A model for grain-size sorting over tidal sand ridges

A model was developed and analyzed to quantify the effect of graded sediment on the formation of tidal sand ridges. Field data reveal coarse (fine) sediment at the crests (in the troughs), but often phase shifts between the mean grain-size distribution and the bottom topography occur. Following earlier work, this study is based on a linear stability analysis of a basic state with respect to small bottom perturbations. The basic state describes an alongshore tidal current on a coastal shelf. Sediment is transported as bed load and dynamic hiding effects are accounted for. A one-layer model for the bed evolution is used and two grain size classes (fine and coarse sand) are considered. Results indicate an increase in growth and migration rates of tidal sand ridges for a bimodal mixture, whilst the wavelength of the ridges remains unchanged. A symmetrical externally forced tidal current results in a grain-size distribution which is in phase with the ridges. Incorporation of an additional external M₄ tidal constituent or a steady current results in a phase shift between the grain-size distribution and ridge topography. These results show a general agreement with observations. The physical mechanism responsible for the observed grain-size distribution over the ridges is also discussed.Responsible Editor: Jens Kappenberg     

Holocene hydrographical changes of the eastern Laptev Sea (Siberian Arctic) recorded in δO profiles of bivalve shells

Oxygen isotope profiles along the growth axis of fossil bivalve shells of Macoma calcarea were established to reconstruct hydrographical changes in the eastern Laptev Sea since 8400 cal yr B.P.. The variability of the oxygen isotopes (δ¹⁸O) in the individual records is mainly attributed to variations in the salinity of bottom waters in the Laptev Sea with a modern ratio of 0.50‰/salinity. The high-resolution δ¹⁸O profiles exhibit distinct and annual cycles from which the seasonal and annual salinity variations at the investigated site can be reconstructed. Based on the modern analogue approach oxygen isotope profiles of radiocarbon-dated bivalve shells from a sediment core located northeast of the Lena Delta provide seasonal and subdecadal insights into past hydrological conditions and their relation to the Holocene transgressional history of the Laptev Sea shelf. Under the assumption that the modern relationship between δ¹⁸O_w and salinity has been constant throughout the time, the δ¹⁸O of an 8400-cal-yr-old bivalves would suggest that bottom-water salinity was reduced and the temperature was slightly warmer, both suggesting a stronger mixture of riverine water to the bottom water. Reconstruction of the inundation history of the Laptev Sea shelf indicates local sea level ∼27 m below present at this time and a closer proximity of the site to the coastline and the Lena River mouth. Due to continuing sea level rise and a southward retreat of the river mouth, bottom-water salinity increased at 7200 cal yr B.P. along with an increase in seasonal variability. Conditions comparable to the modern hydrography were achieved by 3800 cal yr B.P.     

Coastal neotectonics in Southern Central Andes: uplift and deformation of marine terraces in Northern Chile (27°S)

Neotectonic observations allow a new interpretation of the recent tectonic behaviour of the outer fore arc in the Caldera area, northern Chile (27°S). Two periods of deformation are distinguished, based on large-scale Neogene to Quaternary features of the westernmost part of the Coastal Cordillera: Late Miocene to Early Pliocene deformations, characterized by a weak NE–SW to E–W extension is followed by uppermost Pliocene NW–SE to E–W compression. The Middle Pleistocene to Recent time is characterized by vertical uplift and NW–SE extension. These deformations provide clear indications of the occurrence of moderate to large earthquakes. Microseismic observations, however, indicate a lack of shallow crustal seismicity in coastal zone. We propose that both long-term brittle deformation and uplift are linked to the subduction seismic cycle.     

