南海东北部陆坡天然气水合物区的滑塌和泥火山活动

本文研究了南海东北部陆坡天然气水合物区滑塌和泥火山活动的特征及表现形式,探讨了滑塌和泥火山活动对天然气水合物成藏的影响,提出了滑塌主导和滑塌、泥火山共同作用两种控制模式。根据地震数据、浅层剖面和海底地形数据解释,将研究区划分为规则滑塌区和泥火山活动影响区,并识别出泥火山、泥火山脊、凹槽、凹坑等特征地形。滑塌和泥火山活动是陆坡天然气水合物发育区重要的地形控制因素,两种活动共同作用产生复杂的地形特征。综合多条地震测线中似海底反射层(BSR)形态、连续性和滑塌、泥火山活动的关系,认为滑塌控制的区域,BSR连续,天然气水合物储藏较完整,泥火山活动区天然气水合物储藏也仅受到局部破坏。同时指出滑塌和泥火山活动对研究区长期天然气渗漏活动具有重要作用。     

Geochemistry of pore waters from the Xisha Trough, northern South China Sea and their implications for gas hydrates

This paper reports all available geochemical data on sediments and pore waters from the Xisha Trough on the northern continental margin of the South China Sea. The methane concentrations in marine sediments display a downhole increasing trend and their carbon isotopic compositions (δ ¹³C = −25 to −51‰) indicate a thermogenic origin. Pore water Cl⁻ concentrations show a range from 537 to 730 mM, and the high Cl⁻ samples also have higher concentrations of Br⁻, Na⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺, implying mixing between normal seawater and brine in the basin. The SO₄ ²⁻ concentrations of pore waters vary from 19.9 to 36.8 mM, and show a downhole decreasing trend. Calculated SMI (sulfate-methane interfaces) depths and sulfate gradients are between 21 and 47 mbsf, and between −0.7 and −1.7 mM/m, respectively, which are similar to values in gas hydrate locations worldwide and suggest a high methane flux in the basin. Overall, the geochemical data, together with geological and geophysical evidence, such as the high sedimentation rates, high organic carbon contents, thick sediment piles, salt and mud diapirs, active faulting, abundant thermogenic gases, and occurrence of huge bottom simulating reflector (BSR), are suggestive of a favorable condition for occurrence of gas hydrates in this region.     

南海北部西沙海槽北侧陆坡块体搬运沉积体系的发育特征及演化

Triple mass-transport deposits(MTDs) with areas of 625, 494 and 902 km2, respectively, have been identified on the north slope of the Xisha Trough, northern South China Sea margin. Based on high-resolution seismic reflection data and multi-beam bathymetric data, the Quaternary MTDs are characterized by typical geometric shapes and internal structures. Results of slope analysis showed that they are developed in a steep slope ranging from 5° to 35°. The head wall scarps of the MTDs arrived to 50 km in length(from headwall to termination). Their inner structures include well developed basal shear surface, growth faults, stepping lateral scarps, erosion grooves, and frontal thrust deformation. From seismic images, the central deepwater channel system of the Xisha Trough has been filled by interbedded channel-levee deposits and thick MTDs. Therefore, we inferred that the MTDs in the deepwater channel system could be dominated by far-travelled slope failure deposits even though there are local collapses of the trough walls. And then, we drew the two-dimensional process model and threedimensional structure model diagram of the MTDs. Combined with the regional geological setting and previous studies, we discussed the trigger mechanisms of the triple MTDs.     

Source and accumulation of gas hydrate in the northern margin of the South China Sea

