Physical-mechanical properties of sediments and their correlation with near seafloor seismic amplitude in the Liwan canyon area, northern South China Sea

Before the implementation of offshore oil and gas exploitation,it is essential to understand the various factors that influence the stability of submarine sediments surrounding the project.Considering the factors such as cost and operability,it is not feasible to assess the physical-mechanical properties of sediments covering the entire region by borehole sampling.In this study,the correlation between near seafloor seismic amplitude and the mean shear strength of shallow sediments was explored using seismic and core testing data from the northern continental slope area of the South China Sea.Results showed that the mean water content of sediments in the layer up to 12 m below the seafloor(mbsf)gradually increased with increasing water depth,and the mean shear strength tended to decrease rapidly near the 1000 m depth contour.The near seafloor seismic amplitude could reflect the mean shear strength of sediments in the 12 mbsf layer under seismic frequency of 65 Hz and wave velocity of 1600 m/s.When the mean shear strength was greater than 10 kPa or the water depth was less than 1000 m,there was a significant linear positive correlation between mean shear strength and near seafloor seismic amplitude.Otherwise,there was a significant linear negative correlation between mean shear strength and near seafloor seismic amplitude.On the basis of these correlations,the pattern of shear strength was estimated from near seafloor seismic amplitude and mapped.The mean shear strength of sediments above 12 mbsf gradually decreased with increasing water depth in the continental slope area,whereas little change occurred in the continental shelf and the end of the canyon.Within the canyon area,the mean shear strength of sediments was characterized by larger values in both sides of the canyon walls and smaller values in the canyon bottom,which was consistent with the infinite slope stability theory.The study provides a method for using near seafloor seismic amplitude data to guide sediment sampling design,and presents a continuous dataset of sediment strength for the simulation of regional sediment stability.

Prediction for Potential Landslide Zones Using Seismic Amplitude in Liwan Gas Field, Northern South China Sea

The Liwan(Lw) gas field located in the northern slope of the South China Sea(SCS) is extremely complex for its seafloor topograghy, which is a huge challenge for the safety of subsea facilities. It is economically impractical to obtain parameters for risk assessment of slope stability through a large amount of sampling over the whole field. The linkage between soil shear strength and seabed peak amplitude derived from 2D/3D seismic data is helpful for understanding the regional slope-instability risk. In this paper, the relationships among seabed peak, acoustic impedance and shear strength of shallow soil in the study area were discussed based on statistical analysis results. We obtained a similar relationship to that obtained in other deep-water areas. There is a positive correlation between seabed peak amplitude and acoustic impedance and an exponential relationship between acoustic impedance and shear strength of sediment. The acoustic impedance is the key factor linking the seismic amplitude and shear strength. Infinite slope stability analysis results indicate the areas have a high potential of shallow landslide on slopes exceeding 15? when the thickness of loose sediments exceeds 8 m in the Lw gas field. Our prediction shows that they are mainly located in the heads and walls of submarine canyons.

Submarine Landslide Identified in DLW3102 Core of the Northern Continental Slope, South China Sea

In this paper, we take DLW3101 core obtained at the top of the canyon(no landslide area) and DLW3102 core obtained at the bottom of the canyon(landslide area) on the northern continental slope of the South China Sea as research objects. The chronostratigraphic framework of the DLW3101 core and elemental strata of the DLW3101 core and the DLW3102 core since MIS5 are established by analyzing oxygen isotope, calcium carbonate content, and X-Ray Fluorescence(XRF) scanning elements. On the basis of the information obtained by analyzing the sedimentary structure and chemical elements in the landslide deposition, we found that the DLW3102 core shows four layers of submarine landslides, and each landslide layer is characterized by high Si, K, Ti, and Fe contents, thereby indicating terrigenous clastic sources. L1(2.15–2.44 m) occurred in MIS2, which is a slump sedimentary layer with a small sliding distance and scale. L2(15.48–16.00 m) occurred in MIS5 and is a debris flow-deposited layer with a scale and sliding distance that are greater than those of L1. L3(19.00–20.90 m) occurred in MIS5; its upper part(19.00–20.00 m) is a debris flow-deposited layer, and its lower part(20.00–20.90 m) is a sliding deposition layer. The landslide scale of L3 is large. L4(22.93–24.27 m) occurred in MIS5; its upper part(22.93–23.50 m) is a turbid sedimentary layer, and its lower part(23.50–24.27m) is a slump sedimentary layer. The landslide scale of L4 is large.

