Comparisons of deep-sea sediments and overlying water collected using Multiple Corer and Box Corer

Sediments and overlying water collected using Multiple Corer (MC) and Box Corer (BC) at three stations in Suruga Bay were compared from the view points of meiobenthic and chemical characteristics. Dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonium and nitrite concentrations of the overlying waters were lower, whereas nitrate and phosphate concentrations were higher constantly in the samples collected by MC than those by BC, suggesting contamination of surface seawater in the BC samples. Sediments were sliced into 0–1, 1–2 and 2–3 cm layers, and water content and Eh, and abundance of meiofauna were analyzed. Water content in MC samples was always higher than BC ones. For the whole meiobenthos, MC collected significantly more individuals than BC at only one out of three stations, whereas for harpacticoid copepods, which aggregated to the surface layer of the sediment, MC constantly collected significantly more individuals than BC. In the vertical profiles of both water content and meiofaunal density, data of 0–1, and 1–2 cm layers in the BC samples were similar to those of 1–2 and 2–3 cm layers in the MC samples, respectively. These results suggested only MC can collect the real sediment surface (so called fluffy layer), which was lost due to bow wave effects in the BC samples.     

Communication, control, and data acquisition systems on the ISHTE lander

A lander is being designed to perform a year-long in situ Heat Transfer Experiment (ISHTE) on the deep seafloor. This paper describes the acoustic-communication, electrical-control, data-acquisition, and mechanical-control systems developed and tested for use on the ISHTE lander. The lander's functions include implanting a heat source in the deep ocean clay, monitoring the thermal field, supporting geotechnical and geochemical experiments, and recovering undisturbed sediment core samples. Once the lander is deployed, the acoustic-communication link is the only connection between it and a surface ship. The acoustic-communication link is used to track and send commands to the lander and to transmit experiment data and lander status to a surface ship.     

Determination of In Situ Sediment Shear Strength from Advanced Piston Corer Pullout Forces

The advanced piston corer (APC) has been used by the Ocean Drilling Program since 1985 for recovering soft sediments from the ocean floor. The pullout force measured on extracting the core barrel from the sediment is shown to correlate with the average shear strength of the sediment core measured in the ship's laboratory. A simple rule of thumb is derived relating the shear strength of the sediment to the pullout force. Multiple APC holes at individual sites allow the consistency of the pullout measurements to be assessed. The effects of different operational procedures during APC coring are also explored. Although generally applicable, the correlation between pullout force and laboratory measurements of shear strength breaks down for some APC holes, possibly because of the disturbance of some sediment types during the APC coring process. A better understanding of the physical process of APC coring, and its effect on the properties of the sediment both inside and immediately outside the core barrel, would indicate what confidence can be put on the measurement of pullout force as a way of evaluating the in situ shear strength of deep sea sediments.     

A Klovan-type box corer for use with SCUBA

A stainless steel, Klovan-type box corer for use by SCUBA divers in shallow water has been developed. Details for construction of the 0.45 × 0.30 × 0.20-m wedge-shaped corer are provided together with operational details. Excellent undisturbed samples have been collected from gravelly sands, sands, and muds at water depths ranging from 15 m to intertidal. The wet sand cores typically are treated in the field using an epoxy to obtain high-relief sediment peels.     

Correlation of shear strength,hydraulic conductivity,and thermal gradients with sediment disturbance: South Pass region,Mississippi Delta

The degree of sediment disturbance in the South Pass area is correlated to the average hydraulic conductivity, shear strength, and thermal gradient. Hydraulic conductivity averages 18, 6, and 4 × 10^–7 cm/s in the undisturbed, moderately disturbed, and most disturbed sediments, respectively. Shear strength also decreases with increasing disturbance, from 7.6 to 4.4 to 3.5 kPa. Excluding the four stations dominated by annual temperature variations, the remaining 19 thermal gradients correlate well with sediment disturbance. The average gradient is positive in all of the disturbed sediments (0.12 ± 0.07° C/m) and 0 in the undisturbed sediments (0.02 ± 0.05° C/m).     

