Sediment geochemistry and mineralogy in Milos bay, SW Kyklades, Aegean Sea, Greece

This work aims at studying the geochemistry and mineralogy of Milos bay surface sediments. The bay forms an enclosed marine area, supplied totally by volcanic formations. Totally 16 samples were subjected to sedimentological (grain size), mineralogical (microscope examination and X-ray diffraction of the bulk sample and the pelitic fraction), and geochemical analyses (X-ray fluorescence in the pelitic fraction). Also the carbonate content was determined. Sediments were sandy with a high carbonate content (14–58%). The dominant minerals recognized in the pelitic fraction were smectite, kaolinite and illite, followed by chlorite, quartz, calcite, Mg-calcite and feldspars. In general, element concentrations appeared to be within the normal range, except Pb and Zn, which exhibited relatively high values. The Index of Geoaccumulation I_geo was computed, in order to investigate a possible enrichment of the surface sediments in metals. The analysis revealed again high values of I_geo class for both Pb and Zn. A careful study of the area, in relation to the quality of the catchment basins petrology, lead to a non-anthropogenic origin of these high concentrations. The enrichment of the surface sediments in Pb and Zn is attributed to the weathering of several mineral deposits, pyroclastic rocks and lavas, covering almost all Milos vicinity. A study of the geochemical data correlation coefficient matrix revealed three major groups of elements: (i) the elements of detrital origin represented by Si, Al, K and a part of the metals; (ii) the carbonates group; and (iii) a Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides–oxides group, which attracts a part of Pb, Cr and Ni.     

Measurements of threshold values for incipient motion of sediment particles with two different erosion devices

For studies on sediment transport processes experimental data on the erosion behaviour of sediments are necessary. Because of significant differences in experimental setups and subsequently in resulting values comparisons and, where possible, correlations between methods are required. This study presents measurements with two different erosion devices (straight flume and microcosm erosion chamber), which were used for the determination of critical shear stress velocities for sandy submarine sediments and sieved sediment fractions. An approach is presented to convert measured current velocities into shear stress velocities via roughness length values and drag coefficients under hydrodynamically smooth and transitional turbulent flow conditions. The results from both devices show a good agreement and the measured erosion threshold values fit to established correlations between critical shear stress velocity and grain size. In the grain size range below 200 µm results for naturally composed sediments are influenced by effects caused by the silt- and clay fraction. Sieved sediment fractions in this grain size range tend to show lowered erosion thresholds in relation to the Shields' curve.     

Weathering sources in the Gaoping (Kaoping) river catchments, southwestern Taiwan: Insights from major elements, Sr isotopes, and rare earth elements

This study aims at quantifying the distribution of REEs associated with chemical weathering processes, as well as investigating weathering mechanisms and source regions of the Gaoping (formerly spelled Kaoping) River (KPR) catchment basin located at southwestern Taiwan. Spatial distributions of dissolved rare earth elements, as well as major ions, trace elements and Sr isotopes in river waters were analyzed using SF-ICPMS and TIMS. Our results indicate that REE concentrations and patterns predominantly reflect sources and intensity of chemical weathering along the river's catchment. Most specimens have high Na/Cl (4.2–30.1 mol/mol) ratios due to strong weathering intensity in the upper stream. The Na/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios suggest the main contribution is from weathering of silicates and carbonates. Total concentrations of REEs are rather low in the Gaoping (Kaoping) River (6.7–15.4 ng/L), possibly influenced by adsorption onto suspended particles. The REE patterns also reflect source heterogeneity in weathering minerals with large LREE depletion and MREE enrichment. Europium is strongly enriched in the Gaoping (Kaoping) River water, as a result of its preferential dissolution from suspended particles. Unique Gadolinium anomaly is present in all specimens, likely related to contamination due to clinic waste disposal. Small fractionations of LREE/HREE have occurred along the KPR and can be used as a distinct signature for source identification. The main stream samples exhibit a relatively wide range of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, 0.71265–0.71360, with a systematical increase downstream due to source mixing of dissolved basalt (less radiogenic) and sedimentary rocks. Each tributary shows distinct Sr isotope signatures due to different rock types and ages. These isotopic and elemental compositions provide important information on weathering source and erosion budget.     

