Research on Pressure Tight Sampling Technique of Deep-Sea Shallow Sediment—A New Approach to Gas Hydrate Investigation

Analyzed and calculated are pressure changes and body deformation of the sample inside of the corer in the process of sampling of deep-sea shallow sediment with a non-piston corer for gas hydrate investigation, Two conclusions are drawn： （1） the stress increments associated with the corer through the sampling process do not affect the stabilization of the gas hydrate; （2） the body deformation of the sample is serious and the ＂incremental filling ratio＂ （IFR） is less than unit, For taking samples with in-situ pressure and structure, combining with the design theories of the pressure tight corer, we have designed a kind of piston corer, named the gas hydrate pressure tight piston corer, Several tests on the sea have been conducted. Test results indicate that the piston corer has a good ability of taking sediment samples on the seafloor and maintaining their original in-situ pressure, meeting the requirement of exploration of gas hydrate in deep-sea shallow sediment layers.

Predicting the sinkage of a moving tracked mining vehicle using a new rheological formulation for soft deep-sea sediment

The sinkage of a moving tracked mining vehicle is greatly af fected by the combined compression-shear rheological properties of soft deep-sea sediments. For test purposes, the best sediment simulant is prepared based on soft deep-sea sediment from a C-C poly-metallic nodule mining area in the Pacific Ocean. Compressive creep tests and shear creep tests are combined to obtain compressive and shear rheological parameters to establish a combined compressive-shear rheological constitutive model and a compression-sinkage rheological constitutive model. The combined compression-shear rheological sinkage of the tracked mining vehicle at dif ferent speeds is calculated using the Recur Dyn software with a selfprogrammed subroutine to implement the combined compression-shear rheological constitutive model. The model results are compared with shear rheological sinkage and ordinary sinkage(without consideration of rheological properties). These results show that the combined compression-shear rheological constitutive model must be taken into account when calculating the sinkage of a tracked mining vehicle. The combined compression-shear rheological sinkage decrease with vehicle speed and is the largest among the three types of sinkage. The developed subroutine in the Recur Dyn software can be used to study the performance and structural optimization of moving tracked mining vehicles.

Extreme Enrichment of Tellurium in Deep-Sea Sediments

Tellurium is a sort of scattered rare element on the earth. Its concentration is very low in earth＇s crust, only 1.0 ng/g. However, it has extremely high abundance in Co-rich crusts, marine polymetallic nodules, deep-sea sediments and aerolites. To find out the origin of tellurium enrichment in deep-sea sediments, we analyzed and compared tellurium concentrations and helium isotope compositions in the magnetic parts and those in the bulk parts of deep-sea sediments. The result indicates that the helium content, 3He/4He ratio and tellurium concentration are obviously higher in the magnetic parts than those in the bulk parts. The 3He abundance varies synchronously with the tellurium concentration. 3He and Te have a distinct positive correlation with each other. It is the first time that the paper brings forward that the extreme enrichment of tellurium in deep-sea sediments, like helium isotope anomalies, probably results from the input of interplanetary dust particles （IDPs）. Similarly, the extreme enrichment of tellurium in marine polymetallic nodules and Co-rich crusts is possibly related to IDPs.

Bacterial and archaeal community structures in the Arctic deepsea sediment

Microbial community structures in the Arctic deep-sea sedimentary ecosystem are determined by organic matter input, energy availability, and other environmental factors. However, global warming and earlier ice-cover melting are affecting the microbial diversity. To characterize the Arctic deep-sea sediment microbial diversity and its relationship with environmental factors, we applied Roche 454 sequencing of 16 S r DNA amplicons from Arctic deep-sea sediment sample. Both bacterial and archaeal communities＇ richness, compositions and structures as well as taxonomic and phylogenetic affiliations of identified clades were characterized. Phylotypes relating to sulfur reduction and chemoorganotrophic lifestyle are major groups in the bacterial groups; while the archaeal community is dominated by phylotypes most closely related to the ammonia-oxidizing Thaumarchaeota（96.66%） and methanogenic Euryarchaeota（3.21%）. This study describes the microbial diversity in the Arctic deep marine sediment（〉3 500 m） near the North Pole and would lay foundation for future functional analysis on microbial metabolic processes and pathways predictions in similar environments.

