An investigation of the effects of breakwaters on beach sediment characteristics

The south-east reach of Castiglione della Pescaia beach, Italy, has been studied to demonstrate the effect of the breakwaters on sediment characteristics as regards as the cuspate shape of the shoreline.Several samples have been collected to investigate the longshore distribution of sediment parameters such as mean size, sorting and skewness. In addition, comparison with data from natural cuspate beaches has been made. It shows an opposite sediment size distribution while sorting and skewness are almost the same for cusps and bays. That is a consequence of different hydrodynamic processes evenly resulting in a similar shoreline morphology.The grain size analysis has also allowed to state that the sediment of the protected beach is substantially of the same quality of that where natural conditions prevail and that the influence of breakwaters can be neglected in terms of skewness sign.Statistical tests, using mean size, confirmed the main longshore direction of sediment transport, calculated theoretically.Core samples have been taken in order to examine the subsurface sediment characteristics in the breakwater protection area.The core sediments show a predominant positive skewness while the grab and the berm samples are more frequently negatively skewed.The analysis of core stratigraphy taken in different periods shows a sea-bed scour of at least 1 m in the aggradational protected area during ordinary sea-storms.     

额济纳盆地戈壁沉积物粒度特征分析

通过野外实地调查取样与室内粒度测试,分析额济纳盆地戈壁地表及下层沉积物的粒度组成、平均粒径、分选系数、偏度、峰度等粒度参数特征。结果表明：1）除冲积一洪积扇上部外,戈壁表层沉积物粒度组成以石块为主,而下层粒度组成则以砂粒为主,颗粒平均粒径表层多数较粗,以石、砾为主,下层沉积物平均粒径较表层具明显的细化趋势,从低山残丘至洪积扇下部,平均粒径由粗变细;2）戈壁不同层次沉积物颗粒的分选性较差或差,仅在低山残丘与湖泊边岸浅滩分选属于中等;3）表层沉积物偏度以正偏、极正偏占主导,占总数的76．93％,而下层颗粒物的偏度以负偏、极负偏为主,占总体的84．62％;4）表层沉积物粒度频率曲线以尖窄、很尖窄为主,占69．23％,其次为中等,占15．38％,而下层则以宽平、很宽平和中等为主,三者共占76．93％;5）戈壁沉积物的粒度特征整体上表现为粒径较粗、分选较差、正偏态、峰态尖窄的特点,综合反映了颗粒的沉积环境、地貌特征、侵蚀与堆积方式。研究结果可为戈壁类型划分提供参考。     

额济纳盆地戈壁纵剖面沉积物粒度参数分析

以额济纳荒漠戈壁为研究对象,通过野外实地调查与室内实验相结合的方法,采用平均粒径、分选系数、偏度、峰度等粒度参数对戈壁纵剖面沉积物粒度特征进行了分析。研究表明:在纵剖面,除冲积扇上部外,其余采样点均沿垂直方向从上至下沉积物粒度组成由石块变为砂粒;除冲积扇上部外,颗粒平均粒径沿垂直方向呈细化趋势,平均粒径由粗变细;戈壁不同剖面层沉积物颗粒分选系数整体呈分选差或较差,仅东居延海岸边浅滩和东居延海湖岸分选较好或中等;偏度除冲积扇上部呈负偏、极负偏外,其他各点偏度沿垂直方向由上至下趋于近对称、正偏分布;在冲积扇上部和中部,峰态以宽平为主,在冲积扇下部到东居沿海湖岸沉积物沿垂直方向由下至上峰态由宽平、很宽平变成尖窄分布。总之,戈壁纵剖面沉积物的粒度特征整体呈平均粒径由粗变细,分选差或较差,偏度呈近对称、正偏分布,峰态宽平的特点,反映了不同层次颗粒的沉积环境、地貌特征、侵蚀与堆积方式,可为戈壁类型划分提供依据。     

