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Inferred Suspended Sediment Transport Process in the Head Region of Kao-Ping Submarine Canyon Based on Temporal and Spacial Hydrographic Observations

Kao-ping submarine canyon is straightly connected with Kao-ping River. Thus, it is influenced by the river¡¦s discharge. In order to investigate this seasonal difference in the canyon, we conducted several researches, which were based on temporal and spacial observations of the hydrological and dynamical characteristic of the canyon. We also studied the transport of suspended sediment particles in the canyon according to the distribution of SSC (suspended sediment concentration). In our research, we made along-canyon profile observations. We collected data by using CTD, ADCP and Transmissometer on R/V Ocean Researches Vessel ¢». The data include flood season cruises (CR536, CR248, CR552, CR634 and CR639), and dry season cruises (CR572, CR598, CR608).
Based on the temporal and spacial observations, in June and July 1999 we found a cold pool at the location where canyon topography changed sharply. We also found the density disturbance and high concentration at the same location. When the tidal current was landward in the deep canyon, we can observes upwelling in the head region of the canyon. Conversely, we can observe downwelling while the tidal current was seaward. Moreover, we observed a strong vertical flow in the dry season, which can make resuspended easily.
Besides, we deployed an instrument covey, including sediment traps, Recording Current Meter (RCM), wave gauge (S700) and Laser In-Suit Scattering and Transmissiometry (LISST-100), at the location where we previously observed SSC localizes high for one month (from June to July 2000) to investigate the temporal relations among temperature, salinity, flow, and suspended particles. From this time series observation we found a coincidence between cold temperature signal and the northward flow. It showed that the cold water from deep sea was transported to the head region of the canyon by a ¡¥Pump¡¦ process. We also observed the suspended particles at the top (195m), middle (245m), and the bottom (285m) of the ocean. According to their different sizes, we found that the upper depth has more sands which were from the continental shelf, and the middle and lower depth have more silt and clay.
Subsequently, we used Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis to explain the relationship among hydrological and flow factors of the canyon. We concluded that two major modes to explain the observed relationship: Submarine canyon seasonal effect, and dynamic stability.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:NSYSU/oai:NSYSU:etd-0712102-153519
Date12 July 2002
CreatorsHuang, Jeffery
ContributorsJames T. Liu, none, J. Wang, Ruo-Shan Tseng
PublisherNSYSU
Source SetsNSYSU Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Archive
LanguageCholon
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
Sourcehttp://etd.lib.nsysu.edu.tw/ETD-db/ETD-search/view_etd?URN=etd-0712102-153519
Rightsunrestricted, Copyright information available at source archive

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