Temporal Variations of Benthic Bacterial Microflora on the Northwestern Mediterranean Continental Shelf and Slope

Abstract. Bacterial (direct and heterotrophic counts, heterotrophic potentials) and organic matter (org C, org N) parameters were studied over 2 years in the surface sediments of 3 stations located on the continental shelf (station A: 15m; station B: 35m) and slope (station C: 910m) in the northwestern Mediterranean Basin.
Although logistic constraints did not allow a satisfactory sampling periodicity in the offshore survey, some seasonal trends were still observable at the deepest station. Variations were quantitatively more important in the two shallow sediments (from 3×10² heterotrophic bacteria – ml^-1 in December 1984 to 10⁷ heterotrophic bacteria-ml^-1 in March 1986). Epifluorcsccncc direct counts were relatively constant (5×10⁸ cells-ml^-1), while heterotrophic potentials (with ¹⁴C labelled glucose and glutamic acid) showed a succession of very short pulses over the year. Different concentrations of organic matter (from 0.2% orgC at 15m to 0.8% orgC at 35m) appeared to sustain very similar bacterial numbers. Nevertheless, a certain relation between the seasonal evolution of bacterial and organic matter parameters was discernable. Although depth apparently had no measurable effect on maximal spring bacterial densities, it seemed to lessen the summer and winter decreases in the two shallow stations.     

陆架沙丘(波)形成发育的环境条件

陆架大、中、小、巨沙丘(沙波)发育的动力机制与河流沙波有相似之处,也有许多差异,前者含定时多向的潮流、持续定向的洋流和偶发性的暴风浪流,后者为单向持续水流。20～100cm／s的底流速是发育沙丘的动力因素,水流的多向性和浪流的偶发性又常常制约沙丘发育的强度和迁移的速度;陆架浅水区(小于18m)受破浪的影响,沙丘尺度与水深呈微弱负相关,深水区水深的影响甚微。陆架输沙量是沙丘发育的物质条件,特别是细、中砂底质,在此粒度范围内沙波尺度与粒径呈微弱正相关,平缓广阔的地形在沙丘发育中也起一定的作用。     

中国陆架的沉积环境地球化学

中国陆架沉积环境地球化学研究表明,我国近海和远海海域的海洋沉积物质量保持良好,部分近海海域沉积物质量较差。探讨了我国陆架海域沉积物的有机物、重金属元素和生源要素等环境地球化学。     

外大陆架划界信息系统中数据交换方法

采用VB.NET作为开发工具,ArcGIS Engine作为开发平台,进行外大陆架划界的数据交换研究,所开发的程序能够实现图元和文件层次的交换。该方法的研究对于我国外大陆架的划界有着非常重要的参考作用。     

东海北部陆架柱样中底栖有孔虫组合及其古环境研究

东海北部陆架区D-46C和D-74C柱样底栖有孔虫分析结果表明,D-46C柱样自下而上为压扁卷转虫(Am-moniacompressiuscula)组合,并可以进一步划分出压扁卷转虫—花朵虫(A.compressiuscula-Florilusspp.)亚组合、压扁卷转虫—叶状串珠虫(A.compressiuscula-Textularia foliacea)亚组合和压扁卷转虫—强壮箭头虫(A.compressiuscula-Bolivina robusta)亚组合;D-74C柱样自下而上可以划分出三个组合:叶状串珠虫—压扁卷转虫(Textularia foliacea-Ammonia compressiuscula)组合、大西洋花朵虫—异地希望虫(Florilus atlanticus-Elphidium advenum)组合和大西洋花朵虫—结缘寺卷转虫(Florilus atlanticus-Ammonia ketienziensis)组合。两个柱样中底栖有孔虫组合垂向变化明显,结合AMS14C测年结果,初步认为两个柱样均为全新世以来的沉积。其中,D-74C柱样为全新世中期(相当于亚北方期)以来的沉积,在全新世晚期一直受到陆地冲淡水的强烈影响;D-46C柱样为全新世早期(相当于前北方期和北方期)以来的沉积,受到陆地冲淡水流的影响较D-74C柱样小。     

NWF: Propagation of Tsunami and its Interaction with Continental Shelf and Vertical Wall

