A long‐range and high‐resolution underwater acoustic positioning system

Abstract

It is desired to track the location of an underwater data collecting platform using acoustic range data. A long‐range and high‐resolution acoustic system for underwater locating has been investigated. The system provides continuous and highly accurate tracking of a platform referenced to bottom‐mounted buoys. Each reference buoy contains an acoustic transponder, which is used to obtain ranging data from the transponder to the platform. The transponder has a signal source that is phase‐modulated by a maximal‐length binary sequence and a correlation processing unit to be capable of detecting received acoustic signals with high SNR in a noisy environment or in attenuation due to long‐range propagation, and to identify multipath acoustic signals. The acoustic system has been designed and sea tests tried. The results of that experiment have yielded capability of a submeter underwater acoustic positioning system.     

基于船舶走航拖曳观测的卫星遥感产品检验

利用船载多参数拖曳式剖面测量系统走航观测获取的台湾岛东南海域叶绿素a浓度连续剖面数据,开展了卫星遥感产品精度检验研究。研究表明,由MERIS反演的叶绿素a浓度产品的平均相对误差优于30%,拖曳剖面观测可为卫星遥感产品检验提供高质量的现场观测数据,而且与船舶、浮标及其他固定平台等传统定点观测方式相比具有明显的效率优势。     

Mining Sand on the Continental Shelf of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the U.S.

Essentially all marine mining along the East and Gulf coasts of the U.S. is for sand used in beach nourishment projects. The current minimal commercial production of sand and aggregate may increase as conventional, on-shore sources become exhausted or are lost to competing land use. Studies published in the late 1990s document a history of nearly 900 individual episodes of beach nourishment having a total cost in excess of $2 × 10⁹ with several hundred million cubic meters of sand placed along over 645 km (400 mi) of shoreline. As exemplified by studies in Florida, prospecting for sand for use in beach nourishment can begin before site specific needs are identified. A full prospecting starts with assimilation of pertinent literature, local knowledge, and an understanding of the geologic and geomorphic settings in which suitable deposits of sand or aggregate occur. High-resolution seismic profiling follows to outline the three dimensional extent of the sand bodies. Finally, vibratory cores are collected to verify the interpretation of the seismic data and to provide samples for geotechnical, especially granulometric, analyses. The actual method of production often is determined by the local availability of different dredge types. Because the mining of marine sands disturbs meaningful areas of the sea floor, environmental concerns must be considered. While it generally is assumed that dredged areas will be left barren, it is possible to assess the likely rate of recolonization. The disruption of bottom habitat also can affect feeding and spawning areas for fishes and other organisms. Alteration in local currents and wave transformation processes need to be modeled and their consequences assessed.     

Vesteris Seamount: An enigma in the Greenland Basin

Vesteris Seamount is a solitary submarine volcano located at 73°30 N, 9°10W in the Greenland Basin. Steeply rising from a base depth of 3100 m to a minimum depth of ~ 130 m and striking 030°/210°, the feature lies ~ 300 km east of the east Greenland margin on an otherwise nearly flat and featureless seafloor. The main body of the seamount appears to have been formed episodically, the last of which culminated about 110 000 years ago. Subsequent, lower intensity volcanic activity continued sporadically until about 25 000 years ago, as evidenced by ash layers found in cores near the base of the feature. The smoothed surfaces at the summit make it likely that the seamount actually broached the surface during the Weichselian glacial period, between 8000 and 13 000 years ago. Two multibeam bathymetric investigations aboardPFS Polarstern during ARKTIS II/4 (1984) and ARKTIS VII/1 (1990), combined with geologic sampling, single-channel seismic profiling and underwater television coverage, have resulted in a new interpretation of both the morphology and origins of the seamount. Data collected aboardPolarstern from ARKTIS II/4 (1984) have been previously reported by Hempelet al. (1991), however, when combined with the ARKTIS VII/1 (1990) data set, a more detailed interpretation of the morphology and structure was feasible. This included the elongated shape of the feature and showed the existence of several small volcanic cones on the seamount flanks.The U.S. Government right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

Fault scarp identification in side-scan sonar and bathymetry images from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge using wavelet-based digital filters

