南海北部冷泉区深水珊瑚的发现及其特征

冷水珊瑚也称为深水珊瑚, 在生物多样性、生态资源和科研价值等方面具有重要意义。文章对采自南海北部冷泉区的冷水珊瑚骨骼碎屑进行测定, 鉴定出冷水珊瑚2个种(Crispatotrochus sp.1和Crispatotrochus sp.2), 以及4个属[Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia)、Balanophyllia (Eupsammia)、Lochmaeotrochus和Enallopsammia]。测定的冷水珊瑚的δ¹³C为-7.36‰~-1.15‰, δ¹⁸O为-1.38‰~3.67‰, 与全球冷水珊瑚碳氧同位素组成相似, 但明显不同于南海暖水珊瑚、冷泉碳酸盐岩及低温热液成因碳酸盐岩的碳氧同位素组成。     

南海北部神狐东南海域沉积物孔隙水地球化学特征及其对天然气水合物的指示

SH-CL13、SH-CL16与SH-CL17站位位于南海北部神狐东南海域BSR发育区内。地球化学分析结果显示,SH-CL16与SH-CL17柱状样孔隙水中的氯离子(Cl~-)浓度及氢同位素(δD)值分别随深度明显降低和升高,指示下伏沉积物可能发育水合物。3个站位的浅表层沉积物甲烷通量很低,甲烷通量的大小控制了SMI的深浅和硫酸盐通量。孔隙水SO_4~(2-)浓度变化趋势及δ~(13)C_(DIC)值表明,在浅表层沉积物中硫酸盐消耗均由有机质硫酸盐还原作用(OSR)所控制,甲烷缺氧氧化作用(AOM)发生在较深的层位。综合地球化学和地球物理研究成果,3个站位位于水合物有利发育区内,由此推测神狐东南海域可能发育扩散型水合物,具有良好的水合物勘探前景。     

2020年冬季大亚湾西南海域主要渔业生物碳氮稳定同位素研究

为了解大亚湾西南海域食物网的营养结构特征, 本研究于2020年1月份使用底拖网采集了该海域的渔业生物, 并分析了35种主要渔业生物的碳氮稳定同位素值。根据δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N值, 计算出该海域食物网6种营养结构的生态指标和主要渔业生物的营养级, 并绘制了连续营养谱。本次调查渔业生物主要为鱼类和虾蟹类, 鱼类的δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N值范围分别为-17.63‰ ~ -14.85‰和12.92‰~15.46‰, 平均值分别为-16.47‰和13.80‰; 虾蟹类的δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N值范围分别为-17.67‰ ~ -15.51‰和11.05‰~12.62‰, 平均值分别为-16.30‰和11.85‰。根据δ¹⁵N值, 用相加模型(trophic position by the additive model, TPA)和缩比模型(trophic position by the scaled model, TPS)分别计算了主要渔业生物的营养级, 结果显示两个模型计算的结果无显著性差异(P>0.1), 呈现鱼类平均营养级>虾蟹类的趋势。本研究发现大亚湾西南海域食物网初始食物来源较为单一, 存在食物链营养层级较少和长度不足, 食物网营养级多样性较低和营养结构冗余程度高的现象。与30多年前相比, 大亚湾近年高营养级生物量减少, 食物网结构由复杂趋向简单化, 生态系统稳定性较差。本研究结果不仅为了解大亚湾食物网结构组成提供了基础资料, 也为保护大亚湾渔业资源, 维持生态系统结构的稳定性提供参考依据。     

南海北部东沙海域沉积物地球化学特征及其反映的冷泉活动

南海北部东沙海域是典型的水合物成藏区,冷泉活动对其沉积物地球化学特征有显著影响。分析了东沙海域冷泉区973-4站位1 375cm(水深1 666m)和973-5站位935cm(水深2 998m)长的柱状样的总有机碳(TOC)、总硫(TS)含量,并挑选其中的底栖有孔虫进行了碳氧同位素测试。通过沉积物总硫含量分析和临近站位孔隙水数据分析表明,2个站位沉积物均有较浅的硫酸盐甲烷还原界面(SMI)深度和较大的甲烷通量,其中973-4站位硫酸盐甲烷界面深度为海水―沉积物界面以下约900cm,973-5站位硫酸盐甲烷界面深度为海水―沉积物界面以下约750cm。总碳/总硫比值表明冷泉流体活动对沉积物硫埋藏起主导作用。Uvigerina spp.的δ13 C表明末次盛冰期(LGM)之前东沙海域有持续的冷泉活动,而自末次盛冰期以来Uvigerina spp.的δ13 C其偏负程度逐渐变小、冷泉活动逐渐减弱,这可能是海平面上升扩大了天然气水合物稳定区范围,从而抑制了冷泉流体上涌的结果。     

