Extensive methane-derived authigenic carbonates in the Irish Sea

Extensive areas of methane-derived authigenic carbonate (MDAC) have been mapped in the Irish Sea. In the Irish Sector, 23 seabed mounds associated with the Codling Fault Zone were identified by multi-beam echo sounder mapping. Inspection by ROV-mounted video showed that these mounds are rocky features rising 5–10 m above the normal seabed; sampling showed that they are comprised of quartz grains bound together by carbonate cement, probably MDAC. Two separate locations have been mapped in the UK Sector. At Texel 11, seabed mounds and a 6–8 m high cliff were mapped geophysically (MBES, SSS and seismic profiler surveys). Video surveys showed that both the mounds and the cliff are rocky reefs colonised by a prolific fauna. Samples proved to be carbonate-cemented sediments, and carbon isotope analysis (δ¹³C −41 to −46% PDB) showed that the cement was MDAC. Similar surveys of the Holden’s Reefs area proved the presence of similar rocky reefs which are also cemented by MDAC. The total area covered by these two MDAC occurrences is estimated to be >500,000 m². These MDAC occurrences are comparable in nature and formation to the ‘bubbling reefs’ of the Kattegat. As the bubbling reefs are “seabed features formed by leaking gas”, one of the marine habitats identified by the European Commission’s Habitats Directive as being sensitive and worthy of protection, it is suggested that the Irish Sea carbonate reefs should also be considered as special habitats.     

我国典型海岛地质灾害类型特征及成因分析

本文通过海岛调查及已有文献资料分析,发现我国典型海岛存在滑坡、海岸侵蚀、海水入侵、湿地退化、水土流失、地面沉降、风沙灾害、断层、港湾淤积、滩面冲蚀、沙滩泥化、浅层气、砂土液化、地震、软土地基15种地质灾害类型。滑坡灾害最多,基岩岛岛岸、岛陆和近岸海底均可发生;其次为海岸侵蚀,在基岩岛、泥沙岛均有分布,主要发生于岛岸;再次为海水入侵(含咸潮入侵),在基岩岛、泥沙岛岛岸均可发生;湿地退化也在基岩岛、泥沙岛岛岸均可发生;其他灾害类型的分布较少。通过对海岛典型地质灾害的成因机制分析,发现各地质灾害都是自然因素和人为活动共同作用的结果,并且人为活动的影响逐渐加剧,各地质灾害之间还存在着成因上的联系。     

Widespread rocky reef occurrence in the central English Channel and the implications for predictive habitat mapping

Reefs are one of the marine habitats listed in Annex I of the European Union's Habitats Directive, which aims to establish a coherent European ecological network of Special Areas of Conservation. EU Member States are required to prepare and propose a national list of sites for evaluation under the scheme, but currently the occurrence of reefs in the United Kingdom's nearshore and offshore areas is not well documented. Here we report on our search for rocky reefs in the central English Channel, which unexpectedly revealed an extensive reef system covering an area of 1100 km². Prior to our work, it was generally perceived that the seabed in this area comprised mostly gravel, with a few isolated rock outcrops.Our approach to determining the location, extent and character of these reefs incorporated broad, medium and fine-scale analyses over a 3200 km² area of seabed, using single- and multi-beam acoustic data, ground-truthed by underwater video and stills imagery. A benthic terrain model was developed in ArcGIS to map topographic features at the broad and medium scales. Biotope assignments were made at the fine scale through detailed analysis of video footage obtained from 30 sampling stations. The study area has a complex geological history and lies at the centre of a major bedload-parting zone. Together, these strongly influence the seabed character and the distribution of biotopes. An integrated assessment of the physical and biological features was used to map the study area to level 4 of the EUNIS habitat classification system.Similar physical conditions exist in other areas of the UK continental shelf, raising the prospect of predicting where other rocky reef systems might occur. In the absence of a co-ordinated national seabed survey programme, such predictions, coupled with interpretation of existing single-beam bathymetry data, can help prioritise areas where limited survey resources could be most effectively deployed.     

