A survey of the Indian ocean triple junction trace within the Antarctic plate. Implications for the junction evolution since 15 Ma.

The junction between oceanic crust generated, within the Antarctic plate, at the Southeast Indian Ridge and the Southwest Indian Ridge has been studied using a SEABEAM swathe bathymetry mapping system and other geophysical techniques between the Indian Ocean Triple Junction (approximately 25°S, 70° E), and a point some 500 km to the southwest (at 28°25 S, 66°35 E). The morphotectonic boundary which marks this trace of the ridge-ridge-ridge triple junction is complex and varies with age. Recent theories proposing a cyclicity of volcanic and tectonic processes at this mode of triple junctions appear to be supported by a series of regularly spaced, en echelon escarpments facing the slowly spreading (0.6 to 0.8 cm a^-1, half rate) Southwest Indian Ridge axis. The en echelon escarpments intersect at approximately right angles with the regularly spaced oceanic spreading fabric formed on the Antarctic plate at the Southeast Indian Ridge and together locally flank uplifted northward-pointing corner sections of ocean floor. The origins for the localised elevations are unclear, but may relate to intermittent and/or alternating rifting and volcanic episodes. Variations of degree of asymmetry and/or obliquity in spreading on the Central Indian Ridge and the Southwest Indian Ridge are suggested to explain detailed structural changes along the triple junction trace. It is suggested that discontinuities of the trace may be related to an intermittent development of new spreading centres beneath the most easterly part of the Southwest Indian Ridge, coupled with a more continuous process beneath the faster spreading Central Indian Ridge (2 to 2.5 cm a^-1) and the Southeast Indian Ridge (2.5 to 3 cm a^-1). A detailed history of triple junction evolution may be thus inferred from basic morphological and structural mapping along the three triple junction traces.     

Basinal seamounts and seamount chains of the Central Indian Ocean: Probable near-axis origin from a fast-spreading Ridge

Hydrosweep mapping of crust in the Central Indian Ocean Basin reveals abundant volcanoes ocurring both as isolated seamounts and linear seamount chains parallel to flow lines. Their shapes, sizes and overall style of occurrence are indistinguishable from near-axis seamounts in the Pacific. Evidence from seamount morphology, distributions and petrography of dredged samples suggests that they were generated near the fast-spreading Southeast Indian Ridge at 50–60 Ma. If so, this style of near-axis seamount generation may be a result of fast-spreading rate rather than a peculiarity of the present Pacific spreading ridges. In fact, the results of several recent studies, taken together, suggest that the style of axis/near-axis seamount volcanism varies systematically as a function of spreading rate.     

Evidence for the formation of different‐sized nodules by different accretionary processes

Abstract

Studies on different‐sized polymetallic nodules from the Central Indian Ocean Basin reveal that chemical composition is largely related to the nodule diameter which show systematic decrease in Mn, Cu, and Ni content with increase in nodule size. S and I type nodules are more abundant than B, L, and V types. Nodules grouped according to their size have common morphological, mineralogical, and geochemical characteristics and all six groups have distinguishing properties. There is evidence which suggests that the smaller (M and I) nodules are diagenetic and the larger (S, B, L, and V) are hydrogenetic, exhibiting variations in todorokite abundance and in chemical composition. There is also substantial evidence that the nodules of high economic value (Cu + Ni + Co%) can be sorted out on the basis of simple morphological parameters.     

东太平洋多金属结核富钡镁锰矿细脉蛋白石层的成因机制

为探讨东太平洋CC区多金属结核中富钡镁锰矿细脉蛋白石层的成因机制,利用矿相显微镜、电子探针和ICP-OES,对蛋白石层及其周围铁锰氧化物进行了显微结构特征和化学成分特征的研究。结果表明:高反射率矿物结晶程度较好,主要由MnO组成,具有高Mn低Fe的特征,为成岩成因的钡镁锰矿。中反射率矿物结晶程度较差,主要由MnO和FeO组成,为水成成因的水羟锰矿。低反射率矿物为一种半透明矿物,主要由SiO₂组成,为生物成因的蛋白石。根据钡镁锰矿、水羟锰矿和蛋白石的成因机制,为蛋白石层及其内部钡镁锰矿细脉的形成过程建立了一个模型,共分为5个生长阶段:第1阶段,结核呈半埋藏状态在氧化环境中形成水羟锰矿;第2阶段,结核呈半埋藏状态接受SiO₂胶体的沉淀作用形成蛋白石层;第3阶段,结核呈半埋藏状态在氧化环境中形成水羟锰矿的同时,其成岩作用和蛋白石的脱水作用使蛋白石层中产生大量的裂缝;第4阶段,结核呈埋藏状态在弱氧化-还原环境中发生交代作用和重结晶作用形成钡镁锰矿;第5阶段,结核呈半埋藏状态形成水羟锰矿。     

