南海西沙海槽的碳酸盐结壳及其对甲烷冷泉活动的指示意义

冷泉碳酸盐岩是指示南海北部可能发育天然气水合物的重要证据之一。对在西沙海槽采集到的冷泉碳酸盐结壳颗粒进行了形貌、稳定同位素等的研究,讨论和揭示了冷泉碳酸盐结壳的形成机理及其与甲烷冷泉活动的关系。结果表明,碳酸盐结壳具有多孔结构,冷泉矿物为文石和重晶石,文石呈针状,含量为39.5%—46.6%,重晶石呈矮柱状,含量为15.6%—21.2%,它们均是从流体中沉淀出来的。重晶石的δ34S值为23.47‰—26.32‰,表明硫同位素发生正漂移,属于与冷泉流体有关的成岩成因重晶石。文石的碳同位素轻度亏损,δ13C值为-13.30‰—-29.59‰,主要来源于热解成因气,但结合了少量正常海水的溶解碳,δ18O值为2.32‰—3.74‰,指示碳酸盐结壳形成时的温度为3.5—9.7℃。研究表明,碳酸盐结壳形成于流体活动缓慢的环境,是深部富含Ba2 的甲烷冷泉流体向上排放和喷溢,在近海底遇到向下渗漏的富含SO42-海水,发生缺氧甲烷氧化反应沉淀出文石,流体中剩余的重34S的SO42-与Ba2 形成重晶石,因此,碳酸盐结壳是西沙海槽存在甲烷冷泉活动的证据。研究结果为进一步开展该海域潜在天然气水合物的调查和研究提供了新证据。     

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。     

冷泉甲烷渗漏环境底栖有孔虫研究回顾与前景

综述了与天然气水合物有关的冷泉甲烷渗漏环境底栖有孔虫研究成果与应用.冷泉甲烷渗漏环境是区别于一般深海环境的特殊微环境,随着天然气水合物勘探的深入和设备的更新,越来越多的冷泉被发现,冷泉底栖有孔虫的研究随之展开.生活在冷泉环境下的底栖有孔虫群落尤其适应高有机质、低氧、有甲烷释放的特定环境,并能将水合物甲烷碳同位素值异常低...     

海底沉积物-水界面溶解甲烷渗漏通量原位观测研究进展

海底沉积物-水界面溶解甲烷渗漏不仅是海底天然气水合物的存在标志和分解释放途径,也是冷泉生物群落的物质和能量来源,因其对海洋环境乃至全球变化的可能重要影响而日益引起人们关注,而海底原位观测及渗漏甲烷通量估算是理解上述问题的关键。目前国际上有两种较为成熟的海底甲烷通量观测方法:1流体渗漏速率原位测量配以室内甲烷浓度分析;2底栖室流体连续取样配以室内甲烷浓度分析,前者能灵敏反应冷泉渗漏速率的时序变化,而后者具有较高的甲烷通量测量准确度。随着甲烷传感器技术的发展,原位测量方法将大大提高甲烷通量测量精度、时间和分辨率。在可移动式观测平台上搭载甲烷传感器,同时进行近海底界面微尺度甲烷浓度梯度测量和湍流观测,不仅能够精细刻画近海底甲烷浓度变化、渗漏通量变化,并且非封闭环境能够最大限度地避免沉积物-水界面遭受扰动,使观测数据更接近海底真实环境,这成为未来海底原位观测的主要发展方向之一。除此之外,特征冷泉生物群落的分布已被广泛应用于将个别测量站位的观测结果扩展到整个区域的甲烷渗漏流量估算。目前,国外学者已经对部分典型海底冷泉区进行了渗漏甲烷通量估算,发现每个渗漏系统每年通过溶解形式向海水释放甲烷量约为6×103~1.35×107 mol,并且甲烷渗漏在时间上和空间上都是多变的,但还没能将单个冷泉系统的通量估算延伸到更大的时空尺度,这成为深入研究海底甲烷储库及其在全球碳循环和气候变化中的作用的瓶颈之一。     

