共查询到19条相似文献，搜索用时 140 毫秒
1.
海洋中悬浮颗粒物质(SPM)的化学特征和沉积通量的研究对于了解全球物质循环和确定海洋吸收、贮存和转移碳能力的生物地球化学过程具有重要的意义。陆架海洋沉积物的再悬浮作为海洋悬浮颗粒物质的一个重要来源已引起本领域专家的重视(詹滨秋等，1993)。Hosika等(1994)在研究东海陆架和沿岸区时,证实在东海存在一个底层涡动层，其悬浮颗粒物质的含量可达总量的30%-40%。Kusakabe等(1994)运用光透射仪(Bean Transmisso Meter)研究涡动层的颗粒物质,以上研究都未能定量地计算再悬浮的比率。本文根据悬浮颗粒物质特征化学成分的垂直通量以及它们在海洋中自身生成的和沉积物再悬浮的悬浮颗粒物质中含量的关系,建立了定量化学模式,并运用现场资料定量计算东海陆架海洋中悬浮物质的再悬浮比率(αγ)。 相似文献
2.
环渤海地区河流河口及海洋表层沉积物有机质特征和来源 总被引：4，自引：0，他引：4
2013年8月采集了环渤海地区35条主要河流河口表层沉积物样品,12月采集了渤海与北黄海24个表层沉积物样品,分析了其生物地球化学指标:总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)、有机碳同位素(δ13C)和氮同位素(δ15N),探讨该区域表层沉积物有机质特征及组成。研究表明:河流河口表层沉积物有机碳同位素(δ13C)值在–26.4‰—–21.8‰,平均值为–24.5‰;渤海表层沉积物有机碳同位素(δ13C)值在–23.8‰—–21.7‰,平均值为–22.3‰。河口表层沉积物TOC含量在0.06%—3.87%,平均值为1.31%;渤海表层沉积物TOC含量在0.52%—2.09%,平均值为1.08%。河流δ13C富集较轻,偏向陆源;海洋δ13C富集较重,偏向水生有机质来源。河流河口表层沉积物的δ13C值差异较明显,最大值与最小值相差4.6‰,但是流域地理位置距离近的河流δ13C值差异不大。河流河口表层沉积物δ15N在1.5‰—10.2‰,平均值为5.5‰;渤海表层沉积物δ15N在4.4‰—5.6‰,平均值为5.0‰。河流表层沉积物δ15N范围比渤海表层沉积物δ15N范围广,原因是河流受陆源有机物影响,且陆源有机物来源差异大。海洋表层沉积物δ15N相对均一,说明海洋表层沉积物δ15N受物源影响较小,体现了水体中有机质的转化和微生物活动对氮同位素的影响。本研究中表层沉积物的δ13C与δ15N没有明显的相关性,也体现了陆源有机质输入的影响。根据经典的二元模式计算,35条河流陆源有机质的贡献比例范围为10%—90%,平均值为60%;渤海陆源贡献比例范围为10%—50%,平均值为20%。河流有机质的来源以陆源有机质为主,水生有机质为辅。渤海有机质的来源以水生有机质为主,环渤海河流的陆源输入也有重要贡献。需要指出的是,有机碳同位素(δ13C)、氮同位素(δ15N)和Corg/Ntotal对有机质来源判别有一定局限性,虽然稳定同位素有示踪性,然而其成分仍然不可避免地受到生物地球化学等过程的改造,在使用稳定同位素技术示踪物源时,须小心谨慎。 相似文献
3.
海洋表层沉积物再悬浮的诱因及其对生源要素循环的影响 总被引：5，自引：0，他引：5
颗粒物质在向海底沉降的同时,在自然因素、生物扰动以及人为因素等作用下,海洋表层沉积物会再悬浮,从而引起生源要素在海水和沉积物中的再分配,进而对生物食物网、初级生产力产生影响。特别是在陆架边缘海,由于海水较浅,再悬浮剧烈,对生源要素的垂直转移及其生物地球化学过程影响严重,由于再悬浮的诱因很多,过程复杂,所以定量研究表层沉积物的再悬浮还有很多困难。作者将主要对表层沉积物再悬浮的诱因及其对生源要素循环的影响进行总结归纳,以期促进这方面的研究。 相似文献
4.
