Early diagenesis in rapidly accumulating sediments on the Alboran slope, ODP site 976

 The oxidation and reduction that occur during early diagenesis of sediments has been studied in the interstitial waters of a rapidly accumulating sedimentary sequence from the Mediterranean margin of Spain. A series of reactions that are mediated by progressively lower free energy derived from oxidation of organic matter is evident in the sedimentary sequence. Iron and manganese are rapidly reduced. Phosphate and alkalinity maxima at a subbottom depth of 15 m indicate maximal organic matter degradation. Methane first appears at ∼20 m subbottom after sulfate is depleted, and its concentrations quickly climb. Received: 27 October 1997 / Revision received: 4 March 1998     

Distribution and origin of shallow gas in deep-sea sediments of the Ulleung Basin, East Sea (Sea of Japan)

A synthesis of high-resolution (Chirp, 2–7 kHz) subbottom profiles in the Ulleung Basin reveals patchy distribution of shallow (<90 m subbottom depth) gassy sediments in the eastern basin plain below 1,800-m water depth. The shallow gases in the sediments are associated with acoustic turbidities, columnar acoustic blankings, enhanced reflectors, dome structures, and pockmarks. Analyses of gas samples collected from a piston core in an earlier study suggest that the shallow gases are thermogenic in origin. Also, published data showing high amounts of organic matter in thick sections of marine shale (middle Miocene to lower Pliocene sequence) and high heat flow in the basin plain sediments are consistent with the formation of deep, thermogenic gas. In multi-channel deep seismic profiles, numerous acoustic chimneys and faults reflect that the deep, thermogenic gas would have migrated upwards from the deeper subsurface to the near-seafloor. The upward-migrating gases may have accumulated in porous debrites and turbidites (upper Pliocene sequence) overlain by impermeable hemipelagites (Quaternary sequence), resulting in the patchy distribution of shallow gases on the eastern basin plain.     

Acoustic characters and distribution pattern of modern fine-grained deposits in a tide-dominated coastal bay: Jinhae Bay,Southeast Korea

Jinhae Bay, a semi-enclosed, tide-dominated coastal embayment on the southeastern coast of Korea, receives large amounts of sediment derived from the Nakdong River. The irregular surface of the acoustic basement is overlain by a modern sedimentary sequence up to 25 m thick, characterized by an acoustically semitransparent subbottom. Sediments, consisting mainly of terrigenous and bioturbated mud, accumulate at a rate of 2–5 mm/yr. About 21% of the suspended sediments discharged from the Nakdong River, that is approximately 1.0 × 10⁶ tons per year, accumulate in Jinhae Bay. Modern sedimentation began probably at about 5000 yr BP, when sea level approached its present level.     

A study of stability of the seafloor foundation on a gently sloping continental shelf

Abstract

The possibility of seafloor failure under external loadings on a gently sloping continental shelf is controlled, to a large extent, by the geotechnical characters of subbottom sediments (e.g., shear strength, compressibility, and liquefaction potential) and structural factors (e.g., sedimentary stratification). By means of undis‐turbing coring, in‐situ acoustic measurement, and subbottom profiling, the authors conducted an investigation into the seafloor instabilities and possibilities of sediment slope failure within the continental shelf off the Pearl River mouth, which is one of the most important areas for offshore development in the northern South China Sea. Based on in‐situ and laboratory measurements and tests for sediment physical properties, static and dynamic behavior, and acoustic characteristics, the analyses indicate: (1) subbottom sediments that originated from terrigenous clay during the Pleistocene are compact and overconsolidated, and the mean sound velocity in such sediments is relatively high; (2) the maximum vertical bearing capacity of subbottom sediments is efficiently conservative on the safe side for dead loads of light structures, and the trench walls are stable enough while trenching to a depth of about 2 m below the seafloor under still water; and (3) it is quite improbable that the subbottom sediments liquefy under earthquake (M ≤ 6) or storm wave loading.     

