Coastal evolution of Yancheng, northern Jiangsu, China since the mid-Holocene based on the Landsat MSS imagery

doi:10.1007/s11442-013-1052-4

Abstract

Abstract:

Since the 1970s, remote sensing images have provided new information for the delineation and analysis of coastline changes, especially focusing on the short timescale changes. This paper, based on the Landsat MSS imagery, focuses on the coastline evolution of Yancheng, northern Jiangsu, China since the mid-Holocene. A zebra stripe image, which could reveal the ancient coastal evolution of Yancheng, was extracted from a Landsat MSS image. Based on the extracted black-white stripes, 19 surface sediment samples were recovered and analyzed to recognize the sedimentary characteristics of these stripes. It shows that most sand and silty sand samples appear on the white stripes, while silt and silty clay samples are on the black stripes. Sandy and muddy sediments present an alternating distribution pattern on the Yancheng coastal plain. A historical coastline map was drawn according to the previous research achievements of the paleo-coastal sand barriers and paleo-coastlines, and was superimposed on the zebra stripe image. The trend of the extracted zebra stripes is consistent with the historical coastlines, and it should be the symbol of the Yancheng coastline evolution. On the basis of ten sets of black-white stripes and previous research results, we divided the progression of Yancheng coastal evolution into three stages (i.e., the early stable stage (6500 a BP-AD 1128), the rapid deposition stage (AD 1128-1855) and the adjustment stage (AD 1855-present)). Ten sets of black-white stripes were identified as the characteristic pattern of the coastline evolution on the Yancheng coastal plain.

Key words: Landsat MSS imagery, remote sensing image dodging, paleo-coastal sand barrier, paleo-coastline, coastal evolution, northern Jiangsu, South Yellow Sea, Holocene

KANG Yanyan, XIA Fei, DING Xianrong, ZHANG Changkuan, CHENG Ligang, GE Xiaoping, Jennifer GLASS. Coastal evolution of Yancheng, northern Jiangsu, China since the mid-Holocene based on the Landsat MSS imagery[J]., 2013, 23(5): 915-931.

References

Adler-Golden S M, Matthew M W, Bernstein L S et al., 1999. Atmospheric correction for short-wave spectral imagery based on MODTRAN 4. In: SPIE (ed.). SPIE Proceedings on Imaging Spectrometry V, Vol. 3753.
Bellingham: SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering, 61-69.
Cao M, He Y Q, Zheng Y Y et al., 1982. Some technical improvements of radiocarbon dating and its results. Journal of East China Normal University (Natural Science Edition), (1): 93-96. (in Chinese)
Cao Q Y, 1987. Radiocarbon dates and sea-land shift of the northern Jiangsu coastal plain since the late Pleistocene.In: Carbon-14 Chronology Group, China Quaternary Research Association (ed.). Compilation of Research Papers on Quaternary Glacier and Quaternary Geology, Vol. 4 (Special Issue on Carbon-14 Chronology).Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 201-207. (in Chinese)
Cao Q Y, Li H, Sheng L L et al., 1988. An application of Li method to sample making in ¹⁴C dating, with attachment of ¹⁴C age data (II). Journal of Nanjing University (Geography), (9): 44-58. (in Chinese)
Chen J Y, 1982. Coastal evolution of China during the historical period. In: Editorial Board of Physical Geography of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ed.). Physical Geography of China: Historical Physical Geography.Beijing: Science Press, 232-234. (in Chinese)
Chen J Y, Yu Z Y, Yun C X, 1959. Geomorphic development of the Yangtze River Delta. Acta Geographica Sinica, 25(3): 201-220. (in Chinese)
Chen X X, 1985. Discovery of the float-wood from ancient Huanghai coast of northern Jiangsu. Marine Sciences, 9(2): 55-56. (in Chinese)
Chen Z Y, 1995. A discussion of sedimentary characteristics of Subei chenier plain. Journal of East China Normal University (Natural Science), (2): 86-92. (in Chinese)
Chen Z Y, Zong Y Q, Wang Z H et al., 2008. Migration patterns of Neolithic settlements on the abandoned Yellow and Yangtze River deltas of China. Quaternary Research, 70(2): 301-314.
