长江口水下三角洲北部近百年沉积物粒度组成及其对水动力环境的响应

随着长江入海泥沙减少,长江三角洲响应问题越来越受到关注。本文选取对水动力变化较为敏感的水下三角洲与陆架过渡区域,通过对钻孔沉积物进行210Pb 和137Cs同位素定年和粒度参数分析,并提取敏感粒级含量及平均粒径垂向变化,尝试探讨其对近百年来长江河口河势变化以及入海泥沙减少的响应。研究发现1954年之前,该区沉积物颗粒较细,粒度参数特征接近现代河口泥质区沉积物,敏感粒径特征反映出河流作用影响较强,说明当时处于泥质区沉积范围;之后沉积物明显粗化,参数特征向陆架残留砂过渡,海洋动力的影响明显增强,并带入陆架粗颗粒物质,说明当时泥质区南移,该区处于河口和陆架沉积过渡区。推测这一变化主要和1954年后长江口北支河道萎缩有关,该区从长江水沙覆盖范围内变为水沙向海输运的边界上,海洋动力对沉积物改造加剧,导致沉积物粗化。同时,并未发现该区沉积物对1980年代后长江入海泥沙显著下降有所响应。近期发现的长江口外泥-砂分界线的西移很可能也包含着河口河势变化而导致的沉积物粗化的贡献。     

长江水下三角洲向南延伸泥质带浅地层结构及沉积物特征初探--以朱家尖岛以东海域为例

文章对取自长江水下三角洲向南延伸带上舟山泥质区边缘的58个表层沉积物样品的粒度进行了分析,并且对舟山近岸泥质区进行了浅地层剖面探测。结果显示,该区沉积物以黏土质粉砂为主;含水率较高（平均为46%）,干容重较低（平均为1.44 g/cm3）;孔隙比大,高压缩性,抗剪强度低,因此其抗冲蚀能力较弱。区内地层剖面上部为全新世浅海相沉积,岛礁区及南部剖面可见少量下伏基岩,剖面I东部可见浅层气出露,其顶面埋藏深度约为12 m。全新世以来该区域沉积厚度为4~23 m,千年时间尺度沉积速率约0.57~3.29 m/ka,低于长江口门外水下三角洲泥质沉积中心,属弱淤积沉积环境。由于近年流域人类活动导致长江入海泥沙减少,南下沿岸流携带的泥沙可能减少,浙江沿岸面临泥质沉积速率下降或甚至侵蚀的威胁。     

近百年来长江口外泥质区高分辨率的沉积记录及影响因素探讨

通过对长江口外泥质区ZM11柱样的粒度和常微量元素分析,结合210Pb年代测定,探讨了研究区近百年来的沉积历史及影响因素。研究表明,ZM11柱样1950年以来平均沉积速率约为2.5 cm/a;受长江深水航道建设以及水下三角洲前缘侵蚀的影响,近十年来ZM11柱样沉积速率仍然保持3 cm/a以上;46 cm处0.3 cm厚的细砂层记录了1998年特大洪水事件,1998—1999年前后ZM11柱样沉积厚度高达20 cm。ZM11柱样沉积物物质成分较为均一,以粉砂为主;近百年来粒度变化与大通站泥沙粒径变化趋势不尽相同,可能主要受水下三角洲沉积环境控制。元素分析结果表明ZM11柱样沉积物物源比较稳定,基本来自长江物质输入,影响岩芯沉积物元素含量变化的因素主要有沉积物粒度组成、长江碎屑物质输入、生物作用以及人类活动。     

