Quantifying erosion rates and stability of bottom sediments at mussel aquaculture sites in Prince Edward Island,Canada

Downward fluxes of organic biodeposits under suspended mussel culture cause benthic impacts such as microbial mat production. Quantifying sediment erosion in these coastal ecosystems is important for understanding how fluxes of organic matter and particulates contribute to benthic–pelagic coupling. Critical shear velocity (u?), erosion rates and particle size distributions of resuspended sediment were measured at two sites; an impacted muddy site with extensive mussel culture (site 1), and a coarser sandier site with less mussel influence (site 2), using a new method for assessing sediment erosion at Tracadie Bay, Prince Edward Island in August 2003. Shear forces were generated by vertically oscillating a perforated disc at controlled frequencies. These forces correspond to shear velocity, using a re-designed and calibrated Particle Erosion Simulator. Undisturbed sediment cores obtained by divers and grab (sub-cored using a Plexiglas? cores) were exposed to shear stress to compare differences between collection methods. Microbial mats were present at site 1 which initially biostabilized sediment against erosion due to ‘armoring’ of the sediment, but onset of erosion was abrupt once these mats failed. Erosion sequences at site 2 (without mat cover) were smoother resulting in less material being eroded. Mean mass of material eroded was 47 and 23 g m^? 2 min^? 1 at sites 1 and 2 respectively. Mat area cover and shear velocity was strongly related. Critical shear velocities varied between 1.70 and 1.77 cm s^? 1, with no obvious differences between location or collection method, so sediments from these two contrasting sites had identical mean critical shear velocities. Significant differences existed in the concentrations of chlorophyll a, colloidal and bulk carbohydrates, between mats and bare sediment from site 1. Particle sizes measured by videography of resuspended sediment at different shear velocities ranged from 100 μm (the minimum diameter capable of being detected by the system), to large mat fragments of 1700 μm for both sites. These results provide evidence of the relevance of using a portable erosion device to indicate how sediment erodability is affected by mussel–microbial relationships.     

Impact of macrozoobenthic structures on near-bed sediment fluxes

Sandy sediments in shallow coastal waters of the Baltic Sea are often characterised by large numbers of biogenic structures which are produced by macrozoobenthos species. A series of experiments was devised to quantify how the interaction of such structures with the near-bed flow regime affects the sediment flux. Most experiments were done with simplified replicates of structures generated by typical species commonly found in the Mecklenburg Bight, starting with solitary structures and regularly-spaced arrays in a range of characteristic population densities, followed by a complex benthic macrofauna community, both artificial and alive. A laboratory flume channel, equipped with an acoustic Doppler flow sensor and a topography scanning laser, was used for high-resolution measurements (2 mm horizontal step size and 0.3 mm vertical resolution) of sand erosion (220 µm median grain size, at 20 cm s^− 1) and fine particle deposition (8 µm grain size, at 5 cm s^− 1). Sediment transport threshold values were measured for each layout. As a rule-of-thumb, both the erosion fluxes and the deposition of suspended matter increased considerably at low population densities (below 2%, expressed as percent of the sediment surface covered, i.e. roughness density RD). Above densities of 4%, erosion almost stopped inside the test arrays, and deposition remained well below the level of unpopulated areas. An attempt to extrapolate these findings to field conditions (using field current velocity data from 2001) showed that the net flux switched from erosion to deposition for densities above 5%. These parameters can now be integrated into a numerical sediment transport model coupling waves, currents, sediment dynamics and biological processes, which is currently under construction at the Baltic Sea Research Institute (IOW), Rostock, Germany.     

Sediment physical properties of the DYNAS study area

Physical properties of the deposits in the DYNAS study area, the Mecklenburg Bay, were investigated using sediment echosounders and laboratory analysis were carried out on undisturbed short sediment cores. Wet bulk densities of about 1.2 g/cm³ for mud and up to 1.9 g/cm³ for silty sand were found in surface sediments of the Mecklenburg Bay. Sediment density–depth functions were approximated by logarithmic regression functions at different depth intervals. Sediment consolidation was studied by both (i) consolidation tests of sediment samples and (ii) from the void ratio–overburden pressure relation in natural sediments. Low shear strength values of 9–71 Pa were measured at the mud surface. Downcore, a depth gradient of about 14.5 Pa/cm was calculated. Sediments with high silt and sand contents are characterized by shear strength values of up to 3000 Pa. Published formulas derived from erosion studies were used to calculate the critical shear stress using wet bulk density and shear strength. The obtained results demonstrate clearly, that there is still a wide gap in knowledge about the relationships between erosion parameters and sediment physical properties.     