Chemical and mineralogical composition of marine sediments, and relation to their source and transport, Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Australia

The Gulf of Carpentaria is an epicontinental sea, deeply indented in the north of the Australian continent. A selection of 100 samples of the surficial marine sediments collected on a regional grid were analysed for major chemical elements and mineral phases using wet chemistry, X-ray diffraction, optical and electronic microscopy.The surficial sediments of the Gulf are highly heterogenous and consist of both young and relict mineral and carbonate components. The terrigenous fraction is fluvial in origin and consists mainly of quartz (16–68%), minor feldspars (0–9%) and traces of siderite. The clay species determined include kaolinite, mixed layers of smectite–illite and illite; clays range up to 15% and do not present a clear pattern of distribution. Biologically productive areas of the Gulf, mainly in shallower parts, supply the carbonate component of the sediment. The carbonate material is comprised of aragonite (7–30%), low-Mg (5–30%) and high-Mg calcite (7–28%), and has variable degrees of alteration caused by sediment transport and/or diagenesis. Such processes are partly reflected in the regional distribution of mineral and chemical components throughout the Gulf. The interpretation of the data set was further refined by cluster analysis (Ward's method), which separated eight clusters (provinces) of sedimentary material. The eastern side appears to be the main source of both terrigenous and carbonate sediment, which is inferred to be transported clockwise. During this dispersion, physicochemical and mineralogical changes take place; the sediments become finer grained and characterised by more stable species of carbonates. As a consequence, the center and the northwest sections are clay-rich and contain dominantly low-Mg calcite.Ooids are relict components that have been identified in areas in which they were not mentioned by previous studies, notably in the southeast. These carbonate particles consist of concentric layers of aragonite deposited around a nucleus of angular quartz, most likely of fluvial origin.This study indicates a complex history over a short time frame with sediment supply, biological production and current patterns being the main factors that control the sediment character and its regional distribution within the Gulf.     

Glacial–interglacial changes in the accumulation rates of major biogenic components in Southern Indian Ocean sediments

In this study we compare major biogenic components (opal-A, carbonate, and organic carbon) and authigenic uranium accumulation rates from the southeastern Indian Ocean for both Holocene and glacial periods. Integrated accumulation rates across the whole Indian sector of the Southern Ocean indicate that the burial of organic carbon which is held approximately constant, contrasts with lower biogenic silica and carbonate burial rates during glacial intervals. In addition, higher glacial accumulation rates of authigenic uranium are found in the sediments of the Polar Front Zone (PFZ) and the Sub-Antarctic zone (SAZ) than anywhere in the modern Southern Ocean. This suggests more reducing conditions in the PFZ and SAZ during the last glacial maximum. The simplest explanation of a northward shift of the PFZ cannot explain such changes. Glacial sediment burial changes result probably from deep water decrease in oxygen levels and increase in CO₂ due to combination of two processes: (1) hydrologic changes and (2) continuous organic carbon export fluxes to the seafloor. Such shifts in chemical conditions could have enhanced the dissolution of carbonates and better preserved the organic carbon in sediments, leading in significant changes of biogenic silica/C_org and CaCO₃/C_org flux ratios.     

长江河口主要汊道水流挟沙能力分析

在分析长江河口水文泥沙特性的基础上,统计了河口南北支、南北港等汊道河段的悬沙中值粒径值。结果表明,长江河口悬沙较细,悬沙中值粒径变化范围不大,在0.006~0.014 mm之间,在大中小潮过程中各个汊道河段的变化也不大,其中值粒径平均约为0.008 mm。同时从单向水流的挟沙能力出发,引入背景含沙量,对长江口的水流挟沙能力关系进行了探讨。在此基础上,结合数值积分的处理方法及枚举法,对样本数据作物理意义上的涨、落半潮积分平均的处理,并进一步以此推求了长江口南北支、南北港等主要汊道河段的水流挟沙能力。     

深海采矿平台矿物入舱自动布载

本文采用离散元方法结合放大颗粒,针对深海采矿平台矿物入舱自动布载方案进行了模拟仿真。为保证舱内矿物最终堆积形态和实际工况相似,利用墙角倾倒法对两种不同尺寸的矿物参数进行了标定。采用Johnson-Kenda1l-Roberts 理论的Hertz-Mindlin接触模型计算颗粒与颗粒、颗粒与几何体之间的碰撞关系。基于仿真计算结果,分析了不同颗粒大小和舱摇摆运动下矿物堆积的形态和堆积密度的变化。采用布料设备可方便实现舱内全方位自动布料,并提高布料效率和舱容率。     

