Study on the morphodynamic evolution processes in the Maozhou Estuary of the Lingding Bay

Keep the seabed stability is of critical importance to estuary regulation and development. Based on the long time-series data such as hydrologic sediment,underwater topography and remote sensing,characteristics and trends of the morphodynamic evolution processes in the Maozhou Estuary of the Lingding Bay is presented by use of the digital elevation model and hydrodynamic mathematical model. In recent decades,the seabed in the Middle Shoal of the Lingding Bay was eroded obviously,which resulted in the separation of the Lanjiang Shoal and Fanshi Shoal,and a new Middle Channel was developed. The outlet channel of the Maozhou Estuary is controlled by the ebb tidal currents,and the channel of the Jiaoyi Bay instead of the flood tidal currents. The Jiaoyi Shoal is of critical importance to maintain the existing pattern of the shoals and the channels in the adjacent sea area. The new trend of the morphodynamic evolution processes of the Lingding Bay is from the effects caused by the large-scale human activities such as tidal flat reclamation and sand mining,which is urgent to monitor.