高山峡谷区古洪水事件重建研究进展

古洪水事件重建是地貌学与环境变化领域的前沿性课题之一.高山峡谷基岩河段是古洪水重建的理想场所,通过系统梳理国内外文献,评述古洪水事件重建研究进展,认为识别古水位标志(palaeo-stage indicators)、系统建立流域尺度洪水综合地貌证据是古洪水重建的前提和基础.而不同类型的古洪水地貌证据中,古洪水滞流沉积物...     

Fluvial response to Holocene climate change in low‐order streams of central Mexico

Alluvial sequences constitute a recognised source of information on past environmental change, but one that has scarcely been tapped in central Mexico. This paper reviews what is currently known about the Holocene alluvial stratigraphy of the region, focusing on the interplay between climate and the pace and style of sedimentation in the incised headwater reaches of stream networks. The records obtained in five different drainage basins – four in the state of Tlaxcala and one in Guanajuato – are presented and compared to published reconstructions of climate change. A near‐synchronous incision of all stream networks occurred close to 10 200 ¹⁴C a BP in response to an increase in precipitation and stream discharge. A spell of very humid but markedly seasonal conditions ensued, resulting in the formation of wet meadows along streams and the accumulation of thick fine‐textured valley fills dominated by cumulic soil A horizons. After 9100 ¹⁴C a BP a transition to a warmer and more arid climate provoked the thinning of vegetation cover on slopes, accelerated runoff and increased sediment delivery to streams. The aggradation of coarser‐textured valley fills poor in organic matter set in. It ceased or slowed down significantly after a few millennia as the studied stream reaches achieved a near‐graded condition adjusted to the relatively stable climate. Arid mid Holocene conditions are also reflected in the abundant precipitation of secondary carbonates in Guanajuato. At 3100 ¹⁴C a BP higher precipitation caused more frequent flooding and a resumption of aggradation. Shortly after that date sedentary farmers colonised Tlaxcala. Agriculture altered runoff and sediment delivery to streams and accelerated cut‐and‐fill cycles on a scale that masked the impact of any climatic fluctuations. Guanajuato was colonised later and its alluvial record suggests the persistence of a humid climate at least until 1000 ¹⁴C a BP. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

全新世古洪水事件光释光测年研究——以渭河下游临潼段为例

通过对渭河下游河谷进行深入的考察,在临潼段发现全新世黄土-古土壤层里夹有古洪水滞流沉积层。在剖面系统采样并进行磁化率和粒度成分分析,从沉积学角度证明该地层记录了全新世以来古洪水事件的信息。同时,在剖面采集OSL测年样品,应用单片再生剂量法(SAR)进行红外后蓝光(Post-IROSL)释光测量,获得了7个OSL绝对年龄值,建立了全新世剖面年代深度关系曲线,确定渭河在3200～3000aB.P.之间发生特大洪水事件。综合地层学对比以及剖面磁化率和粒度等气候替代性指标分析,揭示了全新世中期向晚期转折过渡时期,气候向干旱化转折,气候不稳定,频繁波动,降水变率大,是造成渭河流域特大洪水事件发生的主要原因。     

The back-barrier and barrier depositional history of Romney Marsh,Walland Marsh and Dungeness,Kent, England

Previous stratigraphical investigations of Romney Marsh have tended to be local in scale, and this has hindered efforts to establish a unifying stratigraphical framework for this area. This paper addresses this problem, by describing the results of a 12-km transect across Romney Marsh, linking previously studied back- and fore-marsh sites (Horsemarsh Sewer and Broomhill respectively), and presenting additional pollen, diatom and radiocarbon data from an intermediate, mid-marsh site (Brookland). One main organic unit is recorded across much of Romney Marsh, although its age, altitude and composition varies. Microfossil and radiocarbon data from Brookland and elsewhere on Romney Marsh show that this organic unit accumulated under a general removal and return of marine conditions that took place between ca. 5100 and 2000 yr BP. A recently proposed model of barrier development is used to investigate the history of back-barrier sedimentation in Romney and Walland Marshes. This model suggests a three-phase life-history for gravel barriers, which consists of initiation, stability and breakdown. Although there are problems in relating back-barrier deposits directly to barrier dynamics, nevertheless the Romney Marsh data do, for the most part, agree with the expected number and sequence of sea-level tendencies predicted by this model. The back-barrier stratigraphical data suggest that initiation, stability and breakdown of the Dungeness foreland occurred between ca. 6000 and 5000 yr BP, 5000 and 2000 yr BP and 2000 yr BP and present, respectively.     

