Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2010, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (4): 48-55.doi: 10.11978/j.issn.1009-5470.2010.04.048cstr: 32234.14.j.issn.1009-5470.2010.04.048

• Marine geology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Types of settling particulate matter and flocs around the Taiwan Shoal

FANG Jian-yong, CHEN Jian, HU Yi, LIAO Lian-zhao   

  1. Third Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Xiamen 361005, China
  • Received:2008-12-15 Revised:2009-02-22 Online:2010-07-31 Published:2010-07-29
  • About author:方建勇(1978—), 男, 四川省眉山市人, 工程师, 硕士, 从事海洋沉积学研究。
  • Supported by:

    “908”专项(908-ZC-I-05); 国家海洋局第三海洋研究所基本科研业务费专项资金(海三科2008003)

Abstract:

Suspended matter samples obtained from the Taiwan Shoal and on its adjacent shelves from July 25 to August 10, 2004 were studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy disperse spectroscopy (EDX). The types of settling particulate matter (SPM) and their flocculating sedimentation are discussed. It is shown that the types of single particle are biology and mineral, among others, and that the types of flocs of SPM include larvacean houses, fecal flocs, diatom flocs, mineral flocs, organic film, miscellaneous flocs, minitype algae flocs, etc. The types of SPM are affected by ocean environment, such as topography, currents and land-based sources of input. Bio-flocculation and upwelling may be the primary reasons of aggregated SPM. Flocculation plays a very important role in the sedimentary processes of suspended matter.

Key words: suspended matter, types of settling particulate matter (SPM), flocs, the Taiwan Shoal