Last glacial emplacement of methane-derived authigenic carbonates in the Sea of Japan constrained by diatom assemblage,carbon-14, and carbonate content

We studied diatom assemblages and CaCO₃ contents of methane-derived authigenic carbonates from the eastern margin of the Sea of Japan and assessed the formation time of these samples. Radioactive ¹⁴C date was determined in selected samples to obtain the maximum age of the time. The results of our study suggest mass formation of carbonate nodules in a glacial period within ∼40 ky, consistent with a published U/Th dating result of carbonate nodules in the study area. Diatom assemblages and contents in the carbonate nodules (abundance of ∼10⁶/g, dominance of neritic-littoral species, warm/cold water species ratio lower than ∼25) differ from the near-seafloor sediments in the study area, which have characteristics of Holocene sediments in the Sea of Japan, and suggest cementation of glacial sediments. Laminated sediments in some nodule samples are glacial sediments because laminations are records of a low sea level period in the semi-enclosed ocean. Similarity of diatom assemblages and contents in all carbonate samples is another evidence of glacial sediments in nodules. Glacial sediments with oceanic cold water species as low as Holocene sediments restricts the sediment age to before 20 cal. ky BP. Carbonate contents higher than 78 wt% suggest the cementation of poorly compacted sediments near the seafloor, and the date of carbonate cementation is, therefore, close to that of the cemented sediments. Most carbonate nodule samples in this study were formed in a glacial period and detection of ¹⁴C restricts this period to within ∼40 ky.     

南海北部陆坡九龙甲烷礁冷泉碳酸盐岩沉积岩石学特征

本文对南海北部陆坡九龙甲烷礁采集的两个冷泉碳酸盐岩样品TVG-1和TVG-11进行了矿物学、岩石学和碳氧同位素分析研究。X射线衍射分析（XRD）结果表明,自生矿物主要为文石、白云石和高镁方解石等,碎屑矿物含量较少。TVG-11中存在大量的文石,而TVG-1只保留了已转化为方解石的文石假象,据此可以推断TVG-1的形成要早于TVG-11。扫描电镜（SEM）显微结构特征显示,自生矿物主要是通过细菌的厌氧氧化作用,直接从冷泉中沉淀出来的。碳、氧同位素测试结果显示,碳酸盐岩具有强δ^13C亏损和一定程度的δ^18O富集的特征,TVG-1和TVG-11的δ^13C值分别为-46．22％。和-52．88％,均低于-40%,表明碳源于微生物作用的甲烷厌氧氧化,是指示该海域存在冷泉的重要证据;TVG-1和TVG-11的δ^18O值分别为3．19‰和4．07‰,存在一定程度的δ^18O富集。碳氧同位素和矿物的显微结构特征都说明九龙甲烷礁碳酸盐岩是烃类渗漏微生物作用而形成的自生碳酸盐岩,可能是天然气水合物分解引起的沉积,显示该区存在水合物的可能性很大。     

A large flux of particulate matter in the deep Japan Trench observed just after the 1994 Sanriku-Oki earthquake

Three time-series sediment traps were deployed in the Japan Trench at 40°26′N, 144°28′E, from October 1994 to May 1995. The depths were approximately 1, 4.2 and 6.8 km and the water depth was 7150 m. There were large mass fluxes in spring at 1 and 4.2 km depths, whereas increased fluxes appeared from 27 December 1994 to 29 January 1995, at 4.2 and 6.8 km depths. The 1994 Sanriku-Oki earthquake (M_w=7.7) occurred on 28 December 1994, at 40°27′N, 143°43′E, adjacent to the study site. Distinct increases in non-biogenic material were observed at both 4.2 and 6.8 km just after the earthquake; the material seems to have originated from the surface sediments, though differing Mn/Al of particulate materials at the two depths imply a difference in their source areas. Analysis indicates that the main part of the increased particulate fluxes at 6.8 km depth derived from the sediment on the eastern slope of the Japan Trench.     

