Heat flux estimate of warm water flow in a low-temperature diffuse flow site, southern East Pacific Rise 17°25′ S

A low-temperature diffuse flow site associated with abundant vent fauna was found by submersible observations on the southern East Pacific Rise at 17°25′ S in 1997. This site was characterized by thin sediment covered pillow and sheet lavas with collapsed pits up to ∼15 m in diameter. There were three warm water vents (temperature: 6.5 to 10.5 °C) within the site above which the vented fluids rise as plumes. To estimate heat flux of the warm water vents, a temperature logger array was deployed and the vertical temperature distribution in the water column up to 38 m above the seafloor was monitored. A stationary deep seafloor observatory system was also deployed to monitor hydrothermal activity in this site. The temperature logger array measured temperature anomalies, while the plumes from the vents passed through the array. Because the temperature anomalies were measured in only specific current directions, we identified one of the vents as the source. Heat flux from the vent was estimated by applying a plume model in crossflow in a density-stratified environment. The average heat flux from September 13 to October 18, 1997 was 39 MW. This heat flux is as same order as those of high-temperature black smokers, indicating that a large volume flux was discharged from the vent (1.9 m³/s). Previous observations found many similar warm water flow vents along the spreading axis between 17°20′ S–30′ S. The total heat flux was estimated to be at least a few hundred mega-watts. This venting style would contribute to form effluent hydrothermal plumes extended above the spreading axis.     

南海北部陆坡东沙海域海底丘状体气体与水合物分布

海底丘状体在天然气水合物发育区是一种常见的微地貌,对丘状体的研究有助于理解海底流体渗漏模式以及水合物的赋存规律。本文研究南海北部陆坡东沙海域天然气水合物发育区海底丘状体的特征及其与水合物的关系。研究所用的数据包括准三维多道地震数据、多波束数据以及浅地层剖面数据。在多波束海底地形图上,丘状体表现为局部的正地形,直径大约为300 m,高出周围海底约50 m。浅地层剖面上存在明显的声空白以及同相轴下拉现象,指示了海底丘状体气体的分布以及流体运移的路径。丘状体周围明显的BSR表明局部区域可能发育有水合物,水合物钻探结果也证实了这一推测。三维多道地震剖面上,丘状体正下方存在空白反射区域,这与泥火山的地震反射特征类似。但空白反射区域内存在强振幅能量,而且丘状体正下方存在连续的反射层,这表明该丘状体并非泥火山成因。综合钻探结果以及三维地震成像结果,认为水合物形成过程引起的沉积物膨胀以及海底碳酸盐岩的沉淀是形成该丘状体的主要原因。     

Along-track gravity anomalies from Geostat and Seasat altimetry: GEBCO overlays

To provide easy access to the large number of Seastat and Geosat altimeter observations collected over the last decade, we have plotted these satellite altimeter profiles as overlays to the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO). Each of the 32 overlays displays along-track gravity anomalies for either ascending (southeast to northwest) or descending (northeast to southwest) altimeter passes. Where Seasat and Geosat profiles coincide, only the more accurate Geosat profiles were plotted. In poorly charted southern ocean areas, satellite altimeter profiles reveal many previously undetected features of the seafloor.     

渤海湾西南部海域表层沉积物分布特征

基于渤海湾西南部海域3次表层沉积物调查资料,通过表层沉积物粒度数据研究沉积物类型和分布特征,在空间和时间尺度上探讨沉积物变化规律。结果表明:研究区表层沉积物主要以砂质粉砂和黏土质粉砂为主,西北部沉积物较细,东南部沉积物相对较粗,深水区沉积物较细,浅水区沉积物相对较粗;研究区浅水区分选性好于深水区,东南部分选性好于西北部;研究区偏态总体为近对称或正偏;对比3次沉积物中值粒径,沉积物在时间序列上具有变细的趋势。     

Sediment mounds and other sedimentary features related to hydrate occurrences in a columnar seismic blanking zone of the Ulleung Basin, East Sea, Korea

