南海中沙大环礁表层沉积物的粒度特征和输运趋势

    Grain size characteristics and transport trends of surface sediments in Zhongsha Atoll, South China Sea

    • 摘要: 除造礁珊瑚的生长外,珊瑚砂的堆积也是塑造环礁地形的重要因素。本文开展了南海中沙大环礁浅水区17件表层沉积物样品的粒度测试和5个站位海床基海流观测,进行了沉积物输运趋势分析,研究了环礁淤蚀状态,为维护环礁地形提供理论依据。结果表明,沉积物包含砾质砂、砂质砾和含砾砂3种类型,主要通过滚动和跳跃方式搬运。结合水动力环境分析,将大环礁区域划分为3个沉积环境区,A砂质过渡区:位于大环礁外环的东侧和西北侧,以砾质砂为主,属于高能礁坪沉积水动力环境;B砾质聚集区:位于大环礁中部的鲁班暗沙-漫步暗沙-海鸠暗沙沿线,NW—SE向展布,多为砂质砾,是环礁粗粒物质的主要来源区,反映了近源快速混杂堆积过程;C砂质流失区:位于大环礁西南的波洑暗沙,主要为含砾砂,处于强海流作用下以砂质沉积和筛选作用为特征的环境。A、B区水动力仅能造成少量细粒沉积物输运,而C区最大流速大于启动流速,珊瑚砂处于流失状态,未来应对该区域加强监测,适当采取相应措施防治泥沙流失。

       

      Abstract: In addition to the growth of hermatypic corals, the accumulation of coral sand is also a significant factor in shaping atoll topography. The grain size of 17 surface sediment samples collected from the shallow waters of the Zhongsha Great Atoll in the South China Sea were analyzed, the seabed-based current was observed at five stations, and the sediment transport trends were also analyzed to understand the erosional and depositional status of the atoll, providing a theoretical basis for the preservation of atoll topography. Results indicate that the sediments consist of three types: gravelly sand, sandy gravel, and sand-bearing gravel, and they were transported via mainly rolling and saltation. In addition, the hydrodynamic environment, the Great Atoll region was divided into three sedimentary environment zones. Zone A (sandy transition zone): Located on the eastern and northwestern sides of the outer ring of the Great Atoll, dominated by gravelly sand, representing a high-energy reef flat sedimentary environment. Zone B (gravel accumulation zone): Stretching in NW–SE along the Luba Ansha–Manbu Ansha–Haijiu Ansha in the central part of the Great Atoll, composed of chiefly sandy gravels. This zone serves as the primary source of coarse-grained materials for the atoll, indicating rapid, near-source, mixed accumulation processes. Zone C (sand-loss zone): Located at Bohu Ansha in the southwestern part of the Great Atoll, composed of mainly sand-bearing gravel. This zone is characterized by sandy sedimentation and sorting under the influence of strong currents. While hydrodynamics in Zones A and B could transport only a small amount of fine sediments, the maximum current velocity in Zone C could exceed the threshold of sediment motion, resulting in the loss of coral sand. In the future, local monitoring shall be strengthened, and appropriate measures shall be taken to prevent sediment loss.

       

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