The variation in suspended sediment and water properties in the flood-water front traversing the tidal flat

The initial flooding waters from twenty-four consecutive tides were examined for changes in water properties as the flood-front traversed the intertidal zone. The flood-front water temperature depended on the time of flooding as well as the sun’s insolation. On warm sunny days, the water temperature at the leading edge of the tide successively increased as the water flooded the tidal flat. In contrast, during cloudy days, and early morning and evening samplings, the flood-front water decreased during flooding. Flood-front water temperatures on warm days exceeded 34°C, some 15°C higher than the water observed in the deeper tidal channels. Flood-front salinities increased progressively across the intertidal zone regardless of local weather conditions, and were primarily controlled by mixing of surface waters with interstitial waters during the flooding process. Particulate matter concentrations were dependent on the interaction between small amplitude waves and varying intertidal bottom slope. Extreme variability in the particulate matter concentration across the tidal flat was in part caused by alternate resuspension and settling of fecal pellets composed of silty-clay aggregates which partly form the bottom sediment of the test area. The texture of the suspended particulate matter coarsens near shore, where wave resuspension became more effective on a steeper portion of the intertidal zone. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY009 00003     

Sedimentology,ichnology and hydrodynamics of strait‐margin,sand and gravel beaches and shorefaces: Juan de Fuca Strait,British Columbia,Canada

On the south‐west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada, sedimentological and ichnological analysis of three beach–shoreface complexes developed along a strait margin was undertaken to quantify process–response relations in straits and to develop a model for strait‐margin beaches. For all three beaches, evidence of tidal processes are expressed best in the lower shoreface and offshore and, to a lesser extent, in the middle shoreface. Tidal currents are dominant offshore, below 18 m water depth (relative to the mean spring high tide), whereas wave processes dominate sediment deposition in the nearshore (intertidal zone to 5 m water depth). From 18 to 5 m water depth, tidal processes decrease in importance relative to wave processes. The relatively high tidal energy in the offshore and lower shoreface is manifest sedimentologically by the dominance of sand, of a similar grain size to the upper shoreface/intertidal zone and, by the prevalence of current‐generated structures (current ripples) oriented parallel to the shoreline. In addition, the offshore and lower shoreface of strait‐bound beach–shoreface complexes are recognized ichnologically by traces typical of the Skolithos Ichnofacies. This situation contrasts to the dominantly horizontal feeding traces characteristic of the Cruziana Ichnofacies that are prevalent in the lower shoreface and offshore of open‐coast (wave‐dominated) beach–shorefaces. These sedimentological and ichnological characteristics reflect tidal influence on sediment deposition; consequently, the term ‘tide‐influenced shoreface’ most accurately describes these depositional environments.     

Changes in beach water table elevation during neap and spring tides on a sandy estuarine beach, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

A field investigation of temporal and spatial changes in wind and wave characteristics, runup and beach water table elevation was conducted on the foreshore of an estuarine beach in Delaware Bay during neap (April 9, 1995) and spring (April 16, 1995) tides under low wave-energy conditions. The beach has a relatively steep, sandy foreshore and semi-diurnal tides with a mean range of 1.6 m and a mean spring range of 1.9 m. Data from a pressure transducer placed on the low tide terrace reveal a rate of rise and fall of the water level on April 16 of 0.09 mm s⁻¹ resulting in a steeper tidal curve than the neap tide on April 9. Data from three pressure transducers placed in wells in the intertidal foreshore reveal that the landward slope of the water table during the rising neap tide was lower than the slope during spring tide, and there was a slower rate of fall of the beach water table relative to the fall of the tide. Wave heights were lower on April 9 (significant height from 17.1 min records <0.16 m). The water table elevation was 0.08 m higher than the water in the bay at the time of high water, when maximum runup elevation was 0.29 m above high water and maximum runup width was 2.0 m. The elevation of the water table was 0.13 m higher than the maximum elevation of water level in the bay 74 min after high water, when wave height was 0.12 m and wave period was 2.7 s. The use of mean bay water level at high tide will underpredict the elevation of the water table in the beach, and demarcation of biological sampling stations across the intertidal profile based on mean tide conditions will not accurately reflect the water content of the sandy beach matrix.     