Air pollution history elucidated from anthropogenic spherules and their magnetic signatures in marine sediments offshore of Southwestern Taiwan

Kaohsiung City and its neighborhood in the southwestern coastal plain of Taiwan have suffered serious air pollution since the region became the largest center for heavy-industry on the island. In order to unravel the air pollution history of the region, four ²¹⁰Pb- and ¹³⁷Cs-dated sediment box cores recovered in 2006 from offshore of this area were chosen for magnetic and petrographic analyses. The data were used to distinguish changes in concentration, composition and grain size of magnetic particles in the sediments due to inputs of anthropogenic magnetic spherules. Sedimentation rates have been reasonably constant for the last one hundred years, except at the core tops which were affected by a turbidite layer induced by a typhoon in 2005. Down-core profiles of mass-specific magnetic susceptibility (χ) and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) are similar among the cores, and reflect similar trends to magnetic spherule counts. This reveals that χ and SIRM of modern marine sediments can be used as air pollution indicators for nearby industrialized upwind areas. The studied record indicates that industrialization of the area was gradual during 1950–1980 and boomed afterward, resulting in a high production of airborne magnetic spherules, which is consistent with evidence for poor air quality at that time. Optical and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) surveys of magnetic extracts indicate that the magnetic spherules have grain sizes ranging from a few micrometers up to 50 μm and consist mainly of iron oxides with variable Si, Al, and Ca contents. X-ray diffraction analysis on magnetic extracts from different depths in the cores further indicates that magnetite and pyrrhotite, which are derived from terrigenous detritus, form the magnetic constituents of the sediments before the area was industrialized. In contrast, during the industrial boom, anthropogenic magnetite and hematite spherules became the dominant magnetic particles in the sediments. Down-core profiles of hard isothermal remanent magnetization (HIRM) below the turbidite layer also reveal similar trends to the corresponding magnetic spherule counts, which indicate that the concentration of hematite in the sediments is also closely related to the extent of air pollution. In addition, relatively low values of χ_ARM/χ, which are indicative of coarse magnetic grains, started to occur when large magnetite spherules became significant during the industrialized period. The air pollution history elucidated from our sediment core data not only reflects the development of Kaohsiung from a small village to a highly industrialized metropolitan area in the 20th century, but it is also consistent with the most recent air pollution trends revealed by real time air quality measurements of PM₁₀. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of magnetic parameters for delineating the air pollution history of coastal marine sediments down-wind of nearby industrialized regions.     

泥沙粒度对航道回淤的指示——以丹东港出海航道为例

根据鸭绿江河口西水道水流、悬浮泥沙和底质粒度特征的分析,研究丹东港出海航道泥沙淤积的动力机制以及泥沙粒度对回淤的指示作用。分析表明,海域来沙为西水道的主要泥沙来源,泥沙运动以“波浪掀沙、潮流输沙”为主要特征;悬沙和底质粒度对比表明,上航道和中航道段航道回淤以悬沙落淤为主,下航道和外航道段航道回淤以底沙推移为主。航道回淤泥沙作为泥沙运动的“指示剂”,能够较好地揭示航道回淤的机理;采用刘家驹悬沙淤积模式和罗肇森底沙输移模式相结合的方法,估算丹东港大东港区20万吨级航道回淤量为679万m,,与物理模型试验结果较为接近,上述分析方法和公式可适用于砂质海岸航道回淤计算,也为类似航道回淤研究提供了重要的参考和借鉴。     

连云港徐圩海域海岸性质研究

研究了连云港徐圩海域底质的粒径特征和泥沙水力特性,并与连云港主港区、天津港和黄骅港等港口进行对比,研究了不同海岸类型在底质的粒径特征和泥沙水力特性的差异,指出泥沙颗粒黏性影响泥沙水力特性、泥沙水力特性决定海岸性质,给出了海岸性质分类的改进意见,在此基础上确定了徐圩海域海岸性质.     