Phylogenetic analysis of bacterial community in deep-sea sediment from the western Pacific “warm pool”

A depth profile of bacterial community structure in one deep-sea sediment core of the western Pacific ＂warm pool＂ （WP） was investigated and compared with that in a sediment sample from the eastern Pacific （EP） by phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA fragments. Five bacterial 16S rDNA clone libraries were constructed, and 133 clones with different restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） patterns were sequenced. A phylogenetic analysis of these sequences revealed that the bacterial diversity in a sample from the WP was more abundant than that in the EP sample. The bacterial population in the sediment core of WP was composed of eight major lineages of the domain bacteria. Among them the γ-Proteobacteria was the predominant and most diverse group in each section of WP sediment core, followed by the α-Proteobacteria. The genus Colwellia belonging to γ-Proteobacteria was predominant in this sample. The shift of bacterial communities among different sections of the WP sediment core was δ-, ε-Proteobacteria, and Cytopahga-Flexibacteria-Bacteroides （CFB） group. The ratios between them in the bacterial communities all showed inversely proportional to the depth of sediment. The sequences related to sulphate reducing bacteria （SRB） were detected in every section. The bacterial community structure in this sediment core might be related to the environmental characteristics of the surface seawater of the western Pacific WP.

Degradation of malachite green dye by Tenacibaculum sp. HMG1isolated from Pacific deep-sea sediments

A deep-sea bacterium from the Pacific Ocean identified as Tenacibaculum sp. HMG1 was found to have strong malachite green（MG） degradation activity. The MG tolerance and decolorizing activities of strain HMG1 were confirmed by bacterial growth and high-performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） analyses. Strain HMG1 was capable of removing 98.8% of the MG in cultures within 12 h and was able to grow vigorously at 20 mg/L MG. A peroxidase gene detected in the genome of strain HMG1 was found to be involved in the MG biodegradation process. The corresponding recombinant peroxidase（r POD） demonstrated high degradative activity at 1 000 mg/L MG. Based on the common candidate intermediates, strain HMG1 was inferred to have one primary MG degradation pathway containing r POD. In addition, five other candidate intermediates of the r POD-MG degradative process were detected. The optimal conditions for MG degradation were determined and showed that strain HMG1 and the r POD enzyme could maintain high bioactivity at a low temperature（20℃）, variable p H values（6.0–9.0）, higher salinities（100 mmol/L） and other factors, such as multiple metal ions, H2O2 and EDTA.MG-tolerant strain Tenacibaculum sp. HMG1 and its peroxidase have prospective applications as environmental amendments for MG degradation during coastal remediation.

Coextraction of microbial metagenomic DNA and RNA from deep-sea sediment

A protocol to coextract the microbial metagenomic DNA and RNA from deep-sea sediment was developed for the microbiological study of environmental samples. The obtained pure metagenomic DNA with the size larger than 23 kb and stable RNA could be used directly for PCR and reverse transcription - PCR （ RT - PCR） respectively. The direct lysis including the treatments of SDS, proteinase and lysozyme was applied to acquiring the metagenomic DNA and RNA furthest. Prior to the lysis treatment, the glass bead and denaturing solution were added to enhance the lysis efficiency and keep the integrity of RNA respectively. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE） was applied in accessing the microbial 16S rRNA diversity by PCR and RT -PCR amplification from a single extraction. The pattern obtained by this analysis revealed some differences between them, indicating the efficiency of the protocol in extracting the metagenomic DNA and total RNA from deep-sea sediment.

Experimental research on grouser traction of deep-sea mining machine

The traction characteristics of the grouser, cutting the simulative soil of deepsea sediment, with different tooth widths, tooth heights, and ground pressures are studied with traction characteristic test apparatus. A traction-displacement model is obtained by combining the analysis of the cutting mechanism. The results show that the tractiondisplacement curves of grousers with different tooth widths, tooth heights, and ground pressures have the same changing trend, which matches the Wong traction model. Their sensitivity coefficient and shear modulus are slightly fluctuated. Therefore, the average values can be used as the traction model parameters. The maximum traction of the grouser with a two-side edge and a 10 mm tooth width increment changing with the tooth height and ground pressure can be determined according to the grousers with different tooth widths. By combining the traction model parameters, the traction-displacement curve of the grouser with a certain group values of tooth width, tooth height, and ground pressure can be predicted. Therefore, the slip of the mining machine can be prevented to improve the mining efficiency.

Bacterial diversity in the sediments collected from the Shikoku Basin

Diversity of bacteria was studied in deep-sea sediments from the Shikoku Basin in the Northwest Pacific Ocean by PCR, RFLP and sequence analysis of 16S rDNA and comparing with Genbank database. Based on the RFLP profile generated, 77 clones from the 16S rDNA library were divided into 27 types. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 27 independent clones fell into four groups: Proteobac-teria (62.96%), Chloroflexi (14.81%), Planctomycetes (14.81%) and Acidobacteria (7.41%). Among all sequenced clones, 6 were related to the sulfur or sulfate metabolism bacteria and the results also demonstrated that some bacteria in deep-sea sediments had relation to matter-energy circulation.

