Distribution and influencing factors of acoustic characteristics of seafloor sediment in the Sunda Shelf

To understand the acoustic and physical properties of piston core samples collected from the Sunda continental shelf and analyze their distribution patterns,the samples were analyzed in laboratory,from which three provinces were divided in sound speed,sound speed ratio,porosity,wet bulk density,and maximum shear strength.ProvinceⅠhad lower sound speed and sound speed ratio(<1.04),high porosity,and low wet bulk density.ProvinceⅡhad higher sound speed and sound speed ratio(>1.04),low porosity,and high wet bulk density.ProvinceⅢhad the lowest sound speed and sound speed ratio(0.99),highest porosity(81%),and lowest wet bulk density(1.34 g/cm^(3)).The distribution pattern indicates that sediment movement,sediment source,topography,and hydrodynamic conditions influenced the distribution of acoustic and physical properties.Furthermore,we investigated the relationship of the maximum shear strength to the porosity and wet bulk density,and found that the maximum shear strength was proportional to both the porosity and wet bulk density.This finding has significant implications for ocean engineering applications.

A preliminary study on the acoustic properties of seafloor sediment in the southern U-boundary of the South China Sea

The acoustic properties of seafloor sediment are essential parameters in the exploration of marine resources,ocean scientific research and ocean engineering.Seafloor sediment samples were collected at the southern U-boundary of the South China Sea(SCS),and the acoustic and physical properties were measured in the laboratory.The correlation between physical and sound speed ratio(SSR)was discussed,and SSR-physical property empirical regressions in the Sunda Shelf were established for the first time.Compared with the northern continental shelf of SCS,the Sunda Shelf are mainly silty and sand sediment,and the SSR ranges from 0.9949 to 1.0944,which has higher SSR than the northern continental shelf,implies that the Sunda Shelf is a high SSR area.Since the same kind of sediment has different physical properties,the single physical parameter of sediment cannot fully represent the acoustic properties of sediment,therefore,the multiple parameter prediction model should develop in the future to improve the prediction precision.

Influence of Microstructure Change of Seafloor Sediments on the Sound Velocity in them in the Course of Stress-strain

Test tools and methods for synchronizing acoustic measurements in the course of stress-strain for seafloor sediment are elaborated and the test data of 45 sediment samples from the seafloor in the South China Sea are analysed. The result shows that the coarser the sediment grains are, the smaller the porosity is and the larger the unconfined compression strength is, the higher the sound velocity is. In the course of stress-strain, the sediment sound velocity varies obviously with the stress. Acoustic characteristics of sediment in different strain phases and the influence of sediment microstructure change on its sound velocity are discussed. This study will be of important significance for surveying wells of petroleum geology and evaluating the base stabilization of seafloor engineering.

Shear Wave Speed Dispersion Characteristics of Seafloor Sediments in the Northern South China Sea

To accurately characterize the shear wave speed dispersion of seafloor sediments in the northern South China Sea,five types of sediments including silty clay,clayey silt,sandy silt,silty sand,and clayey sand were selected,on which the measurements of the shear wave speed at 0.5-2.0 kHz and related physical properties were performed.Results reveal that the shear wave speed of sediments increases as the frequency increases,and the dispersion enhanced in the sediments in the order of silty clay,clayey silt,sandy silt,silty sand,and clayey sand,at a linear change rate of 0.727,0.787,3.32,4.893,and 6.967 m s−1 kHz−1,respectively.Through regression analysis,linear and logarithmic regression equations for the correlation between shear wave speed and frequency were established for each sediment type and the determination coefficients of regression equations indicate that the correlation is closer to a logarithmic relationship.The Grain-Shearing(GS)and Biot-Stoll models were used to calculate the shear wave speed dispersion of the five sediment types,and the comparison between theoretical prediction and measured results of shear wave speeds shows that the GS model can more accurately describe the shear wave speed dispersion characteristics of these sediments in the frequency band of 0.5-2.0 kHz.In the same band,the predictions obtained by using the Biot-Stoll model are significantly different from the measured data.

