Dispersed organic matter and its fluxes in oceans and seas from the example of the White Sea: Results of a 12-year study

Annual and long-term quantitative estimations of the vertical fluxes of sedimentary matter in the White Sea are the basis for direct calculations of the gain of chemical components and minerals and diverse pollution of the surface layer of the bottom sediments. The White Sea, one of six Russian Arctic seas, may be considered as a megapolygon for further modern study using the new mechanisms of Arctic sedimentogenesis discovered. This work is directed at elaboration of new technologies of complex study of seas using submarine sedimentation and regular vessel observatories. The first priority task is year-round monitoring along the Northern Sea route.     

新西兰TARANAKI盆地PAKAWAU组和KAPUNI组中生物成因的沉积构造及其环境意义

新西兰taranaki盆地中的Pakawau组和Kapuni组属于晚白垩世-始新世。它们为-套含煤层的陆相-海陆交互相层系,该层系中生物扰动和虫孔十分发育,研究表明生物构造的发育程度和虫孔大小是判别古水体底部沉积物中氧溶量的有效标志。     

Lithology and late postglacial stratigraphy of bottom sediments in isolated basins of the White Sea coast exemplified by a small lake in the Chupa settlement area (Northern Karelia)

The complex lithological, geochemical, geochronological, and micropaleontological (diatoms, spores, pollen) investigations of stratified bottom sediments that constitute facies-variable sedimentary sequences in a small isolated lake located near the upper limit of the sea on the White Sea coast made it possible to define lithostratigraphic units (LSU) forming the complete sedimentary succession in deep parts of isolated basins. It is shown that stratigraphy of heterogeneous sequences is determined by two regional transgressive–regressive cycles in relative sea level fluctuations: alternating late Glacial and Holocene transgressions and regressions. The lower part of a clastogenic clayey–sandy–silty sequence successively composed of freshwater (LSU 1) and brackish-water (LSU 2) sediments of the ice-marginal basins and marine postglacial facies (LSU 3) was formed during the late Glacial glacioeustatic marine transgression. Its upper part formed in different isolated basins at different stages of the Holocene is represented depending on its altimetric position on the coastal slope by costal marine sediments (LSU 4) and facies of the partly isolated inlet (LSU 5). The organogenic sapropelic sequence, which overlies sediments of the marine basin and partly isolated bay, corresponds to lithostratigraphic units represented by Holocene sediments accumulated in the meromictic lake (LSU 6), onshore freshwater basin (LSU 7), and freshwater basin with elevated water mineralization (LSU 8) deposited during maximum development of Holocene transgression and lacustrine sediments (LSU 9) formed in coastal environments during terminal phases of the Holocene. The defined lithostratigraphic units differ from each other in lithological, micropaleontological, and geochemical features reflected in structural and textural properties of their sediments, their composition, inclusions, and composition of paleophytocoenoses and diatom assemblages.     

南海北部潮汕坳陷侏罗系古地貌特征及沉积相模式

南海北部潮汕坳陷中生界极具油气勘探潜力;综合运用最新采集的地震资料结合测井数据,在侏罗纪地层精细划分的基础上,通过对目的层剥蚀量计算,对侏罗系古地貌进行了恢复;利用残留地层的沉积相标志分析结果,建立了潮汕坳陷侏罗系沉积模式。结果表明,在早侏罗世末期和中侏罗世末期,地层遭受剥蚀改造;古地貌各要素对沉积体系发育的影响,古隆起（凸起）指明了沉积物的来源和方向;古海底峡谷是沉积物从物源区搬运到沉积区的重要运移通道;斜坡带为重要的沉积场所,并对储层的品质和规模有巨大影响,制约着盆地可容纳空间的大小;盆底的地貌形态控制着沉积体形态和产状。研究结果表明,古地貌恢复后的各要素在时空上的有效配置关系是准确把握沉积体系展布特征及范围的关键因素,对沉积储层及烃源岩的控制作用非常明显。该结论对侏罗系下一步勘探及有利储层预测有积极意义。     

The composition and age of the Argillite Sequence (sedimentary cover of the continental slope, Sea of Japan)

