Gas hydrate accumulation associated with fluid escape structure in the western margin of South China Sea

Gas hydrates have been found in the western continental margin of South China Sea,which are revealed by widespread bottom simulating reflectors(BSRs)imaged from a three-dimensional(3D)seismic volume near the Guangle carbonate platform in the western South China Sea.Fluid-escape structures(faults and gas chimneys)are originated below BSR were distinguished.A comprehensive model in three-level structure was proposed to depict the gas hydrate accumulation in the study area.In Level 1,regional major faults and gas chimneys provide the first pathways of upward migration of gas near basement.In Level 2,pervasive polygonal faults in carbonate layer promote the migration of gas.In Level 3,gases sourced from near-basement accumulate within shallow sediment layers and form gas hydrate above the unit with faults once appropriate temperature and pressure occur.The gas hydrates in the study area are mainly in microbial origin,and their accumulation occurs only when fluid-escape structures align in all the three levels.The proposed model of the gas hydrate accumulation in western SCS margin provides new insights for further studies in this poorly studied area.

Synergy of staggered stacking confinement and microporous defect fixation for high‐density atomic Fe^(Ⅱ)‐N_(4)oxygen reduction active sites

The development of high‐performance nonprecious metal catalysts(NPMCs)to supersede Pt‐based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells is highly desirable but remains challenging.In this paper,we present a pyrolysis strategy for spatial confinement and active‐site fixation using iron phthalocyanine(FePc),phthalocyanine(Pc)and Zn salts as precursors.In the obtained carbon‐based NPMC with a hierarchically porous nanostructure of thin‐layered carbon nanosheets,nearly 100%of the total Fe species are Fe^(Ⅱ)‐N_(4) active sites.In contrast,pyrolyzing FePc alone forms Fe‐based nanoparticles embedded in amorphous carbon with only 5.9%Fe^(Ⅱ)‐N_(4) active sites.Both experimental characterization and density functional theory calculations reveal that spatial confinement through the staggeredπ–πstacking of Pc macrocycles effectively prevents the demetallation of Fe atoms and the formation of Fe‐based nanoparticles via aggregation.Furthermore,Zn‐induced microporous defects allow the fixation of Fe^(Ⅱ)‐N_(4) active sites.The synergistic effect of staggered stacking confinement and microporous defect fixation results in a high density of atomic Fe^(Ⅱ)‐N_(4) active sites that can enhance the ORR.The optimal Fe^(Ⅱ)‐N_(4)‐C electro‐catalyst outperforms a commercial Pt/C catalyst in terms of half‐wave potential,methanol toler‐ance,and long‐term stability in alkaline media.This modulation strategy can greatly advance efforts to develop high‐performance NPMCs.

A buried submarine canyon in the northwestern South China Sea: architecture, development processes and implications for hydrocarbon exploration

High-resolution multichannel seismic data enables the discovery of a previous,undocumented submarine canyon(Huaguang Canyon)in the Qiongdongnan Basin,northwestern South China Sea.The Huaguang Canyon with a NW orientation is 140 km in length,and 2.5 km to 5 km in width in its upper reach and 4.6 km to 9.5 km in width in its lower reach.The head of the Huaguang Canyon is close to the Xisha carbonate platform and its tail is adjacent to the Central Canyon.This buried submarine canyon is formed by gravity flows from the Xisha carbonate platform when the sea level dropped in the early stage of the late Miocene(around 10.5 Ma).The internal architecture of the Huaguang Canyon is mainly characterized by high amplitude reflections,indicating that this ancient submarine canyon was filled with coarse-grained sediments.The sediment was principally scourced from the Xisha carbonate platform.In contrast to other buried large-scale submarine canyons(Central Canyon and Zhongjian Canyon)in the Qiongdongnan Basin,the Huaguang Canyon displays later formation time,smaller width and length,and single sediment supply.The coarse-grained deposits within the Huaguang Canyon provide a good environment for reserving oil and gas,and the muddy fillings in the Huaguang Canyon have been identified as regional caps.Therefore,the Huaguang Canyon is a potential area for future hydrocarbon exploration in the northwestern South China Sea.The result of this paper may contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of submarine canyons formed in carbonate environment.

A buried submarine canyon in the northwest South China Sea:architecture,development processes and implications for hydrocarbon exploration

High-resolution multichannel seismic data enables the discovery of a previous,undocumented submarine canyon(Huaguang Canyon)in the Qiongdongnan Basin,northwest South China Sea.The Huaguang Canyon with a NW orientation is 140 km in length,and 2.5 km to 5 km in width in its upper reach and 4.6 km to 9.5 km in width in its lower reach.The head of the Huaguang Canyon is close to the Xisha carbonate platform and its tail is adjacent to the central canyon.This buried submarine canyon is formed by gravity flows from the Xisha carbonate platform when the sea level dropped in the early stage of the late Miocene(~10.5 Ma).The internal architecture of the Huaguang Canyon is mainly characterized by high amplitude reflections,indicating that this ancient submarine canyon was filled with coarse-grained sediments.The sediment was principally scourced from the Xisha carbonate platform.In contrast to other buried large-scale submarine canyons(central canyon and Zhongjian Canyon)in the Qiongdongnan Basin,the Huaguang Canyon displays later formation time,smaller width and length,and single sediment supply.The coarse-grained deposits within Huaguang Canyon provide a good environment for reserving oil and gas,and the muddy fillings in Huaguang Canyon have been identified as regional caps.Therefore,Huaguang Canyon is potential area for future hydrocarbon exploration in the northwest South China Sea.Our results may contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of submarine canyons formed in carbonate environment.