Vulnerability Assessment of Tourism Environment in the South China Sea Islands : Construction of Evaluation Model Based on Interpretation System of Formation Mechanism

Tourism vulnerability research is an important theoretical basis for sustainable research of tourism.In this study,it hopes to establish a comprehensive evaluation index system for vulnerability of tourism environment in the South China Sea Islands,to achieve the sound development of island tourism in the South China Sea.Therefore,based on the study of the geographical environment and geographical background of the South China Sea Islands,the mechanism analysis method is used to form three interpretation systems.First,interpretation system of meridional causality mechanism.4 evaluation levels and 52 indicators are screened out,and the mathematical and physical criteria for each indicator is established.Second,interpretation system of latitudinal factor relationship mechanism.The AHP is used to obtain the weights of each index,and the contribution rate of factor at each level to the vulnerability is determined.Third,sharing platform of connecting meridional and latitudinal interpretation system.Likert 5-level scale is used to make the factors belong to different orders of magnitude,and factors from different systems could be comparable.Finally,through the formulation of mathematical and chemical standards of indexes and weights of evaluation indexes,a comprehensive evaluation model for vulnerability of tourism environment in the South China Sea Islands is established.

Hydrocarbon reserves of the South China Sea:Implications for regional energy security

The countries such as China,Vietnam,Philippines,Malaysia,Indonesia and Brunei that border South China Sea region have immense stakes in exploring and exploiting the natural resources of the region including hydrocarbon.More than the hydrocarbon reserves,the South China Sea is home to World’s high-networth trade route that brings the interests of non-geographic entities to this region.Further,the purported reserves of hydrocarbon in the region are in the orders of Persian Gulf but are not yet properly explored and the reserves recovered owing to territorial and non-claimant stakeholder’s influences/interventions.This paper is a synopsis of information on the hydrocarbon reserves of the South China Sea region,and evaluates the territorial and extra-territorial interests in the light of energy security and equitable development and utilization of natural resources from a geological perspective.We also suggest several measures for future consideration and implementation.

Layer-block tectonics of Cenozoic basements and formation of intra-plate basins in Nansha micro-plate, southern South China Sea

Layer-block tectonics （LBT） concept, with the core of pluralistic geodynamic outlook and multilayer-sliding tectonic outlook, is one of new keys to study 3-dimensional solid and its 4-dimensional evolution history of global tectonic system controlled by global geodynamics system. The LBT concept is applied to study the lithospheric tectonics of the southern South China Sea （SCS）. Based on the analysis of about 30 000 km of geophysical and geological data, some layer-blocks in the Nansha micro-plate can be divided as Nansha ultra-crustal layer-block, Zengmu crustal layer-block, Nanwei （Rifleman bank）-Andu （Ardasier bank） and Liyue （Reed bank） North Palawan crustal layer-blocks, Andu-Bisheng and Liyue-Banyue basemental layer-blocks. The basic characteristics of the basemental layer-blocks have been dicussed, and three intra-plate basin groups are identified. The intra-plate basins within Nansha micro-plate can be divided into three basin groups of Nanwei- Andu, Feixin-Nanhua, and Liyue-North Palawan based on the different geodynamics. In the light of pluralistic geodynamic concept, the upheaving force induced by the mid-crust plastic layer is proposed as the main dynamical force which causes the formation of the intra-plate basins within the Nansha micro-plate. Finally, models of a face-to-face dip-slip detachment of basemental layerblock and a unilateral dip-slip-detachment of basemental layer-block are put forward for the forming mechanisms of the Nanwei Andu and Liyue-North Palawan intra-plate basin groups, respectively.

