The contribution of nano- and micro-planktonic assemblages in the surface layer (0-30 m) under different hydrographic conditions in the upwelling area off Concepción, central Chile

In the highly productive region off central Chile, the structure and temporal and spatial variability of planktonic assemblages, and the factors that determine changes in this structure are poorly understood. In the region, wind-driven upwelling, heating by solar radiation and freshwater inputs are highly seasonal processes, which, together with higher frequency events, can promote changes in the planktonic communities, especially in the upper layer. This study focuses on the structure of nano- through to micro-planktonic assemblages (2-200 μm) of unicellular organisms (protists) in surface waters (0-30 m) during different hydrographic conditions. Samples were taken from a fixed shelf station off Concepción (COPAS time series Station 18) on eight occasions between September 2003 and August 2004. The nano-plankton flagellate-dominated fraction was numerically important during the whole period. Maxima in flagellate abundance and biomass occurred during the upwelling period (November-April samplings) but these maxima appear to be unrelated to the degree of water column stratification. The micro-plankton diatom-dominated fraction was usually the largest component in terms of biomass during the study period and the diatoms made important numerical contributions during the upwelling period, with maxima in abundance and biomass when water column stability was lowest. The dominant genera and morphotypes in each functional group were found throughout the study period, with maxima in abundance and biomass co-occurring under similar environmental upwelling conditions. The mean macro-nutrient concentrations (nitrate and silicate) were relatively high in the top 30 m during both upwelling and non-upwelling periods, and did not explain the maxima in plankton or functional group replacements. The persistence of the dominant taxa in the planktonic assemblages suggests a high degree of flexibility, though probably not at the specific level, to withstand the highly variable environmental conditions in this upwelling area.     

Native aluminium (spherules and particles) in the Central Indian Basin sediments: Implications on the occurrence of hydrothermal events

We have sampled particles of native aluminium (Al°) in two sediment cores from the Central Indian Basin (CIB). The cores are geographically separated but are located at the base of two seamounts. The native Al° particles occurring as grains and spherules, have an average Al content of  95% and are associated with volcanogenic–hydrothermal material. Morphologically and compositionally, the specimens are similar to those reported from the East Pacific Rise. After ruling out several processes for the presence of the native Al°, we hypothesize that during progressive melting of magma, a basaltic magma is produced which has high contents of reductants such as methane and hydrogen, and a low oxygen fugacity. During the upward migration of such magma, reduction to metallic aluminium and the formation of native Al° particles takes place.     

南海北缘东部盆地油气资源研究

南海北缘东部的珠江口盆地及台西南盆地蕴藏着十分丰富的油气资源，根据区域构造背景、盆地发育分布的特点及中、新生代的油气地质条件，结合含油气构造、油气田、油气井的分布规律，利用油气资源评价的理论、方法，对区内的油气资源进行了综合研究，并按照油气资源状况划分出油气富集区、油气潜力区、油气远景区，在此基础上，再进一步划分出4条油气富集带、11条油气潜力带、8条油气远景带，充分显示了该区石油、天然气的分布规律和油气地质特点，为商业性的勘探开发和理论研究奠定了基础。     

南海陆坡天然气水合物成藏的构造环境

南海是西太平洋最大的边缘海之一，其复杂的构造演化，形成了构造特征迥异的南海陆缘，有利于天然气水合物的发育，南海地区在中中新统以上发育了上中新统，上新统和第四系3套地层，3套地层所对应的地质时期的沉降速率在纵横向上的差别均较为悬殊，总体而言，南海第四纪整体沉降速率较大，为天然气水合物压力场环境的形成提供了有利条件，南海复杂的构造背景形成了丰富多彩的构造地质体，特定的构造地质体与水合物形成关系密切，这里讨论了滑塌体、泥底辟、增生楔等构造地质体在南海的分布情况，分析了上述构造体与气体水合物地震标志BSR之间的关系，以及特殊构造带在南海的展布规律，提出了特殊的造带中天然气水合物的成藏模式。     

Nanoplanktonic assemblages in the upwelling area off Concepción (∼36°S), central Chile: Abundance, biomass, and grazing potential during the annual cycle

The structure and functioning of nanoplanktonic assemblages in coastal upwelling areas have usually been overlooked in explorations of the productivity of these areas. As part of a multidisciplinary, time-series station in the coastal area off Concepción, seasonal variations (upwelling and non-upwelling) in the abundance and biomass of these assemblages were investigated. Hydrographic measurements and biological samples were taken monthly over a 2-year period (18 August 2004-28 July 2006). Nanoflagellates dominated the total integrated abundance (3-317 × 10⁹ cells m⁻²; 0-80 m). Diatoms and dinoflagellates usually contributed to a lesser degree (<20%) but sporadically made important contributions to the total integrated nanoplankton biomass (0.02-10.6 g C m⁻²). Most of the nanoplankton was concentrated in surface waters (<30 m) during all the samplings and no seasonal differences in abundance or biomass were found in this layer, although the mean values and dispersions around them were highest during the upwelling period along with maximum integrated (0-80 m) chlorophyll-a values, as total or in the <20 μm fraction. Changes in nanoplankton abundance were significantly but weakly (r < 0.4) correlated with changes in the hydrographic variables; the highest correlation values were positive for temperature and oxygen, factors that varied with depth and date. The potential grazing rates of heterotrophic nano-predators (flagellates and dinoflagellates) on prokaryotic prey, estimated with a generic model, ranged from 3 to 242 bacterioplankton predator⁻¹ h⁻¹ and from 0.1 to 14 cyanobacteria predator⁻¹ h⁻¹. Our results imply a small impact of seasonal hydrographic variability on the abundance and biomass of nanoplanktonic assemblages and suggest that grazing by nanoheterotrophs might control the prokaryotic picoplankton populations in the upwelling area off Concepción.     

