Cenozoic tectonics of Amazon Mouth Basin

The Cenozoic shelf margin of the Amazon Mouth Basin is characterized by a thick prograding prism of siliciclastic sediments. This prism, composed mainly of Upper Miocene and younger sediments, overlies a Lower Tertiary carbonate shelf. Two tectonic–sedimentary models for the area were developed with the aid of new deep-reflection seismic data. Gravitational tectonics dominate the regional geological framework. Tensional stresses are created near the shelf margin, and compressional features dominate at the base of the slope. The morphology of this compressional zone is closely associated with the St. Paul Fracture Zone and the boundary between continental and oceanic crusts.     

Gas hydrate and free gas distribution from inversion of seismic data on the South Shetland margin (Antarctica)

Travel-time inversion is applied to seismic data to produce acoustic velocity images of the upper 800 m of the South Shetland margin (Antarctic Peninsula) in three different geological domains: (i) the continental shelf; (ii) the accretionary prism; (iii) the trench. The velocity in the continental shelf sediments is remarkably higher, up to 1000 m/s at 600–700 m below seafloor, than that of the other two geological domains, due to the sediment overcompaction and erosion induced by the wax and waning of a grounded ice sheet. Pre-stack depth migration was applied to the data in order to improve the seismic image and to test the quality of the velocity fields. Where the Bottom Simulating Reflector (BSR) is present, positive and negative velocity anomalies were found with respect to a reference empirical velocity profile. The 2D-velocity section was translated in gas hydrate and free gas distribution by using a theoretical approach. The analysis revealed that the BSR is mainly related to the presence of free gas below it. The free gas is distributed in the area with variable concentration and thickness, while the gas hydrate is quite uniformly distributed across the margin.     

Continental margin off Lofoten-Vesterålen northern Norway

The continental margin off the Lofoten-Vesterålen islands between 67° and 70°N becomes progressively narrower northwards. The continental shelf west of the islands and in the Vestfjord is underlain by a relatively thin sedimentary sequence which has been subjected to block faulting, forming local basins and highs. The structural deformation had ceased in the mid-Creataceous. The Tertiary sediments are generally missing, but reappear in the Træn Basin south of about 67.5°N. The continental margin seaward of the shelf edge changes structural style from south to north. In the north, the marginal subsidence is characterized by major faults, whereas minor faults and flexuring dominate south of 69°N. A smooth acoustic basement reflector, which in places is underlain by dipping sub-basement interfaces, is typical for the area between anomaly 23 and the Vøring Plateau Escarpment. In the northern area, the acoustic basement extends almost to the shelf edge. These observations relate to the early Tertiary history of rifting and passive margin formation within a preexisting epicontinental sea between Norway and Greenland. The abrupt change from continental to oceanic basement is defined by the extension of the Vøring Plateau Escarpment south of 69.1°N and by the change in magnetic character off Vesterålen.     

Geoacoustic and physical properties of carbonate sediments of the Lower Florida Keys

 Near-surface sediment geoacoustic and physical properties were measured from a variety of unconsolidated carbonate sediments in the Lower Florida Keys. Surficial values of compressional and shear speed correlate with sediment physical properties and near-surface acoustic reflectivity. Highest speeds (shear 125–150 m s^-1; compressional 1670–1725 m s^-1) are from sandy sediments near Rebecca Shoal and lowest speeds (shear 40–65 m s^-1; compressional 1520–1570 m s^-1) are found in soft, silty sediments which collect in sediment ponds in the Southeast Channel of the Dry Tortugas. High compressional wave attenuation is attributed to scattering of acoustic waves from heterogeneity caused by accumulation of abundant shell material and other impedance discontinuities rather than high intrinsic attenuation. Compared to siliciclastic sediments, carbonate sediment shear wave speed is high for comparable values of sediment physical properties. Sediment fabric, rather than changes due to the effects of biogeochemical processes, is responsible for these differences.     

