On the variability of the flow along the Meso-American Barrier Reef system: a numerical model study of the influence of the Caribbean current and eddies

A high resolution (3–8 km grid), 3D numerical ocean model of the West Caribbean Sea (WCS) is used to investigate the variability and the forcing of flows near the Meso-American Barrier Reef System (MBRS) which runs along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. Mesoscale variations in velocity and temperature along the reef were found in seasonal model simulations and in observations; these variations are associated with meandering of the Caribbean current (CC) and the propagation of Caribbean eddies. Diagnostic calculations and a simple assimilation technique are combined to infer the dynamically adjusted flow associated with particular eddies. The results demonstrate that when a cyclonic eddy (negative sea surface height anomaly (SSHA)) is found near the MBRS the CC shifts offshore, the cyclonic circulation in the Gulf of Honduras (GOH) intensifies, and a strong southward flow results along the reef. However, when an anticyclonic eddy (positive SSHA) is found near the reef, the CC moves onshore and the flow is predominantly westward across the reef. The model results help to explain how drifters are able to propagate in a direction opposite to the mean circulation when eddies cause a reversal of the coastal circulation. The effect of including the Meso-American Lagoon west of the Belize Reef in the model topography was also investigated, to show the importance of having accurate coastal topography in determining the variations of transports across the MBRS. The variations found in transports across the MBRS (on seasonal and mesoscale time scales) may have important consequences for biological activities along the reef such as spawning aggregations; better understanding the nature of these variations will help ongoing efforts in coral reef conservation and maintaining the health of the ecosystem in the region.     

北黄海盆地构造几何学研究新进展

北黄海盆地是发育于隆起背景之上的中、新生代沉积盆地。新一轮资源调查研究表明，北黄海中、新生代沉积盆地的基底由古生界沉积岩层和前寒武纪变质岩系等组成，盆地不同程度地发育下构造层（J3-K1）、中构造层（E2-E3）和上构造层（N）；从油气资源和中、新生代地层发育情况出发，将北黄海海域划分为辽东-海洋岛隆起区、北黄海盆地和胶北．刘公岛隆起区等3个一级构造单元，其中北黄海盆地包括6个二级构造单元和24个三级构造单元；盆地褶皱、断裂构造十分发育，褶皱构造可划分为区域挤压型、局部伴生型和披盖型等三类，断裂构造主要可见近EW—NE向、NW向和NNE向三组，其中近EW—NE向和NNE向断裂比较发育，控制着盆地隆、坳分布格局和沉积特征。     

Preliminary data on chemical changes in the Aral Sea during low-level periods from the last 9000 years

The withdrawal of the Aral Sea tributaries (Amu and Syr Daria) for cultures has led to significant falls of its level and an important increase in its salinity. During the Holocene, a succession of low and high water inputs occurred. Silty deposits correspond to the high levels and carbonates to the low levels. This study makes a distinction between the Syr Daria and the Amu Daria water inputs during low-level periods by using mineralogical and chemical compositions of the carbonates deposits. Waters from the Syr Daria are more sulphatic and have a low iron content in comparison with that of the Amu Daria. The Syr Daria was the major tributary around 7500, 4956 and 970 yr?BP, whereas around 6200 and 3610 yr?BP, inflow also from the Amu Daria is observed. To cite this article: L. Le Callonnec et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

A Lagrangian study of the near-surface intrusion of Pacific water into the South China Sea

Satellite-tracked Lagrangian drifters are used to investigate the transport pathways of near-surface water around the Luzon Strait. Particular attention is paid to the intrusion of Pacific water into the South China Sea(SCS).Results from drifter observations suggest that except for the Kuroshio water, other Pacific water that carried by zonal jets, Ekman currents or eddies, can also intrude into the SCS. Motivated by this origin problem of the intrusion water, numerous simulated trajectories are constructed by altimeter-based velocities. Quantitative estimates from simulated trajectories suggest that the contribution of other Pacific water to the total intrusion flux in the Luzon Strait is approximately 13% on average, much smaller than that of Kuroshio water. Even so, over multiple years and many individual intrusion events, the contribution from other Pacific water is quite considerable. The interannual signal in the intrusion flux of these Pacific water might be closely related to variations in a wintertime westward current and eddy activities east of the Luzon Strait. We also found that Ekman drift could significantly contribute to the intrusion of Pacific water and could affect the spreading of intrusion water in the SCS. A case study of an eddy-related intrusion is presented to show the detailed processes of the intrusion of Pacific water and the eddy-Kuroshio interaction.     