百年来长江口泥质区高分辨率沉积粒度变化及影响因素探讨

对长江口泥质区Chjk01与E4站位的沉积物柱状样进行了210Pb测年和粒度分析,结果显示Chjk01孔与E4孔的沉积年代分别为132年(1873～2005年)与41年(1962～2003年),平均沉积速率达2.8cm/a与3.5cm/a.高密度间隔(0.5～1.0cm)粒度分析达到了反映粒度季节性变化的高分辨尺度.两孔粉砂含量随深度基本保持不变,粘土与砂含量则互为消长.Chjk01孔沉积物粒度自1873年以来明显呈三段式变化,1873～1957年间的84年中粒度稳定地逐渐变粗、砂含量增加、粘土含量减少、分选变差; 1957～1981年间的24年中粒度逐渐变细、粘土含量增加、砂含量减少、分选变好,在1970～1981年间的11年中粒度最细; 1981～2005年间的24年中粒度总体变粗、砂含量波动式增大,但变化趋势不明显.E4孔在1962～2003年间的41年中,沉积粒度特征与Chjk01孔基本一致.1873年以来的132年期间长江口泥质区粒度变化的阶段性特征,主要与同时期长江水沙入海主泓位置,以及主汊道的分沙比阶段性演变相对应; 长江口泥质区粒度长尺度的阶段性变化,对长江大通站(1950～2004年)水沙变化和东亚季风强度指数(1873～1995年)变化不敏感.因此,长江水沙入海主泓位置与两孔位置距离的变化是影响泥质区粗、细粒级含量相对变化的主控因素,掩盖了其他因素的影响.     

江苏圆陀角附近潮滩沉积岩芯粒度变化及其环境意义

江苏圆陀角位于长江北支岸线与江苏海岸线的交汇处,发育了粉砂淤泥质海岸典型潮滩地貌,潮滩岩芯沉积物粒度变化记录了潮滩环境变化的信息。2007年在圆陀角附近潮滩采集了192cm长的柱状岩芯,对沉积物的粒度组成进行了分析,分析结果显示,砂质粉砂是主要的沉积类型,岩芯分为三部分,从下部向上,粗颗粒沉积组分减少,反映了采样点附近潮滩环境由潮滩中部向上部转化的过程。根据岩芯沉积物¹³⁷Cs的1963年和1986年两个蓄积峰值时标推算,1963年以来的平均沉积速率为2.3cm/a,1986年以来的平均沉积速率为1.6cm/a,1963～1986年之间的平均沉积速率达到2.9cm/a。沉积速率变化表明20世纪60年代以来伴随潮滩淤积增高,圆陀角附近潮滩沉积物的沉积速率下降,大体与辐射沙洲南翼淤积型潮滩淤积速率一致,小于长江口外的泥沙沉积速率。泥沙来源主要是苏北沿岸流携带的部分泥沙在圆陀角附近沉积,伴随研究区围垦活动向海推进,在长江北支口门北侧形成了大片的泥质潮滩和水下沙嘴。     

长江口海区表层沉积物主要化学成分

长江口海区按沉积环境、沉积物成分可分为五个沉积区,即现代长江三角洲前缘沉积区、现代长江前三角洲沉积区、过渡沉积区、晚更新世古滨海沉积区和苏北浅滩沉积区。在陆架上,陆源碎屑矿物主要为石英及硅铝酸盐矿物,陆源沉积物特征元素为Si和Al。探讨沉积物Si、Al平面上(沉积区)的分布、各类沉积物及粒度组分中Si、Al的含量变化,将有助于认识长江水下三角洲沉积地球化学的特点。统计表明,古滨海沉积区SiO_2(最高     

长江口水下三角洲粒度与210Pb特征的空间分布

长江口细颗粒物质来源丰富、水动力作用活跃,近年来又受到三峡大坝等流域大型工程的影响,因此其水下三角洲沉积层序对自然过程(物源变化、潮汐水道地形调整、风暴潮事件等)和人类活动(航道疏浚等)的响应成为一个重要的科学问题.对覆盖长江口水下三角洲的31个站位的沉积物柱样进行了粒度分析,并对其中30个站位的柱样进行了210Pb测定,结果表明,长江口物质主要是来源于现代流域供给,少数站位的砂质沉积则代表海底侵蚀.沉积物柱状样的平均粒径有4种类型的垂向分布趋势:Ⅰ.向上细化,Ⅱ.垂向稳定,Ⅲ.垂向波动式变化,Ⅳ.向上粗化.分别对应于不同的地貌部位和冲淤动态.210Pb比活度垂向变化有4种类型:1)标准衰变剖面,2)均一210Pbtotal活度剖面,3)分段式衰变剖面以及4)分段式衰变与倒置衰变复合剖面.4种类型的空间分布格局显示,多数站位不是连续堆积的.不同站位的柱状样沉积记录代表了长江口水下三角洲沉积对各种因素(沉积动力过程、流域水库建设等)的复杂响应模式.长江口水下三角洲粒度与210Pb的空间分布特征指示了研究区的多种沉积动力特征,如物源变化、水动力变化、相邻区域的侵蚀搬运与二次堆积、水动力强弱的空间差异以及事件沉积的影响.     

