马里亚纳“沟−盆”深水沉积环境稀土元素特征与物源约束

通过对西太平洋帕里西维拉海盆东南部的C-P19柱状样和马里亚纳海沟南坡的L3柱状样进行粒度和稀土元素地球化学分析,探讨了二者物源的异同。结果表明:研究区沉积物的稀土元素含量基本不受沉积物粒度控制,主要受控于物源变化。物源判别结果指示二者的物源具有同源性,其中西马里亚纳海脊剥蚀下来的火山物质对研究区的物质来源贡献最大。火山物质中的重矿物可以影响到稀土元素的含量,例如锆石的含量和稀土元素总量(ΣREY)的相关系数可达0.86。来自中国内陆黄土的陆源风尘物质对两个研究区的物源供给也有一定贡献,但其贡献程度较小。由于马里亚纳海沟南坡更加远离大陆且纬度更低,其接受的亚洲风尘也比帕里西维拉海盆和挑战者深渊更少。此外,南极底层水流经研究区,对海盆和海沟的沉积物都造成一定影响,而且在马里亚纳海沟南坡更加活跃,因而帕里西维拉海盆东南部的沉积物比马里亚纳海沟南坡更易于保存。     

沉积环境对雅浦海沟沉积颗粒物组成和分布的影响

通过对西太平洋雅浦海沟不同水深沉积物中总有机碳（TOC）、总氮（TN）、碳稳定同位素（δ13C）、粒度组成和比表面积（SSA）等参数的分析,探讨了雅浦海沟不同水深沉积颗粒物来源、分布及其影响因素的异同。结果表明,雅浦海沟沉积物TOC含量和δ13C平均值分别为（0.34%±0.14%）和（-20.8‰±0.7‰）,其中海洋浮游植物、陆源土壤和维管植物来源有机碳（OC）的贡献分别为（70%±3%）、（22%±3%）和（8%±2%）,且不同水深差异不大,海沟内沉积物的横向输运可能是深部沉积OC的重要输入途径。由于水深更深站位沉积颗粒物中具有更强的微生物活动和在水柱中更长的保留时间,导致其TOC和TN含量较低,但δ13C无明显差异。水深较浅站位TN含量、SSA、粒径组成和中值粒径等参数垂向变化波动较更深站位更为显著,表明海沟沟壁水深较浅处物源输入和沉积环境的不稳定。同时,由于低OC含量、低SSA以及高密度的海底火山喷出岩在海沟水深较浅的沟壁坡折处的广泛分布,导致该区域粒径组成与TOC含量无显著相关性,而较深站位中TOC含量与粉砂呈正相关,与砂和黏土含量呈负相关。整体而言,雅浦海沟沉积物中粉砂粒级颗粒物是OC的主要载体,而SSA是影响海沟沉积OC剖面分布的最重要因素。     

深渊生物资源取样装备技术体系研究

针对深渊生物资源研究的需求，自主研发了用于全海深深度的深渊沉积物、水体和宏生物的保压取样装置，深渊沉积物保压转移装置，深渊微生物原位过滤及保存装置和高压培养高压酶学测定装置。在深海模拟环境验证了取样装置在万米深度下的工作性能。相关装置在“探索一号”科考船的TS15、TS21-1和TS21-2大洋科考航次中，搭载“奋斗者”号载人潜器、“2号”深渊着陆器、“原位实验”号着陆器于西菲律宾盆区和马里亚纳海沟进行了海上试验，成功获取了万米深度沉积物、水体和宏生物保压样品以及微生物原位过滤滤膜；成功进行了沉积物保压样品的保压转移试验。初步形成了深渊海域生物资源取样的装备技术体系，为深渊海底生物和基因资源开发，深渊生命过程等科学研究提供技术手段。     

Biodiversity of nematode assemblages from deep-sea sediments of the Atacama Slope and Trench (South Pacific Ocean)

