Cyclone and bioturbation effects on sediments from coral reef lagoons

Despite the severity of tropical cyclone ‘Winifred’, which crossed the Great Barrier Reef on 1 February 1986, there were little long-term effects on lagoon surface sediments from reefs in its path. Short-term effects were apparent only at one particularly exposed area. These were: an increase in proportion of the coarse fraction, the establishment of sand ripples, and the destruction of the mounds produced by callianassid shrimps (normally the dominant topographic feature). Within six weeks this area was indistinguishable from a typical reef lagoon. This is probably the result of sediment reworking by callianassid shrimp, involving selective burial of the coarse fragments and transport to the surface of finer particles. Sediment turnover rates by callianassids are commensurate with change to the sediment within the relatively short period observed. The sediment fauna responded quickly to the changes in sediment type. Immediately after the cyclone the disturbed area supported a fauna typical of the coarse sediments on the shallow reef flat, as the sediment reverted to a more normal type so the fauna changed back to that typical of a reef lagoon.     

The formation and evolution of the barrier islands of Inhaca and Bazaruto, Mozambique

The barrier islands of Inhaca and Bazaruto are related to the extensive coastal dune system of the Mozambican coastal plain, south-east Africa. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of key stratigraphic units indicates that accretion of sediment within these systems is episodic. Both islands appear to have been initiated as spits extending from structural offsets in the coastline. Superposition of significant quantities of sediment upon these spits during subsequent sea-level highstands formed the core of the islands, which were anchored and protected by beachrock and aeolianite formation. At least two distinct dune-building phases occurred during Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 5, tentatively attributed to marine transgressions during sub-stages 5e and 5c. Although some localized reactivation of dune surfaces occurred prior to the Holocene, large quantities of sediment were not deposited on either island during the low sea-levels associated with MIS 2. Significant dune-building and sediment reworking occurred immediately prior to and during the Holocene, though it is not clear whether these processes were continuous or episodic. Significant erosion of the eastern shoreline of Bazaruto suggests that it is far less stable than Inhaca and may suffer further large-scale erosion. A model is presented for the formation of barrier islands along the Mozambican coastal plain.     

On the variability of the flow along the Meso-American Barrier Reef system: a numerical model study of the influence of the Caribbean current and eddies

A high resolution (3–8 km grid), 3D numerical ocean model of the West Caribbean Sea (WCS) is used to investigate the variability and the forcing of flows near the Meso-American Barrier Reef System (MBRS) which runs along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. Mesoscale variations in velocity and temperature along the reef were found in seasonal model simulations and in observations; these variations are associated with meandering of the Caribbean current (CC) and the propagation of Caribbean eddies. Diagnostic calculations and a simple assimilation technique are combined to infer the dynamically adjusted flow associated with particular eddies. The results demonstrate that when a cyclonic eddy (negative sea surface height anomaly (SSHA)) is found near the MBRS the CC shifts offshore, the cyclonic circulation in the Gulf of Honduras (GOH) intensifies, and a strong southward flow results along the reef. However, when an anticyclonic eddy (positive SSHA) is found near the reef, the CC moves onshore and the flow is predominantly westward across the reef. The model results help to explain how drifters are able to propagate in a direction opposite to the mean circulation when eddies cause a reversal of the coastal circulation. The effect of including the Meso-American Lagoon west of the Belize Reef in the model topography was also investigated, to show the importance of having accurate coastal topography in determining the variations of transports across the MBRS. The variations found in transports across the MBRS (on seasonal and mesoscale time scales) may have important consequences for biological activities along the reef such as spawning aggregations; better understanding the nature of these variations will help ongoing efforts in coral reef conservation and maintaining the health of the ecosystem in the region.     

