Backscattering from bioturbated sediments at very high frequency

Recent backscattering measurements made in the Gulf of La Spezia, Italy, using a sonar operating at 140 kHz combined with thorough characterization of seabed interface and volume properties illustrate the importance of seabed volume scattering. Three-dimensional fluctuation statistics of density variability and vertical density gradients, both of which are attributed to the level of bioturbation (e.g., sea shell fragments, burrows, pockets of water) have been quantified using X-Ray computed tomography. Two-dimensional interface roughness spectra have also been determined using a digital stereo photogrammetry system. The combined ground truth has allowed a backscattering model to be fully constrained. Measured backscattering strength versus angle is compared to a model that includes the effects of varying density and sound speed. Data-model comparisons show that scattering from the volume of strongly inhomogeneous sediments can often be a primary contributor to seafloor scattering away from normal incidence.     

Extraction of morphometric bedform characteristics from profiling sonar datasets recorded in shallow coastal waters of China

The morphological characteristics of small-scale bedforms were measured by means of an acoustic profiling sonar on the Dafeng tidal flat,Jiangsu,in 2009,and in the Jiulong Estuary,Xiamen,in 2010,respectively.The "multi-threshold value" method was utilized to reveal the morphological undulations along which bedforms were present.Analyses of the datasets obtained show that:(1) sand ripples can have irregular shapes,and(2) changes in bedform morphology are small within a single tidal cycle but may be significant over several tidal cycles.Fractal and variogram analyses of the seabed roughness revealed the existence of a significant relationship between current speed and the fractal dimension of the seabed roughness.As current speed increases,seabed roughness increases with a trend of smaller-scale bottom structures being replaced by larger-scale structures.Furthermore,the surface of the larger-scale bottom structures can either become smooth due to the absence of smaller-scale features or become rougher due to the presence of superimposed smaller-scale structures.     

Experimental Studies of Sound Attenuation in Seabed Sediments on Column Sample Length Scale

Seabed sediment microstructure has an influence on its acousto-physical properties, and the properties in a length of the sediment column reflect an aspect of the macroscopic behavior of the microstructure. An original measurement method of the sound attenuation within small distance cross sections in a sediment column, and the corresponding approach in data processing to attain an attenuation factor are detailed in the paper. This method was used to measure the compressional wave in series of points with a small distance in the sediment column, and it is shown that exponential attenuation is a type of compressional wave attenuation model for a sediment column in its full length. It indicates that there are various models of compressional wave attenuation in seabed sediments in the South China Sea after comparison of data from other literature. The method of measuring sound attenuation satisfies the sampling space interval in the acoustical forward and inverse problems in seabed sediments, and the original method provides a new approach for finding out sound attenuation mechanism in seabed sediments on small length scale.     

Stratigraphic Model Predictions of Geoacoustic Properties

Geoacoustic properties of the seabed have a controlling role in the propagation and reverberation of sound in shallow-water environments. Several techniques are available to quantify the important properties but are usually unable to adequately sample the region of interest. In this paper, we explore the potential for obtaining geotechnical properties from a process-based stratigraphic model. Grain-size predictions from the stratigraphic model are combined with two acoustic models to estimate sound speed with distance across the New Jersey continental shelf and with depth below the seabed. Model predictions are compared to two independent sets of data: 1) Surficial sound speeds obtained through direct measurement using in situ compressional wave probes, and 2) sound speed as a function of depth obtained through inversion of seabed reflection measurements. In water depths less than 100 m, the model predictions produce a trend of decreasing grain-size and sound speed with increasing water depth as similarly observed in the measured surficial data. In water depths between 100 and 130 m, the model predictions exhibit an increase in sound speed that was not observed in the measured surficial data. A closer comparison indicates that the grain-sizes predicted for the surficial sediments are generally too small producing sound speeds that are too slow. The predicted sound speeds also tend to be too slow for sediments 0.5-20 m below the seabed in water depths greater than 100 m. However, in water depths less than 100 m, the sound speeds between 0.5-20-m subbottom depth are generally too fast. There are several reasons for the discrepancies including the stratigraphic model was limited to two dimensions, the model was unable to simulate biologic processes responsible for the high sound-speed shell material common in the model area, and incomplete geological records necessary to accurately predict grain-size     

