Gas hydrate accumulations related to focused fluid flow in the Pegasus Basin,southern Hikurangi Margin,New Zealand

The Hikurangi Margin, east of the North Island of New Zealand, is known to contain significant deposits of gas hydrates. This has been demonstrated by several multidisciplinary studies in the area since 2005. These studies indicate that hydrates in the region are primarily located beneath thrust ridges that enable focused fluid flow, and that the hydrates are associated with free gas. In 2009–2010, a seismic dataset consisting of 2766 km of 2D seismic data was collected in the undrilled Pegasus Basin, which has been accumulating sediments since the early Cretaceous. Bottom-simulating reflections (BSRs) are abundant in the data, and they are accompanied by other features that indicate the presence of free gas and concentrated accumulations of gas hydrate. We present results from a detailed qualitative analysis of the data that has made use of automated high-density velocity analysis to highlight features related to the hydrate system in the Pegasus Basin. Two scenarios are presented that constitute contrasting mechanisms for gas-charged fluids to breach the base of the gas hydrate stability zone. The first mechanism is the vertical migration of fluids across layers, where flow pathways do not appear to be influenced by stratigraphic layers or geological structures. The second mechanism is non-vertical fluid migration that follows specific strata that crosscut the BSR. One of the most intriguing features observed is a presumed gas chimney within the regional gas hydrate stability zone that is surrounded by a triangular (in 2D) region of low reflectivity, approximately 8 km wide, interpreted to be the result of acoustic blanking. This chimney structure is cored by a ∼200-m-wide low-velocity zone (interpreted to contain free gas) flanked by high-velocity bands that are 200–400 m wide (interpreted to contain concentrated hydrate deposits).     

Geological controls on focused fluid flow through the gas hydrate stability zone on the southern Hikurangi Margin of New Zealand, evidenced from multi-channel seismic data

Highly concentrated gas hydrate deposits are likely to be associated with geological features that promote increased fluid flux through the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). We conduct conventional seismic processing techniques and full-waveform inversion methods on a multi-channel seismic line that was acquired over a 125 km transect of the southern Hikurangi Margin off the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Initial processing, employed with an emphasis on preservation of true amplitude information, was used to identify three sites where structures and stratal fabrics likely encourage focused fluid flow into and through the GHSZ. At two of the sites, Western Porangahau Trough and Eastern Porangahau Ridge, sub-vertical blanking zones occur in regions of intensely deformed sedimentary layering. It is interpreted that increased fluid flow occurs in these regions and that fluids may dissipate upwards and away from the deformed zone along layers that trend towards the seafloor. At Eastern Porangahau Ridge we also observe a coherent bottom simulating reflection (BSR) that increases markedly in intensity with proximity to the centre of the anticlinal ridge. 1D full-waveform inversions conducted at eight points along the BSR reveal much more pronounced low-velocity zones near the centre of the ridge, indicating a local increase in the flux of gas-charged fluids into the anticline. At another anticline, Western Porangahau Ridge, a dipping high-amplitude feature extends from the BSR upwards towards the seafloor within the regional GHSZ. 1D full-waveform inversions at this site reveal that the dipping feature is characterised by a high-velocity zone overlying a low-velocity zone, which we interpret as gas hydrates overlying free gas. These results support a previous interpretation that this high-amplitude feature represents a local “up-warping” of the base of hydrate stability in response to advective heat flow from upward migrating fluids. These three sites provide examples of geological frameworks that encourage prolific localised fluid flow into the hydrate system where it is likely that gas-charged fluids are converting to highly concentrated hydrate deposits.     

