Seasonal and annual variations of marine sinking particulate flux during 1993 ~ 1996 in the central South China Sea

A total of 67 samples from the upper and lower sediment traps in the central South China Sea were analyzed, which were collected during 1993 ~ 1996. It is indicated that the distribution of stable isotope values, surface primary productivity, fluxes of total particulate matter, carbonate, biogenic opal, organic carbon, planktonic foraminiferal species and their total amount exhibit obviously seasonal and annual fluctuations. High values of the fluxes occurred in the prevailing periods of the northeastern and southwestern monsoons, and the low values occurred during the periods between the two monsoons. The fluxes of some planktonic foraminiferal species （ Globigerinoides sacculifer , G. ruber , Globigerinita glutinata, Neogloboquadrina dutertrei ） and their percentages also exhibit two prominent peaks during the prevailing periods of the northeastern and southwestern monsoons respectively, while those of Globigerina bulloides, Globorotalia menardii and Pulleniatina obliquiloculata only exhibit one peak in the prevailing periods of the northeastern monsoon. In addition, fluxes and percentages of Globigerinoides sacculifer and Globorotalia menardii as well as the fluxes of carbonate and total amount of planktonic foraminifera decrease gradually from 1993 to 1996, and those of Globigerina bulloides, Globigerinita glutinata and biogenic opal increase gradually from 1993 to 1996. The fluxes of carbonate and organic carbon in the upper trap are higher than those in the lower one. The study indicates that the seasonal and annual variations of the sediment fluxes and planktonic foraminiferal species are mainly controlled by the changes of surface primary productivity and hydrological conditions related to the East Asian monsoon. The lower carbonate and organic carbon fluxes in the lower trap are related to the dissolution.

Bottom water temperature measurements in the South China Sea,eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean

文章报道了一批新的海底底水温度(BWT)数据,其中南海(SCS)158个站位、东印度洋(EIO)30个站位及西太平洋(WPO)37个站位。基于这批新的BWT数据,获得南海和西太平洋海域底水温度与水深经验关系,可为地球物理和物理海洋提供准确、可靠的海底温度边界。这将有助于海底油气资源调查与评估。同时,这批实测数据表明:1)水深超过3500m的海域,其底水温度在南海约为2.47℃,比东印度洋(～1.34℃)和西太平洋(～1.60℃)稍微偏高。这与大洋传送带模式所预测的情况比较吻合。该模式认为:低温高盐的海水,从北大西洋格陵兰岛和冰岛附近海域下沉到深层,然后向南流动,再与南极洲周围海域的低温高盐海水一同向北进入印度洋和太平洋。而南海是一个相对比较封闭的热带边缘海,其内部海水与印度洋和菲律宾海交换有限,导致海水温度整体高于印度洋和太平洋。2)台西南盆地水深在2700～3000m的部分站位,其底水温高达约3.00℃,明显高于其周边同水深海域底水温度(平均值约为2.33℃)。这可能是台西南盆地海底水热活动导致的结果。3)在东印度洋和西太平洋水深超过4800m海域,底水温度随着水压增大稍有升高,其升高率分别为10.6mK·MPa^(-1)和12.0mK·MPa^(-1)。这与理论估算的深层底水绝热压力温度梯度范围较为吻合。这也意味着东印度洋和西太平洋深层底水,主要由绝热自压作用导致其温度随着深度的增大而升高。

Characteristics of seismic reflections in central region of the South China Sea and their geological significance