Hydrate phase transition and seepage mechanism during natural gas hydrates production tests in the South China Sea:A review and prospect

Natural gas hydrates(NGHs)are globally recognized as an important type of strategic alternative energy due to their high combustion efficiency,cleanness,and large amounts of resources.The NGHs reservoirs in the South China Sea(SCS)mainly consist of clayey silts.NGHs reservoirs of this type boast the largest distribution range and the highest percentage of resources among NGHs reservoirs in the world.However,they are more difficult to exploit than sandy reservoirs.The China Geological Survey successfully carried out two NGHs production tests in the Shenhu Area in the northern SCS in 2017 and 2020,setting multiple world records,such as the longest gas production time,the highest total gas production,and the highest average daily gas production,as well as achieving a series of innovative theoretical results.As suggested by the in-depth research on the two production tests,key factors that restrict the gas production efficiency of hydrate dissociation include reservoir structure characterization,hydrate phase transition,multiphase seepage and permeability enhancement,and the simulation and regulation of production capacity,among which the hydrate phase transition and seepage mechanism are crucial.Study results reveal that the hydrate phase transition in the SCS is characterized by low dissociation temperature,is prone to produce secondary hydrates in the reservoirs,and is a complex process under the combined effects of the seepage,stress,temperature,and chemical fields.The multiphase seepage is controlled by multiple factors such as the physical properties of unconsolidated reservoirs,the hydrate phase transition,and exploitation methods and is characterized by strong methane adsorption,abrupt changes in absolute permeability,and the weak flow capacity of gas.To ensure the long-term,stable,and efficient NGHs exploitation in the SCS,it is necessary to further enhance the reservoir seepage capacity and increase gas production through secondary reservoir stimulation based on initial reservoir stimulation.With the constant progress in the NGHs industrialization,great efforts should be made to tackle the difficulties,such as determining the micro-change in temperature and pressure,the response mechanisms of material-energy exchange,the methods for efficient NGHs dissociation,and the boundary conditions for the formation of secondary hydrates in the large-scale,long-term gas production.

Submarine Landslides on the North Continental Slope of the South China Sea

Recent and paleo-submarine landslides are widely distributed within strata in deep-water areas along continental slopes, uplifts, and carbonate platforms on the north continental margin of the South China Sea(SCS). In this paper, high-resolution 3D seismic data and multibeam data based on seismic sedimentology and geomorphology are employed to assist in identifying submarine landslides. In addition, deposition models are proposed that are based on specific geological structures and features, and which illustrate the local stress field over entire submarine landslides in deep-water areas of the SCS. The SCS is one of the largest fluvial sediment sinks in enclosed or semi-enclosed marginal seas worldwide. It therefore provides a set of preconditions for the formation of submarine landslides, including rapid sediment accumulation, formation of gas hydrates, and fluid overpressure. A new concept involving temporal and spatial analyses is tested to construct a relationship between submarine landslides and different time scale trigger mechanisms, and three mechanisms are discussed in the context of spatial scale and temporal frequency: evolution of slope gradient and overpressure, global environmental changes, and tectonic events. Submarine landslides that are triggered by tectonic events are the largest but occur less frequently, while submarine landslides triggered by the combination of slope gradient and overpressure evolution are the smallest but most frequently occurring events. In summary, analysis shows that the formation of submarine landslides is a complex process involving the operation of different factors on various time scales.

Mass movements in small canyons in the northeast of Baiyun deepwater area, north of the South China Sea

The process of mass movements and their consequent turbidity currents in large submarine canyons has been widely reported, however, little attention was paid to that in small canyons. In this paper, we document mass movements in small submarine canyons in the northeast of Baiyun deepwater area, north of the South China Sea （SCS）, and their strong effects on the evolution of the canyons based on geophysical data. Submarine canyons in the study area arrange closely below the shelf break zone which was at the depth of -500 m. Within submarine canyons, seabed surface was covered with amounts of failure scars resulted from past small-sized landslides. A complex process of mass transportation in the canyons is indicated by three directions of mass movements. Recent mass movement deposits in the canyons exhibit translucent reflections or parallel reflections which represent the brittle deformation and the plastic deformation, respectively. The area of most landslides in the canyons is less than 3 km2. The trigger mechanisms for mass movements in the study area are gravitational overloading, slope angle and weak properties of soil. Geophysical data indicate that the genesis of submarine canyons is the erosion of mass movements and consequent turbidity currents. The significant effects of mass movements on canyon are incision and sediment transportation at the erosion phases and fillings supply at the fill phases. This research will be helpful for the geological risk assessments and understanding the sediment transportation in the northern margin of the SCS.