Understanding shallow gas occurrences in the Gulf of Lions

New coring data have been acquired along the western Gulf of Lions showing anomalous concentrations of methane (up to 95,700 ppm) off the Rhône prodelta and the head of the southern canyons Lacaze-Duthiers and Cap de Creus. Sediment cores were acquired with box and kasten cores during 2004–2005 on several EuroSTRATAFORM cruises. Anomalous methane concentrations are discussed and integrated with organic carbon data. Sampled sites include locations where previous surveys identified acoustic anomalies in high-resolution seismic profiles, which may be related to the presence of gas. Interpretation of the collected data has enabled us to discuss the nature of shallow gas along the Gulf of Lions, and its association with recent sedimentary dynamics. The Rhône prodelta flood deposits deliver significant amounts of terrigenous organic matter that can be rapidly buried, effectively removing this organic matter from aerobic oxidation and biological uptake, and leading to the potential for methanogenesis with burial. Away from the flood-related sediments off the Rhône delta, the organic matter is being reworked and remineralized on its way along the western coast of the Gulf of Lions, with the result that the recent deposits in the canyon contain little reactive carbon. In the southernmost canyons, Lacaze-Duthiers and Cap de Creus, the gas analyses show relatively little shallow gas in the core samples. Samples with anomalous gas (up to 5,000 ppm methane) are limited to local areas where the samples also show higher amounts of organic matter. The anomalous samples at the head of the southern canyons may be related to methanogenesis of recent drape or of older sidewall canyon infills.     

南海北部海域沉积物中生物钡、碳氮同位素的组成特征及其与表层水体初级生产之间的关系

通过对采集自南海北部的D06和S0612两个短柱状沉积物样品中的不同赋存形态钡、有机碳和生物硅的含量以及有机质碳氮同位素组成的分析,结果表明沉积物中的钡主要以碎屑钡和自生的生物钡形式存在。沉积物中生物钡的含量在10.3~385.2 μg/g之间,平均值为177.0 μg/g,据此计算的新生产力在12.3~146.7 mg/（d·m2）（以碳计）之间,平均为78.9 mg/（d·m2）;D06站计算的结果和附近站位的实测值相当。沉积物中有机碳的含量在0.64%~1.34%之间,平均值为0.89%,C/N比值为4.96~5.93,平均值为5.54。有机碳的δ13C值在-22.98‰~-20.73‰之间,平均值为-21.46‰,依据端元组份同位素组成计算的陆源有机质比率显示,D06站位的有机质主要来自海洋生物,而S0612站位则受陆源有机质的影响较大。沉积物中有机质的δ15N值在3.96‰~6.29‰之间,平均值为5.26‰,反映的是该海区氮源的同位素组成,而不受硝酸盐利用率的影响。     

Origin and transformation of organic matter in Pliocene–Pleistocene Mediterranean sapropels: organic geochemical evidence reviewed

Drilling of deep-water post-Messinian sedimentary sequences by ODP Legs 160 and 161 in the Mediterranean Sea has shown that occurrence of organic-carbon-rich sapropels and sapropel-like sediments extends from the Levantine Basin westward into the Alboran Basin. In the eastern Mediterranean, sapropel deposition started in the Early Pliocene, whereas in the Western Basin the onset of sapropel formation occurred later, in the Early Pleistocene. Precessional cycles are apparently the primary external forcing for sapropel formation. Nevertheless, the pattern of sapropel occurrence suggests that the precessional influence is modulated by the glaciation cycles. Large differences were observed in the organic carbon contents of sapropels recovered in the eastern and western Mediterranean. Correspondence between organic carbon contents, Rock-Eval hydrogen index values and elemental C/N ratios indicate that both variations in the production and preservation of marine organic matter have led to the accumulation of high amounts of organic matter in sapropels. Molecular organic geochemical compositions of sapropels from the eastern Mediterranean further confirm that the major fraction of organic matter in sapropels is derived from marine algal sources and has undergone variable oxidation. Enhanced marine productivity and improved preservation of organic matter is central to sapropel formation. Accumulation of increased amounts of land-derived material at times of sapropel formation is also evidenced, supporting the hypothesis of significant periodic freshwater discharges.     

