Geoacoustic Inversion for Bottom Parameters in the Deep-Water Area of the South China Sea

Bottom acoustic parameters play an important role in sound field prediction. Acoustic parameters in deep water are not well understood. Bottom acoustic parameters are sensitive to the transmission-loss （TL） data in the shadow zone of deep water. We propose a multiple-step fill inversion method to invert sound speed, density and attenuation in deep water. Based on a uniform liquid hMf-space bottom model, sound speed of the bottom is inverted by using the long range TL at low frequency obtained in an acoustic propagation experiment conducted in the South China Sea （SCS） in summer 2014. Meanwhile, bottom density is estimated combining with the Hamilton sediment empirical relationship. Attenuation coefficients at different frequencies are then estimated from the TL data in the shadow zones by using the known sound speed and density as a constraint condition. The nonlinear relationship between attenuation coefficient and frequency is given in the end. Tile inverted bottom parameters can be used to forecast the transmission loss in the deep water area of SCS very we//.

Zircon U–Pb dating of Pubei granite and strontium isotope from sphalerite of the Xinhua Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposit,Yunkai Area of Guangxi Province,South China

The Yunkai Area is located at the southern South China Block and is part of the Qinzhou Bay-Hangzhou Bay Metallogenic Belt, which is a famous polymetallic mineralization belt. The Xinhua Pb–Zn–(Ag)deposit is located in the western part of Yunkai Area, with an abundance of Pubei batholiths. Zircon U–Pb geochronology of Pubei batholiths shows that crystallization age ranges from 251.9 ± 2.2 to 244.3 ± 1.8 Ma, thus belonging to Indosinian orogeny. Geochemistry and Sr isotopic compositions of the Pubei batholiths show that it is derived from the partial melting of large scale crustal melting during the stage of exhumation and uplifting of the lower-middle crust. In addition, strontium isotope of sphalerite from the Xinhua Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposit, has limited ranges in ^(87)Rb/^(86)Sr and ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr, ranging from 0.4077 to 1.0449, and 0.718720 to 0.725245, respectively. The initial ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratios of sphalerite ranges between 0.718720 and 0.725245, which is higher than that of upper continental crust and lower than that of the Pubei batholiths, illustrating the fluid might be derived from the mixing of Pubei pluton and upper continental crust.

Simulation of the Accumulation Process of Biogenic Gas Hydrates in the Shenhu Area of Northern South China Sea

Previous work has largely discussed the relations between sediment structures and accumulation of gas hydrates in the Shenhu area of South China Sea, but has not documented why the gas hydrates occurred at the seafloor topographic highs. Many gas hydrate exploration examples abroad also indicate that the saturation of gas hydrates was higher at seafloor topographic highs. This work aims to understand why gas hydrates accumulated at topographic highs and why their saturation is higher.

Geochemical characteristics of Oligocene-Miocene sediments from the deepwater area of the northern South China Sea and their provenance implications

Geochemical and detrital zircon U-Pb dating data for drilled sediments from the Baiyun deepwater area of the northern South China Sea demonstrate a change of sedimentary sources from the Oligocene to the Miocene.Zircon ages of the pre-rift Eocene sequences are dominated by Yanshanian ages with various peak values（110–115 Ma for U1435 and L21; 150 Ma for H1）, indicating local sediment supply from the pre-existing Mesozoic magmatic belt. For the Oligocene sediments in the northern part of the basin, the rare earth elements show different distribution characteristics, indicating sediment supply from the paleo-Zhujiang River（Pearl River）, as also confirmed by the multimodal zircon age spectra of the Lower Oligocene strata in Well X28. By contrast, a positive Eu anomaly characterizes sediments from the western and southern parts of the basin, indicating potential provenances from intermediate to basic volcanic rock materials. The Baiyun Movement at the end of the Oligocene contributed to a large-scale subsidence in the deepwater area and also a northward retreat of continental shelf break, leading to deepening depositional environment in the basin. As a result, all the detrital zircon ages of the Upper Oligocene strata from Wells X28, L13, and L21 share a similar distribution, implying the possible control of a common source like the Zhujiang River. During the Miocene, whereas sediments in the northern area were mainly sourced from the Zhujiang River Delta, and those in the southern deepwater area continued to be affected by basic volcanic activities, the Dongsha Uplift could have contributed as the main source to the eastern area.

