南海北部琼东南盆地沉积物波成因及地震特征

近几十年来,世界各地都有沉积物波的研究,由于其在不同环境中的不同特征,其成因至今仍有争议。根据大量高分辨率地震剖面和两个钻孔资料,对琼东南盆地东部深水区的沉积物波进行了识别,描述了沉积物波的分布和地震特征。结合多波束测量资料,讨论了这些沉积物波的潜在成因。在中央峡谷的钻探表明,河道充填物中由一些顺坡的细粒浊积体组成,是良好的油气藏。沉积物波分布于中央峡谷两边,其地震特征表明,大部分是由峡谷沿岸的浊流溢出引起的。尽管之前对这些沉积物波的研究表明它们是向西流动的等深流成因的沉积物波,但从地震资料的海底反射层得到的地形显示,在沉积物波区的东部有一个N-S向的山脊,可以阻断和使底流变向。根据沉积物波的几何形态,计算出整个沉积物波的厚度为280〜560 m,流速在30-130 cm/s,这将有利于细粒沉积物形成,并可能是一个良好的储层,因为浊流的分选性好于等深线或其他重力流沉积的分选性。

Effects of igneous bodies on modification of modern slope morphology: Insights from the continental slope offshore Dongsha Islands, South China Sea

A statistical analysis for the morphological parameters extracted from numerous seismic profiles, and a highresolution seismic study of the southeastern slope of the Dongsha Islands(South China Sea) with water depth between approximately 500 and 3 100 m, has revealed the variation of morphological features due to the intrusion of igneous bodies and associated sedimentary processes. Three types of the continental slope are distinguished:(1) a rough and steep slope with multiple igneous bodies(Type 1),(2) a relatively smooth and gentle slope with the single igneous body(Type 2), and(3) a smooth and gentle slope without igneous bodies(Type 3). These igneous bodies, formed in the post-seafloor spreading of the South China Sea, are often characterized by high positive seismic amplitudes, and chaotic reflections with complex shapes. The igneous bodies in Type 1 separated the slope into two or more upper sub-sags and a lower main-sag, in which the sub-sags and main-sag could be filled with sediments transported by alongslope bottom currents at the same time. Whereas, the igneous body in Type 2 just separated the slope into an upper sub-sag and a lower main-sag, in which the sediments could be transported into the lower main-sag only after the upper sub-sag has been filled up. Type 3 represents a normal slope with common clinoform progradation. The modern slope morphologies in the study area are the results of adjustments of the continental slope due to the intrusion of igneous bodies and associated sedimentary processes. The distinctions among three types of modern slope morphologies indicate different depositional conditions and adjustments of slope morphologies.

Advances in research of the mid-deep South China Sea circulation

The South China Sea(SCS)is a large marginal sea connecting the Indian and Pacific oceans.Under the factors of monsoons,strait transport,and varied bathymetry,the SCS presents a three-layer structure and strong diapycnal mixing which is far greater than that in the open ocean.Theoretical analysis and observations reveal that internal tides,internal solitary waves,and strong winds are the sources of the strong mixing in the northern SCS.A major consequence of the strong mixing is an active mid-deep circulation system.This system promotes exchange of water between the SCS and adjacent oceans,and also regulates the upper layer of wind-driven circulation,making the 3 dimensional SCS circulation clearly different from that in other tropical and subtropical marginal seas.The mass transport capacity of the mid-deep circulation has a substantial impact on marine sedimentation,the biogeochemical cycle,and other processes in the SCS.This paper summarizes the recent advances in middeep sea circulation dynamics of the SCS,and discusses the opportunities and challenges in this area.

Depositional Characteristics and Formation Mechanisms of Deep-Water Canyon Systems along the Northern South China Sea Margin

Submarine canyon systems are sites for coarser clastic sediment accumulations in the deep-water domains, having the most potential for hydrocarbon reservoirs. Based on the interpretation of high resolution 2 D/3 D seismic and drilling data, depositional characteristics of three large deep-water canyon systems on the South China Sea northern margin have been analyzed. The Central Canyon System has a deep incision geomorphology extending from east to west, featured by distinct canyon segmentations, multi-provenance sediment supplies and multi-stage canyon fillings. The Pearl River Canyon System’s formation is closely related to the development of Pearl River Delta. Its vertical stacking and migrating canyon patterns have changed over time. The depositional architectures and evolution of the recent Penghu-Gaoping Canyon System respond to tectonic movements along the Taiwan-Luzon convergent continental margin. The main controlling factors of the formation and evolution of these three canyon systems include the tectonic setting, sediment supply, sea level change and paleo-geomorphology, among which the former two are dominant. The Penghu-Gaoping Canyon System formed along the subduction structural zone, directly indicating a typical tectonic origin. Numerous seismic data show that the Central Canyon and Pearl River Canyon systems are obviously affected by tectonics, associated local topography and sediment supply.