冲绳海槽西部陆坡碎屑沉积物的搬运方式:滑塌和重力流

通过对冲绳海槽2000多公里的实测单道地震资料(95和99航次)和沉积物柱状样(92航次)分析,认为滑塌和重力流是冲绳海槽西部陆坡(东海陆坡)碎屑沉积物向海槽搬运的重要方式;分析结果表明,西部陆坡这两种作用是广泛存在的。陆坡沉积物堆积速率、地形坡度和构造活动、地震、海啸等因素造成了陆坡南、北和中段之间的滑塌和重力流发育程度存在差异。海底滑塌和重力流这两种作用可以同时发生,也可以单独发生,但柱状样揭示重力流发生得更频繁。从空间分布上看,海底滑塌主要分布于上陆坡的断裂带附近,平行海槽呈带状延伸;而重力流沉积主要分布于断裂带向下一直到槽底的部位。重力流沉积主要有4种表现形式：1)沉积物重力蠕动;2)浊积平原;3)透镜状浊积体;4)沿斜坡的碎屑流沉积。上述研究表明,滑塌和重力流不仅是陆架向海槽输送物质的重要方式,也对陆坡沉积结构的塑造起了重要的作用。     

Determination of In Situ Sediment Shear Strength from Advanced Piston Corer Pullout Forces

Abstract

The advanced piston cover (APC) has been used by the Ocean Drilling Program since 1985 for recovering soft sediments from the ocean floor. The pullout force measured on extracting the core barrel from the sediment is shown to correlate with the average shear strength of the sediment core measured in the ship's laboratory. A simple rule of thumb is derived relating the shear strength of the sediment to the pullout force. Multiple APC holes at individual sites allow the consistency of the pullout measurements to be assessed. The effects of different operational procedures during APC coring are also explored. Although generally applicable, the correlation between pullout force and laboratory measurements of shear strength breaks down for some APC holes, possibly because of the disturbance of some sediment types during the APC coring process. A better understanding of the physical process of APC coring, and its effect on the properties of the sediment both inside and immediately outside the core barrel, would indicate what confidence can be put on the measurement of pullout force as a way of evaluating the in situ shear strength of deep sea sediments.     

A new coring method in deep water

The need for accurate and undisturbed core samples has led to the development of this new coring method with controlled penetration speed (Angel Descent), to minimize the sediment shortening and deformation. The results of the last campaign are herein discussed, analyzing recovery/penetration ratio, acceleration data of the corer during penetration, and logs of magnetic susceptibility on the samples obtained using two different methodologies in the same location. The purpose of this paper is to compare the performance of the two sampling methods, to identify which system allows for less axial deformation of soils and less distortion of the structures, to obtain a geometrically unaltered sedimentary sequence.     

SCOPIX – digital processing of X-ray images for the enhancement of sedimentary structures in undisturbed core slabs

X-ray images of sediment core allow recognition of fine-scaled sedimentary structures which traditional epoxy casts or lacquer peels are unable to resolve. The X-ray imaging system SCOPIX has the additional advantage of acquiring high-resolution digital pictures suitable for further analysis by advanced image processing techniques. Because of the frequent presence of both physical and biogenic sedimentary structures in undisturbed sediment cores, two image analysis procedures have been established which simplify the information contained in the images (in term of structures and facies), and allow a quantitative characterization of the observed structures. This form of parametrization of the image structure constitutes an additional source of information for a better interpretation of the physical processes responsible for the generation of the sedimentary structures.     

Geotechnical properties of submarine sediments in the Seto Inland Sea

Abstract

Sampling of submarine sediments by an improved piston corer and a bucket dredger has been carried out since 1973. The length of the core samples ranged from 0.9 m to 5.4 m. The recovery ratio ranged from 39.1 percent to 98.9 percent. The physical and engineering properties of 16 sediment cores and the physical properties of 125 dredged samples were determined, and variation of these properties was analyzed.

Clayey silts and silty clays cover the floor of relatively wide bays and sea areas. Sands and sandy silts blanket the floor of channels that have swift currents, and are also found in the vicinity of estuaries.

The piston core samples showed considerable sample disturbance, which should be estimated quantitatively in the future.     

