Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

Research

17 pages, 5157 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Downstream Sediment Transport Trends Based on In Situ Data and Numerical Simulation

by Yuxi Wu, Xiwen Li, Enjin Zhao, Yang Wang, Shiyou Zhang, Zhiming Xu, Qinjun Wang, Dongxu Jiang and Zhuang Xing

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(11), 1982; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12111982 - 2 Nov 2024

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Abstract

This study conducted an in-depth analysis of the sediment dynamics in the lower reaches of the Changhua River and its estuary on Hainan Island. Through field collection of topographic data and sediment sampling, combined with advanced computational techniques, the study explored the transport [...] Read more.

This study conducted an in-depth analysis of the sediment dynamics in the lower reaches of the Changhua River and its estuary on Hainan Island. Through field collection of topographic data and sediment sampling, combined with advanced computational techniques, the study explored the transport pathways and depositional patterns of sediments. The grain size trend analysis (GSTA) method was utilized, in conjunction with the Flemming triangle diagram method, to classify the dynamic environment of the sediments. Furthermore, hydrodynamic modeling results were integrated to further analyze the transport trends of the sediments. The study revealed that the sediment types in the research area are complex, primarily consisting of gravelly sand and sandy gravel, indicating a generally coarse sedimentary environment in the region. The sediments in the lower reaches of the Changhua River generally transport towards the south and southwest (in the direction of Beili Bay). The net sediment transport directions inferred from the GSTA model are largely consistent with the Eulerian residual flow patterns, especially in the offshore area, where discrepancies are observed in the nearshore zone. The nearshore transport is influenced by the combined effects of alongshore currents, residual flows, and river inputs, while the offshore transport exhibits a shift from the northwest to southwest directions, reflecting the regional circulation patterns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sedimentology and Coastal and Marine Geology—2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 6395 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Provenance Analysis of the Northern Offshore Mud Area of the Shandong Peninsula, China, Spanning the Last 2000 Years

by Shuyu Wu, Jun Liu and Yongcai Feng

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(9), 1501; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12091501 - 1 Sep 2024

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Abstract

The mud area in the northern offshore of the Shandong Peninsula constitutes a dynamic source–sink system in China’s continental shelf and is a hotspot for research. However, the provenance of the sediments remains controversial, and the depositional environment is not yet fully understood. [...] Read more.

The mud area in the northern offshore of the Shandong Peninsula constitutes a dynamic source–sink system in China’s continental shelf and is a hotspot for research. However, the provenance of the sediments remains controversial, and the depositional environment is not yet fully understood. This paper performed accelerator mass spectrometry ¹⁴C dating, grain-size analysis, clay mineralogic analysis, and geochemical analysis of the ZZ04 sediment core. The results showed that this core primarily comprises silt and clay, reflecting weak sedimentary hydrodynamic conditions and stable deposition. The clay mineral assemblage—illite, smectite, chlorite, and kaolinite—indicates strong physical weathering. The provenance of the mud area was mainly from the Yellow River, Shandong Peninsula rivers, and Yangtze River, highlighting its multi-source characteristics. The smectite/(illite + chlorite) ratio in the ZZ04 core serves as a mineralogical indicator of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). Eight significant East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) intensifications were identified, correlating with global cooling events similar to those at 1.89, 1.4, 1.03, and 0.62 thousand years ago. During the EAWM period, the coastal current and the Yellow Sea warm current play crucial roles in the transportation of matter and heat flux in the mud area. In contrast, during the EASM period, the sediments are predominantly sourced from the Shandong Peninsula rivers, contributing terrigenous materials shaped by chemical weathering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sedimentology and Coastal and Marine Geology—2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 9731 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of Physical and Mechanical Relationships during the Natural Dewatering of River Sediments and a Kaolin

by Dalel Azaiez, Beatriz Boullosa Allariz and Daniel Levacher

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(8), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081354 - 8 Aug 2024

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Abstract

This paper investigated the relationships of some physical and mechanical parameters of sediments and a typical clay during a natural dewatering process. Four sediments from different French river dams sampled by the Électricité De France group (EDF group) and a commercial kaolin clay [...] Read more.