Effect of Temperature on the Acoustic Reflection Characteristics of Seafloor Surface Sediments

Because the sound speeds of seawater and seafloor sediment both increase with temperature,the influence of tempera-ture on the bottom reflection characteristics of seafloor sediments needs to be investigated.Based on the calculation of the temperature-controlled experimental measurement data of typical seafloor surface sediment samples,the temperature-dependent acoustic characteristics,including acoustic impedance,acoustic impedance ratio between surface sediment and seawater,and reflection coefficient,were analyzed.The effective density fluid model was used to analyze and explain the reflection coefficient variation of surface sediments with temperature and predict the dispersion characteristics.Results show that the acoustic impedance of the seabed sediment increases with temperature,whereas the acoustic impedance ratio and acoustic reflection coefficient slightly decrease.The acoustic impedance,acoustic impedance ratio,and acoustic reflection coefficient of sandy,silty,and clayey sediments vary similarly with tem-perature variation.Moreover,the influence of temperature on these acoustic characteristics is independent of detection frequencies.

Sulfur isotopic composition of seafloor hydrothermal sediment from the Jade hydrothermal field in the central Okinawa Trough and its geological significance

Eighteen samples of hydrothermal sediments from the Jade hydrothermal field in the central Okinawa Trough have been analyzed. Sulfur isotopic values for 10 sulfide samples vary from 5.2× 10^(-3)to 7.2× 10^(-3), δ^(34)S values for 7 sulfate samples vary from 16.3 × 10^(-3) to 22.3 × 10^(-3), and 1 native sulphur sample has a δ^(34)S value of 8.2 × 10^(-3). The major sources of sulfur for hydrothermal sediment are intermediate to acid volcanic rocks and sea water sulfate, and it is possible that the partial sulfur of hydrothermal sediment is from the pelagic sediment by the interaction between hydrothermal fluid and sediment. The reasons of causing the distinct differences in sulfur isotopic values for sulfide samples from hydrothermal sediment ( compared with other hydrothermal fields), are the differences in the sources of sulfur, the magmatic activity and the tectonic evolution in different hydrothermal fields. The sulfur evolution is a long and complex process in the seafloor hydrothermal system, involving the ascending of heating sea water, the interaction between fluid and volcanic rocks, the mixing of sea water sulfate and sulfur from intermediate to acid volcanic rocks, and the fluid/pelagic-sediment interaction. And the interaction between sea water and intermediate to acid volcanic rocks is an important mechanism for the sulfur evolution in the Jade hydrothermal field.

Sulfur isotopic composition of modern seafloor hydrothermal sediment and its geological significance

A total of 1 264 sulfur isotopic values for modern seafloor hydrothermel sediments from different hydrothermal fields have been collected.On this basis,combining our sulfur isotpic data for surface hydrothermal sediments from the Jade hydrohtermal field in the Okinawa Trough and the TAG hydrothermal field in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge,respectively,and comparing the sulfur isotopic compositions and analyzing their sources of sulfur in seafloor hydrothermal sediments from different geologic-tectonic setting,the results show that:(1) sulfur isotopic values of sulfides and sulfates in modern seafloor hydrothermal sediments are concentrated in a narrow range,δ 34S values of sulfides vary from 1×10 -3 to 9×10 -3,with a mean of 4.5×10 -3 (n=1042),δ 34S values of sulfates vary from 19×10 -3 to 24×10 -3,with a mean of 21.3×10 -3(n=217);(2) comparing the sulfur isotopic compositions of hydrothermal sediments from the sediment-hosted hydrothermal fields,the range of sulfur isotopic values for hydrothermal sediments from the sediment-free hydrothermal fields is narrow relatively;(3) the differences of sulfur isotopic compositions in sulfides from different hydrothermal fields show the differences in the sources of sulfur.The sulfur of hydrothermal sulfides in the sediment-free mid-ocean ridges is mainly from mid- ocean ridge basalt,and partially from the reduced seawater sulfate,and it is the result of partially reduced seawater sulfate mixed with basaltic sulfur.In the sediment-hosted mid-ocean ridges and the back-arc basins,the volcanics,the sediments and the organic matters also can offer their sulfur for forming hydrothermal sulfides;(4)the variations of sulfur isotopic compositions and the different sources of sulfur for hydrothermal sediments may be attributed to the various physical-chemical characteristics of hydrothermal fluids,the magmatic evolution and the different geologic-tectonic settings of seafloor hydrothermal systems.