More than 4 000 km 48-channel seismic reflection data from the central region of the South China Sea have been interpreted. Five seismic interfaces have been distinguished, named T1, T2, T4, T6 and Tg respectively Meanwhile, five seismic sequences numbered I - V have been divided with the ages of Quaternary and Pliocene, Later Mocene, Earlier and Middle Miocene, Oligocene and Pre- Oligocene separately. Sequences I-II overlie all parts of the area. In the continental slope and island slope, Sequences III-V are mainly found in the grabens. Sequence III is found at moot profiles of the deep-sea basin, and Sequnce IV is seen not only at the margins of the east subbasin but also at the margins of the southwest subbasin. Strong reflection from Moho is found at most profiles of the deep-sea basin. The depth of Moho varies between 10 and 12 km, with a thickness of 6- 8 km for the crust. Calculated by age-basement depth correlation formula, the age of basaltic basement in the southwest subbasin is 51-39 Ma. It is indicated that the evolution of the southwest subbasin is simultaneous with or earlier than that of the east subbasin.

Comparisons of surface Chl a and primary productivity along three transects of the southern South China Sea, northern Java Sea and eastern Indian Ocean in April 2011

Results are presented about the changes in chlorophyll a density, carbon fixation and nutrient levels in the surfacewaters of three transects of the southern South China Sea （SCS）, northern Java Sea （JS） and eastern Indian Ocean （IO） duringApril 5-16 of 2011. The in situ Chl a concentration and carbon fixation showed decreasing trends from high to low latitudealong the three transects, while the photosynthetic rate of phytoplankton estimated from 14C incorporation displayed no simplevariation with latitude. Chl a concentration and carbon fixation in the IO water was lower than that in the JS water. Highersalinity and lower contents of dissolved inorganic nitrogen （DIN） and silicate （SiO3^2-） characterized the IO water as comparedto the SCS or JS water, and the PO4^3- content was lower in the IO water than in the SCS or JS water in most cases. Our resultsalso indicate the importance of DIN and SiO3^2- concentrations for the geographical changes in phytoplankton biomass andprimary productivity among the three regions.

Distribution of chlorophyll a, photosynthesis and their relations to the environmental factors in the Central South China Sea

Some studies have been made on the variation of primary productivity in the Central South ChinaSea. This paper studies comprehensively the characteristics of chlorophyll a distributions in time andspace and the primary productivity, as well their relations to the environmental factors.Materals and methods During the comprehensive investigation in the Central South China Sea from September 1983 toDecember 1984, the distributions of chlorophyll a and primary productivity were studied. Figure 1shows the sampling stations and their range of investigation.

Geology and hydrocarbon accumulations in the deepwater of the northwestern South China Sea——with focus on natural gas

The deepwater of the northwestern South China Sea is located in the central to southern parts of the Qiongdongnan Basin （QDN Basin）, which is a key site for hydrocarbon exploration in recent years. In this study, the authors did a comprehensive analysis of gravity-magnetic data, extensive 3D seismic survey, cores and cuttings, paleontology and geochemical indexes, proposed the mechanism of natural gas origin, identified different oil and gas systems, and established the model of hydrocarbon accumulations in the deep-water region. Our basin tectonic simulation indicates that the evolution of QDN Basin was controlled by multiple-phased tectonic movements, such as Indochina-Eurasian Plate collision, Tibetan Uplift, Red River faulting and the expansion of the South China Sea which is characterized by Paleogene rifting, Neogene depression, and Eocene intensive faulting and lacustrine deposits. The drilling results show that this region is dominated by marine- terrestrial transitional and neritic-bathyal facies from the early Oligocene. The Yacheng Formation of the early Oligocene is rich in organic matter and a main gas-source rock. According to the geological-geochemical data from the latest drilling wells, Lingshui, Baodao, Changchang Sags have good hydrocarbon-generating potentials, where two plays from the Paleogene and Neogene reservoirs were developed. Those reservoirs occur in central canyon structural-lithologic trap zone, Changchang marginal trap zone and southern fault terrace of Baodao Sag. Among them, the central canyon trap zone has a great potential for exploration because the various reservoir- forming elements are well developed, i.e., good coal-measure source rocks, sufficient reservoirs from the Neogene turbidity sandstone and submarine fan, faults connecting source rock and reservoirs, effective vertical migration, late stage aggregation and favorable structural-lithological composite trapping. These study results provide an important scientific basis for hydrocarbon exploration in this region, evidenced by the recent discovery of the significant commercial LS-A gas field in the central canyon of the Lingshui Sag.