Geotechnical properties and stability of the submarine canyon in the northern South China Sea

The upper part of the continental slope in the northern South China Sea is prone to submarine landslide disasters,especially in submarine canyons.This work studies borehole sediments,discusses geotechnical properties of sediments,and evaluates sediment stability in the study area.The results show that sediment shear strength increases with increasing depth,with good linear correlation.Variations in shear strength of sediments with burial depth have a significantly greater rate of change in the canyon head and middle part than those in the canyon bottom.For sediments at the same burial depth,shear strength gradually increased and then decreased from the head to the bottom of the canyon,and has no obvious correlation with the slope angle of the sampling site.Under static conditions,the critical equilibrium slope angle of the sediments in the middle part of the canyon is 10°to 12°,and the critical slope angle in the head and the bottom of the canyon is 7°.The results indicate that potential landslide hazard areas are mainly distributed in distinct spots or narrow strips on the canyon walls where there are high slope angles.

P-T stability conditions of methane hydrate in sediment from South China Sea

For reasonable assessment and safe exploitation of marine gas hydrate resource, it is important to determine the stability conditions of gas hydrates in marine sediment. In this paper, the seafloor water sample and sediment sample （saturated with pore water） from Shenhu Area of South China Sea were used to synthesize methane hydrates, and the stability conditions of methane hydrates were investigated by multi-step heating dissociation method. Preliminary experimental results show that the dissociation temperature of methane hydrate both in seafloor water and marine sediment, under any given pressure, is depressed by approximately -1.4 K relative to the pure water system. This phenomenon indicates that hydrate stability in marine sediment is mainly affected by pore water ions.

Mounded seismic units in the modern canyon system in the Shenhu area,northern South China Sea:Sediment deformation,depositional structures or the mixed system?

The canyon system,including 17 small slope-confined canyons in the Shenhu area,northern South China Sea,is significantly characterized by mounded or undulating features on the canyon flanks and canyon heads.However,the mechanism underlying the formation of these features has yet to be elucidated.In previous studies,most of them were interpreted as sediment deformation on the exploration seismic profiles.In this paper,we collected high-resolution bathymetric data,chirp profiles and geotechnical test data to investigate their detailed morphology,internal structures,and origin.The bathymetric data indicated that most mounded seismic units have smooth seafloors and are separated by grooves or depressions.The distance between two adjacent mounded units is only hundreds of meters.On chirp profiles,mounded seismic units usually exhibit chaotic reflections and wavy reflections,of which the crests migrate upslope.The slope stability analysis results revealed that the critical angle of the soil layers in the study area tends to be 9°,indicating that most mounded seismic units on the canyon flanks and heads are stable at present.The terrain characteristics and seismic configurations combined with the slope stability analysis results indicated that most mounded seismic units are not sediment deformation but depositional structures or mixed systems composed of deformation and depositional structures.

Comment on "Estimation of potential distribution of gas hydrate in the northern South China Sea" by Chunjuan Wang et al.

Herein we would like to comment on the paper ＂Estimation of potential distribution of gas hydrate in the northern South China Sea＂ by Wang et al. 2010 in Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Lirnnology, 28（3）： 693-699. The purpose of this comment is to point out that the given probabilities of gas hydrate occtwrence in the northern Zhujiang Mouth Basin and the Yinggehai Basin in the figure of Wang et al. （2010） are improper. After introducing our work of estimation of gas hydrate stability distribution in the northern South China Sea, we suggest that Wang et al. （2010） dismissed the basic P-T rule for the existence of gas hydrate. They should consider more the variables of water depth, seabed temperature and geothermal gradient in their gas hydrate distribution model in future studies.

