Land subsidence along the northeastern Texas Gulf coast: Effects of deep hydrocarbon production

The Texas Gulf of Mexico coast is experiencing high (5–11 mm/yr) rates of relative sea level (RSL) rise that are the sum of subsidence and eustatic sea level (ESL) rise. Even higher rates are associated with areas of groundwater pumping from confined aquifers. We investigate the possibility of deep petroleum production as a cause for the high regional rates of subsidence. The northeast Texas coast was chosen for the study because it has a high rate of RSL rise, very limited groundwater production, and a long history of petroleum production. We examine in detail the Big Hill and Fannett fields, for which adequate bottom hole pressure (BHP) and well log data are available. The hypothesis of deep petroleum production is tested in three ways. First, industry BHP tests show many of the fields are depressurized to far below hydrostatic pressures. Second, analysis of BHP data over time in the Big Hill and Fannett fields indicates that some Zones in these fields were below hydrostatic when production commenced. This indicates that depressurization from production in neighboring fields or zones within the same field is not limited to the production zone. Third, three models for subsidence (a general 1-D regional model, an intrareservoir model, and a reservoir bounding layer model), using reasonable hydrogeological parameters, predict subsidence within the inferred range of data. The latter two models use data from the Big Hill and Fannett fields. Additional verification of the hypothesis that deep petroleum production is causing or accelerating regional subsidence will require the collection and analysis of data on the subsurface hydrogeological parameters and detailed measurements of the spatial and temporal distribution of subsidence along the Texas Coast.     

歧口凹陷复式含油气系统及构造控藏模式

构造层序和沉降史分析表明,歧口凹陷在新生代具有显著的幕式构造-沉积演化特征,经历了古近纪裂陷期和新近纪裂后期二个构造活动期、古近纪的裂陷Ⅰ幕和Ⅱ幕、新近纪的稳定热沉降幕和加速沉降幕四幕构造运动。结合凹陷内部重要的构造转换界面、结构和构造演化特点,以及各阶段构造样式和油气成藏聚集规律,将歧口凹陷划分为四大含油气系统:孔店断陷-潜山型含油气系统(Ek)、歧口陡坡断阶型含油气系统(Es)、歧口缓坡断阶型含油气系统(Es1+Ed)、歧口坳陷型含油气系统(N)。通过构造组合样式和油气聚集关系研究,建立了凹陷内部掀斜断块-地垒潜山和凹陷边缘断阶-古隆起披覆潜山构造控藏模式。     

大港油田板桥凹陷构造变换带与油气富集*

在伸展断陷盆地中,构造变换带对油气具有重要的控制作用,其附近往往是油气富集的有利部位。伸展断裂沿走向上发生伸展量呈消长关系变化的部位通常是构造变换带发育的部位。由于地层的沉降幅度在构造变换带附近具有减小的趋势,沿构造变换带走向上地层沉降幅度的差异造成了大港油田板桥凹陷“凸、凹相间”的构造古地理格局。构造变换带附近往往发育断鼻等正向构造,因此,构造变换带也常常是油气富集的有利部位。研究发现,板桥凹陷构造变换带较为发育,且其附近断鼻构造圈闭发育,并处于生烃洼陷之中,因此,构造变换带成为板桥凹陷油气较为富集的有利部位。     

应用地球化学方法评价断层的封闭性

断层的封闭性和连通性研究对于了解断层在油气成藏和石油开发中的影响具有重要的意义.根据断层附近油藏的地球化学特征, 可以研究排烃期断层的封闭性.在涠西南凹陷油田的研究工作中, 通过断层两端油层的化学组成指纹的差异, 证实了断层的存在, 虽然断距较小, 但仍影响了油藏的连通.对欧利坨子地区靠近断层的油藏分析表明, 本区的深大断裂可以作为油气的有效通道, 靠近断层油藏成熟度较高, 且含氮化合物较丰富.本研究提供的2个实例证实地球化学方法用于判断断层的封闭性有着不可替代的优越性.      

