Hydrocarbon source rock potential in the southwestern Gulf of Suez graben: Insights from organic geochemistry and palynofacies studies on well samples from the Ras El Bahar Oilfield

Palynological and biomarker characteristics of organic facies recovered from Cretaceous–Miocene well samples in the Ras El Bahar Oilfield, southwest Gulf of Suez, and their correlation with lithologies, environments of deposition and thermal maturity have provided a sound basis for determining their source potential for hydrocarbons. In addition to palynofacies analysis, TOC/Rock-Eval pyrolysis, kerogen concentrates, bitumen extraction, carbon isotopes and saturated and aromatic biomarkers enable qualitative and quantitative assessments of sedimentary organic matter to be made. The results obtained from Rock-Eval pyrolysis and molecular biomarker data indicate that most of the samples come from horizons that have fair to good hydrocarbon generation potential in the study area. The Upper Cretaceous–Paleocene-Lower Eocene samples contain mostly Type-II to Type-III organic matter with the capability of generating oil and gas. The sediments concerned accumulated in dysoxic–anoxic marine environments. By contrast, the Miocene rocks yielded mainly Type-III and Type-II/III organic matter with mainly gas-generating potential. These rocks reflect deposition in a marine environment into which there was significant terrigenous input. Three palynofacies types have been recognized. The first (A) consists of Type-III gas-prone kerogen and is typical of the Early–Middle Miocene Belayim, Kareem and upper Rudeis formations. The second (B) has mixed oil and gas features and characterizes the remainder of the Rudeis Formation. The third association (C) is dominated by amorphous organic matter, classified as borderline Type-II oil-prone kerogen, and is typical of the Matulla (Turonian–Santonian) and Wata (Turonian) formations. Rock-Eval T_max, PI, hopane and sterane biomarkers consistently indicate an immature to early mature stage of thermal maturity for the whole of the studied succession.     

Terrestrial discharge influences microbioerosion and microbioeroder community structure in coral reefs

Microbioerosion rates and microbioeroder community structure were studied in four Kenyan protected coral-reef lagoons using shell fragments of Tridacna giant clams to determine their response to the influence of terrestrial run-off. Fourteen different microbioeroder traces from seven cyanobacteria, three green algae and four fungi species were identified. The river discharge-impacted reef and ‘pristine’ reef showed similar composition but higher microbioeroder abundance and total cyanobacteria- and chlorophyte-bioeroded areas when compared with the other study reefs. Cyanobacteria dominated during the north-east monsoon (NEM) relative to the south-east monsoon (SEM) season, with algae and cyanobacteria being major microbioeroders in the river-impacted and pristine reefs. The rate of microbioerosion varied between 4.3 g CaCO3 m^?2 y^?1 (SEM) and 134.7 g CaCO₃ m^?2 y^?1 (NEM), and was highest in the river-impacted reef (127.6 g CaCO₃ m^?2 y^?1), which was almost double that in the pristine reef (69.5 g CaCO₃ m^?2 y^?1) and the mangrove-fringed reef (56.2 g CaCO₃ m^?2 y^?1). The microbioerosion rates measured in this study may not be high enough to cause concern with regard to the health and net carbonate production of Kenya’s coral reefs. Nevertheless, predicted increases in the frequency and severity of stresses related to global climate change (e.g. increased sea surface temperature, acidification), as well as interactions with local disturbances and their influence on bioerosion, may be increasingly important in the future.     