冲绳海槽沉积物孔隙水地球化学特征及其指示意义

通过对东海外陆坡–冲绳海槽GSW1孔沉积物孔隙水δ₁₃C、δ₁₈O、δ₁₁B、δ₃₇Cl同位素和Cl_-、S O₄^2-、K₊、Na₊等离子指标的分析,探讨了沉积物早期成岩作用、流体来源、迁移和氧化环境的变化。研究发现,GSW1孔孔隙水溶解无机碳主要来自海水和有机质,SO₄^2-浓度随深度下降比较平缓,Cl_-浓度远低于海水,该孔表层沉积物中硫酸盐消耗主要由有机质硫酸盐还原作用（OSR）所控制,甲烷厌氧氧化作用（AOM）发生在4 m以下更深的层位。OSR产生的H₂S向上扩散富集并被氧化,是导致GSW1孔110～360 cm处SO ₄^2-浓度未明显下降的主要因素。孔隙水SO₄^2-浓度整体随着深度增加呈减小的趋势,表明GSW1孔沉...     

琼东南盆地与甲烷渗漏有关的早期成岩作用和孔隙水化学组分异常

X-射线衍射和扫描电镜观察表明,采自南海北部琼东南盆地的沉积物样品中有天然气水合物和甲烷渗漏指示意义的自生碳酸盐、硫酸盐和草莓状framboids黄铁矿,自生矿物组合和显微结构特征与冷泉沉积物类似,属微生物成因。沉积物孔隙水化学组分分析结果显示,随着埋藏深度加深,SO₄2-,Ca2+,Mg2+和Sr2+浓度明显降低,Mg2+浓度与Ca2+浓度和Sr2+浓度与Ca2+浓度的比值急剧增加,这些地球化学特征与世界上天然气水合物产区的浅表层沉积物孔隙水中离子浓度异常吻合较好,暗示采样站位深部可能有油气或天然气水合物藏。     

南海南部浅表层柱状沉积物孔隙水地球化学特征对甲烷渗漏活动的指示

海底沉积物孔隙水地球化学特征能快速响应甲烷渗漏活动及其生物地球化学过程,从而记录甲烷渗漏活动特征。对采自南海南部北康盆地的3个重力沉积柱状沉积物孔隙水样品(BH-H75、BH-H13Y和BH-H61)进行了甲烷浓度、溶解无机碳(DIC)和碳同位素(δ~(13)CDIC)、阴离子(SO_4~(2-)、 Cl~-)以及主微量元素(Ca~(2+)、 Mg~(2+)、 Sr~(2+)、 Ba~(2+))等地球化学分析。(△DIC+△Ca~(2+)+△Mg~(2+))/△SO_4~(2-)比率图解与δ~(13)CDIC深度剖面特征揭示了有机质硫酸盐还原反应(OSR)和硫酸盐驱动-甲烷厌氧氧化反应(SD-AOM)在不同沉积柱中所占比例的不同,其中BH-H13Y沉积柱中OSR和SD-AOM共同存在;BHH75沉积柱中OSR占主导;在BH-H61沉积柱中SD-AOM占主导,且其底部可能存在微生物产甲烷作用。硫酸盐浓度线性拟合关系指示BH-H13Y的硫酸盐-甲烷过渡带(SMTZ)的深度约为700 cmbsf。结合SO_4~(2-)浓度、DIC浓度最大值和δ~(13)CDIC最小值推测BH-H61的SMTZ深度约为480 cmbsf。BH-H61和BH-H13Y沉积柱中,较浅的SMTZ深度、上升的DIC浓度以及强烈负偏的δ~(13)CDIC值指示研究区存在甲烷渗漏活动。此外,在BH-H61和BH-H13Y站位,硫酸盐浓度随深度降低的变化梯度在沉积柱下部较上部陡,指示向上迁移的甲烷通量在时间上逐渐增强。孔隙水中Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、Sr~(2+)浓度以及Mg/Ca、Sr/Ca比值变化特征指示研究区沉积物中可能有自生高镁方解石矿物生成;而BH-H61站位SMTZ界面以下,孔隙水中Ba~(2+)浓度升高,指示了硫酸钡的溶解作用。     

