Seismic quality factors across a bottom simulating reflector in the Makran Accretionary Prism,Arabian Sea

The hydrate-bearing sediments above the bottom simulating reflector (BSR) are associated with low attenuation or high quality factor (Q), whereas underlying gas-bearing sediments exhibit high attenuation. Hence, estimation of Q can be important for qualifying whether a BSR is related to gas hydrates and free-gas. This property is also useful for identifying gas hydrates where detection of BSR is dubious. Here, we calculate the interval Q for three submarine sedimentary layers bounded by seafloor, BSR, one reflector above and another reflector below the BSR at three locations with moderate, strong and no BSR along a seismic line in the Makran accretionary prism, Arabian Sea for studying attenuation (Q⁻¹) characteristics of sediments. Interval Q for hydrate-bearing sediments (layer B) above the BSR are estimated as 191 ± 11, 223 ± 12, and 117 ± 5, whereas interval Q for the underlying gas-bearing sediments (layer C) are calculated as 112 ± 7, 107 ± 8 and 124 ± 11 at moderate, strong and no BSR locations, respectively. The large variation in Q is observed at strong BSR. Thus Q can be used for ascertaining whether the observed BSR is due to gas hydrates, and for identifying gas hydrates at places where detection of BSR is rather doubtful. Interval Q of 98 ± 4, 108 ± 5, and 102 ± 5, respectively, at moderate, strong and no BSR locations for the layer immediately beneath the seafloor (layer A) show almost uniform attenuation.     

Seismic quality factors across a bottom simulating reflector in the Makran Accretionary Prism, Arabian Sea

The hydrate-bearing sediments above the bottom simulating reflector (BSR) are associated with low attenuation or high quality factor (Q), whereas underlying gas-bearing sediments exhibit high attenuation. Hence, estimation of Q can be important for qualifying whether a BSR is related to gas hydrates and free-gas. This property is also useful for identifying gas hydrates where detection of BSR is dubious. Here, we calculate the interval Q for three submarine sedimentary layers bounded by seafloor, BSR, one reflector above and another reflector below the BSR at three locations with moderate, strong and no BSR along a seismic line in the Makran accretionary prism, Arabian Sea for studying attenuation (Q⁻¹) characteristics of sediments. Interval Q for hydrate-bearing sediments (layer B) above the BSR are estimated as 191 ± 11, 223 ± 12, and 117 ± 5, whereas interval Q for the underlying gas-bearing sediments (layer C) are calculated as 112 ± 7, 107 ± 8 and 124 ± 11 at moderate, strong and no BSR locations, respectively. The large variation in Q is observed at strong BSR. Thus Q can be used for ascertaining whether the observed BSR is due to gas hydrates, and for identifying gas hydrates at places where detection of BSR is rather doubtful. Interval Q of 98 ± 4, 108 ± 5, and 102 ± 5, respectively, at moderate, strong and no BSR locations for the layer immediately beneath the seafloor (layer A) show almost uniform attenuation.     

Near bottom variations of turbidity in the St Lawrence estuary

Observations of the turbidity and velocity fields in the near-bottom waters of the St Lawrence estuary were obtained with a package which includes a self-recording attenuance meter and a currentmeter. The latter also measures salinity and temperature. Time series varying in length between 26 h and 26 days, and with repetition rates between one and 15 min are discussed for 3 typical open-channel and nearshore stations. A high-frequency sampling mode provides a means to observe the passage of a frontal disturbance over the bottom during the semi-diurnal cycle. With lower frequency records having lengths of one week to one month, contributions to the turbidity fluctuations due to the spring-neap oscillations, seasonal changes in run-off, and the sudden rise in solid discharge of local tributaries following storms, can be resolved. From turbidity polar diagrams, local onshore sources of particulate suspended matter can be identified. Among other advantages, it is possible from such records to time precisely the occurrence of turbidity peaks in relation to the ebb and flow velocities, to assess the importance of resuspension, and to specify exactly the time rate of change of the turbidity. On the whole, self-recording equipments provide a wealth of information unavailable from more traditional hydrocast sampling techniques.     