雅浦–马里亚纳海沟连接处地貌特征研究

雅浦海沟是西太平洋“沟–弧–盆”体系的重要组成部分。在雅浦海沟北部,雅浦海沟与马里亚纳海沟呈典型的垂直相交。本文对该海域的地貌进行了详细的研究。结果表明,两条海沟连接处附近,海沟的水深、形态、剖面等都发生明显变化,且具有分段性,两侧斜坡上拥有隆起、凹陷、断裂等地貌,这些特征与海沟连接处特殊的俯冲位置具有密切的联系;通过地貌特征和板块扩张速度判断,20 Ma前帕里西维拉海盆扩张中心应位于137°35′34″E附近,雅浦海沟很可能是由帕里西维拉海盆暴露出来的扩张中心转变而成。     

Annual variation of methane in seawater in Funka bay,Japan

The concentration of methane in seawater was determined approximately once a month for one year from August 1990 to July 1991 at a station close to the center of Funka bay (92 m depth) and some supplementary observations were also carried out. The concentration of methane was usually increased with increasing depth, suggesting that methane was emitted from the bottom of the bay. While highly variable both spatially and temporally, the emission was intense in March and April, a period immediately after the spring bloom of phytoplankton. The maximum of methane found in the intermediate water suggests its source from the slope of the bay. The concentration of methane in the surface water changed seasonally and also interannually. The annually averaged flux of methane transferred to the atmosphere in the bay was estimated to be 6×10^–3 gCH₄m²/day. The coastal zone in the world may be a significant source of the atmospheric methane, although its source strength has yet to be accurately estimated from more data in different coastal seas.     

Extensive methane-derived authigenic carbonates in the Irish Sea

Extensive areas of methane-derived authigenic carbonate (MDAC) have been mapped in the Irish Sea. In the Irish Sector, 23 seabed mounds associated with the Codling Fault Zone were identified by multi-beam echo sounder mapping. Inspection by ROV-mounted video showed that these mounds are rocky features rising 5–10 m above the normal seabed; sampling showed that they are comprised of quartz grains bound together by carbonate cement, probably MDAC. Two separate locations have been mapped in the UK Sector. At Texel 11, seabed mounds and a 6–8 m high cliff were mapped geophysically (MBES, SSS and seismic profiler surveys). Video surveys showed that both the mounds and the cliff are rocky reefs colonised by a prolific fauna. Samples proved to be carbonate-cemented sediments, and carbon isotope analysis (δ¹³C −41 to −46% PDB) showed that the cement was MDAC. Similar surveys of the Holden’s Reefs area proved the presence of similar rocky reefs which are also cemented by MDAC. The total area covered by these two MDAC occurrences is estimated to be >500,000 m². These MDAC occurrences are comparable in nature and formation to the ‘bubbling reefs’ of the Kattegat. As the bubbling reefs are “seabed features formed by leaking gas”, one of the marine habitats identified by the European Commission’s Habitats Directive as being sensitive and worthy of protection, it is suggested that the Irish Sea carbonate reefs should also be considered as special habitats.     

南海北部大陆坡冷泉碳酸盐结核的发现:天然气水合物新证据

南海北部大陆坡是我国天然气水合物调查和研究的重点海域,目前已发现了多处水合物存在的地球物理、地球化学、海底地貌特征等证据。冷泉碳酸盐的析出是天然气水合物冷泉存在的重要明显标志之一,已成为南海北部继地球物理BSR标志后发现的与水合物存在相关的另一重要证据。中国科     

Element composition of ferromanganese concretions in the Black Sea

The ferromanganese concretions spread at the bottom of the shallow northwestern part of the Black Sea are mainly represented by Fe and Mn hydrate nodules on shells and substituted worm tubes. The element composition of these formations was found by the methods of chemical, atomic-absorbtion, neutron activation, and plasmic (ICP-MS) analyses. It is established that the content and the ratio of Fe and Mn in the concretions ranges within considerable limits, which controls the occurrence of several associated iron-free metals and microelements, some which have not been previously studied in the Black Sea concretions.     

Phase stability and kinetics of methane hydrate formation in presence of calcium and magnesium carbonate

The huge amount of methane hydrate deposits identified in deep marine sediments is considered as the new resource for future energy. Since carbonates are one of the major components of marine sediments, in the present study, an investigation has been made to study methane hydrate stability and kinetics in the presence of CaCO₃ and MgCO₃. Effect of the presence of carbonates on the solubility of methane in the system has also been examined as it directly affects the hydrate formation process. It has been observed that in presence of CaCO₃ and MgCO₃, the hydrate formation is inhibited. Comparative studies have also been done in the presence of artificial seawater to consider the effect of presence of different salts. Mole consumption of methane gas during hydrate formation in different carbonate samples was measured using real gas equation and found to be minimum in CaCO₃ in seawater sample due to the combined effect of the presence of CaCO₃ and different salts of seawater. An increase in nucleation and induction time was also observed demonstrating the inhibition of hydrate formation in the presence of these components. Further, the decrease in hydrate formation rate also confirmed the inhibition effect of CaCO₃ and MgCO₃ on hydrate formation.     