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。     

硫酸盐-甲烷界面与甲烷通量及下伏水合物赋存的关系

硫酸盐-甲烷界面在富甲烷和含天然气水合物的海洋沉积区已经成为一个重要的生物地球化学识别边界.在硫酸盐-甲烷界面之上,沉积物中的硫酸盐因参与分解有机质和甲烷厌氧氧化反应而被消耗,而界面之下沉积物中的甲烷则不断生成,含量逐渐增加.根据该界面附近硫酸盐浓度和甲烷浓度的变化特征,可以判断该区甲烷流体通量的大小,从而指示下伏天然气水合物的可能赋存状况.南海北部陆坡的柱状沉积物孔隙水数据的分析显示,其硫酸盐-甲烷界面埋深比较浅,表明该海域的甲烷通量较高.这种高甲烷通量很可能是由下伏的天然气水合物所引起的,并暗示着该区下伏海底可能有天然气水合物沉积层赋存.     

硫酸盐-甲烷界面与甲烷通量及下伏天然气水合物赋存的关系

硫酸盐-甲烷界面在富甲烷和含天然气水合物的海洋沉积区已经成为一个重要的生物地球化学识别边界。在硫酸盐-甲烷界面之上,沉积物中的硫酸盐因参与分解有机质和甲烷厌氧氧化反应而被消耗,而其界面之下沉积物中的甲烷则不断生成,含量逐渐增加。根据该界面附近硫酸盐浓度和甲烷浓度的变化特征,可以判断该区甲烷流体通量的大小,从而指示下伏天然气水合物的可能赋存状况。南海北部陆坡的柱状沉积物孔隙水数据的分析显示,硫酸盐-甲烷界面埋深比较浅,表明该海域的甲烷通量较高。这种高甲烷通量很可能是由下伏的天然气水合物所引起的,并暗示着该区下伏海底可能有天然气水合物沉积层赋存。     

南海神狐海域水合物发育区浅表层沉积物甲烷周转定量模拟

在天然气水合物发育区海底沉积物中甲烷厌氧氧化作用(AOM)是碳循环的重要组成部分。通过定量计算表层沉积物中甲烷迁移转化通量,可以更准确评估甲烷来源碳对沉积物碳库和海洋深部碳库影响。本文利用反应―运移模型对采集于南海神狐水合物发育区两个站位(SH-W19-PC、SH-W23-PC)采集的孔隙水SO_4~(2-)、溶解无机碳(DIC)、Ca~(2+)剖面进行拟合,同时对DIC碳同位素进行分析,确定近海底沉积物中的碳循环。研究显示两个站位孔隙水中SO_4~(2-)和Ca~(2+)浓度在剖面上随深度呈线性减少,DIC浓度随深度逐渐增加,其δ~(13)C_(DIC)值随深度逐渐降低至约-25‰,表明两个站位存在一定程度的AOM。模拟计算两个站位沉积物孔隙水溶解甲烷向上的通量分别为25.9和18.4 mmol·m~(-2) a~(-1),AOM作用产生的DIC分别占其总DIC量的70.7%和60%。由沉积物向海水中释放的DIC通量占DIC汇的约60%。因此,在天然气水合物发育区向海底渗漏甲烷大部分以DIC的形式进入上覆海水,这些具有极负碳同位素值的甲烷来源的DIC可能对局部深海碳库产生一定的影响。     

南海北部浅表层沉积底栖有孔虫碳同位素及其对富甲烷环境的指示

对南海北部陆坡东沙海域、神狐海域及西沙海槽甲烷渗漏环境和无甲烷渗漏环境87个浅表层沉积物中的底栖有孔虫Uvigerinaspp.进行碳同位素分析研究,结果表明,东沙海域δ13C值为-0.52‰~-5.68‰,平均值为-1.41‰,出现明显的负偏移;神狐海域δ13C值介于-0.36‰~-1.10‰,平均值为-0.75‰,未见明显的δ13C值负偏移;西沙海槽δ13C值介于-0.01%~-0.89‰,平均值为-0.45‰;对Uvigerinaspp.碳同位素组成与沉积物有机碳(TOC)、甲烷(CH4)间的关系进行探讨,发现δ13C负偏移主要出现在甲烷渗漏环境,发生在末次盛冰期,与溶解无机碳负偏移以及沉积物全样的δ13C值负偏移层位相吻合,有可能作为富甲烷环境的替代指标。     