重力流与海底地貌动态相互作用下深水沉积体系发育演化——以大西洋赤道段菩提瓜尔盆地为例

海底地貌对重力流沉积具有重要控制作用并同时受到重力流沉积过程影响。针对重力流与海底地貌动态相互作用下深水沉积体系发育演化研究不足的问题,以大西洋赤道段菩提瓜尔盆地的局部沉积记录为解剖对象,基于三维地震资料,采用RGB三色融合技术,阐明了深水沉积体系发育演化特征,揭示了重力流与海底地貌的动态相互作用。研究区初始地貌中的主要地貌低点和次要地貌低点控制了早期深水水道和朵叶体的发育:(1)随着主要地貌低点斜坡坡度向远物源一端明显变缓,重力流的速度和能量逐渐减小,向下侵蚀能力变弱、侧向拓宽能力增强,水道剖面形态沿流向依次呈现V型、深U型及碟型;(2)因为水道限制性逐渐减弱,末端非限制性区域发育朵叶体沉积,朵页体上覆于水道充填沉积且向近物源一端生长,最终溢出到研究区西北角的次要地貌低点。水道和朵叶体沉积致使主要地貌低点远物源一端的斜坡坡度进一步变缓,后期块体流被捕获时,其沿流向携带沉积物的能力更容易降低,导致块体搬运沉积复合体(MTCs)在主要地貌低点远物源一端广泛堆积。

自落式贯入仪率相关系数标定方法

自落式贯入仪(free-falling penetrometer,FFP)作为一种新型地质勘察技术,可以高效快速地获取海底沉积物的力学性质参数。FFP贯入过程中锥尖阻力受贯入速率影响,数据处理时需借助速率因子将动贯入阻力转化为与静力触探试验(cone penetration test,CPT)等效的准静态贯入阻力,但目前速率因子中的率相关系数尚无明确测试方法。基于牛顿运动定律对率效应进行理论分析,并利用南海北部陆坡淤泥质沉积物开展室内贯入试验;并采用对数函数和幂次函数拟合锥尖阻力与贯入速率关系,提出了自落式贯入仪率相关系数的标定方法。研究结果表明,释放高度和探头质量都会影响最终贯入深度,但贯入过程中的锥尖阻力变化受探头质量影响较小,提出的率相关系数标定方法能够更准确获取FFP贯入的率相关系数。在实际应用中可采用室内试验标定的系数修正原位试验数据,为FFP实际应用提供技术支持。

充液管中的导波测量海底沉积物原位声速的方法研究

海底沉积物原位声学参数是标定海底地层声场环境、开展多种海洋工程应用的关键参数之一。本文首先建立了充液管-地层物理模型中声波传播的有限差分算法,数值模拟并分析了管中接收声波的特征及其随沉积物速度的变化规律,着重分析了首波的传播特性随距离的变化特征;其次,在此基础上研制了可挂接于海底静力触探装置的实验样机及其核心部件,如声波发射和接收换能器及功能电路板等,搭建了实验测试平台并进行了相关的性能实验测试,对管外存在不同介质下管中激发产生的导波的声信号特征进行了对比和分析。理论和实测结果表明:充液管中导波的衰减特性受到沉积物声速的影响,该特性可用于反演测量地层的声速,实验测量的结果进一步论证了方法的可行性。

