Application of data on seawater light scattering for the study of marine particles: a selective review focusing on Russian literature

This paper presents a selective review of applications of data on seawater light scattering for the study and monitoring of marine particles. Particular emphasis is placed on ocean waters and the seas surrounding Russia, where earlier studies by the author with his coworkers are little known because published mostly in Russian. In those assessments, methods of solving the inverse problem of seawater light scattering have been developed. Low-parametric models of optical properties were created by means of statistical analyses of experimental data, solving the inverse problem and comparing results derived from optical methods with those based on particle counts. Estimates of the volume and mass concentrations of suspended matter and its components were derived from light-scattering data for different regions. The potential of using optical methods for assessing spatiotemporal variability in suspended matter supply, propagation, and distribution is also considered.     

Stratigraphic and structural control on the distribution of gas hydrates and active gas seeps on the Posolsky Bank, Lake Baikal

The distribution and origin of shallow gas seeps in the vicinity of the Posolsky Bank in Lake Baikal were studied based on the integration of detailed seismic, multibeam, and hydro-acoustic water-column investigations. In all, 65 acoustic flares have been detected on the Posolsky Fault scarp near the crest of the bank and in a similar, nearby setting at water depths of ?43 to ?332?m. The seismic data reveal BSRs (bottom-simulating reflectors) occurring up to water depths of ?300?m. Calculations involving hydrate stability, heat flow, and topographic modulation based on BSR occurrence and multibeam bathymetry enabled prediction of a methane–ethane gas mixture and heat-flow values that would account for gas hydrate stability in the lake sediments under prevailing ambient conditions. These predictions are supported by ground truth data. The findings suggest that seeps concentrated along the crest of the Posolsky Bank are fed mainly by gas coming from below the base of the gas hydrate stability zone, which would migrate updip via permeable stratigraphic pathways beneath the bank. Gas would ultimately be released into the water column where these pathways are cut off by faults.

Faunal communities at sites of gas- and oil-bearing fluids in Lake Baikal

Macro- and meiofaunal communities were examined at four geomorphologically distinct sites with different gas- and oil-bearing fluid characteristics in the northern, central and southern basins of Lake Baikal. All sites had elevated concentrations of bicarbonate, nitrate, sulphate and chloride ions in pore fluids, with highest values at the Frolikha vent. Elevated levels of iron ions were found in pore waters of the St. Petersburg methane seep and the Gorevoy Utes oil seep. The chemical composition of pore waters at the Malenky mud volcano was similar to that reported in earlier work. Consistent with published data, the Frolikha vent (northern basin) and the St. Petersburg methane seep (central basin) were characterised by methane of mixed genesis (thermogenic + biogenic), whereas the methane source was mainly thermogenic at the Gorevoy Utes oil seep (central basin) and biogenic at the Malenky mud volcano (southern basin). In contrast to marine seep ecosystems, the macrofauna was dominated only by amphipods, giant planarians and oligochaetes, whereas bivalves were absent; the meiofauna was similar to its marine counterpart, being dominated by nematodes, cyclops, harpacticoids and ostracods. A statistically significant positive relationship was revealed between faunal abundance and the availability of bacterial mats on seep sediments. Moreover, ANOVA tests showed significant increases in both meiozoobenthic and macrozoobenthic densities at “hot spot” vent/seep sites relative to discharge-free reference sites. The isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen at various trophic levels of these benthic vent/seep communities was found to differ markedly from that reported by earlier studies for the pelagic and other benthic food webs in Lake Baikal. As in marine seeps, the macrofauna had variable isotopic signatures. Light δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values suggest the utilization of chemosynthetically fixed and/or methane-derived organic matter. By contrast, the heavy δ¹³C signatures of some mobile amphipods likely reflect consumption of photosynthetically derived carbon. These findings would at least partly explain why Lake Baikal is a notable outlier in global temperature–biodiversity patterns, exhibiting the highest biodiversity of any lake worldwide but at an extremely cold average temperature.     

Hermannjahnite,CuZn(SO4)2, a new mineral with chalcocyanite derivative structure from the Naboko scoria cone of the 2012–2013 fissure eruption at Tolbachik volcano,Kamchatka, Russia

Mineralogy and Petrology - A new mineral hermannjahnite, ideally CuZn(SO4)2, was found in the sublimates of Saranchinaitovaya fumarole, Naboko scoria cone, where the recent Fissure Tolbachik...     