海洋沉积物中碳的来源、迁移和转化 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
人类活动每年向大气排放的CO2约为65亿t，其中留在大气中的约占50%，大洋吸收约16亿-20亿t，陆地生态系统大约吸收0.7亿~1.4亿t(Bates，2001；Battle et al.，2000),还有大约13亿t找不到去处，称为大气CO2丢失项，而陆架边缘海有可能是这丢失项的去处。近海沉积物是大气二氧化碳的接受者，同时当条件合适时沉积物中的碳又可被释放重新进入水体乃至大气中，是碳循环中的重要源与汇，因此海洋沉积物在碳循环中的作用是全球碳循环的一个关键环节。虽然近十年来这方面的研究已经引起众多学者的关注，对沉积物中的碳循环进行了较大量的研究，取得了一系列成果，但海洋沉积物在碳循环中的作用和过程至今并未查清，具体体现在海洋沉积物在海洋碳循环中起什么作用？起多大作用？在哪些方面影响和控制海洋碳循环？这些均需要科学家们长期的艰苦努力，以便在更深入、更系统和更高层次上研究解决困扰当今人类的涉及碳循环这一重大环境科学问题。
海洋沉积物为海洋环境中的一个主要研究对象，其中的碳与水体-生物体以及大气、入海河流等进行着不间断的交换、大气中的气体碳经过复杂的海洋生物地球化学过程转化为水体中的溶解碳，再变为颗粒碳，经沉降最终形成沉积物，在适宜的条件下上述的反过程同样会发生。因此，研究海洋沉积物中的碳在其循环中的作用是非常困难的。碳是最主要的生源要素，更是生命活动能流、物流中最重要的元素，几乎所有的生物地球化学循环过程都与它有关，因而有关碳循环的研究是目前全球变化研究的热点。许多国际研究计划均以此为核心研究内容。如国际地圈与生物圈计划(IGBP)中的全球海洋通量联合研究(JGOFS)、全球生态系统动力学(GLOBEC)以及上层海洋与低层大气研究计划(SOLAS)等(唐启升，2001；宋金明，2000)。碳循环研究以 JGOFS计划2001年基本结束为标志，通过近十几年的研究，取得了丰硕的成果，系统了解了海洋循环的过程及界面碳通量，对全球碳循环也有了一个初步的了解。为进一步深入开展这方面的研究作者从海洋沉积物中碳的形态与来源、海水及颗粒物中碳与沉积物碳的关系、表层沉积物再悬浮对碳循环的影响以及沉积物中碳的早期成岩作用等几个方面阐述了海洋沉积物中碳循环目前的研究进展。 相似文献
5.
《中国海洋大学学报(自然科学版)》2017,(9)
中国边缘海(本文特指渤海、黄海和东海,不包括南海)是陆源和海源有机质的重要碳汇。总有机质指标和生物标志物的结果显示,表层沉积物中陆源有机质高值集中在近岸尤其是河口附近;海源有机质在陆架海盆处有高值,受控于海洋生产力和沉积环境。利用多参数指标对表层沉积物中不同来源和不同年龄有机质的贡献比例估算的结果显示,我国边缘海的有机碳埋藏量约13 Mt/a,占全球边缘海沉积物有机碳埋藏量(~138 Mt/a)的~10%,其中陆源有机质的碳埋藏量(3.9 Mt/a)占全球边缘海沉积物陆源有机质埋藏量的~7%。若假定陈化土壤有机质和古老有机质主要是陆源物质,则非现代有机质的碳埋藏量为~6Mt/a,占我国边缘海总有机质碳埋藏量的~46%,与全球边缘海沉积物中陆源有机质的平均比例(44%)相当。这些结果表明我国边缘海在全球海洋碳循环中具有重要地位。本文利用已发表的文献数据,总结和归纳了中国边缘海沉积有机质来源及其碳汇意义。 相似文献
6.
海洋溶解有机物质参与海洋中的许多物理、化学和生物作用,对认识海洋环境中所发生的各种过程具有重要意义。作者对海洋溶解有机物中的荧光组分即荧光溶解有机物的种类、来源、分布变化及其地球化学行为进行较为系统的评述。海洋中其可能的来源包括陆源输入,浮游植物生长、代谢及分解产物,沉积物释放,降雨等。其主要的去除途径则是光化学降解。 相似文献
7.