Modern sediments and sediment accumulation rates on the narrow shelf off central Vietnam,South China Sea

The narrow shelf along the coast of central Vietnam is seasonally supplied by large amounts of sediment from the adjacent mountainous hinterland following monsoonal precipitation. This study examines the fate of these sediments, and their accumulation rates along two transects across the shelf, based on analyses of radionuclides (²¹⁰Pb, ¹³⁷Cs), sediment texture and structure, as well as carbonate content. The inner shelf is covered by sands, and probably serves as bypass zone for fine sediments transported offshore. Sediment characteristics suggest that the transport to the mid and outer shelf is related to flood events. Averaged over the last century, the ²¹⁰Pb-based mud mass accumulation rates on the mid and outer shelf vary between 0.25 g cm ⁻² and 0.56 g cm ⁻² year ⁻¹ (corresponding to linear sediment accumulation rates of 0.20–0.47 cm year ⁻¹). Along with high excess ²¹⁰Pb inventories, these high accumulation rates suggest a significant sediment depocentre on the mid shelf. The ²¹⁰Pb-derived sediment accumulation rates were found to be several times higher than ¹⁴C-derived rates previously reported for the Holocene, at the same location on the outer shelf. This is probably due to the incompleteness of the Holocene record, and an overestimation of the modern rate. Another explanation would be increased erosion within the rivers’ drainage basins, due to 20th century deforestation. This hypothesis is supported by the difference between recent (less sand, more lithic grains in the sand fraction) and older sediments. In terms of modern sedimentation processes and rates, the central Vietnam shelf, although being a part of a narrow passive continental margin, is similar to active flood-dominated continental margins.     

南海北部陆缘东部中生代沉积的地震反射特征

本文介绍了中美合作在南海北部陆缘进行的双船地震（合成排列剖面）工作，讨论了新生代沉积之下的中生代沉积之地震反射特征，在今日陆架新生代沉积之下的中生代沉积之地震反射表现杂乱，低振幅和不连续特性，而在今日上陆坡新生代沉积之下的中生代沉积之地震反射呈现连续，较强振幅和可和距离对比的特征。根据地球物理特征及区域地质资料，我们指出燕山运动时间广东大陆边缘的构造格架：今日东沙群岛－彭湖列岛一带火山弧，今日陆架     

On the formation of laminated sediments on the continental margin off Pakistan: the effects of sediment provenance and sediment redistribution

The sedimentary processes and sediment sources contributing to the formation of laminated sediments along the upper slope off Pakistan are unravelled using inorganic bulk sediment geochemistry of 43 surface cores from the Pakistani continental margin and additional geochemical and Pb and Nd-isotope data for different types of layers. An important process everywhere along the margin is redeposition of fluvial-derived detritus from the shelf onto the slope. This process is of considerably higher intensity along the Makran margin than on the Indus margin. Trace element enrichment related to early diagenesis or surface productivity, which is commonly detectable in bulk sediment composition, is swamped by the high clastic supply in the Makran region, but may be observed in the Indus region.Four types of layers are found in the laminated sediment cores from the upper slope. They reflect different mechanisms of deposition and different sediment sources. An alternating pattern of olive-grey and black layers results from downslope redeposition of fluvial material over most of the year, to which organic matter from sea surface production is added during the late summer monsoon season. Distinctive white to grey coloured layers along the Makran slope originate from large scale expulsion of sediments from the Makran accretionary wedge through mud volcanoes on the shelf, subsequent erosion by waves, and downslope redeposition. These layers may dominate the sedimentary record within the Makran accretionary wedge, but are absent on the Indus margin. Occasional red coloured turbidites, which probably represent larger floods on the Indus plain, contribute to this mixture of varying sedimentary processes and sediment sources along the Pakistani continental slope.     

台湾海峡南部海底地形的新发现

我们于1975年对台湾海峡南部进行海底地形和底质调查研究时发现:1.台湾浅滩发育着水下沙丘群。2.陆架地形受现代环境的作用,正经历着冲刷、侵蚀和堆积的再改造过程。3.陆架边缘曾发生了巨大的滑坡。其原因是陆源物质供应严重缺乏,在风浪和各种流系作用下,使沉积物不断进行分异作用,再加上自1938年以来多次发生5—7级海底地震而导致滑坡,滑坡又促使沉积物向深水搬运,加速陆架地形的冲刷。     

