Morphological and sedimentary features of sandy-muddy transitional beaches in estuaries and bays along mesotidal to macrotidal coasts

Sandy-muddy transitional beaches (SMT-Beaches), representing the transition from sandy beaches to tidal mudflats, should theoretically develop very different morphological and sedimentological characteristics in river estuaries and in semi-enclosed bays due to their contrasting dynamic sedimentary environments. Evidence, however, is rare in the scientific literature. To reveal these morphological and sedimentary differences, the sand–mud transition (SMT) boundary distribution, beach profiles, and surface and downcore sediment grain-size compositions of 27 SMT-Beaches located along mesotidal to macrotidal coasts of the western Taiwan Strait, southeastern China, were investigated. The results show that typical estuarine SMT-Beaches are mainly characterized by an ambiguous SMT, a long distance between the SMT and the coastline (31–302 m), lower SMT and inflection point altitudes (average –0.76 m and –0.04 m), and lower upper beach gradients (~0.068) with fine sand. Estuarine SMT-Beach sediments display clear interbedded mud and sand layers, implying potential SMT migrations over various timescales. By contrast, typical bay SMT-Beaches are characterized by distinct SMT, a short distance between the SMT and the coastline (11–52 m), higher SMT and inflection point altitudes (~0.24 m and ~0.35 m), and narrower upper beaches with higher gradients (~0.095) and coarse sand. Bay SMT-Beaches present relatively stable sedimentary sequences and a narrow gravel belt surrounding the inflection point and/or SMT. These morphological and sedimentary differences between the two SMT-Beach types are initially constrained by sediment supply and transport and are further affected by tide conditions and wave climate. Sediment supply and transport predominately control the sediment structures, while the tidal range strongly influences spatial variations in SMT distances. Wave climate normally drives SMT altitude variations. This study highlights the morphological and sedimentary differences in SMT-Beaches in estuaries and bays, providing important knowledge for further revealing their morphodynamic processes and potential future nourishment. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in coastal sediments of southwest Taiwan: An appraisal of diagnostic ratios in source recognition

Fifty-seven surface sediment samples were collected from the coast of southwest Taiwan and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Concentrations of total PAHs (28 PAH compounds) ranged from 15 to 907 ng g⁻¹ dry weight. Diagnostic ratios showed that PAHs in the sediments of the Gaoping estuary were predominantly of petroleum origin, whereas sediments from the Kaohsiung coast contained principally combustion-derived PAHs. Principal component analysis indicated that emissions from automobiles and coal burning were the main sources of combustion-derived PAHs. The relatively high ratios of perylene/penta-aromatic PAH isomers in sediments from the Tainan coast and some off-shore stations on the Kaohsiung coast suggest a significant diagenetic PAH contribution. The study shows that certain diagnostic ratios are useful and sensitive in delineating the distribution of PAHs from specific sources in southwest Taiwan. The phenanthrene/anthracene ratio is a better indicator than the methylphenanthrenes/phenanthrene ratio for tracing petrogenic PAHs, and the benzo(a)anthracene/chrysene and indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene/benzo(g,h,i)perylene ratios are more specific than the benzo(a)pyrene/benzo(e)pyrene and benzo(b)fluoranthcene/benzo(k)fluoranthcene ratios in distinguishing PAHs from various pyrogenic sources.     

Inversion of source process and related studies of the Taiwan Strait earthquake using genetic algorithm

