Ice-rafted volcanic ash in the South Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean during the last 100,000 years

Eucampia antarctica (Castr.) Mangin abundance curves for two piston cores from the western Agulhas Basin (southeast Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean) were used to place volcanic glass shard and ice-rafted debris abundance curves into a stratigraphic framework for the last 100,000 years. A direct correlation is shown between increased abundance of E. antarctica, tephra and ice-rafted debris; low abundances are often characterized by calcareous sediment in the northern core. Peaks in abundance of E. antarctica have been interpreted as an indication of glacial periods and the increased ice-rafted debris and tephra during glacial periods is evidence for an ice-rafted origin for the tephra.Microprobe geochemical analysis of volcanic glass shards provides no single distinct source for the ash. The geochemical data is consistent, but not definitive, with a primary source in the Scotia Arc and a minor source from Bouvet Island. Between core correlations of geochemically “fingerprinted” dispersed tephra zones were not successful due to variability of glass shard geochemistry and limited sample size.     

楚科奇海与加拿大海盆表层沉积物表观特征及其环境指示

通过对中国首次和第二次北极科学考察采集的表层沉积物的观察，根据沉积物的颜色和气味、砾石分布、底栖生物及贝壳分布特征的分析，探讨了该海区表层沉积物表观特征变化与有机质输入、沉积物的氧化还原状态的关系、底栖生物分布范围、冰筏碎屑的分布区域及与海流的关系，指出在研究区软体动物生长的北界位于73．5°N，比浮游动物的北界约低2个纬度。冰筏碎屑的北界可作为融冰水的北界或永久冰区的南界，位置在77°24′N附近。通过对沉积物表观特征的综合分析，结合研究区的海流特征，指出研究区的海流分布对沉积物分布有重要影响，尤其是两股不同性质的海流相遇，对西南部与东部两个区域的沉积物组成及性质具有较强的控制作用。     

Evidence for climatic and oceanographic controls on terrigenous sediment supply to the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean over the past 63,000?years

Multiple proxy studies on sediment core SK 200/22a from the sub-Antarctic sector of the Indian Ocean revealed millennial-scale fluctuations in terrigenous input during the last 63,000?years. The marine isotope stages 1 (MIS 1) and MIS 3 are characterized by generally low concentrations of magnetic minerals, being dominated by fine-grained magnetite and titano-magnetite. Within the chronological constraints, periods of enhanced terrigenous input and calcite productivity over the last 63,000?years are nearly synchronous with the warming events recorded in Antarctic ice cores. An equatorward shift of the westerly wind system in association with a strengthening of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) system may have promoted wind-induced shallow-water erosion around oceanic islands, leading to enhanced terrigenous input to the core site. Major ice-rafted debris events at 13?C23, 25?C30, 45?C48 and 55?C58?ka BP are asynchronous with ??¹⁸O and carbonate productivity records. This out-of-phase relation suggests that ice-sheet dynamics and ACC intensity were the primary factors influencing ice rafting and terrigenous input to the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean, with only limited support from sea-surface warming.     

南黄海灵山岛附近残留沉积及其沉积环境分析

在灵山岛东南水深大于25m海域的表层,发现大片砂砾、砾砂类沉积。根据对此类沉积物特征、成熟度、粒度分布、概率累积曲线、粒度参数、贝壳种类和沉积物展布特征的分析,发现此类沉积与现今海洋动力环境和海相沉积特征不相符合,推知此类沉积可能为残留沉积,其沉积环境为陆相洪积扇沉积。     