海岸带沉积物环境中甲烷代谢茵的富集培养及混合茵群分析

结合Hungate无氧分离技术,对海岸带沉积物中甲烷代谢菌进行了富集培养,分别为珠江口的甲烷产生菌和九龙江口的甲烷氧化菌及其他甲基氧化菌．其研究结果表明：在珠江口淇澳岛海岸带沉积物中,甲烷八叠球菌属（Methanosarcina）为优势菌株,分布于沉积物的上、中、下3个层位,并发现了部分序列与不可培养的泉古菌门（Crcnarchaeota）的杂色泉古菌（miscellaneouscrenarchaeoticgroup,MCG）的相似度为90％～99％．在九龙江口的海岸带沉积物环境中,噬甲基菌属（Methylophaga）为优势菌群,在富集产物菌群多样性中占60％～99％;还有一些相似度较低（为95％～97％）的菌群,为潜在的新种．     

Time series of carbonate system variables off Otaru coast in Hokkaido, Japan

We report several biogeochemical parameters (dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total alkalinity (TA), dissolved oxygen (DO), phosphate (PO₄), nitrate + nitrite (NO₃ + NO₂), silicate (Si(OH)₄)) in a region off Otaru coast in Hokkaido, Japan on a “weekly” basis during the period of April 2002–May 2003. To better understand the long-term temporal variations of the main factors affecting CO₂ flux in this coastal region and its role as a sink/source of atmospheric CO₂, we constructed an algorithm of DIC and TA using other hydrographic properties. We estimated the CO₂ flux across the air–sea interface by using the classical bulk method. During 1998–2003 in our study region, the estimated fCO_2sea ranged about 185–335 μatm. The maximum of fCO_2sea in the summer was primarily due to the change of water temperature. The minimum of fCO_2sea in the early spring can be explained not only by the change of water temperature but also the change of nutrients and chlorophyll-a. To clarify the factors affecting fCO_2sea (water temperature, salinity, and biological activity), we carried out a sensitivity analysis of these effects on the variation of fCO_2sea. In spring, the biological effect had the largest effect for the minimum of fCO_2sea (40%). In summer, the water temperature effect had the largest effect for the maximum of fCO_2sea (25%). In fall, the water temperature effect had the largest effect for the minimum of fCO_2sea (53%). In winter, the biological effect had the largest effect for the minimum of fCO_2sea (35%).We found that our study region was a sink region of CO₂ throughout a year (−0.78 mol/m²/yr). Furthermore, we estimated that the increase of fCO_2sea was about 0.56 μatm/yr under equilibrium with the atmospheric CO₂ content for the period 1998–2003, with the temporal changes in the variables (T, S, PO₄) on fCO_2sea, thus as the maximum trend of each variable on fCO_2sea was 0.22 μatm/yr, and the trend of residual fCO₂ including gas exchange was 0.34 μatm/yr. This result suggests that interaction among variables would affect gas exchange between air and sea effects on fCO_2sea. We conclude that this study region as a representative coastal region of marginal seas of the North Pacific is special because it was measured, but there is no particular significance in comparison to any other area.     

Variations in the composition of the ferromanganese concretions of the Kara Sea

It has been found when studying the distribution of 57 elements in flattened, pellet-shaped, and pipelike iron-manganese concretions of the Kara Sea, that the F₂O₃ and MnO₂ contents in them are 52.5 and 5.30%; 18.3 and 24.2%; and 13.0 and 0.44%, respectively. The pellet-shaped concretions are enriched with nonferrous metals and microelements (especially with arsenic, cobalt, molybdenum, and animony) to the highest degree relative to the sediments, the flattened concretions are enriched to a lesser degree, and the pipelike ones are enriched to the least degree. The relative enrichment with the medium elements and a negative cerium anomaly are observed in the distribution of the rare-earth elements, which is also revealed in the host sediments to a lesser degree. The low content of ore and rare elements in the iron-manganese concretions of the Kara Sea relative to oceanic concretions is related mostly to the high sedimentation rates and short exposition period of the concretions on the sea bottom.     

