Atmospheric circulation and storm events in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea

Extreme sea storms are dangerous and a potential source of damage. In this study, we examine storm events in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, the atmosphere circulation patterns associated with the sea storm events, and their changes in the present (1961–2000) and future (2046–2065) climates. A calendar of storms for the present climate is derived from results of wave model SWAN (Simulating WAves Nearshore) experiments. On the basis of this calendar, a catalog of atmospheric sea level pressure (SLP) fields was prepared from the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis dataset for 1961–2000. The SLP fields were subjected to a pattern recognition algorithm which employed empirical orthogonal decomposition followed by cluster analysis. The NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data is used to evaluate the occurring circulation types (CTs) within the ECHAM5-MPI/OM Atmosphere and Ocean Global Circulation Model (AOGCM) for the period 1961–2000. Our analysis shows that the ECHAM5-MPI/OM model is capable of reproducing circulation patterns for the storm events. The occurrence of present and future ECHAM5-MPI/OM CTs is investigated. It is shown that storm CTs are expected to occur noticeably less frequently in the middle of the 21^st century.     

弧后盆地火山-沉积特征

多数被描述的现代弧后盆地的经典例子,诞生于最引人注目的环西太平洋大陆边缘的弧.盆体系。而古代的弧后盆地则多幸存于碰撞造山带中,如东特斯构造域内的义敦弧后盆地。目前普遍认为大多数的弧后盆地是与俯冲作用有关的弧后扩张作用形成的。弧后盆地火山.沉积特征主要为:物源具双向性,一是大陆物源区;二是岛弧或扩张中心火山活动处。沉积类型复杂多样,靠近大陆一侧多半发育浅水碎屑岩和碳酸盐岩沉积;岛弧侧发育大量的火山碎屑岩与火山熔岩,并与碎屑流、浊积沉积和深水相沉积共生,沉积作用方式多,沉积速率较高等。沉积序列上具有下粗上细的双层结构特征。     

Modern diversity of the macroalgae of the Sea of Azov,the Black Sea,and the Caspian Sea

Currently, the species list of the macroalgae (excluding Charales) inhabiting the southern seas of Russia includes 388 species, specifically, 362 species in the Black Sea, 46 species in the Sea of Azov, and 70 species in the Caspian Sea. The species list has been increased by approximately 30% (96 species, most of them are registered in the Black Sea), compared to the data obtained 30 years ago. The green and red macroalgae of warm-water Mediterranean and tropical origin (Ceramium, Polysiphonia, Laurencia, Ulva, and Chaetomorpha) and brown algae (Sargassum and Cytoseira) were the key invaders. Nowadays the maximal species diversity is found on the Crimean coast and the Turkish coast of the Black Sea; and the species list of the Turkish coast differs significantly from all the other studied sites of the Black Sea. The number of the algae of the warm-water complex increased the most in 1990s–2000s in the Black Sea; species of boreal-tropical and subtropical origin dominate. However, such a tendency was not observed in the Sea of Azov and in the Caspian Sea, but expansion of the habitats of the brackish green algae has been registered.     

北祁连山奥陶纪弧后盆地火山岩浆成因

本文对北祁连山早古生代弧后盆地熔岩的岩石地球化学研究结果加以报道。样品的分布将南部弧后盆地拉伸最早阶段发育的岛弧裂谷化区和北部的弧后海底扩张区联系起来。熔岩的岩相学和地球化学特点反映了拉伸方式的改变,北部是典型的弧后盆地基性熔岩,向南则逐渐向岛弧熔岩过渡。海底扩张区以玻质(现已脱玻化)、少斑基性熔岩为特征,长英质熔岩和斑状基性熔岩产于南部岛弧裂谷化区。成熟岛弧部分(Y<20×10-6,TiO2<0.60%,Th/Yb>0.60)和弧后扩张区(Y>20×10-6,TiO2>1.0%,Th/Yb<0.60)在地球化学上相互有别。从由海底扩张形成的弧后盆地基性熔岩,向南经过逐渐与岛弧岩石相似的熔岩,直至裂谷区最南部的岛弧熔岩,它们的地球化学成分显示逐渐的变化。这种变化反映了弧后盆地形成过程中弧后盆地之下地幔对流方式和熔体产生作用的改变:从初始岛弧裂谷之下由消减板片俯冲引起的地幔下沉,转变为弧后海底扩张带之下的地幔上隆。早期岛弧裂谷阶段,裂谷轴捕获了岛弧岩浆流,从而使得喷出的熔岩在成分上与岛弧熔岩无法区分;随着弧后拉张继续,弧后盆地变宽,岛弧岩浆流逐渐离开裂谷轴,最终产生一个似洋中脊的减压熔融系统———弧后盆地岩浆系统。     