Applying genetic algorithm to inversion of seismic moment tensor solution and using the data of P waveform from digital network and initial motion directions of P waves of Taiwan network stations, we studied the moment tensor solutions and focal parameters of the earthquake of M=7.3 on 16 September of 1994 in Taiwan Strait and other four quakes of M _L≥5.8 in the near region (21°–26°N, 115°–120°E). Among the five earthquakes, the quake of M=7.3 on September 16, 1994 in Taiwan Strait is the strongest one in the southeastern coast area since Nan’ao earthquake of M=7.3 in 1918. The results show that moment tensor solution of M=7.3 earthquake is mainly double-couple component, and is normal fault whose fault plane is near NW. The strike of the fault plane resembles that of the distributive bands of earthquakes before the main event and fracture pattern shown by aftershocks. The tension stress axis of focal mechanism is about horizontal, near in NE strike, the compressive stress axis is approximately vertical, near in NWW strike. It seems that this quake is controlled by the force of Philippine plate’s pressing Eurasian plate in NW direction. But from the viewpoint of P axis of near vertical and T axis of near horizontal, it is a normal fault of strong tensibility. There are relatively big difference between focal mechanism solution of this quake and those of the four other strong quakes. The complexity of source mechanism solution of these quakes represents the complexity of the process of the strait earthquake sequences. Contribution No. 98A01001, Institute of Geophysics, State Seismological Bureau, China. The subject is supported and helped by Academician Yun-Tai CHEN, Profs. Qing-Yao HONG, Zhen-Xing YAO, Tian-Yu ZHENG, Yao-Lin SHI, Ji-An XU, Bo-Shou HUANG and colleague Mei-Jian AN, Xue-Reng DING, Rui-Feng LIU. De-Chong ZHANG and Ming Li provided the digital data warm-heartedly. Lin-Ying WANG offered us the catalogue of earthquakes in southeastern coastal area in China. Xi-Li WANG and Tong-Xia BAI provided us the issued annual reports data. The authors would like to express their gratitude to all of these people. This paper is sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Scientific and Technological Commission of Shantou, Guangdong Province.     

1994年9月16日台湾海峡7.3级地震震源过程的研究

采用数字化台网Ｐ波波形资料及台湾台网Ｐ波初动方向资料,研究了１９９４年９月１６日台湾海峡７３级地震及邻近地区（北纬２１～２６°,东经１１５～１２０°）ＭＬ≥５８级共５次地震的矩张量解及震源参数。结果表明,这次７３级地震的矩张量解以双力偶成分为主,是断层面接近ＮＷ走向的正断层。断层面的走向与大震前地震的条带分布走向及余震分布显示的破裂图象较相象,震源机制的张应力轴接近水平,近ＮＥ走向;压应力轴几乎垂直,近ＮＷＷ走向,似乎表明这次地震是受菲律海板块向欧亚板块北西向挤压的力源控制。从Ｐ轴接近竖直而Ｔ轴接近水平来看,发震断层为强烈拉张性正断层,可能还同时存在垂直向上的应力作用。其它４个强震的震源机制解与７３级大震的差别较大。这些地震震源机制解的复杂性,表明台湾海峡地震序列的发展过程比较复杂。     

中国台湾南部及其周边岛屿现今地壳形变的位错模型

通过建立非震形变的位错模型,用混合全局反演方法,拟合了中国台湾南部1990-1995年间的GPS观测资料.根据地质构造和地震观测,构筑了包括6个刚性块体和19个断层的简单模型.反演结果表明,菲律宾海板块以(69±2)mm/a,方向为317°±2°的速度与欧亚板块会聚,其中约一半的会聚率在台东纵谷消耗掉,另外部分则平均分配在其西边的块体交界处.菲律宾海板块和中央山脉地质区均向西北方向挤压,过了中央山脉后,块体运动呈扇形分布,与应力方向一致.西部麓山地质区与滨海平原地质区交界处的断层均以逆冲分量为主,由南向北倾角逐渐变小,断层宽度一般为10km左右,均表现为强锁定,历史上的大地震多发生在这个地区.     

台北盆地构造特征及形成机制探讨

台北盆地位于台湾造山带的北部,它的形成有其特殊的机制而不同于一般意义上由于造山带的垮塌直接导致的盆地。钻井、地震勘探等资料表明,控制盆地形成的山脚断层并不是一条完整的正断层,而是由 3个段落组成,每个段落控制 1个沉积中心,彼此之间没有沟通。山脚断层各段落的活动性并不相同,向NE方向随时间逐渐增强,目前最为活动的段落集中在中段和北段,南段已不活动。台北盆地并不是一个孤立发育的盆地,是与金山断层东南的大屯火山群同时陷落的,具有一致的地球物理场背景、沉降规模以及正断层活动,广义的台北盆地从沉降范围和机制上还应该包括金山断层以南的大屯火山群。盆地周围发育了一系列的火山 (群),由于盆地的发育是紧随这些火山主要活动之后的,盆地的形成与周围火成活动有着必然联系,一些地球物理资料和盆地内的构造发育及沉积迁移特征表明,台北盆地的发育是深部岩浆体的冷却收缩所致。台北盆地深部存在与大屯火山群深部相通的岩浆体,岩浆体的冷却由南向北迁移     

