Volume 42 Issue 2
Feb.  2023
Turn off MathJax
Article Contents
Pengfei Xiong, Cong Cheng, Zenggui Kuang, Jinfeng Ren, Jinqiang Liang, Hongfei Lai, Zigui Chen, Jiang Lu, Xiaoyu Fang, Tao Jiang. Sedimentary characteristics and genetic mechanism of the giant ancient pockmarks in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea[J]. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2023, 42(2): 120-133. doi: 10.1007/s13131-022-2125-y
Citation: Pengfei Xiong, Cong Cheng, Zenggui Kuang, Jinfeng Ren, Jinqiang Liang, Hongfei Lai, Zigui Chen, Jiang Lu, Xiaoyu Fang, Tao Jiang. Sedimentary characteristics and genetic mechanism of the giant ancient pockmarks in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea[J]. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2023, 42(2): 120-133. doi: 10.1007/s13131-022-2125-y

Sedimentary characteristics and genetic mechanism of the giant ancient pockmarks in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea

doi: 10.1007/s13131-022-2125-y
Funds:  The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract No. 41976073; the Guangdong Major Project of Basic and Applied Basic Research under contract No. 2020B0301030003; the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang) Project under contract No. ZJW-2019-03; the China Geological Survey Project under contract No. DD20190230.
More Information
  • Corresponding author: E-mail: kzg21001@163.comtaojiang@cug.edu.cn
  • Received Date: 2022-06-23
  • Accepted Date: 2022-10-11
  • Available Online: 2022-10-28
  • Publish Date: 2023-02-25
  • In the late Miocene, giant ancient pockmarks, which are fairly rare globally, developed in the Qiongdongnan Basin. In this paper, to determine the sedimentary characteristics and genetic mechanism of these giant ancient pockmarks in the Yinggehai Formation of the Qiongdongnan Basin, based on high-resolution 3D seismic data and multiattribute fusion technologies, we analyzed the planar distribution and seismic facies of the ancient pockmarks and compared the characteristics of the ancient pockmarks with those of channels, craters, and hydrate pits. Moreover, we also discussed the implications of the fluid escape system and paleo-bottom current activity in the ancient pockmark development area and analyzed the influence of the ancient pockmarks on the paleoclimate in this region. Finally, an evolutionary model was proposed for the giant ancient pockmarks. This model shows that the giant ancient pockmarks in the southern Qiongdongnan Basin were affected by both deep fluid escape and lateral transformation of paleobottom currents. In addition, the giant ancient pockmarks contributed to the atmospheric CO2 concentration in the late Miocene and played a great role in the contemporary evaluation of deepwater petroleum exploration.
  • loading
  • Bai Yang, Song Haibin, Guan Yongxian, et al. 2014. Structural characteristics and genesis of pockmarks in the northwest of the South China Sea derived from reflective seismic and multibeam data. Chinese Journal of Geophysics (in Chinese), 57(7): 2208–2222
    Böttner C, Berndt C, Reinardy B T I, et al. 2019. Pockmarks in the Witch Ground Basin, Central North Sea. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 20(4): 1698–1719,
    Breecker D O, Retallack G J. 2014. Refining the pedogenic carbonate atmospheric CO2 proxy and application to Miocene CO2. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 406: 1–8,
    Brook E J, Sowers J, Orchardo J. 1996. Rapid variations in atmospheric methane concentration during the past 110, 000 years. Science, 273(5278): 1087–1091. doi: 10.1126/science.273.5278.1087
    Cao Licheng, Jiang Tao, Wang Zhenfeng, et al. 2015. Provenance of Upper Miocene sediments in the Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan basins, northwestern South China Sea: Evidence from REE, heavy minerals and zircon U–Pb ages. Marine Geology, 361: 136–146. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2015.01.007
    Chen Jiangxin, Song Haibin, Guan Yongxian, et al. 2015. Morphologies, classification and genesis of pockmarks, mud volcanoes and associated fluid escape features in the northern Zhongjiannan Basin, South China Sea. Deep-Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 122: 106–117. doi: 10.1016/j.dsr2.2015.11.007
    Chen Jiangxin, Song Haibin, Guan Yongxian, et al. 2018. Geological and oceanographic controls on seabed fluid escape structures in the northern Zhongjiannan Basin, South China Sea. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 168: 38–47. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2018.04.027