Diagenesis of sandstones in the back-arc basins of the western Pacific Ocean

ABSTRACT Sandstones occur in back-arc basins of the western Pacific at DSDP sites 299 (Sea of Japan), 297 (northern Shikoku Basin), 445 and 446 (Daito-Ridge-and-Basin Province), 453 (Mariana Trough), 286 (New Hebrides Basin) and 285 (South Fiji Basin). These sandstones are dominantly volcaniclastic arenites derived from andesitic island arcs. The degree of sandstone diagenesis is dependent on original composition, burial rate, heat flow history of the basin, and timing of sandstone deposition with respect to rifting processes and associated high heat flow.
Sandstones containing a larger proportion of volcaniclastic components showed more diagenetic effects than sandstones containing a significant volume of other rock fragments and mineral components. Sandstones deposited during early stages of rifting (sites 445, 446) with a slow burial rate and high crustal heat flow showed the greatest degree of downhole diagenetic change. These diagenetic changes include early pore-space reduction and rim cementation by clay minerals followed later by calcite, and subsequent pore-fill cementation by clinoptilolite, heulandite, analcite and later calcite. Replacement of recognizable volcanic rock fragments by chert, calcite and zeolites was observed in the deepest part of the hole. Sandstones deposited after rifting under conditions of associated lower heat flow showed considerably less diagenetic changes, particularly if burial was rapid.
The high heat flow associated with earliest rifting, associated fluid circulation driven by thermal convection, and slow burial rate controlled the diagenetic history of these sandstones. Thus, timing of sandstone deposition with rifting stage and associated burial rates were key factors in controlling sandstone diagenesis in back-arc basins.     

辽西地区中生代盆地构造演化

辽西地区为华北地台北缘阴山－燕山造山带的东延部分，中生代发育火山－碎屑岩沉积盆地。盆地地质分析表明，该区在早白垩世早期之前发育的沉积盆地为挤压型盆地，早白垩世中期以后属伸展断陷盆地。根据沉积－构造分析，该区中生代盆地构造演化可划分为5个构造演化阶段；（1）早三叠世－－早侏罗世；（2）早侏罗世－中侏罗世；（3）中侏罗世－晚侏罗世；（4）早白垩世早期；（5）早白垩世中期－晚白垩世。     

The recent tectonics of the Caspian Sea region

Recent uplifts and depressions complicated by lineaments, many of which are faults, were found within the Caspian depression using complex structural and geomorphological studies, which included visual interpretation of different-scale topographic maps, as well as an analysis and computer processing of radar satellite images. In many respects, the latest dislocations correlate with the structures and sedimentary cover of the basement and are also determined by salt tectonics. Their formation is substantially influenced by the Ural Orogen and the Scythian plate is involved in the entire uplift at the latest stage.     

Synchronism between development of Cenozoic volcanic arcs and back-arc basins: Reasons and consequences

A geographic information system (GIS “Volcanic belts”) was used for analyzing the spatial and temporal relationship between tectono-magmatic cycles in the Cenozoic that took place at the convergent plate boundaries, mostly in volcanic arc-back-arc systems. The onset of back-arc basins and subaerial arc volcanism and their main evolutionary stages are shown to have occurred about the same time. These processes are still ongoing, which is indicated by today’s active volcanoes, high heat flows, and high deep-focus seismicity. The crust underlying both tectonic structures undergoes transformation, which results in a significant thinning of the “granite” layer within the volcanic belts, whereas crust within the back-arc basins changes its properties to the transitional (suboceanic) and oceanic type crusts. All processes that occur at the convergent plate boundaries can be described within the arc-back-arc system, the principal dynamic components of which are the asthenospheric plume upwelling above the continent edge and the oceanward-spreading plume head. This was accompanied by a gradual crustal thinning in the back-arc region and the formation of areas with oceanic crust, as well as by involvement of crustal material, together with rocks of the subducting slab, into subduction processes. As a result, the continental crust is removed from the tectonosphere and stored in the “slab cemetery.” Only a minor portion of the crustal materials is returned to the surface as subduction-related magmatism.     

The Energy Spectrum of the Current Velocity in the Deep Part of the Black Sea

Doklady Earth Sciences - In 2016–2017, the yearly long measurements of the current velocities were carried out at 100 m depth below the thermocline and at 1700 m depth for the first time,...     