Anthropogenic subsidence in the Mexicali Valley,Baja California,Mexico, and slip on the Saltillo fault

Deep fluid extraction in the Cerro Prieto geothermal field (CPGF) has caused subsidence and induced slip on tectonic faults in the Mexicali Valley (Baja California, Mexico). The Mexicali Valley is located in the southern part of the Salton Trough, at the boundary between the Pacific and North American plates. The Valley is characterized by being a zone of continuous tectonic deformation, geothermal activity, and seismicity. Within the Cerro Prieto pull-apart basin, seismicity is concentrated mainly in swarms, while strong earthquakes have occurred in the Imperial and Cerro Prieto transform faults, that are the eastern and western bound of the basin. Since 1973, fluid extraction at the CPGF has influenced deformation in the area, accelerating the subsidence and causing rupture (frequently as vertical slip or creep) on the surface traces of tectonic faults. Both subsidence and fault slip are causing damage to infrastructure like roads, railroad tracks, irrigation channels, and agricultural fields. Currently, accelerated extraction in the eastern part of CPGF has shifted eastwards the area of most pronounced subsidence rate; this accelerated subsidence can be observed at the Saltillo fault, a southern branch of the Imperial fault in the Mexicali Valley. Published leveling data, together with field data from geological surveys, geotechnical instruments, and new InSAR images were used to model the observed deformation in the area in terms of fluid extraction. Since the electricity production in the CPGF is an indispensable part of Baja California economy, extraction is sure to continue and may probably increase, so that the problem of damages caused by subsidence will likely increase in the future.     

断裂控烃理论与油气勘探实践

断裂控烃理论认为, 断裂是叠合含油气盆地控制油气生运聚散和分布的根本原因; 断裂与油气藏的关系是枝与果、藤与瓜的关系; 科学的勘探思路是以断裂为基本线索, “沿枝(断裂) 摘果(油气藏), 顺藤(断裂) 摸瓜(油气藏) ”.运用断裂控烃理论研究表明, 北塘凹陷塘沽潜山油源断裂发育, 潜山油气藏成藏条件良好, 值得重视; 柴达木盆地的腹地控烃断裂发育, 资源潜力巨大, 具备形成大型、特大型油气藏的地质条件, 为油气勘探大转移提供了依据; 断裂控烃理论为HNFS凹陷找到了主力生排烃洼陷, 开辟了新的油气勘探领域.      

西藏羌塘盆地的深部结构特征与含油气远景评价

羌塘盆地是目前国内石油勘探的热点地区之一,本文综合研究了羌塘盆地的地球物理、石油地质调查资料及INDEPTH-3深部调查结果,得出:①盆地内烃源层、储集层、盖层及其组合条件很好,局部构造发育,有利于形成和保存油气藏,断裂不会成为致命问题,提出了今后工作的主要目的层上三叠统—中侏罗统组成的中构造层;②对盆地二级、三级构造作了新的划分,否定羌中隆起,提出盆地表层的主要构造方向为北西—南东向,成“三凹三隆”及“一深凹”的地壳结构特征,其中主沉降带内部及其两侧是最有利的找油气远景地带;③本区壳幔之间的相互作用较强,盆地北部火山及热活动多,对油气远景评价有较大影响,而盆地南部沉积厚度大,受深层热影响相对较小,是找油气的更有利地段;④强调查明深部地层物性、油气赋存状况,烃类物质的来源和上下构造符合情况是当务之急,重点是加强点上的调查和评价研究;⑤提出不能轻视伦坡拉陆相古近—新近系盆地找油前景,它可能汇聚有两侧海相地层的油气。     

准噶尔盆地油气运移基本方式与机理探讨

在准噶尔盆地,以断裂为主,联合输导层(储层和不整合)的“断控体系”是油气运移的基本固体格架。文中从油气形成和演化过程中的有机-无机相互作用入手,分析了准噶尔盆地油气运移的基本方式和机理。结果表明,油气在输导层运移过程中,随有机质热演化、成岩演化,以及距油源断裂的远近不同,伴随着的水量有着显著变化。流体性质的差异导致了不同的储层水岩反应和油气成藏机制,据此,可将油气在输导层中的运移方式划分出两种基本类型:机械-侵蚀型和机械型。而在断裂带地区,断裂对储层中高压流体系统的沟通,触发了“减压沸腾”作用,伴随着流体沸腾,油气呈幕式运移聚集。     

Tectono-sedimentary events and geodynamic evolution of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic basins of the Alpine Margin,Gulf of Tunis,north-eastern Tunisia offshore

