Characteristics of modern biogenic traces in distributary channels on the Pearl River Delta Plain and their palaeoenvironmental significance

doi:10.7605/gdlxb.2025.040

Abstract

Abstract:

Biogenic traces are robust indicators of environmental conditions. A comprehensive analysis of biogenic traces and environmental characteristics in the distributary channels of the Pearl River Delta Plain can provide valuable insights into the nature of biological traces and aid in interpreting paleo-deltaic channels. This study focuses on three primary distributary channels of the modern Pearl River Delta Plain. Sedimentological and ichnological investigations were conducted at 74 sampling sites throughout the study area,which included field photography to quantify ichnodiversity and abundance,salinity measurements,grain size analyses,and CT scanning with three-dimensional reconstruction of cores. The results indicate that: (1)The principal trace-makers identified in the study area include crabs,Perinereis aibuhitensis,Corbicula fluminea,Pomacea canaliculata,Periophthalmus cantonensis,and birds. These organisms produce a variety of endobenthic traces(I-,U-,and Y-shaped)and epibenthic traces(crawling,feeding,and defecation traces). Trace assemblages generally exhibit simple morphologies,predominantly subvertical or horizontal orientations relative to the bedding plane,and are characterized by sparse and uneven distributions.(2)Salinity,grain size,and sedimentation rate are the primary physicochemical factors influencing the distribution of biogenic traces in modern Pearl River Delta sediments.(3)Modern analog studies are essential for understanding the acient fluvial-tidal transition zone. Endobenthic and epibenthic traces observed in the study area exhibit similarities to trace fossils such as Skolithos,Psilonichnus,Arenicolites,Polykladichnus,and Planolites,reflecting a mix of Psilonichnus,Skolithos,and Scoyenia ichnofacies. These findings are instrumental in identifying and exploring the fluvial-tidal transition zone within the palaeo-delta channel.

Key words: modern biogenic traces, distributary channels, transition zone, neoichnology, Pearl River Delta

摘要： 生物遗迹是反映沉积环境的有力工具,文中综合分析珠江三角洲平原分流河道环境及其生物遗迹特征,探讨了其对古三角洲环境的指示意义。研究区发育现代珠江三角洲平原的3条分流河道,对区内74个采样点进行沉积学分析和遗迹学研究,包括野外拍照统计采样点的生物遗迹分异度和丰度、盐度测定、粒度分析及对岩心进行CT扫描和三维重构。结果表明: (1)研究区内主要造迹生物有螃蟹、双齿围沙蚕、河蚬、福寿螺、弹涂鱼和鸟类等,营造的遗迹为各种形态的层内居住迹(I形、U形、Y形等)和层面活动迹(爬行迹、觅食迹、排泄迹等),遗迹组合形态简单,多与层面近垂直或水平,呈稀疏且不均匀分布特征;(2)在现代珠江三角洲平原分流河道沉积中,盐度、粒度和沉积速率的变化均是影响生物遗迹分布的重要因素; (3)类比研究表明,造迹生物产生的层内和层面痕迹主要类似于Skolithos、Psilonichnus、Arenicolites、Polykladichnus、Planolites等遗迹化石,混合了典型的Psilonichnus、Skolithos和Scoyenia遗迹相。研究结果有助于对古三角洲河道中河流—潮汐过渡带的识别和探究。

关键词: 现代生物遗迹, 分流河道, 过渡带, 新遗迹学, 珠江三角洲

CLC Number:

Q958.1

WANG Yuanyuan, MIAO Miao, ZHANG Guocheng. Characteristics of modern biogenic traces in distributary channels on the Pearl River Delta Plain and their palaeoenvironmental significance[J]. Journal of Palaeogeography（Chinese Edition）, 2025, 27(6): 1577-1589.

王媛媛, 苗苗, 张国成. 珠江三角洲平原分流河道现代生物遗迹特征及其古环境意义^*[J]. 古地理学报, 2025, 27(6): 1577-1589.

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http://www.gdlxb.cn/EN/Y2025/V27/I6/1577

Figures/Tables 10

Fig.1 Location of distributary channels in the Pearl River Delta Plain

Fig.2 Common sedimentary structures in distributary channels of the Pearl River Delta Plain

Fig.3 Grain size distribution in distributary channels of the Pearl River Delta Plain(after Wang et al., 2025)

Fig.4 Salinity distribution in distributary channels of the Pearl River Delta Plain(after Wang et al., 2025)

Fig.5 Traces burrowed by crabs in distributary channels of the Pearl River Delta Plain

Fig.6 Traces burrowed by Perinereis in distributary channels of the Pearl River Delta Plain

Fig.7 Traces burrowed by Corbicula fluminea,Pomacea canaliculate and Procambarus clarkia in distributary channels of the Pearl River Delta Plain

Fig.8 Traces burrowed by Periophthalmus cantonensis in distributary channels of the Pearl River Delta Plain

Fig.9 Ichnodiversity of biologenic traces in distributary channels of the Pearl River Delta Plain

Fig.10 Abundance of biologenic traces in distributary channels of the Pearl River Delta Plain

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