中太平洋锰结壳的一种磷块岩基质

在莱恩群岛北端(164°49′W,9°10′N)发现一块作为锰结核基质的磷块岩,含P_2O_5平均为6.65％。该磷块岩是交代成因的,其形成时代为早始新世以后。     

赤道中印度洋上层环流结构与季节变化特征分析

本文通过分析RAMA印度洋观测浮标系统锚系ADCP实测资料,对赤道中印度洋上层海流季节变化进行了研究。研究结果表明,0°,80.5°E纬向流垂向剖面呈现上150m层一致的东向流,而经向流在100m以浅呈现表层向北次表层向南的翻转流结构。赤道中印度洋上层纬向流季节信号被半年周期的东向射流Wyrtki Jets(WJs)所控制。WJs发生于季风方向转换的季节,4—5月份较弱,10—11月份较强。赤道中印度洋上层经向流年周期信号显著。北半球夏季与冬季分别出现风应力旋度驱动的Sverdrup南向流与北向流。本文结论为赤道中印度洋上层环流季节变化特征的研究提供了观测角度的支持。     

Restoration of Deep-Sea Macrofauna after Simulated Benthic Disturbance in the Central Indian Basin

Macrofaunal communities of the Central Indian Basin (CIB) were sampled with a spade before (June 1997), and immediately after (August 1997), and 44 months (April 2001) after a simulated benthic disturbance for polymetallic nodule mining. The average density recorded down to a sediment depth of 40 cm ranged from 89 to 799 ind·m^-2 (mean: 373 ± 221 SD; n = 12) and 178-1066 ind·m^-2 (mean: 507 ± 489 SD; n = 3) in the test and reference area, respectively. Most of the macrobenthic animals (64%) were concentrated in the upper 0 to 2 cm sediment layers, whereas, sizeable fauna (6%) inhabited the 20-40 cm sediment section and the deepest 5 cm section from 35-40 cm contributed only about 2% to the total population density. The fauna, comprised of 12 groups, were dominated by the nematodes, which constituted 54% of the total population. The macrofaunal density in the test site showed a significant increase (x:400 ind·m^-2) in the 44 months postdisturbance sampling (x:320 ind·m^-2). The population of nematodes and oligochaetes was nearly restored after 44 months, but the polychaetes and crustaceans did not reach the baseline populations measured in June 1997. The top 0-2 cm sediment layer was severely affected by the disturber, and the study suggests that physically disturbed deep-sea macrofauna may require a longer period for restoration and resettlement than normally believed.     

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。     

赤道印度洋中部断面东西水交换的季节变化及其区域差异

采用海洋再分析资料和实测资料研究了热带印度洋中部东西水交换特征。结果表明存在两个相互独立的过程,即北印度洋过程(4°~6°N)和赤道过程(2°S-2°N)。北印度洋过程受季风影响显著,11月至翌年3月冬季风期间表现出很强的低盐水向西输送,5-9月夏季风期间则为高盐水向东输送;由于冬季风期间的输送较强,年平均表现为低盐水向西输送。赤道过程分为表层过程和次表层过程。表层赤道过程受局地风场驱动,有明显的半年周期;4-5月和10-11月的东向流将赤道西印度洋的高盐水向东输送,其余月份相反;向东的输送较强,年平均表现为净高盐水向东输送。在次表层赤道过程没有明显的季节变化,海流全年一致向东,将海盆西部的高盐水向东输送。     

How does the Indian Ocean subtropical dipole trigger the tropical Indian Ocean dipole via the Mascarene high？

The variation in the Indian Ocean is investigated using Hadley center sea surface temperature(SST)data during the period 1958–2010.All the first empirical orthogonal function(EOF)modes of the SST anomalies(SSTA)in different domains represent the basin-wide warming and are closely related to the Pacific El Ni o–Southern Oscillation(ENSO)phenomenon.Further examination suggests that the impact of ENSO on the tropical Indian Ocean is stronger than that on the southern Indian Ocean.The second EOF modes in different domains show different features.It shows a clear east-west SSTA dipole pattern in the tropical Indian Ocean(Indian Ocean dipole,IOD),and a southwest-northeast SSTA dipole in the southern Indian Ocean(Indian Ocean subtropical dipole,IOSD).It is further revealed that the IOSD is also the main structure of the second EOF mode on the whole basin-scale,in which the IOD pattern does not appear.A correlation analysis indicates that an IOSD event observed during the austral summer is highly correlated to the IOD event peaking about 9 months later.One of the possible physical mechanisms underlying this highly significant statistical relationship is proposed.The IOSD and the IOD can occur in sequence with the help of the Mascarene high.The SSTA in the southwestern Indian Ocean persists for several seasons after the mature phase of the IOSD event,likely due to the positive wind–evaporation–SST feedback mechanism.The Mascarene high will be weakened or intensified by this SSTA,which can affect the atmosphere in the tropical region by teleconnection.The pressure gradient between the Mascarene high and the monsoon trough in the tropical Indian Ocean increases(decreases).Hence,an anticyclone(cyclone)circulation appears over the Arabian Sea-India continent.The easterly or westerly anomalies appear in the equatorial Indian Ocean,inducing the onset stage of the IOD.This study shows that the SSTA associated with the IOSD can lead to the onset of IOD with the aid of atmosphere circulation and also explains why some IOD events in the tropical tend to be followed by IOSD in the southern Indian Ocean.     