The structural pattern, tectono-sedimentary framework and geodynamic evolution for Mesozoic and Cenozoic deep structures of the Gulf of Tunis (north-eastern Tunisia) are proposed using petroleum well data and a 2-D seismic interpretation. The structural system of the study area is marked by two sets of faults that control the Mesozoic subsidence and inversions during the Paleogene and Neogene times: (i) a NE-SW striking set associated with folds and faults, which have a reverse component; and (ii) a NW–SE striking set active during the Tertiary extension episodes and delineating grabens and subsiding synclines. In order to better characterize the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Gulf of Tunis structures, seismic data interpretations are compared to stratigraphic and structural data from wells and neighbouring outcrops. The Atlas and external Tell belonged to the southernmost Tethyan margin record a geodynamic evolution including: (i) rifting periods of subsidence and Tethyan oceanic accretions from Triassic until Early Cretaceous: we recognized high subsiding zones (Raja and Carthage domains), less subsiding zones (Gamart domain) and a completely emerged area (Raouad domain); (ii) compressive events during the Cenozoic with relaxation periods of the Oligocene-Aquitanian and Messinian-Early Pliocene. The NW–SE Late Eocene and Tortonian compressive events caused local inversions with sealed and eroded folded structures. During Middle to Late Miocene and Early Pliocene, we have identified depocentre structures corresponding to half-grabens and synclines in the Carthage and Karkouane domains. The north–south contractional events at the end of Early Pliocene and Late Pliocene periods are associated with significant inversion of subsidence and synsedimentary folded structures. Structuring and major tectonic events, recognized in the Gulf of Tunis, are linked to the common geodynamic evolution of the north African and western Mediterranean basins.     

A Neotectonic based geomorphic analysis using remote sensing data to delineate potential areas of hydrocarbon exploration: Cachar area,Assam

TheAssamArakan fold thrust belt has highly deformed folded units of Tertiary sediments bounded by eastward dipping thrust slices with a convexity towards west. In the Tripura-Cachar region, this folded belt is characterized by the occurrence of wide synclines and narrow anticlines that hosts a number of hydrocarbon producing fields. In the Cachar area of Assam, most of these fields occur in the culmination of anticlinal structures. Other wells drilled in analogous structural settings are found to be dry. In this paper a neotectonic based geomorphic analysis is carried out to delineate a fault network and geomorphic highs in Cachar area as expressions of sub-surface structures which had subsequently been validated by available geophysical data. Of these geomorphic highs, those that are in the synclinal areas are believed to represent subtle sub-surface structural highs. Synclinal structures associated with NNE-SSW faults might be considered interesting for hydrocarbon exploration and are subsequently categorized following their degree of confidence for exploration of hydrocarbon. Additionally, a genetic model of the structures in the region is also proposed.     

Estimating the potential for submergence for two wetlands in the Mississippi River Delta

We used a combined field and modeling approach to estimate the potential for submergence for one rapidly deteriorating (Bayou Chitigue Marsh) and one apparently stable (Old Oyster Bayou Marsh) saltmarsh wetland in coastal Louisiana, given two eustatic sea level rise scenarios: the current rate (0.15 cm year⁻¹); and the central value predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (48 cm by the year 2100). We also used the model to determine what processes were most critical for maintaining and influencing salt marsh elevation including, mineral matter deposition, organic matter production, shallow subsidence (organic matter decomposition + primary sediment compaction), deep subsidence, and sediment pulsing events (e.g., hurricanes). Eight years of field measurements from feldspar marker horizons and surface elevation tables revealed that the rates of vertical accretion at the Bayou Chitigue Marsh were high (2.26 (0.09) cm yr⁻¹ (mean ± SE)) because the marsh exists at the lower end of the tidal range. The rate of shallow subsidence was also high (2.04 (0.1) cm yr⁻¹), resulting in little net elevation gain (0.22 (0.06) cm yr⁻¹). In contrast, vertical accretion at the Old Oyster Bayou Marsh, which is 10 cm higher in elevation, was 0.48 (0.09) cm yr⁻¹. However, there was a net elevation gain of 0.36 (0.08) cm yr⁻¹ because there was no significant shallow subsidence. When these rates of elevation gain were compared to rates of relative sea level rise (deep subsidence plus eustatic sea level rise), both sites showed a net elevation deficit although the Bayou Chitigue site was subsiding at approximately twice the rate of the Old Oyster Bayou site (1.1 cm yr⁻¹ versus 0.49 cm yr⁻¹ respectively). These field data were used to modify, initialize, and calibrate a previously published wetland soil development model that simulates primary production and mineral matter deposition as, feedback functions of elevation. Sensitivity analyses revealed that wetland elevation was most sensitive to changes in the rates of deep subsidence, a model forcing function that is difficult to measure in the field and for which estimates in the literature vary widely. The model also revealed that, given both the current rate of sea level rise and the central value estimate, surface elevation at both sites would fall below mean sea level over the next 100 years. Although these results were in agreement with the field study, they contradicted long term observations that the Old Oyster Bayou site has been in equilibrium with sea level for at least the past 50 years. Further simulations showed that the elevation at the Old Oyster Bayou site could keep pace with current rates of sea level rise if either a lower rate for deep subsidence was used as a forcing function, or if a periodic sediment pulsing function (e.g., from hurricanes) was programmed into the model.     

