Sediment transport off the Huanghe (Yellow River) delta and in the adjacent Bohai Sea in winter and seasonal comparison

Based on the data on the current velocity, water temperature, salinity, turbidity and concentration of suspended sediment collected in November 2006 along three survey transects at three time-series, ship-based stations off the Huanghe (Yellow River) delta, and at twenty-four grid survey stations in the adjacent Bohai Sea, sediment transport off the Huanghe delta and in the adjacent Bohai Sea under winter regime were studied and compared with those from the summer season.     

Sedimentary framework of the modern Huanghe (Yellow River) delta

The geometry, stratigraphy, and structure of recently deposited Huanghe (Yellow River) Delta sediments were examined by high resolution subbottom profiles and medium-penetration boomer profiles. The results indicate that the active (post-1976) subaqueous delta advances as a single thin localized lobe with a maximum thickness of only 15 m. Calculations of sediment volumes indicate that 90% or more of the sediment supplied by the Huanghe remains within 30 km of the mouth. Sediment on the delta platform near the mouth is fine sand; elsewhere silts and clays prevail.[/p]     

The subaqueous delta of the modern Huanghe (Yellow River)

The subaqueous delta of the Huanghe (Yellow River) has been studied using high-resolution acoustic systems. There are many subtle variations in sea floor morphology and sediment geometries; smooth, featureless areas are rare. The main components of the subaqueous delta include broad, shallow channels; moderately disturbed areas with near-surface cut and fill structures; heavily disturbed areas with sea floor depressions, pits, and gullies; and a smooth, gently sloping distal delta apron or rise. These features are not directly related to sediment settling from dilute surface plumes but are due to gravity-driven hyperpycnal underflows, submarine mass movements, and silt flows.     

Short period internal waves over the Huanghe (Yellow River) delta front

Internal waves with periods of about 5 minutes and trough to crest heights of up to 6.2 m were observed acoustically over the actively accreting delta front of the Huanghe (Yellow River) in the western portion of the Gulf of Bohai, Peoples Republic of China. The radian frequency of the internal waves was close to the locally-observed Brunt-Vaisala frequency. Through the relatively short (one hour) duration of an internal wave train, the amplitude was observed to decrease progressively with time. These internal waves may cause resuspension of delta-front sediments.     

Hyperpycnal plumes and plume fronts over the Huanghe (Yellow River) delta front

The Huanghe (Yellow River) discharges extremely high suspended sediment concentrations (25 to 220 g/l) which favor sustained hyperpycnal plumes (underflows). Observations of weakly hyperpycnal unchannelized plumes and indirect evidence of strongly hyperpycnal channelized underflows over the delta front indicate the importance of these modes of sediment dispersal. The weakly hyperpycnal plumes occupy the entire water column over the shallow (<5 m) delta top. From a pronounced front near the break in slope at about 5 m depth, they descend over the delta-front slope as wide-spread underflows. Evidence of strongly hyperpycnal underflows was shown from subaqueous valleys partly filled with low-density mud.     

Seismic stratigraphy of the quaternary Yellow River delta,Bohai Sea,eastern China

The upper 40 m of stratigraphy of the Yellow River (Huang He) subaqueous delta has been well documented, but the nature of the underlying strata is currently unknown at high-resolution. To address this deficiency we used a Geopulse seismic system to image shallow sedimentary deposits up to 120 m deep on the Yellow River delta. High-resolution seismic reflection images were processed with a series of specific techniques (e.g. swelling attenuation, dynamic s/n filter; f-x deconvolution, predictive deconvolution dipscan stack), and used with borehole data to investigate the Quaternary offshore sequences in the Yellow River (Huang He) delta. Repetitive sequences were observed and interpreted as containing layers of transgressive and regressive deposits. Six seismic transgressive and regressive cycles are identified. Unit M₆F–C₆F correlates with a relative sea-level rise (173–157 ka) and fall (231–173 ka), while Unit M₅F–C₅F is associated with a relative sea-level rise (124–100 ka) and fall (157–124 ka). Unit M₄F–C₄F spans a period of sea-level fall at 100–87 ka, followed by a rise at 87–76 ka. Unit M₃F–C₃F is a transgressive–regressive cycle dated as 76–58 ka. Unit M₂F–C₂F correlates with relative sea level fall at 58.2–36 ka and subsequent rise at 36–22 ka. Unit M₁F–C₁F was deposited during relative sea level fall (22–18 ka), followed by a rise, especially since 8.5 ka.     

