The change of characteristics of tidal wave in the Changjiang River mouth area since the post-glacial transgression maximum

During the period of the post-glacial transgression maximum (PGTM), there was a huge trumpet estuary in the modern Changjiang River Delta area. The location and the shape of the Paleo-Changjiang River Estuary (PCRE) were much different from those of the present Changjiang River Estuary. The study on the change of characteristics of tidal wave in the Changjiang River mouth area since the PGTM can help to understand better the dynamic development of the Changjiang River Delta. The course curves of tidal level and tidal current velocity during a single tidal cycle for 35 points are calculated, and characteristics of tidal waves in the PCRE and its adjacent area are compared with those of tidal waves in the modern Changjiang River mouth area. The results show that the tidal waves within the PCRE and in its adjacent area during the period of the PGTM belonged to standing wave or a mixture of standing wave and progressive wave. Since then, the tidal wave in the Changjiang River mouth become gradually to be progressive wave with the PCRE being filled and the Changjiang River mouth shifting southeastwards.     

Seasonal,neap-spring variation of sediment concentration in the joint area between Yangtze Estuary and Hangzhou Bay

An analysis of variations in suspended sediment concentration (SSC) over one year is presented for the joint area between the Yangtze Estuary and the Hangzhou Bay. Results suggest that daily SSC presents periodic variations, which correspond with seasonal and neap-spring tidal cycle. SSCs are higher during the winter season and during spring tides when compared with summer and neap-tide conditions. Furthermore, data indicate that wave and tidal currents are the two dominant factors affecting SSC. Although the Yangtze River discharges abundant sediments to the study area, it does not directly affect concentration variations. But the changing path of the Yangtze River plume plays a certain role in the seasonal variations of SSC. Finally, the calculation of bottom stresses suggests that SSC is a function of both wave and tide-induced resuspension.     

Seasonal, neap-spring variation of sediment concentration in the joint area between Yangtze Estuary and Hangzhou Bay

An analysis of variations in suspended sediment concentration (SSC) over one year is presented for the joint area between the Yangtze Estuary and the Hangzhou Bay. Results suggest that daily SSC presents periodic variations, which correspond with seasonal and neap-spring tidal cycle. SSCs are higher during the winter season and during spring tides when compared with summer and neap-tide conditions. Furthermore, data indicate that wave and tidal currents are the two dominant factors affecting SSC. Although the Yangtze River discharges abundant sediments to the study area, it does not directly affect concentration variations. But the changing path of the Yangtze River plume plays a certain role in the seasonal variations of SSC. Finally, the calculation of bottom stresses suggests that SSC is a function of both wave and tide-induced resuspension.     

Seasonal,neap-spring variation of sediment concentration in the joint area between Yangtze Estuary and Hangzhou Bay

An analysis of variations in suspended sediment concentration (SSC) over one year is presented for the joint area between the Yangtze Estuary and the Hangzhou Bay. Results suggest that daily SSC presents periodic variations, which correspond with seasonal and neap-spring tidal cycle. SSCs are higher during the winter season and during spring tides when compared with summer and neap-tide conditions. Furthermore, data indicate that wave and tidal currents are the two dominant factors affecting SSC. Although the Yangtze River discharges abundant sediments to the study area, it does not directly affect concentration variations. But the changing path of the Yangtze River plume plays a certain role in the seasonal variations of SSC. Finally, the calculation of bottom stresses suggests that SSC is a function of both wave and tide-induced resuspension.

     

STORM DEPOSITS IN THE CHANGJIANG DELTA

Based on over 10 years' field survey and laboratory work, it has been confirmed that a series of storm deposits have been developed on different geomorphological and sedimentological zones in the Changjiang Delta, covering marsh lowland, shelly and sandy cheniers, tidal flats, the delta front and prodelta. The storm deposit model of the Changjiang Delta is particularly characterized by the hummocky cross stratification found above the normal wave base.     

Types of saltwater intrusion of the Changjiang Estuary

The Changjiang Estuary is characterized by multi-order bifurcations, unsteady submerged sandbars, mid-channel sandbars, creeks and riffles. The following four types of saltwater intrusion are found: (1) direct intrusion from the sea; (2) intrusion during tidal flooding; (3) intrusion from tidal flats overflow; and (4) salt water coming upstream through other waterways. These result in a complicated temporal and spatial salinity distribution. A high chlorinity concentration zone exists from the Liuhekou to the Sidongkou along the South Branch. The salinity during neap tide or ordinary tide is higher than during spring tide.     

