Extensive Shelf Research Articles

Seasonality of Water Exchange in the Northern South China Sea from Hydrodynamic Perspective

In this study, we utilized exposure time (θ¯) as a key metric to investigate water exchange and its spatiotemporal variations in the Northern South China Sea (NSCS). The Eulerian adjoint method and Lagrangian tracking were adopted to capture a comprehensive view of water exchange in coastal regions. Our findings reveal distinct spatial and seasonal variations in θ¯. Spatially, a long θ¯ (exceeding 150 days) appears in the coastal region, and the largest values occur in the Beibu Gulf (300 days). Temporally, θ¯ exhibits clear seasonal patterns across the extensive shelf area, influenced by the seasonal monsoon which induced seasonally reversing shelf current and results in symmetrical distribution patterns of θ¯ across the board shelf during both winter and summer months. θ¯ is longer in winter than in summer. The study also revealed pronounced vertical contrasts in cross-isobath transport over the NSCS shelf, though significant vertical variations in net exchange time were noted only in specific locations, including the northeast side of Hainan Island, the Beibu Gulf mouth, and along the west side of Taiwan Island. The Beibu Gulf emerged as a critical factor in the NSCS’s water exchange dynamics in both seasons. In summer, it impacts more than 20% of the water exchange over adjacent areas, particularly through its westward transport against typical northeastward shelf currents. This highlights the combined effect of the westward spread of the Pearl River freshwater and the stable slope current on regional hydrodynamics. In winter, the Gulf’s retention characteristics profoundly affected even distant areas, contributing to up to 50% of water exchange, showing its broad impact on the NSCS’s water dynamics throughout the year.

Seismic sequence stratigraphy and depositional evolution of the Cretaceous-Paleogene sedimentary successions in the offshore Taranaki Basin, New Zealand: implications for hydrocarbon exploration

The seismic stratigraphy and sedimentary facies of the Cretaceous and Paleogene sedimentary successions in north-eastern offshore part of Taranaki Basin, New Zealand have been investigated in order to unravel their depositional evolution and identify the potential hydrocarbon plays. Interpretation of regional seismic lines covering the entire shelf-slope and deepwater regions as well as integrating seismic and sedimentary facies allows the identification of several seismic-stratigraphic sequences within the studied successions. Early Cretaceous syn-rift successions (C1 sequence) were deposited in the structural lows near the present-day slope as swamp and marsh facies changing basinwards into turbidites and marine shales. The post-rift Cretaceous sequences (C2, C3 sequences) started with the progradation of the Taranaki delta (C2A-C2D units) followed by sedimentation of the transgressive C3A-E facies accumulated in response to thermal subsidence and high-rates of clastic supply. Extensive shelf conditions prevailed during the deposition of C2 and C3 Cretaceous sequences continued during the Paleogene with deposition of uniform marine shales throughout the basin. Rates of sediment supply substantially decreased during Oligocene prompting the deposition of marine micrite-rich carbonate. Variation in fossil content confirms the occurrence of several cycles of sea level fluctuations and episodic variations in terrigenous input. Organic-rich facies could be associated with the prograding clinoforms of the C2B unit and probably contain, basinward, large amount of gas and oil prone kerogen. The transgressive facies of C2D unit may also contain organic-rich shales basinward and coal near the present day Taranaki shelf. Potential reservoirs are hosted on the C3 transgressive estuarine sandstones. Paleogene mudstones are excellent regional seals for the hydrocarbons generated and trapped in the underlying Late Cretaceous facies.

