Grain size distribution pattern of surface sediments and its implications for transportation trend: A case from the waters off Zhongsha Islands, the South China Sea

CHEN Junjin; ZHANG Jingwei; LIU Shiqiao; CHEN Wanli; QIN Yongpeng; WU Shiguo

doi:10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2021090901

2022 Vol. 42, No. 2

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Article navigation > Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology > 2022 > 42(2): 15-27

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CHEN Junjin, ZHANG Jingwei, LIU Shiqiao, CHEN Wanli, QIN Yongpeng, WU Shiguo. Grain size distribution pattern of surface sediments and its implications for transportation trend: A case from the waters off Zhongsha Islands, the South China Sea[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2022, 42(2): 15-27. doi: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2021090901

Citation:

CHEN Junjin, ZHANG Jingwei, LIU Shiqiao, CHEN Wanli, QIN Yongpeng, WU Shiguo. Grain size distribution pattern of surface sediments and its implications for transportation trend: A case from the waters off Zhongsha Islands, the South China Sea[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2022, 42(2): 15-27. doi: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2021090901

Grain size distribution pattern of surface sediments and its implications for transportation trend: A case from the waters off Zhongsha Islands, the South China Sea

1.
Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China
2.
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
3.
Haikou Marine Geological Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Haikou 571127, China
4.
Key Laboratory of Marine Geology Resources and Environment of Hainan Province, Haikou 571127, China

More Information

Corresponding author: ZHANG Jingwei, 17801040683@163.com

Received Date: 09 September 2021

Revised Date: 23 September 2021

Publish Date: 28 April 2022

Abstract

Abstract

232 surface sediment samples taken from offshore Zhongsha Islands were analyzed so as to better understand the sources, depositional environment and transporting patterns of the sediments. 6 types of sediments are recognized. i.e. sand, silty sand, sandy silt, silt, sandy mud and mud, dominated by sandy mud and mud. The coarser sediments, which usually have higher sorting, are mainly distributed in the water areas surrounding the Islands. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis are used for the study of component contents, grain size parameters and water depth. In consideration of the influences of sediment sources and seabed topography, the study area is divided into five depositional subareas: platform, platform terrace, slope around platform, trough and ridge, and deep-sea basin subareas. In combination with the depositional environment classification, grain size trend analysis is conducted. The results suggest that the sediments are mainly provided by the Zhongsha platform and the Xisha uplift, dispersed in surrounding waters, and finally deposited in the Zhongsha Trough. The sediment transportation is jointly influenced by sediment sources, seabed topography and water hydrodynamic conditions, under the control of monsoon, tide, wave and ocean current.
- surface sediments /
- grain size distribution /
- sediment transportation pattern /
- Zhongsha Islands waters

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References

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