敦煌沙漠绿洲过渡带地表沉积物粒度特征及沉积环境

[目的]探究敦煌沙漠绿洲过渡带地表沉积物粒度特征及沉积环境,为敦煌沙漠绿洲过渡带的生态恢复以及有效控制风沙灾害提供必要的理论依据。[方法]运用对角线法对敦煌沙漠绿洲过渡带地表沉积物进行采样,采用矩值法计算粒度参数,分析其粒度空间分布特征以及沉积环境。[结果](1)研究区地表沉积物粒级极粗砂和极细砂含量较少,沙漠和绿洲分别以粗砂和细砂为主,过渡带以中砂为主,沉积物粒径自沙漠到绿洲呈现明显减小的趋势;(2)3条样带的分选性都较好,相比而言,沙漠的分选性最好,过渡带次之,绿洲最差;(3)偏态除绿洲属于正偏外,沙漠和过渡带都属于近对称分布,频率曲线峰型都是平顶峰,说明不同沉积物粒级对风力作用响应的差异性。[结论]敦煌绿洲的沙以风成环境为主,鸣沙山主要为河湖沙或河流冲积沙,过渡带混合有风成沙和河湖或河流冲积沙。     

Chemical Leaching of Antimony and Other Metals from Small Arms Shooting Range Soil

This paper discusses the effects of breakwaters on the Rimini coastal environment over the last half century. Sediment cores of 50 cm thick were collected in various seasons from 2002 to 2005 and were subsampled at surface and subsurface levels at 20 inshore and offshore stations in order to take account of various freshwater and wastewater inputs. A 240-cm sediment core was collected in the most impacted area in order to reconstruct the evolution of the marine ecosystem since the time of the breakwaters’ construction. Sediment grain size, physico-chemical parameters, nutrients and inorganic and organic contaminants were determined. The breakwaters have stopped coastal erosion but have given rise to a worsening of environmental quality. No impacts were detected outside the breakwaters. The integrated approach, using biogeochemical markers to reconstruct spatial and historical environmental trends within the sheltered area, proved to be very useful in highlighting its capacity for recovery and providing indications for coastal management.     

Shoreline stabilization approaches in response to sea level rise: U.S. experience and implications for Pacific Island and Asian nations

Coastal erosion is a worldwide problem; it is estimated that over 70% of the world's beaches are currently experiencing erosion (Bird, 1985), and this number may approach 90% in the United States. Almost every conceivable form of shore protection has been attempted in the United States, including construction of seawalls, groins, and jetties as well as beach nourishment. The principal approach to protecting coastal property and maintaining recreational beaches in the United States today is beach nourishment. Engineering structures such as groins and seawalls have often been shown to have detrimental effects on adjacent beaches. Also, their construction and maintenance costs are quite high. Therefore, coastal communities have come to rely on a “soft” engineering solution — beach nourishment —because it is environmentally sound, aesthetically pleasing, and, so far, economically feasible. However, global warming and accelerated sea level rise will cause more rapid rates of beach loss and could make even this alternative too costly for many resort areas along the U.S. shoreline. The cost to nourish all the major recreational oceanic beaches in the United States was estimated based on various sea level rise scenarios. The beach nourishment approach involves placing enough sand on the beach to maintain stable (nonretreating) conditions in response to rising sea level. The quantity of sand required to “hold the line” is evaluated under various sea level rise scenarios from the baseline scenario to the 1-m estimate of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Beach nourishment is not a practical alternative for most Pacific island nations because sand is a scarce resource. In fact, beaches are often mined for sand for construction, contributing to beach erosion. For mainland countries, beach fill projects are more practical. Singapore was one of the first countries to use this technology in combination with building offshore breakwaters to form artificial headlands. As Western style sunbathing and the overall popularity of beaches for recreation continue to grow, beach nourishment can be expected to become a more common way to deal with sea level rise induced coastal erosion for highly developed beach resort areas.     

