Sedimentologic,mineralogic, and geotechnical descriptions of fine-grained slope and basin deposits,Baffin Island Fiords

Sediments from Baffin Island fiords are graded, massive, laminated, or bioturbated. Plasticity indices vary with sediment type (lowest = laminated or graded; intermediate = massive; and highest = bioturbated). Graded and massive silty/sandy muds are most common on prodelta or proglacial slopes. Bioturbated graded and laminated muds, and rare massive pebbly muds occur more distally down-fiord from the deltas or glaciers. Clays are mostly mica, with only minor to moderate amounts of chlorite, kaolinite, and swelling clays. On the Casagrande plasticity chart, the sediments plot in fields for clay-size material of medium to high plasticity.     

单颗粒碎屑矿物在海洋沉积物物源分析中的应用*

单颗粒碎屑矿物可减小源区岩石类型、蚀变过程和程度及搬运与沉积过程对物源信息释读的干扰, 已逐渐成为海洋沉积物物源分析的有力工具, 并取得一定的应用成果。目前, 锆石、石榴石、长石、辉石、角闪石、独居石及磁铁矿等均已被成功用于海洋沉积物物源研究, 并主要利用单矿物主量元素、年代学等方法精确识别物源区地质特征和位置, 但单矿物微量元素、同位素及微区结构及多矿物对比研究的应用尚有不足; 因此, 目前对物源信息的释读难免片面, 物源识别方法和技术也仍未成熟。随着方法的发展和完善, 将可开展诸多深入研究, 如通过锆石、独居石、云母和磷灰石等不同矿物的年代学研究, 示踪研究物源区的时空变化; 通过建立多矿物定量研究模型, 进而定量研究源区蚀变速率和源汇过程中的物质输运通量和过程等。文章总结单颗粒碎屑矿物在物源识别中的应用现状, 并展望其应用前景, 以期引起同行对此研究方法的关注, 进一步促进该方法在海洋沉积物物源分析中的应用和发展。     

Organic carbon stable isotope ratios of continental margin sediments

Stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C) of total organic carbon were measured in surface sediments from the continental margins of the northern and western Gulf of Mexico, the north coast of Alaska and the Niger Delta. Gulf of Mexico outer-shelf isotope ratios were in the same range as has been reported for Atlantic coastal shelf sediments, ?21.5 to ?20‰. Off large rivers including the Mississippi, Niger and Atchafalaya (Louisiana), δ¹³C values increased from terrigenous-influenced (around ?24‰) to typically marine ($\text{～?20‰}$) within a few tens of kilometers from shore. This change was accompanied by a decrease in the amount of woody terrigenous plant remains in the sediment. Alaskan continental margin samples from the cold Beaufort Sea had isotopically more negative carbon (?25.5 to ?22.6‰) than did warmer-water sediments. The data indicate that the bulk of organic carbon in Recent sediments from nearshore to outer continental shelves is marine derived.     

Origin and fate of particulate organic matter in the southern Beaufort Sea – Amundsen Gulf region,Canadian Arctic

To establish the relative importance of terrigenous and marine organic matter in the southern Beaufort Sea, we measured the concentrations and the stable isotopic compositions of organic carbon and total nitrogen in sediments and in settling particles intercepted by sediment traps. The organic carbon content of surface sediment in the Chukchi and southern Beaufort Seas ranged from 0.6 to 1.6% dry wt., without a clear geographical pattern. The C_ORG:N_TOT ratio ranged from 7.0 to 10.4 and did not vary significantly downcore at any one station. Values of δ¹³C_ORG and δ¹⁵N_TOT in the sediment samples were strongly correlated, with the highest values, indicative of a more marine contribution, in the Amundsen Gulf. In contrast, the organic matter content, elemental (C_ORG:N_TOT ratio) and isotopic (δ¹³C_ORG and δ¹⁵N_TOT) composition of the settling particles was different from and much more variable than in the bottom sediments. The isotopic signature of organic matter in the Beaufort Sea is well constrained by three distinct end-members: a labile marine component produced in situ by planktonic organisms, a refractory marine component, the end product of respiration and diagenesis, and a refractory terrigenous component. A three-component mixing model explains the scatter observed in the stable isotope signatures of the sediment trap samples and accommodates an apparent two-component mixing model of the organic matter in sediments. The suspended matter in the water column contains organic matter varying from essentially labile and marine to mostly refractory and terrigenous. As it settles through the water column, the labile marine organic matter is degraded, and its original stable isotope signature changes towards the signature of the marine refractory component. This process continues in the bottom sediment with the result that the sedimentary organic matter becomes dominated by the refractory terrigenous and marine components.     

