A comparison of grain‐size analysis methods for sand‐dominated fluvial sediments

Grain‐size distribution is a fundamental tool for interpreting sedimentary units within depositional systems. The techniques assessed in this study are commonly used to determine grain‐size distributions for sand‐dominated sediments. However, the degree of consistency and differences in interpretation when using a combination of grain‐size methods have not yet been assessed systematically for sand‐dominated fluvial sediments. Results obtained from laser diffraction, X‐ray attenuation and scanning electron microscopy grain‐size analysis techniques were compared with those obtained from the traditional sieve/hydrometer method. Scanning electron microscopy was shown to provide an inaccurate quantitative analysis of grain‐size distributions because of difficulties in obtaining representative samples for examination. The X‐ray attenuation method is unsuitable for sand‐dominated sediments because of its upper size range of only 300 μm. The consistently strong correlation between the laser diffraction results and the sieve/hydrometer results shows that these methods are comparable for sand‐dominated fluvial sediments. Provided that sample preparation is consistent, the latter two methods can be used together within a study of such sediments while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. These results indicate that data for sand‐dominated fluvial sediments gained from the long‐established sieve/hydrometer method can be compared with confidence to those obtained by modern studies using laser diffraction techniques.     

粒度分析理论技术进展及其应用

粒度分析在区分沉积环境、判定物质输运方式、判别水动力条件和分析粒径趋势等方面具有重要作用。本文主要介绍粒径测试技术方法及其新进展,包括传统的直接测量法、筛析法、沉降法和以计算机为依托的激光粒度测试仪法;评述沉积物分类命名方法理论及其在区分沉积环境、判定物质输运方式和判别水动力条件等方面的应用,以及粒度分析在研究海洋环境中沉积物输运方向、即粒径趋势分析方面的重要作用。随着计算机技术的快速发展,粒度分析测试技术正朝向自动化和测试内容多样化方向发展,其在实践中的应用也将更加广泛。     

Influence of the Laurentide Ice Sheet and relative sea‐level changes on sediment dynamics in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence since the last deglaciation

Physical properties, grain size, bulk mineralogy, elemental geochemistry and magnetic parameters of three sediment piston cores recovered in the Laurentian Channel from its head to its mouth were investigated to reconstruct changes in detrital sediment provenance and transport related to climate variability since the last deglaciation. The comparison of the detrital proxies indicates the succession of two sedimentary regimes in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (EGSL) during the Holocene, which are associated with the melting history of the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) and relative sea‐level changes. During the early Holocene (10–8.5 cal. ka BP), high sedimentation rates together with mineralogical, geochemical and magnetic signatures indicate that sedimentation in the EGSL was mainly controlled by meltwater discharges from the local retreat of the southeastern margin of the LIS on the Canadian Shield. At this time, sediment‐laden meltwater plumes caused the accumulation of fine‐grained sediments in the ice‐distal zones. Since the mid‐Holocene, postglacial movements of the continental crust, related to the withdrawal of the LIS (c. 6 cal. ka BP), have triggered significant variations in relative sea level (RSL) in the EGSL. The significant correlation between the RSL curves and the mineralogical, geochemical, magnetic and grain‐size data suggest that the RSL was the dominant force acting on the sedimentary dynamics of the EGSL during the mid‐to‐late Holocene. Beyond 6 cal. ka BP, characteristic mineralogical, geochemical, magnetic signatures and diffuse spectral reflectance data suggest that the Canadian Maritime Provinces and western Newfoundland coast are the primary sources for detrital sediments in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, with the Canadian Shield acting as a secondary source. Conversely, in the lower St. Lawrence Estuary, detrital sediments are mainly supplied by the Canadian Shield province. Finally, our results suggest that the modern sedimentation regime in the EGSL was established during the mid‐Holocene.     