海底甲烷缺氧氧化与冷泉碳酸盐岩沉淀动力学研究进展

海底缺氧带甲烷氧化作用是一个重要的甲烷生物地球化学过程,已被许多地球化学现象所证实。甲烷缺氧氧化有效地减少了渗漏到海水和大气中的甲烷通量,但目前仅有的数据还不能很好地限定甲烷缺氧氧化在全球甲烷循环和全球碳循环中的作用。甲烷缺氧氧化的机理还存在争议,很可能是一个“反甲烷生成”过程。在许多天然气渗漏发育区域,由于甲烷缺氧氧化作用引起环境碱度的增加而沉淀冷泉碳酸盐岩,在海底表层沉积物中形成块状碳酸盐岩结壳。但冷泉碳酸盐岩生成所需的物理化学和生物地球化学条件在很大程度上还不清楚。数值计算表明,孔隙水中溶解足够量的甲烷、冷泉渗漏强度适中、较小的生物扰动作用有利于冷泉碳酸盐岩的生成,而过高的沉积速率则抑制冷泉碳酸盐岩结壳的生成。因此,海底发育冷泉碳酸盐岩可以指示天然气渗漏系统的演化特征。     

The evidence for the existence of methane seepages in the northern South China Sea: abnormal high methane concentrations in bottom waters

The methane concentration of water samples at five stations collected by the CTD rosette water sampler in the areas of southwest Dongsha Islands and the Xisha Trough was analyzed by the gas-stripping method on aboard ship. It shows abnormal high methane concentrations in near bottom water samples at three stations. In the southwest Dongsha Islands area, the methane conc.entration of 4. 25 and 10. 64 nmol/dm3 occurs in near bottom water samples at Stas E105A and El06, respectively. In the Xisha Trough area, the high methane concentrations of 5. 17, 8.48 and 8.70 nmol/dm3 in water depths of 1 750, 1 900 and 2 050 m, respectively, have been observed at Sta. F413. It is believed that the abnormal high methane concentrations are generated from the leakage of methane from sediments. Combining with previous geophysical and geochemical data from these two areas, this was probably related to the submarine gas hydrates decomposition and cold seep system. In May 2007, gas hydrate samples were successfully obtained by the drilling in the Shenhu Sea area located in the southwest Dongsha Islands area. It is called for further drilling surveys to confirm the existence of gas hydrate and cold seep system in the Xisha Trough as early as possible.     

西沙海槽沉积模式

晚中新世琼东南盆地快速构造沉降，沉积欠补偿形成了西沙海槽。西沙海槽上部高陡带为悬浮沉积体系，下部低缓带为浊流滑塌沉积体系，槽底平缓带为河流沉积体系。不同于浊流沉积小而散，深海河流沉积为稳定的贯穿整个海槽的大储层。由于深海河流沉积体系稳、远、大的特点，其注定成为世界深水油气勘探的主要目标。     

In situ hydrocarbon concentrations from pressurized cores in surface sediments, Northern Gulf of Mexico

Two newly developed coring devices, the Multi-Autoclave-Corer and the Dynamic Autoclave Piston Corer were deployed in shallow gas hydrate-bearing sediments in the northern Gulf of Mexico during research cruise SO174 (Oct–Nov 2003). For the first time, they enable the retrieval of near-surface sediment cores under ambient pressure. This enables the determination of in situ methane concentrations and amounts of gas hydrate in sediment depths where bottom water temperature and pressure changes most strongly influence gas/hydrate relationships. At seep sites of GC185 (Bush Hill) and the newly discovered sites at GC415, we determined the volume of low-weight hydrocarbons (C₁ through C₅) from nine pressurized cores via controlled degassing. The resulting in situ methane concentrations vary by two orders of magnitudes between 0.031 and 0.985 mol kg^− 1 pore water below the zone of sulfate depletion. This includes dissolved, free, and hydrate-bound CH₄. Combined with results from conventional cores, this establishes a variability of methane concentrations in close proximity to seep sites of five orders of magnitude. In total four out of nine pressure cores had CH₄ concentrations above equilibrium with gas hydrates. Two of them contain gas hydrate volumes of 15% (GC185) and 18% (GC415) of pore space. The measurements prove that the highest methane concentrations are not necessarily related to the highest advection rates. Brine advection inhibits gas hydrate stability a few centimeters below the sediment surface at the depth of anaerobic oxidation of methane and thus inhibits the storage of enhanced methane volumes. Here, computerized tomography (CT) of the pressure cores detected small amounts of free gas. This finding has major implications for methane distribution, possible consumption, and escape into the bottom water in fluid flow systems related to halokinesis.     