Suspended sediment advection by tidal currents off the Huanghe (Yellow River) delta

Studies to date indirectly indicate that only a small percentage of the sediment discharged by the Huanghe (Yellow River) is presently transported from the Gulf of Bohai to the Huanghai (Yellow Sea). Direct measurements in early summer 1985 show low concentrations of suspended sediment east of 119°45E but high concentrations in Bohai Bay. Stokes drift associated with an amphidrome of the M₂ tide may contribute to a northwestward transport of Huanghe sediment.     

Active slope failure,sediment collapse,and silt flows on the modern subaqueous Huanghe (Yellow River) delta

Post-depositional slope instability and bottom mass-movement processes strongly modify the progradational subaqueous slopes of the modern Huanghe (Yellow River) Delta. Wide, shallow gullies dissect the submarine slopes with gradients of 0.3 to 0.4°. Lower delta-front sediments experiencein situ subsidence, forming numerous collapse depressions. These processes are pronounced over much of the delta, incising and redistributing the most recently deposited silt-rich sediment. Principal causative factors include low sediment strengths created by rapid deposition in the delta during annual peak discharges from the river and severe bottom perturbations by surface storm-generated waves.     

Distribution and transport of suspended sediments off the Yellow River (Huanghe) mouth and the nearby Bohai Sea

Hydrological and sedimentological investigations were carried out off the Yellow River (Huanghe) mouth and the nearby Bohai Sea during August–September 2007 to examine the distribution and transport of suspended sediments. Our data witnessed that suspended sediments from the Yellow River mouth primarily extend southerly and southeasterly during the flood season. High suspended sediment concentration (SSC) occurs as turbid plume on both sides of the river mouth, where it can reach >20 mg l^?1 in the surface water and >40 mg l^?1 in the bottom water. Accordingly, salinity varies from 25 to 29 psu, mean grain size (Dmz) is >200 μm, and volume concentration (VC) is >100 μl l^?1. High SSC was concentrated in the river mouth area as two muddy patches, i.e. the North Mud and South Mud, consisting mostly of fine-grained silt and clayey silt sediments. Our results have verified the larger extent of the South Mud than that of the North one, implicating south- and southeastward sediment dispersal paths that prevail near the river mouth area. The existing anti-clockwise and clockwise flows in the river mouth area were synthesized as the major hydrodynamics responsible for forming the two muddy patches. Tidal and residual currents are considered as the key hydrodynamic factors controlling the sediment distribution and transport in the region.     

Modern sediment characteristics and accumulation rates from the delta front to prodelta of the Yellow River (Huanghe)

Since 1976, the main channel of the Yellow River (Huanghe) has been on the east side of the delta complex, and the river has prograded a broad new delta lobe in Laizhou Bay of the Bohai Sea. In 2012, extensive bathymetric and high-resolution seismic profiles were conducted and sediment cores were collected off the new delta lobe. This study examined delta sedimentation and morphology along a profile across the modern subaqueous Yellow River delta and into Laizhou Bay, by analyzing sediment radionuclides (¹³⁷Cs, ²¹⁰Pb and ⁷Be), sedimentary structure, grain-size composition, organic carbon content, and morphological changes between 1976 and 2012. The change in the bathymetric profile, longitudinal to the river’s course, reveals subaqueous delta progradation during this period. The subbottom boundary between the new delta lobe sediment and the older seafloor sediment (before the 1976 course shift) was identified in terms of lithology and radionuclide distributions, and recognized as a downlap surface in the seismic record. The accumulation rate of the new delta lobe sediment is estimated to be 5–18.6 cm year^–1 on the delta front slope, 2 cm year^–1 at the toe of the slope, and 1–2 cm year^–1 in the shelf areas of Laizhou Bay. Sediment facies also change offshore, from alternations of gray and brown sediment in the proximal area to gray bioturbated fine sediment in the distal area. Based on ⁷Be distribution, the shorter-term deposition rate was at least 20 cm year^–1 in the delta front.     