末次间冰期以来门捷列夫洋脊南部冰盖对细颗粒沉积的控制作用

门捷列夫洋脊南部的粘土矿物沉积具有明确的物源，为追踪该区沉积环境的演变提供了良好的条件。末次间冰期以来，ARC7-E23孔中的粘土矿物记录表现出了非常显著的变化。结合沉积物粒度的端元组份和冰阀碎屑沉积，粘土矿物的变化模式表明，东西伯利亚冰盖(ESIS)的规模可能是控制细颗粒沉积的主要因素。在氧同位素2期(MIS2)和4期(MIS4)，门捷列夫洋脊南部可能被ESIS所覆盖，几乎阻挡了所有来自加拿大和拉夫贴夫海陆架的沉积物，但允许大量来自东西伯利亚海陆架的细粒沉积物输入。只有当ESIS消融后，波弗特环流和越极流的相对强度以及搬运作用才成为了控制远源沉积物输入的主要因素。MIS3期的气候条件似乎最适合远源沉积物的输入，不仅提高了表层环流的流通性，也提供了足够多的搬运介质。     

Geology and biology of Oceanographer submarine Canyon

We investigated Oceanographer Canyon, which is on the southeastern margin of Georges Bank, during a series of fourteen dives in the “Alvin” and “Nekton Gamma” submersibles. We have integrated our observations with the results of previous geological and biological studies of Georges Bank and its submarine canyons. Fossiliferous sedimentary rocks collected from outcrops in Oceanographer Canyon indicate that the Cretaceous—Tertiary boundary is at 950 m below sea level at about 40°16′N where at least 300 m of Upper Cretaceous strata are exposed; Santonian beds are more than 100 m thick and are the oldest rocks collected from the canyon. Quaternary silty clay, deposited most probably during the late Wisconsin Glaciation, veneers the canyon walls in many places, and lithologically similar strata are present beneath the adjacent outer shelf and slope. Where exposed, the Quaternary clay is commonly burrowed by benthic organisms that cause extensive erosion of the canyon walls, especially in the depth zone (100–1300 m) inhabited by red crabs (Geryon) and/or jonah crabs (Cancer). Bioerosion is minimal on high, near-vertical cliffs of sedimentary rock, in areas of continual sediment movement, and where the sea floor is paved by gravel. A thin layer of rippled, unconsolidated silt and sand is commonly present on the canyon walls and in the axis; ripple orientation is most commonly transverse to the canyon axis and slip-faces point downcanyon. Shelf sediments are transported from Georges Bank over the eastern rim and into Oceanographer Canyon by the southwest drift and storm currents; tidal currents and internal waves move the sediment downcanyon along the walls and axis. Large erratic boulders and gravel pavements on the eastern rim are ice-rafted glacial debris of probable late Wisconsinan age; modern submarine currents prevent burial of the gravel deposits. The dominant canyon megafauna segregates naturally into three faunal depth zones (133–299 m; 300–1099 m; 1100–1860 m) that correlate with similar zones previously established for the continental slope epibenthos. Faunal diversity is highest on gravelly sea floors at shallow and middle depths. The benthic fauna and the fishes derive both food and shelter by burrowing into the sea floor. In contrast to the nearby outer shelf and upper slope, Oceanographer Canyon has not been extensively exploited by the fishing industry, and the canyon ecosystem probably is relatively unaltered.     

北极圈海域表层沉积物的黏土矿物特征及其环境意义

应用X射线衍射(XRD)分析技术对北极圈海域15个表层沉积物的黏土矿物进行了研究。结合伊利石的结晶度指数综合分析了研究区黏土矿物的组成和分布特征及其物质来源、沉积环境和水动力条件。结果表明,北极圈海域研究区的黏土矿物以伊利石为主(33%),其次为伊/蒙间层矿物(25%)、绿泥石(23%)、高岭石(15%)以及蒙皂石(4%)。伊利石的开形指数(Ns)都比较小,大多在1~2之间,Ns的分布对物源有一定的指示意义。楚科奇海区具较弱的水动力条件,沉积环境较稳定;白令海具强烈的水动力条件,属于冲刷环境。认为北极圈海域研究区的黏土沉积物均有三方面来源,即河流输入、海洋自生和冰筏搬运物。     