Total organic carbon in seawater — comparison of measurements using persulfate oxidation and high temperature combustion

A method is described for the determination of organic carbon in liquid seawater samples by combustion at a high temperature. Although the method is not easy to perform, it has been successfully employed for a direct comparison to the standard method of persulfate oxidation. With seawater from the central western North Atlantic Ocean, the standard method measured an average of 78% as much carbon as the high temperature method. This indicates organic matter in seawater that is resistant to oxidation by persulfate; some of it appears to be of a colloidal nature. The persulfate resistant organic matter is most noticeable in a region below the surface 100 m and seems to decrease slowly with depth, indicating deep ocean biological utilization of organic matter. Due to a possible procedural error in the standard persulfate oxidation method, the differences indicated here may actually be conservative and the content of total organic carbon in the sea may be as much as twice as high as has been indicated by previous estimates.     

Geochemistry of dispersed sedimentary matter and its fluxes in the water column of the Caspian Sea

The first data on the chemical composition of dispersed matter from sedimentary traps are reported. The suspended components of sedimentary matter (amorphous silica, organic matter, carbonates, and lithogenic material, as well as Fe, Mn, and minor elements) are considered. As a result, it is shown that the intraannual variability in vertical fluxes of sedimentary matter is characterized by a seasonal increase in spring and autumn. The high fluxes of the components of sedimentary matter on the northern and southern slopes of the Derbent Basin in winter are explained by precipitation of material from the nepheloid layer that forms over the contour current.     

桑沟湾及附近海域表层沉积物碳氮同位素分析及有机质来源

Naturally existing stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes are important in the study of sedimentary organic matter sources. To identify the sources of sedimentary organic matter in Sanggou Bay and its adjacent areas, which is characterized by high-density shellfish and seaweed aquaculture, the grain size, organic carbon(OC), total nitrogen(TN), carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition(δ13C and δ15N) of organic matter in the surface sediment were determined. The results showed that, in August, sedimentary OC and TN ranged from 0.17% to 0.76% and 0.04% to 0.14%, respectively. In November, OC and TN ranged from 0.23% to 0.87% and 0.05% to 0.14%, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between OC and TN(R=0.98, P0.0001), indicating that OC and TN were homologous. In August, the δ13C and δ15N of organic matter varied from-23.06‰ to-21.59‰ and 5.10‰ to 6.31‰, respectively. In November, δ13C and δ15N ranged from-22.87‰ to-21.34‰ and 5.13‰ to 7.31‰, respectively. This study found that the major sources of sedimentary organic matter were marine shellfish biodeposition, seaweed farming, and soil organic matter. Using a three-end-member mixed model, we estimated that the dominant source of sedimentary organic matter was shellfish biodeposition, with an average contribution rate of 65.53% in August and 43.00% in November. Thus, shellfish farming had a significant influence on the coastal carbon cycle.     

九龙江口潮滩表层沉积物有机质的分布、来源及沉积环境指示意义

本研究旨在揭示九龙江口潮滩有机质含量及其来源的时空分异规律,寻找有效识别潮滩沉积环境的有机碳指标,以便更好地将有机碳应用于河口沉积微相识别和古环境研究。在九龙江口潮滩不同地貌单元,于夏季和冬季采集41个表层沉积物,进行粒度、总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)和稳定碳同位素(δ¹³C)测试。结果显示：从高潮滩至低潮滩,沉积物粒度逐渐变粗,TOC、TN和C/N变小,δ¹³C值偏正。高潮滩有机质来源以陆源和红树林贡献为主,中潮滩以海源和互花米草贡献为主,低潮滩以海源贡献为主。九龙江口潮滩有机质的分布和来源受控于河口陆海相互作用的季节变化、潮滩沉积动力分异和潮滩植被分布。高潮滩与中–低潮滩之间,TOC存在显著性差异,TN、δ¹³C存在极显著性差异,因此参数组合TOC、TN和δ¹³C可作为高潮滩与中–低潮滩的有效判别指标。     