Major and trace element composition of surface sediments from the Southwest Indian Ridge:evidence for the incorporation of a hydrothermal component

Hydrothermal materials in deep-sea sediments provide a robust tracer to the localized hydrothermal activity at mid-ocean ridges. Major, trace and rare earth element（REE） data for surface sediments collected from the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge are presented to examine the existence of hydrothermal component.Biogenic carbonate oozes dominate all the sediment samples, with CaO content varying from 85.5% to 89.9% on a volatile-free basis. The leaching residue of bulk sediments by ~5% HCl is compositionally comparable to the Upper Continental Crust（UCC） in SiO_2, Al_2O_3, CaO, MgO, alkali elements（Rb, Cs） and high field strength elements（Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti）. These detritus-hosted elements are inferred to be prominently derived from the Australian continent by means of eolian dust, while the contribution of local volcaniclastics is insignificant. In addition, the residual fraction shows a clear enrichment in Fe, Mn, and Ba compared with the UCC. Combining the positive Eu anomaly of residual fraction which is opposed to the UCC but the characteristic of hydrothermal fluids and associated precipitates occurred at mid-ocean ridges, the incorporation of localized hydrothermal component can be constrained. REE mixing calculations indicate that more than half REE within the residual fraction（~55%–60%） are derived from a hydrothermal component, which is inferred to be resulted from a diffuse fluid mineralization. The low-temperature diffuse flow may be widely distributed along the slow-ultraslow spreading ridges where crustal faults and fissures abound, and probably have a great mineralization potential.

海洋磷酸盐对稀土元素的超常富集作用

通过对西太平洋富稀土深海沉积物研究进一步证实,深海沉积物中稀土元素(REY)的富集与P和Ca密切相关,并与生物磷灰石的发育成正比。西太平洋研究区稀土赋存载体之间的定量关系可表达为:∑REY=0.002×[Al_(2)O_(3)]+0.004×[MnO]+0.057×[P_(2)O_(5)]-235.7(单位为μg/g)。

履齿结构对深海沉积物扰动分析

为探究集矿车在行进过程中履带运动对深海沉积物的扰动机理,并建立适用于机械结构与沉积物作用的仿真模型,结合水槽实验和模拟分析,设定对照试验,研究机械结构运动对沉积物的扰动作用和羽状流扩散现象。实验与仿真结果表明:偏置一字形履齿低扰动性能较好,扰动最大速度在1.5 m/s以下;扰动源的下陷深度和转速对水槽中的浊度变化有显著影响,浊度计最大和最小测量值为4 381.3 mg/L和3 073.3 mg/L,相差29.9%,峰值时间相差超过50%。搭建欧拉多相流模型,设定参数和边界条件,仿真与试验结果接近,可用于后续开展小范围内的机械扰动研究。

两种沉积物粒度分析测试方法对比及转换关系

粒径分布(PSD)作为土体的基本物理性质之一,对土体的工程性质具有很大影响。目前,测量海洋沉积物PSD存在不同的方法,但不同方法量测结果的一致性和相互关系值得探讨。基于PSD沉降分析法与激光衍射法的测试原理,推导得出两种方法之间的联系,并提出了一种转换方法。采用上述两种测量方法对两种不同海域的深海沉积物进行PSD分析,依据转换方法对激光衍射法得到的PSD进行转换,并将转换后的结果进行分析。结果显示:沉降分析法与激光衍射法所得结果主要差距在于黏土、粉砂粒径的含量,且经转换后,两种测量方法得出的黏土、粉砂粒级的百分含量基本一致,检验了转换方法的可靠性。

