Abstract
An understanding of the sedimentary environment in relation to its controlling factors is of great importance in coastal geomorphology, ecology, tourism and aquaculture studies. We attempt to deal with this issue, using a case study from the Xincun Lagoon, Hainan Island in southern China. For the study, surficial sediment samples were collected, together with hydrodynamic and bathymetric surveys, during August 2013. Numerical simulation was carried out to obtain high-spatial resolution tidal current data. The sediment samples were analyzed to derive mean grain size, sorting coefficient, skewness and kurtosis, together with the sand, silt and clay contents. The modern sedimentary environments were classified using system cluster and principal component analyses. Grain size analysis reveals that the sediments are characterized by extremely slightly sandy silty mud (ESSSM) and slightly silty sand (SSS), which are distributed in the central lagoon and near-shore shallow water areas, respectively. Mean grain size varies from 0 to 8.0Ф, with an average of 4.6Ф. The silt content is the highest, i.e., 52% on average, with the average contents of sand and clay being 43% and 5%, respectively. There exists a significant correlation between mean size and water depth, suggesting that the surficial sediments become finer with increasing water depth. Cluster analyses reveals two groups of samples. The first group is characterized by mean grain size of more than 5.5Ф, whilst the second group has mean grain size of below 3.5Ф. Further, these groups also have different correlations between mean grain size and the other grain size parameters. In terms of the tidal current, the average values of the root mean square velocity (RMSV) are 7.5 cm/s and 6.9 cm/s on springs and neaps, respectively. For the RMSVs that are higher than 4 cm/s, a significant positive correlation is found between the content of the 63–125 μm fraction and the RMSV, suggesting that the RMSV determines the variability of the very fine sand fraction. Based on system cluster and principal component analyses (PCA), the modern sedimentary environments are classified into three types according to the grain size parameters, RMSVs and water depth data. The results suggest the importance of grain size parameters and high-spatial resolution hydrodynamic data in differentiating the coastal sedimentary environments.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adame J A, Notario A, Villanueva F, et al. 2012. Application of cluster analysis to surface ozone, NO2 and SO2 daily patterns in an industrial area in Central-Southern Spain measured with a DOAS system. Science of the Total Environment, 429: 281–291
Beaugrand G. 2004. The North Sea regime shift: evidence, causes, mechanisms and consequences. Progress in Oceanography, 60(2–4): 245–262
Chen Han, Chen Zhong, Yan Wen, et al. 2014. Grain size characteristics of surface sediments and their transport patterns over the coastal waters of Shantou city, Guangdong province. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica (in Chinese), 32(2): 314–324
Cheng Peng, Gao Shu. 2000. Net sediment transport patterns over the northwestern Yellow Sea, based upon grain size trend analysis. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica (in Chinese), 31(6): 604–615
Cheng Peng, Gao Shu, Bokuniewicz H. 2004. Net sediment transport patterns over the Bohai Strait based on grain size trend analysis. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 60(2): 203–212
Dai Zhijun, Liu J T, Fu Gui, et al. 2013. A thirteen-year record of bathymetric changes in the North Passage, Changjiang (Yangtze) estuary. Geomorphology, 187: 101–107
Fang Jianyong. 2008. Distribution characteristics, sources and sedimentary environmental indications of the sediment in Xiamen bay (in Chinese) [dissertation]. Xiamen: Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration
Flemming B W. 2000. A revised textural classification of gravel-free muddy sediments on the basis of ternary diagrams. Continental Shelf Research, 20(10–11): 1125–1137
Flemming B W. 2007. The influence of grain-size analysis methods and sediment mixing on curve shapes and textural parameters: implications for sediment trend analysis. Sedimentary Geology, 202(3): 425–435
Gao S, Collins M B, Lanckneus J, et al. 1994. Grain size trends associated with net sediment transport patterns: an example from the Belgian continental shelf. Marine Geology, 121(3–4): 171–185
Gao Shu. 1996. A FORTRAN program for grain-size trend analysis to define net sediment transport pathways. Computers & Geosciences, 22(4): 449–452