亚热带中小型山溪性河流—宽陆架系统“源—汇”过程

中小型山溪性河流易受极端事件和人类活动影响,且对环境变化响应敏感,在大陆边缘物质循环过程中发挥着十分重要的作用,但学术界对它们的重视程度不够。以闽江—东海陆架系统为例,通过资料收集、遥感解译、样品采集与分析等方法,系统研究了亚热带中小型山溪性河流—宽陆架系统的“源—汇”过程。研究结果表明,人类活动引起的土地利用变化使得闽江入海径流量和泥沙通量在波动中略有增加,但水库的建设显著减少了入海泥沙通量,并且减弱了水沙通量的季节差异,河流入海泥沙通量变化对流域人类活动敏感且响应迅速;河口水体环境、悬浮体浓度、沉积物粒度组成及陆源有机碳埋藏的空间分布格局均显示,闽江入海泥沙主要分布在闽江河口附近海域,其中粗颗粒泥沙在水动力的作用下主要堆积在河口水下三角洲平原及前缘,细颗粒泥沙主要堆积在水下三角洲前缘斜坡及前三角洲附近海域,仅有少量细颗粒泥沙沿岸向外输运并沿途沉积,与大河流—宽陆架系统及中小型山溪性河流—窄陆架系统显著不同。河口人类活动及极端事件通过改变沉积物组成、环境动力、入海泥沙通量等方式对河流—陆架系统的“源—汇”过程产生显著影响。在当前流域来沙量锐减、河口地区海砂开采等人类活动强度增大的情况下,有必要加强相关研究。     

长江口邻近陆架表层沉积物变化特征及成因

基于近30年长江口邻近陆架区域表层沉积物数据,对表层沉积物与流域入海泥沙特征的响应进行研究。结果表明:①沉积物表现为东粗西细,北粗南细的分布格局,砂百分比分布表现为东北向西南为减小,粉砂和黏土均表现为东北向西南增加趋势,其中整个区域黏土与粉砂百分比的比值在0.12~0.83之间;②2008~2010年与2003~2006相比,砂的百分含量表现为增加,粉砂和黏土表现为减少趋势,表层沉积物向粗化趋势发展;③砂-泥分界线在2003~2007年北侧（31°30’以北）为交替变化,2007~2010年为向西移动,南侧（31°30’以南）2003~2010年均为向西移动,长江口陆架区域表层沉积物砂泥分界线变化是综合作用的结果,砂质沉积物因海平面上升等作用再悬浮沉积在泥质区的作用将逐渐加强。④泥质区域面积在三峡水库蓄水后减小,且位置略有南偏,主要受北槽深水航道整治工程及自然因素的影响。     

长江水下三角洲沉积物磁性特征空间差异及其冲淤指示意义

三角洲冲淤具有空间异质性,而沉积物的磁性特征可灵敏地反映物源、沉积动力特征以及早期成岩作用影响,是揭示空间异质性的有效方法。选取长江水下三角洲20~35 m水深的四个约2 m长的柱样进行磁学和碳、硫地球化学分析,结合粒度及年代资料,探讨了长江水下三角洲沉积物柱样磁性特征空间差异及其冲淤指示意义。研究结果显示,粒度表征的动力分选影响沉积物的磁性特征,这在年代较新（<350 a）的柱样中表现尤为明显,即细颗粒沉积物中富集亚铁磁性矿物,从而具有较高的磁化率。铁、碳、硫及硫同位素特征揭示了长江水下三角洲沉积物较弱的硫酸盐还原特征。沉积物年龄及沉积速率影响沉积物成岩改造强度,进而导致了磁性特征垂向变化的空间差异,整体上看,远离现代沉积中心的柱样,成岩改造特征更为明显。磁化率值的大小、成岩分带的完整性及其反映的铁还原带和硫酸盐还原带转换深度,一定程度上可以揭示三角洲的淤积和侵蚀特征。     