Custer J F, Eveleigh T, Klemas V et al., 1986. Application of LANDSAT data and synoptic remote sensing to predictive models for prehistoric archaeological sites: An example from the Delaware coastal plain. American Antiquity, 51(3): 572-588.
Gao S, 2007. Determination of preservation potential in tidal flat sedimentary records: A forwad modeling approach.Quaternary Sciences, 27(5): 750-755. (in Chinese)
Gao S, 2009. Modeling the preservation potential of tidal flat sedimentary records, Jiangsu coast, eastern China.Continental Shelf Research, 29(16): 1927-1936.
Geng X S, Wan Y S, Li S W et al., 1983. Evolutionary process of northern Jiangsu coastal zone and a dynamic equilibrium model of northern Jiangsu shoal. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2(2): 284-298.
Giardino M J, 2011. A history of NASA remote sensing contributions to archaeology. Journal of Archaeological Science, 38(9): 2003-2009.
Gu J Y, Yan Q S, Yu Z Y, 1983. The cheniers of the northern coastal plain of Jiangsu province. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 1(2): 47-59. (in Chinese)
Gu W W, Zhu C, 2005. Distribution feature of Neolithic sites in north Jiangsu province and environmental archaeological research on its relation with environmental variation. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 25(2): 239-243. (in Chinese)
Guo R X, 1979. Historical evolution and modern geomorphic characteristics of the Jiangsu coast. In: Committee on Science and Technology of Jiangsu Province (ed.). Selected Papers of Research on the Comprehensive Resource Investigation and Exploitation of the Jiangsu Coast and Tidal Flats, Vol. 1. Nanjing: Committee on Science and Technology of Jiangsu Province, 5-26. (in Chinese)
Guo R X, 1980. Historical evolution of the Jiangsu coast. Science and Technology of Jiangsu Water Resources, 1(1): 53-69. (in Chinese)
Guo R X, 1986. Coastal evolution and distribution of paleo coastal sand barriers on the coastal plain of northern Jiangsu. In: Committee on Science and Technology of Jiangsu Province (ed.). Selected Papers of Research on the Comprehensive Resource Investigation and Exploitation of the Jiangsu Coast and Tidal Flats, Vol. 4. Nanjing:Committee on Science and Technology of Jiangsu Province, 275-286. (in Chinese)
He Y A, 1991. Jiangsu coastline changes between Xia-Shang and Tang Dynasty. In: Liu Z C (ed.). Quaternary Deposits and Environmental Changes. Nanjing: Southeast Culture Magazine, 142-146. (in Chinese)
Hu Q W, Li Q Q, 2004. Image restoration based on Mask technique. Geomatics and Information Science of Wuhan University, 29(4): 319-323. (in Chinese)
Huang Z Q et al., 1990a. Study on the Evolution of Lakes in the Yi-Shu River Drainage Basin of Northern Jiangsu.Xuzhou: China University of Mining and Technology Press, 1-155. (in Chinese)
Huang Z Q, Yang D Y, Zhang C Z, 1990b. The changes of the coastal lines and lakes in northern Jiangsu. In: Historical Geography Speciality Committee, Geographical Society of China and Editorial Board of Historical Geography (ed.). Historical Geography, No.7. Shanghai: Shanghai People's Publishing House, 146-151. (in Chinese)
Kan W Q, 1990. The geographical environment in the central part of the Subei coastal plain since ten thousand years ago. In: Institute of Chinese Historical Geography, Fudan University (ed.). Research on Historical Geography,No. 2. Shanghai: Fudan University Press, 89-96. (in Chinese)
Ke X K, 1985. Environmental changes of the Jiangsu coastal plain during the Holocene. Master's Degree Thesis,Nanjing University. 80pp. (in Chinese)
Li C Z, Li B C, Yang Z J, 1984. Coastal evolution and dynamics of northern Jiangsu and Changjiang River estuary.Studia Marina Sinica, 21: 269-279. (in Chinese)