冬、夏季东海北部悬浮体分布及海流对悬浮体输运的阻隔作用

依据1987年6月、1996年12月、1997年2月和1998年7月在东海北部所取得的悬浮体、温度和盐度资料就该区冬季和夏季的悬浮体分布、影响因素和输运进行了研究,结果表明该区悬浮体分布具有明显的季节性变化,在中、外陆架区悬浮体含量冬季明显高于夏季.悬浮体的分布及输运受到东海环流、风暴和潮流等的影响,其中东海环流的季节性变化是主要影响因素.受台湾暖流的阻隔,冬季和夏季长江入海泥沙在东海基本不能越过124°00'E以东海域.黄海沿岸流携带着老黄河口水下三角洲的再悬浮沉积物向陆架东南扩散,其搬运的量和在中、外陆架区的扩散范围冬季显著大于夏季.在黄海暖流的阻隔下,陆架悬浮体冬季和夏季在32°N断面很少能扩散至126°30'E以东海域.台湾暖流和黑潮爬升水的阻隔作用使得冬季和夏季陆架悬浮体在P-N断面也基本不能扩散至陆架边缘.冬季在东海北部可有部分陆架悬浮体输送到冲绳海槽,但有区域性,其输送的可能位置是在P-N断面以北、32°N断面以南之黄海沿岸流向东南延伸的陆架边缘;夏季陆架悬浮体基本滞留在陆架区.     

Sediment deposition in the northern basins of the North Atlantic and characteristic variations in shelf sedimentation along the East Greenland margin

New seismic data off East Greenland were acquired in the summer of 2002, between 77°N and 81°N, north of the Greenland Fracture zone. The data were combined with results from the Greenland Basin and ODP site 909, and indicate a pronounced middle Miocene unconformity within the deep sea basins between 72°N and 81°N. Seismic unit NA-1 consists of sediments older than middle Miocene age and unit NA-2 contains sediments younger than the middle Miocene. Classification of a thinly bedded succession in the Molloy Basin resulted in a subdivision into four units (unit I, unit II, unit IIIA and unit IIIB). A comparison of volume estimations and sediment thickness maps between 72°N and 81°N indicates differences in sediment accumulation in the Greenland, Boreas and Molloy basins. Important controls on the variation of accumulation included different opening times of the basins, as well as tectonic conditions and varying sources of sediment transport.Due to prominent basement structures and the varying reflection character of the sediments along the entire East Greenland margin, we defined an age model of shelf sediments on the basis of similar sediment deposit geometry and known results from other regions. The seismic sequences on the shelf up to an age of middle Miocene are divided into three sub-units along the East Greenland margin: middle Miocene–middle late Miocene (SU-3), middle late Miocene–Pleistocene (SU-2), Pleistocene (SU-1). The differences in the geometry of the sequences show more ice stream related sedimentation between 72°N and 77°N and more ice sheet related sedimentation north of 78°N. The region south of 68°N is dominated by more aggradational sedimentary strata so that a glacio-fluvial drainage seems the main transport mechanism. Due to the Greenland Inland–ice borderlines, we assume the glaciers between the Scoresby Sund and 68°N did not reach the shelf break. A first comparison of the sediment structure of the Northeast Greenland margin with the Southeast Greenland margin made it possible to demonstrate significant differences in sedimentation along this margin.     

Regional gravity and magnetic studies over the continental margin of the central west coast of India

Gravity studies over the continental margin of the central west coast of India show a sediment thickness of 2–3 km on the shelf associated with deeper horst and graben structures, of 6 km in the shelf margin basin, and about 1 km in the deep sea. The upward trend in free-air gravity anomaly toward the deep sea region is interpreted as crustal thinning. Model studies indicate a 25-km-thick crust in the shelf region and a minimum of 18 km in the more offshore region. An abrupt magnetic signature change suggests differential basement depths in the shelf region. Major faulting in the region is confirmed in water depths of approximately 100–200 m.     