吉兰泰盐湖防护体系地表蚀积特征

采用矩阵式插钎法对盐湖防护体系不同防护功能区地表进行野外观测,探究吉兰泰盐湖防护体系地表蚀积特征。结果表明：吉兰泰盐湖防护体系不同防护功能区地表蚀积月际变化呈现明显的波动性。流沙固阻带、封沙育草带主要以风蚀为主,防风阻沙带和盐湖防护林带主要以风积为主。地表沉积物质由外向内趋于细化。流动阻沙带和封沙育草带粒度组成主要以细砂和中砂为主;防风阻沙带和盐湖防护林带粒度组成主要以极细砂和细砂为主。盐湖防护体系表层沉积物平均粒径Φ值、分选系数、峰态和偏度分别为1.66～3.32,0.99～2.91,1.23～2.05和-0.08～-0.89。表层沉积物平均粒径、分选系数、偏度、峰态随着盐湖防护体系由外向内逐渐增加。总体看来,盐湖防护体系营建使地表沉积物趋于细化,有利于土壤细粒物质沉积,对地表起到一定保护作用。     

Holocene fluvial-coastal interactions on a mixed sand and sand and gravel beach system, North Canterbury, New Zealand

Fluvio-coastal interactions are examined on a progradational sand, and mixed sand and gravel beach sequence between the Ashley and Kowai rivers, Pegasus Bay, New Zealand. This coastal system presents an example of a wave-dominated environment energetic enough to deal with the sediment supply derived from the rivers, but where the coast is still prograding. Progradation occurs because of the inability of the marine system to evacuate wave-eroded sediment from the bay floor. This results in gradual nearshore aggradation until nearshore storage is filled and sediment is finally transported landward to form a new beach ridge. This type of coastal system can be identified by a diagnostic morphological assemblage comprising a ‘small river’ coastal morphology (sensu Zenkovich (1967, Processes of Coastal Development, Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh) backed by a sequence of beach ridges. Sediment fractionation (shape and size sorting) is identified as the primary effect of erosional processes on a mixed sand and gravel beach. Fractionation is capable of converting sandy beaches with minor gravel components to graveldominated beaches. Gravel is concentrated by the evacuation of sand from the shoreface. This occurs dominantly through storm sifting but also occurs in response to normal swash processes. This process is very similar to the process of chenier production on mixed mud and sand beaches, and fractionation is highlighted as a dominant erosional process on mixed beaches, irrespective of grain size.     

北京王虎沟泥石流堆积物粒度参数分析

通过野外实地调查与室内实验相结合的方法,对王虎沟泥石流堆积物的粒度组成进行研究分析,采用平均粒径、分选系数、偏度、峰度等粒度参数分析了北京王虎沟堆积物特征。研究表明:颗粒平均粒径在上、中和下游表现为大—小—大,整个流域颗粒的分选均较差,上游和中游堆积区颗粒粒径偏度比下游更趋于对称;上中下游峰度值表现为大—小—大。通过对当地泥石流堆积物颗粒参数的分析,得出:此流域如遇暴雨极易发生泥石流灾害,会对当地人民群众的生产生活带来重要影响。     

Sedimentary characterization of Tagus estuarine beaches (Portugal)