Distribution and feeding modes of macrobenthos within three oceanographic feature areas of the KwaZulu-Natal Bight,South Africa

The composition and distribution of macrobenthic communities was investigated in three areas in the KwaZulu- Natal Bight, a section of shelf off the east coast of South Africa. Areas were pre-selected on the basis of three known oceanographic features, posited to deliver land- or Agulhas Current-derived nutrients onto the shelf and to drive ecosystem functioning in this region. Replicate sediment samples were collected with a 0.2 m² van Veen grab, during two surveys (A, B) corresponding with normal periods of high and low rainfall, respectively. A subset of the full station array was selected across the shelf in an arrangement of increasing depths (inner-, mid- and outer shelf) through each feature area to investigate the spatial distribution and feeding modes of macrobenthic taxa. The two periods showed some differences in abundance and numbers of macrobenthic taxa, but were not statistically different. Total macrobenthic abundance from Survey A was 20 215 individuals from 642 taxa, decreasing to 18 000 individuals from 503 taxa during Survey B. Polychaeta and Crustacea were the dominant taxa sampled; abundance of the latter was attributed largely to a proliferation of Paguristes sp.1 at inner-shelf samples in the midbight (Thukela) region during Survey B. Similarity classification distinguished seven sample groups reflecting differences in feature areas and shelf positions under investigation. The Thukela River midshelf community supported the highest macrobenthic abundance, while the midshelf off the southern bight (Durban region) was most species rich. Findings were attributed to the habitat complexity of the midshelf which includes a palaeo-dune cordon at the 60 m isobath. Functionally, the community was dominated by interface- and deposit-feeding fauna, emphasising the importance of trophic plasticity in an environmentally variable and heterogeneous shelf environment.     

中太平洋深海沉积物中元素组合特征及地质意义

深海沉积物中稀土(REY,包括Y)是继多金属结核、富钴结壳和热液硫化物之后又一有潜力的深海矿产资源。对中太平洋46个富稀土的沉积物样品(∑REY=(730~1 596)×10-6)和53个相对贫稀土的沉积物样品(∑REY=(324~487)×10-6)进行主微量和稀土地球化学分析,利用聚类分析和因子分析法,对元素组合特征进行了分析,划分元素组合和4个主因子。综合特征表明,2类沉积物REY的富集均与磷酸盐有关,REY含量高低取决于磷酸盐含量,但沉积物的形成具有多源多期的特点,富REY沉积物中铝硅酸岩(黏土矿物和沸石)对沉积物中磷酸盐富集REY的过程具有重要的促进作用,而在贫REY沉积物中铝硅酸岩对REY的富集意义不明显。     

Modelling of sediment movement in the surf and swash zones

Under the action of marine currents, non-cohesive sediments evolve by bed-load, by saltation or suspension depending on their granulometry. Several authors have considered that the movement of sediment...     

胶州湾及青岛近海表层沉积物重金属赋存形态研究

2008年11月和2010年11月分别在青岛近海6个站位和胶州湾9个站位采集了表层沉积物样品,应用连续提取法分离和测定其主要成分和重金属的赋存形态。结果表明,易还原态的重金属受铁锰氧化物体系显著影响,其中镍的迁移过程基本受控于该体系,有机结合态的铬和钡迁移变化受有机质一定影响,其他形态重金属主要受外源输入影响。Pb和Cr存在显著富集,相对其他金属污染较明显。Pb的生态风险最高。胶州湾东部,尤其是李村河口附近重金属污染程度和不稳定性都最为明显。     

水玻璃固化硫酸盐渍土强度特性及固化机制研究

盐渍土化学固化法是解决盐渍土盐胀、溶陷和腐蚀等不良工程问题的有效方法之一。通过无侧限抗压强度试验、X射线衍射试验、化学成分分析和扫描电镜试验研究了石灰粉、煤灰、水玻璃联合固化硫酸盐渍土的强度特征,分析探讨了其固化机制。试验结果表明：石灰含量小于8%时,石灰、粉煤灰、水玻璃联合固化硫酸盐渍土的抗压和抗剪强度较石灰粉煤灰固化土有大幅度提升,固化土强度随水玻璃浓度几乎呈线性增长。水玻璃固化硫酸盐渍土强度增加的机制在于：水玻璃的碱激发粉煤灰作用和水玻璃与盐渍土中化学成分的吸附作用所生成各类凝胶的填充和包裹,使得骨架颗粒的接触面积增大,颗粒之间的孔隙逐步减小,骨架颗粒由点接触变为面接触,固化盐渍土通过凝胶而黏结成为一个紧密的空间网状整体结构,土体强度得以提高。同时,复杂的物理化学作用大幅度降低了固化盐渍土中 含量,有效地抑制了硫酸盐渍土的盐胀特性。     