对2003年7月至9月采自北极楚科奇海域的4个站位表层沉积物及1个站位的柱状沉积物样品的总糖、总碳、有机碳、无机碳、总氮、总磷的含量进行了测定,并对其有机碳和有机氮同位素(1δ3C和1δ5N)的变化进行了研究,结果表明:北极楚科奇海域沉积物中的总糖与有机碳为明显的正相关关系,说明糖类是有机碳重要的组成部分;表层沉积物中TOC/TN平均值为9.273,1δ3C和1δ5N的平均值分别为-21.61‰和7.1‰,显示出表层沉积物中糖类物质以海洋藻类来源为主、混入部分陆源物质的分布特征;柱状样品不同深度沉积物中TOC/TN平均值为13.45,也反映出糖类物质为海洋自生和陆源输入共存的分布特征。 相似文献
8.
南海北部海洋雾状层特征及影响因素初步研究 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
在粤东上升流区和南海北部陆架陆坡区共选取7条断面,通过分析水体的温度、盐度、密度、浊度、叶绿素浓度特征和悬浮体现场粒度平均粒径、体积浓度特征等,初步研究了南海北部海洋雾状层的特征及其受控机制。研究发现粤东上升流区底部雾状层普遍发育,在个别站位存在表层雾状层,高能的近岸浪流作用和来自港湾、河流的泥沙为表层雾状层和底部雾状层提供物源;南海北部陆架陆坡区底部雾状层也普遍发育,在珠江口外的内陆架和外陆架陆坡区表层雾状层比较常见,陆坡区中层雾状层比较发育,本区雾状层的物源主要来自珠江和台湾岛西南部河流的入海泥沙、海底沉积物以及生源颗粒物。南海北部底部雾状层的强度和扩散范围主要受水动力条件、河流入海物质的扩散和底质再悬浮等控制。 相似文献
9.
2005年在太平洋12个测站分层采集了悬浮体水样及连续的水体温度、盐度、深度等数据.利用水体悬浮体含量在垂向上的分布特征初步分析了大洋雾状层的特点,并讨论了水体中悬浮体颗粒物质的来源,对不同海洋环境中悬浮体分布进行了对比,发现大洋水体中悬浮体含量总体很小,一般不超过0.30mg/dm3,但在一定水层内悬浮体含量相对较高,形成雾状层.雾状层在大洋内广泛分布,一般以表层雾状层和近底雾状层形式存在.大洋水体中悬浮体颗粒物来源广泛.表层雾状层的形成主要受透光层内生物作用的影响,而底质沉积物的再悬浮是影响底部雾状层形成的重要因素.因受水体物理海洋环境和物质来源的影响,不同区域水体中悬浮体含量不同,雾状层的分布不同.海山顶部受水流及岩石基底影响雾状层分布不明显,海山底部与开辟区洋盆海域雾状层更普遍.开辟区东西区由于物源差异水体中悬浮体含量差别明显,靠近火山喷口的西区水体中悬浮体含量明显高于东区的. 相似文献
10.
环雷州半岛近海表层沉积物有机碳分布及其控制因素分析 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
对环雷州半岛近海43个海底表层沉积物的总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)、沉积介质条件(包括沉积物粒度)进行了分析,探讨了沉积物TOC、TN的区域分布特征以及影响有机碳分布的主要因素。结果表明,环雷州半岛近海海域海底表层沉积物有机碳含量在0~0.79%之间,平均值为0.26%。与中国其它近海海域相比,环雷州半岛大部分近海区域海底表层沉积物有机碳含量明显偏低,为有机质贫乏区,仅雷州半岛西南部流沙湾近海海域为TOC相对高值区。总氮含量也不高,在0.011%到0.100%之间,TOC与TN存在较强的正相关性,且平面上TOC与TN分布高度重合,显示氮元素主要以有机化合物形式存在。TOC/TN比值在5.1~14.3之间,表明沉积有机质具有陆源输入和海洋自生来源的混合特征,但以雷州半岛西侧北部及东侧中部海域受陆源有机质输入影响更大。大多数站位海底沉积物粒度构成以粉砂为主、粘土次之,少数站位以砂质沉积为主。沉积物有机碳含量与粘土及粉砂含量呈弱正相关性,与沉积物pH值、Eh值及砂含量呈弱负相关性,这表明海底沉积物有机质丰度受有机质来源输入、海底氧化还原状态和沉积水动力条件(沉积物粒度)等因素综合控制。 相似文献
11.