Texture and petrology of modern river, beach and shelf sands in a volcanic back-arc setting, northeastern Japan

Abstract The focus in the present study is on characterizing spatial patterns of textural and petrological variabilities, and on evaluating mechanisms influencing the textural and petrological components of modern river, beach and shelf sands in a volcanically active back‐arc tectonic setting. Abashiri Bay and the surrounding area in eastern Hokkaido, Japan, has volcanic source land within a back‐arc region associated with subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Okhotsk (North American) Plate. A total of 41 river, beach and shelf sands were obtained for grain‐size and modal composition analyses. Multivariate analytical techniques of hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses were performed on the textural and petrological data for investigating relations among quantitative variables. On the basis of grain‐size data, four sedimentary zones were identified: zone I, palimpsest zone; zone II, relict zone; zone III, modern (proteric) zone; zone IV, coastal sedimentary zone. All sands are feldspatholithic and quartz‐deficient. The framework (quartz, feldspar and rock fragment) modal compositions were also classified into four clusters, A–D. The characteristic components of each cluster are as follows: cluster A, felsic volcanic rock fragments; cluster B, andesitic–basaltic volcanic rock fragments; cluster C, mixed or plagioclase; cluster D, sedimentary rock fragments. Almost all sands in western and central Abashiri Bay belong to cluster A, where the original compositions are influenced by Kutcharo pyroclastic flow deposits. Andesitic–basaltic lava and Neogene volcaniclastic and sedimentary rocks have a major influence on the compositions of shelf sands in eastern Abashiri Bay. The modal compositions are basically controlled by the source lithology. Compositional maturity (percentage of quartz to feldspar and rock fragments; Q/FR%) slightly increased, in order, from river (1.2), zone IV (coastal, 1.7), zone II (relict, 2.2), zone I (palimpsest, 3.6), to zone III (modern proteric, 7.0). Greater maturity in the recycled sediments is indicative of weathering under the sea or abrasion by transportation induced by sea‐level fluctuations, waves, or sea currents. Several controlling factors – (i) source lithological; (ii) mineralogical; (iii) climatic; and (iv) geomorphological controls – might still cause low maturity through all sedimentary zones other than the continental margin sands previously reported.     

Compressibility and swelling characteristics of Al-Khobar Palygorskite, eastern Saudi Arabia

Expansive soils are found in different locations in eastern Saudi Arabia. The area is arid with high temperatures, highly variable humidity and an excessive rate of evaporation compared to the low precipitation. This resulted in the formation of water sensitive soils. In the present investigation, line valve buildings for a sweet water feeder (1118 mm in diameter) were constructed on a highly expansive material consisting mainly of brown palygorskite and gray palygorskite with thin sheets of gypsum and limestone. Block samples from both palygorskites were brought to the laboratory and cores as well as remolded samples were obtained from the blocks. The two palygorskites were found to be highly plastic and have a very high swelling potential. The liquid limit (LL) and plastic limit (PL) values for the brown palygorskite are 261% and 140%, respectively. The gray palygorskite has a LL of a 285% and a PL of 123%. The oedometer free swell tests for the two palygorskites produced an expansion ranging between 31.8% and 42.5% for the remolded samples. However, the expansion for cores ranges between 8.3% and 19.3%. The constant volume pressure tests produced a stress in excess of 4240 kPa. The swell potential reached a steady state after four days while the swelling pressure reached a steady state in about 3 h. The paper addresses the geology of the area, the characterization of the geomaterial including mineralogical composition using X-ray diffraction and SEM techniques and the swelling characteristics of the material.     

东中国海海温的一维模式研究

根据近海深度浅、热容量小的特点，建立了一个一维能量平衡模式，对东中国海年平均海温进行了模拟。模式较好地模拟出了平均海温的经向分布与纬向分布情况，结果与观测基本相符。同时还检验了模式对海温年际变化的模拟能力，得到了较好的结果。最后简要分析了能量平衡模式应用在近海上的优缺点。     

中国海及大陆架沉积物标准物质系列评介

自20世纪90年代末以来,在有关国家专项的支持下,中国先后研制了分别取自黄海、东海和南海的共9个大陆架沉积物地球化学标准物质,基本构成了一个比较有代表性的中国海及大陆架沉积物标准物质系列,为中国海洋国土及专属经济区调查研究工作提供了有力技术支撑.本文简介了这些标准的研制背景、概况,着重评介了这些标准物质的特点,特别说明了该标准物质系列在海洋地质调查与研究中应用及在地质分析技术发展上的意义.     