黄河调水调沙影响下河口入海泥沙扩散及沉积效应

基于2013年黄河调水调沙期间四条断面连续25h的温度、盐度、含沙量资料,分析了黄河调水调沙影响下河口入海水沙的扩散的范围。结合2010年调水调沙期间(7月)和调水调沙前后(5、9月)黄河口底质沉积物粒度的变化特征,探讨了黄河调水调沙工程对黄河输沙的影响以及河口沉积效应。结果表明:调水调沙期间,入海泥沙以粗颗粒为主,快速沉积在河口口门附近,扩散范围有限,而河口冲淡水则能够扩散至离岸较远的距离,入海水沙扩散范围不一致。黄河口沿岸悬浮泥沙主要向东北及偏东北方向扩散,最大通量可达2000kg/cm/s,但在距离河口10km以外区域通量锐减。黄河调水调沙期间,入海沉积物源由调水调沙前期粗颗粒的河床沉积物转变为后期小浪底水库排放的细颗粒沉积物,沉积物在河口附近快速堆积,导致河口区沉积环境短期内急剧改变。     

Sediment discharge of the Yellow River,China: past,present and future——A synthesis

The Yellow River cut through Sanmenxia Gorge and discharged into the sea via the North China Plain in 150 ka BP; since then, around 86 000 × 108 t sediment has been transported passing Sanmenxia Gorge. Based on land use and land cover changes in Loess Plateau and other available evidence, an estimate of the Yellow River sediment budget is presented here: about 72% of the sedimentary material was trapped in the North China Plain and the remainder(i.e., 26%) escaped to the sea. At the present stage, 0.2×108 t/a suspended sediment of the Yellow River enter the northern Yellow Sea. The transport pattern is determined mainly by the shelf current system. Annually 0.2×108–0.3×108 t of suspended particles are carried to the East China Sea; the materials are derived mainly from coastal and subaqueous delta erosion associated with the abandoned Yellow River on the Jiangsu coast. Since 1972, the lower Yellow River started to have a situation of continuous no-flow. During 1996–2000, the annual water flow and sediment discharge are only 19%, as compared with normal years(i.e., average for 1950–1979). In response to global warming and increase of water diversion from the Yellow River for industrial and urban use, the sediment flux of the Yellow River to the sea will most likely remain small in the next two to three decades.     

黄河干流有机碳的时空分布特征

通过2003-2009年多个航次对黄河干流DOC(溶解有机碳)和POC(颗粒有机碳))及相关参数的调查研究,结果表明:TSS(颗粒悬浮物)为91.42～8188 mg/L,POC为0.65～24.20 mg/L,POC%(POC/TSS×100%)为0.44%～2.21%,DOC为1.57～4.77 mg/L,有机碳沿程分布具有明显的空间特征.花园口水文年调查中有机碳含量与流量的季节变化密切相关.POC主要受冲刷影响,而DOC在不同季节分别体现出冲刷、稀释或浓缩效应.修建水库和调水调沙这2个显著的人为干扰活动对黄河有机碳的性质及输运产生了截然不同的影响:库区自生源对有机碳的贡献明显大于干流,DOC/POC为6.64～12.00,DOC是有机碳的主要形式,同时水库截流,颗粒物沉降降低了颗粒有机碳的输运量,而调水调沙却加强了有机碳的输运,该时期DOC/POC为0.01～0.47,POC是有机碳输运的主导形态.     

