Bathymetric segregation of sea urchins on reefs of the Canarian Archipelago: Role of flow-induced forces

We examined whether adults of three species of sea urchins species (Diadema antillarum, Arbacia lixula, and Paracentrotus lividus) exhibit a consistent depth-dependent partitioning pattern on rocky reefs of the Canarian Archipelago (eastern Atlantic). Hydrodynamic experiments were carried out to quantify the resistance to flow-induced dislodgement in these three species. We tested the model that different morphology can result in habitat partitioning among these sea urchins. Abundances of D. antillarum increased with depth. In contrast, A. lixula and P. lividus showed the opposite zonation pattern, coexisting in high abundances in the shallowest depths (<5 m), and occurring in low densities in the deepest part of reefs (>7 m). Both A. lixula and P. lividus had greater adhesion-surface to body-height ratios than D. antillarum. Similarly, A. lixula and P. lividus showed a greater ability to resist flow-induced dislodgement compared with D. antillarum. The mean “velocity of dislodgement” was 300% and 50% greater for A. lixula and P. lividus, respectively, relative to D. antillarum, for any particular size. As a result, A. lixula and P. lividus are better fitted to life in high-flow environments than D. antillarum. We conclude that the risk of dislodgement by water motion likely play a relevant role in the vertical distribution patterns of these sea urchins in the eastern Atlantic.     

赤道暖池区漂流浮标运动轨迹分析

TOGA—COARE强化观测期间,对赤道暖池区海流作了多种方法、多层次的观测;根据美国释放的漂流浮标不同时刻位置的资料,分别对赤道及其南、北海域的表层漂流状况作了计算分析,指出:从1°N向北存在单一的北向流;从1°N～1°S这个近赤道区域内为东向流;1°N～2°S区域为过渡区,以东向流为主,个别浮标出现涡旋状运动。2°S以南为一反时针运动的大涡旋。     

南沙群岛海域构造地层及构造运动

根据对“实验2”号调查船1987—1991年测得的反射地震剖面的解释,论述了南沙群岛海域的构造层划分、时代属性与分布发育特征。提出本区自白垩纪中期以来发生过两次重大的构造运动,形成两个裂谷作用构造旋回。     

东亚岛弧地形横剖面与板块运动

通过对东亚岛弧横剖面形态的系统分析，并结合弧前的构造应力的分析，作者认为，东亚岛弧形成于板块东移的构造环境中，横剖面形态存在两种基本类型即内缓外陡型和内陡外缓型，这两种不同的横剖面具有不同的弧前应力，前者表现弧前挤压，后者表现弧前引张，这反映地貌形态与构造应力之间的密切关系。     

Size of flatfish larvae at transformation, functional demands and historical constraints

At hatching the larvae of flatfish closely resemble the bilateral symmetric larvae of other teleosts, especially perciforms. Literature data show that transformation to asymmetric benthic juveniles normally occurs at body lengths between 10 and 25 mm. Unexpectedly, minimal size at its completion (including eye migration) can be 4.1 mm SL and maximal size is over 72 mm. In this paper we consider the functional requirements for a successful switch from a symmetric pelagic larva to a typical asymmetric juvenile benthic flatfish partly based on evidence from other teleosts. The unfavourable period of eye migration and transition to a benthic habitat requires some food reserves and rewiring and/or recalibration of vision and gravity-associated structures utilised previously by the still symmetric larvae for e.g. food detection. Binocular fixation of the prey probably occurs in that stage. Critical or sensitive periods occurring during development of fish larvae suggest that a completely functional symmetric stage of development must precede transformation. The normal size range in flatfish larvae at transformation seems to confirm our considerations. Recent data on temperature effects during development provide an explanation for metamorphosis at the minimal size. Some evidence for paedomorphic heterochrony in flatfish larvae is presented.     

利用平均海面推定青岛水准原点地区的地壳垂直运动

通常利用平均海面所求某点地壳垂直运动是一种视运动,如若干年平均海面实际升降变化为V,陆地实际垂直运动为U,则视垂直运动为(U-V).在推定地区地壳垂直运动,使用平均海面数据时应注意其区域性和周期性的变化.文中以有代表性的平均海面变化结果为依据,求出青岛国家水准原点地区地壳垂直运动速率λn=(+2.2±0.5)mm/a.     

On tectonic movement in the South China Sea during the Cenozoic

The tectonic movement taking place at the end of Cretaceous and the beginning of Cenozoic had opened the Cenozoic phase of polycyclic tectonic movements, then the whole crust of the South China Sea had been mainly subjected to the regional stress field of tectonic tension, which was characterized by rifting depression. Seven times of regional tectonic movement and sedimentation had been assembled into a geological development history of polycyclic oscillation. Especially, the tectonic movements were strongly intensified at the end of Cretacious and the beginning of Paleagene, between Late Eocene and MidOligocene, during Mid and Late Miocene. These three times of tectonic movement had built the most important regional tectonic interfaces in the South China Sea. Crust movements of the South China Sea were the result and epitome of interaction of the Eurasia, Pacific and IndoAustralia plates, that is, they were introduced by polycyclic changes of directions, rates and strengths of lithospheric movements and asthenospheric flows across the Pacific and IndoAustralia plates.     

南海北部新生代的构造运动特征

新生代以来,南海北部陆架陆坡区及其邻区的地壳构造运动是在统一的区域构造应力场和总体区域性张裂沉降背景之下发生的,构造运动具有多旋回振荡式发生的特点,并贯穿了晚白垩世末之后的整个新生代.它的发生与太平洋板块的构造运动密切相关,这是由于太平洋板块之下的软流层流动方向和强度的振荡式改变而引发的.     

Estimation of seawater movement based on reflectors from a seismic profile

Seismic oceanography is a new cross-discipline of reflection seismology and physical oceanography. The biggest difference between seismic oceanography and traditional reflection seismology is its research object of time-varied seawater. How to estimate the temporal variations of reflectors in water structure and make some corrections in seismic data are basic problems in seismic oceanography research. Here a method of estimation for seawater movement is provided based on the reflectors. The application results of this method to the simulated and field seismic data turn out to be acceptable. As compared with the previous research, this method has the advantages of low-dependence on migration velocity and dip of reflectors, and it is very suitable for correction in a spectral analysis using seismic data, which is very useful in the research of ocean energy budget.     

Seafloor Geomorphology and Processes on the Western Continental Margin of India based on Multibeam Acoustic Backscatter Data Analysis

An assessment of the multibeam sonar data of the central Western Continental Margins of India has been carried out to evaluate the seafloor geomorphology and processes by examining the geomorphological attributes e.g., slope, sediments, structures, etc. associated with geomorphic features. The variation in relief and the features located in the region have been mapped and interpreted collectively by utilizing several geospatial mapping tools. The backscatter strength across the area, apparently congruent with the local relief, has helped to examine the sediment movement on the seafloor. The prominent features found in the region include faults, pockmarks, mounds, submarine terraces, and submerged fossil reefs. Several areas with varying topography engender comparable fractal dimension at short scale breaks, and the probability density functions (PDFs) utilizing backscatter data depicting overlapping classes. The present study highlights how fractals and scale break parameters can be utilized to determine the seafloor processes and associated sedimentological dynamics in a complex geographical environment with strong bottom currents, seasonal upwelling, and faulted structure. The role and impact of the various geomorphic processes on the reworking of sediment movement and the overall progression of the seafloor morphology has been revealed for the first time in this part of the ocean bottom.