Biologically induced differences in erodibility and aggregation of subtidal and intertidal sediments: a possible cause for seasonal changes in sediment deposition

This study was carried out to describe the difference in erodibility and aggregation in a tidal basin including both subtidal and intertidal study sites and to use these results to explain the shifting erosion/deposition cycles at the sites. Erosion thresholds, erosion rates and settling velocities of the eroded material were measured at a mudflat transect and at sediment cores taken from a nearby tidal channel during surveys made in May 2000 and March 2002. Surface samples were analysed for grain-size, chl. a content, faecal pellet content, dry bulk density and organic content. Additionally, surface samples were taken at eight occasions in the period January 2002 to May 2003 from shallow tidal channels in the area. These samples were analysed for mud content and showed that major shifts in sediment distribution occurred in the period. The erodibility of the mudflat was generally high due to pelletization by the mudsnail Hydrobia ulvae but close to the salt marsh much lower erodibility was found, probably due to stabilisation by microphytobenthos. In contrast, the erodibility of the channel bed seemed to be very little influenced by biological activity and the relatively low erodibility found here was caused by physical characteristics of the sediment. The sediment eroded from the mudflat was generally strongly pelletized and showed high settling velocities whereas less aggregation and lower settling velocities were found for the channel bed sediments. Temporal variations of the mudflat stability and hydrodynamics resulted in temporal variations of deposition and erosion and the changing stability at the mudflat is likely to be one of the main reasons for a general transport of fine-grained sediment from the mudflat to the channel in the cold seasons and vice versa during the rest of the year.     

Suspended sediment and erosion dynamics in Kugmallit Bay and Beaufort Sea during ice-free conditions

The Mackenzie River is the largest river on the North American side of the Arctic and its huge freshwater and sediment load impacts the Canadian Beaufort Shelf. Huge quantities of sediment and associated organic carbon are transported in the Mackenzie plume into the interior of the Arctic Ocean mainly during the freshet (May to September). Changing climate scenarios portend increased coastal erosion and resuspension that lead to altered river-shelf-slope particle budgets. We measured sedimentation rates, suspended particulate matter (SPM), particle size and settling rates during ice-free conditions in Kugmallit Bay (3–5 m depth). Additionally, measurements of erosion rate, critical shear stress, particle size distribution and resuspension threshold of bottom sediments were examined at four regionally contrasting sites (33–523 m depth) on the Canadian Beaufort Shelf using a new method for assessing sediment erosion. Wind induced resuspension was evidenced by a strong relationship between SPM and wind speed in Kugmallit Bay. Deployment of sediment traps showed decreasing sedimentation rates at sites along an inshore–offshore transect ranging from 5400 to 3700 g m^− 2 day^− 1. Particle settling rates and size distributions measured using a Perspex settling chamber showed strong relationships between equivalent spherical diameter (ESD) and particle settling rates (r² = 0.91). Mean settling rates were 0.72 cm s^− 1 with corresponding ESD values of 0.9 mm. Undisturbed sediment cores were exposed to shear stress in an attempt to compare differences in sediment stability across the shelf during September to October 2003. Shear was generated by vertically oscillating a perforated disc at controlled frequencies corresponding to calibrated shear velocity using a piston grid erosion device. Critical (Type I) erosion thresholds (u) varied between 1.1 and 1.3 cm s^− 1 with no obvious differences in location. Sediments at the deepest site Amundsen Gulf displayed the highest erosion rates (22–54 g m^− 2 min^− 1) with resuspended particle sizes ranging from 100 to 930 µm for all sites. There was no indication of biotic influence on sediment stability, although our cores did not display a fluff layer of unconsolidated sediment. Concurrent studies in the delta and shelf region suggest the importance of a nepheloid layer which transports suspended particles to the slope. Continuous cycles of resuspension, deposition, and horizontal advection may intensify with reduction of sea ice in this region. Our measurements coupled with studies of circulation and cross-shelf exchange allow parameterization and modeling of particle dynamics and carbon fluxes under various climate change scenarios.     