The northern South China Sea (NSCS) experienced continuous evolution from an active continental margin in the late Mesozoic to a stable passive continental margin in the Cenozoic. It is generally believed that the basins in the NSCS evolved as a result of Paleocene–Oligocene crustal extension and associated rifting processes. This type of sedimentary environment provides a highly favourable prerequisite for formation of large-scale oil- and gas–fields as well as gas hydrate accumulation. Based on numerous collected data, combined with the tectonic and sedimentary evolution, a preliminary summary is that primitive coal-derived gas and reworked deep gas provided an ample gas source for thermogenic gas hydrate, but the gas source in the superficial layers is derived from humic genesis. In recent years, the exploration and development of the NSCS oil, gas and gas hydrate region has provided a basis for further study. A number of 2D and 3D seismic profiles, the synthetic comparison among bottom simulating reflector (BSR) coverage characteristics, the oil-gas area, the gas maturity and the favourable hydrate-related active structural zones have provided opportunities to study more closely the accumulation and distribution of gas hydrate. The BSR has a high amplitude, with high amplitude reflections below it, which is associated with gas chimneys and pockmarks. The high amplitude reflections immediately beneath the BSR are interpreted to indicate the presence of free gas and gas hydrate. The geological and geochemical data reveal that the Cenozoic northern margin of the NSCS has developed coal-derived gas which forms an abundant supply of thermogenic gas hydrate. Deep-seated faults and active tectonic structures facilitate the gas migration and release. The thermogenic gas hydrate and biogenic gas are located at different depths, have a different gas source genesis and should be separately exploited. Based on the proven gas hydrate distribution zone, we have encircled and predicted the potential hydrate zones. Finally, we propose a simple model for the gas hydrate accumulation system in the NSCS Basin.     

Depositional characteristics and accumulation model of gas hydrates in northern South China Sea

The South China Sea (SCS) shows favorable conditions for gas hydrate accumulation and exploration prospects. Bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) are widely distributed in the SCS. Using seismic and sequence stratigraphy, the spatial distribution of BSRs has been determined in three sequences deposited since the Late Miocene. The features of gas hydrate accumulations in northern SCS were systematically analyzed by an integrated analysis of gas source conditions, migration pathways, heat flow values, occurrence characteristics, and depositional conditions (including depositional facies, rates of deposition, sand content, and lithological features) as well as some depositional bodies (structural slopes, slump blocks, and sediment waves). This research shows that particular geological controls are important for the presence of BSRs in the SCS, not so much the basic thermodynamic controls such as temperature, pressure and a gas source. Based on this, a typical depositional accumulation model has been established. This model summarizes the distribution of each depositional system in the continental shelf, continental slope, and continental rise, and also shows the typical elements of gas hydrate accumulations. BSRs appear to commonly occur more in slope-break zones, deep-water gravity flows, and contourites. The gas hydrate-bearing sediments in the Shenhu drilling area mostly contain silt or clay, with a silt content of about 70%. In the continental shelf, BSRs are laterally continuous, and the key to gas hydrate formation and accumulation lies in gas transportation and migration conditions. In the continental slope, a majority of the BSRs are associated with zones of steep and rough relief with long-term alternation of uplift and subsidence. Rapid sediment unloading can provide a favorable sedimentary reservoir for gas hydrates. In the continental rise, BSRs occur in the sediments of submarine fans, turbidity currents.     

南海北部天然气水合物研究进展

天然气水合物是一种新型的储量巨大的绿色能源,是目前世界各国研究界的研究热点之一。我国以及美国、日本、印度、韩国等国家都采集到了天然气水合物的实物样品。虽然我国对天然气水合物的研究起步较晚,但近年来的研究已经取得了飞速的进步,而且也于2007年5月在南海北部陆坡的神狐海域成功采集到天然气水合物的实物样品,这是在南海海域首次获取天然气水合物实物样品,证实了南海北部蕴藏着丰富的天然气水合物资源,标志着我国天然气水合物调查研究水平又上了一个新的台阶。目前,南海北部陆坡已经作为我国天然气水合物未来开发的战略选区之一。在总结我国天然气水合物以往十几年研究工作的基础上,综述了我国天然气水合物近年来在南海北部的地质、地球物理、地球化学3个方面的研究进展,提出了未来天然气水合物勘探和研究的方向和建议。     