Tidal dynamics and low-frequency exchanges in the Aransas Pass,Texas

Current, water level and wind data collected from a study site at the Aransas Pass, Texas, during a 45-day period in mid 1977 are used to describe tidal motions and low-frequency, meteorologically-forced exchanges between the inner shelf and a series of intracoastal bays. Analysis of individual tidal constituents indicates a mixed but principally diurnal tide. Tidal constituents move through the Pass as nearly progressive waves. Asymmetry in the co-oscillating tidal motions is explained as a result of unequal frictional forces acting on flood and ebb currents in the Pass. Tidal excursions computed from the tidal harmonic constants and from cumulative net displacements suggest that tidal-period exchanges are not effective in flushing the bays even under tropic tidal conditions. Nontidal water levels are related to the cross-shelf component of the coastal windstress at statistically significant levels. This suggests that low-frequency local meteorological forcing, as a set-up or set-down of coastal water levels, plays a valuable role in assisting tidally-driven exchanges.     

Wave effects on the vertical migration of two benthic microalgae: Hantzschia virgata var. intermedia and Euglena proxima

Two benthic microalgal species, Euglena proxima (Dangeard) and the diatom Hantzschia virgata var. intermedia (Grun) Round, congregated at the sediment surface of intertidal sand flats surrounding the Duke University Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, North Carolina, during low tide and migrated below the surface prior to tidal flooding. E. proxima was found down to a depth of 12 cm below the surface during high tide while H. virgata was not found below 8 cm. One potential advantage of vertical migration for benthic microalgae is avoidance of the sediment surface during high tide when the winnowing action of waves can remove cells from the intertidal habitat. This hypothesis was tested by comparing the mean depths of E. proxima and H. virgata exposed to calm water conditions with their mean depths under wave-exposed conditions in shallow outdoor tidal tanks equipped with wave generators. Two sediment treatments were tested in each tank to evaluate the effect of a subsurface layer of black sediment (subsurface sediments, presumably reduced) on vertical migration: a uniform column of light brown sand (surface sediments; presumably oxygenated), and a layered column with light brown sand overlying a layer of black sediment. One-way and two-way ANOVAs indicated that wave action increased the mean depth of both species under certain conditions related to the presence, absence, and depth of a subsurface layer of black sediment. In an experiment with a shallow black layer (5 mm), wave action did not result in a significant increase in the mean depth of H. virgata as it did in a previous experiment with a deeper black layer (3 cm). Unlike H. virgata, E. proxima exhibited a wave effect only in the absence of a subsurface black layer. A subsurface black layer seemed to reinforce downward migration in E. proxima under both calm water and wave conditions. The absence of a wave effect in the presence of a subsurface black layer suggests that the mean depth of E. proxima during high tide was more tightly controlled by the depth of the black layer than wave energy. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY085 00009     

天津市潮间带表层沉积物的类型及其分布

根据在天津市潮间带地区采集的108个底质样品的粒度分析结果,划分了潮间带表层沉积物的类型,并探讨了潮间带的粒度分布特征和沉积作用。结果表明,天津潮间带可分为3个岩性区,分别以海河口、独流减河口为界,海河口以北至涧河口为片状粘土质粉砂分布区,海河口以南至独流减河口为多岩性、条带状的砂-粉砂分布区,独流减河口至歧口为片状粘土质粉砂分布区。海河口以北的潮间带是以低能潮汐作用为主的泥质粉砂潮滩沉积环境,海河口以南的潮间带是以河口沉积为主体,后经潮汐改造的潮滩环境,驴驹河-独流减河河口岸段潮间带早期水动力较强,后受到潮滩环境的改造,歧口岸段潮间带以潮滩沉积环境为主。     

Hydrodynamics of suspended particulate matter in the tidal freshwater zone of a macrotidal estuary (the Seine Estuary, France)