Digital filters designed using wavelet theory are applied to high resolution deep-towed side-scan sonar data from the median valley walls, crestal mountains, and flanks of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 29°10 N. With proper tuning, the digital filters are able to identify the location, orientation, length, and width of highly reflective linear features in sonar images. These features are presumed to represent the acoustic backscatter from axis-facing normal faults. The fault locations obtained from the digital filters are well correlated with visual geologic interpretation of the images. The side-scan sonar images are also compared with swath bathymetry from the same area. The digitally filtered bathymetry images contain nine of the eleven faults identified by eye in the detailed geologic interpretation of the side-scan data. Faults with widths (measured perpendicular to their strike) of less than about 150 m are missed in the bathymetry analysis due to the coarser resolution of these data. This digital image processing technique demonstrates the potential of wavelet-based analysis to reduce subjectivity and labor involved in mapping and analyzing topographic features in side-scan sonar and bathymetric image data.     

Multibeam bathymetric sonar: Sea beam and hydro chart

Abstract

In May, 1977, the first non‐military version of a multi‐beam, wide swath, deep ocean, bathymetric sonar was placed in service. Called SEA BEAM, this equipment provides high resolution bathymetric data across a swath width approximately equal to 78% of the depth. Angu ar resolution is 2.7° with a maximum operating depth of 11,000 m. Real time displays include a CRT presentation of the thwartship profile and a continuous strip chart of bottom contours. All sounding data are recorded on digital magnetic tape for final processing and merging with corrected navigation data. More recently, a companion system called HYDRO CHART has gone into operation for continental shelf surveys.     

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.     

海洋浅地层剖面资料的数据处理方法

在海上地球物理调查中,为了揭示浅部地层结构、浅层气、古河道以及其他潜在地质灾害,浅地层剖面测量是一种不可缺少的重要的手段之一,但是各种环境噪声的影响会导致采集到的原始资料质量不佳,影响后续的解释工作。以PARASOUND 70型参量式浅地层剖面仪实测资料为例,结合前人的研究成果,总结阐述了一些用于浅地层剖面资料的数据处理方法,提高了原始资料信噪比以及分辨率,为海洋地质结构的解释提供了良好的基础资料。     

Time–frequency spectral signature of Pelotas Basin deep water gas hydrates system

Pelotas Basin has the largest gas hydrate occurrence of the Brazilian coast. The reserves are estimated in 780 trillion cubic feet, covering an area of 45,000 km². In this work we apply spectral decomposition technique in order to better understand a gas hydrate deep water system, performing a continuous time–frequency analysis of seismic trace, where frequency spectrum is the output for each time sample of the seismic trace. This allows a continuous analysis on the effects of the geologic structures and lithology over frequency content of the seismic wave. Spectral anomalies found were interpreted as variations of hydrates concentration inside the Gas Hydrate Stability Zone (GHSZ), as well free gas accumulations beneath and Below the GHSZ and gas chimneys. We concluded that this technique has a good potential to assist seismic study of structures associated with gas hydrates accumulations.     

The contribution of marine geology to the knowledge of marine coastal environment off the Campania region (southern Italy): the geological map n. 502 “Agropoli” (southern Campania)

The marine geological map n. 502 “Agropoli”, located offshore the Cilento Promontory, southern Italy, is here described and the regional geology interpreted, particularly referring to water depths between the 30 and 200 m isobaths. The geologic map has been constructed in the frame of a research program financed by the National Geological Survey of Italy (CARG Project), finalized to the construction of up-to-date cartography of the Campania region. Geological and geophysical data on the continental shelf and slope offshore of the Southern Campania region have been collected in the study area, bounded northwards by the Salerno Gulf and southwards by the Policastro Gulf. A high resolution multibeam bathymetry allowed for the construction of a marine digital elevation map; sidescan sonar profiles also have been collected and interpreted. The latter, merged to the bathymetry, have represented the base for the marine geologic cartography. The integrated geologic interpretation of seismic, bathymetric and sidescan sonar data has been calibrated by sea-bottom samples. The morpho-structures and the seismic sequences overlying the outcrops of acoustic basement reported in the cartographic representation have been studied in detail using single-channel seismics. The interpretation of seismic profiles has been a support for the reconstruction of the stratigraphic and structural setting of the Quaternary continental shelf successions and the outcrops of rocky acoustic basement in correspondence to the Licosa Cape morpho-structural high. These areas result from the seaward prolongation of the stratigraphic and structural units, widely cropping out in the surrounding emerged sector of the Cilento Promontory. The cartographic approach is based on the recognition of laterally coeval depositional systems, interpreted in the frame of the system tracts of the Late Quaternary depositional sequence. We present evidence of now subaqueous terraces inferred to be palaeoshorelines representing past sea-level positions and tentatively correlated these to oxygen isotopic stratigraphy.     

