Tidal Flat Erosional Features of the Modern Yellow River Delta

In July and October of 2008, selected physical-mechanical sediment properties were measured at 20 tidal flat experiment stations of 8 regions along the seashore of the modern Yellow River delta. At the same time, the environmental characteristics were observed. Seabed properties were compared with measurements of sediment erodibility made at the same stations to gain insight into the bioturbation and physical-mechanical sediment properties’ controls on sediment erodibility. Results indicate that crabs obviously alter the surface roughness of seabed, which makes the sediment more easily eroded than the neighboring area without crabs. Sediment erodibility along the seashore of the modern Yellow River delta varies in different stations. The critical erosion shear stress varies between 0.088 Pa and 0.254 Pa for all measurements. The factors influencing sediment erodibility are complicated. No clear relationship was found between distinct physical-mechanical sediment properties parameters and the critical erosion threshold except that there’s a positive correlation between shear strength and critical erosion shear stress. Further studies are needed to more accurately resolve the relationship between erodibility and sediment properties.