南海琼东南海域沉积物的微量元素地球化学特征及其对天然气水合物的指示意义

天然气水合物已成为重要的战略资源。为探讨天然气水合物富集区的微量元素特征及其指示意义,对琼东南海域沉积物进行系统采样,分析了样品主、微量元素和TOC地球化学特征,并采用氧化还原状态以及氧化还原敏感元素与TOC相关关系的分析方法进行探讨。结果显示:沉积物相较于上地壳更为富集Sr、Pb、Th、U、Zn、Cu和Mo元素,Th/U和V/Sc比值在纵向上呈系统的变化,表层沉积物处于还原的沉积状态,大量富集Mo和U。初步推断研究区部分沉积物可能处于硫化带,使其出现氧化还原敏感元素(Mo和U)的富集,这些特征或由下部天然气水合物分解释放大量的甲烷所导致。表层沉积物孔隙水中出现的硫化带以及Mo和U元素异常,可作为新的地球化学指标以识别下部可能存在的天然气水合物资源。     

琼东南盆地深水区LS33-1-1钻井岩心微量元素地球化学特征及其沉积环境

为了研究琼东南盆地深水区的沉积环境及物源,对琼东南盆地深水区LS33-1-1钻井岩心样品的微量元素地球化学特征进行了分析,结果表明:研究区自渐新世以来沉积环境多变,物源复杂;在崖三段沉积早期,物源主要为当地或附近的基性玄武质火山碎屑,可能来自南海扩张引起的岩浆喷发活动;自崖三段沉积晚期(早于31.5Ma)以来,物源以陆源和海洋自生沉积为主,其中火山岩风化产物占有相当的比例。LS33-1-1钻井岩心沉积物的微量元素地球化学特征在距今31.5、28.4、25.5、23、16、8.2、5.5、2.7Ma均发生明显突变,表明沉积环境及物源均发生了明显的变化,反映了构造运动的影响。各地球化学指标在崖三段底部4 207m左右的突变,反映了琼东南盆地发生了较大规模的构造运动,造成了沉积物源由以基性火山碎屑为主转变为以陆源碎屑为主。在渐新世-中新世界线(23MaBP)附近,各项指标均表现出明显的突变,表明在ODP1148站及珠江口盆地深水区发现的物源突变事件(白云运动)也影响到了琼东南盆地深水区。     

盐度对中国鲎幼鲎生长、蜕壳、Na+-K+-ATP酶活性、免疫指标和抗氧化能力的影响

人工增殖放流是恢复鲎资源最有效、最迅速的方法, 而了解和掌握环境因子对中国鲎(Tachypleus tridentatus)幼鲎生长状况的影响规律, 进而选择适宜放流的时间和海区, 是保证人工放流得以成功的关键。本文在实验室条件下, 研究了不同盐度(5‰、10‰、15‰、20‰、25‰、30‰、35‰、40‰)对中国鲎幼鲎成活率、蜕壳率、蜕壳增重率、Na⁺-K⁺-ATP酶活性、免疫酶活性、抗氧化酶活性等的影响, 探讨了不同盐度水平下中国鲎幼鲎生长、蜕壳、渗透调节能力、机体免疫力和抗氧化能力等的变化。养殖试验持续56d, 结果表明: 不同盐度对中国鲎幼鲎的成活率、蜕壳率、二龄幼鲎均重及蜕壳增重率均有显著影响(P<0.05), 且均随盐度升高呈先升高后降低的趋势; 蜕壳率和蜕壳增重率与盐度的回归分析均表明, 中国鲎幼鲎蜕壳与生长的最适盐度分别为24.10‰和24.94‰; 一龄和二龄幼鲎的Na⁺-K⁺-ATP酶活性均随盐度的升高呈先显著升高后显著降低趋势(P<0.05); 35‰和40‰盐度试验组一龄幼鲎的酸性磷酸酶(acid phosphatase, ACP)活性显著高于其他试验组, 而5‰盐度试验组一龄幼鲎的碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase, AKP)活性显著低于25‰试验组(P<0.05) ; 盐度对二龄幼鲎的ACP、AKP和溶菌酶(lysozyme, LZM)活性均没有显著影响(P>0.05); 35‰和40‰试验组一龄幼鲎的过氧化氢酶(catalase, CAT)活性显著高于盐度较低试验组(P<0.05); 二龄幼鲎的谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase)活性随着盐度的升高而升高, 盐度10‰试验组显著低于30‰和40‰试验组(P<0.05)。研究结果显示盐度对中国鲎幼鲎生长、蜕壳、Na⁺-K⁺-ATP酶活性、免疫指标和抗氧化能力均有显著影响, 蜕壳最适宜的盐度在24‰~25‰左右, 盐度过高或过低都将引起幼鲎生长率和成活率降低, 渗透调节能力、免疫力和抗氧化力显著下降。     