印度洋海表温度的变化及其对印度夏季季风降水影响的诊断研究

对印度洋海表温度(SST)的主要特征及变化趋势进行分析,并研究了其与印度夏季季风降水(ISMR)和季风环流的关系,揭示出:从北印度洋到南半球中高纬度印度洋,SST最显著的变化模态是全海盆一致的变化,近50 a来总体趋势是上升的,在1976,1986年以及1996年间分别有一次跳跃性增温,与太平洋SST变化趋势基本一致.除了长期变化趋势外,南印度洋中高纬度比热带地区有更显著的模态分布.在印度洋SST升温的背景下,ISMR具有逐渐减少的趋势,但两者相关较弱.印度洋SST发生跳跃后的不同阶段,许多海区SST与ISMR相关均发生变化,但在春季,热带外南印度洋具有一对相对稳定区,其分布与EOF分析的第2模态相似.根据它们的分布,文中定义了春季南半球偶极子(SIOD),在正SIOD(PSIOD)情况下印度降水偏多,而负SIOD(NSIOD)则反之.环流分析表明,PSIOD(NSIOD)通过与大气的相互作用,对夏季马斯克林高压具有增强(减弱)作用,进而使得索马里越赤道气流增强(减弱),在印度地区低空产生异常的辐合(辐散),高层辐散(辐合),从而影响印度季风环流,使得印度季风降水偏多(少).     

印度洋偶极子及其可预报性研究进展

主要介绍印度洋偶极子(IOD)的时空特征、演变机制和可预报性的研究进展。IOD是东西热带印度洋反相的海温异常,是热带印度洋的年际海温变率最主要的两种异常结构之一。关于IOD的演变机制,特别是ENSO在其中所起作用,一直是学界争论的热点。一些学者认为,IOD是ENSO通过遥相关作用对热带印度洋造成的影响;另一些学者则认为,IOD是热带印度洋内部海气振荡的产物。本研究重点讨论这两种观点的相关证据以及IOD与ENSO的关系。此外,现有多数模式对IOD的预报时效小于3~4个月,潜在的预报时效则大于5个月,但这些对IOD的可预报性研究尚处于起步阶段,还有很大发展空间。     

热带西南印度洋上升流区季节和年际变化研究及与印太系统海气相互作用

用59年Ishii再分析温度资料,讨论了热带西南印度洋(SWTIO)上升流区的季节和年际变化以及与上升流区有关的温度距平的变化,同时分析了其与热带印太海气系统的关系,结果显示SWTIO 上升流在南半球冬、夏季比较强,春季最弱。它的范围在5°~1°S,在东西向从50°E可以伸展到90°E。该上升流区的变化与温跃层的温度距平有密切的关系,并存在明显的5 a振荡周期。SWTIO上升流区温度距平的5 a周期振荡是由热带东印度洋温度距平在最大垂直温度距平曲面(MTAL)上向西沿着11.5°~6.5°S传播过来的,它与热带太平洋的温度距平传播方式不同。SWTIO上升流是热带印太海气系统的一个重要组成部分,印度洋偶极子 超前SWTIO上升流区温度变化5个月,最大相关系数达到0.57,NINO3区指数超前SWTIO上升流区指数2个月达到0.49。当热带印太区域的大气风场改变,影响热带太平洋和印度洋表层SSTA,出现ENSO和DIPOLE,进一步向西传播到SWTIO次表层,导致SWTIO上升流区出现改变。     

On the history of meridional overturning circulation schematic diagrams

Recent global warming caused by humans and the prediction of a reduced Atlantic Ocean meridional overturning circulation in the future has increased interest in the role of the overturning circulation in climate change. A schematic diagram of the overturning circulation called the “Great Ocean Conveyor Belt,” published by Wallace Broecker in 1987, has become a popular image that emphasizes the inter-connected ocean circulation and the northward flux of heat in the Atlantic. This seems a good time to review the development of the conveyor belt concept and summarize the history of overturning circulation schematics.In the 19th century it was thought that symmetric overturning circulation cells were located on either side of the equator in the Atlantic. As new hydrographic measurements were obtained, circulation schematics in the early 20th century began to show the inter-hemispheric overturning circulation in the Atlantic. In the second half of the 20th century schematics showed the global ocean overturning circulation including connections between the Atlantic and the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Some recent schematics of the overturning circulation show its complexities, but as more information is included these schematics have also become complex and not as easy to understand as the simple Broecker 1987 version. However, these complex schematics, especially the quantitative ones, represent valuable syntheses of our developing knowledge of the overturning circulation.