Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2019, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (6): 41-50.doi: 10.11978/2019013CSTR: 32234.14.2019013

• Marine Geomorphology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Characteristics of recent evolution in Qinzhou Bay influenced by human activities

YANG Liuzhu1,2,3(), YANG Liling1,2, PAN Hongzhou1,2, LIU Chaoqun1,2, YU Fenghua1,2   

  1. 1. The Pearl River Hydraulic Research Institute, Guangzhou 510611, China;
    2. Key Laboratory of dynamics and associated process of the Pearl River Estuary, Ministry of water resources;
    3. Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510611, China
  • Received:2019-01-23 Revised:2019-02-23 Online:2019-11-20 Published:2019-11-26
  • Contact: Liuzhu YANG E-mail:yanglzhlz@qq.com
  • Supported by:
    National Key Research and Development Project(2018YFC0407804);National Natural Science Foundation of China(51779280);Scientific and Technological Projects of Guangxi Water Resources Department(201602)

Abstract:

Based on the underwater topographical data and remote sensing data from the 1980s, we analyze the characteristics of shoal-trough pattern change and erosion-siltation evolution in Qinzhou Bay under the influence of recent high intensity human activities. We also discuss the reasons from the aspect of dynamic geomorphology combining the methods of remote sensing, GIS, and numerical simulation. The results indicate that the Maowei Sea showed overall deposition, the siltation intensity of the shallow water area above the 2m isobath was significantly greater than that in the other areas, and the channel was characterized by erosion due to artificial sand mining and enhancement of tidal current. The outer bay was dominated by deposition, but its deposition rate was less than that of the inner bay. The scouring and silting characteristics of the shoal and trough were significantly different. The west channel, middle channel, and the side foreland were dominated by deposition, while Middle Shoal, East Channel were characterized by scour. Due to high intensity human activities, the flood and ebb tidal capacity of the Maowei Sea reduced 4.6% and 4%, respectively, which caused continuous deposit. The coastline in the middle of the outer bay has been pushed toward the sea significantly, which made the tidal current concentrated and increased velocity by 0.1~0.2 m·s -1, leading to the erosion of the Middle Shoal. The deepening of the East Channel made flow in the Middle Channel move to the East Channel, which made the Middle Channel shrink. The changes of the horizontal Kelvin number indicate that human activities have greater impact on the East and Middle channels of the outer bay. The stability of the East Channel is enhanced and the Middle Channel continues to shrink, while the stability of the West Channel remains basically unchanged.

Key words: Qinzhou Bay, human activities, dynamic geomorphology, evolution characteristics.