Nematode assemblages were investigated (in terms of size spectra, sex ratio, Shannon diversity, trophic structure and diversity, rarefaction statistics, maturity index, taxonomic diversity and taxonomic distinctness) at bathyal and hadal depths (from 1050 to 7800 m) in the deepest trench of the South Pacific Ocean: the Trench of Atacama. This area, characterised by very high concentrations of nutritionally-rich organic matter also at 7800-m depth, displayed characteristics typical of eutrophic systems and revealed high nematode densities (>6000 ind. 10 cm⁻²). Nematode assemblages from the Atacama Trench displayed a different composition than at bathyal depths. At bathyal depths 95 genera and 119 species were found (Comesomatidae, Cyatholaimidae, Microlaimidae, Desmodoridae and Xyalidae being dominant), whereas in the Atacama Trench only 29 genera and 37 species were encountered (dominated by Monhysteridae, Chromadoridae, Microlaimidae, Oxystominidae and Xyalidae). The genus Monhystera (24.4%) strongly dominated at hadal depths and Neochromadora, and Trileptium were observed only in the Atacama Trench, but not at bathyal depths. A reduction of the mean nematode size (by ca. 67%) was observed between bathyal and hadal depths. Since food availability was not a limiting factor in the Atacama Trench sediments, other causes are likely to be responsible for the reduction of nematode species richness and body size. The presence of a restricted number of families and genera in the Atacama Trench might indicate that hadal sediments limited nematode colonisation. Most of the genera reaching very high densities in Trench sediments (e.g., Monhystera) are opportunistic and were responsible for the significant decrease of the maturity index. The dominance of opportunists, which are known to be characterised by small sizes, might have contributed to the reduced nematode size at hadal depths. Shannon diversity and species richness decreased in hadal water depth and this pattern was more evident at genus than at species level. Epistrate feeders dominated and increased their relevance, determining a reduction of the index of trophic diversity at hadal depths. According to trophic diversity, taxonomic diversity and distinctness also decreased with depth. All diversity indices from the Atacama Slope and Trench were lower than in other equally deep areas world wide (e.g. Puerto Rico Trench). We suggest that such reduction was related to the high nutrient loading observed in this system (up to two orders of magnitude higher than in typical oligotrophic deep-sea sediments).     

Lateral downslope transport and tentative sedimentary organic carbon box model in the southern Yap Trench,western Pacific Ocean

Sediment collapse and subsequent lateral downslope migration play important roles in shaping the habitats and regulating sedimentary organic carbon(SOC) cycling in hadal trenches.In this study,three sediment cores were collected using a human-occupied vehicle across the axis of the southern Yap Trench(SYT).The total organic carbon(TOC) and total nitrogen(TN) contents,δ¹³C,radiocarbon ages,specific surface areas,and grain size compositions of sediments from three cores were measured.We...     

Rare-earth element geochemistry reveals the provenance of sediments on the southwestern margin of the Challenger Deep

The hadal zone represents one of the last great frontiers in modern marine science,and deciphering the provenance of sediment that is supplied to these trench settings remains a largely unanswered question.Here,we examine the mineralogical and geochemical composition of a sediment core(core CD-1)that was recovered from the southwestern margin of the Challenger Deep within the Mariana Trench.Major element abundances and rare-earth element patterns from these sediments require inputs from both terrigenous dust and locally sourced volcanic debris.We exploit a two-endmember mixing model to demonstrate that locally sourced volcanic material dominates the sediment supply to the Challenger Deep(averaging^72%).The remainder,however,is supplied by aeolian dust(averaging^28%),which is consistent with adjacent studies that utilized Sr-Nd isotopic data.Building on a growing database,we strengthen our understanding of Asian aeolian dust input into the northwestern Pacific,which ultimately improves our appreciation of sedimentation in,and around,the hadal zone.     

基于多种培养基和不同培养温度的马里亚纳海沟异养细菌多样性分析

马里亚纳海沟具有低温、高压、永久黑暗以及营养匮乏等深海环境特征,其中的细菌多样性对深海环境具有极为重要的作用.为研究马里亚纳海沟海水中异养细菌的物种多样性,采用多种培养基、不同培养温度同步筛选,单菌落16S rRNA基因序列鉴定,邻近法系统发育树构建分析等方法,对25个海水样品进行异养细菌多样性分析.共获得细菌531株...     