郯庐地震带与日本海沟、琉球群岛地震带之间的地震活动群体特征联系

郯庐断裂带由太平洋板块向欧亚板块下俯冲所形成,各活动带之间的力学关系很好的表现在郯庐、西环太平洋地震带之间的地震活动群体特征上。通过研究地震带间地震活动群体特征之间的联系,为郯庐地震带地震中长期监测预报提供一定的帮助。     

3-D internal architecture of methane hydrate-bearing turbidite channels in the eastern Nankai Trough, Japan

The reservoir architecture of methane hydrate (MH) bearing turbidite channels in the eastern Nankai Trough, offshore Japan is evaluated using a combination of 3-D seismic and well data. On the 3-D seismic section, the MH-bearing turbidite channels correspond to complex patterns of strong seismic reflectors, which show the 3-D internal architecture of the channel complex. A seismic-sequence stratigraphic analysis reveals that the channel complex can be roughly classified into three different stages of depositional sequence (upper, middle, and lower). Each depositional sequence results in a different depositional system that primarily controls the reservoir architecture of the turbidite channels. To construct a 3-D facies model, the stacking patterns of the turbidite channels are interpreted, and the reservoir heterogeneities of MH-bearing sediments are discussed. The identified channels at the upper sequence around the β1 well exhibit low-sinuosity channels consisting of various channel widths that range from tens to several hundreds of meters. Paleo-current flow directions of the turbidite channels are typically oriented along the north-northeast-to-south-southwest direction. High-amplitude patterns were identified above the channels along the north-to-south and north-northeast-to-south-southeast directions. These roughly coincide with the paleo-current flow of the turbidite channels. An interval velocity using high-density velocity analysis shows that velocity anomalies (>2000 m/s) are found on the northeastern side of the turbidite channels. The depositional stage of the northeastern side of the turbidite channels exhibits slightly older sediment stages than the depositional stages of the remaining channels. Hence, the velocity anomalies of the northeastern side of the channels are related to the different stages of sediment supply, and this may lead to the different reservoir architectures of the turbidite channels.     

Morphology and tectonics of the Yap Trench

We conducted swath bathymetry and gravity surveys the whole-length of the Yap Trench, lying on the southeastern boundary of the Philippine Sea Plate. These surveys provided a detailed morphology and substantial insight into the tectonics of this area subsequent the Caroline Ridge colliding with this trench. Horst and graben structures and other indications of normal faulting were observed in the sea-ward trench seafloor, suggesting bending of the subducting oceanic plate. Major two slope breaks were commonly observed in the arc-ward trench slope. The origin of these slope breaks is thought to be thrust faults and lithological boundaries. No flat lying layered sediments were found in the trench axis. These morphological characteristics suggest that the trench is tectonically active and that subduction is presently occurring. Negative peaks of Bouguer anomalies were observed over the arc-ward trench slope. This indicates that the crust is thickest beneath the arc-ward trench slope because the crustal layers on the convergent two plates overlap. Bouguer gravity anomalies over the northern portion of the Yap Arc are positive. These gravity signals show that the Yap Arc is uplifted by dynamic force, even though dense crustal layers underlie the arc. This overlying high density arc possibly forces the trench to have great water depths of nearly 9000 m. We propose a tectonic evolution of the trench. Subduction along the Yap Trench has continued with very slow rates of convergence, although the cessation of volcanism at the Yap Arc was contemporaneous with collision of the Caroline Ridge. The Yap Trench migrated westward with respect to the Philippine Sea Plate after collision, then consumption of the volcanic arc crust occurred, caused by tectonic erosion, and the distance between the arc and the trench consequently narrowed. Lower crustal sections of the Philippine Sea Plate were exposed on the arc-ward trench slope by overthrusting. Intense shearing caused deformation of the accumulated rocks, resulting in their metamorphism in the Yap Arc.     