黄骅全新世古黄河三角洲的特点及演化研究

通过对黄骅地区的实地调查，根据钻孔的分析对比，对黄骅地区全新世以来古黄河三角洲的特点、分布及其演化有了更进一步的认识。从沉积物的矿物成分，粒度变化、垂向结构等方面与现代黄河三角洲对比研究，证明黄骅地区全新世以来确实存在古黄河三角洲，其各方面特征与现代黄河三角洲相近或相同。只是因多期迭覆，后期改造，使之成为一个不十完整的、复杂的古黄河三角洲的复合体。     

多波束声呐图像条带中央和边缘残差处理方法

多波束声呐图像是进行海底底质分类的主要数据源之一,由于受海洋噪声、声波散射和混响、仪器设备等因素影响,其经各项常规改正后仍存在明显残差,突出表现在中央波束区和条带重叠区,难以形成高质量的声呐图像。文中分析了多波束声呐图像残差的成因及影响,提出了一种基于多条带最小二乘拟合的多波束声呐图像残差处理方法。首先,得到相邻声脉冲(ping)信号中央区域、重叠区域以及整体趋势的拟合函数;然后,通过拟合函数计算得到中央和重叠区域的残差改正系数;最后,通过改正系数进行残差改正。实验分析表明,该方法在保留原始细节的基础上,有效削弱了残差对声呐图像的影响,对多波束声呐图像处理具有参考和应用价值。     

The concentration of copper,lead, zinc and cadmium in shallow marine sediments,Cardigan Bay (Wales)

The concentration of copper, lead, zinc and cadmium in the acid-soluble fraction is presented for 86 seabed, 15 beach and 10 river samples of sediments from the southern Cardigan Bay area. Comparative results are presented for 8 samples of the Pleistocene sediments and 6 samples from the Aberystwyth Grits (Silurian) which outcrop along the shore line. The sediments from the Rheidol and Ystwyth rivers are strongly enriched in lead and zinc. The Pleistocene sediments are enriched in cadmium by a factor of 10 with respect to the seabed sediments in this part of Cardigan Bay.     

Deep-Water Bottom Current Research in the Northern South China Sea

This article discusses an effective way to study deep-water current activity with the sedimentary features of seabed sediments. In the paper, we have processed a seismic survey line crossing the Northwest sub-basin of the South China Sea (SCS). In the seismic profile, we can clearly distinguish the contourite sediment waves and find the erosion scope formed by the deep-water bottom current. Combining the analytic result of piston cores sediments in the research area, we can conclude that the deep-water current is the contour current. It enters the SCS through the narrow Bashi Channel and then it flows to the southwest direction along the isobaths of Dongsha uplift and Southern uplift, but there isn't direct evidence to explain that bottom current flows to the direction of the deep-sea basin. The conclusion confirms former speculation about the passage of deep-water current and provides an important foundation to construct the whole structure of deep-water circulation for the SCS.     

小尺度海底沉积物的声衰减特性研究

为研究小尺度海底沉积物样品的声衰减特性,作者提出了用声学探针测量海底沉积物声波幅值的新方法,对沉积物样品扰动小,两个测量点的距离可小于波长,为海底沉积物微观声衰减测量提供了新手段。作者用小于波长的间隔逐点测量了沉积物的压缩波幅值,数据分析表明沿沉积物柱状样全长的声衰减满足指数衰减模型。目前主要用同轴差距衰减测量法获得海底沉积物声衰减数据,但该方法不能辨识声衰减模型,因此不同海区的测量结果难以建立联系。对此作者又提出用声吸收系数反演的幅值比与声衰减系数反演的R值(两种幅值比的比值)作评价依据,分析了垂直轴差距衰减测量法获得的南海海底沉积物声衰减测量数据,发现部分沉积物样品声衰减的R值远大于1,其声衰减不满足指数衰减模型。在声衰减满足指数衰减模型的条件下,用Hamilton的声衰减和频率经验公式预报的南海沉积物声衰减比与作者用声学探针测量海底沉积物所得的声衰减比对比,通过对R值分析得出Hamilton的声衰减和频率经验公式可以预报南海沉积物声衰减比的范围。作者提出的声学探针测量海底沉积物声衰减的方法的优点是既能获得声衰减数据又能辨识声衰减模型,不同海区测量的沉积物声衰减比可用R值建立联系。     