Turbid bottom water layer and bottom sediment in the Seto Inland Sea

Measurement of the vertical distribution of total suspended matter (TSM) was carried out during summer throughout the Seto Inland Sea. TSM concentration near the bottom is influenced significantly by water movement and turbid bottom water is observed in all areas where median grain size (Md) of the bottom sediment is more than 47gf. The high concentration of TSM near the bottom may be due to resuspension of the surface layer of bottom sediments. Comparison of the organic content of the resuspended matter with that of the bottom sediment shows that the resuspended matter contains more organic matter with a lower C : N ratio than the bottom sediment. The C : N ratio of the resuspended matter is similar to that of TSM in the surface layer of the water column. It is thought that TSM in surface waters sinks and settles on the surface of the bottom sediment. This deposited material is then easily resuspended in the water column by tidal currents before becoming permanently incorporated into the bottom sediment.     

Detection of the bottom facies characteristics at El Zeit Bay,Red Sea,by using a single-beam acoustic sound

El Zeit Bay is a semi-closed area with a rectangular shape which south side is connected witu northwestern side of Red Sea. The study was done to detect the characteristics of the bottom facies at El Zeit Bay. Single-beam seabed echoes combined with diving survey and sediments analyses were used to detect sea bed characteristics. The seabed floor of the study area is characterized by three physiographical distinct bottom facies; sand facies: floral facies and coral patches facies. Sand facies lies at very shallow water it extended from shore line to depth about 2 m. It has very fine sand size intercalated by mud sediments. It is characterized by very poor benthos. Floral bottom facies has medium sand which characterized by rich floral vegetation this flora appear in scattered and irregular forms. It is observed at an average depth from 4 m to 6 m. Coral patches facies is characterized by the presence of coarse sediments. The coral reef covers about 40% of the study area (29.5% hard corals and 10.5% is soft ones) while the rest of the area (60%) is characterized by different benthos. In communities general, his area characterized by high biodiversity.     

南汇近岸水域近底层泥沙运动和边滩沉积

根据长江口南汇近岸水域17个站的水文泥沙同步观测资料,阐述了该水域近底层泥沙的流速、悬沙浓度的分布和变化。经无量纲潮流动力值的计算表明,研究区存在一个包络南汇边滩先向东南继而向南延伸的舌状高能量区,与高悬沙浓度分布区相一致。通过对悬沙运动和涨、落潮周期流向的分析,揭示了长江口向杭州湾底层泥沙输移的规律,其底层泥沙输移主要集中在低潮位时段,输移时间约占潮周期的36%,其中以南汇边滩向杭州湾输移的时间为最长,大、小潮都在5h以上,与其相关联,在芦潮港水域下层存在着一股东西向的高悬沙浓度的水体。据盐度、潮流、悬沙浓度等要素,并结合絮凝沉降分析得出,南汇边滩的沉积强度是潮滩>潮下带>深水区;边滩舌尖前缘水域的泥沙沉积时间与水体出现向东偏南或向西流的时间一致,这可视为近年来南汇水下沙嘴向东偏南伸展的原因之一。     

Long-term bottom water warming in the north Ross Sea

We measured potential temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen profiles from the surface to the bottom at two locations in the north Ross Sea (65.2°S, 174.2°E and 67.2°S, 172.7°W) in December 2004. Comparison of our data with previous results from the same region reveals an increase in potential temperature and decreases in salinity and dissolved oxygen concentration in the bottom layer (deeper than 3000 m) over the past four decades. The changes were significantly different from the analytical precisions. Detailed investigation of the temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and σ ₃ value distributions and the bottom water flow in the north Ross Sea suggests a long-term change in water mass mixing balance. That is to say, it is speculated that the influence of cool, saline, high-oxygen bottom water (high-salinity Ross Sea Bottom Water) formed in the southwestern Ross Sea has possibly been decreased, while the influences of relatively warmer and fresher bottom water (low-salinity Ross Sea Bottom Water) and the Adélie Land Bottom Water coming from the Australia-Antarctic Basin have increased. The possible impact of global warming on ocean circulation needs much more investigation.     