Expansion of the South China Sea basin:Constraints from magnetic anomaly stripes,sea floor topography,satellite gravity and submarine geothermics

The widely distributed E-W-trending magnetic anomaly stripes in the central basin and the N-Etrending magnetic anomaly stripes in the southwest sub-basin provide the most important evidence for Neogene expansion of the South China Sea.The expansion mechanism remains,however,controversial because of the lack of direct drilling data,non-systematic marine magnetic survey data,and irregular magnetic anomaly stripes with two obvious directions.For example,researchers have inferred different ages and episodes of expansion for the central basin and southwest sub-basin.Major controversy centers on the order of basinal expansion and the mechanism of expansion for the entire South China Sea basin.This study attempts to constrain these problems from a comprehensive analysis of the seafloor topography,magnetic anomaly stripes,regional aeromagnetic data,satellite gravity,and submarine geothermics.The mapped seafloor terrain shows that the central basin is a north-south rectangle that is relatively shallow with many seamounts,whereas the southwest sub-basin is wide in northeast,gradually narrows to the southwest,and is relatively deeper with fewer seamounts.Many magnetic anomaly stripes are present in the central basin with variable dimensions and directions that are dominantly EWtrending,followed by the NE-,NW- and NS-trending.Conversely such stripes are few in the southwest sub-basin and mainly NE-trending.Regional magnetic data suggest that the NW-trending Ailaoshan-Red River fault extends into the South China Sea,links with the central fault zone in the South China Sea,which extends further southward to Reed Tablemount.Satellite gravity data show that both the central basin and southwest sub-basin are composed of oceanic crust.The Changlong seamount is particularly visible in the southwest sub-basin and extends eastward to the Zhenbei seamount.Also a low gravity anomaly zone coincides with the central fault zone in the sub-basin.The submarine geothermic distribution demonstrates that the southwest sub-basin has a higher geothermal value than the central basin,and that the central fault zone is defined by a low thermal anomaly.This study suggests that NW-SE expansion of the southwest subbasin is later than the N-S expansion of the central basin with the sub-basin extending into the central basin and with both expansions ending at the same time.The expansion of southwestern sub-basin,similar to the Japanese Sea,is likely caused by left-lateral strike slip on the central fault zone in the South China Sea,which may have significance for finding oil and gas in this region.

Seismic Characteristics and Hydrocarbon Accumulation Associated with Mud Diapir Structures in a Superimposed Basin in the Southern South China Sea Margin

Mud diapirs are significant structures often associated with hydrocarbon migration and accumulation as well as gas hydrate formation in sedimentary basins.A total of 30 mud diapirs were observed in the northwestern Zengmu Basin in the southern South China Sea based on 2D multichannel seismic data.The structures are distributed along an NW-SE trend near the shelf break of the Kangxi depression in the Zengmu Basin.The mud diapirs were divided into the following according to their vertical shapes,intrusion heights,and effusive activities:tortoise,piercing,and nozzle types,which represent different evolutionary stages of diapirism.The mud diapirs in the study area suggest that the driving forces behind the mud diapirs considerably exceed the rock rupture limit of the overlying strata.Diapir formation can be divided into two steps:the accommodation of a large amount of mud in the Zengmu Basin and the movement of plastic mud induced by gravity-driven flow and regional tectonic compression.Combining seismic interpretations with analyses of the regional geology and tectonic subsidence,the current study proposes that rapid subsidence in the Kangxi depression sufficiently accommodated the vast amount of sediments deposited since the Middle Miocene,which provided favorable conditions for the growth of mud diapirs.Furthermore,the N-S directional stress field in the Zengmu Basin and the gravity slide northward along the southern slope of the depression further facilitated the development of mud diapirs since the late Miocene.The mud diapirs in the southern South China Sea margins were accompanied by the accumulation and release of overpressured fluid.

