Kim, S.-R.; Chun, J.-H.; Um, I.-K., and Cukur, D., 2020. Distribution and characteristics of sandy sediments along the northeastern continental shelf of Korea in the East Sea. In: Malvárez, G. and Navas, F. (eds.), Global Coastal Issues of 2020. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 95, pp. 532–536. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

In this study, the distribution and provenance of sandy surface sediments were investigated along the northeastern continental shelf of Korea. A total of 154 surface sediment samples from river, beach, continental shelf and shelf edge substrates were collected and analyzed for their grain size and mineral composition. Coarse-grained sandy sediments (mean grain size, –1.3 to 1.0 φ) showed that the inner shelf and shelf break were clearly separated by outer shelf silt sediment (mean grain size, ∼5 φ). The mineral composition of continental shelf sandy sediments differed between Gangneung and Donghae sites. Sandy sediments from Gangneung site consist mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica, whereas those from Donghae site are composed chiefly of opaque minerals, including quartz and feldspar. Differences in mineral composition between the Gangneung and Donghae sites reflect the influence of geology on land. Sandy sediments were supplied directly to shelf edges during the low stand by small rivers, and not mixed by coastal currents.