Coastal and shelf circulation in the vicinity of Camamu Bay (14°S), Eastern Brazilian Shelf

The Camamu Bay (CMB) is located on the narrowest shelf along the South American coastline and close to the formation of two major Western Boundary Currents (WBC), the Brazil/North Brazil Current (BC/NBC). These WBC flow close to the shelf break/slope region and are expected to interact with the shelf currents due to the narrowness of the shelf. The shelf circulation is investigated in terms of current variability based on an original data set covering the 2002-2003 austral summer and the 2003 austral autumn. The Results show that the currents at the shelf are mainly wind driven, experiencing a complete reversal between seasons due to a similar change in the wind field. Currents at the inner-shelf have a polarized nature, with the alongshore velocity mostly driven by forcings at the sub-inertial frequency band and the cross-shore velocity mainly supra-inertially forced, with the tidal currents playing an important role at this direction. The contribution of the forcing mechanisms at the mid-shelf changes between seasons. During the summer, forcings in the two frequency bands are important to drive the currents with a similar contribution of the tidal currents. On the other hand, during the autumn season, the alongshore velocity is mostly driven by sub-inertial forcings and tidally driven currents still remain important in both directions. Moreover, during the autumn when the stratification is weaker, the response of the shelf currents to the wind forcing presents a barotropic signature. The meso-scale processes related to the WBC flowing at the shelf/slope region also affect the circulation within the shelf, which contribute to cause significant current reversals during the autumn season. Currents at the shelf-estuary connection are clearly supra-inertially forced with the tidal currents playing a key role in the generation of the along-channel velocities. The sub-inertial forcings at this location act mainly to drive the weak ebb currents which were highly correlated with both local and remote wind forcing during the summer season.     

Seismic stratigraphy and structural analysis of the northern East China Sea Shelf Basin interpreted from multi-channel seismic reflection data and cross-section restoration

Analysis of multi-channel seismic data from the northern East China Sea Shelf Basin (ECSSB) reveals three sub-basins (Socotra, Domi, and Jeju basins), separated by structural highs (Hupijiao Rise) and faulted basement blocks. These sub-basins show a typical rift-basin development: faulted basement and syn-rift and post-rift sedimentation separated by unconformities. Four regional unconformities, including the top of acoustic basement, have been identified and mapped from multi-channel seismic data. Faults in the acoustic basement are generally trending NE, parallel to the regional structural trend of the area. The depths of the acoustic basement range from less than 1000 m in the northwestern part of the Domi Basin to more than 4500 m in the Socotra Basin and 5500 m in the Jeju Basin. The total sediment thicknesses range from less than 500 m to about 1500 m in the northwest where the acoustic basement is shallow and reach about more than 5500 m in the south.Interpretation of seismic reflection data and reconstruction of three depth-converted seismic profiles reveal that the northern ECSSB experienced two phases of rifting, followed by regional subsidence. The initial rifting in the Late Cretaceous was driven by the NW-SE crustal stretching of the Eurasian Plate, caused by the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate. Extension was the greatest during the early phase of basin formation; estimated rates of extension during the initial rifting are 2%, 6.5%, and 3.5% in the Domi, Jeju, and Socotra basins, respectively. A regional uplift terminated the rifting in the Late Eocene-Early Oligocene. Rifting and extension, although mild, resumed in the Early Oligocene; while fluvio-lacustrine deposition continued to prevail. The estimated rates of extension during the second phase of rifting are 0.7%, 0.8%, and 0.5% in the Domi, Jeju, and Socotra basins, respectively. A second phase of uplift in the Early Miocene terminated the rifting, marking the transition to the post-rift phase of regional subsidence. Regional subsidence dominated the study area between the Early Miocene and the Late Miocene. An inversion in the Late Miocene interrupted the post-rift subsidence, resulting in an extensive thrust-fold belt in the eastern part of the area. Uplift and subsequent erosion were followed by regional subsidence.     

