Size Distribution of Bottom Sediment in the South China Sea

Abstract

The study of size distribution of bottom sediment was conducted in three areas of the South China Sea during 1995 to 1999 consisting of the Gulf of Thailand and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, West Coast of Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam and Vietnamese waters. Sand and silt is the main on the bottom of the South China Sea with accounting for 26.26% and 24.57% respectively. Sandy silt, silty sand, clay, sand and shell and sand and stone accounts for 22.86%, 16.57%, 6.86%, 2.29% and 0.57%, respectively. Sand was rich in the Southern part of Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and the Southern part of Vietnam. Silt was abundant in the Gulf of Thailand, off shore of Sabah and Northern part of Vietnam. Sandy silt was dispersed in the Gulf of Thailand and near the shore of Sabah Sarawak. Silty sand covers the bottom in Southern part of Thailand and off-shore of Sabah Sarawak. Clay is spread in off-shore of Sabah. A mixture of sand and shell appears in the Peninular Malaysia and Southern part of Vietnam. Sand and stone is diffused in the Central part of Vietnam.