Kenneth Pye
Associates
Ltd.
Scientific Research,
Consultancy and Investigations
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Sea bed sediment characteristics in Liverpool Bay
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A preliminary investigation was carried out to determine the particle size characteristics of 35 sea bed grab samples taken from Liverpool Bay, NW England. The samples were analyzed using a combination of wet sieving, dry sieving and laser granulometry. Calcium carbonate content was also estimated on the basis of weight loss after hydrochloric acid treatment, and loss on ignition of the carbonate-free fraction determined by heating in a muffle furnace to 600oC for 4 hours. The results showed that in the western and southern parts of Liverpool Bay the bed sediments are predominantly gravelly sands, while muddy sands dominate in the eastern and northern parts of the Bay. Localised pockets of sandy mud and mud also occur, particularly in the northeast of the area. Comparison with data from earlier surveys suggests there has been relatively little significant change in the character of the bed sediments over the past 40 years. The broad pattern of bed sediment characteristics indicate that there is a net energy gradient from west to east across Liverpool Bay and also a secondary gradient from SW to NE. Net sediment transport is likely to take place mainly in these directions, with localised deflections towards the mouths of the estuaries of the Dee, Mersey and Ribble.
Publications and Reports Pye, K., Blott, S.J., Short, B. and Witton, S.J. (2006). Preliminary Investigation of Sea Bed Sediment Characteristics in Liverpool Bay. Kenneth Pye Associates Ltd., External Research Report ER602, 169 pp. |
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