Chronostratigraphy and spatial distribution of magnetic sediments in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas since the last deglaciation

Palaeomagnetic investigation of three sediment cores from the Chukchi and Beaufort Sea margins was performed to better constrain the regional chronostratigraphy and to gain insights into sediment magnetic properties at the North American Arctic margin during the Holocene and the preceding deglaciation. Palaeomagnetic analyses reveal that the sediments under study are characterized by low‐coercivity ferrimagnetic minerals (magnetite), mostly in the pseudo‐single domain grain‐size range, and by a strong, stable, well‐defined remanent magnetization (MAD <5°). Age models for these sediment cores were constrained by comparing their palaeomagnetic secular variations (inclination, declination and relative palaeointensity) with previously published and independently dated sedimentary marine records from the study area. The magnetostratigraphical age models were verified by AMS radiocarbon dating tie points, tephrochronology and ²¹⁰Pb‐based sedimentation rate estimate. The analysed cores 01JPC, 03PC and 02PC span c. 6000, 10 500 and 13 500 cal. a BP, respectively. The estimated sedimentation rates were stable and relatively high since the deglaciation in cores 01JPC (60 cm ka⁻¹) and 03PC (40–70 cm ka⁻¹). Core 02PC shows much lower Holocene sedimentation rates with a strong decrease after the deglaciation from ~60 to 10–20 cm ka⁻¹. Overall, this study illustrates the usefulness of palaeomagnetism to improve the dating of late Quaternary sedimentary records in the Arctic Ocean.     

Measuring alluvial fan sensitivity to past climate changes using a self‐similarity approach to grain‐size fining,Death Valley,California

The effects of climate change on eroding landscapes and the terrestrial sedimentary record are poorly understood. Using mountain catchment–alluvial fan systems as simple analogues for larger landscapes, a wide range of theoretical studies, numerical models and physical experiments have hypothesized that a change in precipitation rate could leave a characteristic signal in alluvial fan sediment flux, grain size and down‐system fining rate. However, this hypothesis remains largely untested in real landscapes. This study measures grain‐size fining rates from apex to toe on two alluvial fan systems in northern Death Valley, California, USA, which each have well‐exposed modern and ca 70 ka surfaces, and where the long‐term tectonic boundary conditions can be constrained. Between them, these surfaces capture a well‐constrained temporal gradient in climate. A grain‐size fining model is adapted, based on self‐similarity and selective deposition, for application to these alluvial fans. This model is then integrated with cosmogenic nuclide constraints on catchment erosion rates, and observed grain‐size fining data from two catchment‐fan systems, to estimate the change in sediment flux from canyon to alluvial fan that occurred between mid‐glacial and modern interglacial conditions. In a fan system with negligible sediment recycling, a ca 30% decrease in precipitation rate led to a 20% decrease in sediment flux and a clear increase in the down‐fan rate of fining, supporting existing landscape evolution models. Consequently, this study shows that small mountain catchments and their alluvial fan stratigraphy can be highly sensitive to orbital climate changes over <10⁵ year timescales. However, in the second fan system it is observed that this sensitivity is completely lost when sediment is remobilized and recycled over a time period longer than the duration of the climatic perturbation. These analyses offer a new approach to quantitatively reconstructing the effects of past climate changes on sedimentation, using simple grain‐size data measured in the field.     

The hydraulic interpretation of turbidites from their grain sizes and sedimentary structures