长江与黄河沉积物稀土元素随粒度变化对比研究

依据Stoke定律将长江小于63 μm的沉积物分成4个粒级.将黄河小于63 μm的沉积物分成6个粒级.采用ICP-MS法分别测试了分粒级沉积物的REE含量,结果显示：相同粒级中长江沉积物的∑REE均高于黄河沉积物.长江沉积物REE的丰度遵循元素的“粒度控制律”,即随粒度变细∑REE含量依次增高;黄河沉积物∑REE呈“高-低-高”的不对称马鞍型分布;北美页岩标准化分布曲线均呈右倾状,轻重稀土分馏明显,相对富集LREE,具弱Ce亏损,明显的Eu正异常.长江与黄河沉积物REE组成特征差异与两条河流流域的风化作用及沉积物的矿物组成密切相关,黄河∑REE的马鞍型分布是细粒级中黏土矿物吸附及粗粒级中相对高含量的重矿物富集作用的结果,而长江沉积物随粒级增大∑REE的衰减趋势主要是随粒级增大逐步增加的石英和长石含量的稀释作用所造成.     

1958—2015年长江口水下三角洲地形演变特征及趋势

基于近期流域减沙背景下长江口水下三角洲地形的演变特征与趋势,选用1958—2015年覆盖面积超过7 000 km2的长江口实测水下地形数据,在Surfer软件支持下开展水下三角洲地形冲淤分析,探讨了水下地形演变影响因素。结果表明:1958—2015年,长江口水下三角洲经历了淤积—平衡—剧烈波动3个阶段;持续的流域减沙已导致10 m等深线以浅区域从2009年开始进入净侵蚀状态;流域来沙锐减与极端气候引发的口外及邻近海域对河口泥沙的补给是近年长江口水下三角洲冲淤变化剧烈的主要原因;长江口向外海年均输送泥沙量可能低于1.20亿t,与近年流域年均来沙量较为接近,未来长江口水下三角洲有望逐渐进入整体冲淤平衡状态。     

长江口现代潮滩沉积物粒度特征及其在沉积相识别中的应用

本研究通过对长江口现代潮滩6个柱状样沉积物的粒度精细分析,试图提取研究区潮滩沉积相识别的粒度敏感指标,并通过对长江三角洲南部平原一个全新世钻孔(SL67孔)潮滩沉积物的粒度研究,检验现代沉积粒度敏感指标在全新世钻孔潮滩沉积相识别中的应用。研究显示,长江口现代高潮滩和中潮滩的黏性颗粒(8μm)和粗粉砂(32~63μm)含量差异显著,可以成为区分高潮滩和中潮滩的敏感组分;在开敞型的中、低潮滩之间,砂(63μm)和细粉砂含量(8~32μm)也差异明显。长江口现代潮滩沉积物的粒度频率曲线及众数值也可以有效协助区分高潮滩、中潮滩和低潮滩沉积物。利用上述粒度敏感组分和众数指标检验SL67孔全新世早中期在海平面波动控制下的潮滩演替过程,并揭示了7.5 cal ka BP前后的一次海平面加速上升事件。     

U-series disequilibria in suspended river sediments and implication for sediment transfer time in alluvial plains: The case of the Himalayan rivers

²³⁸U-²³⁴U-²³⁰Th radioactive disequilibria were analyzed in suspended sediments (collected at different depths) from the Ganges River and one of its main tributaries: the Narayani-Gandak River. Results associated with bedload sediment data suggest that uranium-series (U-series) disequilibria in river sediments of the Ganges basin vary with grain size and sampling location. The range of observed U-series disequilibria is explained by a mixing model between a coarse-grained sediment end-member, represented by bedload and bank sediments, and a fine-grained end-member that both originate from Himalaya but undergo different transfer histories within the plain. The coarse-grained sediment end-member transits slowly (i.e. >several 100’s ky) in the plain whereas the fine-grained sediment end-member is transferred much faster (<20-25 ky), as indicated by the absence of significant variations in Th isotope composition of the fine-grained sediment end-members. These results show that U-series isotopes can be used to quantify the various transfer times of river sediments of different sizes and infer that there can be an order of magnitude of difference, or more, between the transfer time of suspended and bedload sediments. This underlines that a good knowledge of the proportion of suspended vs. bedload sediments transported in the river is required to accurately assess how fast erosion products are transferred in a catchment and how fast a catchment is likely to respond to external forcing factors.     