Rock magnetic records of the sediments of the eastern Arabian Sea: Evidence for late Quaternary climatic change

Rock-magnetic measurements along with grain size, acid-insoluble residue (AIR), organic carbon (OC), CaCO₃ and δ¹⁸O of the planktonic foraminifers of the sediments were determined for 15 gravity cores recovered from the western continental margin of India. Magnetic susceptibility (MS) values in the surficial sediments reflect the land-derived input and, in general, are the highest in terrigenous sediment-dominated sections of the cores off Saurashtra–Ratnagiri, followed by the sediments off Indus–Gulf of Kachchh and then Mangalore–Cape Comorin.

The down-core variations in mineral magnetic parameters reveal that the glacial sediments off the Indus are characterized by low MS values/S-ratios associated with high AIR-content, low OC/CaCO₃ contents and relatively high δ¹⁸O values, while those off SW India are characterized by low MS values/high S-ratio% associated with low AIR content, and relatively high OC, CaCO₃ and δ¹⁸O values. Conversely, the Early Holocene sediments of all cores are characterized by high MS values/S-ratio% associated with high AIR content, low OC, CaCO₃ contents and gradually decreased δ¹⁸O values. These results imply that during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the cores off northwestern India received abundant continental supply leading to the predominance of eolian/fluvial sedimentation. In the SW region the influence of hinterland flux is less evident during this period, but convective mixing associated with the NE monsoon resulted in increased productivity. During the early Holocene intense SW monsoon conditions resulted in high precipitation on land, which in turn contributed increased AIR content/MS values in the continental margin sediments. A shallow water core off Kochi further suggests that the intense SW monsoon conditions prevailed until about 5 ka. The late Holocene organic-rich sediments of the SW margin of India were, however, subjected to early diagenesis at different intervals in the cores. Therefore, caution is needed when interpreting regional climatic change from down-core changes in sediment magnetic properties.     

琼东南盆地华光凹陷天然气水合物稳定带厚度的影响因素

为了探讨琼东南盆地华光凹陷海底天然气水合物稳定带的分布规律，定量研究了静水压力、底水温度、地温梯度和气源组分对水合物稳定带的影响程度。在此基础上，分析了华光凹陷现今甲烷水合物稳定带的厚度分布。最后，综合各因素的历史演化过程，初步探讨了华光凹陷1.05 Ma BP以来天然气水合物稳定带的演化。结果表明:(1)气源组分和海底温度的变化对研究区内水合物稳定带的影响较大；水合物稳定带厚度与海底温度呈良好的线性负相关性。(2)水深超过600 m的海域具备形成天然气水合物的温压条件；超过600 m水深的海域水合物稳定带厚度大部分超过 100 m，其中西北部稳定带的最大厚度超过300 m，是有利的水合物勘探区。(3)华光凹陷1.05 Ma BP以来天然气水合物稳定带厚度经历了快速增厚–窄幅变化–快速减薄和恢复的过程。麻坑群与水合物稳定变化敏感区在空间上具有较好的叠合关系。结合前人的研究成果，推测其形成与天然气水合物的分解释放有关。     