Previous attempts to deduce the flow parameters of turbidity currents from their deposited sediments have focused on applications of criteria for the suspension or autosuspension of the grains and on hydrodynamic interpretations of the characteristic Bouma sequence of sedimentary structures. There has been a considerable diversity of opinion, however, as to how the transport criteria relate to the observed deposited grain-size distribution, and no attempt has been made to determine whether the separate analyses of deposited sediments and sedimentary structures agree as to the magnitudes of the evaluated flow parameters. Such analyses are performed on a turbidite from the Capistrano Formation (Miocene-Pliocene) of California. This turbidite is normally graded from medium sand at its base to very fine sand and silt at the top, and has the complete sequence of Bouma structures. Only a small degree of cementation has occurred so that samples from the layer could be disaggregated and grain sizes determined both by sieving and sedimentation balance analyses. It was decided to employ the grain-suspension criterion for the calculation of the flow conditions at the time of deposition, published experiments on the pipe-flow of suspensions having demonstrated that this criterion is one of deposition versus non-deposition of grains according to their settling velocities. The published work relating types of sedimentary structures to the sediment grain size and either the flow power or Shield's dimensionless stress is used to evaluate the flow parameters from the observed Bouma sequence. All methods employed yield estimates of the mean flow velocity and bed stress (force per unit bottom area). The evaluated flow parameters for the transition from a flat bed to ripples (Bouma B to C divisions) are nearly an order of magnitude greater than obtained from the grain-suspension criterion where the calculations are based on the median grain size of the deposited sediments. Agreement results only if the calculations utilizing the suspension criterion are based on nearly the coarsest grains deposited at any instant, a procedure that is difficult to justify with the expected sediment deposition from a waning current. Inclusion of other factors, such as possible lags in sediment deposition or ripple formation beneath the decelerating flow, provide no firm explanation as to the cause of the discrepancy between the results based on the two approaches, and in nearly all cases their inclusion would increase the difference. Something is amiss with our procedures for the hydraulic interpretation of sediments which can be resolved only by further study.     

Sedimentary characteristics of palaeolake deposits along the Indus River valley,Ladakh, Trans‐Himalaya: Implications for the depositional environment

This study is an attempt to contribute to the data set of granulometric studies of sediments by measuring the sedimentary structure and texture, along with statistical parameters, of cold and arid lake systems. The palaeolake sequence along the River Indus on the western fringe of the Tibetan Plateau in Ladakh sector was selected in order to shed light on depositional environmental changes within the lake from post‐last glacial maximum to 5 ka. The River Indus was blocked by Lamayuru dam burst during the deglaciation, after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the subsequent increase in water level led to the formation of the Saspol–Khalsi palaeolake. This lake was ca 55 km in length, extending from Nimo to Khalsi, had a surface area of 370 km² and was in existence until 5 ka. Two sections (Saspol and Khalsi) separated by an aerial distance of 35 km show a similar trend in sediment character due to their deposition in the same lake system. Grain‐size studies show a polymodal nature of sediments for both of the sections. However, sediments of the lower/downstream section (Khalsi) show a poorer degree of sorting, and coarser grain size and high energy depositional condition as compared with the sediments of Saspol section (positioned upstream) due to the location of the sections within the lake system. It was noted that, in high‐altitude arid regions, the sedimentological characteristics of large‐sized valley lakes may vary greatly, horizontally as well as vertically, owing to local stream input, inflow intensity from the catchment, outflow velocity of water channels, lithology and valley widths at the different sites.     

中国海域表层沉积物分布规律及沉积分异模式

中国海域拥有宽广的大陆架，同时还有陆坡和深海盆，有众多河流入海并输入巨量的陆源物质，沉积物记录了海陆变迁、环流变化、海平面升降、物质输送和气候变化等环境信息。沉积物的粒度特征可以反映沉积动力、物质来源和搬运距离等，可以通过沉积物粒度组成、参数及各种图解来研究沉积环境的变化。前人对中国海域表层沉积物的粒度分布特征展开了大量的研究，取得了丰富的研究成果，但这些研究多集中在某一海域或区域，缺乏对整个中国海域的表层沉积物类型的宏观系统认识。本文基于中国地质调查局“1：100万海洋区域地质调查项目”获取了中国海域4300个海底表层沉积物样品，通过沉积物粒度分析，结合前人已发表资料，对中国海域表层沉积物的沉积类型特征、物质来源和运移模式等开展了系统的研究。本文把浅海和半深海沉积物按照含砾石和不含砾石主要划分出5个和7个沉积物类型，深海沉积物主要划分了9个沉积类型，研究结果表明：中国海域表层沉积物沉积类型多样、来源复杂，主要受控于物质来源、水动力条件和地形地貌的变化，在东部海域总体呈现“大江大河-宽缓陆架-残留慢速沉积”的条带状沉积分异模式，而在南部海域呈现的是“短源性河流-多类型陆架-重力流快速沉积”的环带状沉积分异模式。本文的结果对研究中国海域沉积物的宏观分布规律提供了基础资料，对理解海洋沉积动力过程具有重要意义，同时沉积物粒度的特征对海底砂矿分布也具有指示意义。     