Influence of the Yangtze River and grain size on the spatial variations of heavy metals and organic carbon in the East China Sea continental shelf sediments

Bulk heavy metal (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd), Al, organic carbon and carbonate concentrations, grain sizes, and δC¹³ of the organic carbon distributions were studied in sediments collected throughout the East China Sea continental shelf and the Yangtze River Delta. The results demonstrated that terrigenous sediments from the Yangtze River is a dominating factor controlling the spatial variations of heavy metals and organic carbon concentrations on the East China Sea continental shelf. In addition, grain size and recent anthropogenic influences are also major factors modifying the spatial and vertical variations of heavy metals.Large spatial variations with a band type distribution of heavy metals, grain size, organic carbon and carbonate were observed. Higher concentrations of heavy metal and light δC¹³ of the organic carbon were found primarily in the Deltaic and inner shelf sediments. The band type distribution generally followed the coastline with little variations in the north–south direction. Away from the Delta and inner shelf (west–east direction), most heavy metal concentrations decreased rapidly with the exception of Cd where high concentrations of Cd were also found in the carbonate-rich shelf break sediments. Coarse-grained relict sediments and biogenic carbonate are two primary diluting agents for the fine-grained aluminosilicate sediments from the Yangtze River with high concentrations of heavy metals.Unusually high concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Cd showed both spatially and vertically that more pollution prevention measures are needed in the Yangtze River drainage basin in order to prevent further heavy metal pollution of the East China Sea inner continental shelf.     

珠江三角洲第四纪沉积物Cd元素的分布特征及成因

根据珠江三角洲平原区44个钻孔揭示的第四系,对晚更新世以来沉积物的地球化学特征进行了系统分析,结合沉积物粒度,探讨了珠江三角洲平原区第四纪沉积物Cd的分布特征、高含量来源及迁移富集规律。研究结果表明：①珠江三角洲第四纪沉积物的Cd含量地区差异较大,西江、北江冲积区为主要富集区,而潭江和东江冲积区为背景区。②物质来源、沉积物粒度、沉积环境与有机质含量共同影响了珠江三角洲第四纪沉积物Cd的含量分布,西江、北江冲积区受控于富Cd的泥盆系、石炭系砂页岩,而东江、潭江冲积区主要由贫Cd的燕山期花岗岩等限定;沉积物平均粒径（φ值）与Cd含量存在显著正相关关系;另外,温暖湿润、海陆交互作用强烈的沉积环境与富含有机质的地区有利于Cd的聚积富集。③西江、北江流域相对富Cd岩石风化的产物,特别是具高强度Cd含量的铅锌多金属矿区,是西江、北江冲积区Cd高含量的主要来源。④珠江三角洲第四纪沉积物Cd的高含量区分成西江、北江西北部和东南濒海两大片区,究其原因,前者由区域发育的铅锌多金属矿控制,后者则受海陆交互作用沉积环境的影响。     

Lithological and geochemical record of mining-induced changes in sediments from Macquarie Harbour,southwest Tasmania,Australia

Macquarie Harbour in southwest Tasmania, Australia, has been affected severely by the establishment of mines in nearby Queenstown in the 1890s. As well as heavy metal-laden acid rock drainage from the Mount Lyell mine area, over 100 Mt of mine tailings and slag were discharged into the Queen and Ring Rivers, with an estimated 10 Mt of mine tailings building a delta of ca. 2.5 km² and ca. 10 Mt of fine tailings in the harbour beyond the delta. Coring of sediments throughout Macquarie Harbour indicated that mine tailings accreted most rapidly close to the King River delta source with a significant reduction in thickness of tailings and heavy metal contamination with increasing distance from the King River source. Close to the King River delta the mine tailings are readily discriminated from the background estuarine sediments on the basis of visual logging of the core (laminations, colour), sediment grain size, sediment magnetic susceptibility and elemental geochemistry, especially concentrations of the heavy metals Cu, Zn and Pb. The high heavy metal concentrations are demonstrated by the very high contamination factors (CF > 6) for Cu and Zn, with CF values mostly >50 for Cu for the mine-impacted sediments. Although the addition of mine waste into the King River catchment has ceased, the catchment continues to be a source of these heavy metals due to acid rock drainage and remobilisation of mine waste in storage in the river banks, river bed and delta. The addition of heavy metals to the harbour sourced from the Mount Lyell mines preceded the advent of direct tailings disposal into the Queen River in 1915 with the metals probably provided by acid rock drainage from the Mount Lyell mining area.     