The oxygen isotopic composition of the fraction less than 2 microns (clay fraction) in Recent sediments from western Europe

The oxygen isotopic composition of the clay fraction in Recent argillaceous sediments in western Europe shows regional differences, the δ¹⁸_SMOW values varying between + 15.8 and + 21.7‰. This phenomenon is used for sediment-transport studies. In the Rhine-Meuse estuary a landward transport of marine sediments is observed. The clay fraction of the sediments in the Wadden Sea is only for a minor part derived from the rivers Rhine and Meuse.     

白令海和楚科奇海表层沉积物中多环芳烃降解微生物多样性

为了研究白令海(海盆及陆架)至楚科奇海陆架表层沉积物中多环芳烃(PAHs)降解菌的多样性,并获得新的PAHs降解菌资源。在GC-MS分析沉积物中PAHs种类和含量的基础上,以萘、菲和芘的混合物为唯一碳源和能源对表层沉积物样品进行富集,通过平板分离鉴定可培养菌株,并验证其降解能力;同时利用变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)和Illumina高通量测序技术分析降解菌群结构。GC-MS测定结果表明,14个表层沉积物中PAHs总干质量介于32.99~276.97ng/g。富集菌群中共分离获得51株可培养细菌,平板纯培养、PCR-DGGE及Illumina测序结果均表明,菌群中优势的降解菌是γ-proteobacteria的Marinobacter,Pseudoalteromonas,Pseudomonas和Actinobacteria门的Dietzia菌。此外,Illumina测序结果还表明14个降解菌群在菌群结构组成上,可分为海盆区和陆架区两种类群;同时检测到一些低丰度的海洋专属PAHs降解菌,如Cycloclasticus,Alteromonas和Neptunomonas等。本文结果将加深对白令海及楚科奇海表层沉积物中PAHs降解菌资源与生物多样性的认识。     

Geochemistry and organic petrography of Cretaceous sediments of the Calabar Flank,southeastern, Nigeria

Detailed bulk geochemistry and organo-petrography of outcrop Cretaceous sediments (with no significant effects of weathering) from the Calabar Flank, southeast Nigeria were performed to understand the organic carbon source, accumulation and degradation, and paleo-climatic, paleoceanographic and paleoenvironmental conditions in West Africa during Early Cretaceous (Aptian) to Maastrichtian times. This study was based on microscopic, elemental analyses (organic carbon, nitrogen, iron and sulphur), Rock-eval pyrolysis and carbon-isotope analyses. In general, the Calabar Flank shales are characterised by highly variable total organic carbon (TOC) contents, which range between 0.1% in Aptian–Albian Mfamosing Limestone and 9.9% in the Awi Formation sediments. The organic matter (OM) is a mixture of immature to early-mature marine and terrigenous OM of types III and IV. This is indicated by low hydrogen indices (HI value (10–190 mg HC/g TOC), T_max (417–460 °C), vitrinite reflectance %R_o (0.39–0.62 %R_o), low to high C/N ratios (3.4–1158.0) and high amounts of terrigenous macerals (vitrinite + inertinite). Based on carbon isotope, C/N ratios and sulphate reduction index (SRI), OM degradation (up to 70%, SRI > 2.5) is most pronounced for shales deposited in a marine environment. The geochemical and petrographic data indicate that local factors such as low bioproductivity, down slope transport and redeposition of sediments from a fluvial–deltaic basin to nearshore facies, shallower, oxic and mildly oxygen-deficient environments, humid–arid paleogeographic conditions, specifically controlled the amount and quality of the OM during Aptian–Mastrichtian stages where marine sediments have been assumed to be deposited during the global anoxic events. Therefore, the order of the main factors controlling OM content in sediments are: input of terrigenous material transported from the land > low OM productivity by marine photoautotrophs > low preservation.     