近海水体环境DNA沉降对沉积物中纤毛虫分子多样性评估的影响

在陆架海区沉积物中, DNA高通量测序技术可检获大量浮游寡毛类和舞毛类等非底栖纤毛虫,这些源于水体的环境DNA(eDNA)如何影响对沉积物中纤毛虫分子多样性的评估,以及影响程度如何尚不明确。本研究选取了黄海冷水团中的两个站位,通过提取水体和沉积物中DNA和RNA,并采用直接提取法和洗脱法提取沉积物DNA,结合DNA和cDNA测序技术,探讨了水体和沉积物中纤毛虫分子多样性的关系。研究表明,基于洗脱DNA法、直接提取DNA法和cDNA法获得的沉积物中纤毛虫OTUs数分别为451、312和324个,其中211个OTUs同时由三种方法检获;而164个OTUs仅通过洗脱DNA法检获,其中89%为相对丰度低于0.1%的稀有类群。直接提取DNA法所获的寡毛类和舞毛类序列数占比达46%,而在洗脱DNA法和cDNA法中占比仅为12%和10%。沉积物中检获的43%—71%的舞毛类和寡毛类OTUs与浅层水(40m)共有,仅19%—29%与深层水(40m)共有,且这些共有的OTUs可同时在浅层水中检获。本研究发现,对沉积物中纤毛虫分子多样性评价造成影响的浮游类群主要来自浅层水,洗脱DNA与cDNA测序均可显著降低浮游类群eDNA的影响。鉴于洗脱DNA法较之cDNA法操作更简便,且避免了反转录过程导致的偏差,因此推荐用于对近海沉积物中纤毛虫等真核微生物的分子多样性研究。     

Meiofauna hotspot in the Atacama Trench,eastern South Pacific Ocean

Meiofaunal assemblages were investigated (in terms of abundance, biomass, individual size and community structure) at bathyal and hadal depths (from 1050 to 7800 m) in the Atacama Trench in the upwelling sector of the eastern South Pacific Ocean, in relation to the distribution and availability of potential food sources (phytopigments, biochemical compounds and bacterial biomass) in this highly productive region. Meiofaunal density and biomass in the Atacama Trench were one to two orders of magnitude higher than values reported in other “oligotrophic” hadal systems. The Atacama Trench presented very high concentrations of nutritionally rich organic matter at 7800-m depth and displayed characteristics typical of eutrophic systems. Surprisingly, despite a decrease in chlorophyll-a and organic matter concentrations of about 50% from bathyal to hadal depths, meiofaunal abundance in hadal sediments was 10-fold higher than at bathyal depths. As indicated by the higher protein to carbohydrate ratio observed in trench sediments, the extraordinarily high meiofaunal density reported in the Atacama Trench was more dependent upon organic matter quality than on its quantity. The trophic richness of the system was reflected by a shift of the size structure of the benthic organisms. In contrast with typical trends of deep-sea systems, the ratio of bacterial to meiofaunal biomass decreased with increasing depth and, in the Atacama Trench, meiofaunal biomass largely dominated total benthic biomass. Nematodes at 7800-m depth accounted for more than 80% of total density and about 50% of total meiofaunal biomass. In hadal sediments a clear meiofaunal dwarfism was observed: the individual body size of nematodes and other taxa was reduced by 30–40% compared to individuals collected at bathyal depths. The peculiarity of this trophic-rich system allows rejection of previous hypotheses, which explained deep-sea dwarfism by the extremely oligotrophic conditions typical of deep-sea regions.     

汤加、日本、伊豆-小笠原与马里亚纳海沟俯冲板块正断层模拟：对俯冲板块弱化的影响

通过对比实际观测与弹塑性变形模型,研究了沿着汤加、日本、伊豆-小笠原、马里亚纳海沟的板块挠曲与正断层特征。观测表明,平均海沟挠曲量在日本海沟最小（3公里）,马里亚纳海沟最大（4.9公里）,而平均正断层垂直断距在日本海沟最小（113米）,汤加海沟最大（284米）。模拟了俯冲板块在三种构造加载的作用下发生弯曲变形并产生正断层的过程：垂向加载（V₀）、弯矩（M₀）和水平拉张力（F₀）。在板块挠曲与正断层特征的双重约束下,反演得到了四个海沟的最佳模型解。结果显示,日本海沟的水平张力分别比马里亚纳、汤加和伊豆-小笠原海沟小33%、50%和60%。汤加、日本、伊豆-小笠原、马里亚纳海沟的正断层最深可达海底以下29,23,32和32公里,这与重新定位后的日本与伊豆-小笠原地震深度一致。此外,反演得到的水平张拉力与观测到的平均垂直断距呈一定正相关性,而计算得到的有效弹性厚度减少量与观测到的海沟挠曲量也相关。这些结果表明,水平张拉力在正断层发展过程中起着关键控制作用,板块弱化可导致板块挠曲量的显著增加。     

