The spatial distribution of major and trace elements of surface sediments in the northeastern Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea

GE Qian; XUE George Z; YE Liming; XU Dong; ZHAO Jianru; CHU Fengyou

doi:10.1007/s13131-019-1402-x

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Article Navigation > Acta Oceanologica Sinica > 2019 > 38(3): 93-102

GE Qian, XUE George Z, YE Liming, XU Dong, ZHAO Jianru, CHU Fengyou. The spatial distribution of major and trace elements of surface sediments in the northeastern Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea[J]. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2019, 38(3): 93-102. doi: 10.1007/s13131-019-1402-x

Citation:

GE Qian, XUE George Z, YE Liming, XU Dong, ZHAO Jianru, CHU Fengyou. The spatial distribution of major and trace elements of surface sediments in the northeastern Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea[J]. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2019, 38(3): 93-102. doi: 10.1007/s13131-019-1402-x

Citation:

GE Qian, XUE George Z, YE Liming, XU Dong, ZHAO Jianru, CHU Fengyou. The spatial distribution of major and trace elements of surface sediments in the northeastern Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea[J]. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2019, 38(3): 93-102. doi: 10.1007/s13131-019-1402-x

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The spatial distribution of major and trace elements of surface sediments in the northeastern Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea

doi: 10.1007/s13131-019-1402-x

1.
Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China;Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, State Oceanic Administration, Hangzhou 310012, China
2.
Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;Center for Computation and Technology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;Coastal Studies Institute, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA

Received Date: 2018-02-12

Abstract

Abstract

A multi-index analysis including grain size, major and trace elements is performed on the surface sediments from the northeastern Beibu Gulf to trace the sources of the sediments and to understand the controlling factors for elements distribution. The mean grain size exhibits a wide variation ranging from 0.09Φ to 8.05Φ with an average value of 5.33Φ. The average contents of major elements descend in an order of c(SiO₂) > c(Al₂O₃) > c(Fe₂O₃) > c(CaO) > c(MgO) > c(K₂O) > c(Na₂O) > c(TiO₂) > c(P₂O₅) > c(MnO), while those of trace elements exhibit a descending order of c(Sr) > c(Rb) > c(V) > c(Zn) > c(Cr) > c(Pb) > c(Ni) > c(Cu) > c(As). On the basis of elementary distribution characteristics and statistical analyses, the study area is divided into the four zones:Zone I is located in the northeastern coastal area of the gulf, which receives large amount of fluvial materials from local rivers in Guangxi and Guangdong, China, and the Qiongzhou Strait; Zone Ⅱ is located in the center of the study area, where surface sediments exhibits a multiple source; Zone Ⅲ is located in the Qiongzhou Strait, where surface sediments are dominated by materials from the Zhujiang River and Hainan; Zone IV is located in the southwest of the study area, where surface sediments are mainly originated from the Red River and Hainan. The statistical analyses of sediment geochemical characteristics reveal that the grain size, which is mainly influenced by hydrodynamics and mineral composition of terrigenous materials, is the leading factor controlling the elementary distribution. Meanwhile, impacts from anthropogenic activities and marine biogenic process will also be taken into consideration.
- grain size,
- major and trace elements,
- Beibu Gulf,
- spatial distribution,
- sediment source

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