In this article, tsunamis represented as solitary waves was simulated using the fully nonlinear free surface waves based on Finite Element method developed by Sriram et al. (2006). The split up of solitary wave while it propagates over the uneven bottom topography is successfully established. Wave transmission and reflection over a vertical step introduced in the bottom topography is in good agreement with the experimental results from Seabra-Santos et al. (1987). The wave transformation over a continental shelf with different smooth slopes reveals that the solitary wave reflection increases while the continental slope varies from flat to steep. The interaction of the solitary wave with a vertical wall for different wave steepness has been analysed. The reflected shape of the profile is in good agreement with the observation made by Fenton and Rienecker (1982) and an increase in wave celerity is observed.     

NWF: Propagation of Tsunami and its Interaction with Continental Shelf and Vertical Wall

This paper describes the use of a transportable photographic zenith camera in a tidal flat area to obtain astrogeodetic deflections of the vertical, and the subsequent calculation of a fine structured geoid. It shows that the newly developed camera system is suited for astronomical observations in areas of this type, and that a control point distance of 20 km is sufficient for the determination of a decimeter‐geoid.     

中国东部陆架海对"新仙女木"事件的响应

新仙女木（Younger Dryas）事件是末次冰消期持续升温过程中的一次突然降温的典型非轨道事件,对于研究古气候、古环境的快速突变事件和短周期现象,合理评估现今气候一环境条件并做出气候变化的预测有着重要的意义。它是一个全球性的事件,中国东部陆架海也普遍发现了“新仙女木”事件的沉积记录。由于中国东部陆架位于欧亚大陆和太平洋之间,受季风的强烈影响,因此有着独特的响应。在“新仙女木”事件发生时,海平面在-50m水深位置稍微下降或振荡徘徊,在-50m线上则以湖泊沼泽、埋藏河床、风沙沉积记录为主,-50m以下则以海洋沉积记录为主,这条线的附近则存在沼泽泥炭和古潮流沙脊。     

Benthic microalgal biomass in sediments of Onslow Bay, North Carolina

Sediment samples were collected at stations along cross-shelf transects in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, during two cruises in 1984 and 1985. Station depths ranged from 11 to 285 m. Sediment chlorophyll a concentrations ranged from 0·06 to 1·87 μg g⁻¹ sediment (mean, 0·55), or 2·6–62·0 mg m². Areal sediment chlorophyll a exceeded water column chlorophyll a a at 16 of 17 stations, especially at inshore and mid-shelf stations. Sediment ATP concentrations ranged from 0 to 0·67 μg g⁻¹ sediment (mean, 0·28). Values for both biomass indicators were lowest in the depth range including the shelf break (50–99 m). Organic carbon contents of the sediments were uniformly low across the shelf, averaging 0·159% by weight. Photography of the sediments revealed extensive patches of microalgae on the sediment surface.Our data suggest that viable benthic microalgae occur across the North Carolina continental shelf. The distribution of benthic macroflora on the North Carolina shelf indicates that sufficient light and nutrients are available to support primary production out to the shelf break. Frequent storm-induced perturbations do not favour settling of phytoplankton, an alternative explanation for the presence of microalgal pigments in the sediments. Therefore, we propose that a distinct, productive benthic microflora exists across the North Carolina continental shelf.     

南海北部陆架区内波的演变与耗散机制

海洋是多尺度强迫-耗散系统,机械能主要在大尺度输入,在小尺度耗散。在大、中尺度运动的能量向小尺度湍流传递过程中,内波扮演着重要角色。内波的生成和破碎可打破海洋动力平衡,而在陆架区,内波（主要是内孤立波）的浅化演变与耗散则是驱动湍流混合的关键过程。通过长期的理论、观测与数值模拟研究,目前已认识到内波浅化过程中主要发生如下演变：波形调制、极性转变、裂变、破碎与耗散。相较于直接发生破碎,浅化演变过程中的裂变及其引发的剪切不稳定和对流不稳定是内孤立波在陆架区的主要耗散机制,显著调制陆架区的跃层混合。从能量串级的角度讲,内孤立波浅化裂变为动力不稳定的高频内波是潮能串级的重要通道。本文简要回顾南海北部陆架区内波的研究历史,并着重总结内波在陆架区演变与耗散机制的研究进展。     