The Argillite Sequence located at the base of the sedimentary cover on the continental slope of the Sea of Japan was studied by petrographic, palynological, and X-ray diffraction methods. Two spores-pollen complexes were distinguished in it: the Late Oligocene reflecting cooling and the Early Miocene corresponding to initiated warming. The data obtained indicate that the sequence is composed of terrigenous silty-clayey sediments that accumulated in shallow coastal-marine settings. The global sea-level rise at the Early-Middle Miocene transition, combined with the regional tectonic processes, determined the basin deepening, owing to which the argillite sequence was overlain by thick Middle Miocene diatomaceous-clayey sediments. Due to tectonic movement along existing faults in the terminal Late Miocene, the argillite sequence occurring initially at depths of at least 400–500 m was locally exhumed to the basin bottom.     

Patterns of mercury distribution in bottom sediments along the Severnaya Dvina-White Sea section

This paper analyses the data on the distribution of mercury in the surface layer of bottom sediments (0–5 cm) obtained in course of sampling trips within the mouth region of the Severnaya Dvina River and the White Sea area. A total of 170 analyses for mercury were performed. Such wide-scale determination of the mercury content in the bottom sediments was carried out for the first time in the study region. The patterns of mercury distribution in the Severnaya Dvina River-White Sea transect are revealed and described. It is shown that the marginal filter of the Severnaya Dvina River facilitates cosedimentation of the main portion of anthropogenic mercury with suspended matter. This drastically decreases the risk of penetration of mercury to the White Sea waters and partially (with the gravity current) to the Barents Sea waters. In general, the Severnaya Dvina River is characterized by mercury pollution of a local scale within the urban territories. No regional pollution of the White Sea off the marginal filter was revealed.     

REE systematics in modern bottom sediments of the Caspian Sea and river deltas worldwide: Experience of comparison

The results of comparison of a number of main parameters of the chondrite-normalized REE distribution spectra in modern bottom, mainly pelitic, sediments of various sedimentary subsystems of the Caspian Sea and marginal filters of the Volga and Ural rivers with those characteristic of the pelitic fraction of modern bottom sediments of different river deltas worldwide are discussed. According to the features of the REE distribution spectra, as well as the ε_Nd(0) values, it has been established that most samples of the Caspian bottom sediments are similar to those of large rivers and rivers, draining watersheds composed of sedimentary formations.     

The white sea level change and glacioisostatic land uplift during the Holocene near the Settlement of Kuzema,North Karelia Region

This paper contains lithostratigraphic and chronometric (radiocarbon dating) data on one of the regions on the Karelian coast of the White Sea obtained in the course of investigation of sedimentary sections from recent lake basins, which were separated at different times from the sea due to uplift of the glacioisostatic crust of the Earth. They were used as a basis for stratigraphic subdivision of marine and fresh water sediments and for reconstruction of the White Sea coast level change during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene near the Settlement of Kuzema, Karelia.     

冲绳海槽西部陆坡第四纪沉积地层划分

冲绳海槽西部陆坡是认识深海斜坡沉积的重要区域。通过对高分辨率地震资料的精细解释,结合已有的研究成果,在冲绳海槽西部陆坡海底以下识别出4个主要的地震层序界面,相应地划分出四个主要地震层序,各层序分别对应全新世沉积层(Q4)、晚更新世沉积层(Q3)、中更新世沉积层(Q2)和早更新世沉积层(Q1)。从陆坡上部往下由斜交前积反射结构过渡到杂乱的反射结构,在地震剖面上可识别出杂乱的丘形反射单元,是滑塌体和重力流沉积的典型地震反射特征,反映出一种高能的、极不稳定的沉积环境。海槽轴部以平行-亚平行的地震反射特征为主,显示了稳定的深海-半深海的沉积环境。地震反射结构的多样性反映了冲绳海槽西部陆坡沉积环境的复杂性和沉机作用类型的多样性,沉积地层结构是多种因素共同作用的结果。东海陆架和冲绳海槽发育相同的第四纪地层垂向序列,同时冲绳海槽西部陆坡与东海陆架第四纪沉积层在层序界面、沉积层厚度、变形程度和产状等方面存在着差异,单靠地震资料来进行两个地区的地层对比存在着不确定性。     