Acoustic mapping of fish aggregation areas to improve fisheries management in Las Perlas Archipelago,Pacific Panama

The purpose of this study was to investigate, characterize and map areas of the seabed of Las Perlas Archipelago (LPA), Republic of Panama using swath-bathymetry acoustic sonar techniques and to assess these methods as tools for feeding information into management zoning policy. In 2007 the LPA was granted conservation protection under national legislation. However, detailed management plans are still pending. Seabed mapping plays a fundamental role in identifying areas which should be prioritized within the management framework. Visual representation of habitat maps provides an effective medium for involving stakeholders in a co-management arena. In this survey, acoustically mapped areas of the seabed were ground-truthed using a combination of benthic grab samples, drop-down video and diver observations. The resulting mapped areas were then incorporated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) for further analysis. The output was a physical characterization of the seabed at three locations selected for being areas of high rugosity (habitat complexity) and, therefore, their potential importance as valuable fish aggregation sites. The rocky reefs and rhodolith beds identified in this survey represent particularly important fish aggregation and nursery habitats which should be considered priorities for protection under the management plans. This survey demonstrated the use of acoustic techniques to spatially resolve topographic features and physical characteristics of the seabed, illustrating their potential value as tools for fisheries management and marine reserve zoning in Las Perlas Archipelago and elsewhere.     

福建沙埕港八尺门潮汐电站开发研究

本文叙述了八尺门潮汐电站的开发。该电站处于缺煤缺油而潮汐能源丰富的地区,其坝址位于峡谷处,海床为基岩。采用预制浮这沉箱结构,以无围堰施工。这是我国首例用该技术建设潮汐电站,将为我国大型潮汐电站和低水头常规水电站提供经验。     

Modelling the physical impact of trawl components on the seabed and comparison with sea trials

Quantitative measurement of the response of benthic habitats to impact from towed fishing gears is of great importance to the ecosystem and the long-term management of sustainable fisheries. To date, most studies on the effects of trawling on the benthos have focussed on before/after, control/impact comparative studies. This research has proved important in terms of describing general trends and has identified taxa that suffer high levels of mortality, and habitat types where impact is the greatest. A limitation, however, to this comparative work is the lack of prediction-based methodology and it would be very beneficial to develop a more mechanistic approach that would allow trawling impact on the benthos to be estimated for a wider range of species and habitats. This paper is a first step in this approach and focuses on modelling the physical interaction between gear components and the seabed. In particular the penetration and disturbance to the seabed caused by (i) the roller clump of a twin trawl and (ii) a trawl door, are examined.A finite element (FE) model of the interaction of these components and the seabed is developed using the different soil models and features available within the Abaqus finite element software package. The resulting models are able to predict the penetration depth and sediment displacement associated with each gear component and the predictions are compared with the results obtained during sea trials. The sea trials were undertaken on two sediment types at depths accessible to scientific divers using SCUBA diving techniques who measured and profiled the physical alteration to the seabed following the passage of a roller clump and a trawl door. In addition, drag forces obtained from the sea trials are compared with numerical predictions of the drag related to the soil and the estimated fluid drag. Good agreement between the experimental trials and numerical simulations is found and hence this study provides the basis for investigation of the interaction of other components and sediment types.     

连云港淤泥质海床上波浪衰减研究──实验、观测及理论模型比较和评价

本文对连云港淤泥质海床波浪衰减问题通过室内实验、现场观测和理论模拟进行了综合研究，重点介绍了四种典型理论模型（粘性模型、粘弹性模型、宾汉模型及多孔介质模型），并通过与实验和现场观测结果的全面综合比较，对这些理论模型用于研究连云港地区波浪衰减规律的适用性进行了分析讨论。本文最后指出，针对连云港实际情况今后需要着重研究和发展波浪与淤泥底相互作用的非线性理论模型。     

Comparison of existing poroelastic models for wave damping in a porous seabed

Mechanism of wave–seabed interaction has been extensively studied by coastal geotechnical engineers in recent years. Numerous poro-elastic models have been proposed to investigate the mechanism of wave propagation on a seabed in the past. The existing poro-elastic models include drained model, consolidation model, Coulomb-damping model, and full dynamic model. However, to date, the difference between the existing models is unclear. In this paper, the fully dynamic poro-elastic model for the wave–seabed interaction will be derived first. Then, the existing models will be reduced from the proposed fully dynamic model. Based on the numerical comparisons, the applicable range of each model is also clarified for the engineering practice.     