The effects of fortnightly, semidiurnal, and quaterdiurnal lunar tidal cycles on suspended particle concentrations in the tidal freshwater zone of the Seine macrotidal estuary were studied during periods of medium to low freshwater flow. Long-term records of turbidity show semidiurnal and spring-neap erosion-sedimentation cycles. During spring tide, the rise in low tide levels in the upper estuary leads to storage of water in the upper estuary. This increases residence time of water and suspended particulate matter (SPM). During spring tide periods, significant tidal pumping, measured by flux calculations, prevents SPM transit to the middle estuary which is characterized by the turbidity maximum zone. On a long-term basis, this tidal pumping allows marine particles to move upstream for several tens of kilometers into the upper estuary. At the end of the spring tide period, when the concentrations of suspended particulate matter are at their peak values and the low-tide level drops, the transport of suspended particulate matter to the middle estuary reaches its highest point. This period of maximum turbidity is of short duration because a significant amount of the SPM settles during neap tide. The particles, which settle under these conditions, are trapped in the upper estuary and cannot be moved to the zone of maximum turbidity until the next spring tide. From the upper estuary to the zone of maximum turbidity, particulate transport is generated by pulses at the start of the spring-neap tide transition period.     

Community structure and intertidal zonation of the macrobenthos on a macrotidal, ultra-dissipative sandy beach: Summer-winter comparsion

Community structure and intertidal zonation of the macrobenthos on a macrotidal, ultra-dissipative beach were studied. On the beach of De Panne, Belgium, six transects perpendicular to the waterline (each with five stations) were sampled in September 1995 (summer) and March 1996 (winter). The 30 stations were distributed across the continuum from mean high water spring to mean low water spring in order to sample the macrobenthos at different levels of elevation. The 39 species found had total densities up to 5,500 ind m⁻² in summer and 1,400 ind m⁻² in winter. The highest densities were found in the spionid polychaetesScolelepis squamata andSpio filicornis, the nephtyid polychaeteNephtys cirrosa, the cirolanid isopodEurydice pulchra, and the haustorid amphipodsBathyporeia spp. Based on species composition, specific densities, and biomass, two species associations were defined: a relatively species-poor, high intertidal species association, dominated byS. squamata and with an average density of 1,413 ind m⁻² and biomass of 808 mg AFDW m⁻² (summer); and a relatively species-rich, low intertidal species association, dominated byN. cirrosa, and with an average density of 104 ind m⁻² and biomass of 162 mg AFDW m⁻² in summer. For both seasons, the high intertidal species association was restricted in its intertidal distribution between the mean tidal and the mean high-water spring level, whereas the low intertidal species association was found from the mean tidal level to the subtidal. The latter showed good affinities with the subtidalN. cirrosa species association occurring just offshore of De Panne beach, confirming the existence of a relationship between the low intertidal and subtidal macrobenthic species associations. Summer-winter comparison revealed a strong decrease in densities and biomass in the high intertidal zone during winter. Habitat continuity of the low intertidal zone with the subtidal allows subtidal organisms to repopulate the low intertidal zone.     

极浅水边界层的沉积环境效应

极浅水环境是水深远小于正常边界层厚度的环境,潮滩滩面和潮水沟就经常处于这种环境之中。来自江苏潮滩的观察资料表明,落潮后期滩面和潮水沟在薄层低速水流作用下可形成浅水波痕、平床和次级潮水沟形态,而边界层内的流速结构仍然得以维持,物质输运强度也与Von Kármán-Prandtl模型所定义的u100数值相一致。涨急时段中潮位附近形成的滩面涌潮是极浅水边界层的另一种动力学行为,它代表薄层高速水流作用下发生的底部边界层系统的崩溃,此时Von Kármán-Prandtl模型所刻画的流速结构不复存在。滩面涌潮高度是系统崩溃的临界水深,它可以定量地表示为Hb=4z0。极浅水边界层过程对潮滩沉积和地貌形成具有独特的作用。     

Impact of River-Tide Dynamics on the Temporal-Spatial Distribution of Residual Water Level in the Pearl River Channel Networks