Bed thickness characteristics of inner-shelf storm deposits associated with a transgressive to regressive Holocene wave-dominated shelf, Sendai coastal plain, Japan

Holocene inner-shelf storm deposits preserved beneath the Sendai coastal plain facing the Pacific coast of north-eastern Japan were formed during a transgressive–regressive cycle. The evolution of the Holocene wave-dominated depositional system along the Sendai coast is reconstructed using 76 AMS (accelerator mass spectrometers) ¹⁴C ages and the origin of bed thickness variations in the inner-shelf storm deposits is explored. The Holocene succession is <30 m thick and overlies latest Pleistocene to early Holocene non-marine deposits above a transgressive ravinement surface. It comprises transgressive ravinement and inner-shelf deposits, and regressive inner shelf, shoreface, and coastal plain deposits. The inner-shelf deposits comprise alternating sand and mud layers interpreted as stacked storm beds. The average preservation interval of a single storm bed is shortest during the transgression (5·7–20·6 years), and then increases to a maximum during the early regression (83·3–250·0 years), decreasing to 7·7–31·3 years with shoreline progradation. Average accumulation rates decreased during the transgression and then increased during the regression, but the sand/mud ratio varies little, reflecting inefficient sediment segregation downdip on the inner shelf. The vertical pattern of sand-layer thicknesses also shows no relationship to position within the cycle, although small-scale intervals of upward thickening and thinning probably relate to lateral switching of river mouths and/or random storm processes. The average thickness of storm beds is the highest in the interval deposited during the period from maximum flooding to early regression. This is probably because of the low preservation potential of thin beds associated with frequent, low-magnitude storms during this period of low accumulation rates and extensive reworking. This preservation bias and the nature of the Sendai inner shelf resulted in an absence of characteristic bed thickness trends in the preserved storm deposits.     

潮滩沉积记录正演模拟初探*

以江苏中部海岸潮滩沉积为原型,提出了获取潮滩沉积记录中沉积层保存潜力信息的正演模拟方法。模拟结果显示,在沉积物供应恒定的条件下,随着潮滩的不断淤长,岸线淤进速率逐渐减小,潮滩滩面的沉积速率逐渐降低,而潮滩层序中的泥质沉积的厚度向海逐渐增厚。沉积层保存潜力的计算结果显示,潮滩上保存潜力在高潮位附近和潮下带的较低部位为最高,可达80 ％ 以上,潮间带下部存在着低值区,保存潜力低于20 ％ ,与前人在潮间带进行的现场观测结果相近。对研究方法经进一步细化(如考虑滩面坡度和粒度分布变化、波浪和风暴潮作用、潮沟摆动等因素),并与反演方法相结合,可望更好地解释沉积记录中的环境演化信息。     

Quantification of the relation between surface morphodynamics and subsurface sedimentological product in sandy braided rivers

This study uses digital elevation models and ground‐penetrating radar to quantify the relation between the surface morphodynamics and subsurface sedimentology in the sandy braided South Saskatchewan River, Canada. A unique aspect of the methodology is that both digital elevation model and ground‐penetrating radar data were collected from the same locations in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, thus enabling the surface morphodynamics to be tied explicitly to the associated evolving depositional product. The occurrence of a large flood in 2005 also allowed the influence of discharge to be assessed with respect to the process–product relationship. The data demonstrate that the morphology of the study reach evolved even during modest discharges, but more extensive erosion was caused by the large flood. In addition, the study reach was dominated by compound bars before the flood, but switched to being dominated by unit bars during and after the flood. The extent to which the subsurface deposits (the ‘product’) were modified by the surface morphodynamics (the ‘process’) was quantified using the changes in radar‐facies recorded in sequential ground‐penetrating radar surveys. These surveys reveal that during the large flood there was an increase in the proportion of facies associated with bar margin accretion and larger dunes. In subsequent years, these facies became truncated and replaced with facies associated with smaller dune sets. This analysis shows that unit bars generally become truncated more laterally than vertically and, thus, they lose the high‐angle bar margin deposits and smaller scale bar‐top deposits. In general, the only fragments that remain of the unit bars are dune sets, thus making identification of the original unit barform problematic. This novel data set has implications for what may ultimately become preserved in the rock record.     