    Chen Hui, Xie Xinong, Van Rooij D, et al. 2014. Depositional characteristics and processes of alongslope currents related to a seamount on the northwestern margin of the Northwest Sub-Basin, South China Sea. Marine Geology, 355: 36–53. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2014.05.008
    Chen Hui, Xie Xinong, Zhang Wenyan, et al. 2016. Deep-water sedimentary systems and their relationship with bottom currents at the intersection of Xisha Trough and Northwest Sub-Basin, South China Sea. Marine Geology, 378: 101–113. doi: 10.1016/j.margeo.2015.11.002
    Cheng Cong, Jiang Tao, Kuang Zenggui, et al. 2021. Seismic characteristics and distributions of Quaternary mass transport deposits in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 129: 105118. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2021.105118
    Cheng Cong, Kuang Zenggui, Jiang Tao, et al. 2022. Source of the sand-rich gas hydrate reservoir in the northern South China Sea: Insights from detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology and seismic geomorphology. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 145: 105904. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2022.105904
    Dandapath S, Chakraborty B, Karisiddaiah S M, et al. 2010. Morphology of pockmarks along the western continental margin of India: Employing multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 27(10): 2107–2117. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2010.09.005
    Davy B, Pecher I, Wood R, et al. 2010. Gas escape features off New Zealand: Evidence of massive release of methane from hydrates. Geophysical Research Letters, 37(21): L21309. doi: 10.1029/2010GL045184
    Dickens G R. 2003. Rethinking the global carbon cycle with a large, dynamic and microbially mediated gas hydrate capacitor. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 213(3–4): 169–183,
    Fang Yunxin, Wei Jianggong, Lu Hailong, et al. 2019. Chemical and structural characteristics of gas hydrates from the Haima cold seeps in the Qiongdongnan Basin of the South China Sea. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 182: 103924. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2019.103924
    Geng Minghui, Song Haibin, Guan Yongxian, et al. 2017. Characteristics and generation mechanism of gullies and mega-pockmarks in the Zhongjiannan Basin, western South China Sea. Interpretation, 5(3): SM49–SM59. doi: 10.1190/INT-2016-0216.1
    Gong Chenglin, Wang Yingmin, Zheng Rongcai, et al. 2016. Middle Miocene reworked turbidites in the Baiyun Sag of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, northern South China Sea margin: Processes, genesis, and implications. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 128: 116–129. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2016.06.025
    Guan Yongxian, Luo Min, Chen Linying, et al. 2014. Tracing study on the activity of mega-pockmarks in southwestern Xisha Uplift, South China Sea. Geochimica, 43(6): 628–639. doi: 10.19700/j.0379-1726.2014.06.007
    Haq B U, Hardenbol J, Vail P R. 1987. Chronology of fluctuating sea levels since the Triassic. Science, 235(4793): 1156–1167. doi: 10.1126/science.235.4793.1156
    Hassan M A, Church M, Lisle T E, et al. 2005. Sediment transport and channel morphology of small, forested streams. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 41(4): 853–876. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2005.tb03774.x
    Hovland M, Gardner J V, Judd A G. 2002. The significance of pockmarks to understanding fluid flow processes and geohazards. Geofluids, 2(2): 127–136. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-8123.2002.00028.x
    Hovland M, Sommerville J H. 1985. Characteristics of two natural gas seepages in the North Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2(4): 319–326. doi: 10.1016/0264-8172(85)90027-3
    Hovland M, Svensen H. 2006. Submarine pingoes: Indicators of shallow gas hydrates in a pockmark at Nyegga, Norwegian Sea. Marine Geology, 228(1–4): 15–23,
    Huang Heting, Huang Baojia, Huang Yiwen, et al. 2017. Condensate origin and hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism of the deepwater giant gas field in western South China Sea: A case study of Lingshui 17–2 gas field in Qiongdongnan Basin. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 44(3): 409–417. doi: 10.1016/S1876-3804(17)30047-2
    Huang Baojia, Tian Hui, Li Xushen, et al. 2016. Geochemistry, origin and accumulation of natural gases in the deepwater area of the Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 72: 254–267. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2016.02.007