北极海洋沉积物细菌和古菌群落结构分析

This study was to investigate bacterial and archaeal community structure of pan-Arctic Ocean sediments by pyrosequencing.In total,investigation of three marine sediments revealed 15 002 bacterial and 4 362 archaeal operational taxonomic units(OTUs) at the 97% similarity level.Analysis of community structure indicated that these three samples had high bacterial and archaeal diversity.The most relatively abundant bacterial group in Samples CC1 and R05 was Proteobacteria,while Firmicutes was dominant in Sample BL03.Thaumarchaeota was the most relatively abundant archaeal phylum in Samples CC1 and R05,and the relative abundance of Thaumarchaeota was almost as high as that of Euryarchaeota in Sample BL03.These two phyla accounted for nearly 100% of the archaeal OTUs.δ-Proteobacteria and γ-Proteobacteria were the two most relatively abundant classes at Proteobacterial class level,and their relative abundance was more than 60% in Samples CC1 and R05.There were also differences in the top 10 relatively abundant bacterial and archaeal OTUs among the three samples at the 97% similarity,and only 12 core bacterial OTUs were detected.Overall,this study indicated that there were distinct microbial communities and many unique OTUs in these three samples.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implication of lavas from the Yap Trench,western Pacific

We present major and trace element data of lava recovered from the northern Yap Trench in the western Pacific and discuss their petrogenesis and tectonic implications within the framework of interactions between the Caroline Ridge and Yap Trench. Rocks were collected from both landward and seaward trench slopes and exhibited geochemical characteristics similar to backarc basin basalt (BABB) and mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB), including high Fe content, tholeiitic affinity, high TiO2 value at a given FeOT/MgO ratio, Ti/V ratio between 20 and 50, low Ba/Nb ratio and Th/Nb ratio, and trace element patterns commonly displayed by BABB and MORB, which are distinct from arc lava. These rocks seem to have been generated during mantle upwelling and decompression melting at a spreading center. However, compared with typical forearc lava produced by seafloor spreading in the Mariana forearc region, such as the early Eocene forearc basalts and late Neogene forearc lava in the southernmost Mariana Trench, the Yap Trench lava is derived from a more fertile mantle and feature a more minor subduction component; thus, they cannot be the products of forearc mantle decompression melting. We suggest that the landward slope lava represents backarc basin crust that was overthrust onto the forearc lithosphere during the collision of the Caroline Ridge with the Yap Trench (20–25 Ma), which played a key role in the evolution of the Yap subduction system. Moreover, the seaward slope lava represents the subduction plate crust that accreted onto the deep trench during the collision. This collision event resulted in the cessation of Yap Arc magmatism; thus, the Yap Trench volcanic rocks (<25 Ma) previously suggested to be arc magma products may actually represent the nascent island arc lava with a lower subduction component than in the mature Mariana Arc lava.     

A depocenter of organic matter at 7800 m depth in the SE Pacific Ocean

The Atacama trench, the deepest ecosystem of the southern Pacific Ocean (ca. 8000 m depth) was investigated during the Atacama Trench International Expedition. Sediments, collected at three bathyal stations (1040–1355 m depth) and at a hadal site (7800 m) were analyzed for organic matter quantity and biochemical composition (in terms of phytopigments, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids), bacterial abundance, biomass and carbon production and extracellular enzymatic activities. Functional chlorophyll-a (18.0±0.10 mg m⁻²), phytodetritus (322.2 mg m⁻²) and labile organic carbon (16.9±4.3 g C m⁻²) deposited on surface sediments at hadal depth (7800 m) reached concentrations similar to those encountered in highly productive shallow coastal areas. High values of bacterial C production and aminopeptidase activity were also measured (at in situ temperature and 1 atm). The chemical analyses of the Atacama hadal sediments indicate that this trench behaves as a deep oceanic trap for organic material. We hypothesize that, despite the extreme physical conditions, benthic microbial processes might be accelerated as a result of the organic enrichment.     

