Trinidad's modern coastal depositional systems are for the first time documented by (traditional) descriptive and (modern) semiquantitative and quantitative classification methods. The processes controlling the morphology and distribution of these systems are also investigated. Google Earth™ satellite images, together with published basinal processes data (e.g., significant wave height, surface littoral currents, and tidal cyclicity) are used to describe system morphology, map depositional elements, and to determine the processes responsible for system distribution, respectively.Coastal depositional systems along Trinidad's east, south, and west coasts comprise deltas, estuaries, tidal-inlet complexes, strandplains, and tidal flats. Their distribution is controlled by the wave regime, although they are also influenced by tidal and fluvial processes. The wave regime changes from wave-dominated along the open east coast, to mixed-energy wave-dominated along the semi-sheltered south coast, and to mixed-energy tide-dominated along the sheltered west coast. Distribution of depositional systems related to this regime are such that the wave-dominated east coast sees the development of wave-dominated estuaries. The south coast has a series of wave-dominated, tide- and river-influenced deltas. The sheltered west coast is the most morphologically diverse with river- and wave-dominated deltas, strandplains, and tidal flats.The application of semiquantitative and quantitative classification methods on modern systems has showed their competence in classifying mixed-influence systems from their morphology and sedimentary record. Quantitative classification using depositional elements lends an appreciation to the morphological signatures of mixed-influence systems. Quantitative classification for sedimentary sections gives an appreciation of the preservation of mixed-influence physical processes. The combination of both allows the correlation of the impact of physical properties on morphology and sedimentary record (i.e., possible disparities between morphology and processes). The combination of semiquantitative and quantitative methods may also hold the key to unlocking the mixed-processes classification of depositional elements.

中文翻译：

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现代碎屑边缘-海洋沉积系统的定性和定量分类，特立尼达

特立尼达的现代沿海沉积系统首次被（传统）描述性和（现代）半定量和定量分类方法记录在案。还研究了控制这些系统的形态和分布的过程。Google Earth™ 卫星图像连同已发布的盆地过程数据（例如，有效波高、地表沿岸流和潮汐周期）分别用于描述系统形态、绘制沉积元素图并确定负责系统分布的过程。沿特立尼达东部、南部和西部海岸的海岸沉积系统包括三角洲、河口、潮汐入口复合体、浅滩和潮滩。它们的分布由波浪状态控制，尽管它们也受到潮汐和河流过程的影响。波浪形态从沿开阔的东海岸以波浪为主，沿半遮蔽的南海岸以混合能量波为主，以及沿遮蔽的西海岸以混合能量潮汐为主。与该制度相关的沉积系统的分布使得以波浪为主的东海岸看到了以波浪为主的河口的发展。南海岸有一系列以波浪为主导、受潮汐和河流影响的三角洲。受保护的西海岸形态最多样化，以河流和波浪为主的三角洲、浅滩和潮滩。半定量和定量分类方法在现代系统中的应用显示了它们在从形态和沉积物对混合影响系统进行分类方面的能力。记录。使用沉积元素的定量分类有助于了解混合影响系统的形态特征。沉积剖面的定量分类可以评估混合影响物理过程的保存情况。两者的结合使得物理特性对形态和沉积记录的影响具有相关性（即形态和过程之间可能存在的差异）。半定量和定量方法的结合也可能是解开沉积元素混合过程分类的关键。沉积剖面的定量分类可以评估混合影响物理过程的保存情况。两者的结合使得物理特性对形态和沉积记录的影响具有相关性（即形态和过程之间可能存在的差异）。半定量和定量方法的结合也可能是解开沉积元素混合过程分类的关键。沉积剖面的定量分类可以评估混合影响物理过程的保存情况。两者的结合使得物理特性对形态和沉积记录的影响具有相关性（即形态和过程之间可能存在的差异）。半定量和定量方法的结合也可能是解开沉积元素混合过程分类的关键。