Coastal Polynya Disrupts the Acoustic Backscatter Diurnal Signal Over the Eastern Laptev Sea Shelf

The diel vertical migration (DVM) of zooplankton is one of the largest species migrations to occur globally and is a key driver of regional ecosystems and the marine carbon pump. The dramatic changes in the Arctic environment in recent years, mainly associated with sea-ice decline, may have wide significance for the Arctic shelf ecosystems including DVM. Observations have revealed the occurrence of DVM in ice-covered Arctic waters, however, there have yet to be observations of DVM from the extensive Siberian shelves in the Eurasian Arctic and no analysis of how the sea-ice decline may affect DVM. Here, 2 yearlong time series of acoustic backscatter, collected by moored acoustic Doppler current profilers in the eastern Laptev Sea from August 1998 to August 1999, were used to examine the annual cycle of acoustic scattering, and therefore the annual cycle of DVM in the area. The acoustic time series were used along with atmospheric and oceanic reanalysis and satellite data. Our observations show that DVM did not occur during polar night and polar day, but is active during the spring and fall transition periods when there is a diurnal cycle in light conditions. DVM began beneath the fast ice at the end of polar night and increased in intensity through spring. However, the formation of a large polynya along the landfast ice edge in late March 1999 caused DVM to abruptly cease near the fast ice edge, while DVM persisted through spring to the start of polar day at the onshore mooring. We associate this cessation of synchronized DVM ∼1 month ahead of polar day with a predator-avoidance behavior of zooplankton in response to higher polar cod abundance near the polynya. During polar day, the intensity of acoustic scattering was attributed to the riverine suspended particles. Overall, our results highlight the occurrence of DVM on the Siberian shelves, the cessation of synchronized DVM when a polynya opens up nearby, and the potential impact of significant trends toward a more extensive Laptev Sea polynya as part of changing ice conditions in the Eurasian Arctic and their impact on the Arctic shelf ecology.

Recent advancements in urea biosensors for biomedical applications.

The quick progress in health care technology as a recurrent measurement of biochemical factors such as blood components leads to advance development and growth in biosensor technology necessary for effectual patient concern. The review wok of authors present a concise information and brief discussion on the development made in the progress of potentiometric, field effect transistor, graphene, electrochemical, optical, polymeric, nanoparticles and nanocomposites based urea biosensors in the past two decades. The work of authors is also centred on different procedures/methods for detection of urea by using amperometric, potentiometric, conductometric and optical processes, where graphene, polymer etc. are utilised as an immobilised material for the fabrication of biosensors. Further, a comparative revision has been accomplished on various procedures of urea analysis using different materials‐based biosensors, and it discloses that electrochemical and potentiometric biosensor is the most promise one among all, in terms of rapid response time, extensive shelf life and resourceful design.

Tardigrades Research in Brazil: an overview and updated checklist

Tardigrades are microscopic animals, commonly referred to as “water bears”, and comprise the phylum Tardigrada. They are found in diverse habitats in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments worldwide. In this paper, it is presented a brief history of the study of tardigrades in Brazil and an updated species checklist of Brazilian tardigrades. Since the first report in 1913, the number of tardigrades records has increased, reflecting advances in the understanding the diversity of tardigrades in Brazil. A total of 100 species known from Brazil are listed, being 30 in marine and 70 in terrestrial and freshwater environments. The records are concentrated in Southeast (47.1%) and Northeast (41.3%) regions. Despite the advances, further research and sampling of new areas is still needed, besides reanalysis and confirmation of old records. Brazil, with its vast territory, extensive continental shelf and great diversity of biomes, has great potential to expand our knowledge of tardigrades fauna.

Sediment distribution and provenance on the continental shelf off the Mekong River, SE Vietnam: Insights from heavy mineral analysis

The continental shelf off southern Vietnam is relatively well studied regarding the dominant transport paths of bulk and fine-grained sediments discharged by the Mekong River. Thus, this region is particularly suitable for testing the applicability of heavy mineral analysis in determining the extent and origin of the sandy fraction of continental shelf deposits supplied mainly by a large river and their distribution over the adjacent extensive shelf. The fine sand fraction of 105 sediment samples from the Mekong River Delta and neighbouring continental shelf is investigated, applying two approaches: i) considering only the transparent non-micaceous mineral assemblage and ii) considering all the identified heavy minerals. The geological complexity of the source areas and local dominance of micaceous and non-transparent heavy minerals require the inclusion of all heavy mineral components when interpreting sediment provenance and dominant transport paths. The most diagnostic heavy minerals, amphibole, chlorite, epidote, limonite, opaques, tourmaline and zircon, are used for this purpose. The investigated continental shelf can be divided into two main regions characterised by various heavy mineral assemblages, namely, SW and NE off the Mekong River Delta. The south-western region is dominated by chlorite and limonite, indicating prevailing southward sediment transport from the Mekong River, whereas the north-eastern region is characterised by amphibole, epidote, opaques, tourmaline and zircon, indicating various sources from SE Vietnam and relict sediments partly covering the continental shelf. Between the two main regions, a large mixing zone is found where sediments from all sources are present, including Mekong River sediments transported eastward.

