A recent island survey reveals that the Xuande Atoll and the Yongle Atoll in the Xisha Islands can be classified into one of two systems：the depleted atoll system and growth atoll system;the survey also indicates tha...A recent island survey reveals that the Xuande Atoll and the Yongle Atoll in the Xisha Islands can be classified into one of two systems：the depleted atoll system and growth atoll system;the survey also indicates that the decreased area of several shoals is an unbearable burden for the Xisha Islands, of which the largest island area is 2.13 km2 and the minimum elevation is 1.4 m. According to a survey on the ecological characteristics of Halimeda in the Laolongtou breaker zone of Shidao Island in the Xisha Islands, the green and white living Halimeda are collected, the isotopic ages of 14C contained in the Halimeda are shown to be 27 years and 55 years, respectively, and carbonate mainly occurs in five types, i.e., luster, segment, sand, sand grain, and marl in the formation. The Halimeda segments mainly provide the carbonate sediments of long-term biogenic deposits in the reef environment and the annual productivity per area is 60–100 g/m2;the characteristics of the microstructure of the Halimeda are analyzed, the aragonite raphide carbonate is deposited and enriched in the cortexes, medullas and cysts, and the Halimeda generally contain major elements such as C, O, Ca, Cl, Mg, K, Na, S and Al, and are rich in trace elements such as tellurium （Te）, rhodium （Rh） and strontium. It is believed that the Halimeda grow slowly, including the biotic community of reef corals in the reef areas, thus they possess an environmental remediation capacity, but it takes much time to remedy the environment, and it is necessary to make the law to protect the diversity and vulnerability of the Xisha marine ecology, the ecology of the reef community and the island environment in a scientific way. As indicated in the survey, under the background of global warming and sea-level rise, the discovery of large amounts of Halimeda in the Laolongtou sea area is significant for the natural increase of the depleted atoll system of the Xuande Atoll, while the Halimeda segments represent the primary form of the fossil Halimeda, of which the species can be identified and preserved in great numbers under geological conditions. The Miocene was discovered in large amounts in the Xichen-1 well, therefore the study on the characteristics and mechanism of Halimeda carbonate sediments plays a pivotal role in the formation and construction of organic reefs in the South China Sea as well as oil and gas exploration.展开更多
The westem slope of the Okinawa trough has been considered to experience important methane seep activities. Abundant terrigenous sediments supply and widely developed normal faults make this area an ideal place for me...The westem slope of the Okinawa trough has been considered to experience important methane seep activities. Abundant terrigenous sediments supply and widely developed normal faults make this area an ideal place for methane production, methane fluids migration and associated anaerobic oxidation of methane.展开更多
Halimeda is one of the major reef-building algas in the middle Miocene of Xisha, and one of the significant reef-building algas in the algal reef oil and gas field of the South China Sea. However, there have been few ...Halimeda is one of the major reef-building algas in the middle Miocene of Xisha, and one of the significant reef-building algas in the algal reef oil and gas field of the South China Sea. However, there have been few reports regarding the characteristics of mineral rocks, reservoir porosity and permeability layers, and sedimentation-diagenetic-evolution of fossil Halimeda systems. The present paper briefly introduces the relevant studies on chlorophyta Halimeda and the research status of oil and gas exploration. Through the 1 043 m core of the Xichen-1 well, we studied the characteristics of the mineral rocks and porosity and permeability of the middle Miocene Halimeda of the Yongle Atoll, identified and described the segments of fossil Halimeda, and pointed out that most of the segment slides are vertical sections in ovular, irregular or long strips. The overwhelming majority of these fossil Halimeda found and studied are vertical sections instead of cross sections. In this paper, knowledge regarding the cross sections of fossil Halimeda is reported and proven to be similar with the microscopic characteristics of modern living Halimeda;fossil Halimeda are buried in superposition;it is shown that there are different structures present, including typical bio-segment structure, and due to its feature of coexisting with red alga, tying structure, twining structure and encrusting structure are all present;and finally, it is suggested to classify the fossil Halimeda into segment algal reef dolomites. In addition, all of the studied intervals are moderately dolomitized. Secondary microcrystalline-dolosparite dominates the original aragonite raphide zones, and aphanitic-micrite dolomite plays the leading role in the cortexes and medullas;in the aragonite raphide zones between medulla and cysts, secondary dissolved pores and intercrystalline pores are formed inside the segments, and algal frame holes are formed between segments;therefore, a pore space network system （dissolved pores＋intragranular dissolved pores—intercrystalline pores＋algal frame holes） is established. Segment Halimeda dolomite has a porosity of 16.2%–46.1%, a permeability of 0.203×10^–3–2 641×10^–3μm^2, and a throat radius of 23.42–90.43μm, therefore it is shown to be a good oil and gas reservoir. For the reasons mentioned above, we suggest building the neogene organic reef-modern reef sedimentation-diagenetic-evolution models for the Xisha Islands.展开更多