南海北部陆坡深水区浅层天然气藏特征

南海北部陆坡深水区的浅层天然气藏是一种伴随天然气水合物的新型油气藏, 具有埋藏浅、规模大的特点, 其埋藏深度一般小于300m。浅层天然气藏由深部裂解气沿断裂上升被天然气水合物封盖而形成, 识别似海底反射(BSR)是寻找浅层天然气藏有效方法。浅层天然气藏的气源主要有热解气、生物气和混合气, 陆坡张性断裂是气体运移的主要通道, 水合物下部的砂层是浅层天然气藏的主要储集层, 水合物层则是封盖层。从南海发现的天然气水合物分布特征看, 浅层天然气藏在陆坡深水区广泛分布且气藏厚度大, 潜在资源量非常可观, 是一种新型的开采成本相对低廉的油气藏。     

Gas hydrate saturation from acoustic impedance and resistivity logs in the Shenhu area, South China Sea

During the China’s first gas hydrate drilling expedition -1 (GMGS-1), gas hydrate was discovered in layers ranging from 10 to 25 m above the base of gas hydrate stability zone in the Shenhu area, South China Sea. Water chemistry, electrical resistivity logs, and acoustic impedance were used to estimate gas hydrate saturations. Gas hydrate saturations estimated from the chloride concentrations range from 0 to 43% of the pore space. The higher gas hydrate saturations were present in the depth from 152 to 177 m at site SH7 and from 190 to 225 m at site SH2, respectively. Gas hydrate saturations estimated from the resistivity using Archie equation have similar trends to those from chloride concentrations. To examine the variability of gas hydrate saturations away from the wells, acoustic impedances calculated from the 3 D seismic data using constrained sparse inversion method were used. Well logs acquired at site SH7 were incorporated into the inversion by establishing a relation between the water-filled porosity, calculated using gas hydrate saturations estimated from the resistivity logs, and the acoustic impedance, calculated from density and velocity logs. Gas hydrate saturations estimated from acoustic impedance of seismic data are ∼10-23% of the pore space and are comparable to those estimated from the well logs. The uncertainties in estimated gas hydrate saturations from seismic acoustic impedances were mainly from uncertainties associated with inverted acoustic impedance, the empirical relation between the water-filled porosities and acoustic impedances, and assumed background resistivity.     

南海北部陆坡的地貌形态及其控制因素

利用精细地貌图、高分辨率多道地震剖面等资料研究南海北部大陆边缘深水陆坡的地貌形态及控制因素。莺琼陆坡具有不同于其他部分的特殊性,红河物源是造成它的地貌形态的主控因素,南海北部陆坡的其他部分的地貌形态依然受控于古新世—渐新世的断陷期所形成的凹凸格局,其空间分布状况决定了陆坡地貌的形态和演变;物源类型和供给数量是陆坡地貌形态的次级因素,决定着陆坡地貌在总体框架下的局部特征,地震和海流等外动力因素则在一定程度上决定了陆坡沉积类型和微地貌形态。南海北部的这种特点与大西洋两岸的大部地区有显著区别,后者在晚侏罗—早第三纪的断陷期所形成的构造格局对陆坡地貌的影响已次于物源状况和向深水的物质分散体系。南海北部陆坡可自西而东依次划分为五段:莺琼陆坡段、神狐陆坡段、珠江海谷段陆坡、东沙陆坡段和台湾浅滩陆坡段;各陆坡段的地貌形态和走向上的差异全面反映了以上三个因素,尤其反映了断陷期构造格局分布状况的效应。     

Gas hydrate identified in sand-rich inferred sedimentary section using downhole logging and seismic data in Shenhu area,South China Sea

Downhole wireline log (DWL) data was acquired from eight drill sites during China's first gas hydrate drilling expedition (GMGS-1) in 2007. Initial analyses of the acquired well log data suggested that there were no significant gas hydrate occurrences at Site SH4. However, the re-examination of the DWL data from Site SH4 indicated that there are two intervals of high resistivity, which could be indicative of gas hydrate. One interval of high resistivity at depth of 171–175 m below seafloor (mbsf) is associated with a high compressional- wave (P-wave) velocities and low gamma ray log values, which suggests the presence of gas hydrate in a potentially sand-rich (low clay content) sedimentary section. The second high resistivity interval at depth of 175–180 mbsf is associated with low P-wave velocities and low gamma values, which suggests the presence of free gas in a potentially sand-rich (low clay content) sedimentary section. Because the occurrence of free gas is much shallower than the expected from the regional depth of the bottom simulating reflector (BSR), the free gas could be from the dissociation of gas hydrate during drilling or there may be a local anomaly in the depth to the base of the gas hydrate stability zone. In order to determine whether the low P-wave velocity with high resistivity is caused by in-situ free gas or dissociated free gas from the gas hydrate, the surface seismic data were also used in this analysis. The log analysis incorporating the surface seismic data through the construction of synthetic seismograms using various models indicated the presence of free gas directly in contact with an overlying gas hydrate-bearing section. The occurrence of the anomalous base of gas hydrate stability at Site SH4 could be caused by a local heat flow conditions. This paper documents the first observation of gas hydrate in what is believed to be a sand-rich sediment in Shenhu area of the South China Sea.     