Sedimentation and recent history of a freshwater wetland in a semi-arid environment: Loboi Swamp, Kenya, East Africa

Loboi Swamp is a 1·5 km² freshwater wetland situated near the equator in the Kenya Rift Valley. The climate is semi‐arid: precipitation is ≈ 700 mm year^?1, and evapotranspiration is ≈ 2500 mm year^?1. Some of the wetland water is currently used for irrigation. An interdisciplinary study was conducted on the geology, hydrology, pedology and biology of the wetland to determine its origin and history and to assess its longevity under present hydrological conditions. Sedimentary records from two piston cores (1·8 and 4 m long) indicate that the present wetland developed during the late Holocene on a low‐relief alluvial plain. Floodplain deposits (sandy silts) are capped with wetland sediments (organic‐rich clay and peat), which began to form at ≈ 700 BP. The swamp is dominated by Typha domingensis Pers. (≈ 80%) and floating Cyperus papyrus L. (20%). It is fed by warm springs (T ≈ 35 °C; pH ≈ 6·4–6·9) emanating from grid faults of the rift floor. Water compositions suggest that sources are dominated by shallow meteoric water, with little contribution from deeper geothermal fluids. Siderite concretions in the floodplain silts reflect the Fe‐reducing conditions that developed as the surface became submerged beneath the water table. The pollen record captured both local and more regional vegetation, showing the prevailing dry rift valley climate despite development of the wetter conditions on the valley floor. The diatom record also suggests a dramatic change in local hydrology. The combined biological records of this semi‐arid wetland indicate an abrupt change to wetter conditions, most probably as a result of a regional change in climate. Rift tectonics provided accommodation space, maintained the wetland at or below the water table and enabled spring recharge. The size of the modern wetland has been reduced by about 60% since 1969, which suggests that the system may now be under hydrological stress due to anthropogenic impacts from land‐use change.     

Tropical cyclone activity and western North Atlantic stratification over the last millennium: a comparative review with viable connections

Tropical cyclones (TC) are recognized to modify the thermal structure of the upper ocean through the process of vertical mixing. Assessing the role this mixing plays in the overall stratification of the upper ocean is difficult, due to the relatively short and incomplete instrumental record. Proxy records for both TC landfalls and oceanographic stratification are preserved within the geological record and provide insight for how past changes in TC‐induced mixing have potentially affected water column structure prior to the instrumental record. Here we provide the first comparison between previously published paleo‐reconstructions of vertical ocean density and tropical cyclone activity from the western North Atlantic. A prominent lull in TC activity has been observed prior to approximately 1700 CE that extends back several centuries. This interval of low TC activity is shown to be concurrent with the timing of increased ocean stratification near Great Bahama Bank, potentially due in part to reduced TC‐induced mixing. To test whether this relationship is feasible, we present numerical results from a coarse‐resolution ocean general circulation model experiment isolating the effect of TC surface wind forcing on the upper ocean. An anomaly of roughly 0.12 kg m^?3 in vertical stratification occurs above and below the mixed layer for model runs with and without TC mixing. This anomaly is roughly 25% of the entire paleo‐density signal observed just prior to 1700 CE. These results suggest that TC mixing alone cannot completely explain the density anomaly observed prior to 1700 CE, but support TC variability as an important contributor to enhancing oceanic stratification during this interval. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Neoglacial chronology and floristics in the Middle Teton area,central Teton Range,Western Wyoming

The relative ages of Neogfacial deposits above 2900m near Cloudveil Dome, Middle Teton, and Teepe glaciers, central Teton Range, western Wyoming, were determined using topographic position, weathering features, lichenometry, vegetation characteristics, and soils. A three-fold deposit sequence is identified and correlated with the Gannett Peak, Audubon and Indian Basin Neoglacial advances described elsewhere in the Teton and nearby Wind River ranges. While soil profile morphology proved very useful in distinguishing deposits of different age, other age indicators such as clay mineralogy and soil chemistry, proved of only marginal value in age discrimination. This chronosequence, emplaced over the last ～5000yr, provides an excellent setting upon which to test changes in plant species composition and its use as a relative dating method. Vascular plant species composition cannot be used to discriminate deposits of the different advances, possibly because of random colonisation and establishment combined with extensive mass wasting during the Neoglacial. However, certain vegetation features, such as total cover and species densities, appear useful as relative dating methods.     