Li D R, Wang M, Pan J, 2006. Auto-dodging processing and its application for optical RS images. Geomatics and Information Science of Wuhan University, 31(9): 753-756. (in Chinese)
Li J, Chen Y H, Liu Z G et al., 2010. Remote Sensing of Island and Coast Environment. Beijing: Science Press, 1-147. (in Chinese)
Lin S, 1988. Southward shift of the Yellow River and evolution of the northern Jiangsu coastline. Marine Sciences, (5): 54-58. (in Chinese)
Lin S, 1989. Change of land and sea in Yancheng area since Holocene. Donghai Marine Science, 7(3): 12-19. (in Chinese)
Lin S, 2001a. Relevant studies of the placenames and changes of Jiangsu coastline during the historical periods.Marine Sciences, 26(1): 26-29. (in Chinese)
Lin S, 2001b. Palaeogeographic changes of the Lixiahe district since the Holocene. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 21(5): 474-479. (in Chinese)
Lin S, 2003. Changes of land and sea in the Shuoxiang Lake area since Holocene. Marine Science Bulletin, 22(4): 48-54. (in Chinese)
Lin S, 2005. Study on models of the changes about Sheyang Lake in historical period. Journal of Chinese Historical Geography, 20(3): 73-79. (in Chinese)
Liu G L, Wang F L, Liu K S et al., 2008. Radiocarbon dating of archaeological and geological samples from some regions of China. In: Dong W (ed.). Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Chinese Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Beijing: China Ocean Press, 249-271. (in Chinese)
Liu Z Y, Sun L, Gao M H, 2006. Archaeogeographical study on the coastline changes of northern Jiangsu. Relics from South, (4): 77-82. (in Chinese)
Meng E J, 2000. Yellow River captured Huai River during the historical period: The influence on the coastline changes of Jiangsu province. Journal of Chinese Historical Geography, (4): 147-159. (in Chinese)
Pan F Y, 1979. A preliminary discussion of geomorphic evolution of the Jiangsu plain since the Holocene. Journal of Nanjing Teachers College (Natural Science Edition), (1): 8-15. (in Chinese)
Pan F Y, 1983. A sketch of the transition of the lakes between the Yangtze River and the Huaihe in the late period.Scientia Geographica Sinica, 3(4): 361-368. (in Chinese)
Pan F Y, 1989. On the origin and change of Sheyang Lake in the human history period. Scientia Limnologica Sinica, 1(1): 45-51. (in Chinese)
Provincial Geomatics Center of Jiangsu, 2004. Atlas of Jiangsu Province, China. Beijing: Sinomap Press, 24-25. (in Chinese)
Pu J J et al., 1992. Principles and Methods of Visual Interpretation of Remote Sensing Imagery. Beijing: China Science and Technology Press, 86-89. (in Chinese)
Ren M D, Lv S H, Zhang X D, 1990. Satellite Remote Sensing Interpretation of the Chinese Coast. Beijing: China Ocean Press, 108-197. (in Chinese)
Ren M E et al., 1986. Report for Comprehensive Investigation on Resources of Coastal Zones and Tidal Flats in Jiangsu Province. Beijing: China Ocean Press, 101-134. (in Chinese)
Ren M E, Shi Y L, 1986. Sediment discharge of the Yellow River (China) and its effect on the sedimentation of the Bohai and the Yellow Sea. Continental Shelf Research, 6(6): 785-810.
Wang F B, 1985. The buried shell beachridges and the sealevel changing from late Pleistocene in the west coast of the Haizhou Bay. In: China Quaternary Research Association and Chinese Society of Oceanography (ed.).Proceedings of Quaternary Coastline Symposium, China, 1982. Beijing: China Ocean Press, 146-151. (in Chinese)
Wang G M, Dong Y G, 1997. Interpretation and study of remote sensing of coastal-line migration in the Pearl River and the Hanjiang River delta. Marine Sciences, (4): 50-53. (in Chinese)
Wang Y, Ke X K, 1989. Cheniers on the east coastal plain of China. Marine Geology, 90(4): 321-325.
