Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 9.18
Schematic models
showing intertidal
morphodynamic processes
and sediment transport
patterns under different wave
and tidal regimes: (
a
) small
waves, (
b
) large waves and
neap tides, (
c
) large waves
and intermediate tides,
(
d
) large waves and spring
tides (After Fan et al.
2006
)
accretion season. It is noteworthy that the salt-marsh
land underwent continuous slight accretion throughout
the monitoring period, reasonably linked to the protec-
tion by the salt-marsh canopy (Fig.
9.19
).
The shoreline strike can play important role in the
seasonal cycle development owing to the selecting
effect of onshore and offshore wind. Along the north
bank of the Hangzhou Bay (Fig.
9.7
), the east-west ori-
entation shoreline makes the tidal flats sensitive to
summer tropical storms with onshore wind domina-
tion, whereas sluggish to winter storms with offshore
wind domination. This was clearly exhibited by the
alternations of the summer sandy erosional flats and
the winter muddy accretional flats (Fig.
9.20
, Yang
et al.
2008c
).
Seasonal cycles are also the most outstanding mor-
phodynamic action on the Guiana open-coast tidal
flats. The Guiana tidal flats differ from others by their