Parameterisation of clastic sediments including benthic structures

The sediment transport processes in the south-western Baltic Sea are predicted by means of a numerical model in the project DYNAS. There are two sediment parameters that influence the results of modelling remarkably: critical shear stress velocity and bottom roughness. This paper presents the way how to parameterise these factors and extrapolate them into the investigation area. The critical shear stress velocity is parameterised basing on grain size data, combining approximations after Hjulström [Hjulström, F., 1935: Studies in the morphological activity of rivers as illustrated by the river Fyris. Geological Institution of University of Uppsala: Bulletin (25): 221–528.], Shields [Shields, A., 1936: Anwendung der Ähnlichkeits-Mechanik und der Turbulenzforschung auf die Geschiebebewegung. Mitteilungen der Preussischen Versuchsanstalt für Wasserbau und Schiffahrt (26): 26 pp.] and Bohling [Bohling, B., 2003: Untersuchungen zur Mobilität natürlicher und anthropogener Sedimente in der Mecklenburger Bucht. unpublished doctoral thesis, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald/Germany, 156 pp.]. The roughness length, in the case of absence of macro zoo-benthos and their structures, is parameterised basing on grain size too employing Soulsby [Soulsby, R.L., 1997: Dynamics of Marine Sands: a Manual for Practical Applications. London, Thomas Telford Publications. 249 pp.], Nielsen [Nielsen, P., 1983: Analytical determination of nearshore wave height variation due to refraction shoaling and friction. Coastal Engineering 7, 233–251.] and Yalin [Yalin, M.S., 1977: Mechanics of Sediment Transport. Pergamon Press, New York. 298 pp.]. No equivalent simple parameterisations for biologically caused bed roughness exist. Here, findings of Friedrichs [Friedrichs, M., 2004: Flow-induced effects of macro zoo-benthic structures on the near-bed sediment transport. Dissertation, Universität Rostock, 80 S.] and estimations by the DYNAS biologists group were combined in order to derive roughness lengths from abundance measurements of four previously selected key species which represent the originators of the dominating benthic structures at the sea floor in the south-western Baltic Sea. Critical shear stress velocity and bed roughness are known at few sample sites only. They were extrapolated into the larger investigation area using a proxy-target concept. The mean near bottom milieu (bathymetry, median grain size, salinity, oxygen) which was derived using results from numerical modelling serves as the proxy. Since the milieu parameters are measured at the sampling sites for which the target parameters have been determined, a combined hierarchical and supervised classification was employed to transfer the local knowledge into the unknown investigation area.     

Biochemical composition of marine sediment from the eastern Weddell Sea (Antarctica): High nutritive value in a high benthic-biomass environment

Within the SCAR's international EASIZ programme, as part of the benthic–pelagic coupling experiment, grain size and organic matter contents in marine surface sediment were measured. Samples were taken during the austral autumn of 2000 from 3 regions in the eastern Weddell Sea: Kapp Norvegia, Four Seasons Bank, and Austasen.In general, sediments were fine sand with a grain size fraction < 200 μm representing more than 40% of the total weight. The sediments from Four Seasons Bank (64 to 107 m depth) were coarser than those from Austasen and Kapp Norvegia (209 to 480 m depth), presumably due to winnowing of fine sediment at shallow depths. Organic carbon (OC) content ranged from 0.25% to 1.2% and constituted 10% to 97% of the total carbon. The samples from Kapp Norvegia presented the highest OC values. Overall, protein (PRT), lipid (LPD), and carbohydrate (CHO) contents were similar to those in sediment from cold regions (e.g., the North Atlantic and the Ross Sea) but higher than those in sediment from other Antarctic and more septentrional regions (e.g., the Ross Sea and the Mediterranean). The difference within the Antarctic is explained through the local conditions in Terra Nova Bay and Kapp Norvegia. In the Antarctic, PRT and LPD carbon were the main contributors to the biopolymeric carbon (BPC). In the eastern Weddell Sea shelf, the BPC accounted for more than 90% of the OC in most of the samples. More than 82% of the total PRT, LPD, and CHO were present in the fraction < 200 μm. This work remarks the existence of sediments with a high nutritional value persistent several weeks after the spring–summer pulse of fresh organic matter. It is also highlighted the high potential availability of these sediments (due to its grain size) for the benthic communities inhabiting this high-latitude continental shelf.     