南海北部神狐峡谷区沉积相特征及BSR地质灾害指示

神狐海底峡谷群是我国南海北部天然气水合物勘探的主要目标区,本文根据多道地震资料结合勘查试采成果,精细刻画了神狐峡谷区沉积相特征,并将海底峡谷沉积体系分为峡谷充填和峡谷边缘两个亚相,前者包括浊积水道、滞留沉积、侧向倾斜沉积和块体流沉积4个微相,后者含天然堤、浊积扇和块体流沉积3个微相。通过对神狐峡谷群的沉积单元和BSR整体分布特征的系统分析,明确提出了上新世以来的峡谷沉积体系中,天然堤沉积微相和块体流沉积微相是水合物富集的有利沉积相带。同时,根据沉积相带中BSR发育位置及特征差异,将该区BSR划分为3种类型:A型为脊部穹隆型、B型为脊部边缘平直型、C型为峡谷边缘坡变型。在此基础上,结合天然气水合物分解可能引起海底滑塌的致灾机理,强调指出C型BSR具有视倾角变大、上覆地层薄的特点,是水合物极易分解而发生滑塌的高风险区。本研究成果可为神狐峡谷海域新一轮天然气水合物试采,尤其是环境稳定性评价预测等提供重要依据和技术支撑。

南海北部陆坡区典型峡谷陡坡群地震稳定性

南海北部陆坡是一个呈条带状分布的大规模海底斜坡,西起海南岛东南部海域,向东延伸至中国台湾岛西南部海域。该区域分布了多个峡谷陡坡群,地质构造复杂、地震易发多发,滑坡地质灾害活跃。特别是该区域地形起伏较大,地震灾害可能诱发区域大面积的海底滑坡,科学评估其地震稳定性显得十分重要。本文以南海北部陆坡区神狐海域典型峡谷陡坡群为例,基于Scoops3D和GIS技术建立了三维计算模型,开展了海底陡坡群的地震稳定性研究,获得了峡谷区不同陡坡的地震稳定性安全系数及其分布特征。结果表明:峡谷剖面大多呈“U”字形,推断研究区峡谷为Ⅱ型海底峡谷系统;强震作用可以大幅削弱海底斜坡稳定性,其中对于C1峡谷区陡坡群,随着水平拟静力地震系数增大至0.40,区域最小安全系数则陡降至0.50;地震作用下西部峡谷陡坡群的失稳范围明显高于东部区域,大部分滑坡发生在两侧谷壁靠近峰顶的位置,另有相当一部分滑坡位于C1和C2峡谷区南段的东侧谷壁,整体呈带状分布。

南海北部深水井场稳定性评价

海底滑坡是海洋中常见的地质灾害,为避免深水油气钻井在钻进过程中触发海底滑坡,需要对井场及周缘地区的海底稳定性进行评价。通过海底滑坡触发因素分析,认为海底土物理力学性质和钻井相关载荷在钻井过程中是触发海底滑坡的重要因素。利用南海北部陆坡区A区实际海底地形建立三维模型,构建海底土力学参数与波阻抗的函数关系,将地震反演的波阻抗数据体转换为海底土力学参数数据体。经基于折算强度法的数值模拟法计算出安全系数,定量评估了A区海底的稳定性。评价结果表明,A区中部地区存在潜在滑坡风险,应避免在该区域内部署油气钻井。

南海北部陆坡海洋沉积物稀土元素及物源和成岩环境

通过对ODP184航次 114 6站位海底岩心沉积物中稀土元素含量及其配分模式的研究 ,确立了其分配规律 ,即相对富集轻稀土 ,Eu亏损等 ,并且与东海大陆架及中国黄土的稀土分布模式相似 ,表明本区沉积物物源主要来自陆源 ,是大陆岩石分化过程的产物。对富集因子的研究也证明了沉积物主要来自陆源。δCe的弱负异常值与∑REE和δEu值一样 ,主要受陆源源区气候环境变化控制 ,而与海水关系不大。稀土元素与生物作用基本无关 ,可能主要是赋存于陆源碎屑矿物的晶格中。通过对岩心沉积物间隙水成分的研究 ,表明成岩环境主要为还原环境。6 8m(mcd)以上主要为硫酸盐的还原作用 ,6