Background, Aim and Scope  The distribution of sediments in estuarine beaches is controlled by the interactions between sediment supply, hydrodynamic processes and human intervention. The main purpose of this study is to characterize the sediments of Tagus estuarine beaches in order to understand their origin and to contribute to a better knowledge of the Tagus estuary sediment budget. Methods  Surface sediment samples were collected across beach profiles and sand grain size analysis was performed by dry sieving. Grain size statistics for the median (d₅₀) and standard deviation (SDM) were obtained using the Moment method. This study was complemented by a qualitative evaluation of the sediment composition. Cross-shore topographic surveys were conducted for selected sampling sites. Results  Tagus estuarine beach sediments are mainly composed of quartz sand particles which are fine-grained and well sorted near the mouth of the estuary and medium to coarse-grained and moderately sorted in the inner domain. Compositional results show evidence of active anthropogenic sediment sources, especially in the coarser fractions. Discussion  The analysis of the textural and compositional characteristics of beach sediments in the inner estuarine domain is compatible with local sedimentary sources, while a marine signature is present at the mouth and inlet channel sediments. In the inner domain, differences in the sedimentary processes are represented by the textural characteristics of the sediments, such as the sorting degree and the gravel content. Sediment characteristics also reflect human intervention in the system, with the introduction of anthropogenic and allochthonous particles and the mixture of sediments from different sources. Conclusions  The sediments of the inner Tagus estuarine beaches are derived from local Plio-Pleistocene outcrops while inlet and outer estuary beaches reveal a dominant marine source. Beach textural variability observed in the inner domain is not related to wave forcing gradients, but mainly to variations in the sedimentary processes along the estuarine margins and to human intervention. Results show that the Tagus estuarine beaches depended, almost exclusively, on sediment input from local sources until the last century. With increasing human occupation, sediment transfers became dominated by anthropogenically related activities mainly connected with the occupation of estuarine margins and dredging. Recommendations and Perspectives  Further studies should extend the present level of knowledge in what concerns sand transport patterns through additional compositional and geochemical analysis, and the development of new techniques in order to allow the quantitative evaluation of the impact of human activities on the sediment budget.     

希拉穆仁荒漠草原风蚀地表颗粒粒度特征

以荒漠草原常见的耕作区、围封区、放牧区及旅游区4种土地利用类型表层土壤为研究对象,利用激光衍射技术分析了0~2 cm表层土壤粒度组成,计算并分析平均粒径、标准偏差、偏度、峰态及分形维数等粒度参数,探讨风蚀颗粒范围。结果表明:1希拉穆仁荒漠草原耕作区、围封区、放牧区及旅游区4种土地利用类型土壤粒度组成均表现为以砂粒和粉粒为主,黏粒含量较低,样地平均粒径数值依次变小,分选性逐渐变好,峰态平缓,分形维数数值逐渐减小,土壤颗粒组成依次粗化;偏度分别为负偏、近于对称、正偏和偏正偏,彼此差异明显,偏度可作为有效的粒度参数指标。2通过分析粒度分布频率曲线和土壤粒度累积频率间平均距离,显示研究区粒径为134μm和454μm附近颗粒为近自然状态下的易风蚀颗粒。各粒度参数及分维值均显示放牧和旅游加剧希拉穆仁草原表层土壤风蚀,土壤粒度分布范围变宽,整体向粗粒化方向发展。     

Copper profiles in the sediments of a mining-impacted lake

Purpose  

The sediments of Torch Lake, located in Houghton County, MI, USA, have been impacted by copper mining activity. Remediation of the site has focused on immobilizing shoreline tailing deposits. However, a large amount of copper remains in the mining-sourced sediment, and high copper concentrations persist in surface sediments. This study analyzes sediment core and sediment trap data to determine the source of copper in the surface sediments.     

渭河咸阳段近代洪水沉积物粒度分形特征研究

对渭河咸阳段高漫滩沉积物的粒度分形进行了研究。首先确定沉积物粒度分布具有分形特征的无标度区,然后计算出分维数。在无标度区范围内相关系数R2均大于0.95,沉积物粒度平均分维值为2.12,说明沉积物粒度分布具有很好的分形特征。将分维值作为一种新的沉积物粒度分析参数,与其传统粒度参数如平均粒径、标准偏差(σ)、偏度(SK)、峰度(KG)进行比较,利用SPSS软件分析Pearson相关系数,得出粒度分维值与其平均粒径的相关系数为0.807,与其标准偏差的相关系数为0.707,与其峰度的相关系数为0.675,与其偏度的相关系数为0.112。分析结果表明,沉积物粒度分维值与其平均粒径、标准偏差、峰度呈现明显的正相关关系,与其偏度呈现出并不明显的正相关关系。     