Non-Energy Resources,Connecticut Coastal Waters,Year 9 and 10 Activities

The Connecticut effort in year 9 of the Continental Margins Program concentrated on a 13.6-mi2 area south of the Housatonic River. This area was chosen for a side-scan sonar survey because it lies on and adjacent to the bathymetric expressions of two fairly large, subcropping, potential sources of coarse material. Previous seismic work in the area indicated that outcrops or subcrops of these potential source deposits could be delineated using their bathymetric expression. Owing to the limited resolution of the seismic data, a correlation between bottom type and underlying source deposits could not be made with the seismics alone. Results from the November 1993 side-scan survey show that although the source deposits have discernible bathymetric expressions, they are not cropping out as much as expected. As a result, bottom type is not necessarily determined by subcropping deposits in this particular area. Year 10 work was concentrated in Fishers Island Sound, where three areas of potential interest for near-shore gravel resources had previously been identified. These areas were surveyed, during the spring of 1996, using the RoxAnn Seabed Classification System. A small video camera and a Van Veen grab sampler were used to calibrate and verify the RoxAnn data. Although previous sampling had indicated the presence of gravel or gravelly sediment in all of the survey areas, the RoxAnn results showed less gravel than anticipated. Vibrant eelgrass beds and other habitat indicators were detected in all of the survey areas. Given the variable sediment results, and the high habitat potential of the areas surveyed, the likelihood of developing a sand and gravel supply from the near shore of Fishers Island Sound appears quite low.     

Lower cretaceous basalt and sediments from the Kerguelen Plateau

Geological samples from the southern Kerguelen Plateau include Lower Cretaceous basalt and lava breccia, probable Lower Cretaceous conglomerate and shelf limestone, Upper Cretaceous chert with dolomite, Upper Cretaceous-Eocene ooze, and Tertiary conglomerate. Neogene sediments are only a few hundred m thick, and include foraminiferal and diatomaceous ooze, and ice-rafted debris. In conjunction with seismic reflection profiles, the samples indicate Early Cretaceous near-shore volcanism, followed by erosion, sedimentation, and subsidence through Cretaceous; arching of the plateau at the end of Cretaceous; subsidence through Paleogene; widespread emergence in mid-Tertiary; and slow subsidence through Neogene.     

Grain size, geochemistry, magnetic susceptibility: Proxies in identifying sources and factors controlling distribution of metals in a tropical estuary, India

The aim of this study is to understand the various sources and factors controlling the abundance and distribution of the metals through the analyses of selected metals (iron, manganese, chromium, copper, zinc and cobalt), sand, silt, clay, organic carbon and magnetic susceptibility of the surface sediments of Zuari estuary in three different seasons. Total suspended matter (TSM) concentration and salinity of near surface and bottom waters were also measured. The study undertaken for three seasons, based on 18 selected stations all along the estuary, indicated that the concentration of most of the metals were comparatively higher during pre-monsoon than in monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Further, along the length of the estuary, high concentrations were observed at lower middle and lower estuary and also at few stations at the upstream end. Salinity, distribution of TSM, size of the sediment, organic matter, geomorphological setup, fresh water input from land and release of industrial waste within the estuary played a role in distribution and concentration of metals. Magnetic measurements indicated the dominance of haematite like minerals and helped in understanding the source and depositional processes.     

Regional variations in provenance and abundance of ice-rafted clasts in Arctic Ocean sediments: implications for the configuration of late Quaternary oceanic and atmospheric circulation in the Arctic

