Changes of sedimentary environments in the Saemangeum tidal flat on the west coast of Korea

Abstract

The Saemangeum tidal flat with an area of approximately 233 km2 is one of the biggest estuarine tidal flats on the west coast of Korea. Because of its location in the estuary of Mangyeong and Dongjin Rivers, the tidal flat receives large amount of sediments. A 33-km long sea dyke, enclosing a coastal zone of 401 km2, was constructed to reclaim tidal flat in the Saemangeum area. The dyke construction radically changes the local tidal current regime and estuarine circulation. These have an effect on sedimentary environments in the tidal flat. On the tidal flats of the study area net deposition occurred, but net erosion occurred near tidal channel in 2004. The comparison of topography and surface sediments in summer 2004 with those in summer 1988 before the dyke construction showed that elevation increased with maximum 80cm and mean grain sizes were fining at Gwanghwal tidal flats. Sedimentary facies of two cores from Gwanghwal tidal flat revealed homogeneous layers in the upper part, suggesting rapid deposition after the dyke construction. The sedimentation rate in Gwanghwal tidal flat(GW 6) using 210Pb analysis was about 5.4 cm/yr, which is well matched with the sedimentation pattern revealed by change in topography.