Deep hydrographic structure along 12°N and 13°N in the Philippine Sea

Hydrographic casts down to the bottom along two zonal sections at 12°N and 13°N (from 144°E to 127°E) were made with a CTD. Their analysis verified the existence of cold and saline abyssal water between the Mariana Ridge and the Kyushu-Palau Ridge. This result provides evidence of flow into the Philippine Sea through the deep gap called the Yap-Mariana Junction. The properties of deep water are variable in the West Mariana basin but quite homogeneous in the Philippine Basin, indicating the transitional nature in the West Mariana Basin and the existence of older bottom water in the Philippine Basin. A close examination suggests that the bottom water is slightly colder in the western part of the Philippine Basin than in the eastern part of the basin. This slightly colder deep water with a hundred kilometer scale in the western Philippine Basin might be related to a broad western boundary current flowing equatorward along the eastern rise of the Philippine Trench.     

Relationship between polymetallic nodule genesis and sediment distribution in the KODOS (Korea Deep Ocean Study) Area, Northeastern Pacific

Polymetallic nodule and sediment characteristics were investigated for two blocks (KR2 and KR5) in the Korea Deep Ocean Study (KODOS) area in order to better understand nodule distribution and the potential effects of sediments on nodule genesis. The northern block (KR2) is dominated by hydrogenetic nodules, whereas the southern block (KR5) is dominated by diagenetic nodules. Sediments in the study area are assigned to three major lithologic units which are distinctive in color and texture. The northern block is characterized by a thick, metalpoor Unit 1 sediment, which is thin in the southern block, where metal-rich Units 2b and 3 occur close to the surface. The distribution of different nodule genetic types in the northern and southern blocks can be attributed to topographic variations (topographic high near seamounts in KR2 and abyssal plain in KR5) and different sedimentation rates (0.1 and 0.32 mm/kyr in blocks KR2 and KR5, respectively). The southern block has a geologic setting more conducive to diagenetic nodule formation, such as flat topography and sediment composition. Nodule distribution in the studied blocks might also be explained by the distribution of the sediment units of different metal contents. The northern block, in which Unit 1 is thicker, has more abundant hydrogenetic nodules, possibly because Unit 1 prevents metals that are remobilized from the underlying sediments from reaching the seabed where the nodules are forming.     

Morpho-sedimentary evidence for a canyon�Cchannel�Ctrench interconnection along the Taiwan�CLuzon plate margin, South China Sea

Examining bathymetric and seismic reflection data collected from the deep-sea region between Taiwan and Luzon in 2006 and 2008, we identified a connection between a submarine canyon, a deep-sea channel, and an oceanic trench in the northern South China Sea. The seafloor of the South China Sea north of 21°N is characterized by two broad slopes: the South China Sea Slope to the west, and the Kaoping Slope to the east, intersected by the prominent Penghu Canyon. This negative relief axis parallels the strike of the Taiwan orogen, extends downslope in an approx. N–S direction, and eventually merges with the northern Manila Trench via a hitherto unidentified channel. The discovery of this channel is pivotal, because it allows connecting the Penghu Canyon to the Manila Trench. This channel is 80 km long and 20–30 km wide, with water depths of 3,500–4,000 m. The progressive morphological changes recorded in the aligned canyon, channel, and trench suggest that they represent three distinct segments of the same longitudinal sediment conduit from southern Taiwan to the northern Manila Trench. Major sediment input would be via the Kaoping Canyon and Kaoping Slope, with a smaller contribution from the South China Sea Slope. We determined the northern end of the Manila Trench to be located at about 20°15′N, 120°15′E, where sediment accumulation has produced a bathymetry shallower than 4,000 m, thereby abruptly terminating the trench morphology. Comparison with existing data reveals a similarity with, for example, the Papua New Guinea–Solomon Sea Plate convergent zone, another modern analog of a mountain source to oceanic sink longitudinal sediment transport system comprising canyon–channel–trench interconnections.     

