Settling velocity of sediments at high concentrations

New data on the settling velocity of artificial sediments and natural sands at high concentrations are presented. The data are compared with a widely used semiempirical Richardson and Zaki equation (Trans. Inst. Chem. Eng. 32 (1954) 35), which gives an accurate measure of the reduction in velocity as a function of concentration and an experimentally determined empirical power n. Here, a simple method of determining n is presented using standard equations for the clear water settling velocity and the seepage flow within fixed sediment beds. The resulting values for n are compared against values derived from new and existing laboratory data for beach and filter sands. For sands, the appropriate values of n are found to differ significantly from those suggested by Richardson and Zaki for spheres, and are typically larger, corresponding to a greater reduction in settling velocity at high concentrations. For fine and medium sands at concentrations of order 0.4, the hindered settling velocity reduces to about 70% of that expected using values of n derived for spheres. At concentrations of order 0.15, the hindered settling velocity reduces to less than half of the settling velocity in clear water. These reduced settling velocities have important implications for sediment transport modelling close to, and within, sheet flow layers and in the swash zone.     

生物扰动下海底沉积物-水界面溶解氧二维观测方法

沉积物-水界面(SWI)是生物地球化学循环的主要界面,界面上溶解氧(DO)的分布实时测量对于了解生物扰动的复杂作用和生物地球化学循环过程有着重要意义。为了探索生物扰动作用对SWI微尺度溶解氧二维分布的影响作用,本文以八乙基卟啉铂为荧光指示剂,掺杂香豆素(Macrolex Yellow10GN)作为荧光素能量供体,以聚苯乙烯为基质制作了光学平面传感膜。以发光二极管(LED)为激励光源,结合彩色相机,构建了基于比率法的二维溶解氧观测系统,系统能够以0.36 mm的空间分辨率对SWI的溶解氧分布连续观测,实验室内的模拟实验结果表明,底栖沙蚕掘穴扰动可使局部沉积物溶解氧质量比提高3~4?g/g。该研究填补了国内基于比率法的平面光学溶解氧传感器研究领域的空白。     

Late Pleistocene-Holocene sediments on the Spanish continental shelves: Model for very high resolution sequence stratigraphy

Sequence stratigraphy analysis of high resolution seismic profiles (Geopulse, Uniboom and 3.5 kHz) of late Pleistocene-Holocene sediments has been carried out on five sectors of the Spanish continental margin. Four types of depositional settings are distinguished in these sectors: (1) low subsident ramps (Alborán Margin-Cádiz Gulf); (2) high subsident (2m/kyr) ramps (Alicante-Valencia); (3) “Ria”-type morphology on the Atlantic passive margin (Ria de Muros); and (4) fault-scarp morphology systems with subsidence (Balearic Margin). A Type 1 sequence is interpreted in all these sectors, being composed of lowstand systems tract, transgressive systems tract and highstand systems tract. This conforms to the basic concepts of sequence stratigraphy and each systems tract correlates with a particular part of the last eustatic hemicycle. Characteristic shelf features such as terraces, terraces with beach deposits and progradational sediment wedges evidence a complex stacking of lesser sub-sequences in all the systems tracts, which must be related to very-short period sea-level stillstands and fall. We propose a very high resolution sequence stratigraphy model in which the last sea-level hemicycle is punctuated by: “P” cycles (4500 years), which give rise to the neo-glacial events; “h” cycles (2200-950 years), and “c” cycles (500-50 years). These cycles interact with each other, thus establishing the placing of the high and low sea levels.

This attention to detail: (1) explains sedimentary evolution on both the shelf and upper slope during late Pleistocene-Holocene time; (2) illustrates some departures from the classical sequence stratigraphy model; and (3) also demonstrates that the late Pleistocene-Holocene eustatic curve is not one simple transgression but is modulated by three differing-period cycle groups below the Milankovitch band. Our model is delimited by fluctuating sea level during Pleistocene-Holocene times. Such features should be identifiable on any continental margin. However, localized features occur due to subsidence and continental shelf morphology which determ ine the location and depth of sedimentary bodies generated in each eustatic cycle.     

