Analysis of the evolution of the Yellow River Delta coastline and the response of the tidal current field

Abstract

The coastline of the Yellow River Delta has undergone continual alterations due to both natural forces and human activity. Studying these changes is crucial for promoting economic growth and preserving the region’s ecological balance. Based on imagery captured by the Landsat5 and Landsat8 satellites, this study uses statistical data from the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS), including Net Shoreline Movement (NSM), End Point Rate (EPR), and Linear Regression Rate (LRR), to analyze the changes in the Yellow River Delta coastline from 2009 to 2019. This being the case, a hydrodynamic model under different shoreline conditions was established using Delft3D to compare and analyze the impact of shoreline changes on the tidal current field. From 2009 to 2019, the coastline in the study area exhibited an average movement distance of 1285m (NSM) and an annual change rate of 127.7m/a (LRR). The average increase in the area of the current estuary was 7.68km2/a, while the average decrease in the area of the old estuary was 4.91km2/a. Shoreline evolution is primarily influenced by the influx of water and sediment into the ocean. Following the implementation of water and sediment regulation, the existing estuary’s shoreline experienced a rapid initial accumulation of silt, which subsequently decelerated over time. Conversely, the former estuary has consistently undergone erosion. The greater the change in shoreline, the closer to the coast, and the greater the change in the tide. From 2009 to 2019, flow velocity and direction in the Yellow River Delta generally showed a decreasing trend, with changes ranging from 0.34% to 25.94%. The residual flow velocity near the current estuary gradually increased by about 2cm/s, while that near the abandoned old estuary gradually decreased by about 1cm/s, with no significant changes offshore. The sediment transported by the Yellow River is deposited at the current estuary, causing the coastline to move northeastward. In the abandoned estuary, there is erosion, causing the coastline to retreat.