Crustal Structures of the Northernmost South China Sea: Seismic Reflection and Gravity Modeling

The South China Sea (SCS) is a marginal sea off shore Southeast Asia. Based on magnetic study, oceanic crust has been suggested in the northernmost SCS. However, the crustal structure of the northernmost SCS was poorly known. To elaborate the crustal structures in the northernmost SCS and off southwest Taiwan, we have analyzed 20 multi-channel seismic profiles of the region. We have also performed gravity modeling to understand the Moho depth variation. The volcanic basement deepens southeastwards while the Moho depth shoals southeastwards. Except for the continental margin, the northernmost SCS can be divided into three tectonic regions: the disturbed and undisturbed oceanic crust (8–12 km thick) in the southwest, a trapped oceanic crust (8 km thick) between the Luzon-Ryukyu Transform Plate Boundary (LRTPB) and Formosa Canyon, and the area to the north of the Formosa Canyon which has the thickest sediments. Instead of faulting, the sediments across the LRTPB have only displayed differential subsidence offset of about 0.5–1 s in the northeast side, indicating that the LRTPB is no longer active. The gravity modeling has shown a relatively thin crust beneath the LRTPB, demonstrating the sheared zone character along the LRTPB. However, probably because of post-spreading volcanism, only the transtension-shearing phenomenon of volcanic basement in the northwest and southeast ends of the LRTPB can be observed. These two basement-fractured sites coincide with low gravity anomalies. Intensive erosion has prevailed over the whole channel of the Formosa Canyon.     

南海——我国深海研究的突破口

近两年来,海内外和海峡两岸的中国科学家围绕深海研究进行反复研讨,一致认为南海是我国深海研究的首选,并初步形成了“南海深部计划”的研究方案,提出以“构建边缘海的生命史”为主题,从洋壳深海盆的演化、深海沉积、生物地球化学过程三方面开展研究的建议方案。他们建议：利用现代技术重新测定南海磁异常条带,争取钻探大洋壳,系统研究火山链;观测现代深部海流和海底沉积过程,从深海沉积中提取边缘海盆演化的信息;认识海底溢出流体与井下流体的分布与影响,揭示微型生物在深海碳循环中的作用。争取在科学和技术全国性合作的基础上,在南海实现我国深海研究的突破。     

Deep structures of the Palawan and Sulu Sea and their implications for opening of the South China Sea

Compared to the northern South China Sea continental margin, the deep structures and tectonic evolution of the Palawan and Sulu Sea and ambient regions are not well understood so far. However, this part of the southern continental margin and adjacent areas embed critical information on the opening of the South China Sea (SCS). In this paper, we carry out geophysical investigations using regional magnetic, gravity and reflection seismic data. Analytical signal amplitudes (ASA) of magnetic anomalies are calculated to depict the boundaries of different tectonic units. Curie-point depths are estimated from magnetic anomalies using a windowed wavenumber-domain algorithm. Application of the Parker–Oldenburg algorithm to Bouguer gravity anomalies yields a 3D Moho topography. The Palawan Continental Block (PCB) is defined by quiet magnetic anomalies, low ASA, moderate depths to the top and bottom of the magnetic layer, and its northern boundary is further constrained by reflection seismic data and Moho interpretation. The PCB is found to be a favorable area for hydrocarbon exploration. However, the continent–ocean transition zone between the PCB and the SCS is characterized by hyper-extended continental crust intruded with magmatic bodies. The NW Sulu Sea is interpreted as a relict oceanic slice and the geometry and position of extinct trench of the Proto South China Sea (PSCS) is further constrained. With additional age constraints from inverted Moho and Curie-point depths, we confirm that the spreading of the SE Sulu Sea started in the Early Oligocene/Late Eocene due to the subduction of the PSCS, and terminated in the Middle Miocene by the obduction of the NW Sulu Sea onto the PCB.     