Belt and Road Initiative and Possible Impacts on the SouthChina Sea Issue

Since China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative （BRI） in late 2013, the impacts of the 21st century Maritime Silk Road （MSR） construction on the South China Sea （SCS） issue become a focal point of both academic research and public concern. There are plenty of divergent opinions on whether the MSR will mean an opportunity for settling the SCS issue, or it will face the challenge of intensified maritime conflicts in this region. This paper first of all analyzes the significance of the BRI in the general picture of China＇s foreign policy. To ensure neighborhood diplomacy be in line with the BRI, China adjusts its SCS policy through rebuilding and consolidating political mutual trust with countries which have been involved into conflicts with China on the SCS issue; meanwhile, China promotes pragmatic cooperation under MSR framework to cultivate positive atmosphere and sense of community with a shared destiny. Both MSR construction and the addressing of the SCS issue are long-term issues, while the MSR provides an innovative approach to surpass existing disputes and focus on regional development cooperation. Hence, the MSR could be an opportunity to accelerate the resolving of maritime disputes.

Design and feasibility analysis of a new completion monitoring technical scheme for natural gas hydrate production tests

As a prerequisite and a guarantee for safe and efficient natural gas hydrates(NGHs)exploitation,it is imperative to effectively determine the mechanical properties of NGHs reservoirs and clarify the law of the change in the mechanical properties with the dissociation of NGHs during NGHs production tests by depressurization.Based on the development of Japan’s two offshore NGHs production tests in vertical wells,this study innovatively proposed a new subsea communication technology-accurate directional connection using a wet-mate connector.This helps to overcome the technical barrier to the communication between the upper and lower completion of offshore wells.Using this new communication technology,this study explored and designed a mechanical monitoring scheme for lower completion(sand screens).This scheme can be used to monitor the tensile stress and radial compressive stress of sand screens caused by NGHs reservoirs in real time,thus promoting the technical development for the rapid assessment and real-time feedback of the in-situ mechanical response of NGHs reservoirs during offshore NGHs production tests by depressurization.

Calcareous nannofossil changes in the Early Oligocene linked to nutrient and atmospheric CO2

Rapid changes on nutrient supply and CO2 concentration that occurred in the northern South China Sea(SCS)during the Early Oligocene,provides an ideal natural laboratory,allowing us to peer into the coccolithophores’physiology in the geological records.In this study,we established a new nannofossil assemblage index,termed as E^*ratio,which is calculated by the relative abundance of eutrophic taxa and meso-oligotrophic taxa(E^*=e/e+c,where e is eutrophic taxa,and c is meso-oligotrophic taxa)Eutrophic taxa include small Reticulofenestra,Reticulofenestra lockeri group,Reticulofenestra bisecta group and Coccolithus pelagicus group,while meso-oligotrophic taxa include Cyclicargolithus spp.The E^*ratio is well correlated with nutrient proxy during the Early Oligocene,while with different covarying patterns under the higher and lower CO2 condition.By comparing the assemblage changes to the published data,we suggest that coccolithophores may change the way they use carbon source and nutrient with the decline of CO2.Furthermore,this implies a possible initiation of the carbon concentrating mechanism.