Gao Shu. 2009. Grain size trend analysis: principle and applicability. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica (in Chinese), 27(5): 826–836
Gao Shu, Collins M. 1992. Net sediment transport patterns inferred from grain-size trends, based upon definition of “transport vectors”. Sedimentary Geology, 81(1–2): 47–60
Gong Wenping, Chen Minghe, Wen Xiaoji, et al. 2004. Evolution and stability of Xincun Tidal Inlet, Linshui County, Hainan Province. Journal of Tropical Oceanography (in Chinese), 23(4): 25–32
Gong Wenping, Shen Jian, Chen Bin. 2007. Obtaining water elevation in the lagoon and cross sectionally averaged velocity of the tidal inlet by using one-dimensional hydraulic equation—A case study in Xincun Inlet Linshui, Hainan, China. Journal of Oceanography in Taiwan Strait (in Chinese), 26(3): 301–313
Gong Wenping, Shen Jian, Wang Daoru. 2008a. Mean water level setup/setdown in the inlet-lagoon system induced by tidal action— a case study of Xincun Inlet, Hainan Island in China. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 27(5): 63–80
Gong Wenping, Wang Daoru. 2006. Stability analysis and equilibrium area calculation of tidal inlet—A case study in Xincun inlet, Linshui, Hainan Island. Journal of Tropical Oceanography (in Chinese), 25(4): 31–41
Gong Wenping, Wang Yaping, Wang Daoru, et al. 2008b. Hydrodynamics under combined action of wave and tide and its implication for the sediment dynamics in Xincun Tidal Inlet, Hainan. Journal of Marine Sciences (in Chinese), 26(2): 1–12
Jiang Guojun. 1995. The dynamic sedimentological meaning of grainsize parameters of tidal flat suspended sediments. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica (in Chinese), 26(1): 90–97
Jiang Donghui, Gao Shu. 2002. Relationship between the tidally-induced near-bed shear stress and the distribution of surficial sediments in the Bohai Strait. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica (in Chinese), 20(4): 663–667
Li Yuzhong, Chen Shenliang. 2003. Application of system cluster analysis to classification of modern sedimentary environment-a case study in Qiqu archipelago area. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica (in Chinese), 21(3): 487–494
Li Lei, Huang Xiaoping. 2012. Three tropical seagrasses as potential bio-indicators to trace metals in Xincun Bay, Hainan Island, South China. Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, 30(2): 212–224
Li Qiaoxiang, Huang Wenguo, Zhou Yongzhao. 2010. A preliminary study of eutrophication and occurrence of red tides in Xincun Harbour. Transactions of Oceanology and Limnology (in Chinese), (4): 9–15
Li Yan, Liu Yan, Li Anchun, et al. 2014. Grain size distribution characteristics in surface sediments near the Dalian Bay and their hydrodynamic environmental implications. Marine Science Bulletin (in Chinese), 33(5): 552–558
Lim D I, Jung H S, Choi J Y, et al. 2006. Geochemical compositions of river and shelf sediments in the Yellow Sea: grain-size normalization and sediment provenance. Continental Shelf Research, 26(1): 15–24
Liu Zhijie, Gong Yanfen, Zhou Songwang, et al. 2013. A comparative study on the grain-size parameters of marine sediments derived from three different computing methods. Haiyang Xuebao (in Chinese), 35(3): 179–188
Liu Hong, He Qing, Meng Yi, et al. 2007. Characteristics of surface sediment distribution and its hydrodynamic responses in the Yangtze River estuary. Acta Geographica Sinica (in Chinese), 62(1): 81–92
McManus J. 1988. Grain size determination and interpretation. In: Tucker M, ed. Techniques in Sedimentology. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 112–116
McManus J P, Prandle D. 1997. Development of a model to reproduce observed suspended sediment distributions in the southern North Sea using Principal Component Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression. Continental Shelf Research, 17(7): 761–778
Medina R, Losada M A, Losada I J, et al. 1994. Temporal and spatial relationship between sediment grain size and beach profile. Marine Geology, 118(3–4): 195–206
Meglen R R. 1992. Examining large databases: a chemometric approach using principal component analysis. Marine Chemistry, 39(1–3): 217–237
Molinaroli E, Guerzoni S, de Falco G, et al. 2009. Relationships between hydrodynamic parameters and grain size in two contrasting transitional environments: the Lagoons of Venice and Cabras, Italy. Sedimentary Geology, 219(1–4): 196–207
Molinaroli E, Guerzoni S, Sarretta A, et al. 2007. Links between hydrology and sedimentology in the Lagoon of Venice, Italy. Journal of Marine Systems, 68(3–4): 303–317
Ni Wenfei, Wang Yaping, Symonds A M, et al. 2014. Intertidal flat development in response to controlled embankment retreat: Freiston Shore, The Wash, UK. Marine Geology, 355: 260–273