An experimental study on non-linear progressive wave-induced dynamic stresses in seabed

In this study, the dynamic stresses within the seabed induced by non-linear progressive waves were explored through a series of hydraulic model tests on a movable bed within a wave flume. By comparing Stokes’ 2nd-order wave theory with the theory of wave-induced dynamic stresses within the seabed as proposed by Yamamoto et al. [1978. On the response of a poro-elastic bed to water waves. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 87 (1), 193–206.] and Hsu and Jeng [1994. Wane-induced soil response in an unsaturated anisotropic seabed of finite thickness. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 18, 785–807], the experimental results show that the pressure on the seabed surface, the pore water pressure within the seabed as well as the vertical and the horizontal stresses are all smaller than their theoretical values. If we were to obtain the characteristics of seabed soil, the analytical solution of Hsu and Jeng [1994. Wane-induced soil response in an unsaturated anisotropic seabed of finite thickness. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 18, 785–807] might agree to the simulation of the wave-induced effective stresses and shear stress in the sandy seabed. A different phase shift exists among all the three soil stresses. Their influences on the three dynamic stresses within seabed soil are important for seabed stability, and can be used in the verification of numerical models. In the whole, the non-linear progressive waves and the naturally deposited seabed are found to have a strong interaction, and the behavior of the induced dynamic stresses within the seabed is very complicated, and should be investigated integrally.     

The influence of nonlinear hysteretic seabed interaction on slug-induced stress oscillations in steel catenary risers

Steel catenary risers (SCRs) are usually cost-effective solutions in the development of offshore fields and the transferring of the hydrocarbons from the seabed to the floating facilities. These elements are subjected to the fatigue loads particularly in the touchdown zone (TDZ), where the oscillating SCR is exposed to cyclic contact with the seabed. The slug-induced oscillation is a significant contributor to the fatigue loads in the TDZ. The cyclic seabed soil softening under the wave-induced riser oscillations and the gradual penetration of the SCR into the seabed are widely accepted to have a significant influence on SCR fatigue performance. However, this has never been investigated for slug-induced oscillations due to the lack of integrated access to comprehensive numerical models enabling the simulation of the riser slugging and nonlinear hysteretic riser-seabed interaction at the same time. In this paper, an advanced interface was developed and verified using the multi-point moving tie constraint in order to examine the influence of cyclic seabed soil softening on slug-induced oscillations of SCR. The interface was integrated with a pre-developed user subroutine for modeling of the nonlinear hysteretic riser-seabed interaction and incorporated into a global SCR model in ABAQUS. A comprehensive parametric study was conducted to investigate the influence of slug characteristics and nonlinear seabed soil model on slug-induced, wave-induced, and combined wave/slug induced oscillations of SCR in the TDZ. It was observed that the nonlinear seabed model could significantly affect the embedment of the SCR into the seabed under the slug-induced oscillations and consequently improve the fatigue life. The developed user interface was found to be a strong framework for modeling riser slugging.     

Effects of shoreline and bedrock irregularities on the morphodynamics of the Alexandria coast littoral cell,Egypt

Beach-nearshore profiles combined with beach and surficial sediment samples were analyzed in conjunction with wave, current, littoral drift and sea-level data to determine the effect of bedrock on morphodynamic processes within the littoral zone of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. This 14.5-km-long littoral cell is bounded by pronounced embayments and pocket beaches separated by headlands which prevent bypassing of beach sands, in effect making this cell a large, semi-closed basin. The compartmented nature of this cell acts together with the rough irregularity of the rocky seafloor to trap a thin veneer of sediment (<3 m thick), showing proportional mixing between two sedimentary provinces. A modern fine-grained sediment facies consisting of mixed carbonate/siliciclastic sand flanks most of the nearshore zone down to a depth of 8–10 m. Beyond this depth, considered to be the depth of closure, a relict late Pleistocene to mid-Holocene coarse-grained facies composed of biogenic carbonate sand is found. Along a short section of the coastline (km 3–6), the coarser sediment also occupies the nearshore zone. Over most of the study area the two sediment types are mixed in various proportions, largest mixing coinciding with poorest sorting. Profile analyses revealed seasonal changes in sediment volume along the coast which closely follow the cyclicity of seasonal changes in wave climate. The present shoreline orientation, headlands and rough, irregular rocky seabed are reflected in the erosion/accretion pattern, sediment characteristics, and the reversibility of longshore currents and littoral drift. Although there is a marked deficiency in the sediment balance, the sand budget for this cell, including artificial material (2.339*10⁶ m³) has increased slightly by 0.041*10⁶ m³ year^–1 as a result of engineering works carried out to widen the coastal road (Corniche). In addition to the physical properties of the bedrock (degree of induration), the accelerating sea-level rise during the Holocene and human influences, the modern morphology of the coast, the erosional seabed features in the nearshore zone, and the texture of seabed sediments are all controlled by the original geometry of the coast which consisted of an elevated subaerial ridge.     