台湾西南海域地震数据处理及天然气水合物地震属性

对台湾西南海域增生楔部位长排列多道地震数据进行地震成像、速度分析、AVO分析、AVO反演处理,获得了天然气水合物多属性地震特征.在偏移剖面上,BSR与海底近似平行,极性与海底相反,穿越沉积层.AVO分析显示,强BSR振幅部位,BSR振幅随偏移距增大而增大.精细速度分析表明强BSR振幅下方存在纵波低速层.对应于强BSR振幅部位,AVO反演的P波、G波为相对高负值区,位于P、G交会图的第三象限,该部位泊松比变化率为负值,横波反射系数接近于零.以上多属性地震特征均预示着该区域可能存在天然气水合物层,且天然气水合物层下方可能存在游离甲烷气层.     

南极布兰斯菲尔德海峡晚第四纪有孔虫埋藏群特征及其环境初探

分析了采自南极布兰斯菲尔德海峡海槽中ＰＣ１０孔（７５３ｃｍ长）的３９个样品，共鉴定有孔虫１４属２１种。有孔虫埋藏可分为硅质壳、钙质壳和混合壳组合。硅质壳组合代表正常的深海沉积环境，反映了相对弱的海底水动力条件；钙质壳组合是浊流沉积的产物，反映了很强的海底水动力条件；混合壳组合则代表趋于正常的深海沉积环境，反映了由强渐弱的海底水动力条件。晚第四纪以来，本区经历了暖－冷－暖的气候变化过程。     

试析台湾高速铁路的规划建设

高速铁路的规划建设是台湾地区至今单项投资和规模最大的公共工程。采用了与以往不同的融资模式。当局的意图在于，适应岛上西线铁路客运不断增长的需求，追赶国际上铁路运输技术现代化的先进水平，同时扩大内需市场，激活重心所在的西部走廊经济的进一步发展。在一个地域配置布局高速铁路运输生产力，要求区域有发达的经济、客运量大的市际高速客运和铁路客货分流任务、新线沿路网已形成的既有铁路线方向修筑等背景条件。有别于一般陆运线路。台湾在具备这些背景条件下规划建设高铁。它在背景时机条件的选择、技术适用性的论证，以及新融资模式的采用各方面，提供了有益的经验和借鉴。本文的分析论证提供了一个认识世界铁路运输新发展的案例。     

Transfer of Taiwanese ideas and technology to The Gambia, West Africa: a viable approach to rural development?

The development of Taiwan's agricultural sector contributed significantly to the country's transformation from virtual poverty after World War II to a modern industrial nation. Success resulted from the use of appropriate technologies, developed through an exceptionally close working relationship between government, research and development institutions, extension services and farmers in Taiwan. As part of their overseas development aid programme, the Republic of China on Taiwan has established Technical Missions in those developing countries where it receives political recognition. Among these is The Gambia, West Africa, where one focus of Taiwan's current Technical Mission is the development of women's market gardens. Although the gardens have proved successful, there is doubt as to whether their achievements will be sustained once Taiwan's Technical Mission in The Gambia has ended. Field research in Taiwan and in The Gambia, based largely on participatory techniques, has revealed that the low-tech methods introduced from Taiwan are appropriate for the Gambian environment. However, much depends on whether women participating in the schemes can commit sufficient time and energy to the gardens, as at present this is a limiting factor. The potential of the gardens may also be constrained by a lack of appropriate institutional infrastructure, particularly the scope for profitable disposal of garden produce. A major conclusion of the article is that successful transfer of appropriate technology to The Gambia is likely to be impeded by poorly developed coordination between groups that proved to be key 'players' in the development of agriculture in Taiwan: government, research and development institutions, extension services and producers.