无机盐改性对沸石覆盖技术控制底泥氮磷释放的影响研究

通过试验,考察了无机盐改性对沸石覆盖控制底泥氮磷释放效果的影响,并对沸石覆盖技术控制底泥氮磷释放的机理进行初步探讨,结果表明:①NaCl及CaCl2改性对沸石吸附氨氮的性能影响不大;CaCl2改性可以提高沸石Ca2 的交换量而降低Na 的交换量,NaCl改性则可以明显降低Ca2 的交换量和增加Na 的交换量.②NaCl及CaCl2改性对沸石覆盖技术控制底泥氨氮的释放影响不大,而对控制底泥磷的释放则影响较大,沸石覆盖控制底泥磷释放效率从大到小依次为CaCl2改性沸石＞天然沸石＞NaCl改性沸石.③沸石覆盖技术控制底泥氨氮释放的机理为沸石的物理吸附和阳离子交换作用,控制底泥磷释放的机理包括沸石的机械阻挡作用和沸石与铵所交换出来的Ca2 对磷酸盐的固定作用.     

Importance of wave-induced bed liquefaction in the fine sediment budget of Cleveland Bay,Great Barrier Reef

Data from a three-year long field study of fine sediment dynamics in Cleveland Bay show that wave-induced liquefaction of the fine sediment bed on the seafloor in shallow water was the main process causing bed erosion under small waves during tradewinds, and that shear-induced erosion prevailed during cyclonic conditions. These data were used to verify a model of fine sediment dynamics that calculates sediment resuspension by both excess shear stress and wave-induced liquefaction of the bed. For present land-use conditions, the amount of riverine sediments settling on the bay may exceed by 50–75% the amount of sediment exported from the bay. Sediment is thus accumulating in the bay on an annual basis, which in turn may degrade the fringing coral reefs. For those years when a tropical cyclone impacted the bay there may be a net sediment outflow from the bay. During the dry, tradewind season, fine sediment was progressively winnowed out of the shallow, reefal waters.     

吉林省南部下元古界集安群地质特征与沉积期古环境分析

根据集安群地质特征,岩石化学,稳定同位素特征分析认为:蚂蚁河组沉积期古环境为强氧化泻湖相;荒岔沟组沉积期为强还原的泻湖相、大东岔组沉积期为开阔正常浅海潮坪相。集安群从发生发展到结束古环境演化规律是:构造上,由优地槽向冒地槽演化,气候上由炎热向温湿演化;古地理环境从有障壁的局限海变为无障壁的开阔海;从咸化海向正常海,从泻湖相向潮坪相转化。     

Vertical sedimentation units in a barrier island washover fan

Overwash is a major component of a barrier island's response to high energy conditions. Examination of the 19-20 March, 1975, storm deposits at Assateague Island, showed that an overwash sequence could be divided into sedimentation units. Interpretation depends upon defining textural and mineralogical combinations that can be logically ordered as a vertical sequence. If the sequence is depositional and formed from a single material, normal grading usually results; if polymineralogical and erosionally truncated, inverse grading with a top layer of heavy minerals can be formed via an in situ sorting process dependent on disturbance depth and overwash influence.     

走滑活动断裂的障碍体与地震破裂的关系

系统收集了中国大陆走滑活动断裂带上障碍体（阶区）与地震破裂的资料,探讨了障碍体止裂尺度与地震破裂的关系及其分段意义。统计分析表明,走滑活动断裂带上地震的震级与障碍体的阶距、阶距与次级段长度具有较好的线性关系。障碍体的阶距可以作为判定地震破裂止裂尺度的极重要标志,是进行破裂分段的前提和基础。     

Recreational fishing and boating: Are the determinants the same?

The research uses household survey data collected from 656 people in Townsville (adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia) within a hurdle model to investigate key factors influencing both the probability of participating and the frequency of (a) boating trips which involve fishing; (b) boating trips which do not involve fishing; and (c) land-based fishing trips. The findings suggest that there are differences in determinants, highlighting the importance of disaggregating the fishing/boating and boat/land-based experience (an uncommon practice in the literature) if wishing to obtain information for use in the design of monitoring programs, policy and/or for developing monitoring and enforcement strategies relating to fishing and boating.