In situ measurements of rapidly fluctuating,high sediment concentrations

A new instrument — an almometer — has been developed which measures, instantaneously and continuously, changes in the vertical density distribution of sediment. The almometer consists of two acrylic cylinders, one contains a fluorescent lamp, the other 64 photo-electric cells placed at 1 - or 2-cm intervals. These two tubes are anchored perpendicular to the bottom 30 cm apart.The amount of sediment that can be measured ranges from 10 to 500 g of sediment per liter of water. Calibration shows that differences in sediment size or mineralogy have little effect on the concentration resistance relationship if the size mean is within the sand range and the sediment is not monomineralic.     

深渊生物资源取样装备技术体系研究

针对深渊生物资源研究的需求，自主研发了用于全海深深度的深渊沉积物、水体和宏生物的保压取样装置，深渊沉积物保压转移装置，深渊微生物原位过滤及保存装置和高压培养高压酶学测定装置。在深海模拟环境验证了取样装置在万米深度下的工作性能。相关装置在“探索一号”科考船的TS15、TS21-1和TS21-2大洋科考航次中，搭载“奋斗者”号载人潜器、“2号”深渊着陆器、“原位实验”号着陆器于西菲律宾盆区和马里亚纳海沟进行了海上试验，成功获取了万米深度沉积物、水体和宏生物保压样品以及微生物原位过滤滤膜；成功进行了沉积物保压样品的保压转移试验。初步形成了深渊海域生物资源取样的装备技术体系，为深渊海底生物和基因资源开发，深渊生命过程等科学研究提供技术手段。     

Assessment of Impact on Seafloor Features in INDEX Area

Observations on seafloor features from subbottom profiling and seabed photography data show that the undisturbed and natural conditions before the benthic disturbance undergo a substantial change after operation of the disturber. The effects can be seen in the form of deep trenches and grooves, formed by the action of the sleds and the pumping of the sediment along its path, as well as sediment piles on either side of the track. Biological traces such as fecal coils, casts, tubes, burrows, and trails get obliterated in the areas of disturbance and resedimentation. The smooth, uniform nature of the seafloor observed in predisturbance phase shows microtopographic changes in and around the disturbed area as a result of sediment excavation and resettlement. Vertical mixing as well as lateral transport of sediment alter the geological, biological, physical, and chemical conditions on the seafloor, which need to be monitored over time to assess the process and the time taken for restoration of environmental conditions.     

Acoustic reflectors in the surface layers of deep sea sediments

Using ultrasonic scanning it is possible to display the position of an acoustic discontinuity within a sediment core and the amplitude of the reflected signal which results from it. From these results it has been possible to examine the effect of variations in the geotechnical properties on the reflection of compressional waves at normal incidence within the core at a frequency of 100 kHz. The occurrence of acoustic reflectors in the surface layers of North Atlantic sediments has also been examined.Two ultrasonic scanning systems for the non-destructive testing of marine sediment cores have been developed. The performance of the two systems has been evaluated using the results from measurements made on a suite of marine sediment cores from the North Atlantic in conjunction with X-ray scanning and geological analysis of the same cores.     

互花米草对江苏潮滩沉积和地貌演化的影响

江苏潮滩面积大,岸滩冲淤动态变化复杂.人工引种互花米草对江苏海岸潮滩沉积地貌演化有较大影响,主要体现在影响潮滩沉积速率、物质分布及潮水沟地貌系统的发育等方面.根据定点站位不同年代的高程数据,分析Pethick-Allen模型在江苏潮滩盐沼的适用性;在现场采集柱状样并在室内进行137Cs分析,根据分析结果及前人研究结果,利用P-A模型分析计算江苏潮滩不同时期的沉积速率,结果表明互花米草的引种加快了潮滩沉积速率,它使潮滩沉积地貌演化脱离了原来的渐进函数关系.在选择的典型断面上采集表层底质样,在激光粒度仪上进行粒度分析,结果表明,互花米草易使细颗粒沉积物沉积,大米草滩和盐蒿滩表层沉积物主要来自潮水沟输送.根据野外调查并结合遥感分析,互花米草滩内潮水沟宽深比小,密度大,水道稳定,有别于光滩或大米草滩的潮水沟形态.     