Contrasting chemical and isotopic compositions of organic matter in Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuarine and East China Sea shelf sediments

To examine the source and preservation of organic matter in the shelf sediments of the East China Sea (ECS), we measured bulk C/N and isotopes, organic biomarkers (n-alkanes and fatty acids) and compound-specific (fatty acids) stable carbon isotope ratios in three sediment cores collected from two sites near the Changjiang Estuary and one in the ECS shelf. Contrasting chemical and isotopic compositions of organic matter were observed between the estuarine and shelf sediments. The concentrations of total n-alkanes and fatty acids in the shelf surface sediments (0–2 cm) were 5–10 times higher than those in estuarine surface sediments but they all decreased rapidly to comparable levels below the surface layer. The compositions of n-alkanes in the estuarine sediments were dominated by C₂₆-C₃₃ long-chain n-alkanes with a strong odd-to-even carbon number predominance. In contrast, the composition of n-alkanes in the shelf sediment was dominated by nC₁₅ to nC₂₂ compounds. Long-chain (>C₂₀) fatty acids (terrestrial biomarkers) accounted for a significantly higher fraction in the estuarine sediments compared to that in the shelf sediment, while short-chain (<C₂₀) saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were more abundant in the shelf surface sediments than in the estuarine sediments. Stable carbon isotopic ratios of individual fatty acids showed a general positive shift from estuarine to shelf sediments, consistent with the variations in bulk δ ¹³C_TOCTOC. These contrasts between the estuarine and shelf sediments indicate that terrestrial organic matter was mainly deposited within the Changjiang Estuary and inner shelf of ECS. Post-depositional diagenetic processes in the surface sediments rapidly altered the chemical compositions and control the preservation of organic matter in the region.     

Scale-dependent physical and geoacoustic property variability of shallow-water carbonate sediments from the Dry Tortugas, Florida

 Spatial variability of shallow-water carbonate sediments near Dry Tortugas, Florida, is scale-dependent. Wet bulk density, grain density, porosity, compressional wave velocity, and grain size variability generally increase down to 2.4 m vertically and 850 m laterally. Grain size is most variable, followed by porosity, wet bulk density, compressional wave velocity, and grain density bothvertically and laterally, consistent with Walther’s Law. Variability was empirically modeled by linear regression analysis to predict variability based on scale, characterize sediment property variability, and quantify sedimentisotropy.     

Geoacoustic Characterisation of Fine-grained Sediments using Single and Multiple Reflection Data

Fine-grained sediments commonly occur in areas of the continental shelf where wave and current energy are weak. Bulk density, compressional wave speed and attenuation are fundamental physical properties of these sediments required for predicting the response of the seabed for diverse branches of marine science. The traditional coring approach is time and labor-intensive, with large uncertainties associated with sediment disturbance in the sampling phase. Acoustic methods offer the advantages of remote sensing, i.e., sampling the sediment structure without mechanical disturbance and a significantly larger seabed coverage rate per unit time. Two different acoustic methods are described: one using short-range single-bounce interactions with the seabed, and the second using long-range modal propagation to infer the sediment properties. The relative strengths and sensitivities of each approach are explored through simulations guided by experience with measured data.     

Distribution and quality of sedimentary organic matter on the Aquitanian margin (Bay of Biscay)

During the ECOFER experiment (French ECOMARGE program), surficial sediments were sampled on the Aquitanian margin with box corers and analyzed to determine the quantity and quality of organic matter. Sediments from the margin are enriched in organic carbon (mean value 1.35%) in comparison to deep-sea and shelf sediments, due to a fine grain-size sedimentation. As sedimentation rates are high, the margin appears to be an organic depocenter. Some preferential organic enrichment zones were identified in the Cap-Ferret Canyon. There is a supply of continental material from the Gironde estuary, but marine contribution seems more possible than Adour or spanish rivers. No seasonal variations of organic matter were observed at the surface of sediments, suggesting mineralization processes of labile organic matter: average organic carbon consumption was evaluated to 9.0 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹. Rapid biological mineralization processes are lower than on the Mediterranean margin, mainly related to significant differences in water temperature. The great width of the canyon, its distance from the continent, and the current circulation pattern prevent any precise recording of the variable organic inputs to the sediment and favor nepheloı̈d transport, resuspension and shelf break processes, which wipe out any print of fresh material input. An organic carbon budget indicates that an equilibrium between organic inputs and organic mineralization+accumulation is not obtainable. The supply of suspended matter could have been minor during the year in question, and sedimentation rates are still imprecise.     

Ripple cross-laminated sediments on the East Antarctic Shelf: evidence for episodic bottom water production during the Holocene?

