Life cycle and population structure of the polychaeteFicopomatus enigmaticus (Serpulidae) in Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon,Argentina

Ficopomatus enigmaticus, a polychaete inhabiting the subtidal zone in the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, builds reef-like aggregates that facilitate silt accumulation. To describe the life cycle, samples were take monthly from September 1984 to September 1985. In contrast with other polychaetes, it has two oocyte generations per year; maturation of the oocytes takes approximately 4 mo. Temperature level and day length regime do not appear as environmental signals to the onset of oogenesis, although they possibly affect oogenesis growth. Two periods of spawning and recruitment were observed in November–December and April–May, when water temperature is above 18°C. Hermaphroditic individuals were not found. Sex ratio was male-biased in all months, significantly in November, February, and August (p<0.001). Monthly size-frequency distributions show distinct year-classes with early (November–December) and late (April–May) recruitment. Early recruited cohorts have two spawning periods during a 24-mo lifespan. Late cohorts have one spawning period during their 20-mo lifespan. The life cycle of this species can be summarized as follows: annual iteroparous—1 to 2 batches of small eggs per female during each lifespan, free spawning, planktotrophic larvae, sedentary suspension-feeder worms.     

黔南扁平村晚石炭世生物礁生物群落分析

在黔南紫云猴场镇以西约4 km扁平村发现了新的大型生物礁组合。该礁产于马平组Triticites带内,时间上隶属于晚石炭世晚期。通过对该礁组合中生物群落的详细研究,将其自下而上划分为组合面貌不同的6个群落。其中成礁生物群落有两个：珊Ivanoviacfmanchurica,叶状藻Eugonophyllum和菌藻类蓝细菌群落及珊瑚Formitchevella群落。前者各种生物在不同环境中独立发育构成小点礁,彼此平行排列,形成下部点礁层;后者由大型笙柱状排列的Formitchevella构成其上部主礁体。这些群落代表了生物礁的不同发展阶段,显示了在造礁过程中生物种类更替演化的特征,而群落演化与成礁有一致的对应关系,并控制着该生物礁的发育和规模。以特征生物Formitchevella为代表的造礁群落的组成、结构、生态特征和礁体生长发育模式在中国乃至世界上的石炭纪礁体中都是独特的,构成了晚石炭世罕见的非藻造架生物礁。扁平村生物礁的发现,丰富了世界石炭纪造礁生物群落的类型,为研究石炭纪造礁生物群落演化、礁体生长及建立生物礁生长动力学模型提供了新的实例。     

Growth of rigid high-relief patch reefs, Mid-Silurian, Gotland, Sweden

Patch reefs up to 35 m thick and generally 100–150 m wide, separated by bedded inter-reef sediment, dominate the Högklint Formation (Lower Wenlock) of north-west Gotland. The spacing between adjacent patch reefs is variable, but is commonly 150–350 m. The Högklint is a shallowing sequence, and the patch reefs exhibit a well-developed vertical succession: (1) Axelsro-type patch reefs developed in the underlying Visby Formation; (2) halysitid tabulates capped by laminar stromatoporoids; (3) domical and bulbous stromatoporoids and red algae; (4) cyanobacterial–algal reef crest. The patch reefs expand upwards from an initial bioherm phase with a small base to a laterally extensive biostrome phase. This gives them a thumb-tack appearance. In stage 2 of the bioherm phase, rigid framework development and high reef relief resulted in breakage of angular blocks up to 15 m long, which were incorporated into the reefs or fell into adjacent sediments. Poorly sorted talus haloes (Millingsklint Member) also developed adjacent to stage 2 of the bioherm phase. These include angular blocks and exhibit depositional slopes up to 40° away from the reefs. Stage 3 biostrome development was mainly non-rigid cluster reef, which shed skeletal debris (Domkyrka Member) but few lithified blocks. Stage 4 biostrome development was a reef crest with open to closed frame structure. Storm breakage and overturning produced large blocks with complex cavity fill sequences including double geopetals. Relief during the bioherm phase, indicated by fallen blocks and talus slopes, was up to at least 15 m; during the biostrome phase, it was up to 10 m.     