Behavioural plasticity in the early breeding season of pelagic seabirds - a case study of thin-billed prions from two oceans

BackgroundIn long-lived seabirds that migrate large distances independently of each other, the early part of the breeding season is crucially important for a successful reproductive attempt. During this phase, pair bonds are re-established and partners coordinate their breeding duties. We studied the early breeding season in Thin-billed prions Pachyptila belcheri breeding in the Atlantic Ocean (Falkland/Malvinas Islands) and Indian Ocean (Kerguelen). Despite overlap in the wintering areas, these two populations exhibit differences in their timing and direction of migration. We hypothesised that these differences would influence behaviour during the early breeding season.ResultsIn line with our hypothesis, we found very strong differences in colony attendance patterns. Thin-billed prions of the Falkland population spent the late winter period over shelf waters close to the colony, first arrived back at the colony in September, and attended the nests interruptedly for one month, before departing on a pre-laying exodus. In contrast, Kerguelen birds remained in the non-breeding areas until mid-October and spent much less time attending the burrow before their pre-laying exodus. Despite this asynchronous arrival to the two colonies, the subsequent patterns resulted in remarkably synchronous incubation in both populations, with males taking on the first long incubation shift in late November, whereas females returned to sea soon after egg laying. During the pre-laying exodus and incubation, Thin-billed prions from the Falklands spread north over the Patagonian Shelf, while prions from Kerguelen travelled much further, reaching southern oceanic waters and moved at faster speeds (> 400 km per day). Although prions from Kerguelen moved much further, their isotopic niches were considerably narrower, suggesting a stronger dependence on Antarctic waters.ConclusionsThe study thus suggests that Thin-billed prions show a high intraspecific plasticity in their use of either neritic or oceanic waters during the early breeding season. Breeding birds from the Falkland Islands can exploit an extensive shelf area, while Kerguelen birds have adapted to the need to forage in distant southern open waters. This difference in foraging ecology may thus have shaped the phenology of the early breeding phase.

Cenozoic record of δ34S in foraminiferal calcite implies an early Eocene shift to deep-ocean sulfide burial

Understanding the changes in, and drivers of, isotopic variability of sulfur in seawater sulfate (δ34SSO4-sw) over geological time remains a long-standing goal, particularly because of the coupling between the biogeochemical sulfur and carbon cycles. The early Cenozoic has remained enigmatic in this regard, as the existing seawater sulfate isotopic records appear to be decoupled from the well-defined carbon isotope composition of the ocean. Here, we present a new Cenozoic record of sulfur isotopes, using carbonate-associated sulfate hosted in the calcite lattice of single-species foraminifera. The vastly improved stratigraphy afforded by this record demonstrates that carbon and sulfur cycles, as recorded by their isotopes, are not fully decoupled in the early Cenozoic. With a model driven by partial coupling of the carbon and sulfur cycles, we demonstrate that a change in sulfur isotopic fractionation of the pyrite burial flux best explains the large increase in δ34SSO4-sw ~53 million years ago (Ma) and the subsequent long steady state. We suggest that the locus of pyrite burial changed from shallow epicontinental seas and shelf environments to more open-ocean sediments around 53 Ma. Loss of extensive shelf environments corresponds to Cretaceous–Palaeogene sea-level changes and tectonic reorganization, occurring as the Himalayan arc first collided with Asia. A Cenozoic reconstruction of the δ34S of marine sulfate suggests a shift in the locus of pyrite burial from shallow seas to the open ocean during the early Eocene.