Evidence for the biotic origin of seabed pockmarks on the Australian continental shelf

The generally accepted formation mechanism of pockmarks worldwide is the expulsion of fluid at the seafloor, but such a mechanism does not explain the close association between pockmarks and seabed infrastructure such as pipelines and wellheads within the Stag oil field on the North West Shelf of Australia. Furthermore, certain characteristics of the pockmarks, such as conical mounds of sediment positioned around their perimeters, are strongly suggestive of a biotic origin. Pockmarks in this case are typically 5 m in diameter and 1 m deep, excavated within a sandy seabed in 45 m water depth. Inspection of ROV footage acquired during oilfield operations within the Stag field supports but does not entirely confirm without doubt the proposition that the pockmarks are created by fish of the genus Epinephelus.Having determined the characteristic features of pockmarks within the Stag field which mark them as biotic excavations, data from commercial seabed surveys at 11 other sites on the North West Shelf, all of which reveal numerous pockmarks, was reviewed for evidence of similar pockmark characteristics. Based on the review, it appears likely that the majority of pockmarks on the shallow North West Shelf (between 40 m and 130 m water depth) are representative of biological rather than geological activity. The probability that pockmarks less than approximately 10 m in diameter throughout the remainder of the Australian continental shelf are also the result of purely biological activity is high, as demonstrated by the analysis of data from three further sites.Close inspection of seabed survey data from further afield could extend the findings of this paper throughout not only the tropical Indo-West Pacific (the range of the particular fish species implicated on the North West Shelf), but potentially worldwide if other species can be shown to display similar behaviour.     

Particulate organic carbon export fluxes on Chukchi Shelf,western Arctic Ocean,derived from 210Po/210Pb disequilibrium

Fluxes of particulate organic carbon(POC) were derived from 2 10 Po/ 210 Pb disequilibrium during the 4th Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition(CHINARE-4) from July 1 to September 28,2010. Average residence times of particulate 2 10 P o in the euphotic zone were-16.00 a to 1.54 a,which are higher than those of dissolved 2 10 Po(-6.89 a to-0.70 a). Great excesses of dissolved 210 Po were observed at all stations,with an average 2 10 Po/ 210 Pb ratio of 1.91±0.20,resulting from 2 10 Pb atmospheric deposition after sea ice melt. POC fluxes from the euphotic zone were estimated by two methods(E and B) in the irreversible scavenging model. Estimated POC fluxes were 945–126 mmol C/(m2·a) and 1 848–109 mmol C/(m2·a) by methods E and B,respectively,both decreasing from low to high latitude. The results are comparable to previous works for the same region,indicating efficient biological pumping in the Chukchi Sea. The results can improve understanding of the carbon cycle in the western Arctic Ocean.     

Amery ice shelf DEM and its marine ice distribution

1 Introduction The Amery Ice Shelf, the largest ice shelf in East Antarctica, has a total surface area of about6.1×104km2. The ice shelf drains the grounded ice fromthe interior of the Lam- bert Glacier drainage basin thatcovers an area of larger than1.3…     

0703温带气旋特大风暴潮数值模拟对比分析

为验证德国汉堡大学所开发的三维陆架模式HAMSOM(Hamburg Shelf Ocean Model)对渤海海域气旋风暴潮模拟的可行性和准确度, 并对不同来源气象数据的模拟结果进行比较, 分别使用T213和NCEP资料的风场和气压场数据, 运用HAM SOM模式对2007年3月4—5日发生在渤海和黄海北部的气旋风暴潮增水过程进行了数值模拟。模拟结果较好地反映出烟台、威海两站风暴潮增水过程的水位变化, 较准确地模拟出风暴潮在渤海、黄海北部的增水过程, 且T213资料比NCEP资料的模拟结果更接近实况, 该模式对研究和模拟渤海气旋风暴潮比较适用。     