海南岛鹿回头现代珊瑚岸礁发育史

海南岛南部鹿回头现代珊瑚岸礁发育很好, 是我国久负盛名的岸礁研究区。礁区南北两侧是基岩组成的山岭, 中央为宽约2km的连岛砂洲, 砂洲由礁块和生物碎屑堆积而成。连岛砂洲两侧为海湾, 西北侧称三亚湾, 东南侧为小东海, 海湾中发育有现代珊瑚岸礁。     

Bryozoan-rich stromatolites (bryostromatolites) from the Silurian of Gotland and their relation to climate-related perturbations of the global carbon cycle

Bryozoan–stromatolite associations (bryostromatolites) formed conspicuous reef structures throughout the Sheinwoodian (Wenlock) to Ludfordian (Ludlow) stratigraphy on Gotland but have not been described so far. They are mainly composed of encrusting bryozoans forming a complex intergrowth with porostromate and spongiostromate microbes and are different from the abundant stromatoporoid–coral–algal reefs with respect to their composition. In the bryostromatolite different growth stages can be identified. The observed succession can be taken as evidence for cyclic environmental changes during reef formation. Stenohaline reef-dwelling organisms, such as echinoderms, sponges, corals and trilobites, indicate fully marine salinities. Ten localities exposing bryostromatolites were discovered. Individual bryostromatolites are small with few decimetres up to one metre in size, and occur solely in shallow marine areas. Common features of these reefs on Gotland are cauliflower-like growth, a high bryozoan diversity, a high abundance of phosphatic fossils and components such as bryozoan pearls and inarticulate phosphatic brachiopods, enhanced bioerosion, Palaeomicrocodium crusts, vadose silt and gypsum pseudomorphs. The high abundance of Palaeomicrocodium, as well as the alternation with other crust-forming contributors, suggest that it could have been formed directly at the palaeo-sea surface, probably in times of minor but high-frequency sea-level fluctuations. Vadose silt and pseudomorphs after gypsum in reef cavities indicate subaerial exposure shortly after reef growth. The high amount of phosphatic components indicates a high nutrient input, probably by dust. All bryostromatolites were formed in times of strongly elevated δ¹³C values. The unusual combination of sedimentological and palaeoecological features, as well as their occurrence exclusively during strong positive δ¹³C excursions, are evidence that the bryostromatolite development responded to climatic/oceanographic changes, which may have played an important role in reef control.     

High energy coralgal-stromatolite frameworks from Holocene reefs (Tahiti, French Polynesia)

Drill cores from Holocene reefs on Tahiti (French Polynesia) reveal a framework composed of massive branching acroporids encrusted by coralline algae associated with sessile vermetid gastropods and arborescent foraminifers. Laminated micritic crusts form coatings over coral branches or, more commonly, over related encrusting organisms throughout the cored reef sections; these crusts appear as a major structural and volumetric component of the reef framework. The microbial nature of these micritic crusts is inferred from their typical organic growth forms and geometry, the occurrence of microbial remains and stable isotope measurements. The reef communities accumulated at depths less than 5 m below mean sea level in a high energy environment throughout vertical growth from 7140 ± 170 yr bp to the present. The nature of the involved benthic communities, stable isotope data and high calcification rates of microbially encrusted corals strongly suggest that local environmental conditions have been optimal for reef development for the last 7000 years. The causes of the predominance of microbial communities over actual encrusters (red algae, foraminifers) remain problematic and could be related to short term fluctuations in ecological parameters. Microbial micritic crusts seemingly played a prominent role in protecting the coralgal colonies from bioeroders and grazers and, possibly, in strengthening the framework, due to rapid lithification. The record of similar microbial crusts in other Quaternary reef tracts suggests that microbial communities may have played a more prominent role in Quaternary reefs than presently recognized.     