A Study on the Dynamic Analysis of A Tracked Vehicle for Ocean Mining on the Deep Seabed

1 .IntroductionOnthedeepseabed ,30 0 0～ 50 0 0mbelowthePacificOcean ,manganesenodulesaresolidifiedandspread ,andmanycountriesintheworldarestudyinghowtominethem .AccordingtoYamazakietal.( 1 998)andAmannetal.( 1 991 ) ,theenvironmentofthedeepseabedisdifferentfromthedrylandinmanyways .Inparticular,thesurfaceoftheseabedisverysoft.Inordertoensuretheperformanceofrunningofamanganesenodulemineronsuchasoftsurface ,thetrackedvehiclemaybeapplied .Ac cordingtoHongandChoi ( 2 0 0 1 ) ,astudyisbeingdone…     

海底沉积物声衰减研究现状及展望

根据近年来海底沉积物声学物理研究发展的态势,介绍了与研究声衰减有关的海底沉积物样品采集装置和海洋沉积物声速结构模式,综合解析多种对海底沉积物声衰减等声学特性研究方法,并做出较为详细地比较和讨论,提出对海底沉积物声衰减研究在满足科研要求的同时也应符合国家标准和要求。同时,指出了研究海洋沉积物声衰减的必要性和重要性,强调了对海底沉积物声衰减研究的科学意义和应用意义。     

节点和岩岛对河口分汊的影响

本文主要论述作为先成边界条件的节点(包括矶)和岩岛对河口分汊的影响.指出节点和矶的分布和性质对河口能否形成分汊以及分汊形态等具有不容忽视的作用。表明单个节点易形成喇叭状的少汊河口,多个节点则易导致藕节状展宽及分汊河口,而节点位于口门,则不利于河口展宽而使得河口难以分汊。在研究河口岩岛对河口分汊的作用时,分别从珠江口、韩江口和闽江口三个分汊河口,分析了岩岛的数目多少、规模大小和分布状况,对导致河口形成不同分汊模式的影响。     

Blending single beam RoxAnn and multi-beam swathe QTC hydro-acoustic discrimination techniques for the Stonehaven area,Scotland, UK

Surface properties of the seabed in a 180 km² area of coastal waters (14–57 m depth) off northeast Scotland were mapped by hydro-acoustic discrimination using single and multi-beam echosounders linked to signal processing systems (RoxAnn for the single beam, and Questor Tangent Corporation (QTC) Multiview for the multibeam). Subsequently, two ground truthing surveys were carried out, using grab and TV sampling. The RoxAnn and QTC-Multiview outputs showed strong similarity in their classifications of seabed types. Classifications generated by QTC-Multiview were used to supervise those based on seabed roughness and hardness indices produced by the RoxAnn system and thereby develop a ‘blended’ map based on both systems. The resulting hydro-acoustic classes agreed well with a cluster analysis of data on sediment grain sizes from the grab sampling, and indicated that the area could be described by distinct regions of surface texture and surficial sediments ranging from muddy sand to boulders and rock.     