Tectonic unit divisions based on block tectonics theory in the South China Sea and its adjacent areas

Identifying distinct tectonic units is key to understanding the geotectonic framework and distribution law of oil and gas resources. The South China Sea and its adjacent areas have undergone complex tectonic evolution processes, and the division of tectonic units is controversial. Guided by block tectonics theory, this study divide the South China Sea and its adjacent areas into several distinguished tectonic units relying on known boundary markers such as sutures(ophiolite belts), subduction-collision zones, orogenic belts, and deep faults. This work suggests that the study area is occupied by nine stable blocks(West Burma Block, Sibumasu Block, LanpingSimao Block, Indochina Block, Yangtze Block, Cathaysian Block, Qiongnan Block, Nansha Block, and Northwest Sulu Block), two suture zones(Majiang suture zone and Southeast Yangtze suture zone), two accretionary zones(Sarawak-Sulu accretionary zone and East Sulawesi accretionary zone), one subduction-collision zone(RakhineJava-Timor subduction-collision zone), one ramp zone(Philippine islands ramp zone), and six small oceanic marginal sea basins(South China Sea Basin, Sulu Sea Basin, Sulawesi Sea Basin, Banda Sea Basin, Makassar Basin, and Andaman Sea Basin). This division reflects the tectonic activities, crustal structural properties, and evolutionary records of each evaluated tectonic unit. It is of great theoretical and practical importance to understand the tectonic framework to support the exploration of oil and gas resources in the South China Sea and its adjacent areas.     

南海及其周缘地区全新世海平面遗迹的构造含义

通过对海南岛海岸带野外考察,在文昌市铜鼓岭石头公园观察到高程为30m的海平面遗迹,在东方市黄流镇观察到高程为25~35m的海平面遗迹,在三亚市鹿回头观察到高程为2.5m的海平面遗迹。综合研究前人在该区关于海平面变化的研究成果,得出如下几点初步认识:(1)南海及其周缘地区中全新世以来海平面呈下降趋势,海平面最高位置出现在7000a左右、高于现代海平面3m左右的位置;(2)南海中全新世以来海平面遗迹所揭示的古海平面高程的差异性是古海平面本身持续下降和该区地壳差异性垂直运动共同作用的结果;(3)南海及其周缘地区中全新世期间中央海盆及其西缘的珠江口、红河、湄公河和昭披耶河4个河流三角洲地区为构造沉降区,而南海周缘的台湾岛、雷州半岛、印支半岛、南马来半岛、爪哇岛和苏拉威西岛6个地区为构造抬升区,抬升幅度最大的地方在台湾岛。     

南海环流多尺度动力过程演变特征与机制研究进展

作为西太平洋最大的边缘热带海盆,南海具有季节性海盆尺度风生环流特性,具有越东偶极子、南海西边界流、黑潮入侵分支等主流系（空间尺度>100 km）,也具有丰富的中尺度涡旋、锋面、上升流等中尺度过程（空间尺度约为O(10～100 km)）和活跃的亚中尺度过程（O(1～10 km)）等,而这些多尺度运动之间的能量转化是全球海洋能量循环的主要组成部分。本文主要概述了南海贯穿流特征、南海陆架陆坡流和西边界流特征、主流系对中尺度涡旋的影响、（亚）中尺度对湍流混合的影响四个方面取得的研究进展。目前的研究已发现主流系主要通过斜压不稳定将能量传递给中尺度过程,中尺度涡旋能量主要通过正压不稳定、剪切不稳定等过程将能量传递给小尺度过程。但是,多尺度运动之间能量传递过程的观测、南海中小尺度过程的能量逆级串过程及其对局地天气与气候的影响仍需进一步研究。     

南海及其周缘地区全新世海平面遗迹的构造含义南海及其周缘地区全新世海平面遗迹的构造含义

通过对海南岛海岸带野外考察,在文昌市铜鼓岭石头公园观察到高程为30 m的海平面遗迹,在东方市黄流镇观察到高程为25～35 m的海平面遗迹,在三亚市鹿回头观察到高程为25 m的海平面遗迹。综合研究前人在该区关于海平面变化的研究成果,得出如下几点初步认识：（1）南海及其周缘地区中全新世以来海平面呈下降趋势,海平面最高位置出现在7 000 a左右、高于现代海平面3 m左右的位置;（2）南海中全新世以来海平面遗迹所揭示的古海平面高程的差异性是古海平面本身持续下降和该区地壳差异性垂直运动共同作用的结果;（3）南海及其周缘地区中全新世期间中央海盆及其西缘的珠江口、红河、湄公河和昭披耶河4个河流三角洲地区为构造沉降区,而南海周缘的台湾岛、雷州半岛、印支半岛、南马来半岛、爪哇岛和苏拉威西岛6个地区为构造抬升区,抬升幅度最大的地方在台湾岛。     

