by the whole P1–P5 sequence (4–5 Ma BP). It is envisaged that this period was dominated by aeolian deposition, although fluvial and mass movement processes probably led to reworking and redistribution of some of the materials. Overall rates of subaerial deposition, however, were not substantial: pedogenic processes were active throughout, the balance between sedimentation and pedogenesis varying over time in a cyclical fashion. Phases of reduced deposition and establishment of relatively stable land surfaces were marked by the development of argillic soil profiles with clearly defined eluvial and illuvial horizons. Intervening periods of more rapid accumulation of coarser material were characterized by accretionary soil development and welding of new pedological features on existing soils as the surface accreted, first transforming existing eluvial horizons into BCt/AE horizons (siltstones) and then encouraging the syndepositional upward extension of these complex horizons. The primary basis of the alternating units of siltstones (BCt/AE horizons) and clayey siltstones (Bt horizons) lies in the cyclical change in size of particles deposited, although pedogenic translocation processes enhanced these textural differences. The underlying driving mechanism behind the pedosedimentary cycle can only be speculated upon, although it is tempting to relate the sedimentation pattern to climatic fluctuations linked to glacial advances and retreats in the Patagonian Andes during the Pliocene.     

Glacial landscape evolution in the Uummannaq region,West Greenland

The Uummannaq region is a mosaic of glacial landsystems, consistent with hypothesized landscape distribution resulting from variations in subglacial thermal regime. The region is dominated by selective linear erosion that has spatially and altitudinally partitioned the landscape. Low altitude areas are dominated by glacial scour and higher elevations are dominated by plateaux or mountain valley and cirque glaciers. The appearance and nature of each landscape type varies locally with altitude and latitude, as a function of bedrock geology and average glacial conditions. Selective linear erosion has been a primary control on landscape distribution throughout Uummannaq, leading to plateau formation and the growth of a coalescent fjord system in the Uummannaq region. This has allowed the development of the Uummannaq ice stream's (UIS) onset zone during glacial periods. Fjord development has been enhanced by a downstream change in geology to less‐resistant lithologies, increasing erosional efficiency and allowing a single glacial channel to develop, encouraging glacier convergence and the initiation of ice streaming. The landscape has been affected by several periods of regional uplift from 33 Ma to present, and has been subject to subsequent fluvial and glacial erosion. Uplift has removed surfaces from the impact of widespread warm‐based glaciation, leaving them as relict landsurfaces. The result of this is a regional altitude‐dependent continuum of glacial modification, with extreme differences in erosion between high and low elevation surfaces. This study indicates that processes of long‐term uplift, glacial erosion/protection and spatial variability in erosion intensity have produced a highly partitioned landscape.     

Geomorphic considerations for erosion prediction

 Current soil-erosion prediction technology addresses processes of rainsplash, overland-flow sediment transport, and rill erosion in small watersheds. The effects of factors determining sediment yield from larger-scale drainage basins, in which sediment movement is controlled by the combined small-scale processes and a complex set of channel and other basin-scale sediment-delivery processes, such as soil creep, bioturbation, and accelerated erosion due to denudation of vegetation, have been poorly evaluated. General suggestions are provided for the development of erosion-prediction technology at the geomorphic or drainage-basin scale based on the separation of sediment-yield data for channel and geomorphic processes from those of field-scale soil loss. An emerging technology must consider: (1) the effects on sediment yield of climate, geology and soils, topography, biotic interactions with other soil processes, and land-use practices; (2) all processes of sediment delivery to a channel system; and (3) the general tendency in most drainage basins for progressively greater sediment storage in the downstream direction. Received: 8 November 1995 · Accepted: 20 November 1995     

Lateritic nickel deposits of Brazil

Many nickel deposits are known in Brazil, accounting for about 350 · 10⁶ tons of ore with an average of 1.5% Ni. All are of the lateritic type. These deposits are scattered throughout the country, being rarer in the Northeastern Region and in the South, below 25 °S latitude. They are mainly associated with mafic-ultramafic massifs of large dimensions and ultramafic alkaline complexes, and occur in climatic regions of contrasting seasons. The weathering profile developed over the fresh rock consists, from bottom to top, of the following horizons: altered rock, coarse saprolite, argillaceous saprolite, ferruginous saprolite and lateritic overburden. The thickness of each horizon varies from one deposit to another, the whole profile generally exceeding 20 m. The saprolitic horizons with inherited minerals (serpentine, chlorite) or neoformed minerals (smectites) constitute the silicated nickel ore and are thicker were climatic conditions are drier; the ferruginous upper horizons made up of iron oxide-hydroxides are more developed in more humid regions. In Brazil, the silicated ore generally prevails over the oxidized ore. The main Ni-bearing minerals are serpentine, smectite, garnierite and goethite. The lateritic nickel deposits of Brazil may be correlated with two erosion surfaces, corresponding to the Sul Americano (Lower Tertiary) and Velhas (Upper Tertiary) levelling cycles. The degree of dismantling of the higher and more ancient surface and the consequent development of the Velhas Surface control the position of the nickel accumulation in the landscape. Thus, the deposits may be found either in the lowlands or in the highlands, where they are always covered by a silcrete layer. The alteration profiles in the Brazilian lateritic nickel deposits are broadly similar to those described elsewhere in the world. However, they present two characteristic features: the silicated ore prevails over the oxidized ore, and a silicified layer covers the profies developed on the highlands.     