Iron geochemistry and organic carbon preservation by iron (oxyhydr)oxides in surface sediments of the East China Sea and the south Yellow Sea

Abstract In marine sediments factors that influence iron (Fe) geochemistry and its interactions with other elements are diverse and remain poorly understood. Here we comparatively study Fe speciation and reactive Fe-bound organic carbon (Fe-OC) in surface sediments of the East China Sea (ECS) and the south Yellow Sea (SYS). The objectives are to better understand the potential impacts of geochemically distinct sediment sources and depositional/diagenetic settings on Fe geochemistry and OC preservation by Fe (hydr)oxides in sediments of the two extensive shelf seas around the world. Contents of carbonate- and acid-volatile-sulfide (AVS)-associated Fe(II) (FeAVS + carb) and magnetite (Femag) in the ECS sediments are about 5 and 9 times higher, respectively, than in the SYS. This could be ascribed to the ferruginous conditions of the ECS sediments that favor the formation/accumulation of Fecarb and Femag, a unique feature of marine unsteady depositional regimes. Much lower total Fe(II) contents in the SYS than in the ECS suggest that lower availability of highly reactive Fe (FeHR) and/or weak Fe reduction is a factor limiting Fe(II) formation and accumulation in the SYS sediments. The ratio of FeHR to total Fe is, on average, markedly higher (2.4 times) in the ECS sediments than in the SYS, which may be a combined result of several factors relevant to different sediment sources and depositional/diagenetic settings. In comparison with many other marine sediments, the percent fractions (fFe-OC) of Fe-OC to total organic carbon (TOC) in the ECS and the SYS are low, which can be ascribed to surface adsorption of OC rather than coprecipitation or organic complexation as the dominant binding mechanisms. Based on the fFe-OC in this study, total Fe-OC estimated for global continental shelves is equivalent to 38% of the atmospheric CO2 pool, which indicates the important role of sorptive stabilization of Fe-OC in continental shelf sediments for buffering CO2 release to the atmosphere. In the SYS, consistently less 13C-depleted Fe-OC relative to 13C of non-Fe-bound OC (13Cnon-Fe-OC) suggests selective sequestration of labile marine OC in the marine OC-dominated sediments of the central SYS. In the ECS, however, efficient oxidation of OC and frequent redox cycling of Fe in the unsteady depositional regimes may complicate the isotopic compositions of Fe-OC. A combination of our results and literature data demonstrates that Fe-OC contents are strongly dependent on the availability of TOC and reactive Fe, but the fFe-OC is primarily controlled by the processes of Fe redox cycling in the sediments.

A first assessment of potential stratigraphic traps for geological storage of CO2 in the Durban Basin, South Africa

Within offshore frontier sedimentary basins, legacy data are important tools in basin-scale exploration for potential CO2 storage. We utilise single-channel 2D seismic reflection and well data obtained from the offshore Durban Basin, east coast South Africa, to provide new evidence of reservoir/seal pairs in saline aquifers that may represent potential storage sites for CO2 injection. Multiple, previously undefined and regionally pervasive stratigraphic traps have been mapped through a detailed seismo-sedimentary analysis. These include shelf-bound shallow-marine-sheet and deltaic sandstone packages of Turonian and Maastrichtian age respectively. Coeval with these laterally extensive shelf packages, multiple basin floor fan systems have been identified on the palaeo-slope. We further correlate these systems with analogous hydrocarbon-bearing sequences throughout a large region of the south-east African continental shelf. Using conservative assumptions, we propose that ∼327Mt CO2 could potentially be stored in two laterally extensive shelf sand sequences, with a further potential for ∼464Mt CO2 storage in basin floor fan systems in the distal basin.

