A Klovan-type box corer for use with SCUBA

A stainless steel, Klovan-type box corer for use by SCUBA divers in shallow water has been developed. Details for construction of the 0.45 × 0.30 × 0.20-m wedge-shaped corer are provided together with operational details. Excellent undisturbed samples have been collected from gravelly sands, sands, and muds at water depths ranging from 15 m to intertidal. The wet sand cores typically are treated in the field using an epoxy to obtain high-relief sediment peels.     

A hydraulic hammer corer utilizing hydrostatic energy for hard seafloor sediment coring

The paper presents the design and preliminary test results of a corer used for hard seafloor sediments sampling.Generally the sediment cores are provided by either gravity-type coring or deep-ocean drilling for a range of studies.However,in consideration of the operability and available sample length in collecting hard sediments,these methods exhibit no advantages.In this paper,a new corer which can exploit both hydrostatic energy and gravity energy for hard sediments coring is presented.The hydrostatic energy is provided by pressure differential between ambient seawater pressure and air pressure in an empty cavity.During sampling process,the corer penetrates into the sediment like a gravity corer and then automatically shifts to the percussion mode.The experiments in the laboratory indicate that the corer can complete 40 cycles in the sea with a cycle time of 2.8 seconds in percussion mode and impact the sample tube with the velocity of 0.2 m/s during each cycle.Besides,its adjustable falling velocity can make the corer achieve the maximum efficiency in coring different sediments.     

静水压力取样器冲击头冲击速度的理论与试验研究

介绍了一种用于海底沉积物取样的静水压力取样器,它能依次利用重力势能和静水压力能,将其转换为冲击动能,以冲击形式将取样管插入海底沉积物进行取样。结合既定取样器对其冲击头的冲击速度进行了理论推导,并提出相关经验公式。通过取样器冲击试验,验证了静水压力取样器冲击头冲击速度理论模型的正确性和合理性。在理论推导和实验验证的基础上,对影响取样器冲击头冲击速度三个主要因素进行了探讨,并提出了提高冲击头冲击速度的具体措施。     

A new formula for the total longshore sediment transport rate

A new predictive formula for the total longshore sediment transport (LST) rate was developed from principles of sediment transport physics assuming that breaking waves mobilize the sediment, which is subsequently moved by a mean current. Six high-quality data sets on hydrodynamics and sediment transport collected during both field and laboratory conditions were employed to evaluate the predictive capability of the new formula. The main parameter of the formula (a transport coefficient), which represents the efficiency of the waves in keeping sand grains in suspension, was expressed through a Dean number based on dimensional analysis. The new formula yields predictions that lie within a factor of 0.5 to 2 of the measured values for 62% of the data points, which is higher than other commonly employed formulas for the LST rate such as the CERC equation or the formulas developed by Inman–Bagnold and Kamphuis, respectively. The new formula is well suited for practical applications in coastal areas, as well as for numerical modeling of sediment transport and shoreline change in the nearshore.     

Sea-floor sediment distribution in the Gulf of Mexico

Carbonate content, smear-slide analysis and diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry were utilized to determine modern sediment composition and distribution throughout the Gulf of Mexico. In all, 186 core top and grab samples distributed throughout the Gulf were analyzed. Reflectance spectra were taken from thick smear slides from the near ultraviolet, through the visible, and into the near infrared. The first derivatives of the percent reflectance data were subjected to factor analysis producing factors that grouped covarying first-derivative wavelengths. Factors were interpreted by comparison to first-derivative curves for known sediment components and minerals. Interpretation was aided by the mapping of both calcium carbonate content and smear-slide sediment classes. The most easily interpreted factor solution was produced by analyzing only the visible region of the spectrum and extracting seven factors which explained 98% of the cumulative variance. These factors, in order of their relative importance, are interpreted as (1) marl and calcareous clay, (2) glauconite, (3) kaolinite, (4) organic matter, (5) phosphorite, (6) hematite, and (7) goethite. Some factor maps are consistent with known sources of fluvial sediment input; for example, kaolinite is deposited off rivers draining the southeastern US. Other factor maps are related to the origin of the material in the factor, glauconite, for example, being confined to low sedimentation regions of the outer shelf. The most unusual observation concerns the distribution of hematite, which appears to be transported from the rivers of south Texas, primarily the Rio Grande, across the shelf then eastward downslope along the base of the Sigsbee Escarpment. This eastward transport seems to be explainable only by transport in bottom currents flowing along the base of the Sigsbee Escarpment.     