Geotechnical properties of dredged marine sediments treated at high water/cement ratio

Cement and lime are widely employed in soil and sediment treatment for an improvement of geotechnical properties, such as an increase in mechanical strength which enables beneficial use in various geotechnical applications. In this study, fine organic-rich dredged harbour sediments of 120% relative water content were treated with dry cement at contents varying between 2% and 10% of bulk sediment wet weight. Tests based on assessments of one-dimensional compression and Atterberg limits were performed on untreated and cement-treated sediments for various curing periods, as well as grain-size, SEM and X-ray diffraction analyses. The results confirm that increasing the cement content improves the geotechnical properties of these harbour sediments. Already in the early phase of curing (first 3 days of curing), particle size increases while sediment plasticity decreases. Changes in the compressibility behaviour include an increase in apparent preconsolidation pressure, in the compression index C _c and in the primary consolidation coefficient C _v, and a decrease in the secondary compression index . This means that the new materials are characterized by a behaviour intermediate between that of fine and that of coarser soils.     

Permeability heterogeneity in bioturbated sediments and implications for waterflooding of tight-oil reservoirs,Cardium Formation,Pembina Field,Alberta, Canada

Bioturbated sediments recording distal expressions of paralic depositional environments are increasingly being exploited for hydrocarbons in the super-giant Pembina Field (Cardium Formation), Alberta, Canada. These strata were previously considered unproductive due to limited vertical and horizontal connectivity between permeable beds. In these “tight oil” plays (0.1–10 mD), pressure decay profile permeametry (micropermeability) data indicate that sand-filled burrows provide vertical permeable pathways between bioturbated and parallel-laminated sandstone beds in the central, northeast and northwest parts of the field. This relationship enables the economic exploitation of hydrocarbons via horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing. As the exploitation of bioturbated strata progresses in the Pembina Field, additional primary targets are being sought out, and horizontal waterflooding is being considered in areas where horizontal wells exist. Proximal to historical produced conventional targets, reservoir analyses indicate that areas where the bioturbated facies average permeability lies between 0.35 mD and 0.85 mD and sandstone isopach thicknesses are between 0.25 m and 2.5 m should be targeted in east-central Pembina.Micropermeability values enable correlation of bulk permeability from plugs and full-diameter samples to the heterogeneous permeability distributions in intensely bioturbated strata. Bulk and micropermeability data are graphically compared, and permeability distributions are mapped across the field. Using isopach thickness of bioturbated facies, production data, and permeability data, “sweet spots” are identified for placement of effective waterfloods.Production information for recently drilled horizontal wells in the Pembina Field demonstrate that bioturbated muddy sandstones and sandy mudstones in paralic environments can be economically exploited when sand-filled burrows provide connectivity between sand beds. However, well performance within these poorly understood unconventional tight oil plays can better be predicted with an in-depth characterization of their facies and complex permeability heterogeneities. Based on our results, it is clear that micropermeability analysis can be effectively employed to differentiate between economic and sub-economic plays, identify areas with high effective permeability, and high-grade areas for enhanced oil recovery schemes.     

平湖油藏特高含水阶段提高采收率措施研究

平湖油气田花港组油藏经过13年的开发,采出程度41％,油田综合含水96％,处于特高含水阶段。针对平湖油藏在高采出程度、特高含水条件下,剩余油分布复杂且无后备资源接替的情况,结合该油田的实际,提出了以精细分析隔夹层类型及地层对比,建立地质模型,进行数值模拟研究,研究剩余油分布;进行了层系重组、油田卡堵水、老井复查、开发油水同层及含油水层、关井压锥、轮流开采等方法,提高采收率,减缓油田产量递减。通过这些方法的选择运用,在油田生产上取得了较好的效果,为特高含水阶段油田开发措施选择具有一定的参考意义。     

Simulation of backscattering of high frequency sound from complexobjects and sand sea-bottom

This paper describes the simulation of backscattering of high frequency sound from complex objects and sand sea-bottom. Backscattering data from complex objects and seabottom were generated using a Universal High Resolution Imaging Sonar Simulation Toolkit (UHRISST) developed by the authors. Our approach here involves the approximation of objects and the sea-bottom through a series of facets that are small compared to the wavelength. The Target Strength of standard objects like the sphere, cylinder, and cone predicted by our model have been compared with various high frequency approximation formulations and produced a good fit. For the prediction of the backscattering strength from the sea-bottom, we have taken into account most of the small-scale features that represent the sand grain properties, intermediate features that represent seabottom roughness and large features that block propagation. Sea-bottom backscattering predictions made using this model were compared with high frequency scattering strength values measured off Panama City, FL, USA, and produced a moderate fit. Nonparametric statistical analysis was carried out on the bottom backscattering signals from a flat isotropic sea-bottom. The probability distribution function and probability of false alarm function of the bottom backscattering data was measured and found to largely follow the normal distribution     