Laura Lorenzoni Robert C Thunell Claudia R. Benitez-Nelson David Hollander Nahysa Martinez Eric Tappa Ramón Varela Yrene Astor Frank E. Muller-Karger 《Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers》2009,56(12):2249-2262
Optical transmissometer measurements were coupled with particulate organic matter (POM) observations to understand suspended sediment composition and distribution in the eastern Cariaco Basin during the rainy seasons of September 2003 and 2006. Our results suggest that nepheloid layers originating at the mouth of small mountainous rivers discharging into the eastern Basin are a major delivery mechanism of terrigenous sediments to the Basin interior. Intermediate nepheloid layers (INL) were observed near the shelf break (～100 m) and appear to effectively transport terrigenous material laterally from the shelf to deep waters, thereby providing a plausible supply mechanism of the terrestrial material observed in sediment traps. These findings highlight the importance of small, local rivers in the Cariaco Basin as sources of terrestrial material. In contrast, these nepheloid layers contained only limited POM. When this information is combined with published sediment trap POM data, it suggests that nepheloid layers may not be a primary mechanism for delivering terrigenous POM to the deeper waters of the basin during the rainy season. Rather, BNL may redistribute marine-derived POM from shallow waters to the Basin's interior by providing ballast materials, particularly during episodic events driven by wind and precipitation. Though we have determined that nepheloid layers play an important role in the seaward transport of particulate material in the Cariaco Basin, their composition and temporal variability have not been fully characterized. This is critical to understand lateral particle transport, since nepheloid layers constitute a significant source of sediment to the deep Cariaco Basin. 相似文献
12.
V. N. Lukashin 《Oceanology》2008,48(5):701-709
The sedimentation system of the bottom contour current over the continental slope of Bear Island in the Norwegian Sea is considered. The nepheloid layer that provides the high horizontal flux of sedimentary material represents the main source of matter for the bottom sediments. The vertical particulate matter flux is largely formed in the nepheloid layer; the flux from higher layers of the water column is insignificant. Horizontal and vertical fluxes of sedimentary matter show a positive correlation. The flux of the matter from the bottom sediment into the nepheloid matter and the residence time of particles in the latter are estimated. 相似文献
13.
Hiroshi Kitazato Takeshi NakatsukaMotohiro Shimanaga Jota KandaWonn Soh Yoshihisa KatoYoshihiro Okada Akio YamaokaToshiyuki Masuzawa Koji SuzukiYoshihisa Shirayama 《Progress in Oceanography》2003,57(1):3-16
Deep-sea benthic ecosystems are mainly sustained by sinking organic materials that are produced in the euphotic zone. “Benthic-pelagic coupling” is the key to understanding both material cycles and benthic ecology in deep-sea environments, in particular in topographically flat open oceanic settings. However, it remains unclear whether “benthic-pelagic coupling” exists in eutrophic deep-sea environments at the ocean margins where areas of undulating and steep bottom topography are partly closely surrounded by land. Land-locked deep-sea settings may be characterized by different particle behaviors both in the water column and in relation to submarine topography. Mechanisms of particle accumulation may be different from those found in open ocean sedimentary systems. An interdisciplinary programme, “Project Sagami”, was carried out to understand seasonal carbon cycling in a eutrophic deep-sea environment (Sagami Bay) with steep bottom topography along the western margin of the Pacific, off central Japan. We collected data from ocean color photographs obtained using a sea observation satellite, surface water samples, hydrographic casts with turbidity sensor, sediment trap moorings and multiple core samplings at a permanent station in the central part of Sagami Bay between 1997 and 1998. Bottom nepheloid layers were also observed in video images recorded at a real-time, sea-floor observatory off Hatsushima in Sagami Bay. Distinct spring blooms were observed during mid-February through May in 1997. Mass flux deposited in sediment traps did not show a distinct spring bloom signal because of the influence of resuspended materials. However, dense clouds of suspended particles were observed only in the spring in the benthic nepheloid layer. This phenomenon corresponds well to the increased deposition of phytodetritus after the spring bloom. A phytodetrital layer started to form on the sediment surface about two weeks after the start of the spring bloom. Chlorophyll-a was detected in the top 2 cm of the sediment only when a phytodetritus layer was present. Protozoan and metazoan meiobenthos increased in density after phytodetritus deposition. Thus, “benthic-pelagic coupling” was certainly observed even in a marginal ocean environment with undulated bottom topography. Seasonal changes in features of the sediment-water interface were also documented. 相似文献
14.