Geochemistry of Pore Water and Associated Diagenetic Reactions in the Diapiric Area of Yinggehai Basin, Northwestern South China Sea

This study examined the geochemical features of pore water in the diapiric area of the Yinggehai Basin, northwestern South China Sea, and illuminated the origin and evolution of basin fluids. Pore water with low salinity occurs in marine sediments in the diapiric area even without meteoric water infiltration. The presence of low-salinity water within deep, overpressured compartments is assumed to be due to smectite-illite transformation. Howerver, in shallow portions（less than 2 000 m） of diapiric areas with normal pressure, pore water has a much wider variation and much lower salinity than that in the overpressured intervals. Its total dissolved solid（TDS） content is ~5 336 to 35 939 mg/L. Moreover, smectite and chlorite content sharply decreases as kaolinite and illite content increase in shallower intervals. The geochemical variation of pore water in diapiric structures indicates the expulsion of low-salinity, overpressured fluids along vertical faults. Strong injection of hot fluids from deep overpressured sediments results in rapid clay mineral transformation in shallow reservoirs. Consequently, fluid mixing due to fluid expulsion from deeper overpressured deposits leads to variation in salinity and ionic composition as well as some diagenetic reactions. This includes transformation of clay minerals caused by the higher temperatur of deeper hot fluids, e.g., the transfromation of smectite to illite and chlorite to kaolinite. Therefore, variations in salinity and ionic compositions in various pressured systems provide a clue to flow pathways and associated diagenetic reactions.

Numerical Approach for Thermal History Modelling in Multi-Episodic Rifting Basins

Pre-existing models for thermal history modelling have shown deficiency in explicit algorithms to establish the quantitative relationship between maturity indices and thermal gradients in some sedimentary basins that experienced multi-episodic rifting evolution. In this study, a forward and inverse combination model（FICM） is proposed to estimate the vitrinite reflectance（Ro） and thermal gradients. The forward module is used to calculate Ro values. It couples the EASY%Ro model with burial history reconstruction with consideration of thermal gradient variations during basin evolution. The inverse module reconstructs histoical thermal gradients by calibrating cmputed Ro against measured Ro data. The time-temperature series is a necessary input for both forward and inverse modules. Sample density is a profound factor influencing the accuracy of modelling results. In order to obtain satisfying outputs, a sufficient sample density is required. Thermal gradients are assumed to vary linearly between two given samples. Modelling results of case studies indicate that the sensitivity of heating time to Ro evlution is differnt with thermal gradients depending on geolgoical setting. Three difffernt districts, which include the time-sensitive area, the temperature-sensitive area and the non-sensitive area, can be recognized on the the relationship map among Ro variations, heating time and geothermal gradients. This model can be applied to reconstruct the thermal history and maturation evolution in a basin that has undergone complex multi-episodic rifting.

Sedimentary evolution of the Central Canyon System in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea

This study elucidates sedimentary evolution history of the Central Canyon System(CCS),a large axial submarine canyon in the Qiongdongnan Basin(QDNB),northern South China Sea.Thegeomorphological characteristics and infill architectures of the CCS are summarized based on theanalysis of two-and three-dimensional seismic data.Based on a comparative analysis of the CCS indifferent segments and evolutionary stages and in consideration of the tectono-sedimentary conditionsof the QDNB four stages of the sedimentary evolution of the CCS can be divided,i.e.initialdevelopment stage in the Late Miocene(11.6-5.7Ma),erosion-infilling stage in the Early Pliocene(5.7-3.7 Ma),tranquil infilling stage in the Late Pliocene(3.7-1.81 Ma),and rejuvenation stage sincethe Pleistocene(1.81 Ma to present).In the 1ate Middle Miocene(~11.6 Ma),the rudiment of CCswas developed by a regional tectonic transformation in the eastern part of the basin.In the EarlyPliocene,the CCS was further developed from west to east and restrained in the central depressionbelt of the basin due to abundant sediment supplies from the northwestern and northem provenances,the blocking effect of the southern uplift belt,and the restrictive geomorphological features of theeastern part of the basin.In the Late Pliocene,changes in the sedimentary environment resulted in thedevelopment of the CCS in the eastern part of the basin only.Since the Pleistocene,the joint action ofclimatic factors and geomorphological features of the eastern part of the basin led to the rejuvenationof the CCS.

Hydrofracturing and episodic compaction of muddy rocks in sedimentary basin

Hydrofracturing has been found in a numbr of sedimentary basins throughout the world, which pay an important role in the migration of hydrocarbon and compaction of deposits in overpressured impermeable muddy rock. The forming processes of hydrofracture in the basin evolution has been simulated and the associated episodic compaction of deposits has been evaluated. The modelling results indicate that episodic compacting process in impermeable rocks induced by hydrofracturing is an important way of sediment compaction.