马里亚纳海沟“挑战者深渊”最深点水深探测

2011²012年,海洋六号船采用EM122多波束测深系统在马里亚纳海沟最深海域"挑战者深渊"进行的多波束水深测量,通过对测深资料进行分析处理,获得了高精度海底地形图,揭示了马里亚纳海沟挑战者深渊附近海底地形呈近东西向延伸,有西部、中部和东部三个洼地,它们由10800m等深线圈闭,长轴方向与海沟方向一致。洼地底部水深大于10900m,地形较为平坦。三个洼地最深区域分别由10916m、10904m和10915m等深线圈闭。三个洼地最大水深为10917m(误差小于20m),位于西部洼地内,中心位置为142°12.14'E,11°19.92'N。该处也是马里亚纳海沟最深点。     

Microbial diversity in the sediments of the southern Mariana Trench

Microbial diversity in the abyssal sediments beneath the seafloor of 30,94,and 151cm near the southern end of the Mariana Trench was analyzed in the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform.Results show that the microbial populations were dominated by bacteria but merely no archaea were identifi ed at the three depths.In the bacterial community,Proteobacteria and Firmicutes dominated the total taxon tags,followed by Bacteroidetes,Actinobacteria,Planctomycetes,Cyanobacteria,and Chloroflexi,which together account for over 99%of the total population.Similar to that in the seawater in the trench,the operational taxonomic units(OTUs)belonging to Gammaproteobacteria from the sediment samples showed high abundance.However,common bacterial OTUs in the water of the trench including Nitrospirae and Marinimicrobia were hardly found in the sediments from the southern Mariana Trench or the hadal region.Therefore,this study documented for the first time the compositions of microbial diversity in the trench sediments,revealed the difference in microbial diversity in water and sediment of the trench and will enrich the knowledge on the microbial diversity in the abyssal areas.     

琉球海沟构造地貌

琉球海沟位于西北太平洋,与琉球岛弧和冲绳海槽同属于一个沟弧盆体系。它紧贴琉球岛弧东侧,与琉球岛弧平行延伸,长约１３５０ｋｍ,水深５０００～６０００ｍ,最大水深７８８１ｍ。其地貌明显地受构造因素控制。中新世以来,西北菲律宾海板块插入亚洲板块之下,琉球岛弧隆起,形成不对称的“Ｖ”型深海沟。海沟西坡（岛坡）陡,并受众多的横断裂切割,坡上有众多的北西—南东向的海底沟谷,还有北东—南西向的陡崖。坡间水深１５００～４０００ｍ之间为宽阔的由玄武岩质火山岩构成的阶地面,其上有浊流沉积。岛坡经多个陡崖,急倾至海沟底。东坡（洋坡）缓,是西北菲律宾海板块向琉球岛弧下插的一边,与大洋盆地相连。海沟的轴部是菲律宾海板块和欧亚板块俯冲会聚边界。由于断裂的割切,致使海沟底地貌复杂化。只在琉球海沟的中段,海沟深度超过６０００～７０００ｍ处深海沟构造地貌特征最为典型。     

南海北部冷泉碳酸盐岩中钙质生物壳体和自生碳酸盐矿物的Mg/Ca、Sr/Ca及其环境指示

南海北部冷泉碳酸盐岩具有包裹结构和孔洞结构,并且含有丰富的生物遗迹。利用电子探针对位于不同结构单元(包裹结构和基质)的自生碳酸盐矿物和钙质生物壳体进行了Mg/Ca和Sr/Ca分析,结果显示:自生碳酸盐矿物Mg/Ca变化范围为0.50~39.19mmol/mol,平均为12.50mmol/mol,Sr/Ca变化范围为0.06~2.90mmol/mol,平均为0.53mmol/mol;钙质生物壳体Mg/Ca变化范围为1.14~84.57mmol/mol,平均为24.57mmol/mol,Sr/Ca变化范围为0.77~1.84mmol/mol,平均为1.08mmol/mol。Mg/Ca和Sr/Ca的关系显示自生碳酸盐矿物均具有低到中等的Mg/Ca、低Sr/Ca的特征,没有明显分组现象;但是钙质生物壳体却根据其在岩石中的结构位置呈现明显的分组现象,基质钙质生物壳体具有高Mg/Ca、中等Sr/Ca的特征,包裹的钙质生物壳体具有低Mg/Ca、中等Sr/Ca的特征。根据碳酸盐矿物和钙质生物壳体的Mg/Ca特征,认为基质钙质生物壳体是在甲烷渗漏环境下钙化的,无机碳酸盐矿物的出现影响了其Mg/Ca;而包裹的钙质生物壳体是在非甲烷渗漏环境下钙化的,由于生物扰动、灌洗等作用以包裹团块的形式保存在碳酸盐岩中。依据Sr/Ca在成岩过程中的变化特点推测最初形成的基质钙质生物壳体可能具有较现在高的Sr/Ca。研究结果在甲烷渗漏信息地球化学指标提取方面具有一定意义。