鄂西二叠系生物礁的基本特征及其发育规律

鄂西二叠系生物礁分布于利川县境,它是由海绵、水螅等造架生物组成的典型的生物礁,其层位属晚二叠世长兴组,出露于见天坝、黄泥塘等地(图1)。此生物礁从出露之完整、化石之丰富、结构之清楚来看,是我国最发育的生物礁之一。     

Mesoproterozoic deep-water reefs from Borden Peninsula, Arctic Canada

A superbly exposed stromatolite reef complex occurs in the Victor Bay Formation near Strathcona River on northern Baffin Island. Individual reefs are up to 130 m thick and nearly 1 km in length, and their development was clearly related to their position in the facies spectrum and to sea-level dynamics. In the first sea-level cycle, metre-scale reefs grew amongst mid-ramp calcarenites and outer-ramp shales during slow sea-level rise; a 25-m-thick oblate reef tract, separating mid-ramp and outer-ramp facies, formed during the highstand. The greatest period of reef growth was during the second sea-level cycle. Pinnacle reefs nucleated on the karsted upper surface of the oblate reef tract and aggraded rapidly in response to rising sea-level, producing structures with more than 75 m of depositional relief. A gradual symmetrical succession of stromatolite growth forms, from stratiform to cylindrical columns to conical columns and then back through cylindrical columns to stratiform, is mirrored by evidence in offreef deposits for deepening to a maximum flooding surface and then shallowing. The tops of these high-standing reefs were karsted during the following regression, while dolomite ‘cryptodomes’ grew as sheets on their submerged flanks and as progradational tongues extending basinward of the reefs. Continued sea-level fall resulted in subaerial exposure of the entire reef complex and the extensive formation of surface and subsurface karst. These Proterozoic slope buildups are similar to Phanerozoic deep-water reefs in size, shape, prevalence of synsedimentary lithification, presence of Neptunian dykes and in their well-developed vertical zonation of reefbuilders. However, they differ in being constructed exclusively by stromatolites rather than being mud mounds with small skeletal elements, and in lacking halos of perireefal sand- and gravel-sized calcareous debris. Their responses to changes in sea-level were strikingly similar to those shown by their younger counterparts, and suggest that sequence-stratigraphic concepts derived from studies of Phanerozoic reefs can also be applied to the Proterozoic.     

Oxfordian reef architecture of the La Manga Formation, Neuquén Basin, Mendoza Province, Argentina

The Neuquén back-arc basin is located on the west margin of the South American platform between latitudes 36° and 40° S. The basin is famous for its continuous sedimentary record from the Late Triassic to Cenozoic comprising continental and marine clastic, carbonate, and evaporitic deposits up to 2.600 m in thickness.The stratigraphical and paleontological studies of the outcrops of the La Manga Formation, Argentina, located near the Bardas Blancas region, Mendoza province (35° S and 69° O) allow the reconstruction of the sedimentary environments of an Oxfordian carbonate ramp, where outer ramp, middle ramp, inner ramp (oolitic shoal), inner ramp margin (patch reef) lagoon and paleokarst were differentiated. The reefs consist of back reef facies and in situ framework of coral boundstones that was formed at the top of shallowing-upward succession.Coral reefs were analyzed by defining coral colonies shapes, paleontological content, coral diversity and taphonomy studies. In some studied sections abundant fragments of gryphaeids, encrusting bryozoans, and isolated sponges provided a suitable substrate for coral colonization; however, other sections show an increase in the proportions of ooids, peloidal and coral intraclasts.The core reef facies is composed of white-grey unstratified and low diversity scleractinian coral limestone dominated by robust and thinly branching corals with cerioid–phocoid growths and massive coral colonies with meandroid–thamnasteroid growth forms.The assemblage is characterized by Actinastraea sp., Australoseris sp., Thamnasteria sp. and Garateastrea sp. Internal facies organization and different types of coral colonies allow to recognize the development of varying framework as well as intercolony areas. A superstratal growth fabric characterizes the coral assemblage. On the basis of coral growth fabric (branche and domal types), the reef of La Manga Formation is considered a typical mixstones. The intercolony areas consist of biomicrites and biomicrorudites containing abundant coral fragments, parautochthonous gryphaeids and another bivalves (Ctenostreon sp.), gastropods (Harpagodes sp., Natica sp.), echinoderms test and spines (Plegiocidaris sp.), miliolids, Cayeuxia sp., Acicularia sp., Salpingoporella sp., intraclasts, ooids, peloids and coated grains.The domal growth forms are probably more protected against biological and physical destruction, meanwhile delicate branching growth forms with very open and fragile framework were more affected and fragmented due to wave action and bioerosion.The reef fabric shows different intervals of truncation as consequence of erosion resulting from coral destruction by storm waves or currents. The maximum flooding surface separates oolitic shoal facies below from the aggradational and progradational coralline limestones facies above. Subsequent sea-level fall and karstification (148 Ma) affected reef and oolitic facies.     