    Jiang Tao, Xie Xinong, Wang Zhenfeng, et al. 2013. Seismic features and origin of sediment waves in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. Marine Geophysical Research, 34(3–4): 281–294,
    Judd A, Hovland M. 2007. Seabed Fluid Flow: The Impact on Geology, Biology and the Marine Environment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 408–409
    Judd A G, Hovland M, Dimitrov L I, et al. 2002. The geological methane budget at Continental Margins and its influence on climate change. Geofluids, 2(2): 109–126. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-8123.2002.00027.x
    Katz M E, Pak D K, Dickens G R, et al. 1999. The source and fate of massive carbon input during the Latest Paleocene thermal maximum. Science, 286(5444): 1531–1533. doi: 10.1126/science.286.5444.1531
    Keerthy S, Vishnu C L, Li Shanshan, et al. 2019. Reconstructing the dimension of Dhala Impact Crater, Central India, through integrated geographic information system and geological records. Planetary and Space Science, 177: 104691. doi: 10.1016/j.pss.2019.07.006
    King L H, Maclean B. 1970. Pockmarks on the Scotian Shelf. GSA Bulletin, 81(10): 3141–3148. doi: 10.1130/0016-7606(1970)81[3141:Potss]2.0.Co;2
    Lai C C A. 2007. Effects of gas hydrates on the chemical and physical properties of seawater. Journal of Petroleum Science & Engineering, 56(1–3): 47–53,
    Lai Hongfei, Fang Yunxin, Kuang Zenggui, et al. 2021. Geochemistry, origin and accumulation of natural gas hydrates in the Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea: Implications from site GMGS5-W08. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 123: 104774. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2020.104774
    Lei Chao, Ren Jianye. 2016. Hyper-extended rift systems in the Xisha Trough, northwestern South China Sea: Implications for extreme crustal thinning ahead of a propagating ocean. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 77(33): 846–864. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2016.07.022
    Li Qianyu. 2009. The South China Sea: Paleoceanography and Sedimentology. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 75–170. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4020-9745-4_3
    Li Na. 2013. The sedimentary paleoenvironment and provenance analysis in deepwater area of Qiongdongnan Basin since Oligocene (in Chinese)[dissertation]. Qingdao: Ocean University of China,
    Li Shanshan, Keerthy S, Santosh M, et al. 2018a. Anatomy of impactites and shocked zircon grains from Dhala reveals Paleoproterozoic meteorite impact in the Archean basement rocks of Central India. Gondwana Research, 54: 81–101. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2017.10.006
    Li Yufeng, Pu Renhai, Qu Hongjun, et al. 2018b. Distribution of bottom current channels and mounds controlled by Paleo-Morphology in Mid-Miocene in Beijiao Sag of Qiongdongnan Basin. Geological Science and Technology Information (in Chinese), 37(2): 1–8. doi: 10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.2018.0201
    Li Yufeng, Pu Renhai, Zhang Gongcheng. 2018c. Direction and deposition/erosion characteristics of the bottom currents in the QDNB, northwestern South China Sea. Progress in Geophysics (in Chinese), 33(6): 2546–2554. doi: 10.6038/pg2018BB0567
    Li Yufeng, Pu Renhai, Zhang Gongcheng, et al. 2021. Characteristics and origins of ridges and troughs on the top of the middle Miocene strata in the Beijiao Sag of the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. Interpretation, 9(2): SB1–SB15. doi: 10.1190/INT-2020-0109.1
    Liang Jinqiang, Fu Shaoying, Chen Fang, et al. 2017. Characteristics of methane seepage and gas hydrate reservoir in the northeastern slope of South China Sea. Natural Gas Geoscience (in Chinese), 28(5): 761–770. doi: 10.11764/j.issn.1672-1926.2017.02.006
    Lin Meihua. 1995. Submarine geomorphology of the eastern continental shelf of the Hainan Island. Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology (in Chinese), 4(4): 37–46. doi: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.1995.04.004
    Liu Xingjian, Tang Dehao, Yan Pin, et al. 2017. Characteristics of authigenic carbonates from a mega-pockmark on the eastern side of Baiyun Sag, South China Sea and their geological significance. Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology (in Chinese), 37(6): 119–127. doi: 10.16562/j.cnki.0256-1492.2017.06.013