基于土壤粒度参数的荒漠草原地表粗粒化过程

草原退化特征已由植被变化为主演变为土壤退化的阶段,其植被覆盖变化可在一定程度上反映退化状况与过程,探明荒漠草原不同退化阶段(覆盖度)地表风蚀状况,对合理利用与保护草地资源意义重大。以希拉穆仁荒漠草原7个覆盖度(裸地,5%,20%,40%,60%,80%和100%)下的表层土壤为研究对象,利用激光衍射技术测量表层0—1cm土壤粒度组成,分析不同覆盖度下的平均粒径、标准偏差、偏度、峰态及分形维数等粒度参数变化情况及颗粒频率分布。结果表明:(1)土壤粒度组成均以沙粒和粉粒为主,黏粒含量较低;偏度可作为有效粒度参数指标。(2)随着盖度降低,平均粒径数值越大,分选性越好,频率曲线由近于对称—正偏—极负偏转变,峰态由尖锐变平缓,分形维数先增加后降低。(3)粒径分布基本呈双峰分布,盖度越小第二波峰滞后越明显,且分布均匀程度越低,易风蚀颗粒范围为144~869μm。     

Erosion of the beach at St Francis Bay,Eastern Cape,South Africa

In the last decade concern has been expressed about the assumed erosion of the beach at St Francis Bay. Evidence is presented on the amount of erosion that has occurred over a seven-year period and the effect this has had on the beach vegetation. An analogy is drawn between this region and other areas along the Eastern Cape coast. Suggestions are put forward to prevent further loss of the shoreline and conserve the valuable ecosystems and the prestigiou     

策勒绿洲-沙漠过渡带不同沙丘的沉积物粒度特征及沉积环境

[目的]通过对策勒绿洲—沙漠过渡带不同沙丘类型下风沙沉积物粒度、磁化率分布特征及环境敏感粒级组分进行分析,探讨不同沙丘类型下风沙沉积物相关参数及分布规律。[方法]基于绿洲—沙漠过渡带4种沙丘各部位粒度数据及磁化率数据,采用数理统计方法进行相关性分析。[结果]4种沙丘在不同地貌部位表层的沙物质粒级含量有所差别,回涡、灌丛、新月形及风影沙丘表面沙物质主要由极粗粉砂、极细砂、细砂组成,百分含量总和由小到大依次为96.71%,97.54%,98.48%,98.65%。4种不同沙丘表面沙物质分选性均为分选中度好。不同沙丘的峰态平均值介于0.93～1.02,属于中等峰态,从总体上分析4种沙丘的峰态值从迎风坡底到顶部逐渐增大,顶部到背风坡底部逐渐减小。新月形沙丘偏度值最小,偏度值介于-0.03～0.01,主要表现为对称,风影、回涡及灌丛沙丘偏度值介于-0.04～0.44,为对称和正偏。风影、灌丛及新月形沙丘表面沙物质平均粒径与偏度值呈极显著正相关(p<0.01),表明沙粒平均粒径愈粗愈趋向正偏。风影、回涡及新月形沙丘表面沙物质偏度与峰态呈极显著正相关(p<0.01),沙物质分选性愈差,就...     

Particle Size Selectivity Considerations in Suspended Sediment Budget Investigations

The delivery of suspended sediment front drainage basins has frequently been quantified in mass terms by use of the sediment budget approach, which identifies sources. Storage and output of mobilised sediment. An attempt is presented here to define the main components of a generalised suspended sediment budget for a drainage basin in Devon, U.K. in teens of particle size characteristics and grain size selectivity, rather than total amounts of sediment. Samples of sediment mobilised from the hillslopes, fluvial suspended sediment and suspended sediment deposited on the river bed were all collected for particle size characterisation. These samples were then treated to remove organic matter and their chemically dispersed (absolute) particle size composition was measured using a Coulter LS130 laser granulometer. Where possible, measurements of the naturalin-situ particle size distribution (effective particle size) were also undertaken. Samples were collected at different times of the year so that temporal variation of hydromcteorolgical and ground conditions was represented. Comparison of the results for the different components of the delivery process shows that significant particle size selectivity occurs in the mobilisation and transfer of sediment from the hillslopes to the basin outlet. This reflects the particle size selectivity of detachment, transport and deposition processes, which is in turn influenced by the aggregation or flocculation (effective particle size) of the sediment.     