Types of saltwater intrusion of the Changjiang Estuary

The Changjiang Estuary is characterized by multi-order bifurcations, unsteady sub-merged sandbars, mid-channel sandbars, creeks and riffles. The following four types of saltwater intrusion are found: (1) direct intrusion from the sea; (2) intrusion during tidal flooding; (3) intrusion from tidal flats overflow; and (4) salt water coming upstream through other waterways. These result in a complicated temporal and spatial salinity distribution. A high chlorinity concentration zone exists from the Liuhekou to the Sidongkou along the South Branch. The salinity during neap tide or ordinary tide is higher than during spring tide.     

Land-ocean interaction in modern delta formation and development: A case study of the Pearl River delta,China

The distinctive characteristics of the modern Pearl River delta formation and development are divided phases, diversity and imbalance in spatial and temporal. The delta was moving seaward gradually in a long period after the last Holocene glacial stage and the ancient drowned Pearl River estuary was predominated by tide. The delta was expanding quickly since fluvial force was turned to be leading status about 2500 years ago. The sediment grain size was changing longitudinally from coarser to finer. As well as the finer sediment may be reworked and redistributed shoreward by tidal current nearby the river mouth. And the fluvial-dominated delta is developed by the mutual deposition reflected in the vertical direction. According to the spatial difference of land-ocean interaction, the main body of the Pearl River delta which is the fluvial-dominated and protruding seaward is coupled with or concomitant with the estuaries and tide-dominated deltas which are adjoined to both sides of the main part like two wi     

Fluid mud transportation at water wedge in the Changjiang Estuary

In situ data show that fluid mud of the Changjiang Estuary consists of fine sediment ranging from 8 to 11.5 μm (median grain-size) including 28.8%-36.4% of clay. The composition of the clay is illite, chlorite, kaolinite and montmoillonite. The FM is a layer of high sediment concentration near the bed and results from flocculation under the environment of salt and fresh water mixing. Three kinds of FM have been identified under typical dynamic conditions: the first one is formed at slack water of ebb tide during the flood season, with the characteristics of extended area and low thickness; the second one is formed following a storm, characterized by large area and larger thickness; the third one is formed around the front of the saltwater wedge, characterized by small area but large thickness. In the dredged channel, the FM can be accumulated up to 1 m thick. In general, FM will change with the alternation from spring to neap tides, flood and dry seasons. Drastic change can happen during storms. At the same time, the change of FM is closely related to the erosion and growth of the mouth bar.     

When and where rivers meet the sea

River mouth areas provide one of the most desired locations for human habitation. Although occupying only a small portion of the total length of the world's shoreline, river mouths are dynamic and complex with highly variable physical and chemical characteristics.The size, shape, and position of a river's mouth are dependent on its geologic and hydrologic history. Further, the processes that operate in a river's mouth are affected by the sea and its currents, tides, and salinity; the river and its discharge and sediment characteristics; and wind generated waves and storm surges. Present-day locations are, geologically speaking, of recent origin because of the rise in sea level that accompanied deglaciation and the sedimentation that followed drowning.     

When and where rivers meet the sea

River mouth areas provide one of the most desired locations for human habitation. Although occupying only a small portion of the total length of the world’s shoreline, river mouths are dynamic and complex with highly variable physical and chemical characteristics.The size, shape, and position of a river’s mouth are dependent on its geologic and hydrologic history. Further, the processes that operate in a river’s mouth are affected by the sea and its currents, tides, and salinity; the river and its discharge and sediment characteristics; and wind generated waves and storm surges. Present-day locations are, geologically speaking, of recent origin because of the rise in sea level that accompanied deglaciation and the sedimentation that followed drowning.     

Element geochemistry of Holocene sediment and paleoenvironmental change in the Changjiang Estuary

Analyses of 41 elements reveal that Holocene sediments In the Changjiang Estuary bear regular elemental compositions in different sedimentary environments, and Holocene sediments came mainly from the Changjiang River based on compositions of REEs and most trace elements. Some heavy metals are more enriched in the surface sediment than in the deltaic sediments, reflecting human impact. Elemental compositions of the river channel sediment are related to the influence of proximal sediments. Sedimentary environments exert some influences on elemental compositions. Some chemical indices can be used to record chemical weathering undergone by the Changjiang sediment and environmental change.     

Element geochemistry of Holocene sediment and paleoenvironmental change in the Changjiang Estuary

Analyses of 41 elements reveal that Holocene sediments in the Changjiang Estuary bear regular elemental compositions in different sedimentary environments, and Holocene sediments came mainly from the Changjiang River based on compositions of REEs and most trace elements. Some heavy metals are more enriched in the surface sediment than in the deltaic sediments, reflecting human impact. Elemental compositions of the river channel sediment are related to the influence of proximal sediments. Sedimentary environments exert some influences on elemental compositions. Some chemical indices can be used to record chemical weathering undergone by the Changjiang sediment and environmental change.     