The composition and distribution of ice-rafted glacial erratics in late Quaternary sediments define the major current systems of the Arctic Ocean and identify two distinct continental sources for the erratics. In the southern Amerasia basin up to 70% of the erratics are dolostones and limestones (the Amerasia suite) that originated in the carbonate-rich Paleozoic terranes of the Canadian Arctic Islands. These clasts reached the Arctic Ocean in glaciers and were ice-rafted to the core sites in the clockwise Beaufort Gyre. The concentration of erratics decreases northward by 98% along the trend of the gyre from southeastern Canada basin to Makarov basin. The concentration of erratics then triples across the Makarov basin flank of Lomonosov Ridge and siltstone, sandstone and siliceous clasts become dominant in cores from the ridge and the Eurasia basin (the Eurasia suite). The bedrock source for the siltstone and sandstone clasts is uncertain, but bedrock distribution and the distribution of glaciation in northern Eurasia suggest the Taymyr Peninsula-Kara Sea regions. The pattern of clast distribution in the Arctic Ocean sediments and the sharp northward decrease in concentration of clasts of Canadian Arctic Island provenance in the Amerasia basin support the conclusion that the modern circulation pattern of the Arctic Ocean, with the Beaufort Gyre dominant in the Amerasia basin and the Transpolar drift dominant in the Eurasia basin, has controlled both sea-ice and glacial iceberg drift in the Arctic Ocean during interglacial intervals since at least the late Pleistocene. The abruptness of the change in both clast composition and concentration on the Makarov basin flank of Lomonosov Ridge also suggests that the boundary between the Beaufort Gyre and the Transpolar Drift has been relatively stable during interglacials since that time. Because the Beaufort Gyre is wind-driven our data, in conjunction with the westerly directed orientation of sand dunes that formed during the last glacial maximum on the North Slope of Alaska, suggests that atmospheric circulation in the western Arctic during late Quaternary was similar to that of the present.     

Latest Pleistocene to Holocene changes in glaciomarine sedimentation in Scoresby Sund and along the adjacent East Greenland Continental Margin: Preliminary results

Based on preliminary results of sedimentological and organic geochemical investigations, distinct changes in the composition of siliciclastic and biogenic components occured in sediments from the East Greenland Continental Slope and Shelf and Scoresby Sund during the latest Pleistocene to Holocene times. These changes probably reflect the (? early/) late Weichselian glacial to Holocene interglacial transition, i.e., the decay of continental ice masses and sea-ice cover, causing major changes in supply of terrigenous matter and surface-water productivity. Flux rates of coarse-grained ice-rafted debris (IRD) distinctly decreased on the continental slope/shelf during the deglaciation interval. During the last 10,000 years, major amounts of IRD were trapped in the Scoresby Sund system. In comparison to modern interglacial conditions, surface-water productivity was significantly lower during the last glacial.     

Cycladophora davisiana (Radiolaria) in the Okhotsk Sea: A key for reconstructing glacial ocean conditions

Cycladophora davisiana, a radiolarian species dwelling at mesopelagic depths, is known as a representative glacial fauna due to its unique distribution during glacial periods. In the present ocean, abundant production of C. davisiana is only observed in the Okhotsk Sea, indicating an adaptation of C. davisiana for seasonal sea-ice covered conditions. We found pronounced abundant production of C. davisiana during the early to middle Holocene in the Okhotsk Sea, suggesting more favorable conditions for C. davisiana than the present Okhotsk Sea. In order to clarify the reason, oceanographic conditions during the Holocene were reconstructed based on biomarkers, lithogenic grains including ice-rafted debris (IRD), biogenic opal, and total organic carbon (TOC) in two sediment cores from the Okhotsk Sea. These indicators suggest that the pronounced C. davisiana production may be attributed to: 1) a supply to mesopelagic depths under intensified stratification of fine organic particles derived from coccolithophorids, bacteria, and detrital materials; and 2) cold, well-ventilated intermediate water formation.     

