Sediment Movement on River-mouth Tidal Flat using Color Sand Tracing and X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis

Abstract

The experiment of color sand tracking was carried out to investigate sediment movement on a tidal flat. Observations of current and water level were also conducted in two days. Longshore currents on the flat were much influenced by wind and cross-shore currents responded to the tidal oscillation. By the experiment, the sand was moved to the north widely by strong southerly or westerly winds in a short time and the sand was also pushed southward by frequent and relatively mild wind from the north. The contents of chemical elements in the sands were measured by the X-ray Fluorescence analysis. The distribution of the contents of some single elements and correlation among datasets of element contents indicated the similar pattern of sand movement by the experiment.