A Preliminary Trophic Model of the Continental Shelf, South-western Gulf of Mexico

A preliminary mass-balance trophic model was constructed to determine the flow of energy in a community of fish and invertebrates on the continental shelf of the south-western Gulf of Mexico. Input parameters were taken from the literature, except for the biomass of fish groups which was obtained from trawl surveys in the study area. The model consists of 12 fish groups, five invertebrate groups, phytoplankton and detritus. Results indicate an imbalance between primary production and consumption, with only about 10% of primary production being consumed in the water column. Most of the primary production is exported to detritus which forms the basis of the food-web, with a detritivory/herbivory ratio of 2·5. Benthic invertebrates play a significant role in transferring energy from detritus to higher trophic levels. Eight discrete trophic levels were found, with very reduced flow at levels higher than the fifth. The highest fractional trophic level is 4·3, and consists of sharks. Analysis of mixed trophic impacts showed that detritus and lower trophic levels have a significant positive impact on other groups in the system. Mean transfer efficiency is 9·2%. Some whole system properties are also given. Of net primary production, 6·7% is required to sustain current catch levels, suggesting that the resources in this area are fully exploited.     

东海陆架前缘斜坡(冲绳海槽西坡)北部的断块隆脊地貌

东海陆架前缘斜坡(冲绳海槽西坡)北部的断块隆脊,是呈长条形的脊状台式隆起,位于29°30′N-31°10′N;128°00′E-128°20′E之间。其由NNE向链状排列的断块山地组成,且与NNE向的断裂构造相一致,其顶部水深约300m～400m左右。从实测单道地震剖面看,隆脊的东西两侧均有断层出现。隆脊西坡倾向陆架一侧,坡度大,有的地方坡度超过10°;而东侧坡度较缓,仅1°左右,缓倾至海槽西坡坡底,并以沟坎式与冲绳海槽槽底相连。冲绳海槽地区的构造运动,使隆脊地区受到断裂构造的作用。NNE向的大断裂使该隆脊位置的东西两侧断裂下降而中间抬起,加之下部岩浆上侵,显现出链式排列的断块山地,表现为一条长形的断块隆脊构造地貌体。推测该地貌体形成的时期较晚,它是与断层的发生同时期形成的。     

海南岛东西陆架秋季悬浮体分布特征对比

2005年8月到10月国家海洋局第二海洋研究所在海南岛周围进行了近海底质和悬浮体的调查。利用悬浮体调查数据对比了海南岛东西两侧陆架悬浮体浓度的分布特征,并探讨影响其分布的因素。研究结果表明,海南岛东西两侧陆架的悬浮体在垂向上的分布形式基本有3种:增加型、C型和稳定型。海南岛东西侧陆架在悬浮体浓度分布方面存在较大差异,自然条件是造成这种差异的主要因素。物质来源对悬浮体体积浓度分布也有较大影响。悬浮体体积浓度在局部的高值、高梯度区与流系(如暖涡和上升流)有较为密切的关系。在东侧陆架,盐度分布与悬浮体的浓度分布有一定的关系。     

Demersal Continental Shelf and Upper Slope Cephalopod Assemblages from the Balearic Sea (North-Western Mediterranean). Biological Aspects of Some Deep-Sea Species