Measurement of volatile fatty acids in pore water from marine sediments by HPLC

Lower molecular weight volatile fatty acids are important intermediates in the anaerobic degradation of organic matter in marine sediments. The analysis of these compounds at the low in situ concentrations, however, still presents difficulties. A new derivatization procedure for the analysis of these compounds, coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography, has been modified for the analysis of volatile fatty acids in marine pore water to cover a linear calibration range from 0·5 μm to 10 mm. The modifications resulted in the detection of concentrations 40 times lower than in the original method and in good recoveries of fatty acid standards added to pore water (mean 101%). This modified procedure was then used to analyse fatty acids in pore water from sediments along a gradient of organic enrichment. The relative ratios of the individual acids were 1:0·1:0·02:0·01:0·02:0·01 for acetate, propionate, n-butyrate 2-methylbutyrate, iso-valerate and n-valerate. There was a tendency for the concentration of the more reduced acids to increase (propionate and n-butyrate) as organic enrichment increased. Several fatty acids were found that have not commonly been reported in marine pore water. These include 2-methylbutyrate, which is a specific anaerobic degradation product of iso-leucine, which, to the authors' knowledge, has not been previously found in marine pore water.     

The supply and preservation of ancient and modern components of organic carbon in the Canadian Beaufort Shelf of the Arctic Ocean

The provenance of organic matter in sediments from the Mackenzie River and Beaufort Shelf was investigated using the stable carbon and radiocarbon isotopic compositions of bulk organic matter and the stable carbon isotopic compositions of individual organic compounds, including lignin-derived phenols and lipid-derived fatty acids. Most river suspended sediments and shelf surface sediments contained organic carbon characterized by highly depleted Δ¹⁴C values that were consistent with average radiocarbon ages exceeding 7000 years. The stable carbon isotopic signatures of lignin phenols were uniformly depleted (−25≥δ¹³C≥−32‰), indicating the predominant contributions of C₃ vascular plant sources. The isotopic compositions of C₁₄ and C₁₆ fatty acids exhibited important contrasts between the river (−36‰ to −40‰) and shelf (−25‰ to −29‰) sediments that were consistent with contributions from freshwater algae and/or vascular plants in the former and marine phytoplankton in the latter. Using ¹⁴C isotopic mass balance, the abundances of modern and ancient organic matter were quantitatively constrained. The fate of organic matter in the Beaufort Shelf was explored by normalizing these abundances to the specific surface area of sediments. Ancient organic carbon, which may include old pre-aged soil material as well as fossil bitumen or kerogen, accounted for the majority (∼70%) of the particulate organic matter exported by the Mackenzie River and deposited in surface sediments of the Beaufort Shelf. Modern organic carbon accounted for ∼30% in both river and shelf sediments, with significant contributions from vascular plant-derived materials in both river and shelf samples and from marine algae in the shelf sediments. Respiration (and/or leaching) of particle-bound marine organic matter dominates the carbon metabolism in the Mackenzie Delta/Beaufort Shelf region. However, land-derived pools, including modern carbon derived from vascular plants as well as ancient carbon also appeared to undergo a degree of post-depositional degradation prior to burial in the shelf. These novel source apportionments are reflected in an updated carbon budget for the study area.     