Geological controls on focused fluid flow through the gas hydrate stability zone on the southern Hikurangi Margin of New Zealand,evidenced from multi-channel seismic data

Highly concentrated gas hydrate deposits are likely to be associated with geological features that promote increased fluid flux through the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). We conduct conventional seismic processing techniques and full-waveform inversion methods on a multi-channel seismic line that was acquired over a 125 km transect of the southern Hikurangi Margin off the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Initial processing, employed with an emphasis on preservation of true amplitude information, was used to identify three sites where structures and stratal fabrics likely encourage focused fluid flow into and through the GHSZ. At two of the sites, Western Porangahau Trough and Eastern Porangahau Ridge, sub-vertical blanking zones occur in regions of intensely deformed sedimentary layering. It is interpreted that increased fluid flow occurs in these regions and that fluids may dissipate upwards and away from the deformed zone along layers that trend towards the seafloor. At Eastern Porangahau Ridge we also observe a coherent bottom simulating reflection (BSR) that increases markedly in intensity with proximity to the centre of the anticlinal ridge. 1D full-waveform inversions conducted at eight points along the BSR reveal much more pronounced low-velocity zones near the centre of the ridge, indicating a local increase in the flux of gas-charged fluids into the anticline. At another anticline, Western Porangahau Ridge, a dipping high-amplitude feature extends from the BSR upwards towards the seafloor within the regional GHSZ. 1D full-waveform inversions at this site reveal that the dipping feature is characterised by a high-velocity zone overlying a low-velocity zone, which we interpret as gas hydrates overlying free gas. These results support a previous interpretation that this high-amplitude feature represents a local “up-warping” of the base of hydrate stability in response to advective heat flow from upward migrating fluids. These three sites provide examples of geological frameworks that encourage prolific localised fluid flow into the hydrate system where it is likely that gas-charged fluids are converting to highly concentrated hydrate deposits.     

Possible link between weak bottom simulating reflections and gas hydrate systems in fractures and macropores of fine-grained sediments: Results from the Hikurangi Margin,New Zealand

Small amounts of free gas in interstitial sediment pores are known to significantly lower compressional (P-) wave velocity (Vp). This effect, combined with moderately elevated Vp from the presence of gas hydrates, is usually thought to be the cause for the often observed strong negative reflection coefficients of bottom simulating reflections (BSRs) at the base of gas hydrate stability (BGHS). At several locations however, weak BSRs have been observed, which are difficult to reconcile with a presence of gas in sediment pores. We here present a rock physics model for weak BSRs on the Hikurangi Margin east of New Zealand. Thin sections of a fine-grained mudstone sample from a submarine outcrop in the vicinity of a weak BSR show macroscopic porosity in the form of fractures and intrafossil macropores. We apply the Kuster-Toksöz theory to predict seismic velocities for a rock with water-saturated interstitial micropores and gas or hydrates in macroscopic pore space simulating fractures or compliant macropores. We match field observations of a weak BSR with a reflection coefficient of −0.016 with two end-member models; (1) rocks with gas hydrate-filled voids with a concentration of <4% of bulk sediment overlying water-filled voids, or (2) fully gas-saturated voids at a concentration of <2% beneath water-filled voids. A natural system is likely to consist of a combination of these end-members and of macroporosity filled with a mixture of water and gas or hydrate. Our results suggest weak BSRs may be caused by gas hydrate systems in fractures and macropores of fine-grained sediments with fully water-saturated interstitial pore space. Gas may be supplied into the macroscopic pore space by diffusion-driven short-range migration of methane generated within the gas hydrate stability field or, our favoured model based on additional geologic considerations, long-range advective migration from deeper sources along fractures.     

Oceanic circulation in the head of the Hikurangi trench,east coast,New Zealand

The geostrophic flow and direct current measurements in the inflow of the Southland Current into the Hikurangi Trench east of New Zealand confirm the geostrophic circulation pattern previously found. The northwards inflow of the Southland Current at the latitude of the Chatham Rise (44°S) is estimated at 1.7 × 10⁶ m³.s^‐1, which compares favourably with that of 1.2 × 10⁶ m³.s^‐1 calculated previously off Kaikoura.     

Planktonic stages of Maurolicus muelleri (Teleostei Sternoptychidae) in New Zealand waters

The seasonality and distribution, abundance, and hydrological affinities of the planktonic stages of the sternoptychid Maurolicus muelleri (Grnelin, 1788) are described for the New Zealand region. Spawning occurred from August to March, and the planktonic stages were widespread around New Zealand. Spawning probably takes place around midday at depths greater than 250 m. Eggs and larval stages were present over temperature ranges of 9.0–15.5°c and 13–22°c respectively.     