基于颗粒流理论的深海沉积物土力学特性研究

深海沉积物剪切与承载特性是决定深海采矿车行走稳定性重要参数。分析深海沉积物的物理力学性质, 基于颗粒流理论，建立了具有高孔隙比、高含水率和长条状等特性的深海沉积物颗粒流模型。开展不同深度下的十字板剪切和静力触探的数值模拟，获得了深海沉积物剪切应力-转角及贯入阻力-深度曲线，初步阐明深海沉积物剪切与贯入细观破坏机理。研究表明，深海沉积物的剪切应力-转角及贯入阻力-深度的模拟曲线与原位测试曲线吻合，验证了深海沉积物颗粒流模型及数值模拟方法的正确性。深海沉积物的剪切与贯入破坏形式主要为沉积物颗粒的挤压破坏，且应力集中于触地边缘。     

淤泥临界起动条件及冲刷率试验研究

本文根据试验结果,从粘性细颗粒泥沙受力分析出发,考虑淤泥密实度及粒径的变化对细颗粒泥沙间粘结力的影响,对粘性细颗粒泥沙临界起动条件变化规律进行了探讨;并对其冲刷串与水流切力的关系进行了初步研究,文中关于粘性细颗粒泥抄临界起动条件表达式经所收集到国内外实测资料验证,吻合程度较高。     

南汇嘴潮滩沉积物粒度特征研究

文中以实测底质采样资料为基础,对南汇嘴沉积物粒度特征进行了分析,并利用Gao&Collins沉积物趋势分析法探讨边滩的沉积物输运趋势。总体上看,样品粒级变化不大,主要以粘土质粉砂、粉砂为主。没冒沙区域由于受到特殊地形以及水流的影响,沉积物以细砂为主;南汇东滩在横向分布上,沉积物粒径逐渐变粗再逐渐变细;南滩受风浪影响,近岸浅滩沉积物颗粒组成较粗,而远岸区域海床颗粒较细。沉积物中值粒径、分选系数和偏度的分布具有一致性,三者相关性较强;浅滩的沉积物粒度特征表现为正偏,分选性较差,分选系数值集中在2左右;南汇嘴区域沉积物运移方向主要是从口外向西输移,汇聚在南汇嘴附近;杭州湾北岸沉积物主要是向东输运,达到芦潮港西侧水域后逐渐转为向南或向南偏东离岸方向运动,对芦潮港附近水下岸坡的冲刷后退起到了一定的影响。     

无黏性均匀沙起动临界条件的统一

采用确定性分析方法,建立无黏性均匀沙起动流速公式,并用实测资料对其进行验证。通过理论推导,得出基于剪切力和水流功率的均匀沙起动临界条件表达式。对基于起动流速、剪切力和水流功率的均匀沙起动临界条件进行统一,得出各表达式之间的相互转换关系,证明三种起动临界条件在本质上是相互统一的。     

Coupled transport-reaction pathways and distribution patterns between siliciclastic-carbonate sediments at the Ria de Vigo

This paper examines the linkages between the space-distribution of grain sizes and the relative percentage of the amount of mineral species that result from the mixing process of siliciclastic and carbonate sediments at the Ria de Vigo (NW of Spain).The space-distribution of minerals was initially determined, starting from a detailed mineralogical study based on XRD-Rietveld analysis of the superficial sediments. Correlations between the maps obtained for grain sizes, average fractions of either siliciclastic or carbonates, as well as for individual-minerals, were further stabilised. From this analysis, spatially organized patterns were found between carbonates and several minerals involved in the siliciclastic fraction. In particular, a coupled behaviour is observed between plagioclases and carbonates, in terms of their relative percentage amounts and the grain size distribution.In order to explain these results a conceptual model is proposed, based on the interplay between chemical processes at the seawater–sediment interface and hydrodynamical factors. This model suggests the existence of chemical control mechanisms that, by selective processes of dissolution-crystallization, constrain the mixed environment's long-term evolution, inducing the formation of self-organized sedimentary patterns.     