南海北部外陆架和上陆坡海底滑坡稳定性研究

海洋工程地质调查发现，在南海北部外陆架和上陆坡海底，有大片滑坡，其水深范围约在１８０—６５０ｍ之间，它们沿着陆架外缘坡折处呈北东—南西方向分布，其具体位置往往与古三角洲前缘的海底陡坎及古海岸线位置密切相关，大量浅层地震、旁侧声纳、底质取样分析和土体力学理论计算表明，本区滑坡主要是由于地形坡度、沉积物特性、土体自身重力、海底底层流速的大小等诱发因素而产生，而且有些滑坡带还具有多期滑动的性质，它们是区内海底很不稳定的地带，是一种重要的地质灾害因素，在海洋工程地质设计和实施时要引起注意。

南海北部海底沙波研究

南海北部水深100-250m的陆架和陆坡斜坡海底分布着大片沙波地貌，本文采用底形相图参数近似计算和泥沙起动流速2种计算方法，结合海底微地貌的实际形态，研究了沙波的沉积特征及其成因机理。研究认为，区内的沙波为现代沉积地貌；控制沙波形成发育的主要水动力因素是潮流与风暴条件下风海流的叠加；区内泥沙颗粒粒径适宜，海底坡度平缓，有利于海底沙波的发育。

南海北部陆坡深水区的海底原位热流测量

海底热流数据是开展海洋地球动力学研究和油气资源评价的基础数据.南海北部陆坡深水区蕴含有丰富的油气和水合物资源,而该区热流站位很少.为了解陆坡深水区水合物有利区块的地热特征,利用剑鱼1型海底原位热流探针,在南海西沙海域和神狐海域成功获得了16个站位的热流值.测量结果表明,西沙海槽与白云凹陷都具有较高的热流值,西沙海槽区除1个站位结果不可信外,另2个站位所测海底表层地温梯度分别为105.3和99.9℃·km,原位热流分别为89±1和87±1 mW·m^(-2);白云凹陷中部区域1 3个站位测得表层地温梯度变化于58.5～100.7℃·km^(-1),热流值除4个站位低于70 mW·m^(-2)外,其余都变化于75土2～101±4 mW·m^(-2)范围,比前人在白云凹陷东部获得的热流高.分析认为,西沙海槽和白云凹陷区域的高地热特征与陆坡深水区的高热背景、晚期断裂发育、底辟、岩浆侵入和热流体活动等有关.

南海北部陆坡天然气水合物成藏条件及其控制因素

南海北部陆坡区天然气水合物(以下简称水合物)资源潜力虽然巨大,但影响该区水合物成藏的地质因素却异常复杂。为此,从水合物成藏的稳定域、气体来源、气体疏导体系以及储集层特征等宏观地质条件的视角,剖析了水合物成藏的地质条件及主要控制因素。结果表明:1南海北部热流分布较复杂,影响着水合物稳定域的空间分布,而区域构造地质演化则控制着水合物成矿气体来源、气体疏导体系、富集空间及储层物性特征;2南海北部陆坡从西部—中部—东部,水合物成藏条件及控制因素具有明显的差异性,对水合物成藏模式和空间分布都产生了深刻影响;3总体而言,从陆坡的东段到西段新构造活动渐次减弱,水合物稳定域厚度由东而西、由南向北厚变薄,东部以台西南盆地深水斜坡带成藏条件最为优越,兼具扩散型和渗漏型水合物发育的地质条件,水合物矿藏在稳定域内呈多层、多形式富集的特点,中部以神狐海域白云凹陷南坡为典型代表,为扩散型水合物发育的有利区,水合物矿藏在稳定域底部呈单层发育特点,西南部以琼东南盆地的陆坡深水区成藏条件最为优越,有利于发育渗漏型水合物矿藏。