A mound related to a cold vent in a columnar seismic blanking zone (CSBZ) was formed around site UBGH1-10 in the central Ulleung Basin (2077 m water depth), East Sea, Korea. The mound is 300–400 m wide and 2–3 m high according to multi-beam bathymetry, 2–7 kHz sub-bottom profiler data, and multi-channel reflection seismic data. Seafloor topography and characteristics were investigated using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) around site UBGH1-10, which is located near the northern part of the mound. The origin of the mound was investigated through lithology, mineralogy, hydrate occurrence, and sedimentary features using dive cores, piston cores, and a deep-drilling core. The CSBZ extends to ∼265 ms two-way traveltime (TWT) below the seafloor within a mass-transport deposit (MTD) unit. Gas hydrate was entirely contained 6–141 m below the seafloor (mbsf) within hemipelagic deposits intercalated with a fine-grained turbidite (HTD) unit, characteristically associated with high resistivity values at site UBGH1-10. The hydrate is commonly characterized by veins, nodules, and massive types, and is found within muddy sediments as a fracture-filling type. Methane has been produced by microbial reduction of CO₂, as indicated by C₁/C₂₊, δ¹³CCH4, and δD₄CH analyses. The bowl-shaped hydrate cap revealed at 20–45 ms TWT below the seafloor has very high resistivity and high salinity, suggesting rapid and recent gas hydrate formation. The origin of the sediment mound is interpreted as a topographic high formed by the expansion associated with the formation of the gas hydrate cap above the CSBZ. The lower sedimentation rate of the mound sediments may be due to local enhancement of bottom currents by topographic effects. In addition, no evidence of gas bubbles, chemosynthetic communities, or bacterial mats was observed in the mound, suggesting an inactive cold vent.     

安达曼海东南部海域表层沉积物粒度特征及净输运趋势

海底沉积物粒度是反映水动力格局最直接的指标,可以有效指示不同时间尺度陆源碎屑物质输运过程。利用激光粒度仪对取自安达曼海东南部海域的98个表层沉积物样品进行粒度分析,结果表明,研究区表层沉积物以粉砂、砂质粉砂及粉砂质砂为主,且粒度组成空间分区明显：北部陆架为粗粒级且分选差的残留砂质沉积区;南部内陆架为混合沉积区,以砂质粉砂、粉砂质砂和粉砂沉积为主;丹老阶地和陆坡为细粒级且分选较好的粉砂和泥质沉积区。在此基础上选用Gao-Collins“粒径趋势”方法分析了该区域表层沉积物的净输运趋势,结果显示,当特征距离<0.8°时,普吉岛东南部海域存在沉积中心,研究区沉积物有向该区域汇聚的明显趋势,沉积物分布特征和输运趋势主要受陆源物质供给、季节性变化的西南季风流以及潮流的综合影响。     

Seafloor gravity evidence for hydrothermal alteration of the sediments in Middle Valley, Juan de Fuca Ridge

Gravity data collected at two different levels, sea-surface and seafloor, are compared and interpreted to characterize the effect of hydrothermal circulation on the sediment density in Middle Valley, a deeply sedimented spreading center on the Juan de Fuca Ridge. The sea-surface gravity data constrain density variations at depth beneath the seafloor, whereas sea-bottom measurements are more sensitive to shallow sources. At least two different types of hydrothermal signatures in the sediments can be distinguished from the gravity data: short-wavelength anomalies associated with sulfide deposits and broader anomalies associated with areas of lithified sediments. In Middle Valley, three distinct gravity anomalies were identified. (a) An anomaly over a sulfide mound, south of Bent Hill, shows that the sulfide body extends to depths of 120 to 180 m and has been fed by several near-surface conduits. (b) An anomaly at the base of the fault bordering the valley to the east is interpreted as a regional anomaly combined with the local effect of lithified sediments and possibly sulfide deposits. (c) An anomaly paralleling an intra-valley fault, that limits the deepest part of the graben, is interpreted as indicating lithification of the upper sediment layer. A high heat flow anomaly is located 1 to 2 km east of this fault, suggesting that sediment lithification occurred in a wide band above the fault and eastward to the current high heat flow area, due to the progressive migration of the hot fluid circulation.     