Objective Authigenic pyrite often develops extensively in marine sediments,which is an important product of sulfate reduction in an anoxic environment.It has a specific appearance and complicated sulfur isotopic prope...Objective Authigenic pyrite often develops extensively in marine sediments,which is an important product of sulfate reduction in an anoxic environment.It has a specific appearance and complicated sulfur isotopic properties,and acts as important evidence of methane seep in marine sediments.Strong AOM（anaerobic oxidation of methane）activity has developed in the Okinawa Trough.展开更多
The anaerobic oxidation of methane （AOM） has strongly developed at Core A, Site 79 of the middle Okinawa Trough, East China Sea, and a large amount of authigenic pyrite is preserved in the surface sediment. In this ...The anaerobic oxidation of methane （AOM） has strongly developed at Core A, Site 79 of the middle Okinawa Trough, East China Sea, and a large amount of authigenic pyrite is preserved in the surface sediment. In this study, we analyze the characteristics of the authigenic pyrite and its sulfur isotopic values. The authigenic pyrite is stripy and tubular, and there were foraminifera compartments filled with pyrite. The pyrite is extracted using chromium reduction, and the values of δ348 are found to lie between -41.20‰ and 8.92‰ V-CDT. The bulk pyrite tends to be more enriched in 348 with increasing depth. Particularly, the 834S value of the pyrite lies between -32.73%o and -41.20‰ V-CDT above 278 cmbsf, but it quickly increases below this depth （-21.49%o-8.92‰ V-CDT）. At the same time, the total sulfur content of the pyrite shows an abrupt increase above 100 cmbsf but is otherwise stable between 1.04% and 0.55% below 100 cmbsf. The stable and negative values of 8345 and the decreasing values of total sulfur above 278 cmbsf indicate reduced AOM activities in 17.18-5.3 ka. In addition, the increasing δ34S and pyrite content indicate strong AOM development and methane seep below 278 cmbsf in 18.8-17.18 ka. In particular, the highest positive value of δ34S occurring in 18.78 ka indicates the most intense AOM activity. The shallow sul- fate-methane interface （SMI） and high methane flux below marine sediments also strongly support this activity.展开更多
基金The National Key Science and Technology Special Projects for Giant Oil and Gas Field and Coal Gas of China under contract Nos 2008ZX05023 and 2011ZX05025-002the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 49206061 and 41106064the National Basic Research Program(973 Program) of China under contract No.2012CB956004
文摘A recent island survey reveals that the Xuande Atoll and the Yongle Atoll in the Xisha Islands can be classified into one of two systems：the depleted atoll system and growth atoll system;the survey also indicates that the decreased area of several shoals is an unbearable burden for the Xisha Islands, of which the largest island area is 2.13 km2 and the minimum elevation is 1.4 m. According to a survey on the ecological characteristics of Halimeda in the Laolongtou breaker zone of Shidao Island in the Xisha Islands, the green and white living Halimeda are collected, the isotopic ages of 14C contained in the Halimeda are shown to be 27 years and 55 years, respectively, and carbonate mainly occurs in five types, i.e., luster, segment, sand, sand grain, and marl in the formation. The Halimeda segments mainly provide the carbonate sediments of long-term biogenic deposits in the reef environment and the annual productivity per area is 60–100 g/m2;the characteristics of the microstructure of the Halimeda are analyzed, the aragonite raphide carbonate is deposited and enriched in the cortexes, medullas and cysts, and the Halimeda generally contain major elements such as C, O, Ca, Cl, Mg, K, Na, S and Al, and are rich in trace elements such as tellurium （Te）, rhodium （Rh） and strontium. It is believed that the Halimeda grow slowly, including the biotic community of reef corals in the reef areas, thus they possess an environmental remediation capacity, but it takes much time to remedy the environment, and it is necessary to make the law to protect the diversity and vulnerability of the Xisha marine ecology, the ecology of the reef community and the island environment in a scientific way. As indicated in the survey, under the background of global warming and sea-level rise, the discovery of large amounts of Halimeda in the Laolongtou sea area is significant for the natural increase of the depleted atoll system of the Xuande Atoll, while the Halimeda segments represent the primary form of the fossil Halimeda, of which the species can be identified and preserved in great numbers under geological conditions. The Miocene was discovered in large amounts in the Xichen-1 well, therefore the study on the characteristics and mechanism of Halimeda carbonate sediments plays a pivotal role in the formation and construction of organic reefs in the South China Sea as well as oil and gas exploration.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant No.41306062)the Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate Foundation(grant No.SHW [2014]-DX-04)
文摘The westem slope of the Okinawa trough has been considered to experience important methane seep activities. Abundant terrigenous sediments supply and widely developed normal faults make this area an ideal place for methane production, methane fluids migration and associated anaerobic oxidation of methane.