First biomarker evidence for methane oxidation at cold seeps in the Southeast Atlantic (REGAB pockmark)

Sediment cores from the REGAB pockmark, an active cold seep area in the southeast Atlantic, were analysed for their lipid biomarker distribution and associated stable carbon isotopic composition. Substantial amounts of diagnostic archaeal lipids were found, consisting mainly of archaeol, sn-2 hydroxyarchaeol and crocetane. All archaeal lipids were profoundly depleted in ¹³C with δ¹³C values as low as −133‰. Concurrently, abundant monoalkylglycerolethers (MAGE), assigned to sulphate-reducing bacteria, were identified and showed strong ¹³C-depletions (δ¹³C between −86‰ and −95‰). The structural and isotopic patterns of these microbial lipids provided compelling evidence for anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) occurring in REGAB sediments, mediated by archaea and sulphate reducing bacteria. Lipid fingerprints indicated that anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME-2) and sulphate-reducing bacteria from the Desulfosarcina/Desulfococcus cluster are the dominant AOM assemblages. Depth profiles implied that highest AOM takes place below the upper 2 cm, mainly in the 6–12 cm depth interval. Significant abundances of ¹³C-depleted diploptene and 4α-methylsterols were found as well, inferring that aerobic methanotrophy occurs in the surface sediment interval. This first biomarker study at the recently investigated cold seeps in the SE Atlantic expand on existing work on AOM settings and add new evidence for aerobic and anaerobic methanotrophic communities occurring in close vicinity.     

Sexual and other differences in Copepodite stages of some New Zealand Calamoecia and Boeckella SPP. (Copepoda: Calanoida)

Differences between males and females in the morphology of the fifth legs were found in stage IV copepodites of Boeckella hamata and in stage V cope‐podites of B. hamata, B. propinqua, B. dilatata, B. triarticulata, and Calamoecia lucasi. There were also sexual differences in overall body size. In B. hamata, B. triarticulata, and B. dilatata, the differences were sufficiently obvious for stage V copepodites to be sexed at low magnifications. The diagnostic features of all stages are described.     

Planktonic stages of the teleost family carapidae in eastern New Zealand waters

The occurrence of planktonic carapid eggs in Otago waters, of young stages of Echiodon rendahli off Castlepoint, and the possible presence of unrecorded members of the family Carapidae in New Zealand waters is discussed. Young E. rendahli possess a long spine which originates dorsally to a distinctive suspended gut.     

Distribution of shipworms (Bivalvia: Teredinidae) in the New Zealand region

Bankia neztalia was found in temperate waters around New Zealand, mainly south of New Plymouth and Tauranga. Bankia australis was found in warm‐temperate waters north of Nelson; it requires water temperatures above 19–20°c for successful breeding and is euryhaline. Lyrodus pedicellatus also occurred in warm‐temperate waters north of Nelson and had a lower water temperature limit for survival of about 10 °c. Lyrodus medilobatus occurred in warm‐temperate waters on the north‐east coast of the North Island north of Tauranga. Nototeredo edax is uncommon and occurred over the same range as B. australis.

The presence of shipworms in wood collected from depths of greater than 50 m around New Zealand is reported. Teredora princesae is recorded from driftwood around New Zealand.     

Fisheries for orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) on seamounts in New Zealand

Major commercial fisheries for orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) occur on seamount features, which are widely distributed throughout the New Zealand region. When the fishery developed in the late 1970s to early 1980s, it occurred mainly on flat bottom, but over time has become more focused on seamounts. In the 1995–1996 fishing year, it is estimated that about 70 % of the catch of orange roughy within the New Zealand EEZ was taken from seamounts. Seamounts on the Chatham Rise have been fished for over ten years. Examination of commercial catch and effort data show strong declines in catch rates over time, and a pattern of serial depletion of seamount populations, with the fishery moving progressively eastwards to unfished seamounts along the southern margins of the Rise. Catch rates on seamounts in other regions of New Zealand have also generally shown a similar pattern of rapid decline. There is growing concern over the impact of trawling on seamounts, and the effects this can have on the benthic habitat and fauna, and the long-term sustainability of associated commercial fisheries.     

