Climate Projections of Spatial Variations in Coastal Storm Surges Along the Gulf of Mexico and U.S.East Coast

Using statistically downscaled atmospheric forcing, we performed a numerical investigation to evaluate future climate's impact on storm surges along the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. east coast. The focus is on the impact of climatic changes in wind pattern and surface pressure while neglecting sea level rise and other factors. We adapted the regional ocean model system(ROMS) to the study region with a mesh grid size of 7–10 km in horizontal and 18 vertical layers. The model was validated by a hindcast of the coastal sea levels in the winter of 2008. Model's robustness was confirmed by the good agreement between model-simulated and observed sea levels at 37 tidal gages. Two 10-year forecasts, one for the IPCC Pre-Industry(PI) and the other for the A1 FI scenario, were conducted. The differences in model-simulated surge heights under the two climate scenarios were analyzed. We identified three types of responses in extreme surge heights to future climate: a clear decrease in Middle Atlantic Bight, an increase in the western Gulf of Mexico, and non-significant response for the remaining area. Such spatial pattern is also consistent with previous projections of sea surface winds and ocean wave heights.

墨西哥湾布什山冷泉碳酸盐岩沉积岩石学及地球化学

对墨西哥湾布什山采集的7块冷泉碳酸盐岩样品进行了沉积岩石学及地球化学研究,结果表明:冷泉碳酸盐岩以结壳的形式产出,结壳中双壳类和管状蠕虫等冷泉生物碎屑发育,结壳主要由泥晶、微晶和亮晶文石组成(含量89%～99%,平均94%)。碳酸盐岩13C中等亏损(δ13C最负值为-29.4‰,PDB),表明碳的来源主要是非甲烷的碳烃化合物,18O相对富集(δ18O为+2.4‰～+5.0‰,PDB),可能与原地水合物分解形成富集18O的孔隙水有关。碳酸盐矿物相(5%硝酸可溶部分)的稀土元素总量较低(0.40×10-6～20.85×10-6),稀土元素Ce异常特征和页岩标准化配分模式在不同样品、甚至同一样品结晶程度不同的碳酸盐矿物相(泥晶、微晶和亮晶)中变化显著,表明布什山冷泉碳酸盐岩形成过程中氧化还原条件复杂多变,控制氧化环境变化的主要因素可能是流体的渗漏速率。

墨西哥湾GC238区冷泉碳酸盐岩的微结构与石化微生物特征

采于墨西哥湾GC238海底天然气渗漏区浅表层的冷泉碳酸盐岩呈结核状产出,由方解石微晶和胶结物及少量的黄铁矿构成。胶结物由直径为0.1～0.5m的方解石化的球体、卵形体、棒状体组成,充填于方解石晶体之间。冷泉碳酸盐岩结核下表面发育有由方解石化的球体、卵形体、棒状体组成的薄层,其中的一些球状集合体(约5m)断面显示发育有核和外壳的层圈结构。黄铁矿呈草莓状,也具有相似的层圈结构。这种层状结构与活体古细菌被硫酸盐还原细菌包裹的层圈结构相似。样品中所保存的球体、卵形体、棒状体及其所组成的层圈结构可能是石化的甲烷氧化古细菌和硫酸盐还原细菌。

东南沿海台风风暴潮增水过程中非线性机制和地形的作用研究:以1509号台风“灿鸿”为例

本文基于FVCOM(Finite Volume Community Ocean Model)构建了一个覆盖中国渤海、黄海和东海的数值模型,采用NCEP-CFSR风场数据对1509号台风“灿鸿”产生的风暴潮进行模拟,与实测水位数据的对比表明该模型可靠、模拟结果合理。基于此模型,本文对非线性作用和地形在风暴潮增水过程中的作用进行了研究。首先,重点分析了增水过程中潮汐与风暴潮的非线性作用,结果表明:高潮时非线性作用使增水值降低;低潮时非线性作用使增水值升高。另外,开边界处分别只添加M2、S2和K1分潮,分析天文潮的潮高和周期对非线性作用的影响,结果表明:潮高越高,非线性作用越明显;半日潮的非线性作用较全日潮更明显;并且,增水极值附近出现的半日周期的波动也与非线性作用有关。其次,除了非线性作用,地形对风暴潮的增水也有一定影响,本文改变地形的实验结果表明:坡度越大,增水极值越小。琉球群岛的存在使得东南沿海出现风暴潮增水的面积减小,但使得风暴潮增水的高值区域扩大。

