Grain-size distribution and subsurface mapping at the Setiu wetlands, Setiu, Terengganu

Abstract

A study was carried out around the lagoon and coastal area of Setiu wetlands to determine the general characteristics and grain-size distribution of their sediments. Sediment samples were collected from 39 stations of the lagoon area and 8 stations of the coastal area, and were analyzed for their sedimentological characteristics (mean, sorting, skewness and kurtosis). The sediment mean size ranged between 0.06–2.52 and 2.12–2.69 phi (Ø) for both lagoon and coastal sea-bottom sediments, respectively. Generally, the sediments in the study area consist mostly of coarse to fine particles. The major portions of the sediment are negatively skewed. This indicates that the study area is under the influence of the rather strong wave and current action. The study also encompassed the geophysical survey that was conducted near the coastal zone of the study area. The high-resolution seismic sub-bottom profiling technique is the standard method employed to map geological features and locate structures below the surface of the seafloor. Data obtained from seismic records were used to interpret the seismic reflectors. Three main reflectors (layers), which consist of the seabed and the seabed multiple, were traced using Sonar Web Pro software, and the results showed a uniform distribution pattern for all stations surveyed. It is envisaged that this method could be an effective way to image the marine subsurface structures; thus, its use is anticipated in the higher degrees of sedimentary research and marine resource exploration.