The behavior of the residual water level in estuarine environment is complex due to the highly nonlinear interaction between river flow and tide and the contributions made by these two external forcing to the dynamics of the residual water level are not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigate the effect of river-tide dynamics on the temporal-spatial changes of flow in terms of residual water level in the Pearl River channel networks, which is one of the complex channel networks in the world. Making use of a nonstationary tidal harmonic analysis, the continuous time series observations of water level covering a spring-neap cycle in 1999 (representing flood season) and 2001 (representing dry season) collected from around 60 stations in the Pearl River channel networks have been used to extract the temporal-spatial changes in stage and tidal properties (including amplitudes and phases) as a function of variable freshwater discharge and ocean tide. It was shown that the averaged residual water level during the flood season (ranging 0–5 m) is one order magnitude than that during the dry season (ranging 0–0.35 m). The distribution of the residual water level clearly indicates that the Pearl River channel networks feature two sub-systems, i.e., the central part of the channel networks being river-dominated with high value of residual water level and the eastern and western sides being tide-dominated with low value of residual water level. To understand the relative importance of river flow and tide on the temporal-spatial distribution of the residual water level, an idealized model is subsequently applied to the Modaomen estuary, which debouches the largest portion of river discharge into the South China Sea. Analytical results showed that the residual water level is mainly determined by the variation of the freshwater discharge for the flood season, while it is primarily controlled by the tidal forcing for the dry season and features a typical spring-neap cycle.     

Relative water level change in the intracoastal zone of Belgium and Northern France over the last 2500 years

Water level positions during the Subatlantic in the coastal plain of Belgium and Northern France are assessed by means of indicators such as tidal Icvces, upper tidal fat deposits and mature salt marshes. The indicators are evaluated for the reconstruction of local mean high water and local mean spring high water levels in the intracoastal zone. No significant altitude difference is observcd between the indicators genetically related to the Dunkerque II inundation phase, i.c. before the land reclamations of the 10th century AD, and the medieval Climate Optimum (AD 1000–1350). There is no evidence for a high relative local water level or a watcr level rise during the medieval Climatc Optimiini. It is shown that a hydrological phenomenon, probably an estuary effect, caused water levcla to rise significantly in restricted areas of the former tidal flat during thc Dunkerque II phase. A comparison between the local water level record and the tide gaugc records at Oostende indicates a more marked fluctuation over the last 160 ycars than during the preceding 700 years.     

An ephemeral turbidity maximum generated by resuspension of organic-rich matter in a macrotidal estuary, S.W. Wales

An ephemeral estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) occurs at high water in the macrotidal Taf estuary (SW Wales, United Kingdom). A new mechanism of ETM formation, due to resuspension and advection of material by flood tidal currents, is observed that differs from classical mechanisms of gravitational circulation and tidal pumping. The flood tide advances across intertidal sand flats in the main body of the estuary, progressively entraining material from the rippled sands. Resuspension creates, a turbid front that has suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) of about 4,000 mg I⁻¹ by the time it reaches its landward limit which is also the landward limit of salt penetration. This turbid body constitutes the ETM. Deposition occurs at high slack water but the ETM retains SSC values up to 800 mg I⁻¹, 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than ambient SSC values in the river and estuarine waters on either side. The ETM retreats down the estuary during the ebb; some material is deposited thinly across emergent intertidal flats and some is flushed out of the estuary. A new ETM is generated by the next flood tide. Both location and SSC of the ETM scale on Q/R³ where Q is tidal range and R is river discharge. The greatest expression of the ETM occurs when a spring tide coincides with low river discharge. It does not form during high river discharge conditions and is poorly developed on neap tides. Particles in the ETM have effective densities (120–160 kg m⁻³) that are 3–4 times less than those in the main part of the estuary at high water. High chlorophyll concentrations in the ETM suggest that flocs probably originate from biological production in the estuary, including production on the intertidal sand flats.     