Halosaurus pectoralis McCulloch (Pisces: Halosauridae) in the New Zealand region (note)

Halosaurus pectoralis McCulloch is recorded from off Gisborne, New Zealand, and from south‐east of Lord Howe Island, thus adding a second species of the order Heteromi to the New Zealand fauna.     

Characterization of bacterial symbioses in Myrtea sp. (Bivalvia: Lucinidae) and Thyasira sp. (Bivalvia: Thyasiridae) from a cold seep in the Eastern Mediterranean

Cold seeps have recently been discovered in the Nile deep‐sea fan (Eastern Mediterranean), and data regarding associated fauna are still scarce. In this study, two bivalve species associated with carbonate crusts and reduced sediment are identified based on sequence analysis of their 18S and 28S rRNA‐encoding genes, and associated bacterial symbioses are investigated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and microscopy‐based approaches. The specimens are closely related to Myrtea spinifera and Thyasira flexuosa, two species previously documented at various depths from other regions but not yet reported from the Eastern Mediterranean. Both species harbour abundant gammaproteobacterial endosymbionts in specialized gill epithelial cells. The Myrtea‐associated bacterium is closely related to lucinid symbionts from both deep‐sea and coastal species, whereas the Thyasira‐associated bacterium is closely related to the symbiont of a T. flexuosa from coastal waters off the U.K. An epsilonproteobacterial sequence has also been identified in Thyasira which could correspond to a helicoid‐shaped morphotype observed by electron microscopy, but this was not confirmed using fluorescent in situ hybridization. Virus‐like particles were observed within some symbionts in Thyasira, mostly in bacteriocytes localized close to the ciliated zone of the gill filament. Overall, results indicate that very close relatives of shallow species M. spinifera and T. flexuosa occur at cold seeps in the Eastern Mediterranean and harbour chemoautotrophic symbioses similar to those found in their coastal relatives.     

南海东北部陆坡结核成因及对冷泉活动的指示

本文对2018年利用“海龙Ⅲ”ROV在南海东北部陆坡采集到的多金属结核样品进行了矿物学和地球化学分析。结果表明研究区结核以棒状为主,具有2层结构。结核外层的矿物学和元素组成特征与水成型多金属结核较为相似。结核内层多发育孔洞,以针铁矿为主,有黄铁矿残余,Fe、As元素含量高,Mn、REE等元素含量低。NH-2结核样品内部的碳酸盐组分的全岩δ¹³C为-30.91‰。所研究结核样品的早期形成过程与冷泉活动密切相关,结核生长后期冷泉活动停止或是减弱,在等深流作用下结核黄铁矿被氧化成针铁矿,之后锰铁氧化物继续在结核外部生长。     

Large Vesicomyidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia) from cold seeps in the Gulf of Guinea off the coasts of Gabon,Congo and northern Angola

Two new genera and three new species of large Vesicomyidae are described from cold-seep sites on pockmarks and other sulfide-rich environments in the Gulf of Guinea (tropical east Atlantic) off Gabon, Congo (Brazzaville) and northern Angola, from 500 to 4000 m depth: “Calyptogena” (s.l.) regab n. sp., Wareniconcha (n.g.) guineensis (Thiele and Jaeckel 1931), Elenaconcha guiness n.g. n. sp., and Isorropodon atalantae n. sp. For two other species already taken by the R/V Valdivia in 1898, Calyptogena valdiviae (Thiele and Jaeckel 1931) and Isorropodon striatum (Thiele and Jaeckel 1931) new localities were discovered, and the species are rediscussed. E. guiness n.g. n.sp. is also recorded from off Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania, collected by commercial fishing vessels. The vesicomyid species here treated were encountered in different depth ranges along the Gabon–Congo–Angola margin, between 500 and 4000 m depth, and it was found that, in comparison with the dredge samples taken by the Valdivia expedition off southern Cameroon and off Rio de Oro (both at 2500 m), the same species occur in other depth ranges, in some cases with a vertical difference of more than 1000 m. .That means that the species are not confined to a given depth thought being typical for them and that the characteristics of the biotope are likely to play a major role in the distribution of the vesicomyids associated to cold seeps or other reduced environments along the West African margin.     