Distribution of radium-224 in the western Arctic Ocean

1Introduction ThephysicalcharacteristicsintheArcticOcean includewidecontinentalshelves,accountingfor36% oftheocean’ssurfacearea(MooreandSmith,1986) withseasonalicecover.Theprincipalwatersentering theArcticOceanarefromtheNorthAtlanticviathe FramStraitandtheBarentsSea,andtheNorthPacific viatheBeringStrait.Withinthearcticinterior,thewa- tersjoininthelarge-scalecirculationandaresubse- quentlymodifiedbyprocessesofair/sea/iceinterac- tion,riverinflow,andexchangewithsurrounding shelves.Howeve…     

350ka以来北冰洋波弗特环流演变及其沉积响应

波弗特环流(Beaufort Gyre)是 决定北冰洋海冰运移方向和滞留时间的主要因素。依据沉积物的颜色旋回、Mn元素含量和有孔虫丰度,本文建立了阿尔法洋脊(Alpha Ridge)B85-D孔轨道尺度上的年龄框架,并深入分析了该孔晚第四纪以来冰筏碎屑(IRD>154 μm)含量、组分及其源区的变化特点。结果表明,350ka以来最显著的变化发生在末次冰期(MIS2~4期),期间沉积物中Ca元素和白云石含量都接近于零,大部分来自班克斯岛、维多利亚岛和麦肯齐地区的碳酸盐岩碎屑没有在阿尔法洋脊沉积;随着波弗特环流的消亡,搬运陆源碎屑的海冰很可能沿着北美海岸线直接进入了欧亚海盆。而在末次间冰期(MIS5期),波弗特环流却十分流畅,并将大量碳酸盐岩碎屑限制在美亚海盆内,导致阿尔法洋脊沉积物中Ca元素含量急剧升高,与之对应的白云石含量高达16.4%。通过类比可知,在MIS6期波弗特环流的状态可能与MIS2~4期相似,而在MIS8和MIS10这两大冰期,波弗特环流却类似于MIS5期。显然,波弗特环流的存在与否并不严格遵循“冰期-间冰期”旋回,这种变化很可能是风场强度和海冰浓度双重作用的结果。     

海滩表层磁性矿物空间分布特征和季节性变化——以青岛石老人海滩为例

通过对石老人海滩不同季节表层沉积物体积磁化率的原地实测和所取表层样品粒度分级,结合海滩沉积动力环境因素综合分析得知,石老人海滩不同季节表层沉积物磁化率值总体上都表现出东高西低,滩肩高滩面低的趋势。海滩沉积物颗粒夏季比冬季细,分选好。海滩磁化率和沉积物粒度在海滩上的空间分布特征及其季节性变化存在一定联系。海滩的侵蚀沉积过程主要受冬夏季不同的波浪、沿岸流和风的作用影响。通常磁化率值高的区域为颗粒较细的侵蚀区,磁化率值低的区域为颗粒较粗的沉积区。磁学方法作为一种简便快捷低成本易操作的新方法,可以代替耗时的粒度和矿物分析,来分析海滩的沉积动力作用过程,识别海滩的侵蚀和沉积区域。     

Rock magnetic properties of the fine-grained sediment on the outer shelf of the East China Sea: implication for provenance

The rock magnetic properties of surface sediments from the fine-grained depositional area on the outer shelf of the East China Sea, an area surrounded by sands, were investigated with a view to providing information on the sediment provenance. Multiple magnetic parameters such as magnetic susceptibility, anhysteretic remanent magnetization, saturation remanent magnetization (SIRM), coercivities of SIRM, and S ratios (relative abundance of low-coercivity magnetic minerals) were measured for all 179 surface samples, and partial representative samples were examined for their magnetic hysteresis parameters, temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility and X-ray diffraction spectra. Our research indicates that the magnetic mineralogy is dominated by magnetite with a small amount of hematite and is primarily of a pseudo-single-domain to multidomain nature with a detrital origin. The magnetic concentration in the study area generally decreases to the east or southeast accompanied by magnetic particle fining to the east or northeast. The geographic pattern of magnetic properties is most reasonably explained by a major source of sediment jointly from the erosion of the old Huanghe River deposit and the discharge of the Changjiang River. The rock magnetic data facilitate understanding of the transport mechanism of fine-grained sediments in the outer shelf of the East China Sea.     