The long-term effects of crude oil on microbial processes in subarctic marine sediments

Subarctic marine sediments were exposed to fresh and ‘weathered’ crude oil from Cook Inlet, Alaska. The crude oil was thoroughly mixed with the sediment at various concentrations and some of the oil-sediment mixtures were placed on top of unamended sediments. Both sediments with added oil and those overlain by oiled sediments were investigated. These sediments were placed either in trays or aquaria. The trays were incubated in situ near the site from which the sediments were originally collected. The aquaria were maintained at simulated in situ conditions by maintaining a continuous flow of fresh seawater through them. The sediments were exposed to crude oil for periods up to 1.5 years. Sediments exposed to 50‰ fresh crude oil showed significant decreases in nitrogen fixation and denitrification rates and redox potentials. Also observed were increases in CO₂ production rates and methane concentrations. These same changes were observed in sediments exposed to 1‰. When ‘weathered’ crude oil was added to the sediments, the same changes were observed except there was no reduction in nitrogen fixation activity. In most cases, the observed effects were less marked when the sediments were amended with ‘weathered’ crude oil than with the same concentration of fresh crude oil. Untreated sediments that were overlain with treated sediments showed the same changes as those sediments that were thoroughly mixed with crude oil. The presence of fresh crude oil at 50‰ essentially eliminated burrowing activity of the benthic infauna. Under these conditions, there was an accumulation of detritus particles on the oiled sediments that was not present in the untreated controls.     

Geochemical and mineralogical characterization of surficial sediments from the Northern Rias: Implications for sediment provenance and impact of the source rocks

A multidisciplinary study of the elemental geochemistry and mineralogical characteristics of the marine surficial sediment in the Northern Rias (NW Iberian Peninsula) has been carried out. The linkages between the marine sediment composition and their potential sources were examined.The influence of the river-borne sediments is only detected in the innermost part of the three Rias. Regional variations of the mineral assemblages are governed by the source-rock composition of the different geological complexes and the relative source-rock contribution controlled by the continental hydrology. Mineralogical composition of the Ortigueira Ria and adjacent shelf surficial sediments are mainly made up of mafic and ultramafic rocks of the Cape Ortegal complex indicated by the high content of Mg, Mn and chrysotile and riebeckite minerals. In areas nearby Ortegal complex the imprint of heavy minerals present in the surrounding rocks has also been recorded. Barqueiro and Viveiro Rias bed-sediments are influenced by granitic and metamorphic rocks from the Ollo de Sapo complex as revealed by the high contribution of muscovite and quartz.Mining activities in the continental domain left strong imprints on marine surficial sediments. Pyrite content is high in the innermost areas of the Ortigueira Ria since this mineral is exploited in the Mera River basin, whereas high muscovite percentages characterize the Viveiro Ria owing to the abundance of granitic rocks and its exploitation in the Landro River basin. Quartz content is high nearby Cape Estaca de Bares, induced by the presence of an important excavation of this material.     

Estimation of compaction in marine geological formations from engineering data commonly available

The compaction of Quaternary marine formations can be estimated (under the conditions stated in this paper) by comparing values of 1 + 2.7w, where w is the water content, a figure usually provided in engineering reports for bridges, harbours and such. The procedure is to compare values for an older formation with those for a younger one in the same area, or a past formation with present sediments.     

Comparison of the structures of humic acids from marine sediments and degraded field diatoms by 13C- and 1H-NMR spectroscopy

Humic acids isolated from marine sediments of the Peru continental shelf and from a degraded field diatom population dominated by the diatoms Skeletonema costatum, Nitzschia seviata and Thalassiosira sp. were characterized on the basis of infrared spectra and ¹³C- and proton-NMR spectra. Aliphatic structures were found to constitute the major fraction of humic acids and they appear to be highly branched. Carbohydrates and to a lesser extent aromatic materials, carbonyl-, ether-, alcohol- and amino groups are important contributors to the structure of marine humic acids. A close relationship was observed between the chemical structure of the sedimentary humic acid and the plankton humic acid.     

