High resolution acoustic data, together with high-definition photomosaic images and video observations of the Formosa Ridge Cold Seep Site were obtained using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Seabed features of the cold seep site were described in detail and the scales and distribution patterns of these features displayed on the seabed were quantitatively analyzed. The cold seep site is characterized by irregular and hummocky topography on the seabed relief map and patches with high to medium backscatter intensities on side-scan sonar (SSS) images. Based on visual data, six kinds of seabed features related to cold seep activity were identified: gas flares, dense benthic chemosynthetic communities, mussel beds with low population densities, shells and/or shell debris areas, authigenic carbonate concretions, and reduced sediments. Spatially, these seabed features are distributed in an approximately zoned pattern with gas plumes and benthic communities in the innermost part of Site F and the reduced sediments in the outermost part. Based on the integrated acoustic and visual images and in-situ geochemical data, a conceptual model describing the cold seep fluid conduits within the shallow subsurface at Site F at the present is established. Briefly, favorable conduits have developed within the authigenic carbonate mound. The conduits channelize the cold seep fluids and result in relatively focused discharge of the seep fluids at the intersections of the conduits and the seabed, to sustain the dense communities there. Additionally, the authigenic carbonate concretions redirect some of the cold seep fluids to seeps at the periphery of the site, resulting in the reduced sediments. Integrated acoustic and visual investigations combined with in situ measurements are an effective way to quantitatively study the spatial extent of a cold seep site and can provide detailed information for further study of the cold seep system.

使用遥控车辆 (ROV) 获得了福尔摩沙岭冷泉场的高分辨率声学数据，以及高清马赛克拼图图像和视频观察结果。详细描述了冷渗点的海底特征，定量分析了这些特征在海底显示的尺度和分布格局。冷渗点的特点是海底地形图上的不规则和丘状地形以及侧扫声纳 (SSS) 图像上具有高到中等反向散射强度的斑块。根据视觉数据，确定了六种与冷渗流活动相关的海床特征：气体耀斑、密集的底栖化学合成群落、低种群密度的贻贝床、贝壳和/或贝壳碎片区、自生碳酸盐结核和减少的沉积物。在空间上，这些海床特征以近似分区模式分布，F 站点最内部为气体羽流和底栖群落，最外部为减少的沉积物。基于集成的声学和视觉图像和原位地球化学数据，建立了描述目前 F 点浅层地下冷渗流体管道的概念模型。简而言之，在自生碳酸盐丘内已经形成了有利的管道。管道引导冷渗流流体，并在管道和海床的交叉点相对集中排放渗流流体，以维持那里的密集群落。此外，自生碳酸盐结核将一些冷渗流体重定向到场地外围的渗流，导致沉积物减少。综合声学和视觉调查与原位相结合 测量是定量研究冷渗点空间范围的有效方法，可以为冷渗系统的进一步研究提供详细信息。