Growth Aspects and Magnesium Carbonate Concentrations of the Reef Building Octocoral Heliopora coerulea (Pallas) after Transplantation

Abstract. An experiment to test C have's hypothesis on temperature dependent MgCO₃ concentrations in marine calcareous skeletons was undertaken by transplanting colonies of Heliopora coerulea. The corals were transferred from a shallow lagoon with high average temperatures to the outer bottom of a fringing reef, 16 m depth, with low average temperatures. Against expectation, a statistically significant increase of average mol % concentrations from 0.48 to 0.54 % for upper growth regions and from 0.49 to 0.62% for lower growth regions was obtained. Temperature records during the experimentation period and the above data indicate that the mol% MgCO₃ concentration in the skeleton of living Heliopora colonies increases when transplanted to an environment with a lower temperature average than that of their original growth site, and with seasonal temperature fluctuations which are smaller in the experimental site than in the control site. Temperature fluctuations at the control site were up to 2.5 times greater than at the experimental site for most of the observation months. This supports the conclusion that the parameters a) minimum temperature and b) temperature stability of the environment are essential for the incorporation of Mg into the carbonate skeleton matrix of marine organisms. Within this study the results of a quantitative chemical analysis of the carbonate skeleton of H. coerulea are presented and growth data of transplanted colonies compared with those from the control site.     

Settleable and Non-Settleable Suspended Sediments in the Ogeechee River Estuary, Georgia, U.S.A.

Suspended particle dynamics were investigated in the Ogeechee River Estuary during neap tide in July 1996. Samples were operationally separated into ‘ truly suspended ’ (settling velocity <0·006 cm s⁻¹) and ‘ settleable ’ (settling velocity >0·006 cm s⁻¹) fractions over the course of a tidal cycle to determine whether these two fractions were comprised of particles with differing biological and chemical characteristics. Total suspended sediment, organic carbon and nitrogen, chlorophyll a and phaeopigment concentrations were measured in each fraction, as well as rates of bacterial hydrolytic enzyme activity [β-1,4-glucosidase (βGase) and β-xylosidase (βXase)]. The majority of the suspended sediment (by weight) was in the truly suspended fraction; all measured parameters were largely associated with this fraction as well. When compared to the settleable material, the truly suspended material was significantly higher in % POC (5·7±0·6 vs. 3·9±1·8), % chlorophyll (0·07±0·02 vs. 0·03±0·01), % phaeopigment (0·030±0·006 vs. 0·018±0·012), and weight-specific maximal uptake rates (V_maxper mg suspended sediment) of both enzymes (1·8±0·4 vs. 0·7± 0·2 nmol mg⁻¹ h⁻¹βGase and 1·1±0·3vs . 0·3±0·2 nmol mg⁻¹ h⁻¹βXase), providing clear evidence for a qualitative distinction between the two fractions. These results are interpreted to mean that the more organic-rich, biologically active material associated with the suspended fraction is likely to have a different fate in this Estuary, as ‘ truly suspended ’ sediments will be readily transported whereas ‘ settleable ’ sediments will settle and be resuspended with each tide. These types of qualitative differences should be incorporated into models of particle dynamics in estuaries.     

Sediment-starved sand ridges on a mixed carbonate/siliciclastic inner shelf off west-central Florida