The spatial distribution of major and trace elements of surface sediments in the northeastern Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea

A multi-index analysis including grain size, major and trace elements is performed on the surface sediments from the northeastern Beibu Gulf to trace the sources of the sediments and to understand the controlling factors for elements distribution. The mean grain size exhibits a wide variation ranging from 0.09Φ to 8.05Φ with an average value of 5.33Φ. The average contents of major elements descend in an order of c(SiO_2)>c(Al_2O_3)>c(Fe_2O_3)>c(CaO)>c(MgO)>c(K_2O)>c(Na_2O)>c(TiO_2)>c(P_2O_5)>c(MnO), while those of trace elements exhibit a descending order of c(Sr)>c(Rb)>c(V)>c(Zn)>c(Cr)>c(Pb)>c(Ni)>c(Cu)>c(As). On the basis of elementary distribution characteristics and statistical analyses, the study area is divided into the four zones: Zone I is located in the northeastern coastal area of the gulf, which receives large amount of fluvial materials from local rivers in Guangxi and Guangdong, China, and the Qiongzhou Strait; Zone Ⅱ is located in the center of the study area, where surface sediments exhibits a multiple source; Zone Ⅲ is located in the Qiongzhou Strait, where surface sediments are dominated by materials from the Zhujiang River and Hainan; Zone IV is located in the southwest of the study area, where surface sediments are mainly originated from the Red River and Hainan. The statistical analyses of sediment geochemical characteristics reveal that the grain size, which is mainly influenced by hydrodynamics and mineral composition of terrigenous materials, is the leading factor controlling the elementary distribution.Meanwhile, impacts from anthropogenic activities and marine biogenic process will also be taken into consideration.

Quantifying cold front induced water transport of a bay with in situ observations using manned and unmanned boats

The generation of high-resolution data is increasingly important in understanding the complexities of coastal ocean and developing sound management strategies, especially in view of the long-term impact of severe weather systems. The impact of severe weather systems, when integrated over time, can be significant when compared with tidal oscillations. This paper presents a study of water transport out of Vermilion Bay in response to a short, intense event associated with a passing atmospheric cold front, and reports the application of an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler （ADCP） mounted on an Automated Surface Craft （ASC）, known as the auto-boat or unmanned boat, developed in our lab at the Louisiana State University, to generate high resolution data accurately at a fraction of the cost of a manned boat. In our study, we used a manned boat and an unmanned boat, each for over 24 h to cover an entire diurnal tidal cycle, to measure flow velocity profiles to calculate the total transport. A stationary ADCP was deployed in the Southwest Pass of the Vermilion Bay from May 2009 to April 2012, providing data almost continuously （with only one major gap）, with a 717-day record of water transport between the northern Gulf of Mexico and Vermilion Bay, and demonstrates the importance of the pass in water transport.

Anti-Phase Relationship Between the East Asian Winter Monsoon and Summer Monsoon During the Holocene?

The relationship between the East Asian winter monsoon(EAWM) and East Asian summer monsoon(EASM) during the Holocene is complicated and remains controversial.In this study,analysis of grain size and benthic foraminiferal oxygen isotope,as well as accelerator mass spectrometry ^(14)C dating was performed on a sediment core retrieved from the newly revealed muddy deposit on the northern South China Sea continental shelf.The history of the EAWM and EASM were reconstructed for the last 8200 a BP.Further analysis in conjunction with previously published paleo-climate proxies revealed that the relationship between the EAWM and EASM during the Holocene is more complex than a simple and strict anti-phase one-both negative and positive correlations were identified.The EAWM and EASM are negatively correlated around 7500,4800,4200,3200,and 300 a BP(cooling periods),while positively correlated around 7100,3700,and 2100 a BP(warm periods).In particular,both the EAWM and EASM intensified during the three positive correlation periods.However,we also found that the relationship between these two sub-monsoons is anti-phase during the final phase of particularly hot periods like Holocene Optimum and Medieval warm period.The possible impact from variations of solar irradiance on the relationship between the EAWM and EASM was also discussed.