船用TA2钛合金晶粒尺寸的超声声速评定

通过对超声纵波声速的测量来评定船用TA2钛合金的平均晶粒尺寸。采用热处理改变了TA2合金试样的晶粒尺寸。实验结果表明,用5P14Z探头测得的纵波声速与晶粒尺寸之间有很好的线性关系。与奥氏体不锈钢、低碳钢等材料不同,随着TA2合金试样晶粒尺寸的增大,纵波声速增大。利用在超声纵波声速和金相测定的晶粒尺寸之间建立的关系图,能够无损评价TA2合金的晶粒尺寸。     

泥沙模型的粒径相似比尺问题

运用相似理论对泥沙模型的粒径比尺进行了分析,提出了推移质、悬移质和全沙模型泥沙粒径相似条件;给出了包括细沙在内的泥沙起动粒径比尺的统一计算式和适用不同流区的悬沙粒径比尺的统一计算式;指出模型砂的起动流速不等于模型的起动流速,需进行比尺效应修正。     

The effect of resuspension on chemical exchanges at the sediment-water interface in the deep sea — A modelling and natural radiotracer approach

We review the processes responsible for the formation of vertical gradients in the chemical composition of suspended particles across the benthic nepheloid layer. Such gradients have usually explained by resuspension of surface sediments, but it is shown here that these gradients can only be understood as part of a dynamic exchange between the water column and the sediments. A coupled model, developed in a companion paper, is expanded to include chemical reactions above and below the sediment-water interface. Three cases are discussed: A tracer with first-order decay (Model 1), the dissolution of a major constituent (Model 2), and a particle-reactive tracer with first-order decay and production in the water column (Model 3). Using typical parameter values for a well-developed benthic nepheloid layer, the three models reproduce typical distributions of C_org (organic carbon), opal, and ²³⁴Th, respectively, on particles above and below the sediment-water interface. Sensitivity analyses illustrate how bioturbation can cause the large discrepancy observed between suspended and surface sediment C_org values (Model 1). The model also reconciles this observed discrepancy with observations that the major part of the decomposition takes place within the sediment. For opal (Model 2), the influence of resuspension on the burial rate of opal is shown to be negligible, as long as dissolution follows first-order kinetics and is not enhanced by turbulence in the suspended phase. The modelling of ²³⁴Th (Model 3) successfully links the depletion of ²³⁴Th in bottom waters with the distribution of excess ²³⁴Th in surface sediments and on resuspended particles.²³⁴Th is a powerful example of the tools supplied by the radioactive daughters of the natural U and Th decay series in studying fluxes and exchange rates of solutes and particles across the sediment-water interface. A short review is given of these tools, and it is shown how they can be used to obtain rate information required to apply and calibrate specific resuspension models.     

Biochemical composition of marine sediment from the eastern Weddell Sea (Antarctica): High nutritive value in a high benthic-biomass environment

Within the SCAR's international EASIZ programme, as part of the benthic–pelagic coupling experiment, grain size and organic matter contents in marine surface sediment were measured. Samples were taken during the austral autumn of 2000 from 3 regions in the eastern Weddell Sea: Kapp Norvegia, Four Seasons Bank, and Austasen.In general, sediments were fine sand with a grain size fraction < 200 μm representing more than 40% of the total weight. The sediments from Four Seasons Bank (64 to 107 m depth) were coarser than those from Austasen and Kapp Norvegia (209 to 480 m depth), presumably due to winnowing of fine sediment at shallow depths. Organic carbon (OC) content ranged from 0.25% to 1.2% and constituted 10% to 97% of the total carbon. The samples from Kapp Norvegia presented the highest OC values. Overall, protein (PRT), lipid (LPD), and carbohydrate (CHO) contents were similar to those in sediment from cold regions (e.g., the North Atlantic and the Ross Sea) but higher than those in sediment from other Antarctic and more septentrional regions (e.g., the Ross Sea and the Mediterranean). The difference within the Antarctic is explained through the local conditions in Terra Nova Bay and Kapp Norvegia. In the Antarctic, PRT and LPD carbon were the main contributors to the biopolymeric carbon (BPC). In the eastern Weddell Sea shelf, the BPC accounted for more than 90% of the OC in most of the samples. More than 82% of the total PRT, LPD, and CHO were present in the fraction < 200 μm. This work remarks the existence of sediments with a high nutritional value persistent several weeks after the spring–summer pulse of fresh organic matter. It is also highlighted the high potential availability of these sediments (due to its grain size) for the benthic communities inhabiting this high-latitude continental shelf.     

