A protocol for classifying ecologically relevant marine zones,a statistical approach

Mapping ecologically relevant zones in the marine environment has become increasingly important. Biological data are however often scarce and alternatives are being sought in optimal classifications of abiotic variables. The concept of ‘marine landscapes’ is based on a hierarchical classification of geological, hydrographic and other physical data. This approach is however subject to many assumptions and subjective decisions.     

Mapping fisheries in the German exclusive economic zone with special reference to offshore Natura 2000 sites

Large intensity and diversity of human activities result in an increase in complexity in the utilization of space. This paper describes the fisheries and a method to map fishing efforts and catches of different fleets by combining vessel monitoring system (VMS) data and logbook data. The method makes it possible to explore the spatial and temporal variability of fishing and the potential impacts of proposed management measures on the fisheries. The method is proposed to be used in the development of management plans for marine protected areas such as Natura 2000 sites, designated to protect vulnerable habitats and species.     

Marine reserve phenomenon in the Pacific islands

Coinciding with increased numbers of global marine reserves, communities in the Pacific islands are establishing unprecedented number of periodically-harvested and indefinitely-closed marine reserves. An integrated ecological and social comparative methodology is used to examine the motivations and outcomes of reserves in Vanuatu. Communities establish permanent reserves due to concerns about human impacts on reefs, while others establish periodic reserves in response to declining resources. Local knowledge suggests that both reserve types are effective, although validation by underwater surveys was inconclusive. Community support for both reserve types is strong, suggesting that the marine reserve phenomenon in Pacific will continue.     

Possibility of recent changes in vertical distribution and size composition of chlorophyll-a in the western North Pacific region

Our analysis of the last three decades of retrospective data of vertical distributions and size composition of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) over the western North Pacific has revealed significant changes of three indices related to Chl-a during summer season, as follows: (1) decreasing linear trend of the proportion of Chl-a in surface layer to that of the whole water column by 0.4 and 2.3% year⁻¹ in the subtropical area along 137°E (STA₁₃₇) during 1972 to 1997 and in the Kuroshio Extension area along 175°E (KEA₁₇₅) during 1990 to 2001; (2) increasing linear trend of the depth of subsurface Chl-a maximum (DCM) by 0.4 and 2.6 m year⁻¹ in STA₁₃₇ and KEA₁₇₅; and (3) decreasing linear trend of larger-size Chl-a (>3 μm) by 0.1 and 2.5% year⁻¹ in STA₁₃₇ and KEA₁₇₅, respectively. Water density (σ _θ ) at 75 m depth had also decreased by 0.006 and 0.05 year⁻¹ in STA₁₃₇ and KEA₁₇₅, respectively. The ratio of biogenic opal to biogenic CaCO₃ in the sinking flux decreased by 0.015 year⁻¹ in the subtropical region from 1997 to 2005. These findings may indicate that the subsurface chlorophyll maximum is deepening and larger phytoplankton such as diatoms has been decreasing during the past decade, associated with the decreasing density of surface water caused by warming in the western North Pacific, especially in the summer.     

西湖凹陷平北地区平湖组基于地震多属性的储层预测

始新统平湖组是东海西湖凹陷平北地区最重要的油气储层,但受资料条件的限制,应用常规方法无法进行精细的储层预测,制约了研究区的油气勘探部署和进程。应用地震多属性分析技术,结合测井曲线、岩心、岩性及区域地质资料,对平北地区平湖组的岩相进行了精细解释,并对有利目标区进行了初步预测,结果表明,平北地区平湖组发育潮汐控制的三角洲相和潮坪相两种类型的沉积相,并以三角洲相内的储层发育,砂体连片性好,工区西南部三角洲前缘相发育区为油气勘探的有利目标区。     

南海北部陆坡神狐海域晚中新世以来沉积物中生物组分变化及意义

对南海北部陆坡神狐海域4口钻孔(BY1、BY2、BY3、BY4)岩心沉积物中微体古生物的研究表明晚中新世以来该区沉积物中硅质和钙质生物组分丰度具有较大时间和空间变化。从时间上看,硅质生物在晚中新世—上新世几乎缺失,中更新世以来约40万年(0～24m)才较多出现,18万年以后繁盛,大于0.15mm粗粒级有孔虫在晚中新世期间丰度很低,而在更新世—上新世丰度很高;空间上的差异表现在不同的钻井岩心中生物丰度变化范围较大。根据硅质生物丰度变化可推测晚中新世—上新世—早更新世时海水表层古生产力极低,而中更新世以来古生产力相对较高。南海北部钙质生物丰度的变化主要受控于陆源物质的输入量,在钻探区可识别2个可能具有不同物质来源的小区块,如BY1、BY2孔晚中新世—上新世陆源物质的输入量高于更新世,BY3和BY4孔更新世陆源物质的输入量高于上新世。2007年本区钻探结果揭示的一个令人惊奇和十分独特的现象,水合物以高达20%～49%饱和度状态分散在细粒沉积物(黏土粉砂)孔隙中,本研究发现这些矿层富含钙质生物组分(钙质超微化石和有孔虫),而硅质组分贫乏。由此初步推测,大量钙质生物组分的存在可能增加了黏土粉砂沉积物的孔隙空间,从而为大...     