Characterizing lipid biomarkers in methanotrophic communities of gas hydrate-bearing sediments in the Sea of Okhotsk

We studied specific lipid biomarkers of archaea and bacteria, that are associated with the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in a cold seep environment as well as the origin of sedimentary organic matter on the continental slope off NE Sakhalin in the Sea of Okhotsk. The organic geochemical parameters demonstrated that most of the sedimentary organic matter containing hydrate layers could be derived from marine phytoplankton and bacteria, except for a station (LV39-29H) which was remarkably affected by terrestrial vascular plant. Specific methanotrophic archaea biomarkers was vertically detected in hydrate-bearing cores (LV39-40H), coinciding with the negative excursion of the δ¹³C_org at core depths of 90–100 cm below the seafloor. These results suggest that methane provided from gas hydrates are already available substrates for microbes thriving in this sediment depth. In addition, the stable isotope mass balance method revealed that approximately 2.77–3.41% of the total organic carbon (or 0.036–0.044% dry weight sediment) was generated by the activity of the AOM consortium in the corresponding depth of core LV39-40H. On the other hand, the heavier δ¹³C values of archaeol in the gas hydrate stability zone may allow ongoing methanogenesis in deeper sediment depth.     

珠江口淇澳岛海岸带沉积物中硫酸盐还原和不同形态硫的分布

对珠江口淇澳岛海岸带3个站位(QA-11,QA-9和QA-14)的沉积物中不同形态的还原硫(酸可挥发性硫,黄铁矿和有机硫)、总有机碳(TOC)和孔隙水中SO42-,甲烷浓度进行了测定,并且利用稳态扩散模型计算其中2个站位(QA-9和QA-14)硫酸盐还原通量[1.74和1.14 mmol/(m2.d)]和甲烷厌氧氧化通量[0.34和0.29 mmol/(m2.d)]。研究结果表明由于潮间带沉积物受到SO42-供给的限制,因此位于潮间带的QA-11站位硫酸盐还原带较浅(约16 cm);在潮下带的QA-9和QA-14站位,随离海岸距离和水深的增加,硫酸盐还原通量呈现减小的趋势,并且硫酸还原逐渐受到可利用活性有机质的限制;甲烷厌氧氧化对硫酸盐还原的贡献表现出增加的趋势,由19.2%增加至25.5%。三个站位沉积物中按不同形态还原硫含量由大到小列出,它们是有机硫(OS)、黄铁矿(DS)、酸可挥发性硫(AVS)。沉积物中AVS的空间分布与硫酸盐还原通量有正相关性。QA-11和QA-14站位的黄铁矿与AVS硫的含量比值大于3,分别为7.9和3.6,表明两个站位的黄铁矿形成可能受硫酸盐还原作用的控制;QA-9站位黄铁矿与AVS硫的含量比值为2.2,暗示AVS向黄铁矿转化受到可利用活性铁的限制。     

Continental runoff of solid matter as a source of dissolved calcium in the ocean

It was found in the experiments that the transfer of calcium from the solid phase to the dissolved state took place under the interaction of terrigenous matter (bottom sediments from the freshwater lake) with the solutions modeling the interstitial waters of the sediments of high-productive regions of the ocean. This calcium might later bind the autochthonous CO₂ formed in the ocean under the oxidation of organic matter. According to the data of the three-week experiment, 1 g of the terrigenous matter evolved on average ～2.3 mg Ca²⁺ into interstitial solutions, which conforms to the involving of exclusively surface layers of the grains of the solid phase into the reaction. In view of the true rate of halmyrolysis of the grains of terrigenous silicates (a few μm/year), at the value of the continental runoff of solid matter being equal to 16 billion t/year, the amount of dissolved calcium supplied to the ocean as a result of the transformation of the terrigenous sedimentary matter at the stage of diagenesis amounts to 250–440 million t/year and over. These values are 3- to 5-fold higher that the amount of calcium in the continental runoff of dissolved matter supplied by the erosion of silicates and capable of forming carbonate sediments in the ocean under the interaction with autochthonous CO₂, unlike the calcium that is product of the dissolution of carbonate rocks.     