Distribution Patterns of Major and Trace Elements and Provenance of Surface Sediments on the Continental Shelf off Western Guangdong Province and Northeastern Hainan Island

A coupled approach based on grain size and geochemical elements is used to trace the provenance of surface sediments and to confirm the distribution patterns of grain size and elements on the continental shelf off western Guangdong Province and northeastern Hainan Island. The mean grain size ranges from 0.05 φ to 7.28 φ with a mean value of 5.60 φ. The average concentra- tions of major elements descend in the order of SiO2 > Al2O3 > CaO > Fe2O3 > K2O > MgO > Na2O > TiO2 > P2O5 > MnO, while those of trace elements exhibit a descending order of Sr > Rb > Zn > V > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cu > As > Cd. On the basis of the distribution patterns of elements and results of statistical analysis, the study area is classified into three zones. Zone I locates on the continental shelf off western Guangdong Province, and the sediments are mainly from Pearl River, Taiwan Residents rivers, and small rivers nearby. Zone II locates in the eastern exit of Qiongzhou Strait and the coastal area off Leizhou Peninsula, and the sediments are mainly from the ero- sion products of Qiongzhou Strait and Hainan Island. Zone III locates off the eastern Hainan Island and the continental shelf deeper than 50 m isobaths, and the sediments are mainly from Hainan Island and coral reef. The influence from open water should also be considered. Results indicate that the grain size is the main controlling factor for major and trace element contents and that anthropo- genic impact and biological activity also play an important role in the distribution of these elements.

风暴在长江三角洲侵蚀和沉积物向南输运中的控制作用

Densely populated coasts are vulnerable to storm damage. Episodic storm-induced redistribution of coastal sediment is known to have major geological and ecological implications [1,2], but little is known about storm-driven delta erosion and longshore sediment transport. The Yangtze (Changjiang) Delta and Zhejiang–Fujian coasts (Fig. S1 online) are among the world’s largest coastal depositional systems, and play an important role in supporting China’s socioeconomic development [3,4].

Marine heatwaves in the Gulf of Mexico 1983‒2021: Statistics, recent intensifications, and threats on coral reefs

There is the current lack of comprehensive understanding of the hotspots,frequency,duration,spatiotemporal trends,and physical drivers of marine heatwaves(MHWs)within the Gulf of Mexico(GoM).Here,a series of high-resolution satellite and reanalysis products are used to examine their spatiotemporal characteristics,trends,and possible geophysical triggers of MHWs.Possible impacts of the MHW on coral reefs are also discussed.Results reveal an increasing trend in their frequency,duration,and intensities from 1983–2021,particularly after 2016.It identifies MHWs hotspots within the GoM,notably the northern and western shelves and the Loop Current.The study further documents an intense MHW event from late 2020 to early 2021 near the Yucatan Channel,south of 24°N,attributing its development to oceanic processes such as wind anomalies,anticyclonic eddies,and current-driven heat transport anomalies.The occurrence of this MHW event potentially increased thermal stress on the Campeche and Tuxtlas Reef Systems.This research illuminates the increasing trends and impacts of MHWs in the GoM,providing valuable insights for understanding and predicting the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.

墨西哥湾北陆坡区冷泉碳酸盐岩脂肪酸及碳同位素特征

对墨西哥湾北部水深约540m的上陆坡GC185区(GC-F样品)和水深约2200m的下陆坡AC645区(AC-E样品)冷泉碳酸盐岩中的脂肪酸及其单体化合物的δ13C进行了分析.在AC-E和GC-F冷泉碳酸盐岩样品中检测到了30多种脂肪酸化合物,均以主峰碳为C16的低碳数(<C20)脂肪酸为主,具偶碳优势,主要包括正构脂肪酸、异构(i-)/反异构(ai-)脂肪酸以及带支链的(iso/anteiso)奇碳数脂肪酸.其中n-C12:0,n-C13:0,i-C14:0和n-C14:0具有明显偏低的δ13C值(-39.99‰^-32.36‰),可能来源于冷泉生物.n-C18:2和C18:1△9具有相同的碳同位素值,可能来源于冷泉渗漏区贝氏硫细菌属/辫硫菌属.支链奇碳数脂肪酸(iso/anteiso-C13~C17)具有特别负的δ13C值(-63.95‰^-44.17‰),明显不同于其他类别脂肪酸的碳同位素值,推断这类化合物是海底渗漏区甲烷厌氧氧化过程中的硫酸盐还原细菌生命活动的产物.