Color and gelling properties of dried egg white: Effect of drying methods and storage conditions

ABSTRACTDried egg white is extensively used as a food ingredient due to its unique functional properties and extensive shelf life. This study investigated the effect of drying methods and storage conditions on the color and gelling properties of dried egg white. Egg white was dried with two drying methods; freeze drying and hot-air drying, then stored at 25 and 40°C for 4 months. The result showed that the color of hot-air-dried egg white, especially after storage at 40°C, was darker yellow than for freeze-dried egg whites. The gelling properties of both samples were altered during storage, however, substantial changes in the gelling properties were found in the gel made from stored hot-air-dried egg white. A decrease in the enthalpy of protein denaturation that indicated a partially unfolded protein conformation, an increase in exposed sulfhydryl and a decrease in the total sulfhydryl contents were found, especially in stored samples of hot-air-dried egg whites. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis pattern of proteins in the stored samples showed protein aggregation, and this was related to the increased glass transition temperature. This study revealed that drying egg white using hot-air drying and storage especially at high temperature induced changes in their color and protein conformation. These have contributed to protein aggregation which affected dried egg white’s gel properties.

Development of an equatorial carbonate platform across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary and links to global palaeoenvironmental changes (Musandam Peninsula, UAE/Oman)

The Triassic-Jurassic boundary is marked by one of the ‘big five’ mass extinctions of the Phanerozoic. This boundary event was accompanied by several carbon cycle perturbations, potentially induced by the opening of the Central Atlantic and associated volcanism, and accompanied by an ocean acidification event. Continuous carbonate successions covering this interval of environmental change are however rare. Here data from a shallow-marine equatorial mixed carbonate-siliciclastic succession is presented, that was studied on a regional scale. Four sections that are 48km apart were examined on the Musandam Peninsula (United Arab Emirates and Sultanate of Oman). The system was analysed for its sedimentology, vertical and lateral facies changes, and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes. Strontium isotope analysis was used to determine the position of the Triassic-Jurassic boundary horizon. The studied ramp experienced an episode of demise during the Late Triassic, followed by a restricted microbialite dominated ramp, containing large amounts of siliciclastic facies. During the Latest Triassic the diverse carbonate factory revived and flourished across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary. No clear evidence for a biocalcification crisis or an ocean acidification event across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary is visible. Lateral facies heterogeneities can be observed across the studied interval, attributed to hydrodynamic activity, including tropical storms, crossing the extensive shelf area. Although evidence for synsedimentary tectonic activity is present, the vertical stacking pattern is largely controlled by changes in relative sea level. The refined chronostratigraphy accompanied by the detailed environment of deposition analysis allows for a refinement of the regional palaeogeography. The neritic equatorial carbonate ramp has archived a negative carbon isotope excursion preceding the Triassic-Jurassic boundary that has also been reported from other study sites. The lack of evidence for a biocalcification crisis across the equatorial Triassic-Jurassic boundary indicates that the Tethys did not experience a distinct global acidification event.

UPPER CAMBRIAN AND TREMADOCIAN SEDIMENTS IN THE NAROL AREA (SOUTHERN LUBLIN REGION) – SOURCE AND RESERVOIR OF SHALE GAS?

Petrologic investigations of Upper Cambrian and Tremadocian deposits were carried out in the Narol region (southern Lublin region) in prospecting for shale gas accumulations. The observations and analyses were made using a polarizing microscope, luminoscope (CL) and scanning microscope (BSE, SE, EDS, SEM-CL). The following analyses were performed: CL-spectral analysis of quartz, X-ray structural analysis of clay fraction, and pyrolytic analysis of organic matter. The rocks under study are represented mainly by clay-silt shales with sandy interbeds. They belong to the epicontinental siliciclastic association deposited on an extensive shelf subjected to tidal and storm action. The shales consist largely of illite, and the silt fraction is represented by quartz with a small admixture of feldspars. Quartz cement is common (growths and aggregates of authigenic quartz), while carbonate cement (calcite, Fe-dolomite/ ankerite and siderite), as well as pyrite, kaolinite and phosphate cements are rare. The shales reveal microporosity in the form of “microchannels” paralleling illite plates, and within mica packets. The micropores (1–2 µm in size) are observed in both the carbonate cement and organic matter. As a result of deep burial and intense diagenetic processes, the organic matter has undergone strong alteration (max. Ro = 2.5%). The vitrinite reflectance index and pyrolitic analysis of organic matter, as well as the highly ordered illite structure, indicate the maximum palaeotemperatures in the range of 120–150°C. The rocks show numerous fractures healed with carbonates and/or quartz. Some of the fractures that run parallel to the lamination (or more rarely those running perpendicular or at a high angle) have remained open and are potential pathways of hydrocarbon migration. Pyrolytic analysis shows that the shales do not represent source rocks. It is supposed that they do not represent reservoirs for unconventional hydrocarbon accumulations.