Study of chemical forms of phosphorus and their bioavailability in the sediments

Chemical forms of phosphorus in the sediments of the Daya Bay, the Zhujiang River estuary, and the Xiamen Bay are measured with extraction solutions of MgCl2, NaOH, and HCl. Their availabilities to Chlorella sp. and Isochrysis galbana are estimated by using sediments as the sole source of P in the bioassays. The results show that the contents of total phosphorus (TP) in these sediments are 449.3, 650.1 and 643.9 mg/kg, respectively. The contents of non-apatite inorganic P (NAIP) extracted with MgCl2 and NaOH from 3 sediments are 168.8, 146.6 and 118.1 mg/kg,respectively, and account for 18.3%～32.6% of TP. The phosphorus extracted with HCI solution is greater than that extracted with NaOH solution and the lowest extracted P is MgCl2-extractable P. The greatest relative growth rates of Chlorella sp. and Isochrysis galbana cultured with sediments are in the range of 4.3%～26.9%. The increasing biomasses of these algae correspond to NAIP and AAPP (the estimated algal-available particulate P). AAPP accounts for 42.4%～78.2% of NAIP, 21.1%～27.1% of total inorganic P, and 11.8%～20.3% of TP, respectively.     

Metal binding by humic acids in recent sediments from the SW Iberian coastal area

The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, As, Mn and Co were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry both in recent sediments from different locations of the Huelva littoral (SW Iberian Peninsula) and in their humic acid (HA) fractions in order to evaluate distribution and binding capacity of those trace elements to HAs. In addition, elemental composition (C, N, S) and δ¹³C values were determined to appraise the sources of organic matter in the area. This study involved the comparison of selected samples taken from different environments including the estuary of the Guadiana River, the main fluvial system of the region, the Tinto and Odiel estuary system and the proximal shelf. Significant positive correlations were found among Cu, Zn, As and Pb in bulk sediments, suggesting a common origin of all of those elements: the mining activities and pyrite deposits located hinterland. On the other hand, results for Cr, Co and Ni pointed to the basic rocks from the low basin of the Guadiana River as their main source. Elemental (C, N) and isotopic (δ¹³C) composition of sediments indicated a significant contribution of autochthonous plankton in coastal shelf sediments, whereas estuarine and riverine sediments showed a major contribution of terrestrial biomass. Geochemical values for their corresponding HAs suggested a greater terrestrial contribution in the sedimentary OM of the coastal shelf sediments than in bulk sediments, which evidenced the influence of coastal currents and sediment fluxes. Humic acids sequester considerable amounts of Cu and Zn contributing to reduce the bioavailability of these contaminants.     

黄、东海海域水团发育对底质沉积物分布的影响

通过对黄、东海海域底质沉积物中的细粒级粘土矿物组合特征和全粒级碳酸盐含量分析、对比上覆水团和悬浮体资料，探讨研究区水团发育消长对底质沉积物分布的影响作用。结果表明研究区可以划分为长江冲淡水影响的长江型物质沉积区；黄海水影响的黄河型物质沉积区和黑潮水以及东海次表层水影响的残留型物质沉积区。而水团发育消长可直接影响下伏底质的分布特征。黄河型物质沉积区与残留型物质沉积区的分界相应于黄海冷水向东南扩展与黑潮次中层混合水向陆架爬升互为消长的长期综合平衡位置，而黄海冷水向东南的扩展范围代表着黄河物质在陆架向东南扩展沉积的最大范围．