Stability analysis of seabed strata and casing structure during the natural gas hydrates exploitation by depressurization in horizontal wells in South China Sea

Natural gas hydrates(NGHs) are a new type of clean energy with great development potential. However, it is urgent to achieve safe and economical NGHs development and utilization. This study established a physical model of the study area using the FLAC^3D software based on the key parameters of the NGHs production test area in the South China Sea, including the depressurization method, and mechanical parameters of strata, NGHs occurrence characteristics, and the technological characteri...     

Experimental investigation of hydrate formation in water-dominated pipeline and its influential factors

Blockage in water-dominated flow pipelines due to hydrate reformation has been suggested as a potential safety issue during the hydrate production. In this work, flow velocity-dependent hydrate formation features are investigated in a fluid circulation system with a total length of 39 m. A 9-m section pipe is transparent consisted of two complete rectangular loops. By means of pressurization with gas-saturated water, the system can gradually reach the equilibrium conditions. The result shows tha...     

南海西部表层沉积物黏土矿物的分布

对南海西部表层沉积物进行系统取样分析表明,该区黏土矿物总体以伊利石为主,平均含量超过50%,其次为蒙脱石、绿泥石和高岭石含量较低,伊利石和蒙脱石含量变化较大,两者呈负相关关系,而绿泥石和高岭石含量变化较小,两者呈正相关关系。根据黏土矿物组合及其分布特征,南海西部海域大致可以分为A、B、C、D四区,其中A区以高伊利石和低蒙脱石含量为特征,B区伊利石含量明显下降,蒙脱石含量增多,C区以较高蒙脱石含量和低绿泥石、高岭石含量为特征,D区为相对低伊利石,高蒙脱石、绿泥石和高岭石,且往东南方向蒙脱石含量增大,而伊利石含量下降。与邻区黏土矿物组合对比研究表明,高伊利石含量的A区物源,除来自华南大陆的珠江、韩江等大小河流外,可能有相当部分来自东北方向,包括台湾岛及台湾海峡等。越南岸外的陆坡区细粒沉积物与陆架区有明显的继承性,表明其物源主要来自中南半岛,而红河物源对陆坡及深海盆的影响相对较小。南部陆架-陆坡区的物源主要有湄公河和加里曼丹岛,但两者的混合明显。因此,从区域分布来看,来自台湾海峡的细粒沉积物对南海深海盆影响最大,这可能主要是有由于表层环流所致。     

楚科奇海与加拿大海盆表层沉积物表观特征及其环境指示

通过对中国首次和第二次北极科学考察采集的表层沉积物的观察,根据沉积物的颜色和气味、砾石分布、底栖生物及贝壳分布特征的分析,探讨了该海区表层沉积物表观特征变化与有机质输入、沉积物的氧化还原状态的关系、底栖生物分布范围、冰筏碎屑的分布区域及与海流的关系,指出在研究区软体动物生长的北界位于73．5°N,比浮游动物的北界约低2个纬度。冰筏碎屑的北界可作为融冰水的北界或永久冰区的南界,位置在77°24′N附近。通过对沉积物表观特征的综合分析,结合研究区的海流特征,指出研究区的海流分布对沉积物分布有重要影响,尤其是两股不同性质的海流相遇,对西南部与东部两个区域的沉积物组成及性质具有较强的控制作用。     

南黄海西部地区浅层气的浅部埋藏地质背景

根据南黄海西部地区6000km多的浅地层剖面解释成果,对浅层气埋藏的载气地质体和地层时代两方面进行了分析。结果表明,南黄海西部地区浅层气主要存在于埋藏三角洲相、古湖泊相、古河道相、古潮沟相地质体中,在中更新世晚期以来的两期海相地层（全新世和晚更新世）和两期陆相地层（玉木冰期、里斯冰期）中都存在浅层气的地震反射。