Distribution of surficial sediments in the ocean around New Zealand/Aotearoa. Part B: continental shelf

This paper provides new maps of the surficial sediment distribution on the continental shelf (0∼150 m water depth) of New Zealand based on a new database – nzSEABED. The maps of percent mud, sand, gravel and carbonate, are compared with previous research to provide a comprehensive update of the surficial sediment distributions on the continental shelf, together with a review of the main environmental (oceanographic and climatic), geomorphological and geological processes and human activities that have influenced sediment deposition. Continental shelves are dynamic regions that are in a constant state of flux from floods, storms, tides, waves, earthquakes and volcanic activity. While some of these events may be captured by individual samples, the compilation of >23,000 samples collected and analysed over 60 years provides a long-term average distribution of sediments on the continental shelf that can inform future research and coastal management.

本文基于全新数据库nzSEABED，绘制了新西兰大陆架（水深0~150米）的表层沉积物分布全新图件。本研究将泥、砂、砾石与碳酸盐的百分含量分布图件与既往研究结果进行对比，实现了大陆架表层沉积物分布的全面更新，并对影响沉积物沉积的主要环境（海洋学与气候学）、地貌与地质过程及人类活动开展了综述。大陆架属于动态区域，始终处于洪水、风暴、潮汐、海浪、地震与火山活动引发的持续变化状态中。尽管部分扰动事件可通过单个采样点位得以记录，但60余年间收集并分析的逾23000份采样数据的整合汇编，能够提供大陆架沉积物的长期平均分布格局，可为后续研究与海岸带管理提供参考依据。