Hillslope characteristics and particle size composition of surficial armoring on a semiarid watershed in the southwestern United States

Distributed process-based hydrologic models have been used to describe and predict the movement of sediment on small watersheds. However, to parameterize these models requires an understanding of the spatial variability of erosion processes and the particle sizes of the sediment being moved. In this study, a high resolution digital elevation model (DEM) and detailed sediment particle sampling allowed a comparison of hillslope characteristics and particle sizes of surficial armoring in a semiarid watershed. Individual particle size classes on hillslopes are correlated with the underlying sediment type, local slope, aspect, and area draining through a grid element. The strongest correlations are between the underlying sediment and overlying sediment. However, the distribution of the particle size classes is consistent with a hydrodynamic explanation for sorting. In particular, increased area draining through a grid node and increased slope are correlated with higher concentrations of the 16–64-mm particle size class. Both the coarsest and finest particle size classes are significantly correlated with the aspect of flow from a grid cell, with increased coarse particles and decreased fines on east-facing slopes. These spatial differences with aspect are attributed to dry season prevailing winds. These observations about process and spatial distribution are useful in predicting the spatial distribution of particles on the watershed for applications such as distributed hydrologic models.     

Assessing the environment-benthic fauna coupling in protected and urban areas of southern Brazil

Growing urbanization adjacent to aquatic systems may alter water, sediment and benthic community interactions. The ecological effects of urbanization on regional, local and site-specific spatial variations of benthic macrofauna and of sediment and water properties were investigated in relatively pristine rivers and in urban rivers of southern Brazil. The benthic communities were found to be different in urbanized and protected areas. Their predominant responses to environmental conditions were characterized as either a: (i) sensitive species assemblage, formed by polychaetes Nephtys fluviatilis and Heteromastus similis and the crustacean Kalliapseudes schubarti; or a (ii) tolerant species assemblage, formed by the polychaete Laeonereis acuta and by an unidentified oligochaeta Tubificidae. The relationships between fauna and environment differed between protected and urban rivers. In protected areas the fauna distribution was directly related to grain sorting and phaeophytin a in sediments; and to chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen and phosphorus in water. In urban sites the strongest determinants of fauna distribution were the presence of lead, copper, dissolved phosphorus, chlorophyll a and phaeophytin a in sediments, and suspended particulate matter, dissolved phosphorus, nitrogen, and silicate in water. The comparison of animal-sediment-water interaction in natural and urban areas can be useful in planning environmental impact mitigation strategies for conservation even in rivers and estuaries with non-point sources of pollution.     

渭河咸阳段近代洪水沉积物粒度特征分析

粒度是沉积物中各种粗细颗粒的机械组成,可以用于洪水沉积环境和物质运动方式的判定.通过对渭河咸阳段河漫滩沉积状况野外调查和53个样品的粒度资料分析,研究了渭河咸阳段的洪水沉积物粒度特征,分析了粒度组成、粒度参数和粒度频率曲线等粒度特征资料.探讨了渭河咸阳段洪水变化和沉积环境.研究结果表明,渭河咸阳段河漫滩北堡子剖面近30 a来洪水沉积厚度为2.6m,主要粒度组成中砂粒级的含量最高,颗粒较粗,分选较差.根据粒度特征资料分析,渭河咸阳段河漫滩沉积物发育较好,变化明显,能够较清楚地指示渭河近30 a来发生的约13次洪水的变化.