从陆缘伸展探讨新生代南海构造演化

南海的形成和演化是地学界长期争论的问题,前人给出了多种成因模式,目前较流行的模式是海底扩张,但它难以合理解释南海海底扩张中的洋中脊跳跃现象及南海大洋中的大陆残片。基于欧亚东缘的陆缘伸展,从地幔上涌和陆壳沿莫霍面的重力滑移的新大陆漂移模型出发,通过横跨南海的几条地震勘探剖面的地质新解释,研究了南海的形成和演化过程。结果说明,南海的形成是一种“构造被动挤出+微陆块主动漂移”模式。构造被动挤出是指印度-欧亚碰撞造成的欧亚大陆东南缘的微陆块被大规模挤出,而由陆缘伸展形成的微陆块在被挤出后发生了主动裂解漂移,南海的海底扩张现象是诸多微陆块主动漂移的结果。这个新的模式能够合理地解释南海形成过程中的洋中脊跳跃现象及南海中大陆残片的成因机制。进一步恢复了南海演化过程中周边陆块的运动演化历史,说明欧亚东缘在中生代晚期发生的大规模伸展构造运动是南海形成的基础,新生代印度-欧亚碰撞是南海形成的直接动力,微陆块的裂解漂移是南海形成的主要参与者。

南海北部被动陆缘洋陆转换带张裂–破裂研究新进展

文章基于深地震探测数据与大洋钻探资料,研究了南海北部被动陆缘洋陆转换带张裂–破裂机制科学问题。2018-2023年在国家基金委共享航次的协助下,实施了三维深地震探测实验,共投放海底地震仪52台次,海底电磁仪2台次,放炮数量达8750炮,累积获得了294Gb的第一手数据,并取得了一系列的创新性成果:1)首次获得南海北部陆缘洋陆转换带深达上地幔的三维速度结构,精准确定了研究区洋陆转换带三维空间展布范围宽度为10~20km;2)揭示南海北部陆缘异常活跃的岩浆作用,提出了不同时间段的构造与岩浆相互作用方式,岩浆活动随着伸展作用不断向洋迁移并逐渐占据主导地位;3)建立了边缘海独特的张裂–破裂地质演化模型,最后一期强烈的岩浆活动导致岩石圈破裂,形成由玄武岩为主的“鳄鱼嘴”构造,同时张裂–破裂过程沿其陆缘走向又存在显著的构造–岩浆差异性。

南海渔业资源可持续发展的中国方案建构

有效治理南海渔业资源问题,应以现实需求为导向探寻南海渔业资源可持续发展的总基调,这是建构中国特色治理方案的根本前提。同时,要不失时机地从立法、执法、司法角度深刻反思现有治理措施的缺陷,紧追全球海洋治理大势,借鉴地中海渔业合作治理经验,形成符合南海海洋治理需求的体系化方案。该方案需具有吸引力、感召力与引导力且全面展示中国在南海问题上的基本立场。中国可通过加强科学管理与法规建设、注重生态修复与增殖养护、推动国际合作与区域治理等可行途径实现南海渔业资源的可持续发展。

Tectonic Evolution and Dynamics of Deepwater Area of Pearl River Mouth Basin, Northern South China Sea

Quantitative studies on the evolution and dynamics of the deepwater area of Pearl River Mouth basin （PRMB） were carried out based on the latest geological and seismic data. The study area is generally in an extensional state during the Cenozoic. The major extension happened in the earlier syn-rift stages before 23 Ma and the extension after 23 Ma is negligible. Two rapid subsidence periods, 32-23 Ma and 5.3-2.6 Ma, are identified, which are related to the abrupt heat decay during margin breakup and the collision between the Philippine Sea plate and the Eurasian plate, respectively. The strongest crustal thinning in the Baiyun （白云） sag may trigger the syn-rift volcanism along the weak faulted belt around the sag. The Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the study area could be divided into five stages： rifting （～50-40 Ma）, rift-drift transition （～40-32 Ma）, early post-breakup （～32-23 Ma）, thermal subsidence （～23-5.3 Ma） and neotectonic movement （～5.3-0 Ma）.