Review of Studies in Sea Level Change of Sunda Shelf Since Pliocene

The sea level change is an important part of global change. It not only relates to the natural environment and ecological changes, but also has a significant impact on the economy and the development of human society. Understanding the sea level history and dynamic rule is a basic condition to build reliable models and improve the future forecast. Sunda Shelf is located between the Pacific Ocean and India Ocean. Owing to the feature of the second continental shelf area, wide shelf and gentle slope, Sunda Shelf is sensitive to sea-level change and an ideal place for sea level study. In this paper, we introduced the method of sea level reconstruction briefly, and reviewed the researches in the Sunda Shelf of different geological periods: Overall, the sea level in Sunda Shelf during Pliocene was as high as 50~100 m, then fell gradually along with the development of the polar ice sheets, and fluctuated among 130 m with the ice volume shrinking and growing in Quaternary. Holocene researches with the most records exhibited the fast elevating in the last deglaciation and the mid-Holocene highstand. Recent observations showed a rising trend of sea-level of past 200 years and the accelerating rate since twentieth century. Meanwhile, the divergence conclusions because of the various research method and regions indicated the complex of the influencing factors and the variability of the spatial and temporal distribution for the sea level reconstruction.     

黑潮入侵东海陆架途径及其影响研究进展

基于中国科学院战略性先导科技专项(A类)"热带西太平洋海洋系统物质能量交换及其影响"的项目二"黑潮及其变异对中国近海生态系统的影响"的航次调查资料、历史资料和数值模拟结果,对黑潮入侵东海的途径、机理和影响研究取得了重要进展,主要认识和成果如下。在长江口邻近海域的赤潮高发区,多学科研究结果证实存在黑潮入侵东海陆架近岸的底部分支,该分支是黑潮影响近海生态过程的主要途径。进一步的研究发现该底部分支存在季节变化:通常情况下,在春季开始出现,在夏季7月份达到最强,可以入侵到近岸50m等深线位置,向北可到达30.5°N附近,然后在秋、冬季其入侵主轴位置逐渐远离岸线向外海偏移,不会入侵到50m等深线以西的近岸区域,该底部分支出现和赤潮发生具有一定的同步性。数值模拟和观测结果表明黑潮入侵底部分支还存在年际变化。基于地球动力学理论,提出了地形β-spiral理论,并为模拟结果和观测资料所验证,该理论可以很好的解释为什么黑潮入侵分支会存在,并且该理论预测出凡是黑潮路径与等深线不平行的地方都会发生入侵流的垂向偏转,底层流的方向和地形梯度的角度决定了入侵主要发生在底层还是表层,且该理论在世界大洋具有普适性。此外,研究还表明,黑潮入侵底部分支可以把具有高磷酸盐、高盐、溶解氧含量相对较低等特征的黑潮次表层水及热带藻种等物质输送到长江口邻近海域,从而对东海陆架生态系统产生重要影响。     

东海陆架盆地中生界构造样式及其动力学成因探讨

构造样式为盆内各类构造组合的几何形态表达,反映了盆地所处应力场性质变化与构造演化过程。本文基于近5年来针对东海陆架盆地所取得的地震资料解释成果,并综合盆地构造演化特征及其地球动力学背景,对盆地内中生界构造样式进行了系统的分类与总结,详细划分为5类构造样式:伸展构造样式、挤压构造样式、走滑构造样式、反转构造样式和底辟构造样式,并进一步细化为12种构造组合。同时,对东海陆架盆地内西部坳陷、中部低隆起、东部坳陷3个构造单元内的中生界构造样式发育情况分别进行了总结,各类构造样式自西至东具有各异的展布特征。综合盆内中生界构造样式几何学特点与展布特征可见,由于伊佐奈歧板块的俯冲、碰撞作用,区内处于挤压构造环境,进而形成了挤压背斜、断背斜、正反转等构造组合;大洋板块的后退翻卷及板块碰撞、俯冲的远程效应下,区内构造环境以伸展作用为主,形成了一系列NNE向裂陷盆地,发育了丰富的伸展构造组合;走滑-拉分构造的发育较好体现了构造环境的转变,地震剖面上见有花状断裂发育;岩浆底辟构造多发育于拉张环境下,与断裂展布息息相关,多沿NE-NNE向断裂展布。此外,新生代多期构造运动是影响中生界构造样式发育展布的重要因素。