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Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation...
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Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins

A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Geological Oceanography".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2024) | Viewed by 13196

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Entao Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Hubei Key Laboratory of Marine Geological Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: marine geology; sedimentology; South China Sea
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Qiangtai Huang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: tectonic evolution of oceanic lithosphere; basin sedimentation and hydrocarbon accumulation in deep water area of the South China Sea
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jiangong Wei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
MLR Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources, Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou 510075, China
Interests: natural gas hydrate (NGH); marine geology and geophysics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Pacific Ocean, the largest and deepest ocean on our planet, holds pivotal importance for marine geology and oceanography studies. We are pleased to invite researchers and scholars to contribute to a comprehensive and enlightening compilation of recent advancements and breakthroughs in the field of geological oceanography and ocean observation, specifically focusing on the Pacific Ocean and its marginal basins. This forthcoming research album aims to highlight the latest findings, methodologies, and applications in the study of geological features, processes, and observations within this vast marine realm. It seeks to explore the dynamic nature and mineral resources (e.g., oil, gas, gas hydrate) of the Pacific Ocean and its marginal seas through sedimentology, geochemistry, geophysics, marine biology, and oceanography. Join us in exploring and discussing recent developments and advances in geological oceanography and ocean observation in the Pacific Ocean and its marginal basins. This collaborative effort will undoubtedly contribute to expanding our knowledge base and shaping the future of scientific research in marine geology and oceanography.

Potential topics of interest for paper submissions may include, but are certainly not limited to:

  1. Tectonic evolution and sedimentary evolution in the Pacific Ocean and its marginal basins.
  2. Exploration of hydrocarbon resources (e.g., oil, gas, gas hydrate) and mineral resources (manganese nodules) in the Pacific Ocean and its marginal basins.
  3. Submarine volcanic and hydrothermal activities in the Pacific Ocean and its marginal basins.
  4. Sedimentation, provenance analysis and depositional processes in the Pacific Ocean and its marginal basins.
  5. Advances in petroleum exploration and development technology, drilling technology and rock deformation.
  6. Advances in ocean observation techniques, including autonomous vehicles and remote sensing technologies.
  7. Climate change impacts and implications for the Pacific Ocean and its surrounding regions.
  8. Marine chemistry and biogeochemical cycles in the Pacific Ocean.
  9. Studies on the paleoceanography of the Pacific Ocean and its implications for future climate scenarios.

We encourage researchers, academicians, and professionals in the field to submit original research papers, reviews, or case studies that contribute to our understanding of the geological oceanography and ocean observation in the Pacific Ocean and its marginal basins. Additionally, we welcome interdisciplinary studies that integrate various scientific disciplines to gain a holistic perspective of this unique marine ecosystem.

Dr. Entao Liu
Dr. Qiangtai Huang
Dr. Jiangong Wei
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sedimentary evolution
  • hydrocarbon exploration
  • tectonic evolution
  • ocean observation
  • marine chemistry
  • pacific Ocean
  • oil and gas exploration

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 11301 KiB  
Article
Application of Multiple Geophysical Exploration Methods in the Exploration of Marine Sand Resources in the Northern Offshore Waters of the South China Sea
by Gang Yu, Xichong Hu, Jie Fang, Ying Yang, Yongcong Zhang, Jinhui Lin, Jingyi Liu and Libing Qian
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(9), 1561; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12091561 - 5 Sep 2024
Viewed by 469
Abstract
Marine sand, in addition to oil and gas resources, is the second-largest marine mineral resource. The rational development and utilization of marine sand resources are conducive to the growth of the marine economy. In the process of marketing marine sand in China, local [...] Read more.