基于CMIP5模式的南海海平面未来变化预估

Future potential sea level change in the South China Sea(SCS) is estimated by using 24 CMIP5 models under different representative concentration pathway(RCP) scenarios. By the end of the 21 st century(2081–2100 relative to 1986–2005), the multimodel ensemble mean dynamic sea level(DSL) is projected to rise 0.9, 1.6, and 1.1 cm under RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively, resulting in a total sea level rise(SLR) of 40.9, 48.6, and 64.1 cm in the SCS. It indicates that the SCS will experience a substantial SLR over the 21 st century, and the rise is only marginal larger than the global mean SLR. During the same period, the steric sea level(SSL) rise is estimated to be 6.7, 10.0, and 15.3 cm under the three scenarios, respectively, which accounts only for 16%, 21% and 24% of the total SLR in this region. The changes of the SSL in the SCS are almost out of phase with those of the DSL for the three scenarios. The central deep basin has a slightly weak DSL rise, but a strong SSL rise during the 21 st century, compared with the north and southwest shelves.     

南海中部海盆海山磁性反演及初步解析

南海中部海盆分布着众多海山,从实测磁异常反演海山磁性是南海海盆古地磁研究新的重要课题,它有助于解决南海海盆的运动方向和运动形式等问题.对南海海盆16座海山作磁性反演取得了较高的计算精度.对南海中部海盆海山磁性反演表明,海山均为非均匀磁化体,海山形成经过多期火山喷溢叠加.海山磁性差异清晰地显示了海盆分区特征.南海海盆分东部海盆区和西南部海盐区,海盆地壳运动规律差异较大:东部海盆以逆时针旋转由南往北运移;西南海盆先经历了顺时针旋转,后改为逆时针旋转,由北往南运移.     

南海南部造山运动及其与古南海俯冲的成因联系

古南海的展布范围以及俯冲消亡过程等一直是地质学家们争论的焦点问题。这不仅与南海扩张诱因密切相关,而且对南海地球动力学研究有重大的指导意义。在研究前人文献的基础上,对南海南部造山运动以及古南海俯冲过程之间的关系进行详细的论述。结果表明,南海南部构造活动主要分为两期：第一期运动从早白垩纪到晚白垩纪,古太平洋的洋壳俯冲到婆罗洲岛下方,俯冲带位于现今卢帕尔线一带,引起了曾母-南沙地块不断向西南婆罗洲靠近,并于晚白垩纪引发了碰撞造山运动。由于婆罗洲自身是由众多地块拼合而成,所以在始新世期间发生了多期碰撞之后的地块变形重组事件。最终在晚始新世（37 Ma）完成最后一期变形（沙捞越运动）。第二阶段是晚始新世（35 Ma）到中中新世（15.5 Ma）,位于西巴拉姆线以东至菲律宾卡加延一带的古南海从西巴拉姆线以东,向婆罗洲岛下方俯冲,随后扩散到沙巴以及巴拉望岛以南的地区,直至菲律宾的民都洛岛一带停止俯冲。由此产生的拖曳力是南海扩张的主要诱因。与古太平洋板块俯冲产生的效果相似,古南海的俯冲使得婆罗洲岛与南沙地块不断靠近。在中中新世（15.5 Ma）,引起南沙地块与婆罗洲岛在沙巴地区的碰撞（沙巴造山）以及巴拉望北部陆壳与菲律宾岛弧的碰撞而停止。由此带来的不整合面在南海南部普遍可见,甚至到达了巴拉望岛一带。而现今南沙海槽与巴拉望海槽并非是俯冲带的前渊,前者是对沙巴新近纪增生楔重力驱动变形的响应,后者是巴拉望岛北侧伸展背景下产生的半地堑盆地,在后期增生楔的作用下发生强烈沉降所形成。真正的俯冲带则分别位于南沙海槽东南部以及巴拉望海槽东南部。据现有证据推测,最少在10 Ma之前古南海就在菲律宾民都洛一带停止俯冲,从而完成了整个古南海的封闭。     

海洋背景磁场模拟计算及东中国海表层磁场分布

海洋中海水的运动会切割地球磁场,生成微弱的电场,进而在海洋内部和周围空间激发感生电磁场,即约为地球磁场一万至十万分之一的微弱海洋背景磁场.文中针对海洋背景磁场的生成机制及近几十年来对海洋背景磁场的理论研究,结合世界磁场模型WMM2005,模拟计算了三种典型的海洋运动--海浪、海流、内波所产生的感应磁场,建立了海洋背景磁场的数值计算模型,并在此基础上设计开发了海洋背景磁场的模拟计算软件.最后用卫星多传感器资料驱动普林斯顿海洋动力学模式,得到的东中国海2005年海洋表层环流数据,模拟计算了东中国海海表层磁场分布,对其磁场变化与分布规律作了简要分析.     

