Sedimentation Environment Characteristics of Bottom Material and Distribution Characteristics of Benthos in the Inner Area of the Ariake Sea

Abstract

The sedimentation environment characteristics and distribution characteristics of benthos were studied based on the past investigation data of bottom material, water quality, benthos, tidal current and investigation data of fluid mud layer in the inner area of the Ariake Sea. It is suggested that the change of kind number of benthos was corresponds to the degree of bottom environment deterioration shown in mud content, ignition loss and AVS (acid volatile sulfides). By the geographic distribution of layer thickness, it is suggested that fluid mud layer was precipitated the west slopes of submarine channels and the east slopes of submarine sandbars where there were located at the outside of tidal current.