Marine sand, in addition to oil and gas resources, is the second-largest marine mineral resource. The rational development and utilization of marine sand resources are conducive to the growth of the marine economy. In the process of marketing marine sand in China, local authorities are required to delineate auctioned sand mining areas after a general survey, commonly referred to as preliminary exploration. Marine sand can be categorized into surface marine sand and buried marine sand. Buried marine sand deposits are buried beneath the sea floor, making it challenging to locate them due to their thin thickness. Consequently, there exist numerous technical difficulties associated with marine sand exploration. We conducted the preliminary research work in the waters off Guangdong Province of the South China Sea, employing a reduced drilling and identifying a potentially extensive deposit of marine sand ore. In this study, various geophysical methods such as sub-bottom profile survey, single-channel seismic survey, and drilling engineering were employed in the northern offshore waters of the South China Sea. As a result, two distinct marine sand bodies were delineated within the study area. Additionally, five reflective interfaces (R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5) were identified from top to bottom. These interfaces can be divided into five seismic sequences: A1, B1, C1, D1, and E1, respectively. Three sets of strata were recognized: the Holocene Marine facies sediment layer (Q4m), the Pleistocene alluvial and pluvial facies sediment layer (Q3al+pl), as well as the Pleistocene Marine facies sedimentary layer (Q3m). In total, two placers containing marine sand have been discovered during this study. We estimated the volume of marine sand and achieved highly favorable results of the concept that we are proposing a geologic exploration approach that does not involve any previous outcropping analogue study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins)
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16 pages, 17648 KiB  
Article
Paleogeomorphology Restoration of Post-Rift Basin: Volcanic Activity and Differential Subsidence Influence in Xihu Sag, East China Sea
by Xiongbiao Yu, Qianghu Liu, Hongtao Zhu, Zhiyao Li, Lanzhi Qin and Donghao Xu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(9), 1542; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12091542 - 4 Sep 2024
Viewed by 537
Abstract
In post-rift basins, the thickness center, fine-grained deposit center, and subsidence center rarely converge. Clearing the three centers with the thickest center is difficult. In the Huangyan district of Xihu Sag, the East China Sea Shelf Basin, an Oligocene post-rift basin beneath major [...] Read more.
In post-rift basins, the thickness center, fine-grained deposit center, and subsidence center rarely converge. Clearing the three centers with the thickest center is difficult. In the Huangyan district of Xihu Sag, the East China Sea Shelf Basin, an Oligocene post-rift basin beneath major potential igneous provinces, has inconsistent thickness and composition. Analysis of core samples, drilling, and 3D seismic data corroborated this finding. This means that the formation thickness center does not match the lithology center, which indicates water depth. Gravity and magnetic measurements in the studied region show that significant magmatic activity is responsible for the difference between the center of thickness and the fine-grained deposit. Thermal sinking must be restored to fix this. Therefore, we propose (1) recreating the early Oligocene residual geomorphology in Huangyan using 3D seismic data. (2) Software computing quantitative subsidence. (3) Paleogeomorphology is verified by normal and trace element paleowater depths. (4) Reconstruct the paleogeomorphology and analyze how volcanic activity affected them and the three centers in the basin formed after tectonic plates separated. A shallow water delta and thermal subsidence show that magmatic activity is persistent in the north. With less thermal subsidence and deeper water, the southern area features a shallow lake sedimentary system. The thickness and fine-grained deposition centers were in the north and south, respectively. Geophysical and geological methods were used to reproduce the post-rift paleogeomorphology shaped by magmatic processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins)
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17 pages, 6415 KiB  
Article
Impact of Pore Structure on Seepage Capacity in Tight Reservoir Intervals in Shahejie Formation, Bohai Bay Basin
by Shaogong Zhu, Yudong Cao, Qiangtai Huang, Haotong Yu, Weiyan Chen, Yujie Zhong and Wenchao Chen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(9), 1496; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12091496 - 29 Aug 2024
Viewed by 566
Abstract
The exploration and development of conventional oil and gas resources are becoming more difficult, and the proportion of low-permeability reservoirs in newly discovered reservoir resources has expanded to 45%. As the main focus of the oil industry, the global average recovery rate of [...] Read more.