南海西北部新生代沉积基底构造演化

在综合分析地质、地球物理、地球化学、古生物学等多方面资料的基础上,将南海西北部海域控制新生代主要沉积盆地的基底划分为5个区:北部湾古生界断堑基底区、莺歌海古生界走滑拉分基底区、琼东古生界断陷基底区、西沙北古生界裂谷基底区、西沙南古生界走滑伸展基底区.通过区域地质分析,初步重建了该海域的大地构造演化历史.该海域新生代沉积基底在前新生代时期与其北面陆上云开地区和其南面的南沙地区同处于特提斯构造域中,经历过古特提斯和中特提斯的发育历程,晚古生代以来可初步分为5个阶段:(1)D-P₁,古特提斯东段多岛洋体系发育阶段;(2)P₂,中特提斯(古南海)开始出现、古特提斯开始消减阶段;(3)T-K₁,古特提斯东段多地块缝合阶段;(4)K₂-N₁1,现代南海形成、中特提斯(古南海)消亡时期;(6)N₁2以来南海扩张停止、澳大利亚板块向北俯冲挤压阶段.     

Interannual variability of the Kuroshio intrusion in the South China Sea

The interannual variability of intrusions of the Kuroshio into the South China Sea (SCS) is investigated using satellite remote sensing data supported by in-situ measurements. The mesoscale circulation of the SCS is predominantly wind-forced by the northeast winter and southwest summer monsoons. Although the region has been studied extensively, considerable uncertainty remains about the annual and interannual mesoscale nature of the circulation. The frequency and characteristics of Kuroshio intrusions and their effect on circulation patterns in the northeast SCS are also not well understood. Satellite observations of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Sea Surface Height Anomalies (SSHA) from TOPEX/ Poseidon for the period 1997–2005 are used here to analyze the annual and interannual variability in Kuroshio intrusions and their effects on the region. Analysis of SST and SSHA shows the formation and characteristics of intrusions vary considerably each year. Typically, the intrusion occurs in the central region of Luzon Strait and results in an anticyclonic circulation in the northeastern SCS. However, in some years, the intrusion is located in the northern portion of Luzon Strait and a cyclonic intrusion results. Wind stress and wind stress curl derived from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) QuikSCAT satellite scatterometer are used to evaluate the relationship between wind stress or wind stress curl and the presence of winter Kuroshio intrusions into the SCS.     

南海海水中溶解态铜、铅、锌、镉环境背景值的初步研究

本文通过对南海海域自然环境中表层海水溶解态Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd的分析，讨论了南海表层海水中重金属含量的分布。根据地理环境特征及表层环流结构将南海表层水域分成北部和南部两个重金属背景值海区，并采用统计学方法对海水中重金属的分布类型进行了态性检验，按分布类型分别确定了Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd的环境背景值。     

关于底侵作用和拆沉作用在南海中的指示意义

南海位于印度板块、欧亚板块和太平洋板块之间,是世界上最大的边缘海。许多学者对其成因模式和动力学机制进行过多方面的探讨,但往往只注重地壳浅部和侧向碰撞的研究,而忽视了深部的壳幔相互作用。从地形地貌、岩石地球化学、地球物理学、岩相古地理学等地质事实出发,论述了南海存在着大规模的底侵作用和拆沉作用,并在前人研究的基础上,建立了简单的以底侵作用和拆沉作用为主的壳幔相互作用模型来模拟南海的形成演化过程,指出底侵作用和拆沉作用是南海形成演化过程中深部的主要推动力,对南海的形成演化有着非常重要的影响。     

南海中西部叶绿素时空变化特征分析

本文使用2003年1月—2019年12月MODIS遥感数据,结合海表温度、风速分析南海中西部叶绿素质量浓度分布特征和影响因素。结果显示南海中西部叶绿素质量浓度分布存在时空变化。EOF分解表明,EOF1可能反映台风等极端天气对叶绿素的影响;而EOF2 和EOF3均反映了夏季沿岸上升流对叶绿素分布的影响。相关分析表明南海中西部叶绿素质量浓度与海面风场呈正相关(r=0.87,p<0.01),与海表温度呈负相关(r=-0.59,p<0.05)。夏季在西南季风影响下越南东南沿海形成上升流,导致该区浮游植物旺发、叶绿素质量浓度升高;冬季受强东北季风影响,研究区海洋上层混合作用强烈,营养盐供应增加,促进了浮游植物生长,叶绿素质量浓度高于其他季节。     