Biosiliceous sediments sampled from a submarine valley system on the continental shelf of East Antarctica contain intervals of ripple cross-lamination interspersed with massively bedded units. Based on radiocarbon dates from one core collected on the Mac.Robertson Shelf, the most intensely cross-laminated sediments were deposited between 6 and 3.5 kyr BP, with isolated cross-laminae deposited at other times in the Holocene. The cross-laminated sediments are interpreted here as a signal of episodic density currents flowing across the outer shelf, which result from the formation of high salinity shelf water (HSSW). This HSSW is formed in winter by brine rejection during sea ice formation and by the exchange and cooling of upwelled saline slope water, and it contributes to the bottom water produced along the continental margin of Antarctica. If this interpretation of the cross-laminae is correct, then bottom water formation and export from the East Antarctic shelf has exhibited temporal, and probably also spatial, variability throughout the Holocene. Such variability would have implications for oceanographers attempting to quantify Antarctic bottom water production rates based only on present day observations.     

Surficial sediments of the wave-dominated Orange River Delta and the adjacent continental margin off south-western Africa

The textural and compositional characteristics of the surficial shelf sediments north and south of the Orange River Delta are reviewed and compared. Sediments are fractionated and dispersed both north- and southwards of the Orange River mouth by wave action, longshore drift and subsurface currents. The mean grain size decreases both offshore and southwards in response to decreased wave influence at the seabed and the competence of the weak poleward undercurrent respectively. The increasing dominance of marine biogenic components in sediments south of the prodelta indicates a greater marine influence, modifying previous inferences that the Namaqualand mudbelt is primarily derived from the southward transport of Orange River sediments. A sharp distinction can be drawn between sediments of the Orange Shelf to the south and the Walvis Shelf to the north. Foraminiferarich deposits that dominate the Orange middle shelf and slope indicate that upwelling is an inner-shelf phenomenon. On the Walvis Shelf, foraminiferal sediments are confined to the slope and outer shelf. Fish debris is more common in Walvis Shelf sediments. Although phosphorite and glauconite sands often occur together in the same deposits on the Orange Shelf, the two minerals are concentrated in separate deposits on the Walvis Shelf.     

Active tectonic morphology and submarine deformation of the northern Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba from analyses of multibeam data

A high-resolution marine geophysical study was conducted during October-November 2006 in the northern Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat, providing the first multibeam imaging of the seafloor across the entire gulf head spanning both Israeli and Jordanian territorial waters. Analyses of the seafloor morphology show that the gulf head can be subdivided into the Eilat and Aqaba subbasins separated by the north-south-trending Ayla high. The Aqaba submarine basin appears starved of sediment supply, apparently causing erosion and a landward retreat of the shelf edge. Along the eastern border of this subbasin, the shelf is largely absent and its margin is influenced by the Aqaba Fault zone that forms a steep slope partially covered by sedimentary fan deltas from the adjacent ephemeral drainages. The Eilat subbasin, west of the Ayla high, receives a large amount of sediment derived from the extensive drainage basins of the Arava Valley (Wadi ’Arabah) and Yutim River to the north–northeast. These sediments and those entering from canyons on the south-western border of this subbasin are transported to the deep basin by turbidity currents and gravity slides, forming the Arava submarine fan. Large detached blocks and collapsed walls of submarine canyons and the western gulf margin indicate that mass wasting may be triggered by seismic activity. Seafloor lineaments defined by slope gradient analyses suggest that the Eilat Canyon and the boundaries of the Ayla high align along north- to northwest-striking fault systems—the Evrona Fault zone to the west and the Ayla Fault zone to the east. The shelf–slope break that lies along the 100 m isobath in the Eilat subbasin, and shallower (70–80 m isobaths) in the Aqaba subbasin, is offset by approx. 150 m along the eastern edge of the Ayla high. This offset might be the result of horizontal and vertical movements along what we call the Ayla Fault on the east side of the structure. Remnants of two marine terraces at 100 m and approx. 150 m water depths line the southwest margin of the gulf. These terraces are truncated by faulting along their northern end. Fossil coral reefs, which have a similar morphological appearance to the present-day, basin margin reefs, crop out along these deeper submarine terraces and along the shelf–slope break. One fossil reef is exposed on the shelf across the Ayla high at about 60–63 m water depth but is either covered or eroded in the adjacent subbasins. The offshore extension of the Evrona Fault offsets a fossil reef along the shelf and extends south of the canyon to linear fractures on the deep basin floor.     

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     

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.