Data on stratotypes of the neopleistocene-holocene regional and local subdivisions in the Caspian region

Considered in the work are data characterizing stratotypes of regional and local stratigraphic subdivisions, which are distinguished in the Neopleistocene-Holocene sedimentary succession of the Caspian region. The succession is composed of sediments deposited by the Caspian transgressions and intervening continental sediments of the late Quaternary. Except for stratotypes of the Tyurkyany Horizon and Gyurgyany Formation, which are established in borehole sections, the other ones represent the well-stratified natural sections accessible for examination of their subdivisions distinguished based on biostratigraphic criteria. Mollusks of the genus Didacna Eichwald and fossil assemblages of large mammals are used to substantiate stratigraphy of marine and terrestrial deposits, respectively.     

Late Quaternary environmental changes on Pacific islands: controversy,certainty and conjecture

The late Quaternary history of the Pacific islands is poorly known. Most details about Pleistocene history come from studies of ocean-floor sediments, although a few insular pollen records extend back into the last glacial stage. There is limited evidence for Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) aridity and a rise in LGM–early Holocene precipitation associated with strengthening of the Southern Oscillation. The middle Holocene warming is best represented by sea-level records, which, from all parts of the Pacific, now show a contemporary maximum ca. 5000–3000 yr BP. Late Holocene cooling and precipitation increase were probably more widespread than available data suggest. The advent of humans into Pacific island environments, mostly during the late Holocene, is critically reviewed. Vegetation change may have, at least in part, been the result of climate change. Many Pacific island grasslands may be climatogenic rather than anthropogenic. Fires may have occurred naturally long before people arrived on Pacific islands. Ideas about early human impacts on Pacific island enviroments need to be critically reviewed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The stratigraphy and origin of the Tofts ridge in north-western Fenland,eastern England

The Tofts located in north-western Fenland is a low ridge composed of sandy silt, elevated several metres above the surrounding land. Stratigraphically, the feature is the landward edge of an intertidal-subtidal sand body that stretches east into The Wash. It was the location of a Medieval salt-making industry. The ridge seems to have been initiated after 2100?cal?years BP by storm waves and/or wind transporting sediment landward from adjacent intertidal flats. Differential consolidation of peat on its landward side and dumping of sediment onto the surface during salt-making enhanced its morphological expression.     

Stratigraphy of peat bog in the Gorobets River valley and development of natural environments of Shikotan Island (Lesser Kurile Ridge) in the Holocene

The stratigraphic subdivision of peat in the Gorobets River valley, the largest river on Shikotan Island, is conducted based on the study of palynological and diatom assemblages, tephrostratigraphy, and radiocarbon dating. The study object is one of the oldest peats in the South Kurile region and reflects the development of natural environments beginning from the early Holocene. Nine phases are distinguished in the development of vegetation on Shikotan Island. The changes in vegetable communities were determined by climatic fluctuations during the Holocene. Their ages, the factors responsible for the appearance and extinction of particular coniferous, small-, and broad-leaved taxa, and changes in their landscape-forming role during different periods of the Holocene, as well as specific features in the formation of the present-day vegetation on the Lesser Kurile Ridge representing a separate floral area, are established. In addition to the climatic and sea-level fluctuations, the development of the island landscapes was determined to a significant extent by its topography, size, and isolation.     

华北晚古生代海平面变化及其层序地层响应

依据沉积学、煤地质学、层序地层学、古生物学等多学科综合方法,对华北地区晚古生代地层进行层序地层分析,并研究了相对海平面升降和其层序地层学响应,研究结果表明:研究区晚古生代地层存在着8种层序界面,主要包括古构造运动面、古生物间断面、大面积泥炭化沼泽化界面、陆表海低水位砂体底界、盆地转换界面、大范围冲刷面、大面积暴露面和硅质海绵岩等;依据界面的划分原则可以将研究区地层划分出1个盆地充填层序、3个构造层序(相当于二级层序)和7个三级层序;分析发现,基于层序格架下的相对海平面升降可以分为层序1-层序3的短期大规模海侵阶段及长时间海退阶段和层序4-层序7的长时期的海退阶段.在此基础上,依据海平面变化曲线及其层序地层响应特征发现华北晚古生代海平面变化具有周期性与复合性和高频性与事件性等特点.     