THE TIMING OF SOUTH-ASIAN HIGH ESTABLISHMENT AND ITS RELATION TO TROPICAL ASIAN SUMMER MONSOON AND PRECIPITATION OVER EAST-CENTRAL CHINA IN SUMMER

The timing of the South Asian High(SAH) establishment over the Indochina Peninsula(IP) from April to May and its relations to the setup of the subsequent tropical Asian summer monsoon and precipitation over eastern-central China in summer are investigated by using NCEP/NCAR daily reanalysis data,outgoing longwave radiation(OLR)data and the daily precipitation data from 753 weather stations in China.It is found that the transitions of the zonal wind vertical shear and convection establishment over tropical Asia are earlier(later) in the years of early(late) establishment of SAH.In the lower troposphere,anti-cyclonic(cyclonic) anomaly circulation dominates the equatorial Indian Ocean.Correspondingly,the tropical Asian summer monsoon establishes earlier(later).Furthermore,the atmospheric circulation and the water vapor transport in the years of advanced SAH establishment are significantly different from the delayed years in Asia in summer.Out-of-phase distribution of precipitation in eastern-central China will appear with a weak(strong) SAH and western Pacific subtropical high,strong(weak) ascending motion in the area south of Yangtze River but weak(strong) ascending motion in the area north of it,and cyclonic(anti-cyclonic) water vapor flux anomaly circulation from the eastern-central China to western Pacific.Accordingly,the timing of the SAH establishment at the upper levels of IP is indicative of the subsequent onset of the tropical Asian summer monsoon and the flood-drought pattern over eastern-central China in summer.

Evolution of Cenozoic sedimentary architecture in Central and Southern South China Sea basins

The Central and Southern South China Sea(CSSCS) has a complex tectonic dynamic background and abundant oil and gas resources, which has always been a hot topic of academic and industrial attention.However, systematic analyses are still lacking regarding its sediment filling structure and evolution, mostly due to limited borehole penetration and poor quality of seismic reflection data for deeply buried sequences. No consensus has been reached yet on the sedimentary infilling processes, which impeded the reconstruction of the palaeogeography of Southeast Asia and the oil-and-gas exploration undertakings. Here, we illustrate the Cenozoic sedimentary evolution of the CSSCS region by synthesizing relevant data from previous literature and our own observations and displaying the evolution of depositional systems in sequential reconstructions. Besides, the controlling factors of preferred sedimentary scenarios in the CSSCS incorporate the latest interpretations of the spreading of South China Sea(SCS) as well as the demise of the hypothetical Proto-South China Sea(PSCS). The results show that there are three types of sedimentary basins in the CSSCS(foreland,strike-slip, and rift basins) with different sedimentary filling structures. The foreland basins formed a depositional pattern of ‘transition from deep water to shallow water environments', dominated by deep-water depositional systems which were formed before the Early Oligocene with submarine fans developed. Later,the foreland basins were gradually dominated by shallow-water depositional systems with deltas and shallow marine facies. The strike-slip basins showed the depositional architecture of ‘transition from lake to marine environments', i.e. the basins were dominated by lacustrine deposits during the Eocene and evolved into the marine depositional environment since Oligocene with delta developed in the western part of the basin. The depositional evolution of rift basins illustrated the characteristics of 'transition from clastic to carbonate deposits', i.e., the rift basins were dominated by Eocene-Oligocene shallow marine clastic depositional systems, while carbonate platforms started to develop since the Early Oligocene from east to west. The above-mentioned differences of depositional architecture in the CSSCS were controlled by the scissor-style closure of the PSCS and the progressive-style expansion of the SCS. Specifically, the early-period deep-water sedimentary environment of CSSCS basins was controlled by the distribution of PSCS in the Eocene. As the scissor-style closure of PSCS progressed from west to east during the Oligocene to Early Miocene, the northwest of Borneo continued to rise, providing a great number of clastic materials to the basins and gradually developing large-scale deltas from west to east. The distribution of early-period lacustrine sedimentation of strike-slip basins was affected by paleo uplift, and the basins transgressed from the northeast and gradually evolved into marine sedimentary environment due to the expansion of SCS. The expansion of SCS also controlled the sedimentary filling evolution of the rift basins, which broke away from the South China continent and drifted southward. Thus, the rift basins lacked the supply of terrigenous clastic sediments which hindered the development of large-scale deltas and formed a clear water environment conducive to the development of carbonate platforms from east to west.