中国南海北部珠江口-琼东南盆地钻井岩屑地球化学特征及深水区天然气聚集特征

The Qiongdongnan Basin and Zhujiang River(Pearl River) Mouth Basin, important petroliferous basins in the northern South China Sea, contain abundant oil and gas resource. In this study, on basis of discussing impact of oil-base mud on TOC content and Rock-Eval parameters of cutting shale samples, the authors did comprehensive analysis of source rock quality, thermal evolution and control effect of source rock in gas accumulation of the Qiongdongnan and the Zhujiang River Mouth Basins. The contrast analysis of TOC contents and Rock-Eval parameters before and after extraction for cutting shale samples indicates that except for a weaker impact on Rock-Eval parameter S_2, oil-base mud has certain impact on Rock-Eval S_1, Tmax and TOC contents. When concerning oil-base mud influence on source rock geochemistry parameters, the shales in the Yacheng/Enping,Lingshui/Zhuhai and Sanya/Zhuhai Formations have mainly Type Ⅱ and Ⅲ organic matter with better gas potential and oil potential. The thermal evolution analysis suggests that the depth interval of the oil window is between 3 000 m and 5 000 m. Source rocks in the deepwater area have generated abundant gas mainly due to the late stage of the oil window and the high-supper mature stage. Gas reservoir formation condition analysis made clear that the source rock is the primary factor and fault is a necessary condition for gas accumulation. Spatial coupling of source, fault and reservoir is essential for gas accumulation and the inside of hydrocarbon-generating sag is future potential gas exploration area.     

The spatial pattern and drainage cell characteristics of a pockmark field,Nile Deep Sea Fan

Over 25,300 seabed pockmarks were mapped from the Rosetta Channel region of the Western Nile Deep Sea Fan (NDSF) using concurrent High Resolution 2D, Chirp profiler and multibeam bathymetry data which spans the Holocene–Pleistocene period. Within the region, a pockmark field containing >13,800 pockmarks was analysed using spatial statistics to determine the distribution of pockmarks within the field. Pockmarks within the field are small (∼16 m diameter), shallow (∼0.5 m deep) circular depressions which formed within the last ∼ 6500 years. The fluid source for the field is identified as an accumulation/generation of gas beneath a hemipelagic seal c. 20–40 ms beneath the seabed. The position of the pockmarks is shown to be unrelated to the depth to the fluid source and an irregular high amplitude acoustic anomaly which is tentatively interpreted as a possible carbonate precipitate of biogenic microbial activity. Statistical spatial analysis of the field confirms the distribution of pockmarks is not random. An exclusion zone surrounding each individual pockmark is identified. The exclusion zone is a unique minimum radius around each pockmark which is not penetrated by any other pockmark. The exclusion zone works in unison with Self-Organised Criticality (SOC) in determining the spatial distribution of pockmarks within the field. The exclusion zone is interpreted as a pockmark “drainage cell”. A conceptual model for a pockmark drainage cell is proposed whereby pockmark formation dissipates a radius/area of fluid and overpressure, thereby preventing the formation of another pockmark within that cell. Consequently, pockmarks are observed to separate or produce anti-clustering tendencies within the field.     

4个代表站点的珊瑚δ18O数据对热带印度洋气候变率的反演能力分析*

珊瑚中的δ¹⁸O含量可以高精度地记录热带海洋中的气候变率及气候变化信息, 从而弥补器测观测时间长度有限的缺陷, 为反演过去长期的气候状况提供了可能。热带印度洋的气候模态通过海气相互作用影响周边区域甚至全球的气候, 具有重要的研究意义。本文对比分析了1880—1999年间热带印度洋4个站点(肯尼亚、坦桑尼亚、塞舌尔、明打威)的珊瑚δ¹⁸O数据, 研究了其对热带印度洋气候的反演情况。结果显示, 珊瑚δ¹⁸O对海表温度(sea surface temperature, SST)的长期变化趋势反演良好, 珊瑚δ¹⁸O与局地SST在季节循环中保持一致, 且在低温季节对SST的变化更为敏感。此外, 4个站点的珊瑚δ¹⁸O对印度洋海盆模态(Indian Ocean Basin Mode, IOBM)和印度洋偶极子模态(Indian Ocean Dipple Mode, IODM)有一定的表征能力, 并且δ¹⁸O记录的热带印度洋年际变率受年代际变率调制。本文的研究结果表明, 珊瑚δ¹⁸O数据对于了解古气候时期热带印度洋气候变率具有重要的指示意义, 但同时也需要综合考虑不同站点的信息来完整地反映印度洋在历史时期的气候变化情况。     

Sedimentary and structural control on pockmark development—evidence from the Nyegga pockmark field, NW European margin