五千年来南海海平面变化的研究

大型块状滨珊瑚的生长上限充其量只能达到大潮低潮面,礁坪面成为古高海面的极好标志。多数学者认为,５０００ａＢ．Ｐ．以来南海周边曾有３—６ｍ的高海面。但南海曾否有古高海面有着两种截然相反的意见。作者对南沙群岛、西沙群岛、海南岛、雷州半岛和台湾恒春半岛珊瑚礁的考察,实测礁顶面的高程,钻取岩芯样品做(１４)Ｃ测年,并收集大量古高海面礁的资料,进一步证实了南海同它的周边情况一样,确实出现过至少比现今高２—３ｍ的高海面。     

Devonian Reef Formation in the Caspian Basin Framing

The Devonian reef formation in the Caspian Basin framing is related to two different formations. The Middle Devonian reefs are confined to an autochthonous terrigenous?carbonate sequence of the Eifelian–lower Frasnian interval marked by the appearance of isolated domal reefs. The middle–upper Frasnian reefs are related to the carbonate formation and represented by two types: (i) asymmetric reefs on walls of the deep-water bays opening toward the Caspian microcean-bay; and (ii) solitary, relatively symmetric (in transverse section) reefs within these bays. The reef formation was characterized by prominent cyclic pattern. The framework reef formation ended before the terminal Frasnian, i.e., before the Kellwasser Event, with which the biotic crisis and faunal mass extinction was related.     

Trends in seasonal temperatures over the Indian region

An investigation has been carried out to identify the trends in maximum, minimum and mean temperatures and temperature range over the Indian land mass during the winter (January, and February), pre-monsoon (March–May), southwest monsoon (June–September) and post-monsoon (October–December) seasons by using high resolution daily gridded data set prepared by India Meteorological Department for the period of 1969–2005. It has been observed that the maximum temperatures over the west coast of India show rising trend in winter, southwest monsoon and post-monsoon seasons but the maximum temperatures do not show any significant trend over the other parts of the country. Minimum temperatures show increasing trend over the North Indian states in all seasons and they show an increasing trend over the west coast of India in winter and southwest monsoon seasons. Mean temperature shows an increasing trend over the west coast of India during winter and southwest monsoon seasons. Decreasing trend is observed in the temperature range over North India in all seasons due to increasing trend in minimum temperature.     

川东-鄂西地区二叠纪生物礁成因类型及潜伏礁预测

从相对海平面升降对礁生长发育控制的角度建立新的生物礁成因分类 (进积礁、并进礁和退积礁 ) ,据此描述川东—鄂西地区二叠纪生物礁的属性 ,认为该区进积礁和退积礁并存。根据礁体的进积和退积方向对潜伏礁进行预测 ,指出鄂西地区见天坝礁群的东南侧应该存在层位相当于长兴组三段的潜伏礁带 ,华蓥山—川东成礁带以西可能存在层位相当于长兴组三段顶的潜伏礁带。     

贵州紫云石炭纪叶状藻礁:藻类繁盛的标志

紫云晚石炭世叶状藻礁发育在碳酸盐台地边缘。叶状藻礁体具有多样性，有叶状藻点礁、多层迭置叶状藻礁和大型叶状藻礁体。叶状藻礁体的建造过程是由叶状藻群落的发展和沉积环境所决定的，叶状藻具有主动建造礁体的能力，构成骨架礁灰岩。礁体建造过程大体上分为三个阶段:①生物碎屑滩的形成；②叶状藻生长及礁体建造；③造礁结束。多层迭置叶状藻礁为以上三个阶段的多次重复；大型叶状藻礁是在礁体发育过程的第二阶段由连续生长的叶状藻五次集中发育建造而成。     