The geology of the southeastern Baltic Sea: a review

The Baltic Sea, particularly its southeastern part, is discussed in the paper. Investigations of regional character as well as specialized studies in the area are reviewed. General historical works are mentioned briefly. Previous surveys since the 1950s are presented by the subject studied. The compilation of geological structure of the SE Baltic Sea bottom and adjacent land of Balticum (Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) is based on considerable amounts of summarized materials. The crystalline basement, sedimentary cover and Quaternary deposits are characterized in the comprehensive survey of geological structure. From a stratigraphical point of view, geological sequence of the platformal cover is comparatively complete: deposits of all geological systems (from the Archean to Cenozoic) are present in the Baltic Syneclise. Considering geotectonical cycles, the sedimentary cover of the syneclise is subdivided into four structural complexes. The thickness and distribution of Quaternary deposits are closely related to the recent bottom relief of the Baltic Sea that in turn is inherited from the Pre-Quaternary surface. Buried palaeo-valleys are characteristic of the Pre-Quaternary surface in the Baltic region and the Baltic Sea bottom. The Quaternary is characterized by layers of various geneses and by sharp changes of their thicknesses.     

Characteristics of the Submarine Topography and its Profile Type of the Coast of China

Based on the latest submarine topography data of the China 908 Project （China offshore marine environmental comprehensive investigation and assessment）,we analyzed the general China offshore submarine topographical characteristics and the factors influencing its development.The submarine topography off the coast of China follows the NW-SE trend of the land topography.The gradient of the submarine topography ranges from 0.2％ to 1.6％ with an average gradient of about 0.8％.The depth contours run mostly parallel to the coast,and extend out to sea in estuary areas.The submarine topography is dominated by the geological structure,which shows the typical characteristics of two uplifts and two subsidence events from north to south.The geological structure combined with the different sedimentary environments and complex hydrodynamic conditions produced topography that can be characterized by three types：sedimentary basins,compressionuplift,and transition form.In the sedimentary basin and compression-uplift regions,the topographical undulation is small,sediments are fine-grained,and the currents flow in a single direction,leading to bays with sedimentary plains and underwater accumulation slopes,which are of the same tectonic origin.Transition-type topography is characterized by strong undulations and mixed-size sediment particles,terraces and scarps inshore and shelf plains and erosion-deposition landforms offshore.This is a result of incomplete fault block development and repeated transgressions.In the deposition reformation regions （transition form type）,the topography has strong undulations,the sediments are coarse,tidal sand ridges are well-developed at terrigenoussupplied estuaries and convergence zones,and the Holocene sediments are thick,transformed by tides,river runoff,and currents.     

Provenance signatures and changes of the southwestern sector of the Barents Ice Sheet during the last deglaciation

Southwestern Barents Sea sediments contain important information on Lateglacial and Holocene environmental development of the area, i.e. sediment provenance characteristics related to ice‐flow patterns and ice drifting from different regional sectors. In this study, we present investigations of clay, heavy minerals, and ice‐rafted debris from three sediment cores obtained from the SW Barents Sea. The sediments studied are subglacial/glaciomarine to marine in origin. The core sequences were divided into three lithostratigraphical units. The lowest, Unit 3, consists of laminated glaciomarine sediments related to regional deglaciation. The overlying Unit 2 is a diamicton, dominated by mud and oversized clasts. Unit 2 reflects a more ice‐proximal glaciomarine sedimentary environment or even a subglacial depositional environment; its deposition may indicate a glacial re‐advance or stillstand during an overall retreat. The uppermost Unit 1 consists of Holocene marine sediments and current‐reworked sedimentary material with a relatively high carbonate content. A significant proportion of the sedimentary material could be derived from Svalbard and transported by sea ice or icebergs to the Barents Sea during the late deglacial phase. The Fennoscandian sources and local Mesozoic strata from the bottom of the Barents Sea are the likely provenances of sediments deposited during the deglacial and ice re‐advance phases. Bottom currents and sea‐ice transport were the main mechanisms influencing sedimentation during the Holocene. Our results indicate that the provenance areas can be reliably related to certain ice‐flow sectors and transport mechanisms in the deglaciated Barents Sea.     