南海海域浮游植物叶绿素与海表温度季节变化特征分析

利用 Sea WiFS卫星遥感叶绿素质量浓度及TRMM微波遥感海表温度产品, 研究了南海海表叶绿素a的季节变化特征及其同海表温度的关系。研究结果表明, 南海叶绿素质量浓度具有很强的季节变化:通常低叶绿素质量浓度(<0.12 mg·m^-3)出现在弱风高海表温度(>28°C)的春、夏季节;高叶绿素质量浓度(>0.13 mg·m^-3)通常出现在有较强风速和较低海表温度(<27°C)的冬季。线性回归分析显示, 南海叶绿素质量浓度同海表温度呈显著负相关。尽管在南海南部、南海中部、南海西部及吕宋西北部4个代表子区域的显著性有所差异, 但都暗示温度变化所反映的垂向层化调控了营养盐质量浓度和浮游植物量变化。可见, 温度可能是影响海洋上层稳定程度及垂向交换强度的重要指标, 从而可能调控营养盐及浮游植物的变化。     

南海海表温时空演变与南海夏季风爆发早晚相关性初探

利用我国近海1986-2008年间的海温再分析资料,分析了南海海温异常的时空变化,重点揭示了南海夏季风爆发前后(4-6月)南海表层海温异常的时空演变特征,并探讨了其与南海夏季风爆发早晚的相关关系。结果显示,南海夏季风爆发前后南海表层海温异常存在一个显著时空演变模态,4月南海全域海表温度异常几呈负位相态势,其中正值信号首先出现于巴拉望岛以西海域,随后逐步向西向北扩展,5月南海大部已被海表温异常正位相控制,6月南海表层海温异常完成负-正位相转换。分析表明,南海表层海温异常时空演变的年际差异与南海夏季风爆发的早晚存在显著相关。综合已有研究认为,南海海表温异常时空演变所形成的季节内尺度的热力差异(主要包含演进趋势、速度和幅度等)可能是影响南海夏季风爆发早晚的一个重要因子,据此建立了海表温温差异常指标,其对南海夏季风爆发早晚具有较好的反映能力。此外,南海海表温异常时空演变与南海暖池的变化紧密关联。相关分析还发现,南海夏季风爆发前期南海暖池与印度洋暖池的海表温差异常存在显著正相关关系,而与西太平洋暖池为负相关关系。南海海表温异常季节内演变在印-太暖池区海表热力格局及差异形成背景下或可通过影响大尺度经向和纬向环流而引发南海夏季风爆发早晚之年际异常。     

中国南海海表面温度与对流关系初探

利用1985年1月～2009年7月月平均海表面温度(SST)和代表局地对流的对外长波辐射(OLR)资料,讨论中国南海海表面温度与局地对流之间的关系。结果显示,在气候平均意义下,南海对流增强所需的SST阈值为27℃,即当SST低于27℃时,南海OLR值高于240 W/m2,并且随SST的升高变化不大;SST超过27℃后,随着SST的升高,OLR迅速减小,对流强度不断增强。与一般热带海洋不同之处在于SST超过29.5℃后对流仍加强。冬季风阶段(10月～次年4月)SST值较低,对流受到抑制,即使在3、4月SST高于27℃时对流强度仍较弱;5月为南海夏季风爆发月,SST较4月仅升高1℃,但对流强度显著增强;夏季风阶段(6～9月)南海的高温暖水使对流在平均意义上维持高值,但对流的变化与局地SST变化之间的关系不明显。     

Sea surface temperature variations in the southwestern South China Sea over the past 160 ka

Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the southwestern South China Sea have been reconstructed for the past 160 ka using the Uk37 paleothermometer from the core MD01-2392. The temperature differences between glacial times (MISs 6 and 2) and interglacial times (MISs 5.5 and 1) are 2.2~2.5 ℃. Younger Dryas event during the last deglaciation was documented in both the planktonic foraminiferal δ18O and SST records. After MIS 5.5, SSTs displayed a progressive cooling from 28.6 to 24.5 ℃, culminating at the LGM. During this gradual cooling period, warm events such as MISs 5.3, 5.1 and 3 were also clearly documented. By comparison of SST between the study core and Core 17954, a pattern of low or no meridional SST gradients during the interglacial periods and high meridional SST gradients during the glacial periods was exhibited. This pattern indicates the much stronger East Asian winter monsoon at the glacial than at the interglacial periods. Spectral analysis gives two prominent cycles: 41 and 23 ka, with the former more pronounced, suggesting that SSTs in the southern SCS varied in concert with high-latitude processes through the connection of East Asian winter monsoon.