西南印度洋中脊53°E百神海山表层沉积物物源特征及其对热液活动的指示

超慢速扩张洋中脊具有形成大型海底多金属硫化物堆积体的潜力,其中拆离断层控制的热液区常具规模大、富Cu、Au等特征。百神海山位于超慢速扩张西南印度洋脊Gallieni转换断层内角处,发育拆离断层构造,具有产出热液活动的有利构造条件,但一直未确认该区域是否存在热液活动。本研究对该区4站表层沉积物开展了主微量、稀土元素和微区地球化学分析,结果显示研究区沉积物中含丰富的超基性岩碎屑,并可能有玄武岩角砾的影响。沉积物中的有孔虫壳体富集Fe、Mn等热液元素,表明研究区受到热液组分的影响。根据富集特征的空间分布,可以推断热液活动喷口的位置靠近研究区的A3站位。这一综合分析深化了对该海山沉积物物源的认识,同时为超慢速洋中脊热液识别或找矿提供了有力线索。

Empirical Equations of P-Wave Velocity in the Shallow and Semi-Deep Sea Sediments from the South China Sea

Three-hundred and thirty-one sediment cores,including six sediment types(clayey-and sandy-silt,silty-and sandy-clay,clayey-and silty-sand)were collected from the shallow and semi-deep seas of the South China Sea,and the P-wave velocities and physical properties of core sediments were measured under standard laboratory conditions.To eliminate the influence of environ-mental factors,the empirical sound speed ratio equations were established.Compared with several equations from literature,the po-rosity and wet bulk density empirical equations established in this paper agree well with Richardson and Briggs(2004)’s in-situ equations,which implies that our empirical equations can be used in the similar region of world’s oceans under certain conditions and will be useful in areas lacking first-hand P-wave speed data.However,the mean grain size equations established in this study,similar to the previous studies,have low accuracy,which may be due to the different particle arrangements and degrees of compac-tion in sediments.The results also show that for different sediment types,the equation based on all sediment data is in good agree-ment with the measured data in the study area,as there are both siliciclastic and carbonate sediments on the studied seabed.It is sug-gested that appropriate empirical equations should be selected according to sediment types and sedimentary environment in future works,and the empirical equation of porosity or the two-parameter equation of porosity and grain size should be preferred.

A backscattering model for a stratified seafloor

In order to predict the bottom backscattering strength more accurately, the stratified structure of the seafloor is considered. The seafloor is viewed as an elastic half-space basement covered by a fluid sediment layer with finite thickness. On the basis of calculating acoustic field in the water, the sediment layer, and the basement, four kinds of scattering mechanisms are taken into account, including roughness scattering from the water-sediment interface, volume scattering from the sediment layer, roughness scattering from the sediment-basement interface,and volume scattering from the basement. Then a backscattering model for a stratified seafloor applying to low frequency（0.1-10 kHz） is established. The simulation results show that the roughness scattering from the sediment-basement interface and the volume scattering from the basement are more prominent at relative low frequency（below 1.0 kHz）. While with the increase of the frequency, the contribution of them to total bottom scattering gradually becomes weak. And the results ultimately approach to the predictions of the high-frequency（10-100 kHz） bottom scattering model. When the sound speed and attenuation of the shear wave in the basement gradually decrease, the prediction of the model tends to that of the full fluid model, which validates the backscattering model for the stratified seafloor in another aspect.

基于海底底质及地形特征的地形辅助导航适配区选择方法

随着多波束测深技术的不断发展,地形辅助导航广泛应用于海上舰船。本文针对传统特征参数没有包含深度以及海底底质因素而导致水下地形导航适配区判定不准确的问题,提出基于海底底质及区域地形特征的地形辅助导航适配区选择方法。本方法基于多波束探测数据,对区域地形数据进行统计分析,通过层次分析法对地形特征参数以及海底底质等适配性评价指标进行综合分析,得出权重向量并构建适配区选择准则函数,对匹配区域进行适配性判断。利用ICCP算法进行地形匹配蒙特卡洛仿真实验,实验结果表明,适配性选择函数克服了传统特征参数对匹配区域分析不全面的问题,可有效选择适配区,适配区内匹配误差小于5 m。

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.