青藏高原高寒草甸土壤水分运移机制

查明青藏高原高寒草甸区土壤水分运移机制,对正确理解土壤水分迁移过程、提高高寒草甸重建效率具有重要指导意义。通过开展土壤剖面负压、地温观测等原位试验,结合气象资料,对土壤剖面地温、含水率及总水头特征进行分析。结果表明,土壤的冻结期起始于10月,解冻期起始于4月;地温最高值出现在植物生长旺盛期8月,最低值出现在1月;1～3月土壤水分呈固态,6～10月土壤水分呈液态,处于稳定变化阶段,4～5月、11～12月土壤水分呈固液转化态,含水率变化幅度较大,处于过渡阶段。随着气温升高及降水量增加,6～8月水热同季有利于高寒草甸生长,属于高寒草甸主要生长阶段;春季土层由表及深土壤解冻,冻土层滞水性能保障了返青期春旱牧草生长的水分需求;深秋季节的由表及深的土壤冻结,深层土壤水分随水汽发生的表聚作用保障了牧草生长的水分需求,也是高原生态系统能够维持稳定的原因之一。     

Microencruster-microbial-cement framework of the Upper Jurassic reef developed on the slope of the intra-Tethyan carbonate platform (Bulgaria)

The carbonate succession in the Lyalintsi section of the western Moesian Platform (western Bulgaria) displays a shallowing-upward trend. Growth of the Tithonian–Valanginian coral biostromes and low-relief bioherms was preceded by Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian sedimentation of fine-grained peloidal-bioclastic limestones and Saccocoma-bearing limestones on the homoclinal ramp and the carbonate platform slope. In the late Kimmeridgian, boundstones with very rare corals, but with easily recognisable biohermal morphology, were developed. The main components of this reef are encrusting microorganisms, microbial crusts and synsedimentary cements. Microencrusters Labes atramentosa, Crescentiella morronensis, Perturbatacrusta leini and Radiomura cautica, as well as thin crusts of calcified sponges (sclerosponges), are the main biotic components. Corals (almost exclusively microsolenids) are sparse, whereas photophilic microencrusters (e.g., “Lithocodium–Bacinella”), are absent, although they are common in the overlying shallow-water part of the Lyalintsi sequence. Microbialites and synsedimentary cements provided additional support for the reef framework. The framework, especially the biotic components, and the reefal facies position within the sedimentary succession, implies that the high-energy upper slope of the carbonate platform was the depositional setting of the microencruster-microbial-cement reef studied. Encrusting microorganisms, except for C. morronensis and sponges, are only known from the intra-Tethyan platforms. This study supports conclusion of studies of coeval Alpine reefs that the presence of the microencruster-microbial-cement framework provides insight into the palaeobathymetry, palaeogeography and tectonic configuration of the intra-Tethyan carbonate platforms.     

鄂尔多斯盆地西缘奥陶纪生物礁基本特征、分布规律及成礁模式

鄂尔多斯盆地西缘奥陶纪发育有生物礁。本文通过对鄂尔多斯盆地西缘野外及钻井岩心生物礁调查及室内鉴定分析,认为在乌海桌子山地区、棋探1井地区、彭阳石节子沟等地发育了较为典型的生物礁,主要造礁生物为珊瑚、层孔虫和海绵。三处生物礁发育特征有差异,北段礁体生长发育2～3期,中段发育2期生长,南段生长发育可达4期;北端及南端生物礁造礁生物个体较大,生长的水体环境相对较浅,而中段生物礁造礁生物个体较小,生长的水体相对较深。这些典型生物礁的生长、发展和消亡呈现了不同的发育特征和时空分布规律,北段生物礁体发育层位早,中、南段发育层位晚,这种分布变化规律与华北板块在早古生代处于赤道附近发生了北漂右旋的旋转漂移规律有关。通过对不同地段生物礁基本特征分析,结合δ13C和δ18O同位素分析结果,认为盆地西缘生物礁成礁模式为中央古隆起西部陆缘海背景下的开阔台地边缘带点礁-滩体组合模式,分布较为局限,认为该地区生物礁死亡原因系海平面快速上升事件导致礁体被淹死所致,也进一步推测生物礁之上存在一次海平面快速上升事件。     