Palaeoenvironmental application of magnetic measurements from inter-drumlin hollow lake sediments near Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland

Measurements of palaeomagnetic horizontal remanent intensity, saturation isothermal remanence, coercivity of remanence, high field remanence and magnetic susceptibility, have been made on lateglacial and postglacial sediments from two small, inter-drumlin hollow lakes from central Northern Ireland. These magnetic measurements have been compared with pollen and chemical analyses from the same profiles and with complementary mineral magnetic data from local soils. Representative sediment samples have also been divided into a range of particle size fractions and each fraction has been subjected to magnetic investigation. Five distinctive stratigraphic horizons have been identified on the basis of the magnetic mineralogy. Two horizons relate to phases of pronounced erosion. One of these is connected with solifluction processes in the lateglacial and the other to an intensive period of farming activity which started in Medieval times. Two horizons are associated with periods of very high iron and manganese deposition and are possibly related to the precipitation of magnetic minerals within the lake. Hydrological changes during periods of local anthropogenic activity appear to produce magnetic mineral assemblages indicative of stream bed/bank substrate sources. The particle size data also support the suggestion that downcore changes in the mineral magnetic record are mainly caused by changes in the sediment source rather than particle size or sedimentological effects.     

Variations in soils derived from an erodible sandstone formation and factors controlling their susceptibility to erosion and landslide

Environmental degradations caused by erosion and landslide within an area in the South-eastern part of Nigeria were assessed, and also an attempt to characterize the underlying soils based on their degree of susceptibility to erosion and landslide. Factors affecting soil erodibility such as physical and chemical properties of soil, as well as vegetation density and slope gradient was determined in 20 different areas. Simple linear regression and principal component analysis were employed to relate the factors controlling erosion and landslide to the erosion and slide densities, and to determine the pattern that exists in the data and as well express the data in such a way as to highlight their similarities and differences. Four vertical horizons and two horizontal zones of soil were distinguished based on their degree of weathering as well as their chemical and mineralogical composition; hence the soils were classified into six different types based on their degree of susceptibility to erosion and landslide. Variations in their degree of susceptibility to erosion and landslide were majorly controlled by its chemical and mineralogical composition rather than its particle size distribution.     

Tectonic significance of different block-in-matrix structures in exhumed convergent plate margins: examples from oceanic and continental HP rocks in Inner Western Alps (northwest Italy)

In the Inner Western Alps, three different types of block-in-matrix structures (BIMs) formed sequentially through time at a convergent plate margin. These show the superposition of progressive deformation from (i) subduction to eclogite-facies depths, (ii) collision, accretion, and exhumation of oceanic crust, represented by the Monviso Meta-ophiolite Complex, to (iii) collision, accretion, and exhumation of the continental Dora Maira units. The Type 1 occurs in the metasedimentary cover of the Dora Maira Unit and consists of a map-scale broken formation with boudinaged ‘native’ blocks of marble (Early Jurassic) in a calcschist matrix. It results from the tectonic overprinting of exhumation-related folding (D2-stage) on an earlier subduction-related dismembered succession (D1-stage). Type 1 also includes ‘non-mappable’ BIMs with ‘exotic’ blocks, resulting from the gravitational collapse of the Triassic carbonate platform of European Continental Margin, triggered by the Early Jurassic rifting. In the Monviso Meta-ophiolite Complex, Types 2 and 3 represent tectonically induced broken and dismembered formations, respectively. They differ from each other in the degree of stratal disruption of primary interbedded horizons of mafic metabreccia (Type 3) and mafic metasandstone (Types 2 and 3) sourced by the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous denudation of an oceanic core complex. Dismembered interbeds (Type 2) and isolated blocks were mixed together (Type 3) by the overlap of D2 tectonics and late- to post-exhumation extensional shearing (D3-stage). Development of these types of BIMs may be common in many exhumed convergent plate margins, where severe tectonics and metamorphic recrystallization under high-pressure conditions normally prevent the reconstruction of BIMs or mélange-forming processes. Our findings show that documenting the mode and time of the processes forming BIMs is highly relevant in order to reconstruct the oceanic seafloor morphology and composition of associated stratigraphic successions, and their control in the evolution of those convergent plate margins.     

Conceptual model for transferring information between small watersheds

Stream and watershed management and restoration can be greatly facilitated through use of physiographic landform classification to organize and communicate natural resource, hazard, and environmental information at a broad scale (1:250,000) as illustrated by the Piedmont and Coastal Plain Provinces in Maryland, or at a small scale (1:24,000) as illustrated using divisions and zones combined with a conceptual model. The conceptual model brings together geology, surficial processes, landforms and land use change information at the small watershed scale and facilitates transfer of information from one small watershed to another with similar geology and landforms. Stream flow, sediment erosion, and water quality illustrate the use of the model.     