Comparison of pelagic and nepheloid layer marine snow: implications for carbon cycling 总被引：5，自引：0，他引：5
Barbara Ransom Kevin F. Shea Patti Jo Burkett Richard H. Bennett Roy Baerwald 《Marine Geology》1998,150(1-4):39-50
Marine snow from upper and mid-water (i.e., pelagic) depths on the California margin is texturally and compositionally different from that traveling in the nepheloid layer. Transmission electron microscopy shows that pelagic marine snow consists primarily of bioclasts (e.g., diatom frustules, foram tests), organic matter, and microbes. These components are entrained as discrete particles or small aggregates
μm in diameter) in a loose network of exocellular, muco-polysaccharide material. Clays are infrequent but, when present, are constituents of comparatively compact organic-rich microaggregates. Microbes are abundant and appear to decrease in number with increasing water depth. In contrast, marine snow aggregates collected from just above the sea floor in the nepheloid layer are assemblages of clay particles, clay flocs, and relatively dense clay–organic-rich microaggregates in an exocellular organic matrix. Bioclasts and microorganisms occur only rarely. The prevalence of clay–organic-rich aggregates in the nepheloid layer suggests that, prior to final deposition and burial, marine snow from the pelagic zone is subject to disaggregation and recombination with terrigenous detrital material near or at the sea floor. Results have significant implications for the accumulation and burial rates of organic carbon on continental margins and the aging and bioavailability of sedimentary organic matter. Samples examined were collected offshore of northern and central California. 相似文献
15.
Jeomshik Hwang Steven J. Manganini Daniel B. Montluon Timothy I. Eglinton 《Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers》2009,56(10):1792-1803
The Northwest Atlantic margin is characterized by high biological productivity in shelf and slope surface waters. In addition to carbon supply to underlying sediments, the persistent, intermediate depth nepheloid layers emanating from the continental shelves, and bottom nepheloid layers maintained by strong bottom currents associated with the southward flowing Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC), provide conduits for export of organic carbon over the margin and/or to the interior ocean. As a part of a project to understand dynamics of particulate organic carbon (POC) cycling in this region, we examined the bulk and molecular properties of time-series sediment trap samples obtained at 968 m, 1976 m, and 2938 m depths from a bottom-tethered mooring on the New England slope (water depth, 2988 m). Frequent occurrences of higher fluxes in deep relative to shallower sediment traps and low Δ14C values of sinking POC together provide strong evidence for significant lateral transport of aged organic matter over the margin. Comparison of biogeochemical properties such as aluminum concentration and flux, and iron concentration between samples intercepted at different depths shows that particles collected by the deepest trap had more complex sources than the shallower ones. These data also suggest that at least two modes of lateral transport exist over the New England margin. Based on radiocarbon mass balance, about 30% (±10%) of sinking POC in all sediment traps is estimated to be derived from lateral transport of resuspended sediment. A strong correlation between Δ14C values and aluminum concentrations suggests that the aged organic matter is associated with lithogenic particles. Our results suggest that lateral transport of organic matter, particularly that resulting from sediment resuspension, should be considered in addition to vertical supply of organic matter derived from primary production, in order to understand carbon cycling and export over continental margins. 相似文献
16.
《Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers》2006,53(8):1423-1438
The distribution of nepheloid layers across the outer shelf and upper continental slope off Namibia was studied during a cruise with R.V. Meteor in late austral summer 2003. Optical measurements, carried out with a transmissometer and a backscattering fluorometer, are correlated with suspended particulate matter (SPM) and particulate organic carbon (POC) values from water sample filtration. Conductivity-temperature-depth and oxygen data are used to relate the nepheloid layers to hydrographic structures. The particle content of surface water at the continental slope is controlled primarily by the offshore extension of highly productive upwelling filaments. A pronounced bottom nepheloid layer (BNL) covers the entire area of study with maximum intensity above the outer shelf and at the shelf break—an area where erosional forces dominate. The detachment of this BNL at the shelf break feeds a major intermediate nepheloid layer (INL) at 25.5°S. This INL is positioned at 250–400 m depth, at the lower boundary of an oxygen minimum zone, and is likely connected to the poleward flow of South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) across the shelf break. Together, these strong subsurface nepheloid layers are indicators of intensive lateral particle transport from the outer shelf towards a depocenter of organic matter on the upper continental slope. 相似文献
17.
