Dominant updriftward sediment transport on the updrift-side of a modern deflected delta, Ishikari coast, Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

The Ishikari coast of Hokkaido, Japan is a wave-dominated semi-enclosed coast, the sediments of which are primarily sourced from a single river (the Ishikari River), forming a northeast deflected delta. Asymmetric and deflected deltas are generally considered to be formed under net longshore sediment transport downdriftward; however, through sedimentological and grain-size trend analysis (GSTA) of seafloor sediments, along with some other observational data, we recognised dominant updriftward sediment transport on the updrift-side of the deflected delta system. GSTA showed that the most important trend in the coast is coarser, better-sorted, and more positively skewed (CB+). CB+ trends around the river mouth converge from the lower shoreface zone to the river mouth spit on the updrift side. The trends reflect the combined effects of shore-normal wave action and river sediment discharge. Wave-driven surface currents crossing over the delta lobe converge at the southwestern side of the river mouth. In the deeper zone (lower shoreface), southwest (updriftward) oriented CB+ trends prevail. These trends reflect successive re-deposition of delta front sands, with progressive mud winnowing, driven by the strong south-westerly bottom currents observed in the bay during winter storms. Although GSTA did not show any apparent trend field in the nearshore zone, gradual fining of sand fractions to the southwest, along with the chronological transition of the coastline after the construction of a large port (trap of drifted sands on the downdriftside of the port and regression of coastline on the updriftside of the port), suggest a dominant longshore sediment transport updriftward on the updrift-side of the delta. Because the growth of deflected deltas depends on dominant sediment accretion on the updrift-side, these results can be rationalised in the case of internally sourced deflected deltas. Uncertainties remain regarding the net alongshore sediment transport of the entire Ishikari coast; however, the deflected planform is controlled by deflected mouth bars and river mouth jets due to the waves approaching the river mouth at slightly oblique angle in winter, and is likely independent on the direction of dominant sediment transport.