渤海动力对黄河入海泥沙输移的影响

海洋动力过程对黄河入海泥沙的淤积和扩散具有决定性作用 ,利用三维斜压动力 -泥沙模型分析了黄河口外海域潮流动力变化与黄河入海泥沙淤积、扩散特性之间的响应关系。季节环流以及涨落潮的分布和变化很好地解释了黄河口南北浮泥的形成和消长变化以及黄河入海泥沙向海扩散的机理。结果表明 ,入海泥沙在洪季、枯季和表底层都具有不同的输移特性     

The Sediment Source and Transport Trends around the Abandoned Yellow River Delta,China

Sediment source and transport trends are influenced by various hydrodynamic factors, and thus play important roles in sedimentary evolution and coastal stability. To examine sediment transport trends around the abandoned Yellow River delta promontory and its erosion mechanism, we employ empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis to study sedimentary characteristics and transport trends of the abandoned Yellow River delta in northern Jiangsu Province, China. The results showed that: (1) the main sediment source in the abandoned Yellow River delta is the submarine coastal slope and both sides of the abandoned Yellow River Delta; (2) the main hydrodynamics controlling sediment transport is the current that runs along the shore, coupled with waves, especially southward currents; (3) the sediment of the study area was redistributed under hydrodynamics; coarse sediments were eroded and broadly transported to the south. Therefore, it is concluded that the sediment sources and transport have important influence on coastal evolution: the sediment source area shows mass loss of deposits and erosion; deposits in the submarine coastal slope provide the source and were continuously eroded to provide materials to other places as a sediment source.     

黄河河流水体二氧化碳分压及其影响因素分析

根据2003年秋季黄河河流水体二氧化碳分压(p(CO2))的实测数据，结合水文、化学和生物等要素的同步观测资料，对河流水体p(CO2)的影响因素进行了探讨。研究结果表明：生物好氧呼吸作用不是影响河流水体p(CO2)的主要因素，黄河河流p(CO2)的高低主要受水体碳酸盐系统的控制。     

流域降水和人类活动对黄河入海泥沙通量的影响

自从20世纪70年代以来,黄河入海泥沙通量表现出明显减少的趋势.研究表明,入海泥沙通量对于上、中游不同的水沙来源区降水变化的响应方式是不同的.在假定其他因素相同的情况下,龙门至三门峡区间的年降水量每减少10mm,入海泥沙通量将减少0.275亿t;河口镇至龙门区间的年降水量每减少10mm,入海泥沙通量将减少0.143亿t;兰州以上年降水量每减少10mm,入海泥沙通量减小0.174亿t.多沙细砂区降水的减少对于黄河入海泥沙通量的影响最大.通过多元回归分析建立了入海泥沙通量与年降水、梯田林草面积、淤地坝造地面积之间的定量关系:在其他因素不变时,梯田林草面积每增加10⁴hm²,入海泥沙通量将减少0.0019亿t/a;年降水量每减少10mm,入海泥沙通量将减少0.543亿t,淤地坝造地每增加104hm²,入海泥沙通量将减少0.0205t/a.这些数据可为未来各影响因子进一步变化后入海泥沙通量变化的估算提供依据,为黄河流域和河口的环境规划服务.     

A numerical study of transport dynamics and seasonal variability of the Yellow River sediment in the Bohai and Yellow seas