Sediment Suspension and Deposition Across Restored Oyster Reefs of Varying Orientation to Flow: Implications for Restoration

The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is a prominent ecosystem engineer, whose reefs exhibit strikingly consistent morphologies at multiple spatial scales throughout its North American range. These distinct morphologies are thought to form by interactions of nascent reef structures with hydrodynamics. We carried out two field studies to determine if historical reef configurations applied in a restoration context would improve reef persistence and restoration outcomes. We collected seabed and water column observations across constructed reefs of three orientations representative of those found historically throughout the oyster’s range: parallel or perpendicular to tidal currents or circular. Areas adjacent to reefs were sites of fine sediment trapping, with lower flow velocities, evidence of particle settling, and more fine sediments on the seabed relative to off-reef reference sites. The water column above the reef crest exhibited higher acoustic backscatter, higher flow velocities, and larger particles in suspension, consistent with local erosion of flocculated fine sediment from the reef crest. Perpendicular reefs produced conditions that were more conducive to reef persistence and improved oyster performance, including high flow velocities and enhanced resuspension of sediments from the reef, compared to parallel or circular reefs. Particle trapping in areas between reefs has the potential to inhibit reef growth between existing reef structures, providing support for hypotheses of landscape-scale reef pattern formation. Oyster reef restoration efforts can benefit from this improved understanding of biophysical interactions arising from reef orientation that contribute to sediment dynamics on constructed oyster reefs.     

长江中游地区晚二叠世生物碳酸盐岩岩隆生成机制

长江中游地区江南古陆的两侧（尤其是北侧）晚二叠世生物碳酸盐岩岩隆发育。慈利、辰溪和清水岩等地出露海-藻礁和珊瑚礁。本文论述了生物碳酸盐岩岩隆和生物礁在该地区出露的地质条件、地层层序和沉积体系、生物面貌、生物-微相等实际资料，分析了成岩作用和孔隙度的变化。通过原始沉积厚度恢复了海平面谱化和基底沉降的相对值。最后讨论了它们生成的控制条件。     

塔里木盆地良里塔格地区奥陶系生物礁的沉积特征和成礁模式*

塔里木盆地奥陶系生物礁储集层受到广泛关注。笔者优选塔里木盆地良里塔格地区奥陶系鹰山组顶部生物礁体(NYG-1)和一间房组底部生物礁体(NYG-2)为研究对象,通过详细的野外观察、实测和薄片鉴定,对生物礁的生物类型、岩性特征和沉积相单元进行分析。结果表明:塔里木盆地良里塔格地区鹰山组和一间房组的造礁生物主要由瓶筐石组成,与生物礁相关的岩性有障积礁灰岩、粘结礁灰岩、生屑粒泥灰岩、生屑泥粒灰岩、内碎屑泥粒灰岩、生屑颗粒灰岩、内碎屑颗粒灰岩和球粒颗粒灰岩。NYG-1礁体发育礁基、礁核、礁顶、礁翼和礁盖5个沉积相单元;NYG-2发育礁基、礁核与礁盖3个沉积相单元。从生物类型来看,鹰山组的礁为托盘—障积礁,为近似圆形的台内点礁,展布无明显的方向性;一间房组的礁为托盘障积—粘结礁,属台缘礁,常呈现出礁体迁移的特征。鹰山组和一间房组成礁模式的共同点是都经历了礁基的形成、礁体的发育和礁体的衰亡3个阶段,而差异主要表现在生物礁体的灭亡阶段: 对鹰山组生物礁而言,海平面的快速下降和高能水动力条件导致了瓶筐石的灭亡和内碎屑灰岩的产生;对一间房组生物礁而言,海平面的上升和浮游藻类生物大量发育造成造礁生物甁筐石的灭亡。以上研究对于建立符合塔里木盆地地区条件的礁体沉积模式和探索露头与井下生物礁对比研究有重要意义。