Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Holocene Evolution of the Pearl River Delta: Mapping Integral Isobaths and Delta Progradation

Yongjie Tang
ORCID logo ,
Zhuo Zheng
* ,
Kangyou Huang
ORCID logo ,
Cong Chen
,
Zhen Chen
,
Hongyu Lu
,
Weisheng Wu
,
Xiaoming Lin
,
Xianhe Zhang
,
Hongwei Li
Version 1 : Received: 27 September 2023 / Approved: 27 September 2023 / Online: 28 September 2023 (02:19:02 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Tang, Y.; Zheng, Z.; Huang, K.; Chen, C.; Chen, Z.; Lu, H.; Wu, W.; Lin, X.; Zhang, X.; Li, H. Holocene Evolution of the Pearl River Delta: Mapping Integral Isobaths and Delta Progradation. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11, 1986. Tang, Y.; Zheng, Z.; Huang, K.; Chen, C.; Chen, Z.; Lu, H.; Wu, W.; Lin, X.; Zhang, X.; Li, H. Holocene Evolution of the Pearl River Delta: Mapping Integral Isobaths and Delta Progradation. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11, 1986.

Abstract

The Pearl River Delta (PRD) has undergone complex geological development within a multi-island faulted basin, shaped by the interplay of regional tectonic movements, Quaternary sea-level fluctuations, and fluvial-marine interactions. Despite a great number of studies on the Holocene sedimentary sequences and spatial difference of lithofacies and environments, scant attention has been paid to the overarching human influence on deltaic evolution and coastline modifications since the Neolithic epoch. To further elucidate the spatial variation in Holocene sedimentation and its underlying basement topography shaped during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), we compiled a comprehensive dataset incorporating borehole data from over 2,800 cores within the PRD. Subsequently, high-resolution isobath maps of Quaternary deltaic deposits were generated, offering unprecedented insights into sediment distribution. This dataset facilitated a nuanced reconstruction of pre-Holocene topography, revealing a zone characterized by elongated, deep-incised valleys governed by NW-SE fault orientations. Further, we delineated coastline shifts since the period of maximum marine transgression (~7000 years BP), contributing to an enhanced understanding of the formation and evolutionary patterns of the delta and the river network oscillations. Our findings illuminate increasing anthropogenic impact on the rate of fluvial sedimentation and land growth, particularly accentuated over the last two millennia, favoring deltaic accretion. The current study has considerable implications for understanding the dynamic interplay between land-sea interactions and anthropogenic activities in shaping the delta, and stands to significantly inform land and resource management strategies, as well as future urban planning within the delta's bay areas.

Keywords

Pearl River delta; Holocene sedimentary sequences; deltaic evolution; coastline changes; human impact

Subject

Environmental and Earth Sciences, Environmental Science

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Download PDF

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0
Metrics 0
Get PDF Cite Share 0
Bookmark BibSonomy Mendeley Reddit Delicious
×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.