深海采矿中不同成分底质对羽流触发的影响

深海采矿时羽流生成的主要原因在于采集过程中集矿车行走及采集对深海沉积物的扰动。沉积物受扰动后产生羽流,所以可以推断沉积物的物理性质可能对羽状流的生成存在影响。目前,通过已知研究发现,沉积物的抗扰动性主要由沉积物的强度所决定,而研究沉积物的强度必须先了解沉积物的结构。由于深海沉积物处在特殊深海高压含盐环境中,沉积物在沉降过程中形成了特殊的絮状连接结构,土颗粒之间产生胶结作用。胶结作用的强弱以胶结力的形式包含在沉积物所具备的黏聚力中,所以可以假定沉积物的胶结作用会影响沉积物的强度,进而影响羽流的触发。然而不同区域深海沉积物含水率及成分均有所差异,无法对沉积物的胶结作用进行定量分析,因此需通过试验探究不同成分底质的胶结作用强弱随底质成分的变化以及不同底质下羽流的触发规律。首先,选取碳酸钙质量分数与含水率作为变量,选取多种不同成分的模拟底质,探究胶结作用随土体成分的变化规律。其次,开展单射流冲击模拟底质模型试验,观测羽流的触发量与土体成分间的关系。研究结果表明:在射流冲击作用下羽流的触发量与冲击底质的胶结作用有关,模拟底质的胶结作用随着含水率的增大而减小,随着底质中碳酸钙质量分数逐渐增大,胶结作用呈现先增大后减小的趋势。研究结果将为集矿车采集过程中控制羽流触发以及水力采集参数优化提供理论依据。

海底环境模拟三轴加压系统的设计与分析

为实现海底沉积物在原位环境的模拟测量,设计海底环境模拟三轴加压系统。通过围压、反压、轴压3个加压单元,组合实现模拟海底沉积物所受的水深压力和埋深压力。建立液压加压单元的数学模型,通过水介质的割线体积弹性模量方程得出不同条件下水的体积弹性模量,研究不同温度、压力和海水盐度对加压系统加压性能的影响。经过分析与测试得出:每1℃温度变化、每1 MPa压力变化、每1‰盐度变化对加压系统加压效果的影响分别为0.36%、0.14%、0.21%;通过模拟环境波动引发水的体积弹性模量变化,导致测试仓产生0.6 MPa压力扰动变化,系统自动恢复稳定状态的调节时间不超过5 s。实验表明系统的超调量小于0.05 MPa,1~10 MPa的保压10 min内测试压力波动不超过±0.005 MPa。系统的压力控制特性和抗干扰性好,满足测量要求。

深海沉积物滑撬板滑行摩擦阻力试验研究

深海沉积物含水量高,抗剪强度较低,采用滑撬板滑行、螺旋桨推进是重载行进的有效方式之一。滑行能够明显减轻行走机构对沉积物压陷作用,降低环境扰动。本文利用滑撬板滑行实验分析了不同接地比压下沉积物压陷深度和滑行摩擦阻力的关系。研究结果表明:滑撬板的接地比压直接影响滑行摩擦阻力,随着接地比压的增大,滑撬板下陷增加,沉积物变形加剧,滑行摩擦阻力加大。通过上述试验结果总结得到接地参数对滑行摩擦系数的影响及其相关关系式,为深海采矿车行走设计提供数据支撑。

基于Burger’s蠕变模型的采矿车行驶海底稀软底质下陷研究

在陆地矿产资源日渐枯竭的今天,深海矿产资源已成为全球各个国家争相开采与利用的焦点,深海采矿车是实现深海矿产资源开采的重要装备。海底稀软底质是一种承载力与抗剪强度极低的特殊底质,在采矿作业中,深海稀软底质的物理力学特性直接影响采矿车行走的稳定性。文章选取Burger’s接触模型作为深海稀软底质的本构模型,对某海域海底稀软原状土开展室内三轴试验,通过PFC3D颗粒流数值模拟实验对比实际三轴试验,对稀软底质的Burger’s蠕变模型进行参数标定,同时依据标定结果改变相应参数,针对5种不同底质条件的工况,建立海底采矿车的数字仿真模型,模拟各工况下采矿车在不同行驶速度时的下陷深度。结果显示,下陷深度会随行驶速度呈非线性变化,在一定范围内随着行驶速度的增大而减少并逐渐趋于稳定。同时结果还表明,该区域海底稀软底质具有更高的黏粒含量(38.1%~48.4%)、含水率(88.13%~137.79%)和压缩性(压缩系数:1.86~3.73 MPa^(-1),压缩模量:1.26~2.13 MPa),具有更低的密度(1.3~1.5 g/cm^(3))和强度特性(贯入阻力:0.19~1.32 N,黏聚力:3.7~6.9 kPa,内摩擦角:2.4°~3.9°),即承载力较低,蠕变性能较强。本研究在宏观上做了一般的探讨,为类似参数的稀软底质下海底采矿车的运行安全控制提供了较好借鉴与依据。

