Variations in sediment properties, Skeffling mudflat, Humber Estuary, UK

Paterson, David M.; Tolhurst, T.J.; Kelly, Julie; Honeywill, Claire; Deckere, E.M.G.T. de; Huet, Valérie; Shayler, S.A.; Black, K. S.; Brouwer, J. de; Davidson, I.

doi:10.1016/s0278-4343(00)00028-5

Cited by 142 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…If, as reported by Bloch et al (2002), burial diagenetic clay coats result from recrystallization of clay coats formed during deposition, then developing a robust understanding of the origin of the primary coats will lead to models capable of predicting reservoir quality in sandstones (Wooldridge et al, 2017). It should be noted that diatom (MPB) biofilm-producing organisms have been reported previously from other modern estuarine environments (Paterson et al, 2000) and deltaic sediments (Delgado, 1989). This has implications for a possible consistent biofilm-mediated origin for the reported similar clay-coated sand grain textures within such marginal marine sedimentary systems (Dowey et al, 2017).…”

Section: Implications For Clay-coated Sand Grains In Sandstonesmentioning

confidence: 85%

Biofilm origin of clay-coated sand grains

Wooldridge

Worden

Griffiths

et al. 2017

Geology

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The presence of clay-sized particles and clay minerals in modern sands and ancient sandstones has long presented an interesting problem, because primary depositional processes tend to lead to physical separation of fine-and coarse-grained materials. Numerous processes have been invoked to explain the common presence of clay minerals in sandstones, including infiltration, the codeposition of flocculated muds, and bioturbation-induced sediment mixing. How and why clay minerals form as grain coats at the site of deposition remains uncertain, despite clay-coated sand grains being of paramount importance for subsequent diagenetic sandstone properties. We have identified a new biofilm mechanism that explains clay material attachment to sand grain surfaces that leads to the production of detrital clay coats. This study focuses on a modern estuary using a combination of field work, scanning electron microscopy, petrography, biomarker analysis, and Raman spectroscopy to provide evidence of the pivotal role that biofilms play in the formation of clay-coated sand grains. This study shows that within modern marginal marine systems, clay coats primarily result from adhesive biofilms. This bio-mineral interaction potentially revolutionizes the understanding of clay-coated sand grains and offers a first step to enhanced reservoir quality prediction in ancient and deeply buried sandstones.

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Section: Implications For Clay-coated Sand Grains In Sandstonesmentioning

confidence: 85%

Biofilm origin of clay-coated sand grains

Wooldridge

Worden

Griffiths

et al. 2017

Geology

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“…Several studies have measured erodibility of mudflat sediments in situ (e.g., Black 1997;Amos et al 1998;Paterson et al 2000;Widdows et al 2000;Friend et al 2003), or in laboratory experiments (e.g., Holland et al 1974;de Jonge and van den Bergs 1985;Sutherland et al 1998). Differences in erodibility were observed, depending upon biofilm and sediment characteristics, location, seasons, etc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Erodibility and erosion patterns of mudflat sediments investigated using an annular flume

2006

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Laboratory flume experiments were carried out, to measure the effect of biota on erodibility of mudflat sediments. The experiments sought to reproduce the environment of the lower mudflat at Hythe, Southampton Water, Southern England; this is characterised by fine grain-size and a surface layer of very fluid mud. Natural sediments were used to produce settled beds in the Lab Carousel, an annular flume of 2 m diameter. The following bed conditions were investigated diatom biofilms; the addition of cockles (Cerastoderma edule); and abiotic sediment, obtained by the addition of sodium hypochlorite. The erosion threshold (s crit , calculated with the TKE method) was in the range 0.02-0.20 Pa. Bioconsolidation increased s crit considerably: compared to the abiotic sediment experiment, s crit was 5-10 times higher depending on the biofilm development. The relationship between s crit and water content of sediment (the best proxy for sediment compaction) was as good, or better than between s crit and chlorophyll a (proxy for biofilm development). When cockles were introduced, s crit was significantly lower (reduction by 50-75% compared with the diatom biofilm experiments), reflecting the surface disturbance by the bivalves. The biofilm erosion was characterised by a patchy pattern: the bed surface stayed mainly uneroded and erosion was visible only on a few elongated patches commencing at some weakness points of the biofilm, then progressing downstream. The results illustrate the importance of the surface heterogeneity: the irregularities of a natural bed (weak points of the biofilm, bioturbations, microrelief, larger roughness elements like shells or algae, etc.) have a determinant effect on the erodibility of biofilms. Such characteristics may have more influence than biofilm strength, because the erosion starts from the weaker areas.Abbreviations: s crit -critical shear stress (erosion threshold); QFL -quadratic friction law method; SSCsuspended sediment concentration; TKE -turbulent kinetic energy method

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“…On intertidal flats, regular spatial diatom patterns can develop in early spring (Weerman et al 2010, de Brouwer et al 2000, Paterson et al 2000. These patterns develop because of an interaction between benthic algae and sedimentary processes (Weerman et al 2010) and are characterized by regularly spaced, diatom-covered hummocks alternating with almost bare, water-filled hollows (de Brouwer et al 2000, Weerman et al 2010.…”

Section: Abstract: Corophium Volutator · Hydrobia Ulvae · Microphytomentioning

confidence: 99%