The exploration and development of conventional oil and gas resources are becoming more difficult, and the proportion of low-permeability reservoirs in newly discovered reservoir resources has expanded to 45%. As the main focus of the oil industry, the global average recovery rate of low-permeability reservoir resources is only 20%, and most crude oil is still unavailable, so our understanding of such reservoirs needs to be deepened. The microscopic pore structure of low-permeability reservoir rocks exhibits significant complexity and variability; reservoir evaluation is more difficult. For elucidating the internal distribution of storage space and the mechanisms influencing seepage, we focus on the low-permeability sandstone reservoir of the Shahejie Formation, located on the northern slope of the Chenjiazhuang uplift, Bohai Bay. Employing a suite of advanced analytical techniques, including helium expansion, pressure pulse, high-pressure mercury intrusion (HPMI), and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning, we examined the main pore–throat size affecting reservoir storage and seepage in the reservoir at both the micrometer and nanometer scales. The results reveal that pores with diameters exceeding 40 μm are sparsely developed within the low-permeability reservoir rocks of the study area. However, pores ranging from 0 to 20 μm predominate, exhibiting an uneven distribution and a clustered structure in the three-dimensional pore structure model. The pore volume showed a unimodal and bimodal distribution, thus significantly contributing to the storage space. The main sizes of the reservoir in this study area are 40–80 μm and 200–400 μm. Micron-sized pores, while present, are not the primary determinants of the reservoir’s seepage capacity. Instead, coarser submicron and nano-pores exert a more substantial influence on the permeability of the rock. Additionally, the presence of micro-fractures is found to enhance the reservoir’s seepage capacity markedly. The critical pore–throat size range impacting the permeability of the reservoir in the study area is identified to be between 0.025 and 0.4 μm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins)
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26 pages, 13313 KiB  
Article
Diagenetic Evolution of Syngenetic Volcanogenic Sediment and Their Influence on Sandstone Reservoir: A Case Study in the Southern Huizhou Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin, Northern South China Sea
by Jiahao Chen, Hongtao Zhu, Guangrong Peng, Lin Ding, Zhiwei Zeng, Wei Wang, Wenfang Tao and Fengjuan Zhou
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(8), 1459; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081459 - 22 Aug 2024
Viewed by 666
Abstract
The Paleogene sandstone reservoir of Huizhou Sag is an important target for deep exploration in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea. Because of the intense volcanic activity, it had a significant impact on the development of reservoirs, making it hard to [...] Read more.
The Paleogene sandstone reservoir of Huizhou Sag is an important target for deep exploration in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea. Because of the intense volcanic activity, it had a significant impact on the development of reservoirs, making it hard to predict. The diagenetic process of volcanogenic sediment and their influence of the reservoir have been studied by petrographic analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Four types of volcanogenic sediment were identified: volcanic dust (<0.05 mm), volcanic rock fragments, crystal fragments (quartz and feldspar) and vitric fragments. The strong tectonic and volcanic activity of the Wenchang Formation resulted in a high content of volcanic materials, which led to significant reservoir compaction. The main sedimentary facies types are fan delta facies and lacustrine facies; the thick lacustrine mudstone can be used as high-quality source rock. After the source rock of the Wenchang Formation matured and discharged acids, feldspar and rock fragments dissolved to form dissolution pores, which effectively increases the porosity of the reservoir, but the argillaceous matrix and clay minerals produced by the volcanic dust alteration would reduce the permeability of the reservoir. With the weaker tectonic activity of the Enping Formation, the sedimentary facies changed into braided river delta, resulting in the greater componential maturity of the reservoir. Due to the relatively small impact of acidic fluids on the reservoir, the pore types of the reservoir are mainly primary pores with good physical properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins)
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29 pages, 70114 KiB  
Article
Opening and Closure of the Sulu Sea: Revealed by Its Peripheral Subduction and Collision Processes
by Yunliu Yang, Xinong Xie, Yunlong He and Hao Chen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(8), 1456; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081456 - 22 Aug 2024
Viewed by 888
Abstract
The Sulu Sea is a small marginal sea in the western Pacific, but it is a very complex and tectonically active region, situated amidst the convergence of the Eurasian, Pacific, and India-Australian plates. Deciphering its geodynamic evolution is crucial, but our understanding of [...] Read more.