Neogene igneous intrusions in the northern South China Sea: Evidence from high-resolution three dimensional seismic data

Igneous intrusions emplaced within the prospective intervals of sedimentary basins can exert a significant impact on petroleum systems and hence are of considerable interest particularly when risking exploration plays. A number of discordant high amplitude seismic anomalies (DSAs) with a range of geometries are documented in high resolution 3D seismic data in the northern South China Sea. Their distribution and seismic characteristics are analysed and compared with similar seismic anomalies documented within sedimentary basins in the Atlantic margins and other locations. The DSAs occur mainly within Early Miocene strata and are interpreted as igneous intrusions that were emplaced close to the palaeo-seabed and are dated as early Middle Miocene using seismic-stratigraphic methods. A number of vents are also identified above the intrusions within early Middle Miocene strata. Several geometrical forms are observed, referred to here as saucer-shaped, lensoid-shaped, stacked and composite intrusions. The seismic expression of these is increasing complex towards the palaeo-seabed, with a tendency for the saucer-shaped sills to be the deepest intrusive forms. The igneous intrusions observed in this study only could be identified using 3D seismic data and they are important for the future evaluations of petroleum systems, basin evolution and tectonic analysis in the Pearl River Mouth Basin.     

南海北部陆坡中尺度涡的演化及传播规律分析

The continental slope in the northern South China Sea(SCS) is rich in mesoscale eddies which play an important role in transport and retention of nutrients and biota. In this study, we investigate the statistical properties of eddy distributions and propagation in a period of 24 years between 1993 and 2016 by using the altimeter data. A total of 147 eddies are found in the continental slope region(CSR), including 70 cyclonic eddies(CEs) and 77 anticyclonic eddies(ACEs). For those eddies that appear in the CSR, the surrounding areas of Dongsha Islands(DS) and southwest of Taiwan(SWT) are considered as the primary sources, where eddies generated contribute more than 60% of the total. According to the spatial distribution of eddy relative vorticity, eddies are weakening as propagating westward. Although both CEs and ACEs roughly propagate along the slope isobaths, there are discrepancies between CEs and ACEs. The ACEs move slightly faster in the zonal direction, while the CEs tend to cross the isobaths with large bottom depth change. The ACEs generally move further into the basin areas after leaving the CSR while CEs remain around the CSR. The eddy propagation on the continental slope is likely to be associated with mean flow at a certain degree because the eddy trajectories have notable seasonal signals that are consistent with the seasonal cycle of geostrophic current. The results indicate that the eddy translation speed is statistically consistent with geostrophic velocity in both magnitude and direction.     