The evolution of the industrial trawl fishery footprint off southeastern and southern Brazil

This study established the spatial footprint of the industrial trawl fishing fleet operating off southeastern and southern Brazil between 2003 and 2011. It also provides estimates of the area swept by this fleet and the correspondent Utilization Index (swept area/available area) as measures of impact over the benthic ecosystem. Lastly, costs/benefits of trawling were addressed by the cumulative biomass landed during the study period expressed as a proportion of the cumulative swept area (Biomass-Swept Area Index). These variables were mapped and their patterns of spatial-temporal variability were associated with fishing strategies (shrimp trawling, slope trawling and pair trawling), latitudinal strata, depth strata, and substrate types. The trawl fishery footprint during the study period comprised 502,190 km 2 . The total area swept by trawling operations was 680,697.5 km 2 , 1.4 times the available area. Trawling impacts on the substrate were primarily produced by the dominant shrimp trawling strategy. In comparison with other strategies, these vessels used the most extensive shelf area, and disturbed more sand/mud habitat surface to obtain less landed biomass. Delimiting the trawl fishery footprint off southeastern and southern Brazil and its main core areas comprised a first step towards in evaluating impact on such areas, providing preliminary information for future ecosystem-based fisheries management and marine spatial planning strategies.

Potential Impacts of Offshore Wind Farms on North Sea Stratification.

Advances in offshore wind farm (OWF) technology have recently led to their construction in coastal waters that are deep enough to be seasonally stratified. As tidal currents move past the OWF foundation structures they generate a turbulent wake that will contribute to a mixing of the stratified water column. In this study we show that the mixing generated in this way may have a significant impact on the large-scale stratification of the German Bight region of the North Sea. This region is chosen as the focus of this study since the planning of OWFs is particularly widespread. Using a combination of idealised modelling and in situ measurements, we provide order-of-magnitude estimates of two important time scales that are key to understanding the impacts of OWFs: (i) a mixing time scale, describing how long a complete mixing of the stratification takes, and (ii) an advective time scale, quantifying for how long a water parcel is expected to undergo enhanced wind farm mixing. The results are especially sensitive to both the drag coefficient and type of foundation structure, as well as the evolution of the pycnocline under enhanced mixing conditions—both of which are not well known. With these limitations in mind, the results show that OWFs could impact the large-scale stratification, but only when they occupy extensive shelf regions. They are expected to have very little impact on large-scale stratification at the current capacity in the North Sea, but the impact could be significant in future large-scale development scenarios.

Controls, budgets and variability of riverine sediment fluxes to the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean Sea)