Distribution of organic carbon in sediments and its influences on adjacent sea area in the turbidity maximum of Changjiang Estuary in China 总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2
Distributions and sources of total organic carbon （TOC）in seabed sediments and their implications for hydrodynamics are analyzed, in the turbidity maximum of the Changjiang Estuary. Ecology ecoenvironmental effects of estuary water on the continuously increasing terrigenous organic carbon from the Changjiang River are also explored through variations of organic carbon content and water quality indicators. Results show that, hydrodynamics exert important influences on distributions of organic carbon in the tur- bidity maximum of Changjiang Estuary. For their redistribution effect of terrigenous organic carbon within the moving layer in the whole region, variations from land to sea are not indicated by surficial and vertical average values of TOC and total nitrogen （TN） contents in core sediment, as well as organic stable carbon isotopes in surface sediments. However, on the long-time scale, the trend of terrigenous organic carbon decreasing from land to sea is still displayed by variations of stable carbon isotopic average values becoming heavier from land to sea. Previous studies have shown that high content of Chl a cannot appear in the Changjiang Estuary in despite of adequate nourishment supply, because photosynthesis of phytoplankton is constrained by high suspended sediment concentration（SSC）. However, an area with a high content of Chl a occurs, which may be caused by resuspended benthic algae with bottom fine grain-size sediments. Tremendous pressures are imposed on the environment of Changjiang Estuary, because of uhrophication trends and special hydrodynamics. Phytoplankton bloom area tends to extend from the outer sea to the mouth of Changjiang River. 相似文献
18.
Th. Leipe A. Loeffler K. -C. Emeis S. Jaehmlich R. Bahlo K. Ziervogel 《Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science》2000,51(6):789
Suspended particulate matter samples were collected from the water column, the bottom nepheloid layer and the ‘ fluffy layer ’ from four stations along a coastal-basin transect in the Pomeranian Bight, western Baltic Sea. Sampling was performed nine times between October 1996 and December 1998 for various analyses, including electron probe x-ray micro analysis for detailed mineralogical investigations.Specific vertical patterns of clay mineral distributions were found. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the bottom nepheloid layer and the ‘ fluffy layer ’ overlying sediments was enriched in organic carbon and hydrated three layer clay minerals, whereas the non-aggregated SPM was dominated by quartz and biogenic opal. It appears that separation effects operate during aggregation of mineral particles and organic matter in repeated cycles of resuspension and settling. No clear seasonal variations in the composition of the SPM were found, in spite of high spatial and temporal variability of biological and physical variables. The results suggest that preferential incorporation, possibly aided by microbiological colonization, of hydrated three layer silicates into the organic flocs is a process that occurs under a wide range of conditions. Because aggregates sink faster than individual particles, aggregate formation led to a relative enrichment of illite and smectite in the near-bottom layers. Considering the affinity of organic contaminants and heavy metals to organic matter, the selective removal of aggregated organic matter and hydrated three-layer clay minerals from the water column and enhanced transport in the near-bottom fluffy layer may be a natural cleansing mechanism operating in the shallow waters of the bight. 相似文献
19.
Edward T. Baker 《Marine Geology》1976,21(2):67-79
Analysis of 121 in-situ nephelometer profiles recorded in the waters above Nitinat Deep-Sea Fan during three cruises between 1971 and 1974 reveals a substantial degree of correlation between fan topography and the vertical distribution of suspended particulate matter within 150 m of the sea floor. Profiles recorded above different topographic provinces may be generalized into two structural classes which have retained their characteristic features throughout the 4-year observation period: the levee type, in which a thin bottom nepheloid layer consists of a single steep scattering gradient sharply capped by the overlying clearer water; and the fan-valley type, in which a bottom nepheloid layer of variable thickness and prominent internal layering dissipates only gradually into the overlying clearer water. Although the source of the particles which form the bottom nepheloid layer has not yet been definitely identified, the multi-year stability of scattering intensity, thickness, and internal structure imply that it is maintained by some combination of continually operative processes, rather than by infusions of material from episodic events such as turbidity currents. 相似文献