GLORIA surveys in frontier areas of the southwest Pacific Ocean

In August 1989, a geophysical survey in parts of the Exclusive Economic Zones of Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga, and Western Samoa was conducted using a variety of techniques including GLORIA sidescan sonar, Seabeam wide-swath bathymetry, 3.5-kHz subbottom profiling, and dual-channel seismic reflection profiling. The data obtained are relevant to significant regional geotectonic problems, and their interpretation has helped to clarify some of these problems, identify areas where potential mineral deposits may be expected to occur, and in some cases, where geohazards may exist on the sea floor. The survey is described in this contribution, and the following papers in this special issue interpret the results of this work.     

An improved method for mapping tidal waterways based on remotely sensed waterlines: A case study in the Yellow River Delta,China

Abstract

Tidal waterways perform as the paths through which seawater invades. Their spatial-temporal variation with the shift in Yellow River’s route requires the accurate measurement of their status. Visual interpretation for delineating tidal waterways is inefficient due to a substantial amount of work. Buffer analysis provides an alternative to visual interpretation. However, it is difficult to use the buffer distance threshold to identify tidal waterways from other freshwater bodies. In this study, we present a straightforward method for mapping tidal waterways. First, we adopted the normalized difference water body index (NDWI) to extract water bodies. Waterlines were subsequently delineated based on a morphological opening filter with a kernel of 9?×?9. Finally, tidal waterways were mapped based on the proposed topological relation in ArcGIS. We showed the utility of this approach by mapping tidal waterways in the Yellow River Delta, China. The proposed method enables tidal waterways be mapped precisely and was replicable and universal in other similar studies.     

海洋地质数据库数据的存储结构

区域海洋地质数据库是利用ORACLE9I和ARCSDE8．2实现对海量数据和空间数据有效存储、管理的企业级数据库，用于管理我国所属海区海洋地质调查获取的基础地质资料和研究成果资料。根据ORACLE系统的体系结构，结合我国区域海洋地质数据的特点，提出了区域海洋地质数据库的存储结构和数据库的用户管理模式，以实现ORACLE中海洋地质数据的优化存储与有效管理。     

不同海水营养盐现场连续观测系统的比较研究

海水营养盐自动观测技术是海洋观测技术的核心之一, 也是世界各国海洋观测技术发展的重点。本文概述了海水营养盐自动观测技术在海洋环境监测中的研究进展, 并基于航次的现场实践, 比较了海水营养盐自动观测设备的应用情况, 归纳了不同设备的优缺点。基于紫外光谱法的硝酸盐传感器(in-situ ultraviolet spectroscopy, ISUS)具有不需化学试剂、响应速度快、适合连续长期观测、耐压深度深的优点, 可广泛应用于海水和淡水环境的走航观测、现场剖面观测和浮标定点观测; 其缺点是测定参数少、灵敏度低。基于湿化学法的营养盐剖面自动分析仪(Autonomous Profiling Nutreint Analyzer, APNA)与连续流动在线分析仪(型号为QuAAtro)具有测定精度和准确度高、多营养盐参数同步测定的优点, 可用于浅水剖面和短时间连续观测, 但存在操作复杂、工作时间短、试剂用量大的缺点, 不适合长期时间序列或深水观测; APNA能进行原位观测, QuAAtro基于船载, 需要加载样品采集过滤系统。本研究基于以上实践与经验, 进一步探讨了现有海水营养盐自动观测技术目前所面临的技术瓶颈及未来发展趋势, 旨在为海洋现场自动监测仪器的选用提供参考。     

An experimental study of velocities under pressure for ancient oceanic rocks

Abstract

Seismic velocities of Indus suture rock types from Dras‐Sanko‐Kargil, Kashmir Himalaya, as a function of pressure up to 10 kbar were studied. The high‐pressure measurements on the rocks reflect the depthwise increase in velocity, and in general they help in better understanding and better interpretation of the regional rocks in terms of their geological observations. An attempt has been made at correlation with ocean‐dredged samples, and it was found that the ultramafics, gabbros, and dykes are compatible with oceanic rocks and other ophiolite sequences, whereas metavolcanics are incompatible, suggesting the dismembered nature of Indus ophioli‐tes.     