海洋沉积物含水率对部分碱金属及碱土金属元素含量的影响及意义

利用电感耦合等离子体光谱仪(ICP-AES)对海洋表层沉积物及上覆海水、海洋沉积物国家标准物质、陆地的水系沉积物及土壤国家标准物质进行检测以对比海洋沉积物含水率对部分碱金属及碱土金属元素分析结果所造成的影响。结果显示海洋沉积物含水率对钠离子影响最大,往往有超过50%的钠离子来自其中所含海水的贡献,而海洋沉积物含水率对钾、钙、镁的影响则较为微弱。因此,研究海洋沉积物化学组分时有必要考虑其所含海水对钠含量的贡献,以期达到不同海洋沉积物化学组分的可比性。     

Glauconite grains in continental shelf sediments around the Korean Peninsula and their depositional implications

Glauconite grains are an important component of the surficial sediments on the Korean continental shelf. Relatively high glauconite contents (>20%) occur near Huksan Island in the Yellow Sea and on the outer shelf of the southern East Sea where they are associated with relict, sandy sediments. By contrast, glauconite grains are rare (<1%) in clay-dominated sediments. The grains can be classified into four major categories: (1) very abundant, green to dark green, spheroidal and lobate grains displaying bulbous and honeycomb exteriors with well-developed surface cracks; (2) dark green, discoidal grains with poorly defined cracks; (3) scarce, moderately dark green, accordion-shaped grains characterized by series of closely spaced, parallel surface ridges; (4) scarce, green to dark green, foraminifer-shaped grains. Microprobe analyses as well as optical microscopy and SEM observations show that most grains are composed of mineral mixtures (e.g., quartz, mica, feldspar) rather than a single mineral species. The mineralogy, morphology, and textural properties suggest that the grains may have formed mainly by replacement of fecal pellets, and the alteration of mica and clays which have filled foraminifera tests. The high potassium contents, rosette-shaped clay structures, and bulbous shapes reflect an “evolved” (mature) stage of glauconitization. Glauconite grains in Korean shelf sediments are presumably relict, and have been produced by the reworking of older glauconitic sediments during the Holocene sea-level transgression. Received: 4 October 1999 / Revision accepted: 18 May 2000     

Sources and transport of organic carbon to shelf,slope, and basin surface sediments of the Arctic Ocean

Lipids in surface sediment transects across the Arctic Ocean were identified to define the sources of organic carbon and the transport of material in the ocean basin. Sterols representing diatoms (24-methylcholesta-5,24(28)-dien-3β-ol, 24-methylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol) and dinoflagellates (4α,23,24-trimethylcholest-22-en-3β-ol) together with algal polyunsaturated fatty acids (20:5, 22:6) demonstrated the importance of primary production to organic matter inputs on the Chukchi Shelf. The presence of terrestrial biomarkers including long-chain n-alkanes and mono- and dicarboxylic acids in shelf sediments indicated that while the fraction of terrestrial biomarkers was small compared to marine material, the transport of allochthonous material impacts carbon cycling on the shelf. Algal biomarkers were found in all surficial sediments from the central Arctic basins, demonstrating that some fraction of primary production reached bottom sediments despite ice cover and light limitation. Marine markers represented a small fraction of the total lipids in central basin sediments. This implies that the basins are less productive than shallow waters, significant degradation occurs before the organic matter reaches the sediment–water interface, and substantial amounts of vascular plant material are exported to the central Arctic. Circulation and topographical features, such as the Transpolar Drift and the Lomonosov Ridge, appear to have an important influence on the transport and focusing of terrestrial material in the Arctic Ocean basins.     

Photochemical changes in chemical markers of sedimentary organic matter source and age

Several chemical markers of organic matter source and age are shown to be susceptible to light-induced alteration. To test for the photochemical lability of markers previously employed for sediments from the Louisiana coastal zone, we subjected sediments under resuspension conditions to simulated sunlight, and monitored changes in C:N and Br:OC ratios, δ¹³C, Δ¹⁴C, and lignin composition. Markers of terrigenous origin (high C:N, lignin) decreased and δ¹³C became enriched in sediments containing primarily terrigenous organic matter, while a marker of marine organic matter (Br:OC) decreased in samples containing significant contributions from this source. Preferential loss of ¹⁴C from all sediments indicated enhanced photochemical lability of organic matter of relatively recent origin, consistent with the changes in chemical markers. Most, but not all, experimental alterations are consistent with field distributions of these markers. Relatively small experimental changes in the markers in combination with confounding processes in the environment, however, prevent these parallel trends from providing any more than a consistency test for the importance of photochemical reactions in this region.     