The Sulu Sea is a small marginal sea in the western Pacific, but it is a very complex and tectonically active region, situated amidst the convergence of the Eurasian, Pacific, and India-Australian plates. Deciphering its geodynamic evolution is crucial, but our understanding of its opening, closure, and tectonic history remains inadequate. The main aim of this study was to systematically study the opening and subsequent closure of the Sulu Sea though discerning tectonic unconformities, structural features, and subduction-collision tectonic zones around margins of the sea. The interpreted sections and gravity anomaly data indicate that the NE Sulu Sea has undergone Neogene extension and contraction due to subduction and collision along the northern margins of the Sulu Sea, whereas the SE Sulu Sea gradually extended from northwest to southeast during the Middle Miocene and has subsequently subducted since the Middle Miocene along the southeastern margins of the Sulu Sea. Several subduction and collision boundaries with different characteristics were developed including continent-continent collision, arc-continent collision, and ocean-arc subduction. The different margins of the Sulu Sea showed distinct asynchronous subduction and collision processes. The northern margins of the Sulu Sea can be divided into three subduction-collision tectonic zones from west to east: the Sabah-Nansha block collision has occurred in NE Borneo since the Early Miocene, followed by the SW Palawan-Cagayan arc collision in SW Palawan Island since the Middle Miocene, and the NW Palawan-Mindoro arc collision since the Late Miocene with further oblique subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate. The southeastern margins can also be divided into two subduction tectonic zones from south to east: the SE Sulu Sea has subducted southward beneath the Celebes Sea since the Middle Miocene, followed by the southeastward subduction beneath the Philippine Sea Plate since the Pliocene. Since the Miocene, the interactions among the Australia-India, the Philippine Sea, and the Eurasian plates have formed the circum-Sulu Sea subduction-collisional margins characterized by microplate collisions, deep-sea trough development, and thick sediments filling in the orogenic foreland. This study is significant for gaining insights into the opening and closure of marginal seas and the dynamics of multiple microplates in Southeast Asia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins)
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22 pages, 36164 KiB  
Article
Development of an Extensional Fault System and Its Control on Syn-Rift Sedimentation: Insights from 3D Seismic Interpretation of the Weixinan Depression, Northern South China Sea
by Jie He, Chunyu Qin, Yuantao Liao, Tao Jiang, Entao Liu, Si Chen and Hua Wang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(8), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081392 - 14 Aug 2024
Viewed by 582
Abstract
The impacts of the growth and linkage of fault segments on sedimentation in a lacustrine rift basin, the Weixinan Depression, the Beibuwan Basin, in the northern South China Sea, which has been demonstrated to have huge petroleum potential, are elucidated on the basis [...] Read more.
The impacts of the growth and linkage of fault segments on sedimentation in a lacustrine rift basin, the Weixinan Depression, the Beibuwan Basin, in the northern South China Sea, which has been demonstrated to have huge petroleum potential, are elucidated on the basis of well-constrained 3D seismic data. Two main fault systems, the No. 1 boundary fault system and the No. 2 fault system, were developed in the Weixinan Depression. The evolution of the lower basement is based on the No. 1 fault system, which controls the distribution of depocenters (ranging from 450–800 m) within the lower structural layer. It includes the five fault segments isolated at the initial stage, the interaction and propagation stage, the linkage stage, and the decline stage. The No. 2 fault system governs the deposition of the upper structural layer with a series of discrete depocenters in the hangingwall. Initially, it comprises several right-order echelon branching faults. Each branch fault rapidly reached the existing length and maintained a constant length while establishing soft links with each other in the subsequent displacement accrual. The development of topographic slopes, transition zones, transverse anticlines, and related fault troughs and gullies related to the activity of the No. 1 boundary fault system is the main controlling factor that induces the differential development of the western, middle, and eastern sections of steep slope fans. The differential subsidence effect along the No. 2 fault system is responsible for the multiple ‘rising-stable’ stage changes in the relative lake level during the development of axial delta deposits. This study will help elucidate the different controls of extensional fault systems on associated sedimentation, as well as rift basin development in the South China Sea and similar areas throughout the world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins)
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17 pages, 72980 KiB  
Article
Exploring Fault Geometry and Holocene Deformation of the Littoral Fault Zone within the Seismic Gap South of Greater Bay Area, China
by Xiangming Dai, Zhigang Li, Litian Hu, Peizhen Zhang, Xiaoqiang Yang, Rafael Almeida and Guanhua Li
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(8), 1350; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081350 - 8 Aug 2024
Viewed by 889
Abstract
Over the past 424 years, the Littoral Fault Zone (LFZ), located offshore of the South China coast, has experienced four destructive earthquakes (M ≥ 7). These events have resulted in an approximately 700 km seismic gap centered on the Greater Bay Area of [...] Read more.