Seafloor Habitat Mapping on the Oregon Continental Margin: A Spatially Nested GIS Approach to Mapping Scale, Mapping Methods, and Accuracy Quantification

We implement a geographic information system (GIS) to map surficial geologic habitats (SGH) with varying scales at Nehalem Bank, Oregon, USA. Geologic interpretation was first used to produce a regional-scale SGH map of mega habitats. Local-scale algorithmic classification techniques were then implemented where data density and richness permitted the mapping of meso (10 m-1 km) macro scale (1-10 m) habitat features. We use a ranked-(data) density approach to assess the distribution and quality of input data for the regional SGH map. We then apply a virtual reference dataset and error matrix technique to assess the thematic accuracy of local-scale maps.     

Seafloor Habitat Mapping on the Oregon Continental Margin: A Spatially Nested GIS Approach to Mapping Scale,Mapping Methods,and Accuracy Quantification

We implement a geographic information system (GIS) to map surficial geologic habitats (SGH) with varying scales at Nehalem Bank, Oregon, USA. Geologic interpretation was first used to produce a regional-scale SGH map of mega habitats. Local-scale algorithmic classification techniques were then implemented where data density and richness permitted the mapping of meso (10 m-1 km) macro scale (1–10 m) habitat features. We use a ranked-(data) density approach to assess the distribution and quality of input data for the regional SGH map. We then apply a virtual reference dataset and error matrix technique to assess the thematic accuracy of local-scale maps.     

Spatial and temporal variations in subsidence due to the natural consolidation and compaction of sediment in the yellow river delta,china

ABSTRACT

The Yellow River Delta, which is the second-largest delta in China, has experienced varying degrees of land subsidence since the late 1970s. Although recent studies have identified the natural consolidation and compaction of sediment among the most important contributors to geologic processes, their processes have rarely been quantified. We estimated the sediment compaction over different time ranges to determine the temporal evolution of subsidence parameters (i.e., cumulative compaction). Estimates of primary consolidation, secondary consolidation, and the degree of consolidation in 152 boreholes revealed the spatial–temporal characteristics of sediment compaction and consolidation using geotechnical parameters collected from 152 boreholes, soil mechanics equations and the Kriging interplolation method. In addition, these estimates were partially constrained and cross-validated using the interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) results from early 2007 to late 2010 which were provided in a previous study. By performing a comparison analysis between theoretical evaluations of compaction for borehole data and InSAR observations, we were able to quantify subsidence due to sediment compaction. The comparison results suggest that the theoretical solutions agreed well with the measurements recorded by the well-validated, advanced InSAR method and that the deviations between the InSAR technique and geotechnical evaluations ranged from ?22 to 3?mm. The results reveal that the land subsidence of the chosen borehole sites during the investigative period was dominated by the primary consolidation and compaction of sediment. The underprediction of subsidence may be explained by fluid withdrawal, oil exploitation and engineering construction. To speculate, more geological disasters may occur if the current subsidence condition extends into the future.     

Assessment of Impact on Seafloor Features in INDEX Area

Abstract

Observations on seafloor features from subbottom profiling and seabed photography data show that the undisturbed and natural conditions before the benthic disturbance undergo a substantial change after operation of the disturber. The effects can be seen in the form of deep trenches and grooves, formed by the action of the sleds and the pumping of the sediment along its path, as well as sediment piles on either side of the track. Biological traces such as fecal coils, casts, tubes, burrows, and trails get obliterated in the areas of disturbance and resedimentation. The smooth, uniform nature of the seafloor observed in pre-disturbance phase shows microtopographic changes in and around the disturbed area as a result of sediment excavation and resettlement. Vertical mixing as well as lateral transport of sediment alter the geological, biological, physical, and chemical conditions on the seafloor, which need to be monitored over time to assess the process and the time taken for restoration of environmental conditions.