极低频海洋噪声与风的相关性研究

风通过影响海洋表面从而产生200 Hz以上的深海环境噪声,但有研究指出,通过风生表面波之间的非线性相互作用产生的驻波,能够与海床共振构成海底微震,从而产生10 Hz以下的噪声。针对这一新型风生噪声机制,本研究对威克岛海域10 Hz以下的极低频噪声进行了分析。比较了不同频率下海洋环境噪声功率谱级与风速的相关性,并讨论了风速和风向对设立在威克岛南北部二组水听器三联体信号的影响,结果表明2 Hz处的海洋环境噪声级与风速相关性最好,而风速和风向变化越剧烈海洋环境极低频噪声与风速风向的相关性越好。     

基于高频地波雷达的多时间尺度海流研究

近海海流受多种动力过程及岸线岛屿的作用呈现空间和时间尺度上的复杂变化,而地波雷达由于其探测面积广、时间分辨率高的特点成为研究这些变化的有效手段。本文利用舟山海域多年高频地波雷达资料,通过潮流调和分析、低通滤波和相关性分析对该海域海流潮周期、极端事件、季节、年际尺度的动力过程进行了解译。研究表明,舟山海域属于正规半日潮,潮流运动形式以顺时针旋转流为主,流速大小在空间上为东北方向较大,往西南方向逐渐减小,并在近岸处得到增强。余流的年际变化并不显著,但存在着明显的季节变化,例如冬季为南向流,流速减小,空间分布上近岸较外海大,而夏季与之反向,为北向流,流速较大,空间分布较为均匀。进一步分析了风与余流之间的相关性,在大风期间,风与余流的速度相关系数在0.48～0.90之间,方向相关系数在0.55～0.68之间。极端事件发生时,速度、方向的相关系数分别高达0.92与0.91。总体而言,通过分析高频地波雷达数据能够较好地反映舟山海域海流的时空特征,为海洋灾害监测和污染物、藻华的输运研究提供依据。     

The high frequency spectrum of wind-generated waves

The high frequency part (10 Hz50 Hz) of the one-dimensional wave spectrum was measured in a wind-wave channel under accurately controlled conditions. The results are compared with the spectral forms for the capillary range that have been proposed recently byPierson andStacy (1973) andToba (1973). In a general sense, fairly good agreement is found between the present results and those ofPierson andStacy (1973) and ofToba (1973). The spectrum in the capillary range is clearly wind speed dependent, and the spectral density in that range increases with increasing wind speed.However, closer examination shows systematic deviations of the present results from those previously proposed, particularly for high speed winds.     

High and very high resolution deep-towed seismic system: Performance and examples from deep water Geohazard studies

We present the technological development and initial results from the deep-towed seismic acquisition device SYstème SIsmique Fond de mer (SYSIF) recently built by Ifremer. The two configurations of the SYSIF are presented (high resolution (HR): 250–1000 Hz and very high resolution (VHR): 650–2000 Hz), and results are compared to conventional seismic acquisition systems such as multi-channel HR or single-channel VHR (hull-mounted sub-bottom profiler). The ability of SYSIF to achieve higher resolution imagery is due to both the technology employed (low-frequency Janus–Helmoltz piezoelectric transducer) and the deep-towed operating mode (reduction in the Fresnel zone). Sea trials have been conducted in various geological environments and in water depths as deep as 2500 m. The new technique improved imaging of deep seafloor and sub-surface features such as pockmarks, carbonate mounds, sub-marine slides and sub-surface faulting. SYSIF, therefore, is a well-suited tool to investigate deep water geological features, especially those related to geohazard for scientific and industrial purposes.     

Comparison of Kalman and least squares filters for locatingautonomous very low frequency acoustic sensors

The Marine Physical Laboratory has designed, fabricated, and taken to sea self-contained, freely drifting acoustic sensors which can measure signal propagation and ambient ocean noise in the 1-20-Hz band for up to 25-hour periods. The deployment of several freely drifting floats forms an array of sensors whose outputs can be combined after the experiment with a beamformer. A Kalman filter and a least-squares estimator have been developed to estimate float positions from travel-time measurements. Computer simulation is used to compare filter performance-under several deployment scenarios. Results show that the Kalman filter performs better than the least-squares filter when the floats are subjected to small-magnitude accelerations between measurements. Neither filter was sensitive to relatively major changes in deployment geometry as long as the sound-speed profile is known exactly     

全球海洋高频波动主振荡周期的纬向带状分布特征

基于1992年10月至2000年12月的TOPEX/Poseidon和ERS-1/2卫星高度计资料,分析了周期短于150d的高频波动及其能量的空间分布特征.在功率谱密度计算基础上,分析特定频段所含能量占周期短于150d的高濒波动总能量的百分比,发现该频段最强振荡(下文称主振荡)所对应的周期从近赤道的1个月逐步增加至南北纬30°附近的4个月,进一步分析表明主振荡周期的这种变化是连续的,与西向行星Rossby波的相速随纬度增加而变慢相对应.主振荡所对应的周期在全球海洋中呈显著的带状分布.进而表明在14°N(S)附近60d周期的振荡除通常所认为的由于潮汐混淆所造成的虚假信号之外,主要是行星Rossby波形态的真实信号.     