Difference in full-filled time and its controlling factors in the Central Canyon of the Qiongdongnan Basin

Based on the interpretation of high resolution 2D/3D seismic data, sedimentary filling characteristics and full- filled time of the Central Canyon in different segments in the Qiongdongnan Basin of northwestern South China Sea have been studied. The research results indicate that the initial formation age of the Central Canyon is traced back to 11.6 Ma （T40）, at which the canyon began to develop due to the scouring of turbidity currents from west to east. During the period of 11.6-8.2 Ma （T40-T31）, strong downcutting by gravity flow occurred, which led to the formation of the canyon. The canyon fillings began to form since 8.2 Ma （T31） and were dominated by turbidite deposits, which constituted of lateral migration and vertical superposition of turbidity channels during the time of 8.2-5.5 Ma. The interbeds of turbidity currents deposits and mass transport deposits （MTDs） were developed in the period of 5.5-3.8 Ma （T30-T28）. After then, the canyon fillings were primarily made up of large scale MTDs, interrupted by small scale turbidity channels and thin pelagic mudstones. The Central Canyon can be divided into three types according to the main controlling factors, geomorphology-controlled, fault-controlled and intrusion- modified canyons. Among them, the geomorphology-controlled canyon is developed at the Ledong, Lingshui, Songnan and western Baodao Depressions, situated in a confined basin center between the northern slope and the South Uplift Belt along the Central Depression Belt. The fault-controlled canyon is developed mainly along the deep-seated faults in the Changchang Depression and eastern Baodao Depression. Intrusion-modified canyon is only occurred in the Songnan Low Uplift, which is still mainly controlled by geomorphology, the intrusion just modified seabed morphology. The full-filled time of the Central Canyon differs from west to east, displaying a tendency of being successively late eastward. The geomorphology-controlled canyon was completely filled before 3.8 Ma （T28）, but that in intrusion-modified canyon was delayed to 2.4 Ma （T27） because of the uplifted southern canyon wall. To the Changchang Depression, the complete filling time was successively late eastward, and the canyon in eastern Changchang Depression is still not fully filled up to today. Difference in full-filled time in the Central Canyon is mainly governed by multiple sediment supplies and regional tectonic activities. Due to sufficient supply of turbidity currents and MTDs from west and north respectively, western segment of the Central Canyon is entirely filled up earlier. Owing to slower sediment supply rate, together with differential subsidence by deep-seated faults, the full-filled time of the canyon is put off eastwards gradually.

ECHAM5-Simulated Impacts of Two Types of El Nio on the Winter Precipitation Anomalies in South China

The authors used an atmospheric general circulation model （AGCM） of European Centre Hamburg Model （ECHAM5.4） and investigated the possible impacts of eastern Pacific （EP） and central Pacific （CP） El Ni（n）o on the winter precipitation anomalies in South China.A composite analysis suggested much more rainfall during the mature phase of EP El Ni（n）o than in the case of CP El Ni（n）o,and their corresponding observed wet centers to be located in the southeast coast and the region to the south of the Yangtze River,respectively.Results obtained on the basis of model-sensitive run imply that the modelsimulated rainfall anomalies agree well with the observation,and the magnitude of simulated rainfall anomalies were found to be reduced when the amplitude of sea surface temperature anomaly （SSTA） forcing of EP and CP El Ni（n）o was cut down.These results imply that the rainfall anomaly in South China is very sensitive not only to the type of El Ni（n）o but also to its intensity.

