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The power law particle size distribution (PSD) slope parameter is commonly used to characterize sediment fluxes, resuspension, aggregates, and settling rates in coastal and estuarine waters. However, particle size distribution metrics are also very useful for understanding sediment source and dynamic processes. In this study, a method was proposed to employ the particle size parameters commonly used in sedimentary geology (average particle size (ø), sorting, skewness, and kurtosis) as indicators of changes in sediment dynamic processes, and MODIS images were used to estimate these parameters. The particle size parameters were estimated using a Mie scattering model, Quasi-Analytical Algorithm (QAA) analysis algorithm, and least squares QR decomposition (LSQR) solution method based on the relationship between the power law distribution of the suspended particles and their optical scattering properties. The estimates were verified by field measurements in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea regions of China. This method provided good estimates of the average particle size (ø), sorting, and kurtosis. A greater number of wavebands (39) was associated with more accurate particle size distribution curves. Furthermore, the method was used to monitor changes in suspended particulate matter in the vicinity of the Heini Bay of China before and after the passage of a strong storm in August 2011. The particle size parameters represented the influence of a strong typhoon on the distribution of the near-shore sediment and, together with the PSD slope, comprehensively reflected the changes in the near-shore suspended particulate matter. This method not only established the relationship between remote sensing monitoring and the historical sediment record, it also extends the power law model to the application of sediment source and dynamic processes in coastal waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kelp aquaculture activities occupy large nearshore areas with significant effects on sediment properties, primarily caused by the influence of the suspended kelp on local hydrodynamics. Changes in sediment composition and grain-size distributions were investigated prior to and following the commencement of kelp aquaculture activities in Heini Bay in eastern China. Seabed sediment types and the particulate matter in suspension during the kelp seeding and harvesting periods, and in sediment cores, were analyzed. While suspended sediment in the kelp aquaculture area was up to 20% organic material, sediment organic content on the seabed remained at similar levels as areas lacking aquaculture. The composition of the seabed sediment in the kelp aquaculture area became finer-grained by the capture of fine particles. Within the kelp aquaculture area, the sediments are poorly sorted and positively skewed, whereas at the shoreward and seaward of the aquaculture area the sediments are relatively coarse-grained, well-sorted and nearly symmetrically distributed. Therefore, the kelp aquaculture activities not only increase the fine particulate fraction in the sediments within the aquaculture area, but also result in similar deposits seaward of it, indicating that seabed erosion and accretion is also controlled by the sediment source and the hydrodynamic conditions. The analysis of sediment cores showed that kelp culturing refines the sediment by preferentially capturing particles in the 38–40 μm size class, while having no effect on the <32 μm fractions, as evidenced by the positive skew of the surficial sediments. The captured particle size class became well mixed into the sediment, thereby changing the composition of the sediment in the uppermost layer of the core, indicating the existence of continuous and stable hydrodynamic conditions within the kelp aquaculture area. The same effect was observed in the seabed sediments seaward of the aquaculture area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cratons play an important role in the evolution of Earth and usually exhibit extremely thick and strong lithosphere roots and low surface heat flow. Most cratons remain in a stable state throughout their long evolutionary process. However, the stability of a few cratons was lost, the thickness of the lithosphere was greatly reduced, and surface heat flow greatly increased. Significant thinning of the lithosphere is one of the most obvious features of craton destruction. However, even within the same area, the lithospheric thickness values estimated from different methods can vary a lot. The thickness disparities between the thermal and seismic lithosphere remain unclear. On the basis of the latest global heat flow data and crustal stratification information, we calculated the thickness of the thermal lithosphere of cratons globally and conducted a detailed comparison to that of the seismic lithosphere. We found that 1) the thickness of the thermal lithosphere of most cratons is more than 150 km, while that of the Bundelkhand, Singhbhum, and upper Yangtze craton ranges from approximately 120–150 km. The thickness of the eastern North China craton, lower Yangtze craton and Wyoming craton ranges from only approximately 80–100 km. 2) For most cratons, the thickness of the seismic lithosphere is tens of kilometers (30–141 km) larger than that of the thermal lithosphere, except for the Wyoming craton, eastern North China craton, upper Yangtze craton, and Dahawar craton. 3) The part between the bottom boundaries of the seismic and thermal lithosphere can be considered as the rheological boundary layer (RBL), which is related to the craton stability. The thicker the RBL is, the higher the craton stability. 4) Due to plate subduction, the water content in the upper mantle is high, the viscosity is low, and the thickness of the RBL of cratons is small. • The thermal lithospheric thickness of most cratons exceeds 150 km. • The seismic lithosphere is thicker than thermal lithosphere for stable cratons. • Different thickness of rheological boundary layer accounts for the disparities. • Destroyed cratons usually exhibit thin rheological boundary layer. • A thick rheological boundary layer exists in stable cratons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Islands are one of the most sensitive interfaces between global changes and land and sea dynamic effects, with high sensitivity and low stability. Therefore, under the dynamic coupling effect of human activities and frequent natural disasters, the vulnerability of the ecological environment of islands shows the characteristics of complexity and diversity. For the protection of island ecosystems, a system for the assessment of island ecosystems and studies on the mechanism of island ecological vulnerability are highly crucial. In this study, the North and South Changshan Islands of China were selected as the study area. Considering various impact factors of island ecological vulnerability, the geographical information systems (GIS) spatial analysis, field surveys, data sampling were used to evaluate island ecological vulnerability. The Bayesian network model was used to explore the impact mechanism of ecological vulnerability. The results showed that the ecological vulnerability of the North Changshan Island is higher than that of the South Changshan Island. Among all the indicators, the proportion of net primary productivity (NPP) and the steep slope has the strongest correlation with ecological vulnerability. This study can be used as references in the relevant departments to formulate management policies and promote the sustainable development of islands and their surrounding waters.