Over the past 424 years, the Littoral Fault Zone (LFZ), located offshore of the South China coast, has experienced four destructive earthquakes (M ≥ 7). These events have resulted in an approximately 700 km seismic gap centered on the Greater Bay Area of China, home to over 70 million people. Despite previous studies on deeper crustal structures and geodynamic processes, the shallow structural architecture and recent tectonic activity of the LFZ within the seismic gap remain poorly understood due to limited offshore geophysical investigations. Here, we present new offshore geophysical data to explore the shallow crustal architecture and Holocene activity of the LFZ within this seismic gap. Multichannel seismic data reveal that the LFZ comprises a high-angle listric main normal fault along with several secondary normal faults. The main fault trends northeast and dips southeast in the shallow crustal architecture, serving as the basin-controlling fault in the north of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, with accumulated displacements ranging from 1.5 to 1.8 km. Furthermore, analysis of single-channel seismic data, and 14C dating results from the borehole, indicate that the most recent movement of the main fault occurred within the last ~10,000 years, with minimum vertical offsets of 1.2 m. Based on these findings, we emphasize the LFZ’s potential to generate a significant earthquake, estimated at Mw 7.0–7.5, within the inferred seismic gap. Our study highlights the potential earthquake hazard posed by the LFZ to the Greater Bay Area of China, while also providing valuable insights for the assessment of active submarine faults worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins)
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26 pages, 21625 KiB  
Article
Mid-Deep Circulation in the Western South China Sea and the Impacts of the Central Depression Belt and Complex Topography
by Hongtao Mai, Dongxiao Wang, Hui Chen, Chunhua Qiu, Hongzhou Xu, Xuekun Shang and Wenyan Zhang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(5), 700; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12050700 - 24 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1401
Abstract
As a key component of meridional overturning circulation, mid-deep circulation plays a crucial role in the vertical and meridional distribution of heat. However, due to a lack of observation data, current knowledge of the dynamics of mid-deep circulation currents moving through basin boundaries [...] Read more.
As a key component of meridional overturning circulation, mid-deep circulation plays a crucial role in the vertical and meridional distribution of heat. However, due to a lack of observation data, current knowledge of the dynamics of mid-deep circulation currents moving through basin boundaries and complicated seabed topographies is severely limited. In this study, we combined oceanic observation data, bathymetric data, and numerical modeling of the northwest continental margin of the South China Sea to investigate (i) the main features of mid-deep circulation currents traveling through the central depression belt and (ii) how atmospheric-forcing (winds) mesoscale oceanic processes such as eddies and current–topography interactions modulate the mid-deep circulation patterns. Comprehensive results suggest that the convergence of different water masses and current–topography interactions take primary responsibility for the generation of instability and enhanced mixing within the central depression belt. By contrast, winds and mesoscale eddies have limited influence on the development of local circulation patterns at mid-deep depths (>400 m). This study emphasizes that the intensification and bifurcation of mid-deep circulation; specifically, those induced by a large depression belt morphology determine the local material cycle (temperature, salinity, etc.) and energy distribution. These findings provide insights for a better understanding of mid-deep circulation structures on the western boundary of ocean basins such as the South China Sea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins)
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22 pages, 18659 KiB  
Article
Astronomical Time Scale of the Late Pleistocene in the Northern South China Sea Based on Carbonate Deposition Record
by Chunhui Zhang, Wanyi Zhang, Chengjun Zhang, Liwei Zheng, Shiyi Yan, Yuanhao Ma and Wei Dang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(3), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12030438 - 1 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1567
Abstract
Variations in solar insolation caused by changes in the Earth’s orbit—specifically its eccentricity, obliquity, and precession—can leave discernible marks on the geologic record. Astrochronology leverages these markers to establish a direct connection between chronological measurements and different facets of climate change as recorded [...] Read more.