山坡地形曲率分布特征及其水文效应分析——真实流域的野外实验及相关分析研究

研究了山坡地形曲率的空间分布特征,发现流域略呈现出微凹、发散的形状特征,平均的剖面和水平曲率分别为-4.62×10-4和3.49×10-4。通过划分源头型和边坡型山坡,发现源头山坡多是收敛的,边坡型山坡则多为发散的;在山坡内部收敛、发散、凹和凸等地形地貌类型是同时存在的,即山坡一般由相互组合的各种坡型所组成。基于野外采样观测的成果,分析了和睦桥子流域90个采样点的土壤含水量及其对应曲率的相互关系。结果显示:一般来说,凹形山坡、收敛形山坡对应的土壤含水量更高,而凸形和发散形山坡对应的土壤含水量较低;不论是收敛的凹坡,还是发散的凸坡,其采样点土壤含水量都有随高程下降而升高的趋势,即愈靠近沟谷土壤含水量愈大。     

Tectonic Setting and Metallogenic System of North China Block Margins

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三峡库区重力侵蚀特征及其对重要城镇地质环境影响评价

应用环境地质学与岩土工程学相结合的方法，提出三峡库区区域性地质环境因素是控制该区重力侵蚀发生发展的基本环境因素．建立由其决定的库区重力侵蚀基本模式、稳定性判据及工程地质稳定区段．在此基础上，探讨了重力侵蚀对三峡库区城镇地质环境影响的评价以及对城镇形成、发展、变迁、消失、规模、功能及格局的作用．这对促进库区城镇发展、山区开发和经济发展有重要意义     

The magnetic susceptibility record in the Polish and western Ukrainian loess-palaeosol sequences conditioned by palaeoclimate

The magnetic susceptibility of loess-palaeosol sequences in southern Poland and western Ukraine varies mainly with the degree of decomposition of detrital magnetite grains conditioned by palaeoclimate. Relatively high susceptibility values were observed in the unweathered loess horizons and in accumulation horizons of the non-gleyed soils which contain relatively high amounts of paramagnetic fraction and pedogenic (?) magnetite. The susceptibility curves characteristic for Polish and western Ukrainian loess-palaeosol sequences may be directly correlated with oxygen-isotope fluctuations in deep-sea sediments. This correlation is more complex than that for the Chinese or Alaskan loess-palaeosol sequences. The major causes of the complexities are the relatively small thicknesses of the investigated sections (especially their older horizons) and the heterogeneity of geochemical processes that affected loess surface in the interglacial and interstadial times.     

Multidisciplinary characterization of the middle Holocene eolian deposits of the Elsa River basin (central Italy)

In temperate regions, eolian deposits of different natures are often pedogenically-altered and mixed with underlying sediments. The research reported in this paper identifies for the first time the presence of eolian deposits in soils of central Tuscany and investigates the characteristics and origin. Five relict, polycyclic paleosol profiles were studied. P1 was situated in a natural dust trap, a doline on top of an isolated limestone hill; P2 and P3 were both situated on a limestone plateau, and P4 and P5 on a mid- and foot slope on schist. The profiles were sampled for routine analyses, iron forms, heavy minerals, major and trace elements, and pollen, spores and non-pollen palynomorphs. Undisturbed samples were taken for micromorphological and SEM analyses. Nine soil horizons were sampled for OSL dating. Eolian deposits were dominant or abundant in the first layers of P1, P2 and P3. OSL age determinations of soil horizons deriving from eolian parent material were middle Holocene. Chemical and heavy mineral analyses indicated different possible sources, including bare slopes, alluvial fans and wide channels, coming from the nearby streams that drain the Middle Tuscany ridge and the Mounts of Chianti; marginal contribution of volcanic ashes was only found in P1.The research demonstrated that wind soil erosion accompanied water erosion and colluvial deposition during the middle Holocene in the Elsa River basin. Pollen spectra, in particular, indicated that soil degradation occurred in an environment showing signs of incipient desertification, resulting from an increase of aridity in a land already strongly influenced by humans. Although central Italy is currently considered to be only marginally affected by wind soil erosion, a climate change, which would imply increased arid conditions, could trigger a new cycle of slope denudation, wind erosion and loess deposition.     

沉积分异作用与河口海洋沉积

沉积分异作用在解释表层沉积现象时具有重要意义。在水流辐聚或辐散区域,表层沉积物将因辐聚和辐散运移而分别呈细化和粗化状态。河口区细颗粒沉积区的形成,是因为河口区存在底层余流辐聚的滞流区现象;东中国海涡旋区泥质沉积现象的形成,是因为涡旋区存在指向涡旋中心的底层辐聚流;浙闽沿岸泥质沉积现象是近岸的浙闽沿岸流和远岸的台湾暖流之间存在余流辐聚带;英吉利海峡宽度最窄处的沉积物粗化现象,是因该处沉积物在水流作用下呈分离运移趋势所引起。