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<p>Under the background of global climate change, anthropogenic processes have profoundly altered the sources and transport mechanisms of coastal sediments. While previous research has primarily focused on large river delta coasts, the responses of the widely distributed small bays dominated by ocean dynamics, has received comparatively less attention. To address this gap, this study examines the Weihai Bay, located in the northeast of Shandong Peninsula, China. By integrating total organic carbon isotope tracers (δ<sup>13</sup>C and C/N) with sediment transport modeling, we systematically analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of surface sediment grain size inside and outside the bay, along with their responses to natural and human-induced drivers. Our findings reveal that the sedimentary environment of Weihai Bay is governed by the combined effects of tidal currents, ocean currents, wave activity, and sediment supply. Tidal dynamics dominate the hydrodynamic conditions within the bay, while ocean currents predominate offshore. Surface sediments in the bay are primarily composed of silt, originating from sediments carried by the Yellow Sea Warm Current. These sediments enter the bay through the southern bay mouth under tidal forcing, are redistributed counterclockwise by residual tidal currents, and eventually exit via the northern bay mouth. Coarser sediments in specific areas are primarily controlled by strong wave action and terrestrial inputs. Between 1988 and 2023, Weihai Bay sediments have undergone a noticeable coarsening trend, primarily driven by anthropogenic modifications to sediment supply and hydrodynamic regimes. Coastal reclamation, shoreline modification, and infrastructure development have intensified coarse-grained terrestrial sediment input. Concurrently, shoreline advancement has reduced wave dissipation, enhancing nearshore hydrodynamics and accelerating sediment coarsening. This study highlights the sensitivity of small bay sedimentary environments to anthropogenic forcing, advancing our understanding of the coupled human-marine sediment system and providing a scientific basis for coastal sediment evolution under the dual influences of climate change and human activity.</p>

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Spatiotemporal characteristics of grain size composition of surface sediment in a semi-enclosed bay and their responses to anthropogenic forcing — A case study from Weihai Bay, China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月1日

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  • Yishu Hou,
  • Chunshui Zhou,
  • Ruixi Gao,
  • Min Zhang,
  • Zhaoquan Huang,
  • Weidi Yang,
  • Muyi Zhang,
  • Fengling Yu

摘要

Under the background of global climate change, anthropogenic processes have profoundly altered the sources and transport mechanisms of coastal sediments. While previous research has primarily focused on large river delta coasts, the responses of the widely distributed small bays dominated by ocean dynamics, has received comparatively less attention. To address this gap, this study examines the Weihai Bay, located in the northeast of Shandong Peninsula, China. By integrating total organic carbon isotope tracers (δ13C and C/N) with sediment transport modeling, we systematically analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of surface sediment grain size inside and outside the bay, along with their responses to natural and human-induced drivers. Our findings reveal that the sedimentary environment of Weihai Bay is governed by the combined effects of tidal currents, ocean currents, wave activity, and sediment supply. Tidal dynamics dominate the hydrodynamic conditions within the bay, while ocean currents predominate offshore. Surface sediments in the bay are primarily composed of silt, originating from sediments carried by the Yellow Sea Warm Current. These sediments enter the bay through the southern bay mouth under tidal forcing, are redistributed counterclockwise by residual tidal currents, and eventually exit via the northern bay mouth. Coarser sediments in specific areas are primarily controlled by strong wave action and terrestrial inputs. Between 1988 and 2023, Weihai Bay sediments have undergone a noticeable coarsening trend, primarily driven by anthropogenic modifications to sediment supply and hydrodynamic regimes. Coastal reclamation, shoreline modification, and infrastructure development have intensified coarse-grained terrestrial sediment input. Concurrently, shoreline advancement has reduced wave dissipation, enhancing nearshore hydrodynamics and accelerating sediment coarsening. This study highlights the sensitivity of small bay sedimentary environments to anthropogenic forcing, advancing our understanding of the coupled human-marine sediment system and providing a scientific basis for coastal sediment evolution under the dual influences of climate change and human activity.