    Lu Yintao, Luan Xiwu, Lu Fuliang, et al. 2017. Seismic evidence and formation mechanism of gas hydrates in the Zhongjiannan Basin, western margin of the South China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 84: 274–288. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2017.04.005
    Luo Min, Wu Lushan, Chen Duofu. 2012. Research status and progress of seabed pockmarks. Marine Geology Frontiers (in Chinese), 28(5): 33–42. doi: 10.16028/j.1009-2722.2012.05.009
    Masoumi S, Reuning L, Back S, et al. 2014. Buried pockmarks on the Top Chalk surface of the Danish North Sea and their potential significance for interpreting palaeocirculation patterns. International Journal of Earth Sciences, 103(2): 563–578. doi: 10.1007/s00531-013-0977-2
    Mayall M, Jones E, Casey M. 2006. Turbidite channel reservoirs—Key elements in facies prediction and effective development. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 23(8): 821–841. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2006.08.001
    Palamenghi L, Keil H, Spiess V. 2015. Sequence stratigraphic framework of a mixed turbidite-contourite depositional system along the NW slope of the South China Sea. Geo-Marine Letters, 35(1): 1–21. doi: 10.1007/s00367-014-0385-z
    Pilcher R, Argent J. 2007. Mega-pockmarks and linear pockmark trains on the West African continental margin. Marine Geology, 244(1–4): 15–32,
    Ren Jinfeng, Cheng Cong, Xiong Pengfei, et al. 2022. Sand-rich gas hydrate and shallow gas systems in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 215: 110630. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2022.110630
    Ren Jianye, Lei Chao. 2011. Tectonic stratigraphic framework of Yinggehai-Qiongdongnan Basins and its implication for tectonic province division in South China Sea. Chinese Journal of Geophysics (in Chinese), 54(12): 3303–3314. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0001-5733.2011.12.028
    Selim E S I. 2012. The use of seismic interpretation for delineating the characteristic features of Messinian channels in the north Nile Delta, Egypt. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 5(4): 713–722. doi: 10.1007/s12517-010-0248-5
    Sosdian S M, Greenop R, Hain M P, et al. 2018. Constraining the evolution of Neogene ocean carbonate chemistry using the boron isotope pH proxy. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 498: 362–376. doi: 10.1016/j.jpgl.2018.06.017
    Su Ming, Li Junliang, Jiang Tao, et al. 2009. Morphological features and formation mechanism of Central Canyon in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology (in Chinese), 29(4): 85–93. doi: 10.3724/sp.J.1140.2009.04085
    Sun Qiliang, Cartwright J, Lüdmann T, et al. 2017. Three-dimensional seismic characterization of a complex sediment drift in the South China Sea: Evidence for unsteady flow regime. Sedimentology, 64(3): 832–853. doi: 10.1111/sed.12330
    Sun Zhen, Wang Zhenfeng, Sun Zhipeng, et al. 2015. Structure and kinematic analysis of the deepwater area of the Qiongdongnan Basin through a seismic interpretation and analogue modeling experiments. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 34(4): 32–40. doi: 10.1007/s13131-015-0585-z
    Sun Qiliang, Wu Shiguo, Hovland M, et al. 2011. The morphologies and genesis of mega-pockmarks near the Xisha Uplift, South China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 28(6): 1146–1156. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2011.03.003
    Sun Qiliang, Wu Shiguo, Lü Fuliang, et al. 2010. Polygonal faults and their implications for hydrocarbon reservoirs in the southern Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 39(5): 470–479. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2010.04.002
    Sun Tiantian, Wu Daidai, Pan Mengdi, et al. 2018. Geochemical characteristics of surface sediments in the southern Qiongdongnan Basin of the northern South China Sea and its implication for sedimentary environment. Journal of Tropical Oceanography (in Chinese), 37(4): 70–80. doi: 10.11978/2017091
    Tian Dongmei, Jiang Tao, Zhang Daojun, et al. 2017. Genesis mechanism and characteristics of submarine channel: A case study of the first member of Yinggehai Formation in Ledong area of Yinggehai Basin. Earth Science (in Chinese), 42(1): 130–141. doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2017.010
    Tian Jie, Wu Shiguo, Lv Fuliang, et al. 2015. Middle Miocene mound-shaped sediment packages on the slope of the Xisha carbonate platforms, South China Sea: Combined result of gravity flow and bottom current. Deep-Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 122: 172–184. doi: 10.1016/j.dsr2.2015.06.016
    Tozer B, Sandwell D T, Smith W H F, et al. 2019. Global bathymetry and topography at 15 arc sec: SRTM15+. Earth and Space Science, 6(10): 1847–1864. doi: 10.1029/2019EA000658