长江水下三角洲浅表沉积层中的生物扰动构造

为查明长江水下三角洲生物扰动类型、特征和分布规律,探讨生物扰动构造的可能影响因素,使用箱式采样器获取包括三角洲前缘、前三角洲、过渡带以及正常浅海的无扰动沉积岩心,利用高分辨X-ray成像技术对浅表沉积层中的生物扰动构造进行了研究。结果表明,长江水下三角洲发育虫孔构造和挖掘构造,虫孔构造直径0．5-2mm,长度数厘米至数十厘米,多数虫孔垂直于层理发育,挖掘构造形态呈漏斗状,其内沉积物混合强烈;生物扰动构造具有明显的分带性,三角洲前缘生物扰动指数〈1,前三角洲及过渡带扰动指数为2-3级,最高达4级,而紧靠前三角洲的正常浅海生物扰动指数为2级。生物扰动构造的发育主要受上覆水体盐度、悬浮体含量制约,在盐度接近正常浅海水体盐度、悬浮体含量中等的前三角洲、过渡带是生物扰动构造发育的有利环境。研究未发现底质沉积物类型、底质环境因子对生物扰动构造的明显制约作用。     

Research on the sediment acoustic properties based on a water coupled laboratory measurement system

Abstract

The high-frequency acoustic properties of seafloor sediments are very significant in seafloor study and underwater acoustic study field. In order to measure the sound speed and the attenuation for the small-scale sediment cores more accurately, this study developed a water coupled acoustic laboratory measurement system based on Richardson-Briggs technique. This method used the correlation comparison of waveforms received in sediment core and in identical reference tubes filled with water to measure sound speed and attenuation. The sound speed and attenuation of a clayey silt sediment sample were measured using the water coupled acoustic laboratory measurement system. This frequency dependence of the sound speed and attenuation showed that the clayey silt sediment has a weak positive sound speed dispersion, while the attenuation increases with a strong positive gradient within the measurement frequency range. This study also noted that the measured sound speed ratio match well with the empirical equations from literature. The measured attenuation factor data can fall in the Hamilton’s empirical prediction range.     

西非被动大陆边缘盐构造样式与成因机制

基于三维地震资料,对西非陆缘盐构造样式及分布特征进行了刻画,剖析了其形成演化机制与控制因素。西非陆缘盐上地层滑脱形成典型的薄皮构造,前缘发育挤压变形,后缘发育拉张变形,两者之间为过渡变形。拉张区发育白垩系盐筏、前盐筏、新近系盐筏等盐构造;过渡变形区以发育各种底辟构造为特征;挤压变形区主要发育侵位盐席构造。重力滑脱作用是被动陆缘盐构造发育过程中始终存在的驱动机制,重力扩展作用在大陆边缘成熟阶段作用明显,在陆缘演化早期并不突出。陆缘构造活动控制盐构造的形成,差异沉积负载作用影响着盐上地层滑移特征,而盐下底形对盐岩流动、盐上地层滑移速率及相关断裂体系的产生与沉积响应具有重要影响。     

南黄海冷涡沉积和通道沉积的发现

为解决南黄海及东海北部的沉积环境和物质来源问题,１９９２年５月对黄海和济州岛西南的泥质沉积进行了多方面调查和研究,发现济州岛西南、南黄海中部和北黄海西部泥质沉积区,分别与那里的冷涡活动区相对应。因此,这些泥质沉积应属于“冷涡沉积“;而在冷涡之间又出现连接它们的“通道“,形成了具有特殊结构的“通道沉积“,它分布于黄海暖流之下,呈南北向延伸。表明冷涡沉积和通道沉积是受控于冷涡、黄海暖流及其相关的环流体     

The occurrence of high molecular weight humic material in recent organic-rich sediment from the Namibian shelf

The molecular size distribution of humic substances has been investigated in two recent sediment samples of different ages taken from a single core sample collected off Walvis Bay, south-west Africa. Extractable humic acids were found to be by far the major form of organic carbon in both sediments, the near-surface younger sample containing predominantly high molecular weight (>100 000 molecular weight) humic acids and little fulvic acids whilst the deeper, older sample contained relatively less humic acid and relatively more fulvic acid of a range of molecular weights. A significant age difference was found between the >300 000 molecular weight and the <30 000 molecular weight fractions of the near-surface sample, the lower molecular weight fraction being older than the higher molecular weight fraction.The data suggest that in this rapidly accumulating, organic-rich sediment the first step en route from the planktonic matter to the humic complexes is direct and rapid incorporation of the biogenic material into high molecular weight humic acids.