Variations in solar insolation caused by changes in the Earth’s orbit—specifically its eccentricity, obliquity, and precession—can leave discernible marks on the geologic record. Astrochronology leverages these markers to establish a direct connection between chronological measurements and different facets of climate change as recorded in marine sediments. This approach offers a unique window into the Earth’s climate system and the construction of high-resolution, continuous time scales. Our study involves comprehensive bulk carbonate analyses of 390 discrete samples from core SCS1, which was retrieved from the deep-sea floor of the northern South China Sea. By utilizing carbonate stratigraphic data, we have developed a carbonate stratigraphic age model. This was achieved by aligning the carbonate sequence from core SCS1 with the established carbonate standard stratigraphic time scale of the South China Sea. Subsequently, we construct an astronomically tuned time scale based on this age model. Our findings indicate that sediment records in this core have been predominantly influenced by a 20,000-year cycle (precession cycle) throughout the Late Pleistocene. We have developed an astronomical time scale extending back approximately 110,000 years from the present, with a resolution of 280 years, by tuning the carbonate record to the precession curve. Time-domain spectral analysis of the tuned carbonate time series, alongside the consistent comparability of the early Holocene low-carbonate event (11–8 kyr), underscores the reliability of our astronomical time scale. Our age model exposes intricate variations in carbonate deposition, epitomizing a typical “Pacific-type” carbonate cycle. Previous research has illustrated that precession forcing predominantly influences productivity changes in the South China Sea. The pronounced precession-related cycle observed in our record suggests that changes in productivity significantly impact carbonate content in the area under study. Furthermore, the clear precession period identified in the carbonate record of core SCS1 reflects the response of low-latitude processes to orbital parameters, implying that carbonate deposition and preservation in core SCS1 are chiefly influenced by the interplay between the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the monsoon system within the precession band. Our astronomical time scale is poised to enhance paleoceanographic, paleoclimatic, and correlation studies further. Additionally, the independent evidence we provide for using proxy records for astronomical age calibration of marine sediments lends additional support to similar methods of astronomical tuning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins)
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13 pages, 3497 KiB  
Communication
Review of Asymmetric Seafloor Spreading and Oceanic Ridge Jumps in the South China Sea
by Jiangong Wei, Shuangling Dai, Huai Cheng, Houjin Wang, Pengcheng Wang, Fuyuan Li, Zhiyuan Xie and Rongwei Zhu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(3), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12030408 - 26 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1612
Abstract
Seafloor spreading is an important cornerstone of the theory of plate tectonics. Asymmetric seafloor spreading and oceanic ridge jumps are common phenomena in this process and play important roles in controlling oceanic crust accretion, regional tectonics and geological geometric boundaries. As the largest [...] Read more.
Seafloor spreading is an important cornerstone of the theory of plate tectonics. Asymmetric seafloor spreading and oceanic ridge jumps are common phenomena in this process and play important roles in controlling oceanic crust accretion, regional tectonics and geological geometric boundaries. As the largest marginal sea in the western Pacific, the South China Sea is an ideal laboratory for dissecting the Wilson cycle of small marginal sea-type ocean basins restricted by surrounding blocks and exploring the deep dynamic processes of confined small ocean basins. In recent years, a lot of research has been conducted on the spreading history of the South China Sea and has achieved fruitful results. However, the detailed dynamic mechanisms of asymmetric seafloor spreading and ridge jumps are still unclear. Therefore, this paper summarizes the basic understanding about the dynamic mechanisms of global asymmetric seafloor spreading and ridge jumps and reviews the related research results of asymmetric seafloor spreading and ridge jumps in the South China Sea. Previous studies have basically confirmed that seafloor spreading in the South China Sea started between ~32 and 34 Ma in the east sub-basin and ended at ~15 Ma in the northwest sub-basin, with at least once oceanic ridge jump in the east sub-basin. The current research mainly focuses on the age of the seafloor spreading in the South China Sea and the location, time and stage of the ridge jumps, but there are relatively few studies on high-resolution lithospheric structure across these ridges and the dynamic mechanism of oceanic ridge jumps. Based on the current research progress, we propose that further studies should focus on the lithosphere–asthenosphere scale in the future, suggesting that marine magnetotelluric and Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) surveys should be conducted across the residual oceanic ridges to perform a detailed analysis of the tectonics magmatism in the east sub-basin to gain insights into the dynamic mechanisms of oceanic ridge jumps and asymmetric seafloor spreading, which can promote understanding of the tectonic evolution of the South China Sea and improve the classical plate tectonics theory that was constructed based on the open ocean basins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins)
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22 pages, 8334 KiB  
Article
The Numerical Investigation of Solid–Liquid Two-Phase Flow Characteristics Inside and Outside a Newly Designed 3D Sediment Trap
by Zhihao Xu, Zihang Fei, Yusen Zhu, Cheng Wang, Xiuqing Yang, Lei Guo, Gang Xue and Yanjun Liu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12010016 - 20 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1100
Abstract
Sediment transport serves as a link for material exchange between land and sea. Using sediment traps, we can observe the capture and transport processes of sediments. Based on the sediment particle size distribution characteristics in Jiaozhou Bay, this paper analyzes the influence of [...] Read more.