The present study investigates the spatio-temporal variability of riverine sediment fluxes to the Gulf of Lions, one of the most extensive shelf regions in the Mediterranean Sea. Small coastal rivers compete here with the Rhone River, nowadays the largest Mediterranean river in terms of water discharge. Our scientific objectives were to investigate the major controls of riverine sediment yields (SY) in this area and to quantify the role of the small coastal rivers, largely ignored in previous studies, in the total sediment budgets. Another objective concerned the source identification of the Rhone sediments with regard to the major tributary contributions, and to test whether the sediment fluxes are in equilibrium in the basin. For the calculation of representative long-term fluxes, we used a Simplified Rating Curve Approach (SiRCA) which could be validated by high resolution monitoring and existing literature data. An overall of 13 drainage basins could be distinguished, covering about 86% of the study area (6 coastal rivers, the Rhone River, and 6 of its tributaries). Representative SY range from 19 to 151tkm−2yr−1 in the investigated drainage basins. Despite their smaller basin areas and more torrential discharge regimes, SY of the coastal rivers were generally lower compared to SY of the Rhone River and its tributaries. Confrontation with the lithological, morphological and hydroclimatic basin characteristics indicate that lithology exerts the dominant control on SY in the study region. In particular, the existence of erodible sedimentary rocks in the headwater regions yields high SY. Peak values of 135 and 151tkm−2yr−1 were observed for the Isere and Durance tributaries of the Rhone River, where badlands exist. The coastal rivers contribute on average only to slightly more than 5% of the long-term sediment inputs to the Gulf of Lions. During individual years however, their contribution can strongly increase (up to 27% in 2011). Their contribution is generally important during late spring and autumn, when flash-floods are frequent (up to 90% of the monthly sediment discharge). Summing the various tributary contributions of the Rhone River produces a sediment budget that is close to the sediment export at the river mouth. This indicates that at spatial scales, the average sediment fluxes are equilibrated in the basin. About 40% of the Rhone sediments originate from the Isere and Durance tributaries. However, fully closure of the budgets requires high SY in the lowermost basin parts. Omitting in our calculations only a few years with exceptional flooding considerably reduce these values. Trend analyses show at the same time that the sediment fluxes from the Saone and Isere tributaries decreased during the study period. At temporal scales, sediment transport from upstream to downstream was therefore not in equilibrium and the remobilisation of older sediments from the downstream basin parts may have been important.

Storm surges and coastal flooding: status and challenges

Storm surges and associated coastal flooding are among the most damaging natural disasters, as it was illustrated recently in the Gulf of Mexico, the Bay of Bengal or the Philippines. Storm surges correspond to sea-level anomalies, driven by atmospheric pressure, wind and short waves. In shallow waters, the wind contribution is usually dominant upon the other forcing, which causes coastal areas bordered by extensive shelves and located along the track of major storms to be exposed to very large surges. For a given wind speed, the surface stress can also be amplified by sea-states, for instance in the presence of young and steep waves. The Coriolis effect associated with the Earth rotation is also an important process because it deviates wind-driven flows to the right (to the left) in the Northern (Southern) hemisphere, which can result to an Ekman setup along the coast located to the right-side (resp. left-side) of the storm track. Finally, wave dissipation in surf zones induces gradients of radiation stress, which drives a wave-setup easily reaching several tens of cm and therefore contribution to the whole storm surge. Coastal flooding usually happens when a large storm surge peak at the same time of a high tide, although the importance of this concomitance depends and surge to tidal range ratio. Coastal flooding can occur through dike and barriers overflowing, breaching, or a combination of both mechanisms. Along the coastline exposed to big waves, wave overtopping can also induce significant flooding and damage sea-front. However, resolving short-wave phases to account for this phenomenon implies a very fine resolution, which poses a serious challenge in terms of computational resources.

Absorption and fluorescence properties of chromophoric dissolved organic matter of the eastern Bering Sea in the summer with special reference to the influence of a cold pool

