Address of the retiring President of the International Association of Sedimentologists: Differences in size distributions of populations of particles among sands of various origins

摘要: This address reminisces and reflects on a subject in which I have been involved for more than twenty years: the effect of depositional processes various parameters size-frequency distribution sands. Movements air water generally separate particles by their sizes; sizes relates to (1) availability different parent material, (2) operating where sediments are deposited, particularly competency flow, (3) concentrations suspension. Differences distributions among sands correlate with origins, that is terminal environments. Reminiscences this express my personal experience, both its up downs, advocating study relationship, applying method moments basis concept one statistical function expresses characteristics population particles. This re-emphasizes some points made previous studies (Friedman, 1961, 1962b, 1967) interrelationship between textural beach, dune, river then complements supplements data not presented before. These new grouped scatter plots origins. Finally, displays maps regional trends process-induced changes size populations four settings: beach-dune setting, as exemplified Padre Island, Texas, shores Gulf Mexico; point-bar setting Arkansas River Oklahoma; continental shelf-slope Mexico off Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama; (4) shelf western Atlantic Ocean New Jersey. This concludes observation will be influenced conditions determine what happens environment, hence define may related formative process.