An Image Analysis Technique for Exploration of Manganese Nodules

In order to develop the mineral resources contained in manganese nodules of the deep sea, the Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute (KORDI) has explored the area allocated by the United Nations in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone in the northeastern Pacific. During research cruises, the seabed surface was photographed every 30 s by the KORDI Deep Tow Imaging System (DTIS). Features such as the coverage and size distribution of manganese nodules on the photographs serve as the essential information to determine the potential mining areas. This article presents (semi)automatic procedures to extract the useful features from the photographs of the seabed surface using digital image processing techniques. The 35-mm films are first digitized by the film scanner. The depth information written on the film is then recognized to compensate for distortions due to nonuniform illumination. The nodule areas on the digitized image are recognized and separated from the background based on the characteristics of the nodules. The nodule coverage and distribution of nodule diameters are then calculated from the processed image. The proposed technique has been applied to sample photographs of the seabed surface. Experimental results indicate that the technique could be utilized as an efficient tool to process the massive collection of photographs of the seabed surface.     

Evaluation of storm wave-induced silty seabed instability and geo-hazards: A case study in the Yellow River delta

Models based on the theoretical framework of soil mechanics are presented to evaluate storm wave-induced silty seabed instability and geo-hazards through a case study in the Yellow River delta. First, the transient and residual mechanisms of wave-induced pore pressure are analyzed. Three typical models (i.e., elastic model, pore pressure development mode and elasto-plastic model) are proposed to calculate wave-induced stresses in the seabed. Next, mechanisms and calculation methods of wave-induced seabed instability modes such as scour, liquefaction, seepage instability and shear slide are proposed. Typical results of storm wave-induced excess pore pressure and seabed instability are given and relevant discussions are made. At last, the formation mechanism of geo-hazards in the Yellow River delta is analyzed based on the proposed mechanism and calculated results. Results and analysis indicate that both transient and residual mechanisms are important to storm wave-induced response of silty seabed and hence the elasto-plastic model is more appropriate. Complete liquefaction does not happen, while other types of instability occur mostly within 2–6 m under the seabed surface. Wave-induced scour, seepage instability and shear slide are all possible instability modes under the 1-year storm waves, and scour is predominant for the 50-year storm waves. The formation mechanism of geo-hazards such as shallow slide and storm wave reactivation, pockmarks, silt flow and gully, disturbed stratum and hard crust in the Yellow River are well explained based on the proposed mechanisms and calculated results of storm wave-induced silty seabed instability.     

两相流模型在南海内孤立波与沙波相互作用中的应用

为研究内孤立波与沙波的相互作用,本文对基于OpenFOAM的SedWaveFoam求解器进行改进,建立了内孤立波-泥沙运动欧拉两相流模型。在利用试验资料对模型进行验证的基础上,在南海北部典型代表性条件下,模拟分析了500 m水深位置沙波床面上内孤立波作用下的水动力变化和泥沙运动。结果表明,内孤立波逐渐离开沙波时,海底沙波背流面处出现与内孤立波背景流速反向的流速,在内孤立波导致的流场作用下,沙波床面上的泥沙悬起并运动到床面以上的水体中。振幅100 m的内孤立波可以导致床面以上14 m高的位置处出现约0.07 kg/m³的悬沙浓度。     

Video observations on the habitat association of demersal nekton in the midshelf benthic environment off the Orange River,Namibia

A semi-quantitative assessment is made of the animals observed in archived videotapes taken from the research submersible Jago, during diamond mining and exploratory surveys off the mouth of the Orange River on the west coast of southern Africa (28°15′S, 29°11′S) in November 1996. The seabed environment is described and nekton associations with substratum features are identified. The area is characterized by heterogeneity to its physical and biological struture. The variety of observed nekton is low, and communities are dominated by goby Sufflogobius bibarbatus, juvenile hake Merluccius spp. and cuttlefish Sepia spp. (on soft substrata), as well as false jacopever Sebastes capensis and kingklip Genypterus capensis (on rocky substrata).     

海底沉积物物理参数的声学反演模式

声学反演方程是声学探测沉积物物理参数的基础方程。基于声学理论和统计理论的声速反演沉积物物理参数的两种模式,运用南海海底沉积物声学物理数据验证、比较了两种反演模式,以反演孔隙度、含水量为例,得出基于双参数经验方程反演模式的适用性较强,但精度有待于提高;基于声速理论的反演模式反演南海海底沉积物物理参数有待于进一步完善。