The analysis of 79 hauls performed by commercial bottom trawlers from 50 to 800 m depth in the Balearic Sea (north-western Mediterranean) from June 1995 to September 1996 yielded a total of 30 cephalopod species belonging to 12 families. Cluster analysis of these data gave as a result two main groups 50–200 m and 200–800 m each subdivided into two other groups (50–100 vs. 100–200 m and 200–600 vs. 600–800 m). These results suggested the existence of two assemblages that could be associated to the continental shelf (50–100 m) and the upper slope (600–800 m) separated by a wide transitional zone (100–600 m) representing a region of overlapping shelf and slope faunas (ecotone). The faunistic bathymetric gradient showed a continuous substitution of species with depth rather than discrete assemblages separated by distinct boundaries. The more coastal species such as Eledone moschata, Loligo vulgarisSepia officinalis and Octopus vulgaris were found on the continental shelf; on the transitional zone, apart from species characteristic of this zone (Illex coindetii, Sepietta oweniana, Rossia macrosoma, Scaeurgus unicirrhus and Pteroctopus tetracirrhus), we also observed species from both the continental shelf and slope. The upper slope was characterized by typical species of deeper waters, such asBathypolypus sponsalis , Histioteuthis reversa, H. bonnellii, Ancistroteuthis lichtensteinii andOnychoteuthis banksii . The octopod O. vulgaris was the dominant species on the continental shelf and upper transitional zone, being substituted by T. sagittatus on the lower transitional zone and upper slope. Mean biomass decreased abruptly from the continental shelf to the transitional zone and from there to the upper slope. Mean species richness and species diversity were higher in the transitional zone than in the continental shelf and upper slope. Finally, some biological aspects of the more abundant deep-sea cephalopod species are studied: Bathypolypus sponsalis, Octopus salutii,Pteroctopus tetracirrhus , Histioteuthis reversa and H. bonnellii.     

长江口邻近陆架沉积物粒径变化趋势及动力成因

基于长江口外邻近陆架近20年实测数据,分析了邻近陆架区域表层沉积物中值粒径、砂-泥分界线和泥质区变化规律,并探讨了自然机制和人类活动等对其影响。结果表明:1近期(2006-2010年)长江口邻近陆架区域沉积物中值粒径和砂、粉砂和粘土等值线分布格局较2006年以前未发生明显变化;2伴随流域入海泥沙量和海滨区悬沙浓度的减小,陆架区域表层沉积物中值颗粒表现为粗化趋势发展;3陆架区域砂-泥分界线2004-2007年在北侧(31°30′以北)无明显趋势,南侧(31°30′以南)为向口内移动,2008-2010年无论南侧还是北侧均为向口内移动,主要受长江径流枯水期,引起潮流水动力相对增强、悬沙浓度减小及苏北沿岸流等影响;4泥质区域为长江口沉积速率最大区域,由于入海泥沙和海滨区域悬沙浓度降低,三角洲侵蚀等环境下表现为减小趋势,因北槽深水航道整治工程的实施改变了南北槽分流比,南槽下泄径流水动力增加,使得泥质区位置存在南偏趋势。     

Physical Properties of Sediments on the Northern Continental Shelf of the South China Sea

Using physical (acoustical engineering mechanics and scanning electron microscope) and other technical methods, is study makes a comprehensive analysis of the structural characteristics and engineering mechanics properties of sediments, the sediment structure, microstructure and their classification characteristics and in the light of the physical-mechanical characteristic parameters, the relations between the grain contact, grain accumulation, and porosity with the physical-mechanical characteristics of sediment, and reports the relationship between the acoustic physical parameters and the stress-strain properties of sediment. Results show that there are six structural types in the shelf seabed sediment of the northern South China Sea, among which, the mixed contact structural type sediment has a higher compressive strength and a higher sound velocity than others, and that in the shallow seabed there exists a mesoscale structure with high and low velocity layers.     

Physical Properties of Sediments on the Northern Continental Shelf of the South China Sea

ABSTRACT

Using physical (acoustical engineering mechanics and scanning electron microscope) and other technical methods, is study makes a comprehensive analysis of the structural characteristics and engineering mechanics properties of sediments, the sediment structure, microstructure and their classification characteristics and in the light of the physical-mechanical characteristic parameters, the relations between the grain contact, grain accumulation, and porosity with the physical-mechanical characteristics of sediment, and reports the relationship between the acoustic physical parameters and the stress-strain properties of sediment. Results show that there are six structural types in the shelf seabed sediment of the northern South China Sea, among which, the mixed contact structural type sediment has a higher compressive strength and a higher sound velocity than others, and that in the shallow seabed there exists a mesoscale structure with high and low velocity layers.     

