A New Grain-size Index: Grain-size Fractal Dimension of Sediment and Its Environmental Significance
Chunguang Bai · Chenji xuebao · 2003
On the basis of fractal theory, 1 000 sediment samples are used to calculate the grain-size fractal dimensions. The results show that statistical self-similarity of grain-size distribution exists in each kind of sediment, but the fractal dimensions are different for different kinds of sediments. For the sediments that have not been transported and sorted, such as the fragments of weathered crusts, permafrost and fault gouge, their grain-size fractal dimensions are close to that of fragments (2.60), model made by Turcotte, D.L. For the sediments that have been transported but not been sorted well, such as glacial debris and sediments of debris flow, their grain-size fractal dimensions are also close to, or a little smaller than the value of 2.60. For the sediments that have been transported and well sorted, their grain-size fractal dimensions are obviously lower than 2.60. The value of fractal dimension is proportional to the sorting coefficient. The grain-size fractal dimension is a new useful index for interpreting sedimentary environment.