Evolution of a coastal alluvial deposit in response to the last Quaternary marine transgression, Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina

The purpose of this research is to analyze the seismostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental features of an ancient fluvial deposit characterized by the presence of paleochannels and sedimentary structures in Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina. To this end, high-resolution seismic methods were used. Paleochannels exhibiting v-shaped cuts were found at different topographic positions at the base of this deposit. It was observed that channel silting is indicative of the relative change of river base level and the consequent migration of fluvial tributaries. This alluvial deposit is composed of low compacted fine sand and its middle–upper facies is characterized by the presence of horizontal and discontinuous wavy reflectors. The upper boundary of this deposit is an erosive discontinuity resulting from Holocene sea-level rise during which the mouth of old fluvial courses underwent changes. The deposit was subsequently buried by sandy and clayey silt sediments. The paleodrainage at subbottom indicates that this deposit is associated with an ancient river mouth. Based on the seismostratigraphic and lithological characteristics and the paleochannel structures found in the study area, it can be concluded that the deposit analyzed is an alluvial sequence formed in the period from the Middle-Late Pleistocene to Holocene marine transgression.     

The incised valley of Baffin Bay,Texas: a tale of two climates

Baffin Bay, Texas is the flooded Last Glacial Maximum incised valley of the Los Olmos, San Fernando and Petronila Creeks along the north‐western Gulf of Mexico. Cores up to 17 m in length and high‐resolution seismic profiles were used to study the history of Baffin Bay over the last 10 kyr and to document the unusual depositional environments within the valley fill. The deposits of the Baffin Bay incised valley record two major and two minor events. Around 8·0 ka, the estuarine environments backstepped more than 15 km in response to an increase in the rate of sea‐level rise. Around 5·5 ka, these estuarine environments changed from environments similar to other estuaries of the northern Gulf of Mexico to the unusual suite of environments found today. Another minor flooding event occurred around 4·8 ka in which several internal spits were flooded. Some time after 4·0 ka, the upper‐bay mud‐flats experienced a progradational event. Because of its semi‐arid climate and isolation from the Gulf of Mexico, five depositional environments not found in the other incised‐valley fills of the northern Gulf of Mexico are found today within Baffin Bay. These deposits include well‐laminated carbonate and siliciclastic open‐bay muds, ooid beaches, shelly internal spits and barrier islands, serpulid worm‐tube reefs and prograding upper‐bay mud‐flats. Based on these unusual deposits, and other characteristics of Baffin Bay, five criteria are suggested to help identify incised valleys that filled in arid and semi‐arid climates. These criteria include the presence of: (i) hypersaline‐tolerant fauna; (ii) aeolian deposits; and (iii) carbonate and/or evaporite deposits; and the absence of: (iv) peat or other organic‐rich deposits in the upper bay and bay‐margin areas; and (v) well‐developed fluvially dominated bayhead deltas.     

Holocene annual mean temperature changes in Estonia and their relationship to solar insolation and atmospheric circulation patterns

We reconstructed annual mean temperature (T_ann) trends from three radiocarbon-dated Holocene pollen stratigraphies from lake sediments in Estonia, northern Europe. The reconstructions were carried out using a North-European pollen-climate calibration model based on weighted averaging partial least-squares regression. The cross-validated prediction error of the model is 0.89°C and the coefficient of determination between observed modern T_ann values and those predicted by the model is 0.88. In the reconstruction, the Holocene thermal maximum (HTM) is distinguishable at 8000-4500 cal yr B.P., with the expansion of thermophilous tree species and T_ann on average 2.5°C higher than at present. The pollen-stratigraphical data reflect progressively warmer and drier summers during the HTM. Analogously with the modern decadal-scale climatic variability in North Europe, we interpret this as an indication of increasing climatic continentality due to the intensification of anticyclonic circulation and meridional air flow. Post-HTM cooling started abruptly at around 4500 cal yr B.P. All three reconstructions show a transient (ca. 300 years) cooling of 1.5-2.0°C at 8600-8000 cal yr B.P. We tentatively correlate this cold event with the North-Atlantic “8.2 ka event” at 8400-8000 cal yr B.P. Provided that the 8.2 ka event was caused by freshening of the North-Atlantic surface water, our data provide evidence of the climatic and vegetational responsiveness of the boundary of the temperate and boreal zones to the weakening of the North-Atlantic thermohaline circulation and the zonal energy transport over Europe. No other cold events of comparable magnitude are indicated during the last 8000 years.