南海北部神狐陆坡限制型滑塌体特征及成因机理

滑塌体是深水沉积的重要组成部分,研究滑塌体沉积有助于揭示深水沉积过程。利用高精度多道地震资料,首次在南海北部神狐陆坡段发现了规模逾千平方千米的限制型滑塌体,它在顺坡滑塌时,未能超越下坡地层的围限,突然终止于下坡未变形地层中,因此陡冲斜坡两侧的地震相特征发生截然的变化。滑塌体整体呈楔形,内部呈杂乱反射,前端存在逆冲断层以及挤压褶皱。由于顺坡滑塌距离较短,因此与非限制型滑塌体相比,限制型滑塌体内部地层连续性较好。结合神狐滑塌体地震反射特征并通过与世界典型滑塌体的对比,可知滑塌体的厚度、地形坡度二者共同控制了神狐滑塌体的发育类型,前端地形突起对其发育没有影响。

晚更新世末期南海北部陆架的古地理探讨

根据地球物理综合调查,沉积物的粒度、矿物成分、石英砂粒扫描电镜分析,14T测年,以及微体古生物等成果,表明南海北部外陆架地区在更新世末期,冬半年气候干寒,东北风强劲,风沙活动强烈,砂丘广布,为干寒多风沙的自然环境。

南海北部深水区新生代岩浆岩分布规律及其与海底地质灾害的相关性

前人对南海北部新生代陆缘盆地结构、构造样式和期次等做了大量的研究工作,但对于具体体现内动力过程的岩浆活动关注较少,尤其是北部深水区的研究鲜有涉及。本文基于二维地震剖面的解译分析,将南海北部新生代岩浆岩划分为3个集中分布区:琼东南-西沙区、神狐区和东沙区。各区域岩浆岩的产出状态有所差异,其中琼东南-西沙区岩浆岩的平面展布规律性极强,主要受右行右阶的走滑断裂控制;神狐区岩浆岩位于NW向与NE向断裂的交汇处,侵位空间受先存断裂制约;东沙区岩浆岩的产生与东沙运动期间区域伸展过程有直接关系。作为内动力的表征,岩浆作用对于海底地形地貌具有重要的改造作用,与活动断裂、海底滑坡、浅层气等海底地质灾害也具有成因上的关联。

南海北部天然气水合物气源系统与成藏模式

天然气水合物成矿成藏条件与油气成藏条件虽然存在差异,但亦存在共同之处,即均需要有充足烃源供给及烃源供给系统输送与有利聚集场所的时空耦合配置。为了深入研究天然气水合物与常规油气运聚成藏条件之差异,根据南海北部陆坡深水区构造沉积演化特点及油气地质条件与多年来油气及水合物勘探成果,综合剖析了油气及天然气水合物气源构成特点与流体运聚输导系统特征,同时根据地质地球物理及地球化学分析,初步研究了气源供给运聚通道系统类型与高压低温天然气水合物稳定带的时空耦合配置关系,并结合油气地质及天然气水合物成矿成藏基本地质条件,总结和建立了南海北部陆坡深水区"生物气源自生自储扩散运聚型"、"热解气源断层裂隙输导下生上储运移渗漏型"和"热解气源底辟及气烟囱输导下生上储运移渗漏型"等3种成因类型的天然气水合物成矿成藏模式,以期能为南海北部深水区天然气水合物资源预测及有利勘查目标评价优选等提供决策依据与指导。

南海北部陆坡深水区天然气水合物成藏系统及其控制因素

天然气水合物成藏系统目前已越来越受到油气地质专家们的重视与关注。天然气水合物运聚成藏亦遵循从烃源供给到圈闭(高压低温稳定带)中运聚成藏的含油气系统理论。天然气水合物成藏系统的构成及形成,主要取决于充足的气源供给、较好的运聚输导系统和高压低温稳定带三大要素的时空耦合配置。为了深入剖析我国南海北部深水区天然气水合物成藏系统基本特征,在近年来所获南海北部天然气水合物勘探成果的基础上,根据天然气水合物成藏系统理论,重点从天然气水合物的烃源供给、流体输导系统和高压低温稳定带及其储集系统3方面,系统分析总结了我国南海北部陆坡神狐海域、东沙海域和西沙海槽天然气水合物成藏的基本地质条件与控制因素,建立了各区域不同类型天然气水合物成藏分布模式,尤其是提出了生物成因的"渗漏型"水合物成矿类型,以期能够为加快和促进南海天然气水合物勘查提供指导和参考借鉴。