Study of radioactive status in the Zhujiang Estuary and adjacent sea area in South China Sea (SCS)

Through the investigation on radioactive activities of water, sediment and some marine organismsin the Zhujiang Estuary, adjacent sea area and the distributary mouths of the Zhujiang River, activities of total α. radioactivity, total β radioactivity, artificial radioactive 90Srand 157Cs, and factors inflencing the distribution and the content of U in seawater are studied.The mainly radioactive pollution substances and their sources in the sea area are studied by γ spectra obtained from sediment in the sea area. The results show that the main radioactivity substances are natural radioactivity U,Th series and 40K. which were produced by the modern industry and transported into the sea through the main current of the Zhujiang River.

Distribution of Organic Matter,Iron,Mangenese in Surface Sediments in the Nansha Islands Sea Area,South China Sea

Concentrations of organic matter, iron and manganese in the deep sea surface sediments in the Nansha Islands sea area, South China Sea are measured. Horizontal and vertical distributions of iron and manganese are discussed. The vertical distribution of iron and manganese in the sediments results from reduction, diffusion, and redeposition of manganese (or iron) oxide and hydroxide in the sediment. There are the maxima of iron and manganese in solid phase in the top of the sediment, which is caused by the penetration of O2 and the upward flux of Mn2+ ( or Fe2+ ). Manganese bacteria play a very important role in the cycle of solid-phase iron and manganese in the ocean environment. Manganese bacteria oxidize Mn2+ ( or Fe2+ ) in dissolved state to Mn4+ ( or Fe3+ ) in oxidized state under the aerobic condition, whereas they reduce iron and manganese in anaerobic conditions.

A New Discovery of Deep-Water Benthic Organisms from the Southwestern Dongsha Area,South China Sea

Dongsha waters are poorly studied for gas hydrates. Previous multi-channel seismic reflection and Chirp sub- bottom profiles show that numerous submarine mounds stand up to 100 m high above the seafloor over the continental slope of the SW Dongsha Island in northern margin of the South China Sea （SCS）. These mounds are characterized by hardened seabed, seafloor gas venting and folded structures, which implies the existence of active mud volcanoes. This work aims to confirm this speculation by seafloor sample dredging and to explore the potential of gas hydrates.

Large Gas Accumulation Area discovered in South China Sea

About 150000 km^(2) of area is available for exploration in the continental shelf of northern South China Sea.As a potential area,Yingqiong Basin(Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan)has effective exploration area of 90000 km^(2).

COMPARISON OF THE STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DEVELOPED VERSUS UNDEVELOPED MID-LEVEL VORTEXES

Using the NCEP 1°×1°reanalysis data,several obvious differences of the structural characteristics of developed versus undeveloped mid-level vortexes are studied.First,the central vorticity of the developed mid-level vortex increases towards higher levels while the undeveloped one decreases.The low-level convergence structure maintains well in the developed mid-level vortex whereas the undeveloped one does badly.Second,on the one hand,according to the symmetric analysis,the horizontal wind field and wind vertical section of the developed mid-level vortex are well symmetric while those of the undeveloped one are less symmetric.Meanwhile,weak wind vertical shear help the developed mid-level vortex to establish a warm core in upper-and mid-levels of the troposphere.On the other hand,according to the balance analysis,better balance between wind and pressure is shown in the mid-and lower-levels of the troposphere of the developed mid-level vortex than in those of the undeveloped vortex.Third,positive anomaly of potential vorticity is enhanced and developed in the vertical direction of the developed vortex.However,the undeveloped vortex weakens with a weak positive anomaly.

CHINA'S FOUR MAJOR METEOROLOGICAL SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS

China lies in East-Asian monsoon region,which is one of the well-known active monsoon zones around the world.Monsoon anomaly results in frequent natural disasters,such as drought, torrential rain and flood.In 1998,joint intensified observations for 4 major meteorological scientific experiments have been carried out over Chinese major monsoon affected areas.A number of valuable data have been obtained and some observational facts have come out after initial analysis.The present paper is to give an introduction to the 4 major meteorological scientific experiments conducted in 1998 in China.including its origin and scientific goals,implementation and planning,equipment and progress,and initial findings from the important observational facts. It aims to provide a comprehensive report on the progress of the above experiments for those who are interested in.