    Wang Xinyuan, Luo Lei, Guo Huadong, et al. 2013. Cratering process and morphological features of the Xiuyan impact crater in Northeast China. Science China Earth Sciences, 56(10): 1629–1638. doi: 10.1007/s11430-013-4695-1
    Wang Xiujuan, Wu Shiguo, Dong Dongdong, et al. 2011. Control of mass transport deposits over the occurrence of gas hydrate in Qiongdongnan Basin. Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology (in Chinese), 31(1): 109–118. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1140.2011.01109
    Wei Sihua, Tian Jun. 2022. Mechanisms of greenhouse climate at low atmospheric CO2 levels in the Late Miocene. Advances in Earth Science (in Chinese), 37(4): 417–428. doi: 10.11867/j.issn.1001-8166.2021.116
    Wei Jiangong, Wu Tingting, Zhu Linqi, et al. 2021. Mixed gas sources induced co-existence of sI and sII gas hydrates in the Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 128: 105024. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2021.105024
    Wu Xiaochuan, Pu Renhai, Chen Ying, et al. 2018. Seismic analysis of early-mid Miocene carbonate platform in the southern Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 37(2): 54–65. doi: 10.1007/s13131-017-1128-6
    Xie Yuhong, Li Xushen, Fan Caiwei, et al. 2016. The axial channel provenance system and natural gas accumulation of the Upper Miocene Huangliu Formation in Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 43(4): 570–578. doi: 10.1016/S1876-3804(16)30067-2
    Xie Xinong, Li Sitian, Ge Ligang, et al. 1996. Internal Achitectures and evoluting model of Bay Fan Delta System in Yanan Sag of Qiongdongnan Basin. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica (in Chinese), 41(3): 66–73
    Xiong Pengfei, Jiang Tao, Kuang Zenggui, et al. 2021. Sedimentary characteristics and origin of moundes in Meishan Formation, southern Qiongdongnan Basin. Bulletin of Geological Science and Technology (in Chinese), 40(4): 11–21. doi: 10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.2021.0427
    Yang Jiayan, Wu Dexing, Lin Xiaopei. 2008. On the dynamics of the South China Sea Warm Current. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 113(C8): C08003. doi: 10.1029/2007JC004427
    Ye Jianliang, Qin Xuwen, Qiu Haijun, et al. 2018. Data Report: Molecular and isotopic compositions of the extracted gas from China’s first offshore natural gas hydrate production test in South China Sea. Energies, English,11(10): 2793. doi: 10.3390/en11102793
    Yu Kaiqi, Miramontes E, Alves T M, et al. 2021. Incision of submarine channels over pockmark trains in the South China Sea. Geophysical Research Letters, 48(24): e2021GL092861. doi: 10.1029/2021GL092861
    Zhai Puqiang, Chen Honghan, Xie Yuhong, et al. 2013. Modelling of evolution of overpressure system and hydrocarbon migration in deepwater area of Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea. Journal of Central South University (Science and Technology) (in Chinese), 44(10): 4187–4201
    Zhang Kun, Guan Yongxian, Song Haibin, et al. 2020. A preliminary study on morphology and genesis of giant and mega pockmarks near Andu Seamount, Nansha Region (South China Sea). Marine Geophysical Research, 41(1): 2. doi: 10.1007/s11001-020-09404-y
    Zhang Tiansheng, Wu Ziyin, Zhao Dineng, et al. 2019. The morphologies and genesis of pockmarks in the Reed Basin, South China Sea. Haiyang Xuebao (in Chinese), 41(3): 106–120
    Zhao Chengbin, Liu Mingjun, Fan Jichang, et al. 2011. High-resolution seismic exploration of Xiuyan impact crater structures. Chinese Journal of Geophysics (in Chinese), 54(6): 1559–1565
    Zhao Zhongxian, Sun Zhen, Sun Longtao, et al. 2018. Cenozoic tectonic subsidence in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. Basin Research, 30(S1): 269–288. doi: 10.1111/bre.12220
    Zhu Song, Li Xuejie, Zhang Huodai, et al. 2021. Types, characteristics, distribution, and genesis of pockmarks in the South China Sea: insights from high-resolution multibeam bathymetric and multichannel seismic data. International Geology Review, 63(13): 1682–1702. doi: 10.1080/00206814.2020.1848645
  • 加载中

Catalog

    通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com
    • 1. 

      沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院 沈阳 110142

    1. 本站搜索
    2. 百度学术搜索
    3. 万方数据库搜索
    4. CNKI搜索

    Figures(11)  / Tables(1)

    Article Metrics

    Article views (807) PDF downloads(41) Cited by()
    Proportional views
    Related

    /

    DownLoad:  Full-Size Img  PowerPoint
    Return
    Return