中国东南近海海底沉积物声学物理性质及其相关关系

在获得的数据资料基础上,发现了中国东南近海海底沉积物声学物理参数的平面分布规律,通过对这些参数的回归分析以及对声速和沉积物密度的估计,建立了经验公式。结果显示,中国东南近海海底沉积物的基本声学物理特性如下:沉积物类型多样而且复杂,从黏土到砂砾有13个颗粒组分组合;沉积物物理力学参数变化范围较大;沉积物声学性质相对于附近海域的数据变化范围更大。这些都与海底沉积环境、沉积物来源、沉积条件和沉积作用过程有关。该项研究有助于建立海底地声模型及开展应用。     

A Remotely Operated Serial Sampler for Collecting Gas-Tight Fluid Samples

This paper describes the design, construction and preliminary test results for a gas-tight serial sampler intended to be deployed at seafloor for long-term operation to take time-series fluid samples from deep-sea environments such as cold seeps, water column and hydrothermal vents. The serial sampler is a modular system that is based on independent and identical sampling modules, which are designed to collect six 160 ml gas-tight fluid samples maintained at high pressure to a depth of 4000 meters. With two working modes, the sampler can be deployed either with seafloor cabled observatory for remote control or as a stand-alone device for autonomous operation. A prototype of the instrument has been constructed and tested on the MARS cabled observatory for two months. The laboratory and field tests proved the success of the design and construction of the serial sampler, and indicated the potential for future ocean sciences.     

Heat and mass flux estimation of modem seafloor hydrothermal activity

Research on heat and mass flux yielded by modern seafloor hydrothermal activity is very important, because it is involved not only in the base of ocean environment research, but also in the historical evolution of seawater properties. Currently, estimating heat flux is based on the observation data of hydrothermal smokers, low-temperature diffusive flow and mid-ocean ridge mainly. But there are some faults, for example, there is lack of a concurrent conductive item in estimating the heat flux by smokers and the error between the half-space cooling model and the observation data is too large. So, three kinds of methods are applied to re-estimating the heat flux of hydrothermal activity resepectively, corresponding estimation is 97. 359 GW by hydrothermal smoker and diffusive flow, 84.895 GW by hydrothermal plume, and 4. 11 TW by exponential attenuation method put forward by this paper. Research on mass flux estimation is relatively rare, the main reason for this is insufficient field observation data. Mass fluxes of different elements are calculated using hydrothermal vent fluid data from the TAG hydrothermal area on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge for the first time. Difference of estimations by different methods reflects the researching extent of hydrothermal activity, and systematically in - situ observation will help to estimate the contribution of hydrothermal activity to ocean chemical environment, ocean circulation and global climate precisely.     

海底观测网深水设备精准定点布放方法研究

海底观测网因其实时、长期、连续、高精度时钟同步及原位等优势而逐渐成为人类研究海洋的新型平台,建设规模和应用水深都在不断扩大。海底观测网系统建设中,深水设备的精准定点布放及湿插拔作业是施工的难点。针对国内海底观测网精准定位布放作业存在的困难和问题,结合国内现有施工条件,提出一种大深度海底设备精准定点布放安装方法,实现南海深海海底观测网试验系统深水设备精准定位布放与ROV湿插拔作业,对未来大规模海底观测网及其它深水工程中设备的精准定点布放和安装,具有参考和借鉴意义。     

Heat and mass flux estimation of modern seafloor hydrothermal activity

1Introduction Heat flux yielded by modern seafloor hydrother-mal activity could be next only to heat radiation fromthe sun to the earth, and be similar to energy pro-duced by volcanism. And mass flux of hydrothermalactivity could be close to that of river…     

Investigations of the bottom current sculpted margin of Hatton Bank, NE Atlantic

The northwest Hatton Bank margin is an ideal locality to demonstrate the interaction between bottom currents and slope configuration in controlling the distribution and morphology of bottom current deposits. The slope area investigated is isolated from any major terrigenous sediment supply and at present is influenced by the Deep Northern Boundary Current (DNBC). Swath bathymetry and high resolution acoustic data allow us to evaluate both local and regional controls on slope sedimentation and the possible mechanisms for bottom-current velocity variability across a slope setting within the NW European continental margin. The slope exhibits sculpting by bottom currents that flow in a predominantly southwest to northeast direction, and is only locally modified by slope failures. Positive relief features such as the Endymion Spur play an important role in constraining and accelerating bottom-current flow and, consequently, in redistributing sediment along the margin. We demonstrate that the size, morphology and distribution of bottom-current deposits along the slope vary as a function of the interaction between bottom currents, regional slope orientation and local seafloor topography.     

