Sediment texture of the continental shelf and upper slope off the west coast of South Island, New Zealand

摘要: Abstract Surface sediments on the continental shelf and upper slope off west coast of South Island, New Zealand, from north Karamea Bight (40°45'S) to Whataroa River mouth (43°07'S) consist almost entirely sands muds. Inshore (< 50 m depth) sediment is predominantly fine sand coarse silt. Silt‐clay content increases towards mid‐shelf depths, areas mud occur at depths about 90–140 m. Sediments tend become coarser again outer shelf, sandy or muddy covers slope. The experiences a high input fluvial sediment, probably c. 12–26 × 106 tonnes y‐1 for study area. Sedimentation rate estimated average least 1–2 mm y‐1. appreciably lower than this in area higher south, reflected grain‐size parameters carbonate content. There are north‐to‐south decreases mean grain size ranges sorting a...