Siliceous microplankton fluxes and seasonal variations in the central South China Sea during 1993-1995: monsoon climate and ? Nino responses

Seasonal variations of radiolarian and diatom fluxes in the central South China Sea during 1993-1995 were overwhelmingly controlled by monsoon climate. Radiolarian and diatom increased obviously during the Northeast (from November to February) and Southwest (from June to September) monsoons and decreased during the periods between the monsoons. The change of circulation driven by the monsoons improved water exchange in the different areas that brought rich nutrient materials for the surface microplankton, thereby enhancing radiolarian and diatom fluxes. Variation of radiolarian flux coincided with organic carbon flux, surface primary and export productivities. High radiolarian flux corresponded to high surface primary productivity. Radiolarian and diatom fluxes raised abnormally during 1994-1995 could be attributed to the El Nino event during the period.

FEATURES OF GRAVITY AND MAGNETIC ANOMALIES IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PARTS OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THEIR GEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION

The gravity and magnetic survey lines of about 13,500 km were carried out in the centraland northern parts of the South China Sea from 1977 to 1978. The results obtained showthat the Bouguer gravity and magnetic anomalies have a tendency to increase gradually theirvalues from the northern continental shelf, through the slope, to the central abyssal basin of theSouth China Sea. The change in free-air gravity anomaly values coincides to a certain degreewith the undulation of the sea-bottom topography. The primary factor determining regionalvariation of the Bouguer gravity anomayl values is the Moho depth. The main factor deter-mining the magnetic anomly values is the nature of the basement rock. The high magnetieand Bouguer gravity anomaly values observed in some fault basin areas are inferred to becaused by draping the basic and ultrabasic magma extruding along the faults on the basementof the metamorphic rock,or by intrusion of the same magma into the basement.

南海东部底水油藏水平井控水完井技术研究进展

南海东部底水油藏分布广泛,水平井开发方式可大幅度降低底水锥进速度,但由于水平段距离长,储层非均质性和水平井跟趾效应造成的点状见水易导致油井含水率大幅上升,降低生产效益。针对上述问题,南海东部油田采用ICD、AICD、C-AICD等控水工具,结合控水颗粒充填、智能分段分流等控水工艺,开展了底水油藏水平井控水完井技术研究与应用,取得显著效果。围绕南海东部底水油藏水平井控水完井技术研究进展,综合分析了不同控水方式的控水原理、技术特点和不同控水完井工具的特性曲线数学模型,总结了不同生产预测技术的应用规模和不同控水完井技术的应用效果。在此基础上提出了底水油藏水平井控水完井技术挑战和发展趋势,可为南海东部底水油藏水平井控水完井的进一步发展提供参考。

深水中大型气田滚动勘探技术体系与成效——以琼东南盆地中央峡谷A边际气田为例

为了促进琼东南盆地中央峡谷深水A边际气田开发,引入目标搜索研究、目标评价研究、目标钻探研究等完整气田滚动勘探技术体系。A边际气田目标搜索除利用传统的区带油气潜力目标搜索技术外,提出评价过程目标搜索技术,共搜索了5个油气潜力区块,并优选A4构造进行油气目标评价。从圈闭解释与落实、圈闭烃类检测两方面对A4构造油气成藏主控因素开展研究。A4构造中部预测优势含气区具有强振幅属性、低密度、低速度、低纵波阻抗、低纵横波速度比等有利含气信息特征,总体为Ⅲ类AVO异常,且能够升级HL_0气组控制天然气地质储量,部署滚动探井A4-1井实施钻探,在黄流组钻遇气层超20 m,莺歌海组二段钻遇可疑气层近10 m,获得天然气探明地质储量近30亿立方米,钻探效果好。滚动勘探研究在深水A边际气田的应用,不仅有效地促进了A边际气田后续滚动勘探活动,而且证实了滚动勘探同样适用于深水油气勘探。