末次盛冰期以来东海陆架南部EA05岩心地层划分及其古环境意义

通过综合分析东海陆架南部EA05岩心上部30 m的岩性、有孔虫丰度和一些特征的地球化学参数,探讨了该段岩心的气候地层划分。该段岩心可依次划分为末次盛冰期(30~11.85 m)、冰消期(11.85~5 m)和冰后期(5~0 m)地层。末次盛冰期时气温低,研究区水深浅,沉积物中有孔虫丰度很低,且大多数热带浮游有孔虫种属消失,此时陆源物质输入量较大,沉积物中有机质含量高,黑潮对东海陆架南部影响小。随着冰消期以来气温回升,海面上升,研究区水深增大,岩心中有孔虫丰度急剧增加;陆源物质输入量减少,沉积速率降低。大约在16 ka B.P.左右,黑潮重新开始对东海南部陆架产生影响。在EA05岩心的6~5 m,3.4~3.0 m和1.4~1.2 m处分辨出了3个冷事件,可能分别对应于YD事件、8.2 ka B.P.冷事件和3.8 ka B.P.新冰期Ⅲ,反映出该地区冰消期和冰后期气候波动较大。     

Multi-level Effects of Severe Storms on an Offshore Temperate Reef System: Benthic Sediments, Macroalgae, and Implications for Fisheries

Abstract. Episodic events have been shown to strongly affect structure and function of marine benthic ecosystems. Severe storms can have profound effects on the distribution of marine sediments which could, in turn, influence the development of benthic communities. The rich and diverse epibenthic communities on the United States mid-Atlantic continental shelf owe their existence to the presence of a complex sequence of rocky outcrops. An unusually strong storm struck this shelf system in March 1993. Two of these carbonate platforms had been characterized by moderate sediment cover for at least the previous two years, but bottom water velocities generated by this storm removed considerable amounts of sediment from these upper flat hardbottom habitats. Macroalgal cover on these platforms dramatically increased between 1992 and 1993 with the increased exposure of hard substrate for attachment. The edges of the outcrops (scarps and rubble ramps), which are usually free of sediment, maintained their dense algal cover. Settlement blocks placed in various sub-habitats showed little variation in algal cover among flat hardbottom and scarp areas during both years, indicating that available hard substrate habitat may be the primary limiting factor for algal growth on the North Carolina continental shelf. Since macroalgal meadows provide food and shelter for juvenile fish, the increase in critical habitat following these storms may have implications for recruitment of economically important fish species. Thus, indirect effects of episodic storms, i.e ., redistribution of sand bodies leading to algal meadow development over large spatial scales, may have important consequences for benthic community development and persistence in temperate reef systems.     

Morphology of a Pre-collisional, Salt-bearing, Accretionary Complex: The Mediterranean Ridge (Eastern Mediterranean)

The Eastern Mediterranean Sea is a remnant of a deep Mesozoic oceanic basin, now almost totally consumed as a result of long-term plate convergence between Eurasia and Africa. The present-day surface morphology of the Eastern Mediterranean relates both to the early history of formation of the deep basins and the recent geodynamic interactions between interfering microplates. Among the most conspicuous morphologic features of the basin is an arc-shape, elongated and wide, bathymetric swell bisecting the entire basin from the Ionian to Levantine areas, known as the Mediterranean Ridge. During the last decade this tectono-sedimentary accretionary prism, which results from the Hellenic subduction, has been intensively surveyed by swath mapping, multichannel seismic profiling and deep dives. We present here, and briefly discuss, the main morphological characteristics of this feature as derived from swath bathymetric data that considerably help to better assess the lateral and north–south morphostructural variability of the Mediterranean Ridge. This study reveals that the characteristics and morphostructural variability of the Mediterranean Ridge are related to: (1) a specific incipient collision geodynamic setting south of Crete, where the African and Aegean continental margins are nearly in contact, (2) a unique regional kinematics, controlled by frontal convergence south of Crete (central Mediterranean Ridge) and oblique subduction with opposite sense of shear for the western (Ionian) and eastern (Levantine) domains of the Mediterranean Ridge, that explain the lateral variations of deformation and (3) particularities of its sedimentary cover, which includes massive salt layers within the outer Mediterranean Ridge and local salt deposits within the inner domains, that control the north–south morphostructural variability of the sedimentary wedge.