台湾龟山岛东南部海域白色热泉特征分析

海底热液活动及其周边环境的调查研究是海洋科学领域的热点之一。海底热液喷口环境的物理化学参数,尤其是浅水型热液,会受到潮汐变化的影响。台湾龟山岛靠近冲绳海槽南端分布有多处浅水型热液喷口(30m)。2010年5月,浙江大学、杭州电子科技大学和台湾中山大学对该海域实施了联合考察,利用电化学传感器获得了低温热液喷口(24.834 14°N,121.961 91°E)连续87h的温度和pH现场观测数据。基于Morlet复小波变换方法,分析了浅水型热液喷口的温度和pH现场观测时间序列的变化周期,并通过与当地潮汐记录数据作比较,获得了其与潮汐信号之间的潜在关系,证实了潮汐变化是海底白色热泉喷口物理化学参数现场观测最主要的影响因素。温度和pH现场观测数据经Morlet复小波变换后的小波系数分别存在规律的12.9h和12.5h变化周期,并且温度的小波系数在准半日周期尺度与潮汐高度呈负相关变化,相关系数为-0.89;pH的小波系数情况相反,相关系数为0.76。     

Authigenic carbonates related to active seepage of methane-rich hot brines at the Cheops mud volcano,Menes caldera (Nile deep-sea fan,eastern Mediterranean Sea)

On the passive margin of the Nile deep-sea fan, the active Cheops mud volcano (MV; ca. 1,500 m diameter, ~20–30 m above seafloor, 3,010–3,020 m water depth) comprises a crater lake with hot (up to ca. 42 °C) methane-rich muddy brines in places overflowing down the MV flanks. During the Medeco2 cruise in fall 2007, ROV dives enabled detailed sampling of the brine fluid, bottom lake sediments at ca. 450 m lake depth, sub-surface sediments from the MV flanks, and carbonate crusts at the MV foot. Based on mineralogical, elemental and stable isotope analyses, this study aims at exploring the origin of the brine fluid and the key biogeochemical processes controlling the formation of these deep-sea authigenic carbonates. In addition to their patchy occurrence in crusts outcropping at the seafloor, authigenic carbonates occur as small concretions disseminated within sub-seafloor sediments, as well as in the bottom sediments and muddy brine of the crater lake. Aragonite and Mg-calcite dominate in the carbonate crusts and in sub-seafloor concretions at the MV foot, whereas Mg-calcite, dolomite and ankerite dominate in the muddy brine lake and in sub-seafloor concretions near the crater rim. The carbonate crusts and sub-seafloor concretions at the MV foot precipitated in isotopic equilibrium with bottom seawater temperature; their low δ¹³C values (–42.6 to –24.5‰) indicate that anaerobic oxidation of methane was the main driver of carbonate precipitation. By contrast, carbonates from the muddy lake brine, bottom lake concretions and crater rim concretions display much higher δ¹³C (up to –5.2‰) and low δ¹⁸O values (down to –2.8‰); this is consistent with their formation in warm fluids of deep origin characterized by ¹³C-rich CO₂ and, as confirmed by independent evidence, slightly higher heavy rare earth element signatures, the main driver of carbonate precipitation being methanogenesis. Moreover, the benthic activity within the seafloor sediment enhances aerobic oxidation of methane and of sulphide that promotes carbonate dissolution and gypsum precipitation. These findings imply that the coupling of carbon and sulphur microbial reactions represents the major link for the transfer of elements and for carbon isotope fractionation between fluids and authigenic minerals. A new challenge awaiting future studies in cold seep environments is to expand this work to oxidized and reduced sulphur authigenic minerals.     