马里亚纳海沟浮游病毒垂直分布及动态变化

为探究马里亚纳海沟浮游病毒生态特征的垂直变化规律,本研究于2015年12月采集马里纳亚海沟表层到8727m共六层水样,对浮游病毒丰度,浮游细菌丰度,微微型浮游植物丰度以及裂解性浮游病毒生产力进行了分析。流式细胞技术分析结果表明,马里亚纳海沟各层浮游病毒丰度范围为1.27×105—1.93×106VLP/mL,其中表层丰度最高,随后逐渐降低,最低值出现在3699m处。而在深渊海沟区域内病毒丰度略有上升,最深处8727m病毒丰度为2.85×105VLP/mL。马里亚纳海沟裂解性浮游病毒生产力变化范围为2.86×104—4.21×105VLP/(mL·h),其垂直分布呈现出与浮游病毒丰度相似的趋势,生产力最高值出现在表层,随后在相对较低的水平变动,而在深渊海沟区域内随深度略微上升, 8727m处生产力为4.08×104VLP/(mL·h)。同时本文根据假定的研究区域浮游病毒平均裂解量及宿主平均有机物质含量计算出病毒导致的细菌死亡率(VMM)以及相应的有机碳和有机氮释放量,其中VMM变化范围为1.59×103—2.34×104cells/(mL·h),8727m处VMM为2.27×103cells/(mL·h)。而每小时病毒导致的细菌死亡数在总细菌数量中占比在8727m处最低,为4.6%,这表明浮游病毒在深海环境中的侵染活性相对较低,可能由于极端环境下浮游病毒多以溶源状态存在。在深渊海沟内部观察到相对较高的浮游病毒丰度以及相对较低的病毒生产力水平,表明该水域浮游病毒死亡率较低,这或许与海沟内温度极低且环境相对隔离有关。各层浮游病毒丰度及生产力与环境因子间相关性分析结果表明,浮游病毒丰度和生产力均与浮游细菌丰度表现出较高的正相关关系(P0.05),同时病毒生产力也表现出与温度的显著正相关性,表明浮游病毒的活跃程度主要依赖于宿主细胞的浓度以及海水温度。     

Transverse infilling of the central Aleutian Trench by unconfined turbidity currents

Holocene sand layers cored from the central Aleutian Trench are dominated by volcaniclastic debris, and the only likely source is the central Aleutian volcanic arc. This creates something of an enigma because bathymetric obstructions seemingly prevent direct delivery of sediment via transverse canyons or channels. Turbidity currents are funneled through submarine canyons on the upper trench slope, but the flows become unconfined as they cross the midslope Aleutian Terrace. Evidently, the turbid flows maintain high enough velocities to climb over the trench-slope break; acceleration down the lower trench slope then allows forearc bypassing to occur without the aid of through-going channels.     

Microbial community respiration and structure of dead zone sediments of Omura Bay, Japan

Monitoring sediment microbial community metabolism and structure is instrumental to understanding biogeochemical processes in and ecological impacts on bottom environments. The aim of this study was to determine potential community respiration and to reveal community dynamics of the microorganisms in the dead zone sediments of Omura Bay, Japan. The bay is highly enclosed and develops severe hypoxia in the central regions every summer. We collected sediment core samples from the center of the bay during hypoxia, estimated sediment oxygen consumption by using an adapted in vivo electron transport system activity (in vivo ETSA) assay, enumerated abundance of bacteria, and analyzed bacterial community structure by automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis. Higher ETSA and bacterial diversity were found in upper sediments (within 3?cm depth) from the center than the fringe of the bay. Sediment bacterial community structure of the bay center was distinct from that of the fringe. From these results, upper sediment in the dead zone of Omura Bay was characterized by (1) greater community respiration and (2) greater diversity of bacterial components compared with the non-hypoxic sediment of the bay fringe. These characteristics have important implications for understanding the interaction between microbial communities and the development of hypoxia in Omura Bay.     

The benthic communities of the Snorre field in the Northern North Sea (61°30′ N 2°10′ E): 1. The distribution and structure of communities in undisturbed sediments

The fauna of the Snorre oil field is diverse and varies along a 40 m depth gradient across the area. Abundance and species richness increase with increasing depth but diversity is highest in the centre of the gradient. The communities present differ widely from those of the adjacent but shallower Statfjord, Gullfaks and Tordis Fields and from the major communities found throughout much of the northern North Sea, a fact attributable to the greater depth, finer sediments, higher sediment organic levels and position on the western slope of the Norwegian Trench. They have greater affinities with the communities in the Troll Field, 85 km SE on silt/clay sediments in the floor of the trench and the Heidrun Field, situated approximately 390 km N at similar depths and in an area of similar sedimentary composition. However the Snorre communities have a much higher number of suspension feeding and surface deposit feeding organisms than either of these other areas. This might be caused by higher current speeds in the Snorre area which could create favourable conditions for suspensivores. Such water movements might bring occasional incursions of intermediate Norwegian Sea water into the area. Indeed the Snorre fauna appears to bear some relationships to the intermediate depth faunas of the Norwegian Sea, and is clearly different from most of the better described northern North Sea faunas.