神狐海域海底峡谷群脊部细粒浊积体分布范围及意义

利用广州海洋地质调查局在南海北部神狐钻探区采集的高分辨率地震数据,结合2007年第一次水合物钻探航次(GMGS01)获取的岩心资料,从宏观地震反射结构、微观岩心粒度特征两个方面对GMGS01区块内残留在峡谷群脊部的细粒浊积体进行特征识别和刻画。研究结果显示,似海底反射(bottom simulating reflectors,BSR)之上存在着2套特征不同的沉积单元,位于下部的沉积单元1表现为薄层杂乱透镜状的地震反射特征,对应于粒度C-M图版中与C=M基线近似平行的含水合物层段的样品,被解释为峡谷群脊部的细粒浊积体。选取穿过神狐海域峡谷群中第16条海底峡谷的8条测线为研究对象,能够揭示沉积单元1(细粒浊积体)自北向南的空间变化特征,从而进行分布范围的确定。神狐海域沉积过程分析表明,峡谷群脊部的细粒浊积体是北部小型水道侵蚀下伏沉积物并发生再搬运和再沉积的结果。利用区域性覆盖的二维地震资料,本次研究确定了小型水道的北部侵蚀边界。综合GMGS01区块细粒浊积体的地震反射特征、穿过神狐海域东部第16号海底峡谷自北向南的地震反射差异、研究区北部小型水道的侵蚀边界,本次研究利用两点确定一线和相似平行的方法,在整个神狐海域初步确定了峡谷群脊部细粒浊积体的分布范围。细粒浊积体沉积边界的识别,将为从深水沉积的角度探讨神狐海域水合物不均匀性分布提供依据,同时也能进一步揭示该区域峡谷群脊部水合物的成藏机制和富集规律。     

南海北部微微型光合浮游生物的丰度及环境调控

1999年夏季首次在南海北部海域进行了微微型光合浮游生物(photosynthetic picoplankton)的观测研究,发现了聚球藻(Synechococcus,Syn)、原绿球藻(Prochlorococcus,Pro)和真核球藻(Eukaryotes,Euk)3类微微型光合浮游生物存在,并对其丰度与分布及其环境调控机制进行了研究.结果表明,研究海区Syn,Pro和Euk丰度的总平均值分别为(5.0±7.6)×104,(4.6±4.2)×104和(1.8±1.1)×103个/cm3,Syn种群丰度的高值大多出现在营养盐丰富的雷州半岛及海南岛东部海域的河口、沿岸带与陆架,北部湾次之,是陆坡和开阔海的数十分之一;其水层分布主要在跃层以上,跃层以下其值迅速降低,发现Pro存在两个不同种群:表层种群和深层种群,前者分布型式与Syn相似,后者的分布型式迥然不同,其丰度向营养盐贫瘠的外海、陆坡和开阔海显著增高;同时发现Pro水层分布的高值主要出现在真光层的底部,并往往出现在硝酸盐跃层之上,Euk在不同海域的分布差异不如Syn和Pro来得大,但仍以沿岸带与陆架为高,陆坡与开阔海较低,水层分布的高值大多出现在真光层的底部,而且它是对次表层叶绿素a极大值的主要贡献者,这些分布型式的差异,取决于环境的调控和3类生物生态生理适应的差异.研究海区Syn,Pro和Euk 3类微微型光合浮游生物对微微型光合浮游生物生态生理适应的差异.研究海区Syn,Pro和Euk3类微微型光合浮游生物对微微型光合浮游生物群落总丰度的贡献分别为50.996,47.3%和1.8%.     

Large-scale seafloor stability evaluation of the northern continental slope of South China Sea

Abstract

With the continuous expansion of energy demand, the deep-water continental slope in the northern South China Sea has become one of the significant offshore oil and gas exploration regions. The frequent occurrence of marine geological hazards in this region, especially submarine landslides, can cause serious damage to engineering facilities. However, there have been few studies on the stability of the northern continental slope of the South China Sea; these studies mainly focused on a specific submarine slope or small-range evaluation, resulting in a lack of large-scale and quantitative understanding. Hence, considering the variation in the physical and mechanical properties of marine soils with depth, formulas for calculating the safety factor of submarine slopes by an infinite sliding model are established, and the factors affecting slope stability such as soil properties, slope gradient and horizontal seismic action are systematically investigated. Using GIS techniques, the terrain slope gradients and a historical seismic database of the northern South China Sea are obtained. Combined with soil mechanical parameters, a regional stability evaluation of the northern continental slope is carried out. Furthermore, the distribution of risk zones is given. On the whole, under strong seismic action, large-scale submarine slope instability occurs and must be highly considered when assessing risk. This achievement is of great significance to engineering sites, route selection and engineering risk assessment.     