Microbial Biomass and Organic Nutrients in the Deep-Sea Sediments of the Central Indian Ocean Basin

In order to assess the impact of deep-sea mining on the in situ benthic life, we measured the microbial standing stock and concentration of organic nutrients in the deep-sea sediments of the Central Indian Ocean Basin in the Indian pioneer area. Sediments were collected using box core and grab samples during September 1996. The total bacterial numbers ranged from 10 10 -10 11 cells per g -1 dry weight sediment. There was a marginal decrease in the number of bacteria from surface to 30 cm depth, though the subsurface section registered a higher number than did the surface. The highest numbers were encountered at depths of 4-8 cm. The retrievable number of bacteria were two orders less in comparison with the direct total counts of bacteria. An almost homogeneous distribution of bacteria, total organic carbon, living biomass, and lipids throughout the depth of cores indicates active microbial and benthic processes in the deep sea sediments. On the other hand, a uniform distribution of total counts of bacteria, carbohydrates, and total organic carbon in all the cores indicates their stable nature and suggests that they can serve as useful parameters for long-term monitoring of the area after the benthic disturbance. Further studies on temporal variability in this region would not only verify the observed norms of distribution of these variables but would also help to understand restabilization processes after the simulated benthic disturbance.     

太平洋三海区热液烟囱物的氧同位素特征及形成温度

使用氧同位素方法 ,测试了西太平洋马里亚纳岛弧、马里亚纳海槽、冲绳海槽和东太平洋加拉帕戈斯裂谷的海底热液烟囱和硫化物全岩样品。结果表明 :马里亚纳岛弧上的埃斯梅拉尔达破火山口的热液硫化物的形成温度最高 (达 2 75℃ ) ,而成为高温产物的代表 ;冲绳海槽和加拉帕戈斯裂谷烟囱 ,表现为中高温类型 ,其氧同位素温度在 1 5 0℃左右 ;马里亚纳海槽以蛋白石为主要矿物的烟囱物 ,则显示出典型的低温热液类型 ,少量黄铁矿砂试样则表现出中温类型特征。但上述区域大都不同程度地存在有闪锌矿、黄铁矿、黄铜矿等中高温热液矿物 ,说明研究区除马里亚纳海槽明显有中低温热液活动类型外 ,其它区域皆具备中高温热液活动特征     

Plankton distribution and vertical flux of biogenic matter during high summer stratification in the Krka estuary (Eastern Adriatic)

The aim of this study was to investigate phytoplankton abundance, composition and vertical export in the highly stratified Krka estuary, Croatia. The estuary is stratified throughout the year, and an interface between fresh- and brackish water plays an important role in production and degradation of biogenic matter. Vertical export of particulate organic carbon (POC), phytoplankton carbon (PPC) and faecal pellet carbon (FPC) was studied by deploying sediment traps in the middle and lower reach of the estuary and in the adjacent coastal zone. Zooplankton faecal pellet (FP) production experiments were conducted to provide additional information on the potential contribution of FP to the total carbon flux. High suspended concentrations of POC, chlorophyll a and phytoplankton was found in the lower reaches of the Krka estuary, adjacent to a source of anthropogenic eutrophication. The fraction of organic detritus to the total POC flux was 61–69% inside the estuary but only 7% at the marine station. This indicates that the primary producers in the surface layer of the Krka estuary are decomposed in and below the interface and then settle as detritus to the bottom. Low sedimentation rates in the coastal zone outside the estuary revealed that the eutrophication does not spread out of the estuary. Mesozooplankton played a modest role in vertical flux regulation, due to their low abundance and dominance of smaller forms as well as low faecal pellet production rates. It is concluded that processes taking place at the freshwater-seawater interface are of major importance for the vertical carbon flux in the investigated area.     

中太平洋CP25岩心的矿物、稀土元素及Sr、Nd同位素组成--晚新生代海底火山活动的证据

中太平洋ＣＰ２５岩心沉积物中钙十字沸石、蒙脱石／伊利石比值（Ｍ／Ｉ）、稀土元素含量、铈异常（δＣｅ）、铕异常（δＥｕ）及Ｓｒ、Ｎｄ同位素特征作为海底火山活动的证据,揭示了中太平洋海盆晚新生代以来火山活动和沉积的历史。其结果是,早中新世约２０～１７ＭａＢ．Ｐ．间,火山活动逐渐强烈,在１７ＭａＢ．Ｐ．最强烈,使得沉积物具有高Ｍ／Ｉ和∈Ｎｄ、低δＣｅ和８７Ｓｒ／８６Ｓｒ。１７～１ＭａＢ．Ｐ．发生沉积间断。１ＭａＢ．Ｐ．至现代,火山活动较早中新世减弱     

太平洋中部表层沉积物镁铝含量比的变化

本文根据中、日调查资料,研究了太平洋中部表层沉积物镁铝含量比的变化,并探讨其影响因素。