Mantle plumes and the metamorphism of the lower crust and their influence on basin evolution

Since the stretching model appears to be not applicable to the subsidence of accretionary crust, basins located on this crust type may have an alternative origin. Examples of such basins are the West Siberia Basin and the North German Basin. Both basins showed intensive volcanism and magmatism during the initial phase of their development. Remarkably, the West Siberia Basin is closely located to the (hotspot related) Siberian flood basalts with a similar Permo-Triassic age, and the location of the North German Basin in Permian times is identical with the present day position of the Tibesti hotspot in Northern Africa. These two basins may have specific relations to hotspot heat sources of the Earth's underlying mantle. Due to these heat sources, thermal metamorphism within the lower layers of the (accretionary) crust may occur, resulting in rock density increase and subsequent shrinkage of the affected rock volumes. These shrinkage processes will lead to the development of topographic lows, their filling with sediments, and the subsequent start of an exponentially declining isostatic/metamorphic basin subsidence. In addition to the analyses of metamorphic processes, potential field anomalies, temperature fields, and histories of subsidence have been integrated into one single model that can explain the development of the North German Basin. Similarly, the East African Rift and Eifel Hotspots affected parts of the overriding continental plates. The East African Rift Hotspot can be traced back to the Afar flood basalts and the Dniepr–Donets Basin, whereas the Eifel Hotspot can be linked to the North Sea Basin. Continental drift templates, present day hotspot locations, flood basalt areas, metamorphic facies as function of temperature, and crust categories are taken as published in recent literature.     

Variability and propagation of Labrador Sea Water in the southern subpolar North Atlantic

The variability of two modes of Labrador Sea Water (LSW) (upper and deep Labrador Sea Water) and their respective spreading in the interior North Atlantic Ocean are investigated by means of repeated ship surveys carried out along the zonal WOCE line A2/AR19 located at 43–48°N (1993–2007) and along the GOOS line at about 48–51°N (1997–2002). Hydrographic section data are complemented by temperature, salinity, and velocity time series recorded by two moorings. They have been deployed at the western flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) in the Newfoundland Basin during 1996–2004. The analysis of hydrographic anomalies at various longitudes points to a gradual eastward propagation of LSW-related signals, which happens on time scales of 3–6 years from the formation region towards the MAR. Interactions of the North Atlantic Current (NAC) with the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) close to Flemish Cap point to the NAC being the main distributor of the different types of LSW into the interior of the Newfoundland Basin. Comparisons between the ship data and the mooring records revealed that the mooring sites are located in a region affected by highly variable flow. The mooring time series demonstrate an elevated level of variability with eddy activity and variability associated with the NAC considerably influencing the LSW signals in this region. Hydrographic data taken from Argo profiles from the vicinity of the mooring sites turned out to mimic quite well the temporal evolution captured by the moorings. There is some indication of occasional southward flow in the LSW layer near the MAR. If this can be considered as a hint to an interior LSW-route, it is at least of minor importance in comparison to the DWBC. It acts as an important supplier for the interior North Atlantic, distributing older and recently formed LSW modes southward along the MAR.     

Observations of the North Equatorial Current,Mindanao Current,and Kuroshio current system during the 2006/07 El Niño and 2007/08 La Niña

Two onboard observation campaigns were carried out in the western boundary region of the Philippine Sea in December 2006 and January 2008 during the 2006/07 El Niño and the 2007/08 La Niña to observe the North Equatorial Current (NEC), Mindanao Current (MC), and Kuroshio current system. The NEC and MC measured in late 2006 under El Niño conditions were stronger than those measured during early 2008 under La Niña conditions. The opposite was true for the current speed of the Kuroshio, which was stronger in early 2008 than in late 2006. The increase in dynamic height around 8°N, 130°E from December 2006 to January 2008 resulted in a weakening of the NEC and MC. Local wind variability in this region did not appear to contribute to changes in the current system.     

The mid-depth circulation of the northwestern tropical Atlantic observed by floats

A comprehensive analysis of velocity data from subsurface floats in the northwestern tropical Atlantic at two depth layers is presented: one representing the Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW, pressure range 600–1050 dbar), the other the upper North Atlantic Deep Water (uNADW, pressure range 1200–2050 dbar). New data from three independent research programs are combined with previously available data to achieve blanket coverage in space for the AAIW layer, while coverage in the uNADW remains more intermittent. Results from the AAIW mainly confirm previous studies on the mean flow, namely the equatorial zonal and the boundary currents, but clarify details on pathways, mostly by virtue of the spatial data coverage that sets float observations apart from e.g. shipborne or mooring observations. Mean transports in each of five zonal equatorial current bands is found to be between 2.7 and 4.5 Sv. Pathways carrying AAIW northward beyond the North Brazil Undercurrent are clearly visible in the mean velocity field, in particular a northward transport of 3.7 Sv across 16°N between the Antilles islands and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. New maps of Lagrangian eddy kinetic energy and integral time scales are presented to quantify mesoscale activity. For the uNADW, mean flow and mesoscale properties are discussed as data availability allows. Trajectories in the uNADW east of the Lesser Antilles reveal interactions between the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) and the basin interior, which can explain recent hydrographic observations of changes in composition of DWBC water along its southward flow.