A sediment numerical model was embedded into a wave-tide-circulation coupled model to simulate the transport processes of the Yellow River-derived sediment considering the wave-induced vertical mixing (Bv) and the wave-current coupled bottom shear stress (BSS). Numerical results show that the main stream of the Yellow River-derived sediment moves first eastward off the northern Shandong Peninsula and then southward into the South Yellow Sea all year round. In spring, the sediment moves northeastward in the Bohai Sea. In summer, there is a northeastward branch of sediment in the Bohai Sea off the west coast of the Liaodong Peninsula, while the main part goes eastward to the Yellow Sea. The Yellow River-derived sediment transport from the Bohai Sea to the North Yellow Sea across the Bohai Strait is mainly limited to the top 10 m, and with a maximum centered at 37.9°N in summer. The transport from the North Yellow Sea to the South Yellow Sea across the transect of 37°N is mainly in the 0–30 m layer with a maximum around 123.7°E in autumn. The simulated Yellow River-discharged sediment deposits along the Shandong Peninsula and between 20 and 30 m isobaths in the Yellow Sea, which is consistent with observation. If surface waves are not considered in the model, the sediment deposits westward to the nearshore area in the South Yellow Sea. The sediment would deposit further southward in the numerical experiment results without wind influence. In the numerical experiment of no tide, there is hardly any sediment deposited on the Yellow Sea floor, while in the Bohai Sea most of the sediment is transported southward and northwestward around the river mouth instead of eastward as in the Control Run, indicating the tides play a key role in forming the deposition pattern.     

Sediment critical shear stress and geotechnical properties along the modern Yellow River Delta,China

A geological engineering study was undertaken to determine the spatial distribution of sediment critical shear stress in the modern Yellow River Delta and to determine the influence of sediment erodibility on sediment erosion and microtopography formation. The critical shear stress was tested using a cohesive sediment meter for sediments along lines running perpendicular to the coast in different sedimentary lobes of the delta, where the geotechnical properties of sediments were also determined. The results demonstrate that significant differences in critical shear stress exist among high, middle, and low tidal flats, which are influenced by biodisturbation in the different sedimentary lobes. Regional characteristics of the modern Yellow River Delta show that critical shear stress levels are the lowest in the northern area (0.11–0.4?Pa), are the highest in the eastern area (2.8–4.55?Pa), and are significantly heterogeneous in the northeastern area. The critical shear stress is found to be more nonuniform and levels of antierosion strength are relatively lower than values found for other estuarine deltas around the world.     

黄河口海域调水调沙期间大型底栖生物群落特性研究

黄河口海域大型底栖生物群落结构受到包括自然和人为在内的诸多因子的影响,本次研究以2011年调水调沙活动对该海域大型底栖生物群落结构的影响研究为主,分析其短期内群落结构的变化。调水调沙前、中、后期均采用同样的站位取样,分别为1～18号站位,按照距离黄河入海口的距离分为4个梯级,为5、10、20和40km。研究结果显示：调水调沙前、中、后期分别渔获大型底栖生物73,72和85种,重要种的数量分别为13,1和16种;所有种类可以统计为4个门类,为环节动物、软体动物、节肢动物和棘皮动物,其中,环节动物和软体动物占比重最大,而1982年其他学者对莱州湾大型底栖生物的研究显示,棘皮动物和环节动物占比重最大,这表明近30年该海域大型底栖生物的群落结构产生较大变化;BOPA指数显示,前期各站位水质较高,中期和后期分别有2,3个站位受到中等程度污染;ABC曲线分析说明,调水调沙中、后期,大型底栖生物群落受扰动较大;群落聚类分析和冗余分析（RDA）表明,大型底栖生物群落结构与环境因子关系密切,其中,调水调沙中期有机物对群落结构的影响最大,而后期的较大影响因子为水深。环境因子并不是单一作用于生物群落,而是几个环境因子共同作用,包括有机物、硫化物、重金属Hg和As等;不同环境因子造成群落结构变动的原因较多,其一可能是海水透明度的下降造成大型底栖生物的生长和繁殖受阻。本次研究重点表明,人类多元活动从短期和长期看对大型底栖生物的群落结构变动影响均较大,调水调沙活动对黄河口海域大型底栖生物的栖息地作用明显,改变其水温、盐度、群落扰动等。因此,应当加强对该海域入海陆源污染物的控制,加强对海洋生态平衡的保护。