Vertical distribution of New Zealand shipworms (Bivalvia: Teredinidae)

In Tauranga Harbour, Lyrodus medilobatus was found in greatest numbers on test‐blocks placed near the bottom, while Bankia australis, B. neztalia, and Nototeredo edax had a more uniform vertical distribution. Shipworms occurred in the intertidal zone up to about mean sea level. In Wellington Harbour, B. neztalia was found in test‐blocks up to mean sea level, but was most abundant in blocks near the bottom. In the Bay of Islands, shipworms settled in the intertidal on test‐blocks as high as 30 cm below mean sea level. B. australis was the most abundant species in mangrove wood in northern New Zealand, and L. medilobatus occurred occasionally. No evidence was found for shipworms settling on living mangrove wood, although they frequently tunnelled from dead wood into living wood.     

A microbiological and biogeochemical investigation of the cold seep tubeworm Escarpia southwardae (Annelida: Siboglinidae): Symbiosis and trace element composition of the tube

Tubeworms within the annelid family Siboglinidae rely on sulfur-oxidizing autotrophic bacterial symbionts for their nutrition, and are among the dominant metazoans occurring at deep-sea hydrocarbon seeps. Contrary to their relatives from hydrothermal vents, sulfide uptake for symbionts occurs within the anoxic subsurface sediment, in the posterior ‘root’ region of the animal. This study reports on an integrated microbiological and geochemical investigation of the cold seep tubeworm Escarpia southwardae collected at the Regab pockmark (Gulf of Guinea). Our aim was to further constrain the links between the animal and its symbiotic bacteria, and their environment. We show that E. southwardae harbors abundant sulfur-oxidizing bacterial symbionts in its trophosome. Symbionts are able to fix inorganic carbon using the Calvin-Benson cycle, as reported in most other Siboglinidae, but can also use the reverse Tricarboxilic Acid Cycle. Surprisingly, the observed bacteria appear to be more closely related to symbionts of Escarpia and Lamellibrachia species from very distant sites located in the Gulf of Mexico and eastern Pacific, than to symbionts of a siboglinid occurring at a nearby methane seep site, only a few hundred km away from Regab. Then, by combining scanning electron microscopy and trace element (Mn, Fe, Sr, Zr) analyses of E. southwardae tube, we also show that two distinct oxidation fronts occur along the tube. The first one, near the posterior end of the tube, corresponds to the interface between oxic bottom waters and the underlying anoxic sediment. In contrast, the second redox front is located in the most anterior part of the tube, and could result from active oxygen uptake by the plume of the tubeworm. We speculate that intense oxygen consumption in this region could create favorable conditions for sulfate reduction by specialized bacteria associated with the plume, possibly leading to an additional source of dissolved sulfide that would further enhance the productivity of bacterial symbionts.     

Distribution of Divaricella huttoniana (mollusca: Bivalvia: Lucinidae) in the New Zealand region

The distribution of samples containing the lucinid Divaricella (Divalucina) huttoniana (Vanatta) from the continental shelf of the North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands (New Zealand) in the New Zealand Oceanographic Institute collection is discussed in relation to published records and museum collections. The paucity of living specimens and large shells in shelf samples contrasts with beach collections, and is partly related to sampling problems close inshore off sandy beaches. Southern distributional limits are probably related to winter temperatures on the sea floor.     

Juvenile form of the New Zealand turbot Colistium nudipinnis (Waite) (Pisces: Heterosomata: Rhombosoleinae) (note)

A juvenile (26 mm) specimen of the New Zealand turbot Colistium nudipinnis (Waite) is figured and described. Differences between the juvenile and adult forms, and characters distinguishing juvenile C. nudipinnis from the young of other New Zealand species of flatfish, are noted.