Facies evolution of Holocene estuaries and deltas: a large-sample statistical study from Australia

Heap, Andrew D.; Bryce, S; Ryan, D. A.

doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2004.01.016

Cited by 79 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The head of the estuary is characterised by a fluvial, or bay-head, delta in which the river (or creek) channel is shallower waterways with cut-off embayments and fringing coastal wetlands, to largely infilled floodplains, termed mature riverine estuaries by Roy et al (2001). At this final stage, the river is channelised and flows through the former estuarine reaches, generally between sandy levees to deliver fluvial sands directly to the nearshore, and mangroves and related wetlands are restricted to tributaries and incompletely filled cut-off embayments (Heap et al, 2004). Estuary type and phase of infill places important controls on estuarine hydrology which in turn influences a range of soil chemical properties relevant to the distribution of wetland species and their growth, most notably soil water content, nutrient status and salinity (Roy et al, 2001;Saintilan, 1998).…”

Section: Study Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Allochthonous and autochthonous contributions to carbon accumulation and carbon store in southeastern Australian coastal wetlands

Saintilan¹,

Rogers²,

Mazumder³

et al. 2013

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

235

128

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Estimates of carbon store and carbon accumulation rate in mangrove and saltmarsh are beset by issues of scale and provenance. Estimates at a site do not allow scaling to regional estimates if the drivers of variability are not known. Also, carbon accumulation within soils provides a net offset only if carbon is derived in-situ, or would not otherwise be sequestered. We use a network of observation sites extending across 2000 km of southeastern Australian coastline to determine the influence of geomorphic setting and coastal wetland vegetation type on rates of carbon accumulation, carbon store and probable sources. Carbon accumulation above feldspar marker horizons over a 10-year period was driven primarily by tidal range and position in the tidal frame, and was higher for mangrove and saltmarsh dominated by Juncus kraussii than for other saltmarsh communities. The rate of carbon loss with depth varied between geomorphic settings and was the primary determinant of carbon store. A down-core enrichment in δ13C was consistent with an increased relative contribution of mangrove root material to soil carbon, as mangrove roots were found to be consistently enriched compared to leaves. We conclude that while surface carbon accumulation is driven primarily by tidal transport of allocthonous sediment, in-situ carbon sequestration is the dominant source of recalcitrant carbon, and that mangrove and saltmarsh carbon accumulation and store is high in temperate settings, particularly in mesotidal and fluvial geomorphic settings. AbstractEstimates of carbon store and carbon accumulation rate in mangrove and saltmarsh are beset by issues of scale and provenance. Estimates at a site do not allow scaling to regional estimates if the drivers of variability are not known. Also, carbon accumulation within soils provides a net offset only if carbon is derived in-situ, or would not otherwise be sequestered.We use a network of observation sites extending across 2000 km of southeastern Australian coastline to determine the influence of geomorphic setting and coastal wetland vegetation type on rates of carbon accumulation, carbon store and probable sources. Carbon accumulation above feldspar marker horizons over a 10-year period was driven primarily by tidal range and position in the tidal frame, and was higher for mangrove and saltmarsh dominated by Juncus kraussii than for other saltmarsh communities. The rate of carbon loss with depth varied between geomorphic settings and was the primary determinant of carbon store. A down-core enrichment in δ 13 C was consistent with an increased relative contribution of mangrove root material to soil carbon, as mangrove roots were found to be consistently enriched compared to leaves. We conclude that while surface carbon accumulation is driven primarily by tidal transport of allocthonous sediment, in-situ carbon sequestration is the dominant source of recalcitrant carbon, and that mangrove and saltmarsh carbon accumulation and store is high in temperate settings, particularly in mesotidal ...

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Section: Study Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Allochthonous and autochthonous contributions to carbon accumulation and carbon store in southeastern Australian coastal wetlands

Saintilan¹,

Rogers²,

Mazumder³

et al. 2013

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

235

128

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“…In addition, a number of conceptual models have been developed to better understand the distribution of estuary sedimentary facies in studying deltas [25][26][27][28][29]. The characteristics of estuary sedimentary sequences during the interaction between river and ocean processes have been emphasized in these models.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Holocene delta evolution and sequence stratigraphy of the Pearl River Delta in South China

Wang

2011

Sci. China Earth Sci.

