Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A theoretical framework of tracer methods for marine sediment dynamics

  • Discussion
  • Published:
Chinese Science Bulletin

Abstract

A new theoretical framework of tracer methods is proposed in the present contribution, on the basis of mass conservation. This modet is applicable for both artificial and natural tracers. It can be used to calculate the spatial distribution patterns of sediment transport rate, thus providing independent information and verification for the results derived from empirical formulae. For the procedures of the calculation, first, the tracer concentration and topographic maps of two times are obtained. Then, the spatial and temporal changes in the concentration and seabed etevation are calculated, and the boundary conditions required are determined by fietd observations (such as flow and bedform migration measurements). Finally, based upon eqs. (1) and (13), the transport rate is calculated and expressed as a function of the position over the study area. Further, appropriate modifications to the modet may allow the tracer to have different densities and grain size distributions from the bulk sediment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Van Rijn, L. C., Principles of Sediment Transport in Rivers, Estuaries and Coastal Seas, Netherlands: Aqua Publications, 1993, 7.4–7.9.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Hardisty, J., An assessment and calibration of formulations of Bagnold’s bedload equation, Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 1983,53: 1007.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Vincent, C. E., Young, R. A., Swift, D. J. P., Sediment transport on the Long Island shoreface. North American Atlantic shetf: role of waves and currents in shoreface maintenance, Continental Shetf Research, 1983,2: 163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Madsen, O. S., Grant, W. D., Quantitative description of sediment transport by waves. Proceedings of the 15th Coastal Engineering Conference, 1976, 1093–1112.

  5. Growchowski, N. T. L., Collins, M. B., Boxall, S. R. et al., Sediment transport predictions for the English Channet, using numerical modets. Journal of the Geological Society, London, 1993, 150: 683.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Jaeger, H. M., Naget, S. R., Behringer, R. P., The physics of granular materials, Physics Today, 1996,49(4): 32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Heathershaw, A. D., Comparisons of measured and predicted sediment transport rates in tidal currents, Marine Geology, 1981,42: 75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Kidson, C., Smith, D. B., Steers, J. A., Drift experiments with radioactive pebbles, Nature, 1956,178(4527): 257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Madsen, O. S., Transport determination by tracer. A: Tracer theory, Nearshore Sediment Transport (ed. Seymour, R. J.), New York: Plenum Press, 1989, 103–114.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Jackson, N. L., Nordstrom, K. F., Depth of activation of sediment by plunging breakers on a steep sand beach, Marine Geology, 1993, 115: 143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ciavola, P., Taborda, R., Ferreira, O. et al., Fietd observations of sand-mixing depth on steep beaches, Marine Geology, 1997, 141: 147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Komar, P. D., Beach Processes and Sedimentation, Englewood Cliffs (New Jersey): Prentice-Hall, 1976, 1–429.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Wang, P., Murray, J. W., The use of foraminifera as indicators of tidal effects in estuarine deposits, Marine Geology, 1983, 51: 239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Gao, S., Collins, M., Modetling exchange of natural trace sediments between an estuary and adjacent continental shetf, Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 1992,62: 35.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Gao, S., Collins, M., Net transport direction of sands in a tidal inlet, using foraminiferal tests as natural tracers, Estuarine, Coastal and Shetf Science, 1995,40: 681.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Heathershaw, A. D., Carr, A. P., Measurements of sediment transport rates using radioactive tracers, Coastal Sediments ’77 (ASCE), 1977, 399–416.

  17. Dolphin, T. J., Hume, T. M., Parnell, K. E., Oceanographic processes and sediment mixing on a sand flat in an enclosed sea, Manukau Harbour, New Zealand, Marine Geology, 1995, 128: 169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Cheong, H. F., Khader, M. N. A., Yong, C. J. et al., The dispersion of radioactive tracers along the east coast of Singapore, Coastal Engineering, 1992, 17: 71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266071, Qingdao, China

    Shu Gao

Authors
  1. Shu Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shu Gao.

About this article

Cite this article

Gao, S. A theoretical framework of tracer methods for marine sediment dynamics. Chin. Sci. Bull. 45, 1434–1440 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02886254

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02886254

Keywords

Search

Navigation