Regional investigations of vertical crustal movements in the U.S., using precise relevelings and mareograph data

In the past two years, the National Geodetic Survey has been creating a data base of vertical crustal movement information. The data elements are relative elevation changes along lines of releveling which are used to produce graphic displays on microfilm. In separate studies, the releveling data, together with information extracted from mareograph records, have been used to create two networks of velocity differences. The two networks, one in the vicinity of Chesapeake Bay and the other covering the Gulf Coast states, have been adjusted in order to prepare maps showing the velocities of elevation change. In the adjustments, the velocities derived from mareograph records were treated as observations. The results indicate annual subsidence ranging between −1.2 mm and −4.0 mm in the Chesapeake Bay area, with significant local variation. In the Gulf Coast region there is generally slight subsi'dence along the coast, ranging between 0.0 and −1.5 mm/year. Stability and slight uplift is indicated to the north where bedrock reaches the terrain surface. Anomalous subsidence of −7.0 mm/year occurs at New Orleans, La., and at Houston, Texas, there has been several decimeters change in the last ten years.     

高邮凹陷断层控油气作用的多样性

在探讨高邮凹陷断层发育时期和分布特点的基础上,结合油气分布特点,分析了断层在油气成藏中的作用类型,并探讨了其作用机理。依据断层在油气生成、运移、聚集和分布环节中的作用,把断层分为控源断层、供烃断层、改向断层、成圈断层和调整破坏断层。控源断层控制有效烃源岩展布和生烃时期的早晚,高邮凹陷控源断层下降盘为有效烃源岩分布区,而且西部地区早于东部地区生烃;供烃断层控制油气主运移通道的走势,其陡断面和凸断面为高邮凹陷断裂带油气的主运移通道;改向断层影响油气的富集层位和油气富集区的位置,其对高邮凹陷油气分布的影响存在“分散”和“富集”两种效应;成圈断层控制圈闭的类型及分布;调整破坏断层导致圈闭充满程度和原油物性的改变,高邮凹陷调整破坏断层为盐城期和三垛期活动断层。高邮凹陷断层的多期性和多样性导致断层体系中各断层封闭性在时空上的差异性和多变性,从而形成对油气控制的多面性和复杂性。     

渤中坳陷大型油气系统输导体系及其对油气成藏控制

渤中坳陷东营组沉积期以来快速沉降和强烈断裂活动的地质背景导致其呈现出不同于渤海湾盆地其他地区的油气成藏特征.凹陷周缘凸起带成为油气聚集的主要场所, 输导体系的分布与演化控制了油气运移和成藏.在阐明渤中坳陷大型油气系统烃源岩和油气分布规律的基础上, 综合利用多种资料分析了各类潜在输导通道的发育特征及其空间配置, 识别出断裂主导型、砂体主导型和不整合主导型3类控藏输导体系.凸起边缘继承性的长期断层充当了垂向流体释放和油气运移的主输导通道, 控制了凸起带上新近系储集层中的油气聚集.特别是在构造活跃期, 开启的长期断层成为油气快速垂向运移的首选通道.古近系沙河街组和东营组的连通性砂体与活跃烃源岩直接接触, 不仅是早期油气运移和聚集的主要场所, 也是晚期油气运移和聚集的始发站.因此, 它们不仅控制了古近系圈闭的油气聚集, 同时在很大程度上直接控制了凸起带新近系圈闭的油气供给.不整合T₈是中生代末区域构造变革的产物, 其渗透性因风化作用而得以提高, 充当了深部侧向油气运移的输导通道, 控制了潜山储集层中的油气成藏.3类输导体系对油气成藏的时间、部位、速率和规模等都具有不同程度的影响, 但断裂主导型输导体系的控制作用最为显著.      

