Analysis of Sedimentary Environment and Micro-Landform Changes Afterthe Construction of Artificial Structuresin the Tidal Flat of Anmyeondo Gagyeongju, Western Coast of Korea

인공구조물 건설 후 안면도 가경주 간석지의 퇴적환경 및 미지형변화 분석

This study investigated the characteristics of sedimentary environment changes across a tidal flat in Gagyeongju of Anmyeondo Island. We performed a spatio-temporal analysis on the grain sizes composition of sediments and micro-landform changes during the winter from 2013 to 2016. The results showed that erosion was a dominant processthroughout the study flat, reducing the surface elevation even by 1 m around the upper sand flat. As a consequence, headlands have formed in the entire region of Gagyeongju village. In addition, erosion quickly progressed along the low-lying subtidal zone and tide way and, in contrast, sedimentation progressed in the mid-elevation tidal flat. We posit that a jetty, which had been constructed as a pier facility on the eastern part of the study area, interfered with the flow of tidal current, thereby enhancing these erosional processes. This is because such interference can block the supply of fine-textured sediments from the nearby Cheonsu Bay and therefore reduce surface elevation. According to the surface sediment analysis, the sediments were categorized into 7 sedimentary facies, and generally displayed a high ratio of silt and clay. The result of time-series analysis (2012-2013) showed that the sediments on the tidal flat became fine-grained, and that sorting became worse. However, the sediments on the subtidal zone, embayment and along inside of the jetty tended to be coarse-grained. In conclusion, the tidal flat microlandform change in the study area was caused by a disruption in the seawater circulation due to the jittery construction within the tidal flat, which had a direct effect on erosional and sedimentary environment processes.