Hydrographic surveys and sedimentation in Deep Bay,Hong Kong

Three hydrographic surveys were carried out in Deep Bay, which is located in the eastern part of Pearl estuary between Shenzhen, the most successful special economic zone of PRC, and Hong Kong. Data on current, size distributions of bottom sediment, suspended solids, and some water quality parameters were obtained. This information is of value for mathematical modeling of tidal circulation and sediment transport in the bay, and also useful in the planning of further development in this area. The sedimentation rate in Deep Bay was estimated by two different approaches, viz. comparison of historical navigation maps and²¹⁰Pb dating. Information obtained from the maps indicated that average sedimentation rate between 1898 and 1949 was about 8 mm/yr, while a 15 mm/yr figure was obtained from the²¹⁰Pb dating for recent years.