福建九龙江口入海泥沙的扩散和河口湾的现代沉积

本文阐述了40年来九龙江入海泥沙量增加了两倍,入海泥沙在海门岛—鸡屿一带的浅滩区,其年平均淤积8—10cm,一次洪水流域搬来悬浮泥沙,使河口湾新淤积层厚2—3cm.并指出、进入河口湾的三条汉河各有独立的扇形粗粒冲积浅滩;悬移质的粉砂、粘土粒扩散至鼓浪屿以南海域;构成三角洲沉积主体的河口浅滩区的沉积速度由入海泥沙倍增而相应地加快进行.     

冲绳海槽中部热液区及典型喷口区地形地貌特征

利用最新测量的高精度深水多波束资料,对冲绳海槽中部热液活动区的地形地貌特征进行了系统的分析后发现,研究区地形情况相当复杂,起伏变化较大,总体上呈沿SW—NE向延伸的裂谷地势,裂谷水深范围约在1 500~1 800 m,大量呈SW—NE向的线性海山链和裂谷、洼地地貌交错出现,分析认为其形成可能与冲绳海槽的弧后扩张作用有关。另外,通过ROV(Remotely Operated Vehicle)上获得的影像,结合浅表层沉积物和岩石样品分析发现,2处喷口地形地貌情况明显不同,Iheya North喷口区地形起伏变化大,具有较多烟囱体、丘体,周围沉积物以硫化物砂为主;Iheya Ridge则以裂隙式溢流为主,分布范围广,地形倾斜平整,少见烟囱体、丘体,底质较硬,热液沉积物分布较少。     

海上警戒浮标实时监控系统

为有效保护近海海底观测网观测安全,免受渔船拖网和抛锚等损坏的问题,设计了一套多警戒浮标(直径2.4~3.0 m)的实时监控系统,该警戒浮标可获取浮标本身工作状态,并能实时、动态、连续的将警戒浮标的运行状态发送到陆基岸站,实现对保护目标海域的实时监控,同时该浮标系统可进行扩充实现对海洋环境要素的观测。警戒浮标布设采用正多边形(三角形、正方形和正五边形等)预警保护方式,浮标以保护节点为中心等距布放,组网形成有效的海上保护围栏,保障海底观测系统的安全运行;供电系统采用太阳能电池和蓄电池组合供能方式,可保证在连续阴天的情况下警戒浮标系统运行100天。该警戒浮标技术已在东海海底观测网保护中成功示范运行6个月,该技术可为近海海底观测保护提供有效技术保障。     

海底热液活动的环境与产物

近23年的调查研究,使我们认识到分布于洋中脊、弧后盆地、岛弧和热点等环境的海底热液活动发育在多种围岩类型之上,包括超基性岩石、基性岩石、中性岩石、酸性岩石和沉积物。海底热液活动经历了岩浆去气作用、流体-岩石/沉积物相互作用和流体-海水混合,获取了岩浆、岩石、海水和沉积物的物质,构成了热液循环,产生了高温、低氧、高或低pH值、富含Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn、Pb、Hg、As等元素以及气体组分(甲烷、氢等)的喷口流体,影响了海水、沉积、岩石和生物环境,形成了热液柱、硫化物、含金属沉积物和蚀变岩石等热液产物,组成了海底热液系统。未来,促进海底热液活动探测技术和热液产物测试方法的发展,对海底热液区的岩石、喷口流体、热液柱、硫化物、含金属沉积物以及热液循环、生物活动的持续观测与研究,无疑将为人类探知海底地质过程及生命活动、保护海底热液环境和合理开发利用海底资源提供有力的工作支撑。     

Worldwide distribution of deep-water fluid venting and potential occurrences of gas hydrate accumulations

Geological investigations of the World ocean during the last decade have revealed about 70 deep-water fluid vent sites and their sea-bottom indirect indications. We have reason to suppose that most of fluid vents located within a gas hydrate stability zone are associated with gas hydrate accumulations. This type of accumulation is of special interest because they are formed close to the seafloor; they are relatively free resources and possibly could become one of the first productive gas hydrate formations to be exploited.