Sediment transport serves as a link for material exchange between land and sea. Using sediment traps, we can observe the capture and transport processes of sediments. Based on the sediment particle size distribution characteristics in Jiaozhou Bay, this paper analyzes the influence of a newly designed 3D sediment trap on the water–sand two-phase flow process inside and outside a trap device during its operation. Meanwhile, under a certain concentration condition, a numerical formula model is researched and proposed to evaluate the impact of the device’s structure, the environmental flow speed, and the particle size on particle capture efficiency. This model is based on the CFD-DPM coupling in Fluent 2021R1 software, and the particle filtration process is solved using a combination of porous media and UDF functions. Finally, by analyzing the distribution of sediment movement in the fluid domain, two concepts, namely the percentage of particles entering the tube and the effective capture rate, are proposed. Suggestions for optimizing the structure of the trap are put forward to achieve optimal capture effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins)
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22 pages, 12106 KiB  
Article
Paleoenvironmental Evolution and Organic Matter Accumulation in a Hydrocarbon-Bearing Depression in the East China Sea
by Junming Zhan, Entao Liu, Si Chen, Qiyang Zhang, Yuyue Chen, Jialin Zhong, Yongkun Zhou, Peifeng Yang and Yangshuo Jiao
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(12), 2341; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11122341 - 12 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1092
Abstract
Investigating the paleoenvironment and characteristics of source rocks in sedimentary basins is crucial for understanding organic matter accumulation and guiding hydrocarbon exploration. The Lishui Sag, a significant hydrocarbon-bearing depression in the East China Sea, has experienced extensive marine transgression and increasing salinity in [...] Read more.
Investigating the paleoenvironment and characteristics of source rocks in sedimentary basins is crucial for understanding organic matter accumulation and guiding hydrocarbon exploration. The Lishui Sag, a significant hydrocarbon-bearing depression in the East China Sea, has experienced extensive marine transgression and increasing salinity in the Paleocene, but the changes in accumulation factors of organic matter during this evolution process remain unclear. Through a comprehensive analysis of total organic carbon (TOC), major and trace elements, and biomarker data, this study investigates the characteristics of source rocks from two lithostratigraphic units, namely the Paleocene Yueguifeng and Lingfeng formations, to gain deep insight into the effects of paleoenvironment on organic matter accumulation and hydrocarbon distribution. Our results indicate that the Lishui Sag transitioned from a closed lake to an open-marine environment in the Paleocene, with a shift from warm-humid to arid climate conditions. The biomarker distribution suggests a change in the origin of organic matter, with a higher input of terrestrial organic matter in the Lingfeng Formation. During the early stage, the lacustrine source rocks in the lower Yueguifeng Formation were formed in a relatively humid and anoxic environment within brackish water, resulting in a substantial influx of terrestrial and lacustrine algae organic matter. In contrast, in the late stage, the marine source rocks in the overlying Lingfeng Formation were developed in an arid and oxidizing environment. The lacustrine source rocks in the Yueguifeng Formation were notably more favorable to developing good-quality source rocks. Compared with the other regions, the western and northeastern parts of the study area have greater hydrocarbon generation potential due to the wider distribution of high maturity and organic-rich source rocks, with higher terrestrial and algal organic matter input. Moreover, considering the practical circumstances in the exploration, the northeastern part of the Lishui Sag is recommended as the next exploration target zone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments and Advances in Geological Oceanography and Ocean Observation in the Pacific Ocean and Its Marginal Basins)
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