This paper investigated the relationships of some physical and mechanical parameters of sediments and a typical clay during a natural dewatering process. Four sediments from different French river dams sampled by the Électricité De France group (EDF group) and a commercial kaolin clay used for comparative purposes were the focus of this study. Continuous dewatering was monitored in a laboratory by quantifying the percentage of water remaining in sediments or clay, drained and evaporated. Undrained shear strength was also assessed during the sediment or clay dewatering process, using the laboratory vane shear test. The samples were controlled along different dimensions during the dewatering process throughout the whole experiment. The results showed a certain interdependence between the physical parameters and the water content (ω), which was normalized by the liquidity limit (ω/L_L) over time. This led to sigmoidal and exponential correlations when considering the percentage of water drained. The percentage of water remaining in the sediments or clay was characterized using the normalized water content, leading to exponential and power correlations. Both exponential and linear correlations were perfect for describing the evolution of the percentage of water evaporated. Other correlations were established for variations in void index, dry unit weight/solid unit weight ratio and undrained shear strength during the dewatering process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sedimentology and Coastal and Marine Geology—2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 18332 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regional Difference in Distribution Pattern and Morphological Characteristics of Embayed Sandy Beaches in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China

by Junli Guo, Lianqiang Shi, Min Zhang, Zhaohui Gong, Wei Chen and Xiaoming Xia

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1223; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071223 - 20 Jul 2024

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Abstract

The distribution pattern and the morphology of sandy beaches have been extensively studied, while those in turbid coastal environments near large river estuaries are still unclear. This study analyzes the distribution pattern, morphological characteristics, and influencing factors of Zhejiang sandy beaches using statistical [...] Read more.

The distribution pattern and the morphology of sandy beaches have been extensively studied, while those in turbid coastal environments near large river estuaries are still unclear. This study analyzes the distribution pattern, morphological characteristics, and influencing factors of Zhejiang sandy beaches using statistical analysis, based on field data and historical records. Results show that the mean grain size distribution of Zhejiang sandy beaches ranges from fine sand to very coarse sand, and the beach slope and sediment grain size correspond well with the wave heights in the three regions of Zhejiang. The extent of beach headlands in central Zhejiang appeared the largest, suggesting an increased susceptibility to wave erosion due to the less sheltered headlands. Most sandy beaches in Zhejiang formed on the islands and the areas far from the estuaries, showing quantity difference in beach distribution. The comparison of the regional difference in Zhejiang sandy beaches shows that embayment is the main factor affecting the beach distribution pattern and morphological characteristics. The different embayment characteristics provide the space for beach formation and the interaction with the coastal process, the sediment supply, the nearshore hydrodynamic environment, and human intervention also have influence on the morphological characteristics of Zhejiang beaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sedimentology and Coastal and Marine Geology—2nd Edition)

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14 pages, 18937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Failed Rift in the Eastern Adventure Plateau (Sicilian Channel, Central Mediterranean)

by Dario Civile, Giacomo Mangano, Aaron Micallef, Emanuele Lodolo and Luca Baradello

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(7), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071142 - 7 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Widespread volcanism has been known in the Sicilian Channel for a long time, even if some submarine volcanoes have only recently been discovered. Most of this volcanism formed along the NNE-trending transfer zone known as the Capo Granitola–Sciacca Fault Zone, while others, such [...] Read more.

Widespread volcanism has been known in the Sicilian Channel for a long time, even if some submarine volcanoes have only recently been discovered. Most of this volcanism formed along the NNE-trending transfer zone known as the Capo Granitola–Sciacca Fault Zone, while others, such as the islands of Pantelleria and Linosa, are associated with the continental rift zone that has developed since the early Pliocene in the central part of the Sicilian Channel through the formation of three deep tectonic troughs (Pantelleria, Linosa and Malta). However, the origin of a group of five volcanoes (here called “Tetide volcanic cluster”) that form a NW-SE alignment on the eastern edge of the Adventure Plateau is not yet known. In this work, we hypothesize that this volcanic alignment may represent the remnants of a failed rift attempt that was unable to generate another tectonic trough in the Sicilian Channel. Based on seismic sections and gravimetric data, three phases in the formation of this volcanic alignment can be identified: (i) a major magmatic intrusion in the early Pliocene associated with a NW-SE normal fault that formed during the opening of the Pantelleria graben, leading to the uplift and deformation of the host sedimentary rocks; (ii) a late Pliocene-Quaternary tectono-magmatic quiescent phase; and (iii) a renewed magma intrusion through fissures or cracks that led to the formation of the volcanoes in the late Quaternary. This process was not able to cause significant extension and only limited volcanism, which is why the “Tetide volcanic cluster“ is interpreted as the morphological expression of a failed rift. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sedimentology and Coastal and Marine Geology—2nd Edition)

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14 pages, 3950 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Method for Estimating the Undrained Shear Strength of Marine Soil Based on CPTU Tests

by Sai Fu, Yanghai Shen, Xianlin Jia, Zhiqing Zhang and Xibin Li

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(6), 1019; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12061019 - 19 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1048

Abstract

The undrained shear strength is an essential parameter in the foundation design of marine structures. Due to the complex marine environment and technical limitations, it is difficult and costly to obtain offshore samples. Piezocone penetration tests (CPTU) are relatively low-cost compared to drilling [...] Read more.