Structure and sediment distribution in the western Bering Sea

Eleven seismic reflection profiles across Shirshov Ridge and the adjacent deep-water sedimentary basins (Komandorsky and Aleutian Basins) are presented to illustrate the sediment distribution in the western Bering Sea. A prominent seismic reflecting horizon, Reflector P (Middle—Late Miocene in age), is observed throughout both the Aleutian and Komandorsky Basins at an approximate subbottom depth of 1 km. This reflector is also present, in places, on the flanks and along the crest of Shirshov Ridge. The thickness of sediments beneath Reflector P is significantly different within the two abyssal basins. In the Aleutian Basin, the total subbottom depth to acoustic basement (basalt?) is about 4 km, while in the Komandorsky Basin the depth is about 2 km.Shirshov Ridge, a Cenozoic volcanic feature that separates the Aleutian and Komandorsky Basins, is an asymmetric bathymetric ridge characterized by thick sediments along its eastern flank and steep scarps on its western side. The southern portion of the ridge has more structural relief that includes several deep, sediment-filled basins along its summit.Velocity data from sonobuoy measurements indicate that acoustic basement in the Komandorsky Basin has an average compressional wave velocity of 5.90 km/sec. This value is considerably larger than the velocities measured for acoustic basement in the northwestern Aleutian Basin (about 5.00 km/sec) and in the central Aleutian Basin (5.40–5.57 km/sec). In the northwestern Aleutian Basin, the low-velocity acoustic basement may be volcaniclastic sediments or other indurated sediments that are overlying true basaltic basement. A refracting horizon with similar velocities (4.6–5.0 km/sec) as acoustic basement dips steeply beneath the Siberian continental margin, reaching a maximum subbottom depth of about 8 km. The thick welt of sediment at the base of the Siberian margin may be the result of sediment loading or tectonic depression prior to Late Cenozoic time.     

A high-resolution geophysical investigation of sediment distribution controlled by catchment size and tides in a multi-basin turbid outwash fjord: Simpson Bay,Prince William Sound,Alaska

Surficial sediment distribution within Simpson Bay is a function of antecedent bedrock and recently deposited glacial geology, as well as active physical processes both within Simpson Bay and Prince William Sound (PWS). Simpson Bay is a turbid, outwash fjord located in northeastern PWS, Alaska. Freshwater from heavy precipitation, and the melting of high alpine glaciers enter the bay through bay head rivers and small shoreline creeks. The catchment has a high watershed/basin surface area ratio (∼8:1), and easily erodible bedrock that contribute to high sediment loads. The system can be divided into three discrete basins, each with specific morphologic and circulatory characters. Side scan sonar, swath bathymetry, and seismic profiles reveal that bathymetric highs are areas of outcropping glacial surfaces. High backscatter coupled with surface grab samples reveal these surfaces to be composed of coarse sediment and bedrock outcrops. Bathymetric lows are areas of low backscatter, and grab samples reveal these areas to be ponded deposits of organic-rich estuarine muds. The data provide evidence of terminal morainal bank systems, and glacial grounding line deposits at the mouth of the bay and rocky outcrops were identified as subsurface extensions of aerial rocky promontories. Radioisotope analyses of short cores reveal that the bay has an average accumulation rate of approx. 0.5 cm year⁻¹, but that this varies in function of the watershed/basin surface area ratios of the different basins. The interaction of tidal currents and sediment source drives sediment distribution in Simpson Bay. Hydrographic data reveal high spatial variability in surface and bottom currents throughout the bay. Subsurface currents are tide dominated, but generally weak (5–20 cm s⁻¹), while faster currents are found along shorelines, outcrops, and bathymetric highs. Bathymetric data reveal steep slopes with little to no modern sediment throughout the bay, suggesting lack of deposition due to tidal currents.     