Peng Xiaotong, Zhou Huaiyang, Ye Ying, et al. 2004. Characteristics of sediment grain size and their implications for bottom hydrodynamic environment in the Pearl River estuary. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica (in Chinese), 22(3): 487–493
Qian Xuesheng, Chen Yongping, Zhang Changkuan. 2014. Tide wave and tidal current characteristics of the M2 constituent in a semienclosed rectangular basin with a coastal barrier. Haiyang Xuebao (in Chinese), 36(9): 37–44
Roelvink J A, van Banning G K F M. 1994. Design and development of DELFT3D and application to coastal morphodynamics. In: Proceedings of International Conference on Hydroinformatics. Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Balkema, 451–455
Sun Xichun. 1991. Foraminifera from sediments of the Shenzhen bay, Guangdong, and the Xincun Harbour, Hainan Island. Acta Micropalaeontologica Sinica (in Chinese), 8(3): 325–337
Sun Youbin, Gao Shu, Li Jun. 2003. Preliminary analysis of grain-size populations with environmentally sensitive terrigenous components in marginal sea setting. Chinese Science Bulletin, 48(2): 184–187
Visher G S. 1969. Grain size distributions and depositional processes. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 39(3): 1074–1106
Wang Yaping, Gao Shu, Jia Jianjun. 2000. Sediment distribution and transport patterns in Jiaozhou bay and adjoining areas. Acta Geographica Sinica (in Chinese), 55(4): 449–458
Wang Wei, Li Anchun, Xu Fangjian, et al. 2009. Distribution of surface sediments and sedimentary environment in the north Yellow Sea. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica (in Chinese), 40(5): 525–531
Wang Daoru, Wu Zhongjie, Chen Chunhua, et al. 2012. Distribution of sea grass resources and existing threat in Hainan Island. Marine Environment Science (in Chinese), 31(1): 34–38
Xie Dongfeng, Gao Shu, Pan Cunhong, et al. 2012. Modelling macroscale suspended sediment transport patterns in Hangzhou Bay, China. Journal of Sediment Research (in Chinese), 3): 51–56
Xing Fei, Wang Yaping, Wang H V. 2012. Tidal hydrodynamics and fine-grained sediment transport on the radial sand ridge system in the southern Yellow Sea. Marine Geology, 291–294: 192–210
Xu Donghao, Li Jun, Zhao Jingtao, et al. 2012. Grain-size distribution of surface sediments of the Liaodong bay, Bohai and sedimentary environment restoration. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology (in Chinese), 32(5): 35–42
Yang Shouye, Jung H S, Lim D I, et al. 2003. A review on the provenance discrimination of sediments in the Yellow Sea. Earth Science Reviews, 63(1–2): 93–120
Yang Dingtian, Yang Chaoyu. 2009. Detection of seagrass distribution changes from 1991 to 2006 in Xincun Bay, Hainan, with satellite remote sensing. Sensors, 9(2): 830–844
Yu Jianying, He Xuhong. 2003. Data Analysis and SPSS Statistical Application (in Chinese). Beijing: Posts & Telecom Press, 251–277
Yu Qian, Wang Yunwei, Flemming B, et al. 2012a. Modelling the equilibrium hypsometry of back-barrier tidal flats in the German Wadden Sea (southern North Sea). Continental Shelf Research, 49: 90–99
Yu Qian, Wang Yunwei, Gao Shu, et al. 2012b. Modeling the formation of a sand bar within a large funnel-shaped, tide-dominated estuary: Qiantangjiang Estuary, China. Marine Geology, 299–302: 63–76
Zhou Liancheng, Li Jun, Gao Jianhua, et al. 2009. Comparison of core sediment grain size characteristics between Yangtze River estuary and Zhoushan Islands and its significance to sediment source analysis. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology (in Chinese), 29(5): 21–27
Zhou Xiangbin, Wu Biyu. 2008. Primary probeon the formation and evolement of tide channels of Xincun harbor lagoon. Transactions of Oceanology and Limnology (in Chinese), 3): 183–190
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Ge Chendong, Yin Yong, Du Yongfen, Chen Yunchen, Wang Dandan, Li Runxiang, Dai Chen, Zhao Yangyang, Zhu Dong, Xu Zhen, Xu Can, Chen Jingdong, Liu Runqi, Zhu Qingguang and Gao Mingzhe who participated in the field work. Zhang Xiang is thanked for his help with grain size analysis. We thank the reviewers for their critical comments on the original manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Foundation item: The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract No. 41530962.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yang, Y., Gao, S., Zhou, L. et al. Classifying the sedimentary environments of the Xincun Lagoon, Hainan Island, by system cluster and principal component analyses. Acta Oceanol. Sin. 36, 64–71 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-016-0939-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-016-0939-1