Controls on mud distribution and architecture along the fluvialto- marine transition

Wietse I. van de Lageweg*, Lisanne Braat, Daniel R. Parsons, Maarten G. Kleinhans

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The interaction of marine (tides and waves) and fluvial processes determines the sedimentary fill of coastal systems in the fluvial-tomarine (FTM) transition zone. Despite frequent recognition of tidal and wave influence in modern and ancient systems, our understanding of the relative importance of marine processes and their impact on mud deposition and reservoir architecture is limited. This study combined subsurface field observations and numerical simulations to investigate the relative importance of river flow, tides, waves, and mud input in governing the sedimentary fill in funnel-shaped basins along the FTM transition. Model simulations show a self-forming bar-built estuary with dynamic channels and sandy bars flanked by mud flats, which is in agreement with trends observed in nature. From three-dimensional virtual sedimentary successions, statistical tendencies for mud distribution and thickness were derived for the spectrum of marine and fluvial processes, and these values provide quantitative information on the net-to-gross ratio and mud architecture. The relative influence of marine and fluvial processes leads to a predictable facies organization and architecture, with muddier and more heterogeneous sediments toward the flanks. For the first time, our simulations allow the sedimentary fill in basins along the FTM transition to be related explicitly to hydrodynamic conditions, providing new insights into the morphosedimentary evolution of coastal systems, with implications for sequence stratigraphy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)971-974
Number of pages4
JournalGeology
Volume46
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2018

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Lageweg, Braat, and Kleinhans were supported by the Dutch Technology Foundation (STW) of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) through Vici-grant 0.16.140.316/13710 to Kleinhans. Parsons recognizes a European Research Council Consolidator Award (725955). We thank K. Choi, B. Dalrymple, S. Dashtgard, and two anonymous reviewers for comments that improved the manuscript

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Geological Society of America.

Funding

Lageweg, Braat, and Kleinhans were supported by the Dutch Technology Foundation (STW) of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) through Vici-grant 0.16.140.316/13710 to Kleinhans. Parsons recognizes a European Research Council Consolidator Award (725955). We thank K. Choi, B. Dalrymple, S. Dashtgard, and two anonymous reviewers for comments that improved the manuscript

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