Section
Physical Sciences
Abstract
The areal distribution of the mean grain size of the sand fraction indicates presence of a shore-normal energy gradient with a shoreward fining from a mean grain size of 2.0 phi (0.25 mm) on Spiekeroog island to 3.5 phi (0.09) mm) near the dyke which forms the landward boundary of the tidal flat. This energy gradient is also reflected by the shoreward increase in the mud content of the sediment. Until recently, the relation of the mud distribution to the energy level variation in the Wadden Sea was not clearly known. Purely mud zones (˃ 50% mud) occur in the areas as patches only, largely encircled by mixed flat (10-50% mud) zone, distributed along high tide water divides and along the dyke. While the landward mud enrichment to the near-dyke maximum levels is a result of the hydraulic energy gradient, other mud zones are either biogenic or topographically controlled deposition. A model worked out to explain the generation and sustenance of the shore-normal energy gradient across the area shows that a zone of lowest energy level exists between any two adjacent tidal channels. When these zones are associated with high elevations mud deposition is enhanced, thus explaining the distribution of higher mud content zones along high tide water divides and in pockets between channels
Recommended Citation
NYANDWI, N.
(1995)
"Physical controls of mud deposition in a backbarrier system, spiekeroog island german wadden sea,"
Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 21:
Iss.
1, Article 12.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.2430
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
