Technical Specification for Marine Substrate Survey

Author: National Marine Administration 908 Special Project Office
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This technical regulation has the following points that need further clarification.
1. Sediment classification issue. China has long been using the Shepard classification, and the newly revised "Marine Survey Specification" still employs the Shepard classification. However, most countries worldwide, including Europe, America, South Korea, and Japan, currently use the Folk classification. In recent years, many domestic experts have called for the switch to the Folk classification. Given this situation, this sub-technical regulation still adopts the Shepard classification but also provides the Folk classification diagram as a transitional measure. It requires the compilation of two sets of sediment type maps—one based on the Shepard classification and the other based on the Folk classification—to gradually transition to the Folk classification in the future.
2. Regarding the sampling spacing of seabed substrates, this regulation cites the relevant national survey specifications. However, in actual special project work, due to the requirements of the overall design plan and workload, it may not be possible to fully meet the regulation's requirements. Therefore, data collection is necessary.
3. Concerning the calculation formula for clay minerals, this technical regulation adopts the formula that is the most widely and practically used in actual applications.