Characterizing lipid biomarkers in methanotrophic communities of gas hydrate-bearing sediments in the Sea of Okhotsk

We studied specific lipid biomarkers of archaea and bacteria, that are associated with the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in a cold seep environment as well as the origin of sedimentary organic matter on the continental slope off NE Sakhalin in the Sea of Okhotsk. The organic geochemical parameters demonstrated that most of the sedimentary organic matter containing hydrate layers could be derived from marine phytoplankton and bacteria, except for a station (LV39-29H) which was remarkably affected by terrestrial vascular plant. Specific methanotrophic archaea biomarkers was vertically detected in hydrate-bearing cores (LV39-40H), coinciding with the negative excursion of the δ¹³C_org at core depths of 90–100 cm below the seafloor. These results suggest that methane provided from gas hydrates are already available substrates for microbes thriving in this sediment depth. In addition, the stable isotope mass balance method revealed that approximately 2.77–3.41% of the total organic carbon (or 0.036–0.044% dry weight sediment) was generated by the activity of the AOM consortium in the corresponding depth of core LV39-40H. On the other hand, the heavier δ¹³C values of archaeol in the gas hydrate stability zone may allow ongoing methanogenesis in deeper sediment depth.     

Comparison of marine gas hydrates in sediments of an active and passive continental margin

Two sites of the Deep Sea Drilling Project in contrasting geologic settings provide a basis for comparison of the geochemical conditions associated with marine gas hydrates in continental margin sediments. Site 533 is located at 3191 m water depth on a spit-like extension of the continental rise on a passive margin in the Atlantic Ocean. Site 568, at 2031 m water depth, is in upper slope sediment of an active accretionary margin in the Pacific Ocean. Both sites are characterized by high rates of sedimentation, and the organic carbon contents of these sediments generally exceed 0.5%. Anomalous seismic reflections that transgress sedimentary structures and parallel the seafloor, suggested the presence of gas hydrates at both sites, and, during coring, small samples of gas hydrate were recovered at subbottom depths of 238m (Site 533) and 404 m (Site 568). The principal gaseous components of the gas hydrates wer methane, ethane, and CO₂. Residual methane in sediments at both sites usually exceeded 10 mll^?1 of wet sediment. Carbon isotopic compositions of methane, CO₂, and ΣCO₂ followed parallel trends with depth, suggesting that methane formed mainly as a result of biological reduction of oxidized carbon. Salinity of pore waters decreased with depth, a likely result of gas hydrate formation. These geochemical characteristics define some of the conditions associated with the occurrence of gas hydrates formed by in situ processes in continental margin sediments.     

Broad-band bottom forward loss and backscattering off San Diego

Broad-band forward loss and backscattering measurements were made at low to moderate grazing angles in shallow water off San Diego using pulses extending from 1 to 6 kHz in bandwidth. For forward bounce measurements, these large bandwidths achieved time resolutions as small as 0.25 ms, and revealed fine-scale subbottom layering with separations down to approximately 50 cm. The forward loss values show large fluctuations (>10 dB) over translation distances of 20-50 m in some cases or between two measurement runs separated by a few hundred meters in other cases. This observation, along with associated variations in the extent and number of subbottom arrivals, indicates a distinct patchiness in surficial sediment type. Previous measurements made in nearby locales also evidenced strong variations in bottom loss, but lacked the spatial resolution to discern interface reflections from subbottom contributions. Broad-band backscattering strength measured at 20-40° grazing was quite homogeneous over the entire region, probably because the critical angle is below 20°, as inferred from forward loss measurements. Theory suggests that scattering at angles above critical is from subbottom inhomogeneities rather than boundary roughness. The grazing angle and frequency dependence of these backscattering data are relatively weak     