浅海沉积层声学特性对声传播损失的影响仿真研究

为厘清海底沉积层声学特性信息的水声环境保障需求,构建浅海两层海底环境参数模型,并参考Hamilton海底底质9种分类设置沉积层声速、密度、衰减系数及厚度的参考值及计算采样区间,利用Kraken简振波模型,采用控制变量的方法,研究了浅海沉积层声学特性参数对声传播损失的影响;开展了建模理论推导及数值技术分析,研究了海底沉积层声学特性参数在模型计算过程中调用过程,并从建模计算的角度对仿真计算的结果进行解释,对海底沉积层声学特性调查装备发展及调查重点参数具有一定的参考价值。     

Parameters affecting fine-grained suspended sediment concentrations in a shallow micro-tidal estuary,Ho Bugt,Denmark

Many shallow estuarine environments contain considerable quantities of fine-grained sediments. It is difficult, however, to determine theoretically the concentration and transport of fine-grained sediments in such environments, because the fine particles flocculate and because the suspended sediment concentration is dependent on a number of different parameters. The most important of which are: (1) bottom shear stress (current velocity), (2) wind speed and direction, and (3) salinity. In this study the relative importance of these parameters is evaluated in relation to a shallow micro-tidal environment, Ho Bugt, Denmark. Furthermore, a mathematical model explaining the variation in the concentration of fine-grained suspended sediments at a station within this area was created and calibrated to measurements of wind speed and direction, salinity and tidal current velocity. The model describes about 80% of the variance of the suspended sediment concentration at the site of observation.     

砾石海滩的沉积和形态动力特征

天然砾石海滩的物质主要来源于河流输入，海岸侵蚀，海底侵蚀，沿岸输送，人类活动及冰川搬运等，砾石海滩在地貌上表现出明显的分带性，海滩坡度的大小随物源和动力条件发生变化，砾石的磨蚀速率与岩性及周围沉积物粒度组成有关，人工砾石海滩建设可借鉴天然砾石海滩的形成和演化过程，合理地设计物质组成，砾石形状和大小，以便能更快地使人工海滩达到平衡状态并维持海滩的稳定性。     

波流共同作用下海底人工边坡动态响应分析

为了研究波流共同荷载作用下开挖基槽附近海床动态响应和液化破坏情况,提出一个二维耦合计算模型,采用雷诺时均纳维-斯托克斯（RANS）方程描述波浪运动情况,通过设定侧边界条件实现稳定流场。海床部分通过求解Biot固结方程,得到波流荷载下海床中的应力和位移情况。将模型计算结果与水槽试验数据和解析解进行比较,验证了波流模型和海床模型的有效性。在此模型基础上,分析得到了开挖之后海床新的应力和固结状态。同时,通过参数分析得到了波流耦合情况下波浪形态的变化,以及海流对海床液化情况和孔压情况的影响。最后,通过线性回归计算得到最大液化深度与流速的拟合关系曲线。计算结果可用于判断基槽开挖后不规则海床的液化情况,对相关研究和实际工程具有一定参考意义。     

Carbonate sedimentation and hydrodynamic pattern on a modern temperate shelf: The strait of Bonifacio (western Mediterranean)

The sedimentary features of the inner-middle shelf of the strait of Bonifacio (western Mediterranean) were analyzed to evaluate the relationship between the production and transport of biogenic carbonate sediments and the basin morphology and hydrodynamics. A three-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling was performed in order to simulate the influence of waves and currents at seabed level. Superficial sediments were collected at depths ranging from 5 to 80 m and were analyzed for grain size, mineralogical composition and skeletal carbonate composition. Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows border the coasts in a narrow strip on both sides of the strait down to a depth of 40 m. At greater depths, the seabed is characterized by the presence of plateaus and ridges which are controlled by outcropping bedrock morphology.     

顾及特征水深点距离重分配的反距离加权插值算法

水深是反映海底地形地貌的最基础要素,对缺失的水深点进行准确的插值能帮助有效地表达海底地形地貌起伏形态。针对海底地形变化复杂的区域,传统的反距离加权插值法存在只考虑样本水深点与待插值水深点之间的距离,而忽略了样本水深点之间的空间相关性的问题。本文提出了一种顾及特征水深点距离重分配的反距离加权插值算法。该算法首先对离散的水深点构建特征水深线,在特征水深线的基础上,提取特征水深线上的特征点作为特征水深点;然后在所有样本水深点到待插值水深点距离之和不变的约束下,提出距离重分配的量化指标;最后构造出一个顾及特征水深点距离重分配的IDW插值算法模型。实验结果表明,在海底地形变化复杂的区域,顾及特征水深点距离重分配的反距离加权插值算法与传统的IDW、自然邻域插值、样条函数插值算法等相比,能有效提高水深点的插值精准度。     

