From natural driving to artificial intervention: Changes of the Yellow River estuary and delta development. (15th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Xuegong; Chen, Zhengxiong; Feng, Zhe
• Is Part Of: Ocean & coastal management. Volume 174(2019)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2019-05-15
• Subjects: Yellow River estuary -- Natural driving -- Artificial intervention -- Delta development -- Land-ocean-human interaction; Marine resources -- Management -- Periodicals; Coastal zone management -- Periodicals; Coastal ecology -- Periodicals; Ressources marines -- Périodiques; Littoral -- Aménagement -- Périodiques; Écologie littorale -- Périodiques; Coastal ecology; Coastal zone management; Marine resources -- Management; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 551.46
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.03.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-5691

Abstract

Abstract: The estuarine delta of the Yellow River is a region of strong land-ocean-human interactions that undergoes a unique evolutionary process. In this paper, we combined historical data and remote sensing images to better understand the evolution of the Yellow River delta. Changes in the Yellow River estuarine flow path from natural swing to artificial diversion were first studied to understand the rules and mechanism of the delta formation. The complex geomorphic structural system of the Yellow River delta is constituted by contemporary and modern deltas and their sub-deltas. Remote sensing images and measured data indicate that variations in runoff and sediment load in the Yellow River estuary will affect the deltaic erosion and siltation. The natural and artificial factors that cause runoff and sediment changes include climate change, soil erosion control in the middle reaches, building reservoirs along the Yellow River, which are used as water supply for local cities and farmland irrigation, as well as the water and sediment regulation experiment in the Xiaolangdi reservoir. Furthermore, artificial intervention of diversion channels has contributed to the maintained stability of the Yellow River estuary environment, so as to have regional development and prosperity of the Yellow River delta. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The Yellow River estuarine flow paths change from natural swing to artificial diversion, and the delta formation rule. The variation of runoff and sediment load in the Yellow River affect the deltaic erosion and siltation. Probe into the natural and artificial reasons of runoff and sediment changes and decrease. The estuarine artificial control maintains relative stableenvironment and creates prosperity of the Yellow River delta. This study reflects land-ocean-human interaction on estuarine coastal region.