南海北部莺琼陆坡浊流沉积数值模拟分析

南海具有优越的地理位置和特殊的构造环境,其丰富充足的沉积物源、复杂多样的地形地貌以及广泛分布的陆坡都为浊流的发育提供了良好条件和理想场所.南海北部更是有华南大陆以及台湾岛的大量陆源沉积物搬运至陆坡,加上陆坡区合适的坡度,浊流沉积十分发育.南海北部陆坡发育有大量不同规模的海底滑坡,浊流沉积分布广泛.在南海北部莺琼陆坡的钻...     

Specific features of the distribution of trace and rare earth elements in recent bottom sediments in the lower course of the Severnaya Dvina River and White Sea

The paper discusses results of the lithogeochemical examination of recent bottom sediments in the lower course of the Severnaya Dvina River and White Sea. It has been established that the average concentration of several trace elements (Hf, Sc, Co, Y, Ni, V, Cr, Zr, Ba, and others) therein correlates with the content of the silt-pelite fraction. Maximal concentrations of the majority of above elements are confined to the silty-clayey sediments at the Basin/Dvina Bay boundary. They localized near the coastal zone only for some clastophile (Zr, Cr, and others). Typical values of the hydrolyzate module, chemical index of alteration, and Al₂O₃/SiO₂ ratio in the aleuropelitic and pelitic sediments of the Severnaya Dvina River delta, Dvina Bay, and the Dvina Bay Basin boundary suggest that these sediments are confined to sufficiently cold climate settings. Data points of sediment composition in discriminant paleotectonic diagrams are scattered over a large field probably due to high contents of the weakly weathered plagioclases, micas, and amphiboles, as well as the hydrogenic process promoting the accumulation of Fe and Mn. The PAAS-normalized spectra of rare earth elements (REE) in bottom sediments of the Pinega and Severnaya Dvina rivers, marginal filter of the latter river, Dvina Bay, and the Dvina Bay Basin boundary are similar to the REE distribution in clayey rocks of the ancient platform cover (except for a slight positive Eu anomaly). The REE systematics and distribution pattern of compositional data points of recent bottom sediments in the Gd_N/Yb_N-Eu/Eu* and Eu/Eu*-Cr/Th diagrams and values of several indicator ratios of trace elements suggest that the studied rocks were formed by the mixing of clastic materials from geochemically contrast provenances: northwestern provenance (Kola-Karelia geoblock), which is mostly composed of the Archean and Early Proterozoic crystalline complexes, and the southeastern provenance (northwestern periphery of the Mezen syncline), which is almost totally composed of Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks. The latter provenance likely played a crucial role in the geochemical signature of recent bottom sediments over a significant area of the White Sea.     

南海西北次海盆构造演化的沉积响应

通过对南海西北次海盆新获得的地震资料进行综合解释和层序地层分析,揭示了海盆中的沉积对构造演化阶段的响应。始新世-早渐新世陆缘裂陷期,盆地以对称裂谷形式,发育地堑裂谷层序,沉积以近物源为特征,相变大,发育了冲积扇-扇三角洲-湖相沉积,沉积体系的配置受同沉积断裂控制明显,快速沉降和充分的物源供给决定了沉积体系的构成特征。晚渐新世海底扩张期,岩石圈破裂,陆缘进一步拉开并开始海底扩张,出现海相沉积,来自陆坡的陆架边缘三角洲越过陆坡进入海盆,在海盆内沉积了一套向海盆中部逐渐减薄的楔状地层,并伴有大量的火山碎屑沉积物。早-中新世以来热沉降期,随着构造沉降增大,相对海平面总体不断上升,进入深水盆地,形成陆架陆坡体系,大量的碎屑物质以重力流、深水底流等深水作用方式进入海盆;沉降晚期陆架-陆坡物源供应减弱,琼东南中央峡谷成为其主要的物质供应来源通道,在此期间二次海平面下降、回升的综合作用下,海盆内发育了多期以下切水道为特征的低水位域沉积体系。     

Modern Facies Structure of the White Sea: Review and New Version

Lithology and Mineral Resources - An overview of the last works concerning the Recent environment and bottom sediments in the White Sea is presented. Special attention is devoted to the existing...     