红海的升降

Siddal等提出了重新构建末次冰期海平面变化的新方法。他们提供了一个分辨率为百年尺度、时间范围在70～25ka之间的详细记录。这是冰期剧烈变动期，表现为明显的冷热波动。在约10ka前进入我们现在间冰期之前，末次冰期旋回在18ka以前达到顶点，即所谓的末次冰期的最盛期。过去海平面如此令人感兴趣的原因是他们反映了全球气温，在较冷期，更多的地球水固结在冰盖中，从而导致海平面的下降。     

Genesis of organic matter in the Kara Sea bottom sediments

Based on simultaneous use of organic and geochemical indicators (δ¹³C, C/N, and n-alkanes), the genesis of organic matter (OM) in recent bottom sediments of the Kara Sea was characterized. Maps for percentages and absolute masses of marine and terrigenous OM were drawn. The masses of buried marine and terrigenous OM were compared to its supply to the sea and onto the sea bottom.     

Antarctic bottom water in the Scotia Sea and the Drake Passage

The quantitative features and circulation of the Antarctic bottom water (AABW) in the Scotia Sea are investigated using an original procedure for the determination of the boundaries between the water masses. It is shown that the AABW is effectively transferred across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) from the regions on the south flank of this current where the AABW penetrates into the Scotia Sea. This transfer results in the abyssal water cooling and freshening in the Yaghan Basin of the north Scotia Sea. Some rises and depressions in the bottom relief of the western and northern Scotia Sea are important features that impact the AABW transfer. It is shown that there is an additional path of the AABW transit transport to the North Atlantic passing through the western Scotia Sea. The existence of the semienclosed cyclonic abyssal water circulation in the South Shetland Trench and the westward transport of the Atlantic AABW along the Antarctic slope foot into the Pacific are proved.     

Mineral composition of the modern bottom sediments of the White Sea

The mineral composition of the modern bottom sediments were studied in the White Sea. The single terrigenous-mineralogical province is defined; it is characterized by the mineral association of amphibole, epidote, garnet, and pyroxene. Five regions are assigned in the White Sea in accordance with the mineral composition of the surface bottom sediments. We argue that the granite-metamorphic rock complexes of the Baltic Shield are the main source of the modern sediments in the White Sea, while the East European Craton (Russian Platform) plays a secondary role.     

Circumpolar bottom water in the Scotia Sea and the Drake Passage

The quantitative properties and circulation of the lower layer of circumpolar water in the Scotia Sea with density 28.16 < γ ⁿ < 28.26 (potential temperature 0.9° > θ > 0.2°C) are investigated using the original procedure for determination of boundaries between water masses. The primary objective of this work is data analyses of four Russian sections, which were occupied in the vicinity of the Shackleton Fracture Zone in 2003, 2005, and 2007. It is shown that the ridges in the Hero and Shackleton fracture zones essentially constrain overflow of the lower layer of circumpolar water, and thereby, they produce the conditions to the east of the Shackleton Ridge for transformation (freshening and warming) of this layer reaching the northern side of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. These ridges also promote formation of several quasi-permanent and semi-enclosed abyssal and deep-water eddies adjacent to these ridges. The estimation of overflow of the lower part of the investigated layer with density 28.23 < γ ⁿ < 28.26 (0.9° > θ > 0.2°C) through the Shackleton Ridge based on LADCP measurements in 2007 is 0.5 Sv (0.1 Sv) to the east (west). The upper part of the overflow is estimated as 8.0 (7.9) Sv. Thus, the total transport of the lower layer of circumpolar water through the ridge is practically zero. It is confirmed by LADCP measurements carried out on the section across the Drake Passage in 2003.     