Environmental management of coastal regions in the Caspian Sea

Considering rapid population growth and migration, higher accumulation of communities is noticed in coastal areas. This is especially true with the coastal areas of the Caspian Sea. In the present investigation coastal areas between Jouybar to Behshahr region is selected for their special geographical and ecological locations. Further, adverse impacts of human, agriculture and industrial activities was examined along side the above mentioned coasts. It should be pointed out that protected Miankaleh Wildlife zone which is an internationally recognized wetland, falls within area of study. In the present study strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats method is used for the evaluation of environmental management status. In this regard, internal and external factors gained 2.28 and 2.58 scores. This is indicative of the abundance of weaknesses over strengths and it also shows that opportunities are more than threats. Subsequently 27 strategies were developed and quantitative strategic planning matrix method was also used to score each strategies. The results of quantitative strategic planning matrix method analysis was programmed in strategic position and action evaluation matrix. The present situation falls within “competitive” classification. This is indicative of weakness in coordinating development and environmental strategic plans. The result of present investigation strongly emphasis on compilation of strategic environmental plans for the control of population, pollution emission and land use planning changes. The most important strategies include development of environmental regulations and better supervision on enforcement of laws.     

Structure of the crust and upper mantle of the Black and Caspian Seas

Many geophysical characteristics of the Caspian and Black Seas' deep basins are similar, having: suboceanic type of the crust, low average seismic velocity, absence of earthquakes and relatively small variation of magnetic anomalies. However, the sediments in the Caspian Sea deep basin are folded whereas in the Black Sea they are approximately horizontal. The Caspian Sea also has a far greater thickness of sediment accumulation.

The deep basins of the Caspian, Black and Mediterranean seas represent a sequence having similar crustal structures but with a decreasing thickness of sediments and consolidated layer, in that order. It is possible that the intensive sinking and accumulation of sediments began earliest in the Caspian Sea and spreaded continuously to the Black Sea and then the Mediterranean Sea. The Caspian and Black Sea deep basins have existed for long time (perhaps from Paleozoic time or even earlier) as areas with a specific and related type of evolution.     

Peculiarities of the centennial salinity regime of the Caspian Sea

Based on primary information from the Caspian Sea oceanographic database, the centennial salinity regime was analyzed. The regularities of the salinity spatial dynamics and vertical distribution were found for the characteristic periods of the sea level changes. Significant changes in the hydrological regime and the structure of the water mass for the centennial period were shown.     

Aerosols in the Near-Water Surface Layer of the Caspian Sea

The first data on the concentrations, fluxes, and mineral and chemical compositions of aerosols from the near-water surface layer of the Caspian Sea are presented. It is shown that the aerosol fluxes onto the sea surface are comparable to the fluxes of a lithogenic substance in a water column. The mineral and chemical compositions of aerosols depend on the carrying air masses that pass through different regions. The coefficients of enrichment of aerosols with chemical elements relative to the upper lithosphere and their correlation relationships are studied.

     

Correlation of upper quaternary deposits and paleogeography of the Black and Caspian seas

The evolution of the Black and Caspian seas is considered based on the analysis of new stratigraphic and paleogeographic data. Three transgression stages (Karangatian, Surozh, Black-Sea) and two regression stages (Post-Karangatian and New-Euxinian) were characterized for the Black Sea, as well as four transgression stages (late Khazarian, early Khvalynian, late Khvalynian, and New-Caspian) and three regression stages (Atelian, Enotaevkan, Mangyshlakian), for the Caspian Sea. The analysis of data on the absolute age of deposits allowed correlation of paleogeographic events for the basins, between them and with the stages of the Last (Valdai) Glaciation: the Karangatian and late Khazarian transgressions were correlated with the Mikulinian Interglacial; the post-Karangatian and Atelian regressions, with the Kalininan glaciation; the early Khvalynian and Surozh transgressions, with the middle Valdai Interstadial; the New-Euxinian and Enotaevkan regressions, with the Ostashkovian glaciation; the Black Sea, late Khvalynian, and New-Caspian transgression, with the late glaciation — post-glaciation periods; the Mangyshlakian regression, with the Older Dryas (?). The last connections between the Caspian and Black seas are dated to the middle Valdai time when waters of the early Khvalynian basin drained down to the Surozh basin.     

沾化凹陷东北部中新生代盆地演化过程研究

依据层长守恒原则对沾化凹陷东北部北东和北西向,各3条连井地震剖面进行了平衡剖面恢复,并分析了各剖面在地质历史时期内伸展率的变化特征,以了解该地区中、新生代盆地发育演化特征。沾化凹陷东北部中、新生代盆地演化可以划分为如下几个主要阶段:早—中三叠世为大型内陆坳陷发育阶段,地层横向沉积稳定;晚三叠世本区整体挤压抬升剥蚀,并开始发育北西向逆冲断层;早—中侏罗世为对前期地势高差起伏填平补齐的均夷化过程,地层沉积具充填-披覆式特征;晚侏罗世—白垩纪原北西向逆冲断层负向反转,转为张性伸展,本区进入断陷盆地发育阶段,局部发育有挤压逆冲构造;古近纪本区仍为断陷盆地发育阶段,除北西向断层继承性活动外,大量北东(东)向正断层开始活动;新近纪本区进入区域性坳陷沉降阶段。