High-resolution side-scan mosaics, sediment analyses, and physical process data have revealed that the mixed carbonate/siliciclastic, inner shelf of west-central Florida supports a highly complex field of active sand ridges mantled by a hierarchy of bedforms. The sand ridges, mostly oriented obliquely to the shoreline trend, extend from 2 km to over 25 km offshore. They show many similarities to their well-known counterparts situated along the US Atlantic margin in that both increase in relief with increasing water depth, both are oriented obliquely to the coast, and both respond to modern shelf dynamics. There are significant differences in that the sand ridges on the west-central Florida shelf are smaller in all dimensions, have a relatively high carbonate content, and are separated by exposed rock surfaces. They are also shoreface-detached and are sediment-starved, thus stunting their development. Morphological details are highly distinctive and apparent in side-scan imagery due to the high acoustic contrast. The seafloor is active and not a relict system as indicated by: (1) relatively young AMS ¹⁴C dates (<1600 yr BP) from forams in the shallow subsurface (1.6 meters below seafloor), (2) apparent shifts in sharply distinctive grayscale boundaries seen in time-series side-scan mosaics, (3) maintenance of these sharp acoustic boundaries and development of small bedforms in an area of constant and extensive bioturbation, (4) sediment textural asymmetry indicative of selective transport across bedform topography, (5) morphological asymmetry of sand ridges and 2D dunes, and (6) current-meter data indicating that the critical threshold velocity for sediment transport is frequently exceeded. Although larger sand ridges are found along other portions of the west-central Florida inner shelf, these smaller sand ridges are best developed seaward of a major coastal headland, suggesting some genetic relationship. The headland may focus and accelerate the N–S reversing currents. An elevated rock terrace extending from the headland supports these ridges in a shallower water environment than the surrounding shelf, allowing them to be more easily influenced by currents and surface gravity waves. Tidal currents, storm-generated flows, and seasonally developed flows are shore-parallel and oriented obliquely to the NW–SE trending ridges, indicating that they have developed as described by the Huthnance model. Although inner shelf sand ridges have been extensively examined elsewhere, this study is the first to describe them in a low-energy, sediment-starved, dominantly mixed siliciclastic/carbonate sedimentary environment situated on a former limestone platform.     

Patterns and controls of surface sediment distribution: west-central Florida inner shelf

The west-central Florida inner shelf represents a transition between the quartz-dominated barrier-island system and the carbonate-dominated mid-outer shelf. Surface sediments exhibit a complex distribution pattern that can be attributed to multiple sediment sources and the ineffectiveness of physical processes for large-scale sediment redistribution. The west Florida shelf is the submerged extension of the Florida carbonate platform, consisting of a limestone karst surface veneered with a thin unconsolidated sediment cover. A total of 498 surface sediment samples were collected on the inner shelf and analyzed for texture and composition. Results show that sediment consists of a combination of fine quartz sand and coarse, biogenic carbonate sand and gravel, with variable but subordinate amounts of black, phosphorite-rich sand. The carbonate component consists primarily of molluskan fragments. The distribution is patchy and discontinuous with no discernible pattern, and the transition between sediment types is generally abrupt. Quartz-rich sediment dominates the inner 15 km north of the entrance into Tampa Bay, but south of the Bay is common only along the inner 3 km. Elsewhere, carbonate-rich sediment is the predominate sediment type, except where there is little sediment cover, in which cases black, phosphorite-rich sand dominates. Sediment sources are likely within, or around the periphery of the basin. Fine quartz sand is likely reworked from coastal units deposited during Pleistocene sea-level high stands. Carbonate sand and gravel is produced by marine organisms within the depositional basin. The black, phosphorite-rich sand likely originates from the bioerosion and reworking of the underlying strata that irregularly crop out within the study area. The distribution pattern contains elements of both storm- and tide-dominated siliciclastic shelves, but it is dictated primarily by the sediment source, similar to some carbonate systems. Other systems with similar sediment attributes include cool-water carbonate, sediment-starved, and mixed carbonate/siliciclastic systems. This study suggests a possible genetic link among the three systems.     

长江和黄河入海沉积物不同粒级组分中稀土元素的比较

为探索区分黄、东海陆架沉积物中来自长江和黄河源的有效替代性指标,从长江和黄河河口区各取3个沉积物样品作为长江和黄河入海沉积物的端元样品。研究结果表明:长江和黄河沉积物不同粒级组分中REE的变化范围分别为145.49~256.77 μg/g和121.22~135.56 μg/g,随粒度由细变粗分别呈下倾的"双峰"型分布和倒"S"型分布;长江沉积物中REE约为黄河的1.5倍,最低值比黄河的最高值高出20%;8~16 μm和2~4 μm是凸显长江和黄河沉积物稀土元素差异的敏感粒级,REE、LREE/HREE和(La/Yb)n等稀土元素特征参数在这两个粒级组分中差异明显。本次实验结果大幅度地提高了两条河流REE差异的灵敏度和可信度,为建立区分长江与黄河入海沉积物物源实用的有效指标提供了可能。     

Seasonal variation of suspended-sediment transport through the southern Bohai Strait