基于单波束测深资料的海底冷泉动力学特征反演方法研究

为了准确理解冷泉水体中甲烷气体的分布规律,综合运用单波束测深数据和冷泉水体流场数据,建立了冷泉气泡上升、溶解速率的定量反演方法,利用现场海试资料对反演方法进行了验证,并对海试区域的冷泉气体溢出、溶解通量以及冷泉水体的甲烷浓度进行了估算。计算结果表明,考察船航向与冷泉水体流向的差异会对声学探测结果产生影响,当航向与流向的夹角大于±60°时,声学成像中冷泉倾角的误差将超过50%。同时,冷泉气泡上升速率的衰减与溢出口水深显著相关,相关系数可达0.9,并且冷泉上升流对上升速率的提升效果明显。水合物稳定带的分布对冷泉气泡的收缩速率影响显著,稳定带内、外收缩速率的差异可达3～4倍。冷泉气体通量的计算结果表明,调查区域内冷泉的溢出强度整体较大,同时溶解通量与水深之间呈现明显的分段效应。根据冷泉气体溶解通量估算的冷泉水体甲烷浓度与色谱分析结果具有较好的一致性。相关研究有助于实现对冷泉水体中甲烷气体分布的定量评估,为潜在海底冷泉区的圈划和海域天然气水合物的调查提供技术支撑。     

Laboratory experiment and numerical simulation on authigenic mineral formation induced by seabed methane seeps

In natural gas hydrate marine settings, cold seepage of methane fluid is a widely observed phenomenon, where authigenic minerals serve as an indication of potential gas hydrate-bearing reservoirs at depth. In this study, based on the data from the site HD196 near Dongsha Island, northern continental slope of South China Sea, laboratory experiments and numerical simulation studies were conducted to investigate the biogeochemical processes of authigenic mineral formation induced by methane seepage. The bioreactor experimental results show that in response to methane flux, pH increased to 8.5 after 20 days of reaction, and Eh declined rapidly first and then remained unchanged at about 100 mV. The decrease in SO₄²⁻, HS⁻ and HCO₃⁻ concentrations indicated the occurrence of anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled with sulfate reduction (AOM-SR). The depletion of Fe²⁺ implied the formation of iron-bearing minerals, e.g., iron sulfides. Carbonate minerals were also identified in the experimental phase of this study. Most iron sulfides existed as massive pieces, and in some cases as spherical or rod-shape pieces. The calcium carbonates were observed as blocky pieces. Numerical simulations were also performed to reproduce the biogeochemical reactions that occurred in the reactor experiments. Based on experimental data, kinetic parameters associated with the observed reactions were calibrated. The model simulated results are general consistent with those obtained by the experiments conducted in this study. The combination of simulation and experimental studies provided a powerful tool to investigate the biogeochemical processes in the methane leakage environment at different temporal and spatial scales. This study gave a new perspective to understand the formation of cold seep authigenic minerals in marine sediments, and was significant for future investigations on the effects of hydrate decomposition.     

Methane in Water and Bottom Sediments in Three Sections in the Kara and Laptev Seas

The methane content in water and bottom sediments was measured in vertical sections: Lena River Delta–continental slope (the Laptev Sea), Taimyr Peninsula–Voronin Trough, and along the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago. The methane concentrations varied from 2.5 to 70 nmol/L and from 590 to 2600 nmol/L in the water column and sediments, respectively. Most of the surface water samples showed oversaturation in methane (up to 19-fold, fourfold on average), which determined the water–atmosphere direction of methane fluxes, which amounted to 1–400 mol/km² day (52 mol/km² day on average).     