长江河口主要汊道水流挟沙能力分析

在分析长江河口水文泥沙特性的基础上,统计了河口南北支、南北港等汊道河段的悬沙中值粒径值。结果表明,长江河口悬沙较细,悬沙中值粒径变化范围不大,在0.006~0.014 mm之间,在大中小潮过程中各个汊道河段的变化也不大,其中值粒径平均约为0.008 mm。同时从单向水流的挟沙能力出发,引入背景含沙量,对长江口的水流挟沙能力关系进行了探讨。在此基础上,结合数值积分的处理方法及枚举法,对样本数据作物理意义上的涨、落半潮积分平均的处理,并进一步以此推求了长江口南北支、南北港等主要汊道河段的水流挟沙能力。     

Hydrology, sediment yield, erosion and sedimentation rates in the estuarine environment of the Ria de Vigo, Galicia, Spain

The aim of this study is to provide a budget study with calculated erosion rates. Three methods have been used to calculate sediment yield and denudation rates in the Ria de Vigo: (1) measurements of sediment loads, (2) measurements of sediment accumulation rates at the coast, (3) theoretical calculations of potential denudation. Sediment loads and water discharge were measured over a period of 14 months from May 1997 to July 1998. Two of the tributaries entering the Ria de Vigo were monitored for 12 more months, from May 2000 to May 2001, to observe changes in discharge and sediment loads. This period corresponded with atypical precipitation, with peak monthly values (600 mm) three times higher than those on record.Water rating curves are typically exponential. Suspended and dissolved loads vary for different rivers, showing values of 1.5 to 130 mg/l during 1997/1998. For 2000/2001, these values are twice as high. Suspended load versus discharge relationships for 1997/1998 were logarithmic, but data from 2000/2001 does not fit the same equation. Dissolved loads are several times higher than suspended loads in almost all cases. Dissolved load concentrations vary more widely with discharge than suspended loads. This is probably due to local pollution and contamination from marine spray in areas closer to the sea.Second, erosion rates and bed load sediment yields were calculated from accumulation rates at the Ramallosa Complex. Well-preserved estuarine and tidal sediments, associated with the Minor River, have accumulated in this area during the Holocene. ¹⁴C ages allow calculation of sedimentation rates (SR) for two intervals. The lower interval extends from 2001 to 484 years BP and yields an SR of 1.12 mm/a. The upper interval extends from 484 years BP to the present and has an SR of 3.3–4.4 mm/a. These differences may be explained by basin dynamics as the beach progressively encloses the area and also by human interference. From sedimentary facies analysis it is concluded that 90% to 95% of the accumulated deposits were transferred to the basin as bed load. Muddy deposits (mostly marshes) are better developed at the upper part of the sediment pile, and inner areas, indicating a progressive shallowing and filling up of the basin. Most of suspended load is exported to the ria, whereas the Ramallosa Complex acts as a sediment sink for bed load derived material.Calculated potential erosion rates using Ahnert's [Am. J. Sci. 268 (1970) 243] equation show lower values than those estimated from river load concentrations. Potential erosion rates for the Minor River are higher than for the Lagares River which contrast with mechanical denudation rate values from river loads during 1997/1998 which are higher for the Lagares River. During 2000/2001 MDR values were higher than those of the potential erosion rates for both rivers, in line with the extremely high precipitation. Higher values in the Lagares could be in part due to human interference.     

长江口南汇边滩短期冲淤变化分析

南汇边滩位于长江口和杭州湾的交汇地带,受长江口和杭州湾北岸两股潮流的控制,近年来由于低潮滩促淤围垦工程导致其水流和泥沙运移、沉积和地貌发生了显著的变化。根据2006—2008年南汇边滩测图及2007年11月—2008年11月每个季度的9个断面测量资料,结合区域内的泥沙沉积特征,探讨南汇边滩对周边涉水围垦工程和流域来水来沙变异做出适应性地貌耦合过程之后的近期冲淤演变规律,着重探讨季节性冲淤特征。结果表明:年度上南汇东滩以淤长为主,南汇南滩以冲刷为主。不同季节南汇边滩冲淤变化过程存在很大差异:平面上,南汇边滩等深线夏、冬季以淤进为主,春、秋季以蚀退为主;垂向上,南汇东滩断面呈春夏秋冲淤交替、冬季淤积的态势,南汇嘴断面呈秋季冲刷、冬夏季淤积的态势,而位于南汇南滩的断面则呈秋冬季冲刷、春夏季淤积态势。南汇东滩沉积物粒径总体上较细,东滩与南滩交汇处的南汇嘴附近中值粒径相对较粗,南汇南滩浅滩沉积物颗粒中值粒径最粗。     