An elastic-plastic iceberg material model considering temperature gradient effects and its application to numerical study

To simulate the FPSO-iceberg collision process more accurately, an elastic-plastic iceberg material model considering temperature gradient effects is proposed and applied. The model behaves linearly elastic until it reaches the ‘Tsai-Wu’ yield surfaces, which are a series of concentric elliptical curves of different sizes. Decreasing temperature results in a large yield surface. Failure criteria, based on the influence of accumulated plastic strain and hydrostatic pressure, are built into the model. Based on published experimental data on the relationship between depth and temperature in icebergs, three typical iceberg temperature profiles are proposed. According to these, ice elements located at different depths have different temperatures. The model is incorporated into LS-DYNA using a user-defined subroutine and applied to a simulation of FPSO collisions with different types of iceberg. Simulated area-pressure curves are compared with design codes to validate the iceberg model. The influence of iceberg shape and temperature on the collision process is analyzed. It is indicated that FPSO structural damage not only depends on the relative strength between the iceberg and the structure, but also depends on the local shape of the iceberg.     

Modeling Potential Impacts of Beach Replenishment on Horseshoe Crab Nesting Habitat Suitability

Beach replenishment has been proposed to increase nesting habitat for horseshoe crabs, but its environmental consequences may compromise the egg development and viability of this declining species. Horseshoe crab habitat requirements were used to build a habitat suitability model in STELLA to predict the potential impacts of beach replenishment on horseshoe crab eggs. A habitat suitability index (H.S.I.) comprised of six variables (dissolved oxygen, sediment grain size, sand temperature, sand moisture, wave energy, and salinity) was developed and compared between replenished and natural beaches. Sediment grain size and dissolved oxygen were higher in the natural beach, whereas sand temperature and moisture were higher in the replenished beach, resulting in significantly higher suitability of the natural beach (p = 5.39 × 10^?15, df = 30). The model was most sensitive to air temperature, rainfall, tide, and sediment grain size. This model is useful for understanding the processes affecting horseshoe crabs and predicting impacts of coastal management activities on habitat suitability. Based on the results of this model, beach replenishment is not recommended for increasing or improving horseshoe crab habitat, unless care is taken to match fill sediment to natural grain size and color.     

北江白石窑枢纽坝下航道稳定性初步分析

白石窑枢纽位于北江中游,下游紧邻飞来峡枢纽,且受其回水影响,坝下河段水流条件十分复杂。因此采用河工模型进行研究,且验证满足相似性要求。通过对研究河段进行河床演变分析,根据定床试验结果,从整治线走向与水流动力轴线、航槽轴线与主流夹角、整治前后流速、比降变化及输沙能力等方面初步分析其航道稳定性。基于动床试验得挖槽回淤量分布,提出保持航道稳定的建议。     

水中兵器用复合材料的研究

颗粒增强复基复合材料具有优异的机械性能和物理性能，是制造水中兵器零部件理想的材料。本文综合评述颗粒增强铝基复合材料的各种制备方法和有关性能，介绍颗粒增强铝基复合材料在一些领域的应用情况。     

基于颗粒流理论的深海沉积物土力学特性研究

深海沉积物剪切与承载特性是决定深海采矿车行走稳定性重要参数。分析深海沉积物的物理力学性质, 基于颗粒流理论，建立了具有高孔隙比、高含水率和长条状等特性的深海沉积物颗粒流模型。开展不同深度下的十字板剪切和静力触探的数值模拟，获得了深海沉积物剪切应力-转角及贯入阻力-深度曲线，初步阐明深海沉积物剪切与贯入细观破坏机理。研究表明，深海沉积物的剪切应力-转角及贯入阻力-深度的模拟曲线与原位测试曲线吻合，验证了深海沉积物颗粒流模型及数值模拟方法的正确性。深海沉积物的剪切与贯入破坏形式主要为沉积物颗粒的挤压破坏，且应力集中于触地边缘。