墨西哥湾Alaminos Canyon冷泉碳酸盐岩地质地球化学特征

墨西哥湾北部大陆坡下部深水区Alaminos Canyon冷泉碳酸盐岩结壳含有以双壳类和有孔虫为主的生物碎片,孔洞发育且常被针状文石充填.XRD分析显示结壳主要由文石组成(达98%).结壳中发育团粒、凝块和葡萄状文石等与渗漏系统微生物活动有关的沉积组构.结壳中生物碎屑的δ13C值为-4.9‰^-0.6‰,碳源主要来自海水.泥晶和亮晶文石的δ13C值为-31.3‰^-23.4‰,碳源主要来自生物降解的石油.对冷泉碳酸盐岩中生物壳体的14C测定表明冷泉活动至少持续了约10ka.碳酸盐岩结壳的酸可溶部分稀土元素总量很低(0.75~12.73μg/g),稀土元素页岩标准化配分模式具有明显的Ce负异常,表明结壳形成于氧化环境.

Petrographic and geochemical characterization of seep carbonate from Alaminos Canyon,Gulf of Mexico

Seep carbonates were collected from the Alaminos Canyon lease area, Gulf of Mexico. The carbonates are present as slabs and blocks. Bivalve shell and foraminifer are the dominant bioclasts in carbonate. Pores are common and usually filled with acicular aragonite crystals. XRD investigation shows that aragonite is the dominate mineral (98%). Peloids, clotted microfabirc and botryoidal aragonite are de-veloped in carbonate and suggest a genesis linked with bacterial degradation of the hydrocarbons. The δ13C value of bioclasts in carbonate is from-4.9‰ to-0.6‰, indicating that the carbon source is mainly from sea water as well as the small portion incorporation of the seep hydrocarbon. The microcrystalline and sparite aragonite shows the δ13C value from-31.3‰ to-23.4‰, suggesting that their carbon is derived mainly from microbial degradation of crude oil. 14C analyses give the radiocarbon age of about 10 ka. Rare earth elements (REE) analyses of the 5% HNO3-treated solution of the carbonates show that the total REE content of the carbonates is low, that is from 0.752 to 12.725 μg·g-1. The shale-normalized REE patterns show significantly negative Ce anomalies. This suggests that cold seep carbonate is most likely formed in a relatively aerobic environment.

Fatty-acids and their δ^(13)C characteristics of seep carbonates from the northern continental slope of Gulf of Mexico

Here we reported the fatty-acids and their δ13 C values in seep carbonates collected from Green Canyon lease block 185 (GC 185;Sample GC-F) at upper continental slope (water depth:～540 m),and Alaminos Canyon lease block 645 (GC 645;Sample AC-E) at lower continental slope (water depth:～2200 m) of the Gulf of Mexico.More than thirty kinds of fatty acids were detected in both samples.These fatty acids are maximized at C 16.There is a clear even-over-odd carbon number predominance in carbon number range.The fatty acids are mainly composed of n-fatty acids,iso-/anteiso-fatty acids and terminally branched odd-numbered fatty acids (iso/anteiso).The low δ13 C values (-39.99‰ to -32.36‰) of n-C 12:0,n-C 13:0,i-C 14:0 and n-C 14:0 suggest that they may relate to the chemosynthetic communities at seep sites.The unsaturated fatty acids n-C 18:2 and C 18:1 △9 have the same δ13 C values,they may originate from the Beggiatoa/Thioploca.Unlike other fatty acids,the terminally branched fatty acids (iso/anteiso) show lower δ13 C values (as low as -63.95‰) suggesting a possible relationship to sulfate reducing bacteria,which is common during anaerobic oxidation of methane at seep sites.