基金The National Science and Technology Major Project for Large Oil-Gas Fields and Coal-formed Gas Development under contract Nos 2008ZX05023 and 2011ZX05025-002the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 49206061 and 41106064the National Basic Research Program(973 Program) of China under contract Nos 2012CB956004 and 2009CB219406
文摘Halimeda is one of the major reef-building algas in the middle Miocene of Xisha, and one of the significant reef-building algas in the algal reef oil and gas field of the South China Sea. However, there have been few reports regarding the characteristics of mineral rocks, reservoir porosity and permeability layers, and sedimentation-diagenetic-evolution of fossil Halimeda systems. The present paper briefly introduces the relevant studies on chlorophyta Halimeda and the research status of oil and gas exploration. Through the 1 043 m core of the Xichen-1 well, we studied the characteristics of the mineral rocks and porosity and permeability of the middle Miocene Halimeda of the Yongle Atoll, identified and described the segments of fossil Halimeda, and pointed out that most of the segment slides are vertical sections in ovular, irregular or long strips. The overwhelming majority of these fossil Halimeda found and studied are vertical sections instead of cross sections. In this paper, knowledge regarding the cross sections of fossil Halimeda is reported and proven to be similar with the microscopic characteristics of modern living Halimeda;fossil Halimeda are buried in superposition;it is shown that there are different structures present, including typical bio-segment structure, and due to its feature of coexisting with red alga, tying structure, twining structure and encrusting structure are all present;and finally, it is suggested to classify the fossil Halimeda into segment algal reef dolomites. In addition, all of the studied intervals are moderately dolomitized. Secondary microcrystalline-dolosparite dominates the original aragonite raphide zones, and aphanitic-micrite dolomite plays the leading role in the cortexes and medullas;in the aragonite raphide zones between medulla and cysts, secondary dissolved pores and intercrystalline pores are formed inside the segments, and algal frame holes are formed between segments;therefore, a pore space network system （dissolved pores＋intragranular dissolved pores—intercrystalline pores＋algal frame holes） is established. Segment Halimeda dolomite has a porosity of 16.2%–46.1%, a permeability of 0.203×10^–3–2 641×10^–3μm^2, and a throat radius of 23.42–90.43μm, therefore it is shown to be a good oil and gas reservoir. For the reasons mentioned above, we suggest building the neogene organic reef-modern reef sedimentation-diagenetic-evolution models for the Xisha Islands.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants No.41306062 and 41474119)the Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate Foundation (grant No.SHW[2014]-DX-04)
文摘Objective Authigenic pyrite often develops extensively in marine sediments,which is an important product of sulfate reduction in an anoxic environment.It has a specific appearance and complicated sulfur isotopic properties,and acts as important evidence of methane seep in marine sediments.Strong AOM（anaerobic oxidation of methane）activity has developed in the Okinawa Trough.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grand Nos.4130606241104086)+2 种基金the Key Laboratory of Gas Hydrate Foundation(Grand Nos.SHW[2014]-DX-03SHW[2014]-DX-04)the Key Laboratory of Marine Hydrocarbon Resources and Environmental Geology Foundation(Grand No.MRE 201213)
文摘The anaerobic oxidation of methane （AOM） has strongly developed at Core A, Site 79 of the middle Okinawa Trough, East China Sea, and a large amount of authigenic pyrite is preserved in the surface sediment. In this study, we analyze the characteristics of the authigenic pyrite and its sulfur isotopic values. The authigenic pyrite is stripy and tubular, and there were foraminifera compartments filled with pyrite. The pyrite is extracted using chromium reduction, and the values of δ348 are found to lie between -41.20‰ and 8.92‰ V-CDT. The bulk pyrite tends to be more enriched in 348 with increasing depth. Particularly, the 834S value of the pyrite lies between -32.73%o and -41.20‰ V-CDT above 278 cmbsf, but it quickly increases below this depth （-21.49%o-8.92‰ V-CDT）. At the same time, the total sulfur content of the pyrite shows an abrupt increase above 100 cmbsf but is otherwise stable between 1.04% and 0.55% below 100 cmbsf. The stable and negative values of 8345 and the decreasing values of total sulfur above 278 cmbsf indicate reduced AOM activities in 17.18-5.3 ka. In addition, the increasing δ34S and pyrite content indicate strong AOM development and methane seep below 278 cmbsf in 18.8-17.18 ka. In particular, the highest positive value of δ34S occurring in 18.78 ka indicates the most intense AOM activity. The shallow sul- fate-methane interface （SMI） and high methane flux below marine sediments also strongly support this activity.