新型深水钻井隔水管悬挂系统设计

南海海域台风频发,对于深水浮式钻井平台,常规避台模式要求回收所有隔水管,但是在深水、超深水海域,这种应对台风的方案有其局限性。据测算,水深超过1 500 m时,台风准备时间(回收所有隔水管、处理井口的作业时间)超过4天,而目前天气预报的水平只能提前4～5天,因此常规避台难度极大,经常会遭遇到还没有起完隔水管,台风已经逼近平台位置的情况,悬挂隔水管成为一种不得不面对的防台避台方案。硬悬挂和软悬挂是目前悬挂隔水管两种常见的模式,由于软悬挂能够补偿和缓解钻井船升沉施加在悬挂隔水管上的动态载荷,因此业内普遍认为软悬挂模式在提高悬挂隔水管对海洋环境的适应能力方面具有一定的优势,但是常规的软悬挂模式作业程序复杂,而且实施过程中存在伸缩节、张力器液缸等相关设备冲程超标的风险。通过对隔水管悬挂状态下横向和轴向的动力响应进行分析,确定了限制隔水管悬挂安全的主要因素,针对隔水管应力超标和转角过大、干涉等风险,设计了一种具有加装扶正器的锥形悬挂短节;针对悬挂隔水管的轴向压缩风险,研制了一种具有补偿功能的隔水管悬挂装置,降低了悬挂隔水管动态载荷产生轴向压缩和动态应力超标的风险。定量评估表明使用新型隔水管悬挂系统,可以将常规的悬挂窗口由不足10年一遇波流环境条件提高到满足100年一遇的波流环境条件,大大提高了悬挂隔水管的安全性。     

一种新型半潜式平台概念设计研究

在详细研究影响平台综合性能的诸多因素基础上,克服现有半潜式平台存在的不足,结合自升式平台甲板可以自由升降的优点,开发了具有自主知识产权的自升式半潜多功能深海浮式（JCSM）平台。JCSM平台结合了自升式平台与半潜式平台的优势,并以平台综合性能的提升为目标进行了细节上的优化,稳性裕度大且运动性能优良,可适应干式采油、湿式采油和干湿组合式采油等不同采油模式,并同时具有钻井、早期生产、修井、油气处理与油气储运等多种功能。在详述JCSM平台的组成及性能特点的基础上,对JCSM平台进行了稳性与运动性能数值分析,并与传统半潜式平台相比较,验证了所研发新型平台性能的优越性。研究为未来海洋油气田开发提供了一种新的选择,并对全新概念的浮式平台开发有借鉴和指导意义。     

莱州湾西南岸海域悬浮泥沙与沉积物粒度分布特征

根据2007年冬季莱州湾西南岸海域沉积物和悬浮泥沙的调查数据,分析了海底表层沉积物与悬浮泥沙的关系,并结合表层沉积物的粒度特征,探讨了该海域泥沙的输运及沉积特征,对海域的泥沙来源进行了初步分析。结果表明,含沙量总体表现出近岸含沙量低,远岸含沙量高,底层含沙量高于表层含沙量,且北部含沙量高于南部的分布特点;底床沉积物呈现带状分布特征,在水动力条件的作用下,粒径由岸向海逐渐变细。结合已有研究资料综合分析认为,淄脉沟以北海域泥沙主要来自于黄河入海泥沙,淄脉沟以南海域受黄河入海泥沙影响较小,主要源于近岸浅滩和海底表层沉积物的再悬浮和搬运。     

Time-series measurements of Th in water column and sediment trap samples from the northwestern Mediterranean Sea

