Sedimentary dynamics along the west coast of Bohai Bay, China, during the twentieth century
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
To investigate the most recent changes in sedimentation along the west
coast of Bohai Bay, China, we collected twelve 1–2 m short cores of
undisturbed sediment from tidal flats off the city of Tianjin, using an
Eijkelkamp corer. Based on the excess or unsupported 210Pb and 137Cs
activities measured from the sediment cores, the chronology of the
sediment sequences was established, from which the sedimentary history
of the tidal flats was reconstructed. Results inform spatial and
temporal variations in sedimentation rate along the Tianjin coast, from
which sedimentary dynamics can be deduced. Two important time boundaries
are identified. As the Luanhe River had migrated northwards since 1915,
sediment supply to the northern section of the coast had reduced.
Around 1958, several rivers were dammed. Since 1985, the need for
dredging the Tianjin Port has decreased. These actions have resulted in a
decline of sediment supply from these rivers, including Haihe, to both
the northern and southern sectors of the coast. Once the supply of
sediment from rivers was reduced, tidal processes acted to modify
sediment characteristics, and an upward-fining pattern is recorded in
the majority of sediment cores in this study. This study highlights the
usefulness of applying both 210Pb and 137Cs dating
methods. These dating methods, together with detailed sedimentary
analysis, can provide valuable sedimentary evidence of coastal change
and natural and human causes of change.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Coastal Research |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 2 |
Pages (from-to) | 379-388 |
ISSN | 0749-0208 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
ID: 130926146