Based on field observations made in winter 2006 and summer 2007 and on multiscene MODerate resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) imagery, the seasonal variation of suspended-sediment transport in the southern Bohai Strait and its possible mechanisms are examined. The field observations in two different seasons allow an exponential empirical model to be used to retrieve suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) from MODIS imagery. Both the field-survey data and the MODIS-derived SSC show that the sediment transport in the southern Bohai Strait has a significant seasonal variation due to the seasonally varying thermohaline structure of the water column and the hydrodynamics resulting from the seasonally alternating monsoons. The SSC in winter is approximately 3–10 times higher than in summer. Considering the seasonal variation of water flux (WF) and SSC, the annual sediment flux (SSF) through the southern Bohai Strait is estimated to be approximately 40.0 Mt yr⁻¹, about 4–8 times previous estimates, which did not take into account seasonal variation. Although the Huanghe (Yellow River) discharges a large amount of sediment in the summer, the SSF through the southern Bohai Strait in the winter (∼32.0 Mt) is about 4 times greater than it is in the summer. The strong seasonal variability of SSF through the southern Bohai Strait indicates that strong resuspension along the coast of the Huanghe delta in winter and enhanced longshore transport by coastal currents due to winter monsoon activity might be the major mechanisms of cross-strait transport of sediment in winter.     

埃及Bakr—Amer油田古近系Eoc组储层特征

储层特征研究是评价碳酸盐岩储层物性、寻找油气富集区和落实剩余油分布的基础,通过对区域构造、地层和沉积特征的研究,利用统计和数学方法对Bakr-Amer油田Eoc储层物性、储集空间类型和控制因素进行了分析,认为受构造运动影响,储层在深部残余厚度大,但物性相对也较差,以压实、胶结和溶蚀作用为主。高部位残余厚度小,但受风化、淋滤和构造运动的影响,裂缝发育,储层物性好,以压实和溶蚀作用为主。     

渤海湾表层沉积硅藻组合

分析了渤海湾潮间带4条长度为2~3 km的测线的14个站位的表层沉积硅藻,结合前人在浅海区(低潮线以下至水深约30 m处)15个站位的表层沉积硅藻资料,发现并统计了分属于21属的46种硅藻。应用对应分析方法,将渤海湾潮间带及浅海区表层沉积硅藻初步划分为3个组合。其中,组合Ⅰ为条纹-柱状小环藻-圆筛藻组合,分布在以泥质为主的潮间带区;组合Ⅱ为双眉藻-曲壳藻组合,分布在砂质为主的潮间带区;组合Ⅲ为条纹-柱状小环藻-菱形藻-圆筛藻-具槽直链藻组合,分布在浅海区。从潮间带向浅海区,随水深的增加,呈现出条纹-柱状小环藻数量减少、具槽直链藻数量增加的趋势。     

Levels and distribution of tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate and hexabromocyclododecanes in surface sediments from the Yellow River Delta wetland of China

The levels and distribution of tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate (TBC) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) of surface sediments in the Yellow River Delta wetland had been investigated. The concentrations of TBC and ∑ HBCDs ranged from 0.20 to 29.03 ng·g^? 1 dw and below limits of detections (LODs) to 20.25 ng·g^? 1 dw. The average composition profile of three HBCDs isomers were 10.1%, 6.1% and 83.8% for α-, β- and γ-HBCD, respectively. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated there are similar sources among three isomers and positive correlations between total organic carbon (TOC) content and concentrations of TBC and HBCDs. The mass inventory of TBC,α-, β-, γ-HBCD, ΣHBCDs in surface sediments of Yellow River Delta wetland were estimated about 725.50, 72.76, 44.29, 548.34, 665.39 kg. Therefore, further investigations on potential human health and environmental risk assessments of TBC and HBCDs were needed.     

塔河油田奥陶系储层构造应力场研究

油气储层构造应力场的分布特征,对油气运移、注采井网布置、储层改造等具有重要意义。为此,文章从塔河油田AD13井区的地质构造演化入手,基于油田测井资料,结合弹性力学及有限元理论,建立研究区地应力弹性力学计算模型,利用有限元软件对研究区储层地应力进行模拟研究,并将模拟结果与现场地应力实测值进行对比分析。结果表明,研究区最大水平主应力为102~130 MPa,最小水平主应力为87~110 MPa,均为压应力;研究区东部及南部最大水平主应力方向为北东向,西北部最大水平主应力方向为北东东向,西南部最大水平主应力方向为南东向,地应力大小及方向均与实际结果相符。研究结果可为研究区油气勘探开发工程提供科学依据。