Abstract. The absorption and fluorescence properties of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) are reported for the inner shelf, slope waters and outer shelf regions of the eastern Bering Sea during the summer of 2008, when a warm, thermally stratified surface mixed layer lay over a cold pool (< 2 °C) that occupied the entire middle shelf. CDOM absorption at 355 nm (ag355) and its spectral slope (S) in conjunction with excitation–emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) revealed large variability in the characteristics of CDOM in different regions of the Bering Sea. PARAFAC analysis aided in the identification of three humic-like (components one, two and five) and two protein-like (a tyrosine-like component three, and a tryptophan-like component four) components. In the extensive shelf region, average absorption coefficients at 355 nm (ag355, m−1) and DOC concentrations (μM) were highest in the inner shelf (0.342 ± 0.11 m−1, 92.67 ± 14.60 μM) and lower in the middle (0.226 ± 0.05 m−1, 78.38 ± 10.64 μM) and outer (0.185 ± 0.05 m−1, 79.24 ± 18.01 μM) shelves, respectively. DOC concentrations, however were not significantly different, suggesting CDOM sources and sinks to be uncoupled from DOC. Mean spectral slopes S were elevated in the middle shelf (24.38 ± 2.25 μm−1) especially in the surface waters (26.87 ± 2.39 μm−1) indicating high rates of photodegradation in the highly stratified surface mixed layer, which intensified northwards in the northern middle shelf likely contributing to greater light penetration and to phytoplankton blooms at deeper depths. The fluorescent humic-like components one, two, and five were most elevated in the inner shelf most likely from riverine inputs. Along the productive "green belt" in the outer shelf/slope region, absorption and fluorescence properties indicated the presence of fresh and degraded autochthonous DOM. Near the Unimak Pass region of the Aleutian Islands, low DOC and ag355 (mean 66.99 ± 7.94 μM; 0.182 ± 0.05 m−1) and a high S (mean 25.95 ± 1.58 μm−1) suggested substantial photobleaching of the Alaska Coastal Water, but high intensities of humic-like and protein-like fluorescence suggested sources of fluorescent DOM from coastal runoff and glacier meltwaters during the summer. The spectral slope S vs. ag355 relationship revealed terrestrial and oceanic end members along with intermediate water masses that were modeled using nonlinear regression equations that could allow water mass differentiation based on CDOM optical properties. Spectral slope S was negatively correlated (r2 = 0.79) with apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) for waters extending from the middle shelf into the deep Bering Sea indicating increasing microbial alteration of CDOM with depth. Although our data show that the CDOM photochemical environment of the Bering Sea is complex, our current information on its optical properties will aid in better understanding of the biogeochemical role of CDOM in carbon budgets in relation to the annual sea ice and phytoplankton dynamics, and to improved algorithms of ocean color remote sensing for this region.

The extent of the Middle Ordovician Dapingian Stage in peri-Gondwanan Europe and north Africa: stratigraphic record, biostratigraphic tools and regional chronostratigraphy

The boundaries and subdivisions of the global Dapingian stage cannot be adequately characterized in the extensive south-polar Gondwana continental shelves. Correlatable sediments, dated to some extent by palynomorphs, are generally highly condensed in shale facies ( < 10 m thick) or are entirely lacking, whereas in shallow-water sandstones they may locally reach more than 100 m thick. In the absence of valuable data derived from key macrofossils (graptolites and conodonts), the regional chitinozoan biostratigraphy has gone through numerous conceptual variations in the last 20 years, which has not helped a precise definition of the base of the Dapingian, provisionally included in the “upper” Arenigian regional stage of peri-Gondwana.

Oil and gas bearing in Norwegian Sea basins

The Norwegian passive continental margin is represented by an extensive gentle shelf and continental slope. On the continental slope, there are the isolated Voring, More and Ras basins, the Halten Terrace is situated to the east of them at the shelf, then the Nordland submarine ridge and the Trondelag Platform at the seaboard. There are Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments in its sections. Two complex structures are clearly distinguished in the sedimentary section: the lower stage (up to the Upper Cretaceous), reflecting the rifting structure of the basins, broken by a system of dislocations to a series of horsts, grabens, and separated blocks; and the upper stage, poorly dislocated, like a mantle covering the lower stage, with erosion and sharp unconformity. The Halten Terrace is the principal oil and gas production basin. At present, there are more than 50 oil, gas, and condensate fields in it. The following particularities have been discovered: than the field lays in the deepwater, than the age of the hydrocarbon pay is younger. It is also interesting that all gas fields are situated in the Voring and More basins and western part of the Halten Terrace; the oil and gas fields, mainly at the center of the Halten Terrace; but pure oil fields, in the north of the terrace. In conformity with discovering the particularities, it is possible to say that the prospects of oil and gas bearing in the Norwegian Sea are primarilyt related to the Halten Terrace and the Voring and More basins, especially the territories situated at the boundary of the two basins, where it is possible to discover large hydrocarbon accumulations like the Ormen-Lange field, because the Paleocene-Upper Cretaceous productive turbidite thick at the boundary of these basins is on the continental slope, which is considered promising a priori.