The Nyegga region, located at water depths of about 600–800 m on the NW European continental margin, contains more than 200 pockmarks. Recently collected TOPAS seismic profiles and EM1002 bathymetric records now provide high-resolution information on their seabed and shallow sub-seabed geological setting. The identified pockmarks are up to 15 m deep, between 30 m and 600 m across and reach a maximum area of ca. 315,000 m². The pockmarks are sediment-empty features. They do not have any preferred direction of orientation and show large variations in their shape. The pockmarks are restricted to a <16.2 cal. ka old sediment unit. This unit comprises sandy mud and is characterised by sedimentation rates of ca. 1 mm/year. The pockmarks are localised over a thick late Plio-Pleistocene prograding sediment package and a polygonal faulted Miocene-Oligocene ooze-rich unit. The late Plio-Plistocene deposits host bottom simulating reflectors, indicative of gas hydrate-bearing sediments. Inspection of the newly collected high-resolution dataset, combined with previously analysed sediment cores and 2D multichannel seismic profiles, reveals that the Nyegga pockmark field does not show any strong relationship between seabed features, sub-seabed structures and the sedimentary setting. This suggests a more complex evolution history of the Nyegga pockmark field then previously thought.     

Formation mechanism of large pockmarks in the subaqueous Yellow River Delta

Abstract

We have identified large pockmarks in an area of approximately 0.3?km² in the subaqueous Yellow River Delta in the Chengdao Sea. Gas eruption channels not been identified in the sediment layers in this area, and the formation mechanism of these large pockmarks remains unknown. To study the formation mechanism of these large pockmarks, we constructed a layered silty sediment model composed of appropriate geological materials. Then, we calculated the stress, displacement, and excess pore pressure in the layered silty sediment from the surface to a depth of 10?m using the Biot theory. A comparative analysis of the calculated results and the data measured in the field was then performed. Based on these results, we established a new formation mechanism for the large pockmarks. With the occurrence of storm waves, two extreme areas of displacement and excess pore pressure appeared in the layered silty sediment. These extreme values increased quickly in the seabed during the continuous action of storm waves. When the excess pore pressure surpassed the effective stress, the top silty layer instantly liquefied and then reconsolidated. Then, when the pore pressure of the interface position exceeded the effective stress produced by the overlying sediment, the sediments experienced “sand boil” damage. With the repeated action of strong waves, the boundary of the pockmark continued to expand, forming a large and stable pockmark. This work is of great value for further understanding and mitigating marine geologic hazards, such as coastal erosion, silt deposition, and unstable sediment, in the subaqueous Yellow River Delta.     

Geophysical exploration of an active pockmark field in the Bay of Concarneau,southern Brittany,and implications for resident suspension feeders

About a decade ago, a large field of pockmarks (individual features up to 30 m in diameter and <2 m deep) was discovered in water depths of 15–40 m in the Bay of Concarneau in southern Brittany along the French Atlantic coast, covering an overall area of 36 km² and characterised by unusually high pockmark densities in places reaching 2,500 per square kilometre. As revealed by geophysical swath and subbottom profile data ground-truthed by sediment cores collected during two campaigns in 2005 and 2009, the confines of the pockmark field show a spectacular spatial association with those of a vast expanse of tube mats formed by a benthic community of the suspension-feeding amphipod Haploops nirae. The present study complements those findings with subbottom chirp profiles, seabed sonar imagery and ultrasonic backscatter data from the water column acquired in April 2011. Results show that pockmark distribution is influenced by the thickness of Holocene deposits covering an Oligocene palaeo-valley system. Two groups of pockmarks were identified: (1) a group of large (>10 m diameter), more widely scattered pockmarks deeply rooted (up to 8 ms two-way travel time, TWTT) in the Holocene palaeo-valley infills, and (2) a group of smaller, more densely spaced pockmarks shallowly rooted (up to 2 ms TWTT) in interfluve deposits. Pockmark pore water analyses revealed high methane concentrations peaking at ca. 400 μl/l at 22 and 30 cm core depth in silty sediments immediately above Haploops-bearing layers. Water column data indicate acoustic plumes above pockmarks, implying ongoing pockmark activity. Pockmark gas and/or fluid expulsion resulting in increased turbidity (resuspension of, amongst others, freshly settled phytoplankton) could at least partly account for the strong spatial association with the phytoplankton-feeding H. nirae in the Bay of Concarneau, exacerbating impacts of anthropogenically induced eutrophication and growing offshore trawling activities. Tidally driven hydraulic pumping in gas-charged pockmarks represents a good candidate as large-scale short-term triggering mechanism of pockmark activation, in addition to episodic regional seismic activity.