珠江三角洲全新世沉积物磁性特征及早期成岩作用分析

磁性矿物的早期成岩作用是沉积物埋藏后的重要过程,辨别早期成岩作用,才能更好地解释地层的矿物磁性变化。本研究对珠江三角洲顺德平原全新世钻孔MZ孔进行沉积相和室温磁性分析,并辅以热磁分析鉴定磁性矿物,以探讨钻孔不同深度和沉积相的早期成岩作用阶段。结果表明,MZ孔全新世地层自下而上包括感潮河道、河口湾和三角洲相。室温磁性特征与沉积相缺乏明显关联,表现出强烈的早期成岩作用。此外,全新世晚期岩芯磁性特征还受人类活动影响。该孔早期成岩作用以磁性矿物溶解和形成自生黄铁矿为主。在三角洲前缘相的上部和河口湾相底部保存了硫复铁矿。根据矿物组合推测以4.51～4.56 m和30.4～30.5 m两个深度为代表的硫复铁矿形成机制不同,即三角洲前缘相中硫复铁矿可能形成于早期成岩作用的硫酸盐还原阶段,而河口湾相的硫复铁矿形成于甲烷厌氧氧化阶段,后者的含量随着深度增加逐渐增多。上述现象说明,沉积环境可以通过影响有机质和硫酸根离子的供应量,决定磁性矿物所达到的早期成岩作用阶段。     

基于高分辨率浅剖与钻孔信息对比的金州湾海底声速的统计特征

声波在海底沉积物中的传播速度是一个重要参数,弄清海底沉积物中声速的变化规律具有极其重要的意义。以渤海金州湾海域为例,在进行畸变校正的基础上,基于高分辨率浅地层剖面与钻孔数据的对比分析,实现了全新世沉积层和基岩界面以上沉积层声速的准确反演,并采用统计学方法分析讨论了研究区内的声速特征和变化规律,结果表明,全新世沉积层平均声速的95%置信区间为1 449.60～1 655.72 m/s,平均值为1 560.34 m/s;基岩界面以上沉积层平均声速的95%置信区间为1 657.96～1 970.80 m/s,平均值为1 765.63 m/s;研究区内海底地层的声速与埋藏深度之间呈现明显的正线性相关关系,声速梯度为4.18 s-1。     

南极半岛东北海域表层沉积有机质来源及其沉积环境

采用气相色谱-质谱技术对南极半岛东北海域海底表层沉积物的总有机碳、有机质碳同位素(δ13 Corg)和生物标志化合物等进行了测试分析。研究区表层沉积物总有机碳TOC平均值高于现代深海沉积物中的平均含量。δ13 Corg的变化说明该海域有机碳来源呈海洋水生生物来源和陆源混合的特征。正构烷烃的峰型分布、主峰碳、饱和烃轻重比C-21/C+22和(C21+C22)/(C28+C29)、甾烷组合和藿烷组合证实研究区西部表层沉积物有机质来源以陆源高等植物为主,其陆源可能来自于附近的南极半岛和南舍得兰群岛;研究区东部表层沉积物有机质来源偏以海源为主,且以低等浮游生物、藻类及细菌生物等海源输入为主。碳优势指数(Carbon preference index,CPI)、奇偶优势指数(Odd-even Predominance,OEP)和甾烷C29ααα20S/(20S+20R)比值显示研究区D1-7站位和D5-9沉积物有机质演化程度较高,D5-2和D2-4站位的有机质演化程度低,其他站位介于中间状态。饱和烃中姥鲛烷、植烷及其比值(Pr/Ph)等组合显示研究区西部以氧化-弱还原的沉积环境为主,其可能是受高温低盐别林斯高晋海水流和附近火山喷发的影响所致;研究区东部以还原—强还原沉积环境为主,可能是受低温高盐的威德尔底层水(WSBW)和威德尔海深层水(WSDW)影响所致。