Wang Y, Zhang Z K, Zhu D K et al., 2006. River-sea interaction and the north Jiangsu plain formation. Quaternary Sciences, 26(3): 301-320. (in Chinese)
Wells I, Custer J, Klemas V, 1981. Locating prehistoric archaeological sites using Landsat. In: Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ed.). Proceedings of the 15th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment. Ann Arbor: Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, 771-780.
Wiseman J R, El-Baz F, 2007. Remote Sensing in Archaeology. New York: Springer, 1-553.
Wu J M, 1990. Distribution of prehistoric archaeological sites and coastline evolution of northern Jiangsu. Southeast Culture, (5): 239-252. (in Chinese)
Wu J M, Sun S Y, 1991. Relationship among distribution characteristics of Jiangsu Neolithic archaeological sites, environments, and coastline evolution. In: Liu Z C (ed.). Quaternary Deposits and Environmental Changes.Nanjing: Southeast Culture Magazine, 119-132. (in Chinese)
Xia F, Yin Y, Wang Q et al., 2012. Sequence stratigraphy of the central part of north Jiangsu coasts since late MIS 3, eastern China. Acta Geologica Sinica, 86(10): 1696-1712. (in Chinese)
Xie F Y, Liu X X, Cai D L et al., 1986. The measurements and data of radiocarbon dating (II). Journal of Oceanography of Huanghai & Bohai Seas, 4(1): 83-84. (in Chinese)
Xu J, 2006. The distribution of Neolithic archaeological ruins around Lianyungang area and their relation to coast line changes. Quaternary Sciences, 26(3): 353-360. (in Chinese)
Xu J, Yin Y, Zhu D K et al., 2007. Sedimentary characteristics and environmental significance of Hongmen coastal barrier, Lianyungang, northeastern Jiangsu province. Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology, 27(1): 23-35. (in Chinese)
Xu S Q, Xiao J Y, Xiao X Y et al., 2011. Impact of environmental evolution and coastline change on the Neolithic cultures in the eastern part of Jiang-Huai area. Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology, 31(5): 127-134. (in Chinese)
Yan Q S, Xu S Y et al., 1993. Holocene Deposits and Geomorphological Processes on the Northern Plain of the Jiangsu Province, China. Shanghai: Shanghai Scientific and Technological Literature Publishing House, 1-83. (in Chinese)
Yan Q S, Xu S Y, Shao X S, 1989. Holocene cheniers in the Yangtze Delta, China. Marine Geology, 90(4): 337-343.
Yang D Y, 1991a. The fundamental models of Holocene coastal evolutions in the central part of Jiangsu province.In: Qin Y S, Zhao S L (ed.). Quaternary Coastline Changes in China (IGCP-274 China Working Group). Beijing:China Ocean Press, 119-125.
Yang D Y, Wang H H, Pan T, 1988. Remote sensing analysis of the sea-land shift of northern Jiangsu since the Holocene. In: Institute of Remote Sensing Application, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ed.). Remote Sensing Analysis of the Dynamic Evolution of Waters in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, China. Beijing: Science Press, 160-169. (in Chinese)
Yang D Y, Yu G, Han H Y, 1991b. The middle Holocene tidal deposit in the central part of Jiangsu province. Journal of Nanjing University (Geography), (12): 31-38. (in Chinese)
Yang D Y, Zhang J J, Li X S, 1999. Southward shift of the Yellow River, sea level changes and coastline evolution of the middle Jiangsu coast. Quaternary Sciences, (3): 283. (in Chinese)
Yang S Y, Li C X, Jung H S et al., 2002. Discrimination of geochemical compositions between the Changjiang and the Huanghe sediments and its application for the identification of sediment source in the Jiangsu coastal plain, China. Marine Geology, 186(3/4): 229-241.