Disequilibrium between ²³⁴Th and ²³⁸U in water column profiles has been used to estimate the settling flux of Th (and, by proxy, of particulate organic carbon); yet potentially major non-steady-state influences on ²³⁴Th profiles are often not able to be considered in estimations of flux. We have compared temporal series of ²³⁴Th distributions in the upper water column at both coastal and deep-water sites in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea to coeval sediment trap records at the same sites. We have used sediment trap records of ²³⁴Th fluxes to predict temporal changes in water column ²³⁴Th deficits and have compared the predicted deficits to those measured to determine whether the time-evolution of the two coincide. At the coastal site (327 m water depth), trends in the two estimates of water column ²³⁴Th deficits are in fairly close agreement over the 1-month deployment during the spring bloom in 1999. In contrast, the pattern of water column ²³⁴Th deficits is poorly predicted by sediment trap records at the deep-water site (DYFAMED, 2300 m water depth) in both 2003 and 2005. In particular, the transition from a mesotrophic to an oligotrophic system, clearly seen in trap fluxes, is not evident in water column ²³⁴Th profiles, which show high-frequency variability. Allowing trapping efficiencies to vary from 100% does not reconcile the differences between trap and water column deficit observations; we conclude that substantial lateral and vertical advective influences must be invoked to account for the differences.Advective influences are potentially greater on ²³⁴Th fluxes derived from water column deficits relative to those obtained from traps because the calculation of deficits in open-ocean settings is dominated by the magnitude of the “dissolved” ²³⁴Th fraction. For observed current velocities of 5–20 cm s⁻¹, in one radioactive mean-life of ²³⁴Th, the water column at the DYFAMED site can reflect ²³⁴Th scavenging produced tens to hundreds of kilometers away. In contrast, most of the ²³⁴Th flux collected in shallow sediment traps at the DFYFAMED site was in the fraction settling >200 m d⁻¹; in effect the sediment trap can integrate the ²³⁴Th flux over distances 40-fold less than water column ²³⁴Th distributions. In some sense, sediment trap and water column sampling for ²³⁴Th provide complementary pictures of ²³⁴Th export. However, because the two methods can be dominated by different processes and are subject to different biases, their comparison must be treated with caution.     

A new method for platform design based on parametric technology

A new method for platform design, named parametric platform design method (PPDM), is presented in this paper in order to improve the mobile platform design efficiency. In this method, an integrated parametric system that fully considers the characteristics of the platform is developed, which significantly optimizes the design process with the top–bottom design concept. In the parametric system, the main geometric dimensions are taken as parameters, while the topology between the structure members, the function requirements and the safety requirements are converted into geometric constraints. By geometric constraint solving (GCS), a set of parameters that satisfy all the given constraints are determined, and then the design scheme is obtained by several core algorithms, such as parametric tank subdivision, 3D stability calculation, parametric structure design, FEM preprocessing, etc. The parametric method greatly increases the changeability and the reusability of the platform model, and concurrent design is well supported. As the model is driven by parameters, PPDM is an excellent method for optimization design. As a result, PPDM has incomparable advantages on the design efficiency over traditional methods.     

Vertical distribution of various elements in sediment cores from the Japan Sea

Deep-sea sediment cores ranging up to 30,000–80,000 yrs in age were taken from a southern region of the Japan Sea and subjected to analyses for 5 major and 11 trace elements by means of instrumental photon activation analysis with 30 MeV bremsstrahlung. These elements were Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, Ti, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Mn, Nb, Ni, Rb, Sr, Y and Zr. Additionally, Al was determined spectrophotometrically. Distribution patterns of these elements with depth in the sediment columns were derived. Enrichments of Ca and Sr by biogenous process were observed; these Ca maxima are well correlated with Mn maxima. Below the Holocene—Pleistocene boundary, continuous transportation of poorly degraded continental debris, which was low in metallic constituents, was noted. A distinct enrichment of the top layer of the sediments in Mn was observed. This is the result of post-depositional upward migration of Mn. Fe, Co and Ni were also enriched in the top layers. In the central part of the basin, the oxidized post-glacial zone appears to be a typical pelagic sediment.     