塔东地区上奥陶统层序地层特征

通过大量的地震、钻井、录井、测井等资料分析,针对塔里木东部地区(简称塔东地区)上奥陶统进行了层序地层和沉积学方面的研究,结果表明,塔东地区上奥陶统可识别出1个二级层序、3个三级层序,自下而上分别是层序SQ1、SQ2和SQ3。层序SQ1识别出TST体系域,为一套深水盆地沉积,发育深水盆地、浊流沉积;层序SQ2可三分为LST、TST和HST体系域,LST体系域发育海退背景下的陆架边缘三角洲沉积,TST体系域为快速水进期,发育海相泥岩沉积,HST发育高水位滨岸沉积;SQ3发育浅海沉积,主要为三角洲—滨岸沉积体系。地层层序发育和沉积相分布受控于构造运动、沉积物源供给和相对海平面升降3个因素。3套层序的划分明确了塔东地区上奥陶统潜在的源岩层、储层和盖层的分布,其中层序SQ1为有利的烃源岩层、SQ2陆架边缘三角洲是潜在的有利储层,SQ3发育的滨岸砂岩为已经证实的油气藏。     

南海南部表层沉积物粒度分布特征及其影响因素

对取自南海南部的153个表层沉积物样品,进行了粒度、粒度参数计算和Q型聚类分析,探讨了表层沉积物的粒度分布特征、沉积类型及影响因素。结果表明,研究区沉积物主要粒级组分为黏土和粉砂,底质类型主要为泥,还有粉砂质砂、砂质粉砂和粉砂,平行于等深线基本呈带状分布;结合Q型聚类分析结果,研究区沉积物可分为外陆架及陆架坡折区粗粒沉积物(砂和粉砂)和陆坡区细粒沉积物(泥)两类,500 m等深线是两类沉积物的分界线;对比粒度分析结果,判定两类沉积物属于不同成因类型,外陆架及陆架坡折区是现代沉积和残留沉积的混合沉积,陆坡区是现代沉积;影响南海南部表层沉积物粒度分布的主要因素是物源、水动力条件、水深与地形及洋流。     

东海北部外陆架MIS 6以来的沉积地层格架及古环境演化

利用最新采集的高分辨率浅地层剖面资料,结合SHD-1钻孔岩心资料,对东海北部外陆架MIS 6以来的地层结构进行了分析,建立了MIS 6以来的沉积地层格架,并对地层的地质年代进行了厘定。根据Octavian Catuneanu（2005）的层序地层学理论,研究区地层划分出海侵和高位体系域、下降期体系域、海退和低位体系域。研究表明,过孔的浅地层剖面与钻孔岩心的沉积地层有很好的对应关系。东海北部外陆架MIS 6以来可划分出7个不整合界面（D7—D1）和7个地震单元（SU7—SU1）。东海外陆架的海进层序与海退层序有规律地交替发育,它们与海平面变化曲线也有很好的对应关系。其中,地震单元SU1、SU5分别为MIS 1、MIS 5形成的海侵沉积,主要发育浅海沉积层,100 m以浅的位置发育潮流沙脊;地震单元SU2、SU4、SU6分别对应 MIS 2、MIS 4和MIS 6低海平面时期形成的河流/河口—三角洲沉积;地震单元SU3、SU4为下降期体系域,这两个亚单元分别对应MIS 3和MIS 4晚期。MIS 4—MIS 3发育厚层且分布广泛的水下三角洲,但MIS 4发育的水下三角洲的规模不及MIS 3大。总之,对MIS 6以来沉积地层格架的建立和古环境研究可为东海外陆架晚第四纪地层的海平面变化、古环境演化等相关研究提供参考。