Yang S Y, Li C X, Zhang J Q, 2000. Palaeogeographic evolution of coastal plain and provenance study of postglacial sediments. Journal of Palaeogeography, 2(2): 65-72. (in Chinese)
Yu Z Y, Chen D C, Tang Y D, 1982. On the formation of fossil barriers in the middle flat of Jiangsu northern part.Marine Sciences, (4): 11-14. (in Chinese)
Yuan S X, Chen T M, Wang L X et al., 1980. Report for radiocarbon dating: The part of geological samples.Seismology and Geology, 2(3): 73-78. (in Chinese)
Zeng Z X, Zeng X S, 1985. An Introduction to Historical Geomorphology. Beijing: Science Press, 46-54. (in Chinese)
Zhang C Z, Ge D M, 1982. The characteristics of the change of the Haizhou Gulf. Marine Sciences, (3): 11-17. (in Chinese)
Zhang J W, Li G Y, Zhao X T, 1983. Chronological study of the Holocene sea-land shift in northern Jiangsu. Marine Sciences, (6): 8-11. (in Chinese)
Zhang R S, 1983. Geographical significance of place names east of Fangong dike. Journal of Nanjing University (Geography), (4): 160-172. (in Chinese)
Zhang R S, 1984. Land-forming history of the Huanghe River delta and coastal plain of north Jiangsu. Acta
Geographica Sinica, 39(2): 173-184. (in Chinese)
Zhang R S, 1985. Coastline changes in Jiangsu province during historical period. In: China Quaternary Research Association and Chinese Society of Oceanography (ed.). Proceedings of Quaternary Coastline Symposium,China, 1982. Beijing: China Ocean Press, 132-145. (in Chinese)
Zhang Y Z, 1996. Environmental changes of the Jiangsu muddy plain coast. Master's Degree Thesis, Nanjing University. 46pp. (in Chinese)
Zhang Y Z, 1999. Global change and land-sea interaction: A case study of sea-land interaction of Jiangsu coast since the postglacial period. Doctoral Degree Thesis, Nanjing University. 165pp. (in Chinese)
Zhao X T, 1987. Development of cheniers in China and their significance to coastline shift. In: Gardiner V (ed.).International Geomorphology 1986 (PartⅠ). New York: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 1253-1268.
Zhao X T, 1989. Cheniers in China: An overview. Marine Geology, 90(4): 311-320.
Zhao X T, Li B, Tang L Y et al., 1991a. Discovery and significance of the Holocene coastal sand dune in northern Jiangsu. Chinese Science Bulletin, (22): 1727-1730. (in Chinese)
Zhao X T, Lu G Y, Wang S H et al., 1991b. Holocene stratigraphy of Qingfeng profile of Jianhu, Jiangsu and its reflection with regard to environmental changes and sea level fluctuations. Science in China (Series B), (9): 992-999. (in Chinese)
Zhao X T, Li B, Lu G Y et al., 1992. Discovery and significance of the Holocene storm deposits and coastal sand dune in Xiyuan, Funing, Jiangsu. Science in China (Series B), (9): 994-1001. (in Chinese)
Zhao X T, Tang L Y, Shen C M et al., 1994. Holocene climate changes and sea level fluctuations indicated by the Qingfeng profile of Jianhu, Jiangsu. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 16(1): 78-88. (in Chinese)
Zhao Y S, Lv K J, Yang D Y, 1988. Remote Sensing Analysis of the coastal evolution of the eastern
Huang-Huai-Hai Plain since the Holocene. In: Institute of Remote Sensing Application, Chinese Academy of
Sciences (ed.). Remote Sensing Analysis of the Dynamic Evolution of Waters in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain,
China. Beijing: Science Press, 148-159. (in Chinese)
Zhao Y S, Yang Y, 1996. A study on methods of extracting remote sensing information features of the Holocene transgression traces. Geographical Research, 15(1): 73-81. (in Chinese)
Zhu C, Cheng P, Lu C C et al., 1996. Palaeocoastline evolution law of Yangtze River Delta and coastal area of north Jiangsu province since 7000 a B.P. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 16(3): 207-214. (in Chinese)
Zhu Y R, 2000. Preliminary study on formation mechanism of the middle littoral plain in the northern part of Jiangsu province. Marine Sciences, 24(12): 33-37. (in Chinese)

[1]	LI Gaocong,Gao Shu,WANG Yaping,LI Chunyan. Sediment flux from the Zhoushan Archipelago, eastern China [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2018, 28(4): 387-399.