The sedimentary response to a pioneer geo‐engineering project: Tracking the Kander River deviation in the sediments of Lake Thun (Switzerland)

Human activities such as river corrections and deviations, lake‐level regulations and installations of hydropower plants affect and often strongly modify natural processes in lacustrine systems. In 1714, the previously bypassing Kander River was deviated into peri‐alpine Lake Thun. This pioneering geo‐engineering project, the first river correction of such dimensions in Switzerland, doubled the water and sediment input to the lake. In order to evaluate the sedimentary consequences of the Kander River deviation, the lacustrine sediments were investigated using a combined approach of high‐resolution (3·5 kHz) reflection seismic data and sediment cores (maximum length 2·5 m). The significance of this study is increased by the possible hazard represented by ammunition dumped into the lake (from 1920 to 1960) and by the recent installation of a gas pipeline on the lake floor in 2007/2008. The first 130 years after the river deviation were dominated by an extremely high sediment input, which led to the frequent occurrence of subaquatic mass movements. Slope failures primarily occur due to rapid sediment accumulation, but were occasionally triggered in combination with earthquake‐induced shocks and lake‐level fluctuations. After 1840, mass‐movement activity and sedimentation rates decreased due to a reduced sediment input as the Kander River adjusted to its new base level and, to a smaller degree, by further engineering of the Kander River bed and gravel withdrawal at the Kander Delta. A further consequence of the Kander River deviation is that the shores around Lake Thun have been more frequently affected by flooding due to the increased water input. In the time span from 1850 to 2006, six historically and/or instrumentally documented flood events could be correlated to flood turbidites in the sediment cores. This study demonstrates the significant usefulness of lacustrine sediments, not only in archiving natural hazards and human impact but also in assessing the consequences of future anthropogenic interventions on lacustrine systems.     

Subaquatic slope instabilities: The aftermath of river correction and artificial dumps in Lake Biel (Switzerland)

River engineering projects are developing rapidly across the globe, drastically modifying water courses and sediment transfer. Investigation of the impact of engineering works focuses usually on short-term impacts, thus a longer-term perspective is still missing on the effects that such projects have. The ‘Jura Water Corrections’ – the largest river engineering project ever undertaken in Switzerland – radically modified the hydrological system of Lake Biel in the 19th and 20th Century. The deviation of the Aare River into Lake Biel more than 140 years ago, in 1878, thus represents an ideal case study to investigate the long-term sedimentological impacts of such large-scale river rerouting. Sediment cores, along with new high-resolution bathymetric and seismic reflection datasets were acquired in Lake Biel to document the consequences of the Jura Water Corrections on the sedimentation history of Lake Biel. Numerous subaquatic mass transport structures were detected on all of the slopes of the lake. Notably, a relatively large mass transport complex (0·86 km²) was observed on the eastern shore, along the path of the Aare River intrusion. The large amount of sediment delivered by the Aare River since its deviation into the lake likely caused sediment overloading resulting in subaquatic mass transport. Alternatively, the dumping since 1963 in a subaquatic landfill of material excavated during the second phase of river engineering, when the channels flowing into and out of Lake Biel were widened and deepened, might have triggered the largest mass transport, dated to 1964 or 1965. Additional potential triggers include two nearby small earthquakes in 1964 and 1965 (M_W 3·9 and 3·2, respectively). The data for this study indicate that relatively large mass transports have become recurrent in Lake Biel following the deviation of the Aare River, thus modifying hazard frequency for the neighbouring communities and infrastructure.