福建兴化湾近岸地貌特征与泥沙来源分析

在现场地貌调查及沉积物取样分析的基础上,对兴化湾的自然条件、沉积特征、泥沙来源及运移趋势进行了分析。判明石城岛以西水下沉积物以粘土质粉砂分布为主,泥沙粒径在0.01 mm左右,为河流下泄泥沙沉积为主。石城岛以东局部区域沉积物质为极粗砂,为近岸山体及浅滩冲蚀物质沉积为主。兴化湾的泥沙主要为河流输沙,其次是周边沿岸冲蚀入海物质及岬角岛礁受风浪侵蚀泥沙。由于湾外涨、落潮流路的稳定和潮流动力的强劲,湾内水深地形与潮流动力有很好的对应性和稳定性,泥沙运动仅限于湾内泥沙的再搬运。     

泥沙粒度对航道回淤的指示——以丹东港出海航道为例

根据鸭绿江河口西水道水流、悬浮泥沙和底质粒度特征的分析,研究丹东港出海航道泥沙淤积的动力机制以及泥沙粒度对回淤的指示作用。分析表明,海域来沙为西水道的主要泥沙来源,泥沙运动以“波浪掀沙、潮流输沙”为主要特征;悬沙和底质粒度对比表明,上航道和中航道段航道回淤以悬沙落淤为主,下航道和外航道段航道回淤以底沙推移为主。航道回淤泥沙作为泥沙运动的“指示剂”,能够较好地揭示航道回淤的机理;采用刘家驹悬沙淤积模式和罗肇森底沙输移模式相结合的方法,估算丹东港大东港区20万吨级航道回淤量为679万m,,与物理模型试验结果较为接近,上述分析方法和公式可适用于砂质海岸航道回淤计算,也为类似航道回淤研究提供了重要的参考和借鉴。     

Strength analysis of fillet welds under longitudinal and transverse shear conditions

In support of the development of improved fillet weld sizing criteria for lightweight shipboard structures, a comprehensive static strength test program using longitudinal and transverse shear specimens according to AWS B4.0 Standards has been conducted. This test program covers base material with strength ranging from 71 ksi (490 MPa) to 96 ksi (660 MPa) and weld size ranging from 1/8″ (3 mm) to 3/8″ (10 mm). This paper focuses on a traction stress based analysis of the test data as an effort to establish a unified shear strength definition for load-carrying fillet weld specimens regardless of shear loading conditions. The proposed shear strength definition proves to be effective in correlating the fillet weld strength test data of the longitudinal and transverse shear specimens. The results of this investigation demonstrate that existing shear strength definitions used by various weld sizing criteria such as those given by Class Societies have two major limitations: (1) it cannot be related to a critical stress state on experimentally observed failure plane in transverse shear specimens; (2) it underestimates shear stress at failure due to severe stress concentration at weld end in typical longitudinal shear specimens. These two limitations have been shown to be the major cause for having two significantly different shear strength values: one is transverse shear strength obtained from transverse shear specimens and the other is longitudinal shear strength obtained from longitudinal shear specimens.     

新型箱式采泥器研制 及在长江口航道回淤研究中的应用

为获取河床沉积物原状样品,研制一种新型箱式采泥器,并在长江口12.5 m深水航道回淤研究中开展应用.结果表明:新型箱式采泥器密封性好、适应性强、成功率高、样品量多且保持原状.新型箱式采泥器采集的原状样品揭示出长江口南港北槽河床沉积物包括沙、泥、沙泥混合、沙泥分层4类,沉积物类型及变化特征反映了泥沙来源和沉积过程.基于沉...