Geochemistry of Thermal Waters of Continental Margin of Far East of Russia

Studied waters belong to warm(T=30-50℃),alkaline(pH=8.9-9.3),low mineralized(TDS235 mg/1)Na-HCO_3 or Na-SO_4-HCO_3 thermal waters with high content of SiO_2(up to 81 mg/l)and F(up to 3.9 mg/1),occur on modern volcano-tectonic rejuvenated areas of Eastern Sikhote-Alin orogenic belt.Low~3He concentration as well as N_2/O_2 and N_2/Ar ratios exclude influence of deep mantle fluid.New rare earth element data constrain our understandmg of water-rock interaction occurring in the water source region.Meteoric origin of waters is proved by stable isotope values varying from-71‰to-136.1‰and from-10.8‰to-18.8‰forδ~2U andδ~(18)O respectively.REE patterns reflect high pH,resultfing from water-rock interaction and oxidative conditions.Calculations of deep aquifer temperature using Na-K and quartz geothermometers show 116.8-131.1°C and 82.2-125.8℃respectively.Presence of deep faults both with abnormal thermal gradient(~45-50 K/km)define unique geochemical shape of thermal waters of Sikhote-Alin,area,where no present volcanic activity is registered.     

Wind Farm Support Vessel Extreme Roll Assessment While Docking in the Bohai Sea

Robust prediction of extreme motions during wind farm support vessel(WFSV)operation is an important safety concern that requires further extensive research as offshore wind energy industry sector widens.In particular,it is important to study the safety of operation in random sea conditions during WFSV docking against the wind tower,while workers are able to get on the tower.Docking is performed by thrusting vessel fender against wind tower(an alternative docking way by hinging is not studied here).In this paper,the finite element software AQWA has been used to analyze vessel response due to hydrodynamic wave loads,acting on a specific maintenance ship under actual sea conditions.Excessive roll may occur during certain sea conditions,especially in the beam sea,posing a risk to the crew transfer operation.The Bohai Sea is the area of diverse industrial activities such as offshore oil production,wave and wind power generation,etc.This paper advocates a novel method for estimating extreme roll statistics,based on Monte Carlo simulations(or measurements).The ACER(averaged conditional exceedance rate)method and its modification are presented in brief detail in Appendix.The proposed methodology provides an accurate extreme value prediction,utilizing available data efficiently.In this study the estimated return level values,obtained by ACER method,are compared with the corresponding return level values obtained by Gumbel method.Based on the overall performance of the proposed method,it is concluded that the ACER method can provide more robust and accurate prediction of the extreme vessel roll.The described approach may be well used at the vessel design stage,while defining optimal boat parameters would minimize potential roll.     

Evaluation of formation pore pressure behind the casing using borehole gravity data

Reliable estimates of the fluid pressure in the pore space of rocks are critical for different aspects of petroleum exploration and production including injection operations and scenarios of water flooding. Numerous approaches are available for formation pore pressure evaluation, however, these measurements become a challenge inside a cased borehole, and a list of possible options is short: either the casing is to be perforated, or the production tubing needs to be disconnected to perform the pressure tests. We present a method for through-casing evaluation of formation pore pressure without shutting down production. We suggest equipping an observation well with a borehole gravimeter and acquiring time variations of the vertical component of the gravity field. Changes in gravity occur during gas production and are related to time variations of formation pore pressure. Gravity changes obtained in the observation well are supposed to be inverted for time-dependent formation pore pressure variations beyond the casing. Our results and recommendations are based on numerical modeling of pore pressure spatial distribution during gas field exploitation and relevant changes in borehole gravity. Benchmark models were elaborated in order to consider a dynamic process of pressure changes in time and space under conditions similar to those in the Medvezhye gas field (Russia). Different modeling scenarios are considered for early and late stages of gas field exploitation. The sensitivity analysis was performed to estimate quantitatively a sensitivity of borehole temporal gravity changes to variations in formation pore pressure behind the casing. Based on resolution analysis we justify the possibility to extract the gravity measurements directly related to changes in pore pressure from the total changes in the gravity field due to reservoir exploitation. The impact of pore pressure on the gravity field measured in boreholes during the water flooding is also evaluated, and obtained results are discussed.