Seabed Physical Parameter Research Based on Active-Source OBS Data in the Chukchi Sea Shelf of the Arctic

The acquisition of seabed physical parameters is one of the focuses of marine acoustic researches.However,the activesource ocean bottom seismometer(OBS)detection method in the marine geophysical research is rarely used to acquire seabed physical parameters,and less work is performed in the Arctic.In this study,two active-source OBS data collected from the 9th and 11th Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition(CHINARE)are selected to obtain the physical parameters of seabed sediments.Two kinds of energy spark are used as the active sources,while the cost function inversion method is used based on the arrival time difference between the reflected and direct waves.The thickness and sound velocity of the sediment layers are obtained by inversion,and the empirical formula is used to calculate the physical parameters of the seabed sediment,which are compared with the measured results.The cost function inversion method based on the time difference of arrival of the reflected and direct waves is tested to be effective and feasible in the inversion of seabed parameters from active-source OBS data.The method is further applied to obtain the physical parameters of Chukchi seabed sediments,which provides the idea and reference for the application of marine geophysical activesource OBS detection technology in the inversion of polar seabed physical parameters.

多波束声呐海底底质半监督学习分类方法

多波束测深声呐的反向散射数据中包含海底表层的声学信息,可以用来进行海底表层底质分类。但实际中通过物理采样获得大范围的底质类型的标签信息所需成本过高,制约了传统监督分类算法的性能。针对实际应用中只拥有大量无标签数据和少量有标签数据的情况,文章提出了基于自动编码器预训练以及伪标签自训练的半监督学习底质分类算法。利用2018年和2019年两次同一海域实验采集的多波束测深声呐反向散射数据,对所提算法进行了验证。数据处理结果表明,相比仅利用有标签数据的监督分类算法,提出的半监督学习分类算法保证分类准确率的同时所需的有标签数据更少。自动编码器预训练的半监督学习分类方法在有标签样本数量极少时的准确率仍高于75%。

冲绳海槽南部热液区附近柱状沉积物中微生物的垂直分布多样性及其对环境因子的响应

近年来,海底热液环境中的微生物及其环境适应机制已经成为海洋科学研究的热点。目前,相关的研究主要集中在表层沉积物及微生物的水平分布多样性方面,而对柱状沉积物中微生物垂直分布多样性研究却很少。本文基于西太平洋冲绳海槽南部热液区附近S2站位的柱状沉积物样品,通过对其不同层位的样品进行分离培养和16S rRNA基因高通量测序,揭示了样品中可培养微生物和总体微生物的垂直群落分布特征,同时结合对样品主量元素、微量元素、碳氮含量等指标的评估和冗余分析等统计学方法,讨论了微生物群落结构及其对环境因子的响应。研究发现该位点的柱状沉积物有机质含量较为贫乏,存在两个富含Cu-Zn-Pb的层;各个层位的沉积物中微生物类群均以变形菌为主要类群,同时表层沉积物表现出更高的微生物多样性。此外研究还表明柱状沉积物中有机碳含量与其微生物的群落组成有着更为密切的关系。总之,本研究的结果和获得的菌种资源为进一步深入研究海底热液环境中微生物参与元素地球化学循环的过程提供了一定的基础。

履带式微型海底钻机行驶动力学建模与分析

概述了履带式微型海底钻机组成结构及其作业过程;应用仿真软件Recurdyn建立了履带式微型海底钻机多体动力学模型;开展了底质土力学特性试验研究,构建了深海底质力学模型;进行了履带式微型海底钻机深海底行驶过程动力学仿真。结果表明,在深海沉积物底质条件下,履带式微型海底钻机在行驶过程中存在轻微打滑现象和一定的沉陷量与仰角;深海底质(特别是稀软底质)力学性能显著影响履带式微型海底钻机动态特性;在钻机低速行驶时行驶速度对履带式微型海底钻机动态特性影响较大。

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