地层压力预测技术在南海东部高温高压井中的应用

近几年南海东部钻探高温高压井数逐渐增多,严重影响安全钻井和资料录取。文章介绍了惠州某构造A1探井因钻遇超压地层而提前完钻及高压成因分析,重新部署A2,开展钻前地层压力精细预测分析,预测目的层压力系数在1.500~1.600之间,指导A2井成功钻井,MDT实测压力系数为1.595,实现勘探目的。

南海东部E油田钙质夹层特征及影响

钙质夹层研究对储层精细研究具有重要意义。通过动静态资料分析,对南海东部E油田钙质夹层岩性、测井、分布特征及其对油田动态的影响开展了研究。结果表明,E油田分为三类钙质夹层:生物碎屑灰岩、含生屑砂岩、钙质砂岩,夹层厚度在0.2~1.5m之间,小于0.5m厚钙质夹层测井特征不明显;单砂体间钙质夹层平面展布在100m以上,且发育较连续;单砂体内部厚度小于0.5m钙质夹层平面展布范围小于100m;利用垂向0.2m网格建立地质模型,模型更符合动态特征。

NUMERICAL EXPERIMENTS FOR THE INFLUENCES OF SST ANOMALIES OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA-EASTERN TROPICAL INDIAN OCEAN ON THE SOUTH CHINA SEA SUMMER MONSOON ONSET

Numerical experiments with a low resolution atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) were conducted to investigate the influences of SST anomalies (SSTA) over the South China Sea- tropical eastern indian Ocean (SCS-TEIO) on the onset of the South China Sea summer Monsoon (SCSM).With positive SSTA over the SCS-TEIO,the anomalous cyclones appear over both sides of the equator at low layer,which weakens the Somali and Australian cross-equatorial SW flow. The anomalous anticyclone in the east of Phillips strengthens the subtropical high with its ridge southwestward shifted.The anomalous anticyclones over both sides of equator at high layer strengthen the South Asia high,thus weaken the SCSM and delay its onset.With negative SSTA over the SCS-ETIO,the anomalous anticyclones appear over both sides of the equator at low layer,which strengthen the Australian but weaken the Somali cross-equatorial SW flow.The anomalous cyclone in northeast of Phillips will weaken the subtropical high.The stronger monsoon meridional circulation over the tropical western Pacific will strengthen the cross-equatorial southerly flow,and the anomalous cyclones over both sides of equator at high layer will weaken the South Asia high,hence strengthen the SCSM and advance its onset.

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.

双碳背景下中国海油三个万亿大气区勘探战略思考

天然气具有清洁低碳等优势,在实现中国碳达峰、碳中和目标过程中将发挥重要作用。中国海油为响应国内不断加大天然气勘探开发力度的号召,提出了三个万亿大气区战略布局,即:南海万亿大气区、渤海万亿大气区和陆上鄂东-沁水万亿大气区,这三个万亿大气区是中国海油国内天然气增储上产的主要区域。本文聚焦资源基础、勘探方向、勘探理论认识与技术攻关方向,明确了中国海油建设三个万亿大气区的时间表和路线图。研究认为:①中国海油在南海北部、渤海海域和陆上探区具备实现三个万亿大气区的现实储量基础和资源潜力;②深水深层、深水超浅层、浅水深层和陆上深煤层,是未来中国海油开展天然气勘探的重要方向;③深部优质储层分布规律和深部油气富集机理等理论认识,深部储层改造、深部地震成像等关键技术,是未来需要重点攻关的理论技术方向。