深海沉积物中稀土元素的富集成矿作用

我国虽是稀土大国,但重稀土仍是十分紧缺的关键金属资源。2011年日本学者Kato等在太平洋深海盆地中发现了大规模富含稀土元素的沉积物,引起世界各国高度重视。深海富稀土沉积物广泛分布于海底,其富集稀土元素尤其是相对富集重稀土元素等关键金属,是继大洋结核结壳、洋中脊热液硫化物、天然气水合物之后一种重要的海洋矿产资源。目前太平洋和印度洋中都证实有大面积富稀土沉积物的存在,我国科学家将深海稀土资源分为4个主要成矿远景区,其中太平洋3个,印度洋1个。富稀土沉积物的矿物组分主要包括生物成因磷灰石(鱼牙和鱼骨)、微结核(铁锰氧化物或氢氧化物)、沸石、黏土矿物等,其中生物磷灰石是最重要的稀土载体。稀土元素直接来源于上覆海水和孔隙水,热液和火山活动可能也有贡献。水深、沉积速率和氧化还原环境等是控制深海稀土元素富集的重要因素,强底流、海底火山和热液活动以及气候事件所导致的陆源输入的变化也会对深海稀土富集产生重要影响。深海稀土成矿作用仍然存在一些尚未解决的科学问题,需进一步加强深海富稀土沉积物成因及超常富集机制等的研究,以丰富和完善深海稀土的成矿模型,为我国在深海稀土富集区的勘探研究与实践提供重要借鉴。

Millennial climate changes since MIS 3 revealed by element records in deep-sea sediments from northern South China Sea

High resolution elemental records in core MD05-2903 from the northern South China Sea were obtained from XRF scanning and grain size and mineral component analyses.The K/Ti curve reveals climate changes since MIS 3 on a millennial scale,representing one of the best such records so far from deep-sea sediments of the South China Sea.When compared our K/Ti record with other climate records from high latitude ice cores and from East Asia stalagmites,variations in the K/Ti record show some typical saw-shaped features of rapid climate changes in the Northern Hemisphere.Grain size analysis reveals a close relationship between variations in K/Ti and in the fine end-member grain size.XRD analysis confirms that high K/Ti layers were dominated by K-rich weathering minerals,especially illite,while low K/Ti layers contain low illite but high abundance of Ti-rich heavy minerals.Therefore,the K/Ti record reflects changes in the input and deposition of fine weathering minerals and heavy minerals in the northern South China Sea region during stadials and interstadials.These elemental changes were largely controlled by variations in rainfall,erosion,and fluvial transportation induced by East Asia Monsoon.

磷块岩成矿过程及其稀土元素富集机理综述

磷块岩矿床是以细晶磷灰石为主要矿石矿物的一种海相沉积磷矿床,形成于古元古代后6个历史时期的上升流地区,与生物活动重要节点、大陆风化加剧时期密切相关。磷块岩矿床的形成受海平面升降、微生物活动与沉积物孔隙水中的物理化学条件等因素控制,而形成高品质磷块岩矿床的关键是极低的沉积速率与周期性的海底风暴。部分磷块岩中超常富集中重稀土元素,是潜在的稀土资源来源。磷块岩中稀土元素的主要赋存矿物为细晶磷灰石,其中的稀土元素主要来源于沉积时期的海水和早期成岩时期的沉积物孔隙水,并以吸附或晶格替代的方式储存于细晶磷灰石中。稀土元素可以通过形成稀土-碳酸盐络合物等方式吸附于海洋微粒表面,当氧化还原条件变化时,海洋微粒分解并将稀土元素释放至沉积物孔隙水中。本文通过文献综述发现不同海洋微粒对于稀土元素的吸附具有选择性,从而导致不同的孔隙水具有不同的稀土元素配分模式,进而影响磷块岩矿床中细晶磷灰石的稀土元素配分模式。细晶磷灰石对于稀土元素的富集不具有选择性,故受海水影响较大时呈现重稀土元素富集特征,而受孔隙水影响较大时则呈现中稀土元素凸起特征。由于超常富集稀土元素的磷块岩矿床常呈现中稀土元素凸起的稀土元素配分模式,这与海底热液输入的铁锰氧化物的稀土元素配分特征以及早期成岩过程中孔隙水的稀土元素配分特征相符,这或许指示着海底热液活动输入的铁锰氧化物及早期成岩过程对于磷块岩矿床稀土元素富集过程的影响。本文从磷块岩矿床的特征、时空分布及成矿的控制要素等方面对于磷块岩矿床的成矿过程进行了综述,从磷块岩矿床的稀土元素含量及稀土元素异常分析磷块岩成矿过程中稀土元素的富集行为和分异行为,并讨论了超常富集稀土元素的磷块岩中稀土元素可能存在的富集机理。研究磷块岩成矿过程及其稀土元素富集机理,可以为超常富集稀土元素的磷块岩矿床的勘查开发提供理论依据,对于保障稀土资源供应具有重要意义。