Zonal distribution features of high frequency planetary waves in the oceans derived from satellite altimeter data

1IntroductionTheavailabilityofnearly9aofhighqual-itysealevelanomaly(SLA)datafromsatellitealtimetersmakesitnowpossibletoestimatethedominantsignalsofvariabilityintheglobalo-ceanmoreaccuratelythanwaspreviouslypos-sible.Moreover,mergingtheT/PandERS-1and2altimeterdatathroughanadvancedglobalobjectiveanalysiscangreatlyimproveoura-bilitytoaccuratelyestimateoceanicvariabili-tycomparedwithusingasinglealtimeter(BoulagerandMenkes,1995).ThealtimeterdatarevealthedominantroleofplanetaryRoss-bywavesinocea…     

Chemical composition of sediments from the subducting Cocos Ridge segment at the Southern Central American subduction zone

Subducted sediments play an important role in the magmatism at subduction zones and the formation of mantle heterogeneity, making them an important tracer for shallow crustal processes and deep mantle processes.Therefore, ascertaining the chemical compositions of different subduction end-members is a prerequisite for using subducted sediments to trace key geological processes. We reports here the comprehensive major and trace element analyses of 52 samples from two holes（U1414 A and U1381 C） dri...     

泥河湾盆地吉家庄遗址地层易溶盐沉积记录的古气候信息

泥河湾盆地发育晚新生代河湖相沉积并记录了华北更新世人类活动历史。近年来的发现表明,作为盆地重要组成部分,蔚县盆地是解读中更新世古人类行为演化与环境适应的关键区域。吉家庄遗址地处蔚县盆地东部吉家庄-黄梅台地古人类活动集中区,是近年来新发现和发掘的中更新世古人类活动遗址之一。对遗址湖滨相沉积物易溶盐的测试和分析表明,此剖面代表的泥河湾古湖易溶盐为HCO3－-SO42－-Na＋型,pH值平均为8.93,偏碱性;剖面平均含盐量为0.67‰,属于半咸水湖,指示半干旱区湖泊演化由碳酸盐湖向硫化物湖过渡阶段。SO42－、Cl－、Na＋、Ca2＋和Mg2＋等5类离子的变化曲线与剖面沉积物易溶盐总含量变化大体一致。依据易溶盐主要离子比值和碳酸盐碳、氧稳定同位素含量,并结合沉积物特点将湖泊气候演化划分为4个阶段,记录了气候由相对冷湿→凉干→相对温暖湿润的变化过程,古人类在该遗址活动时期对应于湖泊演化的第2阶段早期,处在古湖水位降低且气候向干凉转变的湖滨环境。该项研究对探讨泥河湾古湖的演化以及蔚县盆地吉家庄遗址利用者的生存行为与气候关系具有重要意义。     

Hydrocarbon pollution from marinas in estuarine sediments

A measure of the impact of marinas on three Eastern Virginia estuarine creeks was obtained by a study of hydrocarbons in their sediments. Two of the creeks support considerable marine activity, including pleasure boat marinas, boat repair facilities, and commercial fishing operations. The third creek, which served as a control, is seldom used by boats, and is surrounded by marsh and woodland.Sediments from the creeks with marinas contained significantly higher levels of both aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons than did the control. Differences in the concentrations of certain oil-pollution indicators, such as the 17α,21β-hopane homologs and phytane, and low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbons, are indicative of light petroleum fractions. Most of the aromatic hydrocarbons from all creeks, however, appear to have a pyrogenic origin.Although hydrocarbons from three probable origins (petroleum, pyrogenesis, and recent biosynthesis) were detected in all locations, the petroleum-derived and pyrogenic hydrocarbons were of only minor importance relative to the biogenic hydrocarbons in the control creek.     