The undrained shear strength is an essential parameter in the foundation design of marine structures. Due to the complex marine environment and technical limitations, it is difficult and costly to obtain offshore samples. Piezocone penetration tests (CPTU) are relatively low-cost compared to drilling and sampling methods. Therefore, based on the soil behavior type index (I_c) derived from CPTU results, a model for estimating cone factors (N_kt, N_ke) is proposed to improve the accuracy of estimation of undrained shear strength. The result shows that the soil behavior type index (I_c) and cone factors take on a negatively correlated exponential relation. Incorporating a cone factor that varies with the soil behavior type index (I_c) significantly enhances the accuracy of undrained shear strength predictions compared to the conventional method of using a constant cone factor. This approach reduces the root mean square error (RMSE) for N_kt (N_ke) from 0.124 (0.126) MPa to 0.056 (0.06) MPa, and the mean absolute error (MAE) from 0.0154 (0.016) MPa to 0.0032 (0.0036) MPa. The method was validated at an additional location and the predictions were in high agreement with the results of the consolidated quick direct shear test. The developed method can serve as an effective tool used in the design of foundations of marine structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sedimentology and Coastal and Marine Geology—2nd Edition)

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21 pages, 4750 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Formation Mechanism of NW-Trending Faults and Their Significance on Basin Evolution in Zhu III Depression of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, SE China

by Pengfei Zhu, Lintao Zhao, Jiantai Zhang, Dunling Mu, Yichun Chen and Pengfei Rong

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(6), 858; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12060858 - 22 May 2024

Viewed by 1016

Abstract

The Zhu III Depression, situated in the northern Pearl River Mouth Basin, features a complex fault system composed of NE–SW-, nearly E–W-, and NW–SE-oriented faults. However, there is limited research on NW-trending faults, especially regarding their formation mechanisms. Through structural analysis of 3D [...] Read more.

The Zhu III Depression, situated in the northern Pearl River Mouth Basin, features a complex fault system composed of NE–SW-, nearly E–W-, and NW–SE-oriented faults. However, there is limited research on NW-trending faults, especially regarding their formation mechanisms. Through structural analysis of 3D seismic profiles, we have revealed the geometric and kinematic characteristics of NW-trending faults and categorized them into three types based on their formation mechanisms: extensional fault, dextral transtensional fault, and sinistral strike–slip fault. The extensional faults predominantly developed as boundary faults during the rifting I period, caused by tectonic inversion of the NW–NWW-trending basement faults since early Eocene. The transtensional fault resulted from the dextral strike–slip motion of the NE-trending basin-controlling faults since late Eocene, under the regional dextral extension stress setting. The sinistral strike–slip faults have been dominant during the post-rifting period since early Oligocene. This is due to the sinistral shearing action related to the southeastward lateral extrusion of the Indochina Block and slab pull southward by subduction of the proto-SCS. The NW-trending faults controlled the development of local tectonics and structures, the depocenter migration during the rifting period, and the trapping, migration, and preservation of oil and gas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sedimentology and Coastal and Marine Geology—2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 17653 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Submarine Stratigraphy of the Eastern Bay of Naples: New Seismo-Stratigraphic Data and Implications for the Somma-Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei Volcanic Activity

by Gemma Aiello

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(10), 1520; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10101520 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2077

Abstract

The submarine stratigraphy of the eastern Bay of Naples is studied through seismo-stratigraphic data correlated with borehole data. Multichannel seismic profiles are interpreted in order to reconstruct the stratigraphic relationships between the Quaternary marine seismic units and the volcanic acoustic substratum. Seven seismic [...] Read more.

The submarine stratigraphy of the eastern Bay of Naples is studied through seismo-stratigraphic data correlated with borehole data. Multichannel seismic profiles are interpreted in order to reconstruct the stratigraphic relationships between the Quaternary marine seismic units and the volcanic acoustic substratum. Seven seismic units are recognized based on the geological interpretation of seismic profiles and using seismo-stratigraphic criteria. The top of the lowest seismic unit was correlated with the Campanian Ignimbrite (Southern Campania Volcanic Zone). The stratigraphic setting of the eastern Bay of Naples is characterized by NE-SW trending seismic structures, probably corresponding with tuff rings. These tuff rings can be compared with the Porto Miseno, the Archiaverno and Averno, and the Astroni tuff rings (Campi Flegrei). Offshore, the Somma-Vesuvius a seismic unit was interpreted as the fallout deposits representing the base of the AD 79 eruption. However, since a branch of the isopach of 5 m of the “Pomici di Avellino” pyroclastic deposits is very close to the Tyrrhenian coastline and near our GRNA01 and GRNA03 seismic profiles, we cannot exclude that the seismic unit could be also correlated with the deposits of this eruption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Sedimentology and Coastal and Marine Geology—2nd Edition)

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