Jumping solitary waves in an autonomous reaction-diffusion system with subcritical wave instability

We describe a new type of solitary waves, which propagate in such a manner that the pulse periodically disappears from its original position and reemerges at a fixed distance. We find such jumping waves as solutions to a reaction-diffusion system with a subcritical short-wavelength instability. We demonstrate closely related solitary wave solutions in the quintic complex Ginzburg-Landau equation. We study the characteristics of and interactions between these solitary waves and the dynamics of related wave trains and standing waves.     

Estimation of dissolved inorganic nutrients fluxes from the Changjiang River into estuary

Because the estuary acts as either a trap or a source or both for nutrient elements and will modify greatly the riverine transport to the ocean, it is necessary to calculate the flux from river into estuary and that from estuary into sea, respectively. The present work aims to use a long-term record of nutrients concentrations and runoff discharges on H.e Datong section (625 km inland from the Changjiang River mouth) to identify the variability of nutrients concentrations and to estimate nutrients fluxes from the Changjiang River into the estuary.     

Estimation of dissolved inorganic nutrients fluxes from the Changjiang River into estuary

Because the estuary acts as either a trap or a source or both for nutrient elements and will modify greatly the riverine transport to the ocean, it is necessary to calculate the flux from river into estuary and that from estuary into sea, respectively. The present work aims to use a long-term record of nutrients concentrations and runoff discharges on H.e Datong section (625 km inland from the Changjiang River mouth) to identify the variability of nutrients concentrations and to estimate nutrients fluxes from the Changjiang River into the estuary.     

Field measurements of bottom boundary layer processes and sediment resuspension in the Changjiang Estuary

A field observation of the hydrodynamics and the sediment resuspension in a bottom boundary layer was carried out in the Changjiang Estuary, during July-August 1997. Using bottom field research facilities, detailed measurements of near-bottom currents and suspended sediment concentration distribution within 1.0 m above bed have been obtained in the Changjiang Estuary——a high concentration estuary. An Acoustic Suspended Sediment Monitor (ASSM) wasused to observe near bed sediment resuspension processes. In addition, the log-profile method was applied to estimating hydraulic roughness Z0 and bottom shear stress values (or friction velocities u). Further understanding of sediment suspension mechanics and hydrodynamic characteristics will require the long-term measurements of near bed processes.     

Correlation Analysis of the Runoff of the Rivers and the Seisms in China

In recent hundred years the annual discharge variations of the Changjiang River (represented by the Yichang station) and the Huanghe River (represented by Shanxian and Tangnaihe, respectively) have closely related to the geographical distribution of the earthquakes coming about in China in the same year, Both the occurrence of the destructive seism or seismic swarm in the river basins and the disappearance of the shocks in the east and south of the basins are the conditions that the Changjiang and Huanghe Rivers are the high flow while that the strong earthquake of magnitude 7 or more occurred in North China is the condition for the Changjiang low flow year and that of 6 or more in the Qilian Mountains area is for the Huanghe River. In the latter part of this paper, a 2-year sample is given to explain that the conditions of the 2 rivers being high flow years are that the north-south seismic belt is active and in the meanwhile no seism occurred in South China, and those of the low flow year are that the     

Contamination by Organochlorine Pesticides in the Estuaries of Southeast China* 06 A

Persistent organic pollutants(POPs) such as organochlorine pesticides are of global concern due to their widespread occurrence and persistence. This paper reports recent research studying the distribution and fate of organochlorine pesticides in the Jiulong River, the Minjiang River and the Pearl River estuaries in Southeast China. Eighteen organochlorine pesticides were extracted from water, pore water and sediment samples, followed by analysis by GC-ECD. The results showed that the contamination levels were similar in these three estuaries.The levels of the total organochlorine pesticides in porewater were significantly higher than those in surface water, due to the high affinity of these hydrophobic compounds for sediment phase. Among the hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) compounds, β-HCH was found to be the most important isomer. The analysis of 1, 1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-chlorophenyl-ethane(DDT) and its metabolites showed that 1, 1-dichloro-2[o-chlorophenyl]-2[p-chlorophenyl]-ethylene (DDE) was dominant in the group.Koywords Organochlorine insecticides, DDT, Lindane, Jiulong River Estuary, Minjiang River Estuary, Pearl River Estuary, Water, Sediment     

Spatiotemporal chaos arising from standing waves in a reaction-diffusion system with cross-diffusion

We show that quasi-standing wave patterns appear in the two-variable Oregonator model of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction when a cross-diffusion term is added, no wave instability is required in this case. These standing waves have a frequency that is half the frequency of bulk oscillations displayed in the absence of diffusive coupling. The standing wave patterns show a dependence on the systems size. Regular standing waves can be observed for small systems, when the system size is an integer multiple of half the wavelength. For intermediate sizes, irregular patterns are observed. For large sizes, the system shows an irregular state of spatiotemporal chaos, where standing waves drift, merge, and split, and also phase slips may occur.