Meiobenthic communities of seagrass beds (Zostera capricorni) and unvegetated sediments along the coast of New South Wales,Australia

Seagrass beds have higher biomass, abundance, diversity and productivity of benthic organisms than unvegetated sediments. However, to date most studies have analysed only the macrofaunal component and ignored the abundant meiofauna present in seagrass meadows. This study was designed to test if meiobenthic communities, especially the free-living nematodes, differed between seagrass beds and unvegetated sediments. Sediment samples from beds of the eelgrass Zostera capricorni and nearby unvegetated sediments were collected in three estuaries along the coast of New South Wales, Australia. Results showed that sediments below the seagrass were finer, with a higher content of organic material and were less oxygenated than sediments without seagrass. Univariate measures of the fauna (i.e. abundance, diversity and taxa richness of total meiofauna and nematode assemblages) did not differ between vegetated and unvegetated sediments. However multivariate analysis of meiofaunal higher taxa showed significant differences between the two habitats, largely due to the presence and absence of certain taxa. Amphipods, tanaidacea, ostracods, hydrozoans and isopods occurred mainly in unvegetated sediments, while kinorhyncs, polychaetes, gastrotrichs and turbellarians were more abundant in vegetated sediments. Regarding the nematode assemblages, 32.4% of the species were restricted to Z. capricorni and 25% only occurred in unvegetated sediments, this suggests that each habitat is characterized by a particular suite of species. Epistrate feeding nematodes were more abundant in seagrass beds, and it is suggested that they graze on the microphytobenthos which accumulates underneath the seagrass. Most of the genera that characterized these estuarine unvegetated sediments are also commonly found on exposed sandy beaches. This may be explained by the fact that Australian estuaries have very little input of freshwater and experience marine conditions for most of the year. This study demonstrates that the seagrass and unvegetated sediments have discrete meiofaunal communities, with little overlap in species composition.     

Origin of sedimentary organic matter in the north-western Adriatic Sea

In order to evaluate the origin and the transformation of organic matter on the shallow shelf of the NW Adriatic Sea, organic carbon, total nitrogen and stable isotope ratios of organic carbon were analysed in riverine suspended matter and sediments as well as in marine suspended and sedimentary organic matter, in marine phytoplankton and zooplankton.The deposition of organic matter is influenced by fine sediment concentration. Surface sediments were characterised by highly variable biogeochemical conditions on the sea floor, whereas sub-surface sediments showed a more homogeneous hypoxic/anoxic environment.Low C_org/N ratio and high organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations in riverine suspended organic matter indicate an important contribution of freshwater phytoplankton within rivers, particularly during low flow regimes, which adds to the marine phyto- and zooplankton at shelf locations.In order to evaluate the importance of terrestrial, riverine and marine sources of OM in shelf sediments, a three end-member mixing model was applied to shelf surface sediments using ¹³C/¹²C values for organic matter and N/C ratios. The model showed an elevated contribution of terrestrial organic substances at intermediate depths (10–15 m), mostly corresponding to an area of coarser grain-size, whereas the riverine and marine organic fractions were mainly accumulating near the coast and offshore, respectively.     

海南东寨港重金属在多种环境介质中污染状况及评价

分析了东寨港海水、表层沉积物和生物体中重金属Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Hg、类金属As的含量及分布特征,并运用单因子指数法、地积累指数法评价了该调查区重金属污染程度。结果表明：东寨港海水中除Pb的含量符合二类海水标准外,其余含量均符合一类海水标准,且远低于渔业水质标准限值;表层沉积物中典型重金属元素含量都符合海洋沉积物质量一类标准,基本属于无污染区;本区湿地沉积物中的重金属含量比岛内及周边区典型红树林湿地略偏高;红树林及暗滩沉积物中重金属比东寨港水底沉积物重金属含量高,表明河口湾潮滩上的红树林区可能是重金属元素的富集区,东寨港目前可能受到了陆源污染的影响;生物体中重金属含量均符合一类标准,符合无公害水产品的要求。