南极松散沉积物粒度分形研究

利用分形理论, 研究了南极纳尔逊冰盖前缘发育的沉积物、风成沉积物及湖泊沉积物的粒度分布分形结构特征. 结果表明: 不同沉积环境下的沉积物粒度分形结构具有明显的差异, 冰盖前缘沉积物具有显著的分形结构特征, 而湖泊沉积物和风成沉积物不具有分形结构特征, 这为识别南极地区松散沉积物沉积环境提供了一种新的判别依据. 对纳尔逊冰盖前缘沉积物粒度分维特征的研究结果表明, 其粒度分布主要与冰川搬运的动力学过程有关, 分维值的大小与当时形成沉积物的动力学过程、沉积环境、冰盖进退及古气候环境的演化密切相关.     

Geochemical processes and sedimentological characteristics of Holocene lagoon deposits,Alikes Lagoon,Zakynthos Island,western Greece

In this paper we present sedimentological, geochemical, mineralogical and ¹⁴C Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) dating data of a 21.0‐m core obtained from Alikes Lagoon, Zakynthos Island. It is the first time that sedimentological and geochemical data are presented, up to 21‐m depth, from an Holocene coastal lagoon environment of the Ionia Sea, western Greece. The sedimentological properties and the geochemical composition of sediments were studied for the time period between 8540 years bp to present. Samples were analysed for their particle size, calcium carbonate and total organic carbon (TOC) content. Moreover, bulk sample chemical analyses for major and trace elements were carried out, as well as bulk, oriented mineralogical analyses for the clay fraction (<2 µm) were determined by powder X‐Ray diffraction. The grain size characteristics, statistical parameters and TOC, for the Holocene analysed samples, suggest a coastal environment (restricted‐shallow) with reduced salinity such as a tidal flat and/or particularly marsh in a lagoon margin. Sediment characteristics as well as trace element records may contain additional new palaeoclimate information that provide important new constraint on sediment depositional environment and Holocene climate. Stratigraphic variation of geochemical indices, such as Rb/Ti, Cs/Ti, Eu/Eu*, Th/Ti, La/Ti, Ta/Ti, Yb/Ti and Y/Ti, for the sediments with ages from 8540 to 7210 years bp , remain relatively constant indicating that the provenance of the Alikes Lagoon remained similar throughout the mid Holocene. However, geochemical indices in sediments with ages from 7110 years bp to present, indicate the transition from a warm and wet climate in the middle Holocene to a relatively cold climatic conditions in modern times. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The link between grain‐size components and depositional processes in a modern clastic lake

It is widely recognized that lake sediment grain‐size distributions tend to be polymodal and consist of two or more grain‐size components. However, for specific cases, the genesis of each component usually is poorly understood. In this study, the grain‐size components of the surface sediments of Hulun Lake, Inner Mongolia, were partitioned using the log‐normal distribution function method and the relationship between the identity of each grain‐size component and the hydraulic condition of the lake was investigated in order to relate the constituent components to specific depositional processes in the lake. The data indicate that the modern clastic sediments of Hulun Lake contain six distinct unimodal grain‐size distributions representing six grain‐size components. Each of the components retains its identity including modal size, manner of transportation and environment of deposition, although the relative percentage varies with the hydraulic conditions throughout the lake. These components are specified from fine to coarse modes as long‐term suspension clay, offshore‐suspension fine silt and medium to coarse silt, and nearshore‐suspension fine sand, saltation medium sand and traction coarse sand. The percentage contribution of several grain‐size components interpreted as being indicative of nearshore environments is shown to be correlated negatively with water depth across the modern lake bed; this suggests that the proportion of these components in core data might be useful as a proxy for water depth. This possibility was tested using a sediment core from Hulun Lake where high percentages of the nearshore grain‐size components were found to be correlated with low regional precipitation reconstructed from the pollen profile of the same core. The coincidence of two independent proxies does not only demonstrate the validity of log‐normal distribution function in partitioning polymodal sediments but reveals the potential of lake sediment grain‐size components for the research of lake‐level fluctuations during the geological past.     