国际法视角下南海渔业区域合作机制的构建

长期的领土主权和海域界限的纷争、联合国海洋公约制度方面的缺陷、渔业执法合作法律基础薄弱等原因,使南海渔业区域合作机制的构建面临着重重阻碍。目前南海渔业资源正处于衰退期,国内外渔业发展环境不够稳定,构建区域合作机制,对于南海渔业经济的可持续发展意义重大。文章主要从国际法视角出发,剖析南海渔业面临的主要问题,进一步说明南海渔业区域合作机制的必要性及可行性。最后,从构建南海渔业合作机制的思路出发,为南海区域合作经济的发展提供一些方向指南。

马尼拉海沟增生楔北部海域天然气水合物成藏机制及其潜在地质灾害风险

天然气水合物由于其巨大的资源潜力而受到广泛关注,但以往研究多集中在南海北部海域被动陆缘,对南海东部主动陆缘的天然气水合物关注相对较少。本文基于南海东北部马尼拉海沟主动陆缘区多道地震剖面分析,识别出似海底反射、振幅空白带、极性反转等典型天然气水合物识别标志以及逆断层、泥底辟等流体运移通道。台湾西南部造山带是马尼拉海沟增生楔的延伸,其泥火山伴生气以CH_(4)为主,少部分表现出高氮异常;其地球化学特征表明,该区天然气主要为热解成因的成熟烃类气,且主要是新近纪巨厚海相沉积烃源岩的贡献。分析认为,其成因是板块俯冲运动将深部烃类物质带入增生楔内,并形成高压环境,热成因烃类气体沿着泥底辟和逆断层等通道向上运移,在运移过程中部分天然气被微生物逐步改造,并混合原位生物气。热成因和生物成因甲烷最终在合适的稳定带内混合;形成以热成因为主,部分具有生物成因特征的逆冲推覆控藏混合气源天然气水合物藏。另外,随着外界环境的变化及俯冲运动的持续活动,天然气水合物的稳定条件遭到破坏而发生分解渗漏,可能引起滑坡,在对本区天然气水合物资源进一步的勘探开发过程中必须注意其潜在地质灾害风险。

全健康理念视角下的中国—东盟生态安全合作

生态安全已经成为中国—东盟合作框架中不可或缺的内容,然而,现有研究往往侧重于中国与东盟国家在单一维度或领域的生态安全合作,缺少跨学科、多层次的分析研究。文章基于“人类—动物—环境”的全健康理念视角,梳理中国—东盟生态安全合作取得的成果与面临的挑战,并针对现有问题提出相关建议,即中国与东盟应加强在法律法规方面的合作,加大在能力建设方面的协作力度,深化资源共享与合作,并建立一个高效的监测和评估体系。

泛南海镍资源圈地缘政治变动与中国新能源安全风险

发展新能源是中国化解传统能源安全困境的重要方向,以镍为代表的战略性矿产资源在新能源产业链中发挥着重要作用,但也在客观上产生了新的能源安全风险。由于资源禀赋、地缘政治等原因,中国在新能源产业上对泛南海镍资源圈产生高度依赖,由此衍生出与镍相关的三大新能源风险,即西方主要国家在镍产业链上的新一轮遏制、镍资源国政治波动风险以及资源民族主义对中国新能源产业链与价值链的冲击。在此背景下,思考泛南海镍资源圈统筹布局、构筑泛南海区域外镍资源战略后方以及加速推进镍的替代等方案有助于降低及规避相关风险,从而保障新能源发展时代的中国能源安全。

北极海空搜救合作模式对建构南海搜救合作体系的借鉴与启示

南海作为重要的国际运输通道,面临日益增长的多元化海上安全威胁,搜救合作的制度化建构进程日益紧迫。北极海空搜救已经形成较为成熟的搜救合作机制,与其他半闭海水域海空搜救合作机制相比较,北极搜救模式经验借鉴更适用于南海。南海沿岸国需要考虑在“南海行为准则”磋商中加入区域性指导规范以夯实南海搜救合作法律基础,建立“南海合作理事会”以强化机构管理,建构海上搜救基金协同机制以保证基金供给稳定,辩证看待域外国家搜救参与以加强搜救效果。中国应当主动贡献中国力量,在搜救合作制度化建设中发挥南海区域大国的主导性作用。