锦州湾表层海水微塑料分布特征

海洋微塑料是全球关注的新兴环境问题,海湾由于特殊的地理环境特征,成为微塑料分布研究的热点区域。本研究以锦州湾为研究海域,于2017年10月布设了11个点位开展表层海水微塑料样品采集,在实验室采用湿式氧化法开展样品前处理,应用傅立叶变换显微红外光谱仪分析鉴定微塑料成分。研究结果表明,锦州湾表层水体微塑料平均丰度为(0.93±0.59)个/m3,微塑料数量占全部塑料样品的96.2%。微塑料的主要成分为聚丙烯和聚乙烯,分别占55.0%和23.5%;线状和片状塑料的比例最高,分别占41.7%和26.2%;白色、蓝色和半透明微塑料分别占35.1%、26.0%和21.4%。受水动力条件和陆域河流输入等影响,锦州湾表层水体中微塑料的空间分布整体呈现北部偏高,向南部递减的趋势。     

A pulse in the delivery of ice-rafted debris at site 704 in the southeast Atlantic during glacial Termination V

Termination V, the transition from glacial marine isotope stage 12 to interglacial stage 11–425 ka, is the largest deglaciation of the late Pleistocene and culminated with temperatures potentially warmer than present. Coastal geomorphic and stratigraphic evidence provides estimates of a sea-level high-stand 20 m above present at the time (Hearty et al. in Geology 27(4):375–378, 1999). Such sea-level rise would require disintegration of the Greenland Ice Sheet and West Antarctic Ice Sheet as well as part of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (Raynaud et al. in Earth’s climate and orbital eccentricity: the marine isotope stage 11 question. Geophysical monograph 137. American Geophysical Union, Washington, 2003). Lithic fragments in deep-sea sediments >150 μm at Site 704 in the South Atlantic Ocean were quantified. A large multipronged peak in concentration of this ice-rafted debris consisting of clear minerals, rose-colored transparent minerals, and ash punctuates glacial Termination V. It coincides with a brief two-pronged 1 ‰ reversal to heavier isotopic values from ~2.4 to ~3.4 ‰ at ~416 ka interpreted to reflect cooling resulting from influx of a large number of icebergs. The peak in ice-rafted debris also coincides with a 1 ‰ decrease in carbon isotopic ratios interrupting the ~2 ‰ increase in carbon isotope values across the entirety of Termination V. This is interpreted to reflect a reduction or shutdown in North Atlantic Deep Water formation and attendant Circumpolar Deep Water upwelling at the site and is also consistent with a shift in storage of carbon and carbonate from the deep sea to continental shelves resulting from a dramatic sea-level high-stand. Consequently, the lithic record at Site 704 lends support for the upper end of sea-level estimates based upon land-based evidence that requires a substantial contribution from the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. However, caution is warranted as differences with lithic records from Site 1089, 1090 and 1094 suggest sea-surface temperatures may have also affected lithic concentration through controls on iceberg trajectories and decay.     

伶仃洋钻孔岩芯的磁学记录及其对海水进退的响应

华南珠江三角洲河口地区受到珠江流域和近海海洋环境的共同影响,其沉积体系中承载的古地质记录对于揭示海陆交互作用下的地质地貌过程演化具有独特意义。本研究对珠江伶仃洋湾口的一条钻孔岩芯进行了环境磁学研究。研究发现,在晚更新世以来海水入侵的相对高海平面时期,岩芯沉积物中磁性矿物的组成或高矫顽力组分的来源更稳定,反映了沉积区环境的稳定性或沉积物源区的相对固定;在海水退出的风化剥蚀期,沉积序列中磁性矿物组合出现大幅度旋回变化,这表明同时期碎屑物质源区可能经历了显著的环境更替。多重磁学参数包括低频磁化率、非磁滞剩磁、饱和等温剩磁以及HIRM参数,在全岩芯中指示了比较一致的磁性变化特征;相较之下,S-ratio参数的变化更灵敏地响应了伶仃洋湾口地区海水入侵和退出背景下的沉积演化历史。