Sandstone grain size characteristics of the Upper Jurassic Emuerhe Formation in the western region,Mohe Basin (NE China)

The Upper Jurassic Emuerhe Formation was developed with abundant sedimentary facies types in the western section of the Mohe Basin. Based on the systematic sampling and detailed observation on the Emuerhe Formation of this section, the research on the sandstone grain size characteristics of the Emuerhe Formation was carried out with the grain size parameters features (Mz, SK₁, K_G and σ₁), the sensitive components parameters features (SCPGS, SCGSR and SCPV) and the grain size analytical graphs features (grain size frequency curves, grain size cumulative curves, probability cumulative curves and C–M plots). The comprehensive analytical results illustrate that the hydrodynamic energy of the Emuerhe Formation (three times fan delta facies, two times sandy shallow lake microfacies and five times turbidite deposit) in the western section gradually reduced from bottom to top. In addition, the hydrodynamic energy of each fan delta facies gradually enhanced from bottom to top. Based on the analysis of the hydrodynamic conditions of the Emuerhe Formation in the western section, the hydrodynamic conditions evolution history of this section can be divided into five sedimentary phases, namely respectively for the fan delta sedimentary phase, the first‐time sandy shallow lake microfacies sedimentary phase, the short‐term deep lake subfacies sedimentary phase, the second‐time sandy shallow lake microfacies sedimentary phase and the relatively stable deep lake subfacies sedimentary phase from bottom to top. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aeolian origin and palaeoclimatic implications of the ‘red clay’ (north China) as evidenced by grain‐size distribution

The ‘Red Clay’ is an important deposit underlying the Quaternary loess–palaeosol sequence in the Chinese Loess Plateau, being regarded as an excellent record of palaeoclimate changes in the late Tertiary. Several properties of the ‘Red Clay’ have been measured previously in order to derive climatic information. However, the sedimentary processes involved and the origin of the materials remain controversial. Here we present results of grain‐size analyses of the ‘Red Clay’ from four representative sites in the Chinese Loess Plateau. In particular their grain‐size distribution is compared with that of typical Quaternary aeolian loess–palaeosol, as well as lacustrine and fluvial sediments. It appears from the sedimentological evidence that the major part of the ‘Red Clay’ is of aeolian origin. It is rather similar in some of its properties to the Quaternary loessic palaeosols. The dust forming the ‘Red Clay’ was transported by a wind system that was weaker than that involved in the accretion of the Quaternary loess. Furthermore, the ‘Red Clay’ sediment has been modified by post‐depositional weathering. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The relationship of sediment texture with coastal environments along the Kuala Terengganu Coast, Malaysia

The subtidal sediments of four coastal environments (beach, berm, surf zone and nearshore sea floor) of Kuala Terengganu have been studied in terms of their textural characteristics and depositional process. Sampling and statistical analyses of the grain size distributions of beach, surf zone and shallow sea-floor sediments at various locations along the coastline show that they varied in their mean grain size as well as values of sorting and skewness. The statistical parameters of grain size distributions thus allowed recognition of distinct sub-environments. The size distribution of such sediments suggests that the various processes that are responsible for their transportation and deposition are wave, current and wind action. The different energy conditions and the morphology of each coastal environment seem to be reflected in the characteristics of the sediments in each environment.     