An ichnological-assemblage approach to reservoir heterogeneity assessment in bioturbated strata: Insights from the Lower Cretaceous Viking Formation,Alberta, Canada

Facies-scale trends in porosity and permeability are commonly mapped for reservoir models and flow simulation; however, these trends are too broad to capture bed and bed-set heterogeneity, and there is a need to up-scale detailed, bed-scale observations, especially in low-permeability reservoir intervals. Here we utilize sedimentology and ichnology at the bed- and bedset-scale to constrain the range of porosity and permeability that can be expected within facies of the Lower Cretaceous Viking Formation of south-central, Alberta, Canada.Three main facies were recognized, representing deposition from the middle shoreface to the upper offshore. Amalgamated, hummocky cross-stratified sandstone facies (Facies S_HCS) consist of alternations between intensely bioturbated beds and sparsely bioturbated/laminated beds. Trace fossil assemblages in bioturbated beds of Facies S_HCS are attributable to the archetypal Skolithos Ichnofacies, and are morphologically characterized by vertical, sand-filled shafts (VSS). Bioturbated beds show poor reservoir properties (max: 10% porosity, mean: 85.1 mD) compared to laminated beds (max 20% porosity, mean: 186 mD). Bioturbated muddy sandstone facies (Facies S_B) represent trace fossil assemblages primarily attributable to the proximal expression of the Cruziana Ichnofacies. Four ichnological assemblages occur in varying proportions, namely sediment-churning assemblages (SC), horizontal sand-filled tube assemblages (HSF), VSS assemblages, and mud-filled, lined, or with spreiten (MLS) assemblages. Ichnological assemblages containing horizontal (max: 30% porosity, mean: 1.28 mD) or vertical sand-filled burrows (max: 10% porosity, mean: 2.2 mD) generally have better reservoir properties than laminated beds (max: 20% porosity, mean: 0.98 mD). Conversely, ichnological assemblages that consist of muddy trace fossils have lower porosity and permeability (max 10% porosity, mean: 0.89 mD). Highly bioturbated, sediment churned fabrics have only slightly higher porosity and permeability overall (max: 15% porosity, mean: 1.29 mD). Bioturbated sandy mudstone facies (Facies M_B) contain ichnofossils representing an archetypal expression of the Cruziana Ichnofacies. Four ichnological assemblages occur throughout Facies M_B that are similar to Facies S_B; SC, HSF, VSS, and MLS assemblages. The SC (max: 15% porosity, mean: 21.67 mD), HSF (max: 20% porosity, mean: 3.79 mD), and VSS (max: 25% porosity, mean: 7.35 mD) ichnological assemblages have similar or slightly lower values than the laminated beds (max: 20% porosity, mean: 10.7 mD). However, MLS assemblages have substantially lower reservoir quality (max: 10% porosity, mean: 0.66 mD).Our results indicate that the most likely occurrence of good reservoir characteristics in bioturbated strata exists in sand-filled ichnological assemblages. This is especially true within the muddy upper offshore to lower shoreface, where vertically-oriented trace fossils can interconnect otherwise hydraulically isolated laminated sandstone beds; this improves vertical fluid transmission. The results of this work largely corroborate previous findings about ichnological impacts on reservoir properties. Unlike previous studies, however, we demonstrate that the characteristics of the ichnological assemblage, such as burrow form and the nature of burrow fill, also play an important role in determining reservoir characteristics. It follows that not all bioturbated intervals (attributed to the same facies) should be treated equally. When upscaling bed-scale observations to the reservoir, a range of possible permeability-porosity values can be tested for model sensitivity and to help determine an appropriate representative elementary volume.     

Emanation of radon-222 from marine sediments

The behavior of radon in the sea-floor region provides a useful test of theories which describe mass transport in sediments. We have made measurements of Rn-222 and Ra-226 in near-bottom waters and near-surface sediments at the same location. The distribution of radon in sediments can be described by a simplified diagenetic equation when advection, adsorption, and bioturbation are ignored. Sediment measurements show a radon deficit relative to radium emanation. A reasonable balance is found between integrated radon deficit in sediment and radon surplus in the overlying water.In most cores radium increased with depth in the top 10 cm of sediment. This implies that bioturbation and other mixing processes do not homogenize the radium concentration in the zone of diffusive radon loss, and that radium is diffusing out of the sediments.Radon leakage is less than that predicted by previous authors. Radon leakage depends upon the physical distribution of radium in marine sediments. We present a model that predicts leakage of 30–40% for normal deep-sea sediments, in agreement with measured values.Radon surplus in near-bottom waters depends upon the radium distribution, radon leakage, and effective diffusion coefficients. These in turn depend on the properties of the sediment, such as composition, accumulation rate, and porosity. As we learn how these factors interact we may be able to infer sedimentary features from measurements of radon in overlying waters.