南流江水下三角洲沉积物类型特征及其分布规律

通过综合分析，发现影响沉积物类型空间排列的主要因素是水动力条件，各类沉积物粒级分区的排列方向明显与海流方向一致。基本上为近南北向排列，与落潮方向一致。并且，沉积物粒度明显与海流的强弱有关，强海流区，粗粒级沉积物发育；弱海流区，细粒级沉积物发育，此外，沉积物的物源也影响其粒级的分布。     

深水复合水道体系沉积特征及时空演化规律——以东非鲁武马盆地中中新统为例

鲁武马盆地中中新统复合水道体系表现出复杂的充填特征及时空演化规律。以地震资料为基础,借助三维可视化、沿层相干切片、层间振幅属性提取等多种地震解释技术,总结地震分辨率下复合水道体系内各个级别水道的平面分布规律,建立纵、横向演化模式。鲁武马盆地中中新统复合水道体系可以细分成4个可识别的级别:复合水道体系,水道复合体,复合水道及水道。沿水流方向,复合水道体系由强限制型向局部限制型演化,在较远端分化为三期独立水道复合体;水道复合体表现出4种沉积方式,2种方式与复合水道体系一致且同步发育,另外2种为较弱限制型和非限制型。复合水道体系内深水沉积主要受海平面变化、地形坡度以及底流作用的影响,沉积规模、搬运距离、沉积位置、延伸方向及外部形态随时空发生改变。复合水道体系呈现出复杂的多级别充填特征,垂向叠置样式随沉积位置的差异而不同,早期水道复合体末期的分布影响后期水道复合体发育的位置。     

南海东沙群岛以北海底沙波稳定性分析

利用在南海东沙群岛北部至西北海域为工程目的所采集的海底地形测量、底质取样、海底底流测量资料,以及以往的区域地质、地球物理资料,采用沉积学、构造学和海洋水动力学综合研究方法,对该区海底沙波形成及稳定性进行了综合分析。认为该区海底沙波是在目前水动力环境下所形成,为今生,海底表层沉积物为晚更新世地层受到冲刷改造的再沉积。沙波形成主要受潮流底流的水动力作用控制,并与构造抬升有关。沙波具有一定的活动性,主要由SE向NW方向移动,且活动性逐渐减弱。北区段海底沙波稳定,中区段海底沙波较稳定,它们对海底工程建设不会造成影响;而南区段海底沙波较为活动,当沙波发生较大规模移动时,对海底工程建设会造成一定影响。     

Clay minerals from the sedimentary cover from the Northwest Iberian shelf

The Northern Iberian margin is a typical example of a continental margin subjected to seasonal highly energetic regime (waves and tides) and receiving inputs of continental sediments via riverine discharges. The principal goal of this study has been to use clay minerals as indicators of sedimentary dynamics in the open shelf system. The distributions of clay mineral in the top layer of the sedimentary cover are shown to be related to their continental sources, but also reflect the influences of winter storms and longshore currents in determining the pathways of sediment transport.The mineralogical composition of the material issuing from the rivers is very similar to the general mineralogical composition of the fine fractions of the seabed sediments. Those deposits that are directly influenced by riverine discharges have higher contents of kaolinite (>20%), whereas those that are not have higher contents of illite (>80%). The available data indicate no significant quantities of terrigenous particles are being discharged from the Spanish rias. Therefore, we conclude that physical processes are controlling the clay mineral distributions and that, despite contributions from the Minho River, the main source of fine detrital particles to the shelf region is the Douro River discharge. These particles settle on the middle shelf, below the 60 m isobath. During storm events these particles are re-suspended and advected northwards to the Galician shelf or into deeper domains. Thus the distributions of the clays indicate there is a net transport of fine sediments both northwards and off-shelf.     

Impact of GCP distribution on the rectification accuracy of Landsat TM imagery in a coastal zone

1Introduction Satelliteimagerycanbecomeavaluablecompo nentinageographicinformationsystem(GIS)data baseonlyafterithasbeengeo referencedtoaground coordinatesystemwiththedesiredprojection(Mei,etal.,2001;Wang,etal.,2002).Allimagesre ceivedatagroundreceivingst…