山东峡山湖东岸现代滩坝沉积模式及控制因素*

滩坝作为发育于滨岸带非常重要的沉积储集层类型之一,已成为隐蔽油气藏勘探的目标。为进一步明确峡山湖东岸滨浅湖滩坝沉积模式,以现代沉积考察为基础,结合探地雷达技术和粒度分析资料,对东岸研究区滩坝砂体的沉积特征以及控制因素进行详细分析。结果表明: 峡山湖东岸主要发育风成沙丘及滩坝2种沉积体系。早期风成沉积物以发育连续性好的大型板状交错层理细砂为主,分选较好,粒度概率曲线以两段式为特征;滩坝沉积物以发育连续性差的板状交错层理、平行层理中砂为主,主要为反粒序或者复合粒序,具冲刷构造,岩性较混杂并以砂泥薄互层为特征,发育大量植物根系,粒度概率曲线以三段式为主,跳跃组分分为2段,分选较好。探地雷达资料表明研究区下部主要以厚层层状反射结构砂体为主,与风成沙丘沉积反射特征较为一致,环境敏感粒度组分对滩坝沉积较强的水动力作用有较好的指示。总体上,风力作用控制了风成砂体的沉积发育并且改变了古地貌条件,风浪作用冲刷改造了早期砂体,为滩坝的发育提供了物源,控制了滩坝发育的规模和地理位置,可概括为“风运—湖改”滩坝沉积模式,可为滩坝体系的识别和有利储集层预测提供指导。     

埃迪卡拉系微生物碳酸盐岩沉积特征及其地质意义:以川中磨溪8井区灯影组四段为例*

四川盆地高石梯—磨溪地区埃迪卡拉系灯影组广泛发育一套微生物碳酸盐岩。以磨溪8井区灯影组四段(灯四段)为例,通过精细解析高频向上变浅序列的岩石学特征,发现灯四段微生物云岩及序列建造具有如下特征: (1)向上变浅序列主要由凝块石云岩、叠层石云岩和(含微生物)泥晶云岩3类构成,伴以少量微生物粘结颗粒云岩;(2)完整的典型向上变浅序列自下而上由(含微生物)泥晶云岩(A段)、平直状叠层石云岩(B段)、小型丘状叠层石云岩(C段)、分散状凝块石云岩(D段)、格架状凝块石云岩(E段)、微生物粘结颗粒云岩(F段)等6个岩性单元构成,但大量的序列由A-C-E、A-C-D、B-D、B-C-D-E等不完整的岩性单元构成,且序列顶底皆以凝块石云岩/(含微生物)泥晶云岩、叠层石云岩/(含微生物)泥晶云岩等不平整的岩性突变面或暴露面区分;(3)埃迪卡拉系微生物碳酸盐岩发育于浪基面之上至平均海平面附近的相对高能区域,且凝块石云岩较叠层石云岩形成的环境能量高。该研究结果不仅揭示出较高能的浅水环境控制了规模性微生物岩分布这一规律,而且对区域储集层预测具有指导意义,同时也因建立了有别于现代微生物的环境分布模式而具有重要的沉积学意义。     

The effect of weathering on the grain-size distribution of red soils in south-eastern China and its climatic implications

Particle-size analysis is a useful way to determine the source and deposition of sediments. However, there are inconsistencies when this method is used to constrain the origin of the red soils in south-eastern China. To address this problem, we performed a detailed grain-size analysis of two red soil sequences in Xuancheng and Qiliting located along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. By comparing their particle-size characteristics with those of the loess on the Loess Plateau in northern China, we found that the aeolian samples plot in a particular zone in the C–M (grain size of the cumulative 1% versus median grain size) plot and cluster nearer the lower left corner of the plot as their degree of weathering increases. The grain-size features suggest that the onset of large-scale aeolian deposition along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River occurred at approximately 0.8 Ma. Although both sedimentary sorting and post-depositional weathering control the grain-size variations in the deposits, the extremely strong weathering due to the humid, warm climate along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River primarily modified the grain-size distributions of the primary red soil deposits. Strong weathering increased the very fine silt (2–5 μm) fraction and decreased the coarse (>63 μm) fraction. We also found that certain grain-size parameters of the red soils varied with the weathering intensity, which can be used as indicators of palaeoclimate variations. The grain size variations in both the Qiliting and Xuancheng sequences suggest that the mid-Pleistocene climate transition (MPT) may have affected the lower reaches of the Yangtze River at 0.9 Ma.     