西藏札达盆地上新统一早更新统河湖相地层多重地层划分与对比

根据札达盆地河湖相地层实测剖面中的接触关系、沉积旋回、沉积体系、岩相、岩性、古生物特征和ESR、古地磁测年结果,笔者对札达盆地上新统一早更新统河湖相地层进行了重新划分和时代确定。结合该套河湖相沉积的岩石地层、生物地层、年代地层、磁性地层、层序地层和地质构造事件,对札达盆地上新统一早更新统河湖相地层进行了多重地层的划分与对比。将札达盆地河湖相地层划分为3个组、4个沉积相、7个沉积亚相、11个岩性段。由新到老划分为：早更新统香孜组（Qp^1-1X）、上新统古格组（N22g）和上新统托林组（N2^1t）。     

Structure and tectonic evolution of the Southern Eurasia Basin, Arctic Ocean

Multichannel seismic reflection data acquired by Marine Arctic Geological Expedition (MAGE) of Murmansk, Russia in 1990 provide the first view of the geological structure of the Arctic region between 77–80°N and 115–133°E, where the Eurasia Basin of the Arctic Ocean adjoins the passive-transform continental margin of the Laptev Sea. South of 80°N, the oceanic basement of the Eurasia Basin and continental basement of the Laptev Sea outer margin are covered by 1.5 to 8 km of sediments. Two structural sequences are distinguished in the sedimentary cover within the Laptev Sea outer margin and at the continent/ocean crust transition: the lower rift sequence, including mostly Upper Cretaceous to Lower Paleocene deposits, and the upper post-rift sequence, consisting of Cenozoic sediments. In the adjoining Eurasia Basin of the Arctic Ocean, the Cenozoic post-rift sequence consists of a few sedimentary successions deposited by several submarine fans. Based on the multichannel seismic reflection data, the structural pattern was determined and an isopach map of the sedimentary cover and tectonic zoning map were constructed. A location of the continent/ocean crust transition is tentatively defined. A buried continuation of the mid-ocean Gakkel Ridge is also detected. This study suggests that south of 78.5°N there was the cessation in the tectonic activity of the Gakkel Ridge Rift from 33–30 until 3–1 Ma and there was no sea-floor spreading in the southernmost part of the Eurasia Basin during the last 30–33 m.y. South of 78.5°N all oceanic crust of the Eurasia Basin near the continental margin of the Laptev Sea was formed from 56 to 33–30 Ma.     

New data on the composition of stable isotopes in glendonites of the White Sea and their genesis

Several samples including host sediments, recent molluscan shells, glendonites, and associated carbonate concretions were subjected to the thorough investigation. The obtained analytical data characterize the unique locality of Holocene and Recent carbonate structures in the White Sea basin. The microscopic examination of glendonites revealed several microtextural types of calcite and the succession of their formation. It is established that they are composed of carbonate material, which was discretely formed due to biochemical destruction of terrigenous sedimentary material. The revealed differences in the carbon isotope composition in different glendonites are likely explained by local geochemical properties, which existed within host sediments, or the asynchronous formation of carbonate structures due to changes in the chemical composition of waters that saturated sediments.     

新疆阿克陶县库山河地区晚泥盆世奇自拉夫组沉积相与沉积环境分析

新疆阿克陶南库山河一带晚泥盆世奇自拉夫组地处塔西缘昆仑构造带西北部。根据宏观颜色、岩石组合、岩石结构、沉积序列、沉积构造、古生物特征等由底到顶依次划分为灰红色含砾岩屑粗碎屑岩段、灰红色岩屑砂岩与灰绿色石英砂岩互层岩段和灰绿色钙质石英粉砂质细碎屑岩段等3个岩性段;冲积扇、扇三角洲、滨海等3个亚相和8个微相。为明显的无障壁岛滨海相陆缘沉积物向海退积的海进序列。