珠江三角洲河口湾现代生物遗迹的组成和分布特征

doi:10.11978/2025004

Abstract

Abstract:

The estuary bay of the Pearl River Delta is influenced by the combined actions of waves, tides and river flows, creating a unique sedimentary environment rich in modern biological relics. These relics serve as highly sensitive indicators of environmental changes during depositional processes. By precisely identifying the composition of these biological relics within the estuary bay and establishing a relational model linking their distribution characteristics to the sedimentary environment, this study enriches our ichnological comprehension of modern estuary systems. Utilizing sedimentological and ichnological methods, we examined the biological relics in the Pearl River Delta estuary through analyses of salinity, particle size, turbidity, X-ray computed tomography, and computer-assisted core sample reconstruction. This study focused on the characteristics of biological relics across diverse microenvironments. Key findings include: (1) The dominant trace-makers include Brachyura, Perinereis, Periophthalmus, Paguridae, and Mactridae. Surface traces consist of crawling tracks, foot impressions, drag marks, foraging paths, excavation marks, bird footprints, and sand silkworm feces, with the highest abundance occurring within sediment layers. Burrows exhibit diverse shapes, such as I-shaped, Y-shaped, and U-shaped forms. (2) The spatial distribution of biological relics in the Pearl River Delta estuary is markedly uneven, with greater diversity and abundance of traces in tidal flats compared to other microenvironments. (3) Benthic trace-making organisms occupy distinct sediment layers: small crabs, mudskippers, and clams inhabit the shallow layer; larger crabs and Perinereis aibuhitensis dominant the middle layer; while the deep layer is predominantly occupied by Perinereis aibuhitensis, reflecting its extensive ecological adaptability and bioturbation intensity. This study provides empirical data for modern sedimentology and ichnology in the Pearl River Delta estuary, establishing a foundation for reconstructing ancient ichnological environments and enhancing the precise understanding of ancient estuary environments.

Key words: modern biological relics, estuary, biological sedimentary structures, Pearl River Delta, sedimentary model

CLC Number:

P512.2

LIU Zeyu, ZHANG Guocheng, WANG Yuanyuan. Composition and distribution characteristics of modern biological relics in the estuary of Pearl River Delta[J].Journal of Tropical Oceanography, 2025, 44(6): 39-50.

Figures/Tables 9

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Composition and distribution characteristics of modern biological relics in the estuary of Pearl River Delta

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