Late Holocene high precipitation events recorded in lake sediments and catchment geomorphology,Lake Vuoksjávrátje,NW Sweden

In this paper, we show the potential of combining multi‐proxy analysis of lake sediments with catchment geomorphology to better understand palaeoenvironmental changes. Previous studies have suggested that alpine lakes in N Sweden may be highly sensitive to variations in catchment erosion and precipitation, and that this sensitivity may influence ecologically based reconstructions of past temperature changes. We analysed lake sediments covering the last 5100 years from the alpine Lake Vuoksjávrátje in NW Sweden in order to identify different erosional regimes in the lake catchment, sediment sources and lake sedimentary processes, which ultimately affect the palaeoecological record. The measured proxies include elemental geochemistry from XRF core scanning, grain size, sediment accumulation rates, fraction of terrestrial organic carbon and geomorphological mapping, supported by previously published chironomid and total organic carbon data. From the integrated results we identified time intervals when increased intensity of precipitation altered sedimentation and lake catchment erosional processes. The most prominent event occurred c. 2900 cal. a BP and is interpreted to be the result of excessive precipitation, possibly related to the climatic shift towards cooler and wetter conditions referred to as the 2.8 ka event.     

Distinction between sortable silts and aggregated particles in muddy intertidal sediments of the East Frisian Wadden Sea, southern North Sea

In muddy sediments, the distinction between sortable silt and aggregated silty clay is important for the understanding of fine particle dynamics because both have different hydraulic properties. The Wadden Sea of the southern North Sea is severely depleted in fine-grained sediments mainly due to high energy levels along the diked coastline. As a result, muddy sediments are restricted to a narrow belt along the diked mainland shore. In the present study, the mechanism by which this mud is deposited and how floc deposition and break-up are reflected in the size distribution, has been investigated. For this purpose, surficial sediments from four intertidal nearshore transects were monitored and repeatedly sampled in the course of two years. High-resolution grain-size analyses were performed by an automated settling tube and a Sedigraph particle analyser for the sand and mud fractions, respectively.The grain size frequency distributions of the fine fractions demonstrate that the Wadden Sea muds are composed of two subpopulations, a well-sorted coarse silt and an unsorted silty clay population. A depletion of grain size around 8 μm (7 phi) demarcates the grain-size boundary between the two populations, suggesting that the finer mud population (< 8 μm) is deposited in the form of flocs and aggregates which are hydraulically equivalent to the local sands and coarser silts. Floc break-up and reconstitution in response to seasonally changing energy regimes lead to apparent seasonal sedimentation patterns in the back-barrier tidal basins. Furthermore, in the course of sample preparation, the flocs and aggregates are broken down into their constituent particles. This mechanical artefact in the size distributions produces an artificial seasonal fining/coarsening pattern. It was found that the comparison of clay/silt and < 8 μm/63 − 8 μm particle ratios are good indicators of floc behaviour. Higher ratios are found in mixed flats which are relatively protected from wave action, thereby promoting deposition of flocs. In addition, progressive size sorting and mixing processes along the transects are recognized in the frequency distributions of sands. The skewness pattern shows a landward decrease in positive values, which is exactly opposite to previously reported patterns, suggesting progressive winnowing of fine particles caused by increased wave action over the last decade. This effect of climate change further promotes depletion of fine-grained sediments in the basin.