油气穿越未成岩断裂运移富集成藏模式与主控因素 ——以珠江口盆地恩平凹陷为例

恩平凹陷隆起带远离洼陷生烃中心,油气以侧向运移为主.基于浅层断裂埋藏浅、活动晚、封闭性弱的特征,提出穿断成藏模式成功地指导了隆起带勘探,发现一批商业性油田.对恩平凹陷南、北隆起带浅层主要油田成藏特征进行剖析,阐述了浅层油气穿越未成岩断裂运移富集成藏模式及其成因机制.断层岩弱成岩导致有限油柱封闭高度与油气强充注是其形成机...     

Present-day oxidative subsidence of organic soils and mitigation in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta,California, USA

Subsidence of organic soils in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta threatens sustainability of the California (USA) water supply system and agriculture. Land-surface elevation data were collected to assess present-day subsidence rates and evaluate rice as a land use for subsidence mitigation. To depict Delta-wide present-day rates of subsidence, the previously developed SUBCALC model was refined and calibrated using recent data for CO₂ emissions and land-surface elevation changes measured at extensometers. Land-surface elevation change data were evaluated relative to indirect estimates of subsidence and accretion using carbon and nitrogen flux data for rice cultivation. Extensometer and leveling data demonstrate seasonal variations in land-surface elevations associated with groundwater-level fluctuations and inelastic subsidence rates of 0.5–0.8 cm yr^–1. Calibration of the SUBCALC model indicated accuracy of ±0.10 cm yr^–1 where depth to groundwater, soil organic matter content and temperature are known. Regional estimates of subsidence range from <0.3 to >1.8 cm yr^–1. The primary uncertainty is the distribution of soil organic matter content which results in spatial averaging in the mapping of subsidence rates. Analysis of leveling and extensometer data in rice fields resulted in an estimated accretion rate of 0.02–0.8 cm yr^–1. These values generally agreed with indirect estimates based on carbon fluxes and nitrogen mineralization, thus preliminarily demonstrating that rice will stop or greatly reduce subsidence. Areas below elevations of –2 m are candidate areas for implementation of mitigation measures such as rice because there is active subsidence occurring at rates greater than 0.4 cm yr^–1.     

Kuroko and Hydrocarbon Deposits from Northern Honshu,Japan: A Possible Common Hydrothermal/Magmatic Origin?

Abstract. Northern Honshu is the most important area for mineral and oil resources in Japan. Many kuroko deposits and oil and gas fields are distributed in two belts along the northeast Japan arc, the kuroko metal‐belt on the Pacific side and the oil‐belt on the Sea of Japan side. The kuroko deposits are located mainly in the Green Tuff strata which formed as a result of submarine vol‐canism during the late Miocene and Pliocene. Most of the source rocks of the oil and gas deposits formed at the same time as the kuroko deposits and some of them are located in reservoirs of hydrothermally‐altered volcanic rocks in the Green Tuff region. There is general agreement that the kuroko deposits formed as a result of submarine hydrothermal and magmatic activity whereas almost all petroleum geologists and geochemists consider that hydrocarbon deposits were generated independently of such activity. Since the discovery of hydrothermally‐generated petroleum in the Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California, however, it is clear that petroleum can be formed almost instantaneously in terrestrial and submarine hydrothermal areas. The paleo‐northeastern Sea of Japan is therefore considered to be a potential area for hydrothermal petroleum generation because thick organic‐rich sediments overlie an active submarine volcanic area. Several lines of geological and geochemical evidence suggest the possibility of hydrothermally‐enhanced maturation of organic matter and the contribution of magmatic activity to the formation of these deposits. Although most of the oil and gas in northern Honshu has been generated conventionally as a consequence of the high geothermal gradients there, it appears that some of the oil and gas fields may have formed as a result of extensive hydrothermal and magmatic activity during the late Miocene to Pliocene. Because of the much steeper angle of the faults in the vicinity of the Hokuroku basin than in the Akita basin, the magmatic contribution to the kuroko mineralization would have been far greater than to the oil and gas deposits of the Niigata and Akita basins. We therefore propose a strong relationship between metal and oil and gas generation in northern Honshu based on the structure and tectonics of the northern Honshu arc‐backarc system.     