The tectonic style of the northern Red Sea

Multichannel seismic reflection profiles recorded in the northern Red Sea show structures that we interpret to be a result of the intrusion of uppermost Miocene salt. We believe that the evaporites are underlaid by attenuated continental crust and the flow of salt is due to renewed faulting of basement in the Pliocene when sea floor spreading began between latitudes 21°N and 15°30°N.     

Molluscan Hard-Substrate Associations in the Northern Red Sea

Abstract. The mollusc associations of 29 hard-substrate localities in the Northern Bay of Safaga Red Sea, Egypt were studied. The hard substrates were classified into 7 types: reef flats, intertidal rock bottom, very shallow subtidal conglomerate, Porites carpet, faviid carpet, platy scleractinian association, Sarcophyton carpet. Based on a cluster analysis the molluscs of these hard substrates can be classified into 5 groups: Group A is dominated by Dendropoma maxima , Chamoidea and Tridacna maxima , group B by Pedum spondyloideum, T. maxima and Coralliophila neritoidea , group C by Chamoidea and Cerithium rüppelli , group D by Modiolus auriculatus , Chamoidea, Morula granulata and Nerita albicilla and group E by Chamoidea and Pitar hebraea . The latter group contains only samples which are generally poor in molluscs. Group A molluscs are diagnostic for reef flats, group B for Porites and faviid carpets, group C for Sarcophyton carpets and group D for tidal/shallow subtidal rock substrates. The different hard substrates are therefore characterized by diagnostic mollusc associations and some of them could also be identified in the fossil record.     

Temperature inversion in the Huanghai Sea bottom cold water in summer

Using conductivity-Temperature-depth data of a recent cruise during July 22-28, 2008 and historical data, it is found that temperature inversions occur from time to time in the Huanghai Sea(Yellow Sea) cold water mass (HSCWM) in summer. The temperature inversions are produced by the movement of the fresh and cold HSCWM masses above the warm and saline Huanghai Sea Warm Current water at the central bottom of the Huanghai Sea Trough. The non-homogeneous profiles of the temperature and the salinity suggest that vertical mixing in the HSCWM, which is of great importance to the circulation in the Huanghai Sea in summer, is weak. Trajectories of satellite-tracked surface drifters suggest that waters in the northern reach of the Huanghai Sea move southward along the 40-50 m isobaths and descend into the southern Huanghai Sea to form the western core of the HSCWM.     

The density of Red Sea brines

The densities of artificial and real Red Sea brines have been measured at 25°C with a vibrating tube densimeter. Measurements were also made on mixtures of Red Sea brines with seawater and pure water. The results have been used to characterize the density—composition relations of waters across the interface of brine and average Red Sea waters. The results for the real and artificial brines are in reasonable agreement.The composition of the brines and mixtures with seawater have been characterized by conductivity measurements of weight diluted samples. The conductivity salinities were found to be conservative to within $\text{±0.07‰}$ for the mixtures.The densities of brines and mixtures of brines and seawater were estimated from apparent molal volume data using Young's rule. The calculated densities for all of the solutions were found to be in good agreement with the measured values, demonstrating the applicability of Young's rule to concentrated natural waters.     

Entrainment of bottom sediment in the Seto Inland Sea in summer

Time series of the vertical distribution of resuspended matter and bottom current were collected concurrently during summer at a few anchored stations in the Seto Inland Sea. The vertical distribution of resuspended matter was measured every hour for about one tidal cycle and the three components of current fluctuation were obtained at each sampling station. Current data at each sampling station show that the bottom is hydraulically smooth.Assuming that the averaged vertical distribution of resuspended matter for one tidal cycle shows a steady state distribution, the settling velocityWs of resuspended matter is estimated to be in the range of 1.2×10^–2 to 5.7×10^–2 cm sec^–1 from analysis of the averaged distributions.The relation between the erosion rate and the bottom shear stress for this study area is investigated and is compared with that for other areas. The results show that the erosion of sediment in the Seto Inland Sea during summer occurs even due to the low bottom shear stress which is considered as almost smooth hydraulically.