[2]	ZHANG Yifei,MO Duowen,HU Ke,BAO Wenbo,LI Wenying,Idilisi Abuduresule,Michael J. STOROZUM,Tristram R. KIDDER. Holocene environmental changes around Xiaohe Cemetery and its effects on human occupation, Xinjiang, China [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2017, 27(6): 752-768.
[3]	LU Huayu,ZHUO Haixin,ZHANG Wenchao,WANG Shejiang,ZHANG Hongyan,SUN Xuefeng,JIA Xin,XU Zhiwei,WANG Xianyan. Earth surface processes and their effects on human behavior in monsoonal China during the Pleistocene-Holocene epochs [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2017, 27(11): 1311-1324.
[4]	Li WU,Cheng ZHU,Chaogui ZHENG,Chunmei MA,Xinhao WANG,Feng LI,Bing LI,Kaifeng LI. Impact of Holocene climate change on the prehistoric cultures of Zhejiang region, East China [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2014, 24(4): 669-688.
[5]	ZHA Xiaochun, HUANG Chunchang, PANG Jiangli, ZHOU Yali. Reconstructing the extraordinary palaeoflood events during 3200-2800 a BP in the upper reaches of Hanjiang River Valley, China [J]. , 2014, 24(3): 446-456.
[6]	XIA Fei, ZHANG Yongzhan, WANG Qiang, YIN Yong, Karl W. WEGMANN, J. Paul LIU. Evolution of sedimentary environments of the middle Jiangsu coast, South Yellow Sea since late MIS 3 [J]. , 2013, 23(5): 883-914.
[7]	LI Yu, WANG Nai'ang, LI Zhuolun, ZHOU Xuehua, ZHANG Chengqi. Climatic and environmental change in Yanchi Lake, Northwest China since the Late Glacial：A comprehensive analysis of lake sediments [J]. , 2013, 23(5): 932-946.
[8]	LI Yu, WANG Nai’ang, LI Zhuolun, MA Ning, ZHOU Xuehua, ZHANG Chengqi. Lake evaporation: A possible factor affecting lake level changes tested by modern observational data in arid and semi-arid China [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2013, 23(1): 123-135.
[9]	CHENG Bo, CHEN Fahu, ZHANG Jiawu. Palaeovegetational and palaeoenvironmental changes since the last deglacial in Gonghe Basin, northeast Tibetan Plateau [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2013, 23(1): 136-146.
[10]	HOU Guangliang, LAI Zhongping, XIAO Jingyi, E Chongyi. Reconstruction of cultivated land during mid- Holocene in the middle and lower reaches of Yellow River and human impact on vegetations [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2012, 22(5): 933-945.
[11]	ZHA Xiaochun, HUANG Chunchang, PANG Jiangli, LI Yuqin. Sedimentary and hydrological studies of the Holocene palaeofloods in the middle reaches of the Jinghe River [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2012, 22(3): 470-478 .
[12]	WANG Wei, WU Zheng. Coastal dune rock development and Holocene climate changes in South China [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2010, 20(3): 469-480.
[13]	ZHA Xiaochun, HUANG Chunchang, PANG Jiangli. Palaeofloods recorded by slackwater deposits on the Qishuihe River in the Middle Yellow River [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2009, 19(6): 681-690.
[14]	LI Xinyan, HUANG Chunchang, PANG Jiangli, HE Zhong. Dust source of the Holocene loess-soil and pedogenic environmental changes in the upper Huaihe River [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2009, 19(1): 107-117.
[15]	JIA Yaofeng, HUANG Chunchang, PANG Jiangli, NIU Junjie. Chronology of the Holocene loess-paleosol section and its deposition and pedogenesis on the south of Chinese Loess Plateau [J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2008, 18(4): 425-442.