Study of ground subsidence in northwest Harris county using GPS,LiDAR, and InSAR techniques

Subsidence has been affecting many cities around the world, such as Nagoya (Japan), Venice (Italy), San Joaquin Valley and Long Beach (California), and Houston (Texas). This phenomenon can be caused by natural processes and/or human activities, including but not limited to carbonate dissolution, extraction of material from mines, soil compaction, and fluid withdrawal. Surface deformation has been an ongoing problem in the Houston Metropolitan area because of the city’s location in a passive margin where faulting and subsidence are common. Most of the previous studies attributed the causes of the surface deformation to four major mechanisms: faulting, soil compaction, salt tectonics, and fluid withdrawal (groundwater withdrawal and hydrocarbon extraction). This work assessed the surface deformation in the greater Houston area and their possible relationship with fluid withdrawal. To achieve this goal, data from three complimentary remote sensing techniques Global Positioning System (GPS), Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar were used. GPS rates for the last 17 years show a change in surface deformation patterns. High rates of subsidence in the northwestern areas (up to ~4 cm/year) and signs of uplift in the southeast are observed (up to 2 mm\year). High rates of subsidence appear to be decreasing. Contrary to previous studies in which the location of subsidence appeared to be expanding toward the northwest, current results show that the area of subsidence is shrinking and migrating toward the northeast. Digital elevation model generated from airborne LiDAR, revealed changes between salt domes and their surrounding areas. The persistent scatterer interferometry was performed using twenty-five (25) European remote sensing-1/2 scenes. Rates of change in groundwater level and hydrocarbon production were calculated using data from 261 observation wells and 658 hydrocarbon wells. A water level decline of 4 m/year was found in area of highest subsidence, this area also show ~70 million m³/year of hydrocarbon extraction. This study found strong correlation between fluid withdrawals and subsidence. Therefore, both groundwater and hydrocarbon withdrawal in northwest Harris County are considered to be the major drivers of the surface deformation.     

Extension and rifting: the Zeit region,Gulf of Suez

A field analysis of faults and fractures in the Ras Gharib-Ras Gemsa region of the Gulf of Suez shows that the main Late Cenozoic extension occurred perpendicular to the rift axis. Three main types of dip-slip normal faults successively developed as the tilt of blocks bounded by antithetic normal faults increased. Determinations of the amount of extension from structural data are compatible with estimates made using subsidence data through a simplified model of lithospheric stretching. The uplift of rift shoulders is related in chronology and volume to the subsidence of the rift. The geometry of fault patterns and directions of extension suggests that the Late Cenozoic total movement corresponds to a counterclockwise rotation of 4–5° of Sinai relative to Africa, with a pole close to Cairo.     

Hydroperiod and its influence on nekton use of the salt marsh: A pulsing ecosystem

The salt marsh surface is not a homogeneous environment. Rather, it contains a mix of different microhabitats, which vary in elevation, microtopography, and location within the estuarine system. These attributes act in concert with astronomical tides and meteorological and climatological events and result in pulses of tidal flooding. Marsh hydroperiod, the pattern of flooding events, not only controls nekton access to marsh surface habitats directly but may also mediate habitat exploitation through its influence on other factors, such as prey abundance or vegetation stem density. The relative importance of factors affecting marsh hydroperiod differ between the southeast Atlantic and northern Gulf of Mexico coasts. Astronomical tidal forcing is the primary determinant of hydroperiod in Atlantic Coast marshes, whereas predictable tides are often overridden by meteorological events in Gulf Coast marshes. In addition, other factors influencing coastal water levels have a proportionately greater effect on the Gulf Coast. The relatively unpredictable timing of marsh flooding along the Gulf Coast does not seem to limit habitat utilization. Some of the highest densities of nekton reported from salt marshes are from Gulf Coast marshes that are undergoing gradual submergence and fragmentation caused by an accelerated rise in relative sea level. Additional studies of habitat utilization are needed, especially on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Investigations should include regional comparisons of similar microhabitats using identical quantitative sampling methods. Controlled field experiments are also needed to elucidate the mechanisms that affect the habitat function of salt marshes.