夏季南海上层环流动力机制的数值研究

通过利用一个分区性的正压-斜压衔接模式来探讨夏季南海的上层环流特征及其动力机制,结果表明:夏季期间,由于风生环流的不稳定性促使在东沙群岛附近的气旋涡的强度及位置发生变化,并间接导致黑潮侵入南海北部的程度变化以及气旋涡南侧的反气旋式环流、西沙群岛西南侧的气旋涡的强度和范围出现波动现象;在南海南部的北向西边界流由于离岸的西南季风所驱动在中南半岛中部沿岸脱离岸线往东北方向的流动,导致沿岸的水体大量流失而在沿岸形成一支南向补偿流并在西沙群岛西南侧诱生一气旋涡,而上述的离岸西边界流则作顺时针方向流动,从而在南海南部形成反气旋式大环流;在南沙海槽附近出现的局地气旋涡和万安滩附近的气旋涡分别受β效应、底形效应的作用而形成.     

Seismic imaging of the Formosa Ridge cold seep site offshore of southwestern Taiwan

Multi-scale reflection seismic data, from deep-penetration to high-resolution, have been analyzed and integrated with near-surface geophysical and geochemical data to investigate the structures and gas hydrate system of the Formosa Ridge offshore of southwestern Taiwan. In 2007, dense and large chemosynthetic communities were discovered on top of the Formosa Ridge at water depth of 1125 m by the ROV Hyper-Dolphin. A continuous and strong BSR has been observed on seismic profiles from 300 to 500 ms two-way-travel-time below the seafloor of this ridge. Sedimentary strata of the Formosa Ridge are generally flat lying which suggests that this ridge was formed by submarine erosion processes of down-slope canyon development. In addition, some sediment waves and mass wasting features are present on the ridge. Beneath the cold seep site, a vertical blanking zone, or seismic chimney, is clearly observed on seismic profiles, and it is interpreted to be a fluid conduit. A thick low velocity zone beneath BSR suggests the presence of a gas reservoir there. This “gas reservoir” is shallower than the surrounding canyon floors along the ridge; therefore as warm methane-rich fluids inside the ridge migrate upward, sulfate carried by cold sea water can flow into the fluid system from both flanks of the ridge. This process may drive a fluid circulation system and the active cold seep site which emits both hydrogen sulfide and methane to feed the chemosynthetic communities.     

Estimation of methane fluxes from bottom sediments of Lake Baikal

Methane bubble fluxes in gas flares from bottom sediments in Lake Baikal were estimated for the first time using hydroacoustic methods. Earlier work has demonstrated the occurrence of gas seeps both inside and outside of areas where bottom simulating reflectors were identified in seismic profiles. Fluxes ranged from 14 to 216 tons per year, with the flux for the entire area of the central and southern basins ranging from 1,400 to 2,800 tons per year. Comparison with other water bodies showed that fluxes from the most intensive Baikal flares were similar to those in the Norwegian and Okhotsk seas. Gas hydrates decompose at the lower boundary of the gas hydrate stability zone due to sedimentation. Calculation of the amount of methane produced due to sedimentation gave a total of between 2,600 and 14,000 tons per year for the central and southern basins of the lake. Based on rough estimation, the total flux from shallow- and deep-water gas seeps is similar to the amount of methane produced due to sedimentation. This suggests that gas hydrates possibly occupy much more than 10?% of the pore volume near the base of the gas hydrate stability zone, or that there are other reasons for gas hydrate dissociation and bubble flux from these bottom sediments.     

东沙群岛西南海区泥火山的地球物理特征

多道反射地震和CHIRP浅地层剖面显示在南海东沙群岛西南陆坡和白云凹陷东部陆坡之间的深水(600~1 000m)陆坡上矗立着一系列高出周围海底50~100m的丘形地质体,其内部地层发生褶皱,反射波呈现杂乱和空白,海底声波屏蔽严重。浅地层剖面还显示丘状构造带有气体羽状构造,从海底进入水体高达50m。海底沉积取样分析表明,这些海丘区的表层分布着生物成因的致密碳酸盐结核。可以推断东沙西南的丘形地质体就是泥火山带,并且可能是一个重要的水合物潜在区。东沙西南海区泥火山表现出构造挤压和带状分布的特点,不同于南海北部神狐和九龙甲烷礁已发现水合物区的非泥火山,也不同于全球其他典型被动大陆边缘的泥火山特征,其构造成因和水合物潜力有待进一步研究。