A new automated nondestructive system for high resolution multi-sensor core logging of open sediment cores

 A new system for logging the geophysical properties of marine sediment cores allows both whole cores and split cores to be measured in a nondestructive fashion. The current sensor configuration measures compressional (P) wave velocity (500 kHz), bulk density (using gamma-ray attenuation), and magnetic susceptibility at user-defined sample intervals down the core. Split-core logging gives more reliable results than whole core logging as it mostly eliminates core-slumping effects that can lead to spurious results; it also gives higher resolution magnetic susceptibility readings. Received: 16 May 1997 / Revision received: 24 October 1997     

A comparative study of energy performance of hydrostatic seafloor sediment samplers and a new high-efficiency sampler

The hydrostatic energy of high-pressure seawater is a renewable and green energy source for ocean exploration and have been used to replace underwater electrical energy transmission through the cable and underwater battery pack to power seafloor equipment. The advantage of the energy supply method is the cost-effective and the robustness. In the paper, the energy performance of the existing hydrostatic seafloor sediment samplers powered by seawater hydrostatic energy are modelled and analyzed and compared. In view of the common shortcoming of existing technology, a novel hydrostatic seafloor sediment sampler is proposed. The model of energy conversion of the new sampler is built, and its energy performance is obtained. The analysis results indicate that the energy conversion efficiency of the novel sediment sampler is much higher than the existing ones, which means that the new sampler can collect much longer sample with the limited amount of hydrostatic energy. The seawater hydrostatic energy conversion system of the new sampler can also be used to power other seafloor equipment.     

A comparison of sedimentary aliphatic hydrocarbon distribution between the southern Okinawa Trough and a nearby river with high sediment discharge

Twelve surface sediments from the southern Okinawa Trough (OT) and nine surface sediments from a nearby river, the Lanyang River (LR), with high sediment discharge were analyzed for comparison of their aliphatic hydrocarbon distributions. Performing cluster analysis on all hydrocarbon data of LR and OT sediments showed that the two areas had a similarity level of only 0.15, meaning that they were quite dissimilar. The average ratio of terrigenous to aquatic n-alkanes was 0.99 for LR sediments and 9.64 for OT sediments, indicating that the concentrations of n-alkanes in LR and OT sediments were quite different. Furthermore, the mean pristane/phytane ratios for LR and OT sediments were 1.01 and 2.57, respectively; the difference between them was significant (Student's t test, at the 99% significance level). The carbon preference index (CPI) of C₂₅–C₃₃ n-alkanes averaged 3.26 (range 2.16–4.59) for LR sediments and 2.92 (range 2.35–5.24) for OT sediments; no significant difference was found between the two CPI averages (Student's t test, at the 99% confidence level). However, higher plant n-alkanes generally maximized at C₂₉ for LR sediments, but maximized at C₃₁ for all OT sediments, strongly indicating significant differences in the origins of the hydrocarbons in these two areas. All present results appear to suggest that LR sediments are not a major hydrocarbon source for OT sediments. In addition, there was no positive, linear correlation between diploptene (hop-22(29)-ene) and terrestrial higher plant n-alkanes for LR and OT sediments.     

湄洲湾海域甲藻孢囊的时空分布初步调查

为了解湄洲湾海域表层沉积物中甲藻孢囊的时空分布特征,于2018年5月(春)、8月(夏)、11月(秋)和2019年2月(冬)采集湄洲湾海域7个站位表层沉积物样品,进行甲藻孢囊分析,共鉴定出甲藻孢囊6大类42种和2种未知种。异养型甲藻孢囊种类数和丰度均高于自养型甲藻孢囊,其中又以原多甲藻类孢囊的种类和丰度最高。季节间差异不明显：种类数介于34～38种之间,丰度则在397.8～569.5 cysts/g之间变化,全年平均丰度448.0 cysts/g。工业区附近的站位种类数和丰度均低于养殖区附近的站位和对照点。优势种高达16种,原多甲藻类占绝对优势,但全部优势种优势度均不大。多样性指数、丰富度指数和均匀度指数均较高,全年的平均值分别为3.45、1.55和0.92。与历史资料对比,新发现19种孢囊,但丰度相差不大。另需注意的是,在湄洲湾海域共发现6种有毒甲藻孢囊,虽然全年丰度均不高,但仍有暴发有毒赤潮的危险,需引起重视。