Low-amplitude BSRs and gas hydrate concentration on the northern margin of the South China Sea

The passive northern continental margin of the South China Sea is rich in gas hydrates, as inferred from the occurrence of bottom-simulating reflectors (BSR) and from well logging data at Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) drill sites. Nonetheless, BSRs on new 2D multichannel seismic reflection data from the area around the Dongsha Islands (the Dongsha Rise) are not ubiquitous. They are confined to complex diapiric structures and active fault zones located between the Dongsha Rise and the surrounding depressions, implying that gas hydrate occurrence is likewise limited to these areas. Most of the BSRs have low amplitude and are therefore not clearly recognizable. Acoustic impedance provides information on rock properties and has been used to estimate gas hydrate concentration. Gas hydrate-bearing sediments have acoustic impedance that is higher than that of the surrounding sediments devoid of hydrates. Based on well logging data, the relationship between acoustic impedance and porosity can be obtained by a linear regression, and the degree of gas hydrate saturation can be determined using Archie’s equation. By applying these methods to multichannel seismic data and well logging data from the northern South China Sea, the gas hydrate concentration is found to be 3–25% of the pore space at ODP Site 1148 depending on sub-surface depth, and is estimated to be less than values of 5% estimated along seismic profile 0101. Our results suggest that saturation of gas hydrate in the northern South China Sea is higher than that estimated from well resistivity log data in the gas hydrate stability zone, but that free gas is scarce beneath this zone. It is probably the scarcity of free gas that is responsible for the low amplitudes of the BSRs.     

南海北部深水区表层沉积物工程性质的统计特征分析

针对从中国南海北部海域某深水区采集的表层沉积物柱状样,进行了沉积物微观结构的扫描电镜测试、矿物成分的X射线衍射试验以及物理和力学性质的统计学分析。结果表明,该深水区海底表层沉积物通常为有机质软黏土,具有高含水率、低密度、高孔隙比、高液限、高可塑性、低强度等典型特征。统计分析和假设检验表明,沉积物的物理和力学指标均呈现变异性,且后者普遍高于前者。相对密度、含水率、液塑限和塑性指数服从正态分布;容重、碳酸盐含量、不排水抗剪强度、灵敏度接近假设检验结果,近似服从正态分布。研究结果可为深水海底工程结构设计的海床土性参数取值提供参考。     

2015年6月南海北部陆坡气旋-反气旋涡对陆坡水文和环流影响的观测

利用2015年6月南海北部现场观测的水文数据,结合卫星高度计资料,分析了2015年6月13日—28日南海北部陆坡在气旋涡-反气旋涡的双涡结构影响下的水文和环流特征。结果表明,2015年6月南海北部陆坡调查海区表层50 m以浅盐度存在NE—SW向低盐区,表层盐度最小值低于32,这表明南海北部陆坡存在跨陆架海水输送。在观测期间,南海北部陆坡调查海区受气旋涡和反气旋涡双涡结构影响,使得南海北部陆坡表层100 m以浅存在跨陆坡流,流速最大值出现在两涡交汇区域。此外,通过潜标连续海流资料,发现南海北部陆坡环流呈现了“深入浅出”(100 m以深层为向岸的入侵、以浅层为离岸的出流)的“两层结构”。     

南海东北部大陆坡地震反射异常体的属性分析与岩性识别*

南海北缘属于非火山型大陆边缘。过去的研究在洋陆转换带北部的地震剖面上曾观测到一些疑似岩席和火山体的高振幅异常体, 但对这些高振幅异常体的属性却缺乏进一步的研究。本文在南海东北部大陆坡上的两个多道地震剖面(SO1E和SOY)中也发现了一个长度超过15km、厚度约为1.2km的巨大高振幅异常体, 它为研究者提供了一个探究洋陆转换带北部是否存在岩浆活动的机会。本研究对该高振幅异常体进行了速度分析与AVO(amplitude variation with offset)分析。结果表明, 与周围岩层相比, 该高振幅异常体内部有较高的P波速度和泊松比。结合区域地质背景和异常体内部的反射特征及大小形状, 推测该高振幅异常体为火成侵入岩, 并将其进一步归类为岩盖, 揭示了中新世以后南海北部洋陆转换带北部曾发生过多期次的岩浆活动。