长江口潮位变化对潮型影响的研究

利用代表潮位站吴淞站19752010年实测资料,分析了长江口潮位变化对潮型的影响。研究结果表明,随着年平均潮位的上升,代表站年平均高（低）潮位会相应抬升,二者线性相关关系非常密切,而潮差、潮历时与年平均潮位的相关关系不明显。另外,年最高（低）高（低）潮位、年最大涨（落）潮潮差、年最大（小）涨（落）潮历时等各项极值与年平均潮位变化也没有明显的相关关系。     

Nekton Use of Flooded Salt Marsh and an Assessment of Intertidal Creek Pools as Low-Tide Refuges

Patterns of nekton occurrence on the salt marsh surface at high tide and in an adjacent intertidal creek pool at low tide were used to investigate movements of nekton in an intertidal basin. Paired collections were made in North Inlet estuary, SC on 67 dates over 9 years. Comparisons of high- and low-tide total abundance indicated that what remained in the creek pool at low tide was representative of the nekton on the flooded marsh. Of the 64 taxa collected, the same 8 species ranked in the top 10 in both the high- and low-tide collections. Abundances of most resident species were positively correlated with the area of marsh flooded, but mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), the most abundant resident, was not. Abundances of young-of-the-year transient species were not related to the extent of tidal flooding. Some transient species used the flooded marsh but did not occupy the pool at low tide, and others found in the pool did not use the marsh. Differences in abundance, biomass, and length between the marsh and pool collections indicated differences in the tendency of species and life stages to retreat downstream of the pool to the subtidal channel. Proportionately more of the nekton that were present on the flooded marsh left the intertidal basin when large changes in temperature and salinity occurred between high and low tides. More transients left the basin following higher tides, but more residents did not. The results demonstrate a wide range of taxonomic and ontogenetic patterns among nekton using intertidal salt marsh basins and the underappreciated importance of intertidal creek pools as alternative low-tide refuges.     

台风风暴潮影响下潮滩沉积动力模拟初探--以江苏如东海岸为例

以江苏如东潮滩为研究区,采用沉积动力学垂向二维概念模型来模拟正常天气和台风期间潮滩沉积的空间分布特征,探讨台风风暴潮对潮滩正常沉积层序的改造作用.模拟结果表明,在涨落潮时间-流速对称特征明显的如东海岸,潮汐作用使潮滩沉积呈显著的分带性,且剖面形态向“双凸形”演化,两个“凸点”分别位于平均高潮位和平均低潮位附近.在台风期间风暴增水效应下,开边界悬沙浓度差异将导致潮滩冲淤和沉积分布格局的变化,潮上带和潮间带上部均堆积泥质沉积物,潮间带中下部在风暴过程中普遍遭受不同程度的砂质沉积物侵蚀或之后堆积泥质沉积物,在沉积层序中形成风暴冲刷面.因此,潮滩的风暴沉积记录存在于潮间带上部或更高部位.以此模型为基础,可进一步综合考虑极浅水边界层水动力结构、沉积物粒度分布变化、波-流联合作用、台风降水、互花米草等生物活动、潮沟摆动及人工围垦等因素,从而建立风暴事件在沉积层序中的时间序列,更好地解译沉积记录中的古环境信息.     

福建泉州湾全新世海滩岩特征及物源环境分析

泉州湾处于我国东南沿海构造活动带,具有发生地震的地质环境和同震海岸崩塌、海湾下沉的构造地貌条件。通过对泉州湾海滩岩产状、14 C测年、古生物化石及岩石学特征的研究分析,认为其物源为海岸崩塌的志留纪花岗岩和潮滩、河口堆积的陆源碎屑。搬运方向自南向北偏东,形成于泉州湾北部潮间带接近高潮位,在温暖和高蒸发的气候条件下有淡水参与,由钙质胶结发生的快速成岩作用。海滩岩形成的地质时代为全新世晚期,是突发性海洋强动力事件的记录,可能与距今2 000a在泉州湾以南发生的古地震造成深沪湾岩岸大规模崩塌和海湾快速下沉引发的海啸有关。     

Sedimentary dynamics and ecological state of Nakta tidal flat (littoral), South of Sfax, Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia

The tidal flat of Nakta is located in the northern part of the gulf of Gabes and in the southern coast of Sfax. It corresponds to a flat reef protected from less topography, with a slope ranging between 2° and 4°, which borders the Gargour Wadi. The study sector is renowned to have moderate hydrodynamics which lasts almost for two millenary (14C isotopic dating).The sedimentological study of the Nakta tidal flat revealed different facies: fine-grained sand in the intertidal zone and carbonated muddy sand in the infratidal zone.Equilibrium state of the Nakta ecosystem depends entirely on tide currents, which mainly inhibit drift currents. The Nakta tidal flat is characterized by a variety of faunal species (Cerastoderma glaucum, Arca noe, Cardita antiquatus, Chlamys varied, Ruditapes deccussatus, Tapes rhomboids, Pinctada radiate, etc.) and floristic diversities (Halocnemum strobilacum, Halimione portulacoides, Enteromorpha linza, Ulva rigida, Cymodocea nodosa, Posidonia oceanica). The species are abundant in the infratidal zone, while in its intertidal zone, faunal species remain little diversified and are dominated by limivorous diggering.The paleogeographic study of the Nakta tidal flat showed the alternation of regression and transgression periods.     

Sedimentary dynamics and ecological state of Nakta tidal flat (littoral), South of Sfax, Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia

The tidal flat of Nakta is located in the northern part of the gulf of Gabes and in the southern coast of Sfax. It corresponds to a flat reef protected from less topography, with a slope ranging between 2° and 4°, which borders the Gargour Wadi. The study sector is renowned to have moderate hydrodynamics which lasts almost for two millenary (14C isotopic dating). The sedimentological study of the Nakta tidal flat revealed different facies: fine-grained sand in the intertidal zone and carbonated muddy sand in the infratidal zone. Equilibrium state of the Nakta ecosystem depends entirely on tide currents, which mainly inhibit drift currents. The Nakta tidal flat is characterized by a variety of faunal species (Cerastoderma glaucum, Arca noe, Cardita antiquatus, Chlamys varied, Ruditapes deccussatus, Tapes rhomboids, Pinctada radiate, etc.) and floristic diversities (Halocnemum strobilacum, Halimione portulacoides, Enteromorpha linza, Ulva rigida, Cymodocea nodosa, Posidonia oceanica). The species are abundant in the infratidal zone, while in its intertidal zone, faunal species remain little diversified and are dominated by limivorous diggering. The paleogeographic study of the Nakta tidal flat showed the alternation of regression and transgression periods.     

Dispersion of the salt-marsh periwinkle Littoraria irrorata: Effects of water level,size, and season

This paper documents horizontal and vertical dispersion patterns of a Texas population of the saltmarsh periwinkle, Littoraria irrorata, over a 15-month period. The study was conducted within a tidal marsh on the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Galveston Bay. Two mark-recapture experiments demonstrated that L. irrorata rarely move more than 2 m from their release point over long periods of time and do not home to individual Spartina plants. Adult L. irrorata forage farther away from the base of Spartina stalks at low tide than do juvenile snails. Remaining near the plant base may decrease both temperature and desiccation stress on juveniles. During warm months, L. irrorata climb grass stalks with tidal inundation and forage on the substratum at low tide. Snails are inactive and aggregate in detrital debris at the base of Spartina clumps during the winter. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY058 00016     

广西合山马滩地区晚二叠世沉积环境的研究

该区晚二叠世分合山和大隆两个组。文章从岩石特征,沉积构造、古生物化石群组和遗迹化石方面论述了其沉积环境特征。合山组在桂中地区为含煤岩系,煤层顶底板是灰岩和硅质岩。古生物化石较单一,以裸松藻科为主,有少量有孔虫、(竹蜓)、介形虫和腕足类海百合的碎屑。遗迹化石以居住潜穴Skolithos为主。研究证明,合山组属低能潮坪环境。大隆组在该区出露不足10m,以凝灰岩、硅质岩和硅质泥岩为主。浊流沉积特征明显以鲍马层序中A.C.E段最为发育。并在硅质泥岩中,发现半深水遗迹化石Chondrites,Planolites和Rind Burrow等,说明大隆组属深水或半深水沉积环境。合山与大隆两组的接触界线不清,尚待研究。