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We analyzed the sedimentary characteristics and chronostratigraphy of the Pearl River Delta in South China, and discussed the Holocene stratigraphic characteristics and the filling process since the Holocene, based on 90 boreholes. Our results showed that the maximum transgressive surface of the Pearl River Delta was located in the soft marine silt horizons, whereas it was shown as an erosion surface in areas with tidal scour. From bottom to top, Holocene sedimentary sequences were fluvial facies, floodplain-estuary facies, and estuary-delta facies in the paleo-valley, while the paleo-interfluve sequences were described as littoral facies, estuary facies, and delta facies. Vertical accumulation sequences of Holocene sediments were shown primarily as positive tapering-shaped sequences with no typical foreset, topset, or other sedimentary sequences of the Gilbert Delta. The paleo-Pearl River estuary had different evolution models in the highstand systems tract (HST) compared with other large deltas worldwide, in that it is dominated by a unique and complex geomorphologic boundary, and that it is a multi-sourced delta compounded by the independent and parallel development of fluvial sedimentary bodies with different scales. A huge estuary was formed in the present Pearl River Delta area when the post-glacial transgression reached maximum at about 6 ka BP. The estuary was divided into two parts by obstruction of a series of islands, an upper part composed of the semi-enclosed inner paleo-bay connected to rivers and a lower part consisting of the outer paleo-bay connected to the ocean. Both of these areas were interlinked by only a few narrows, in which the fluvial sediments are accumulated primarily in the inner paleo-bay. During 6-2 ka BP, the sedimentation in various regions of the inner paleo-bay occurred simultaneously with independent development under the remodeling and transformation effect of complex boundaries on river and ocean dynamics. After 2 ka BP, the evolution of the delta is no longer a simple natural process, but rather a common remodeling process accomplished by nature and humans.Pearl River Delta, Holocene, stratigraphic framework, delta evolution Citation:Wei X, Wu C Y. Holocene delta evolution and sequence stratigraphy of the Pearl Deltas consist of large bodies of estuary sediments that are accumulated as a result of dramatic variations in sedimentary dynamic conditions when a river flows into a lake or ocean. The primary conditions dominating the development and evolution of a delta include climate and regional tectonics, as well as the dynamic equilibrium between rivers and lakes/oceans, relative sea-level fluctuations, sediment supply rate, and topography of the receiving basin. Due to variations in these factors and their interactions, the evolutionary process of a delta is complex. Early studies of the Mississippi Delta are now considered classic [1-3], therefore, this delta has long been taken as the model for deltas worldwide. However, Van Andel and Curray [4] found that

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“…A local classification of Australian macrotidal estuaries was performed by Chappell and Woodroffe (1994), separating estuaries with different sets of morphodynamics and sedimentary facies models with comparison to several global estuaries and deltas. Hundreds of Australia's coastal water bodies were classified as wave/tide dominated estuaries, deltas, lagoons, strandplains, or tidal flats/tidal creeks by Heap et al (2004) and an analysis was made of the distribution and occurrence of geomorphic features and sedimentary facies within them. Roy et al (2001) classified southeast Australian estuaries on a basis of their geology and geomorphology in order to assess their ecological state.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological patterns of southeastern Mediterranean river mouths: The topographic setting of the beach as a forcing factor

Lichter¹,

Zviely²,

Klein³

2010

Geomorphology

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Facies evolution of Holocene estuaries and deltas: a large-sample statistical study from Australia

Cited by 79 publications

References 30 publications

Allochthonous and autochthonous contributions to carbon accumulation and carbon store in southeastern Australian coastal wetlands

Allochthonous and autochthonous contributions to carbon accumulation and carbon store in southeastern Australian coastal wetlands

Holocene delta evolution and sequence stratigraphy of the Pearl River Delta in South China

Morphological patterns of southeastern Mediterranean river mouths: The topographic setting of the beach as a forcing factor

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