High-resolution seismic and side-scan surveys were conducted to investigate shallow gas accumulation and seepage in the Holocene sediment of the Pearl River Estuary. Extensive shallow gas accumulation and active seepage were detected in the Holocene sediments of the estuary and adjacent shelf regions. Laterally continuous and extremely shallow gas fronts were observed in areas with relatively higher sedimentation rates, whereas shallow gas was absent or discontinuous in regions with the sediment with lower sedimentation rates. Gas accumulation was present at extremely shallow depths in the West Shoal, which is the recent depocentre location. The co-occurrence of shallow gas distributions and variations in the sedimentation rate was related to the role of sediment accumulation in organic carbon burial and preservation, both of which are required for gas generation and accumulation in sediment. In addition, the consistency between the distribution of high water column methane concentrations in the West Shoal, the super shallow gas accumulation pattern in the sediment profile, and active seepage indicate that shallow gas in the Holocene sediment is a methane source in the Pearl River Estuary. Further, considerable evidence of recent or relic seepage is present in areas that have experienced active anthropogenic disturbances, including sand mining, dredging, and bridge building. The disrupted and discontinuous gas fronts at these sites suggest that active shallow gas releases were influenced by anthropogenic activity.

进行了高分辨率地震和侧扫调查，以调查珠江口全新世沉积物中的浅层天然气聚集和渗流。在河口和相邻陆架区域的全新世沉积物中检测到广泛的浅层天然气聚集和活跃渗流。在沉积速率相对较高的区域观察到横向连续且极浅的气前锋，而在沉积速率较低的区域则没有浅层气或不连续。在最近的沉积中心位置西浅滩极浅的深度存在天然气聚集。浅层气体分布和沉积速率变化的共同发生与沉积物积累在有机碳埋藏和保存中的作用有关，两者都是沉积物中气体产生和积累所必需的。此外，西浅滩高水柱甲烷浓度分布、沉积剖面超浅层气藏模式与活跃渗流的一致性表明，全新世浅层气是珠江口的甲烷来源. 此外，在经历过活跃的人为干扰（包括采砂、疏浚和桥梁建设）的地区，存在近期或遗留渗漏的大量证据。这些地点的中断和不连续的气体前沿表明，活跃的浅层气体释放受到人为活动的影响。西滩高水柱甲烷浓度分布与沉积剖面超浅层气藏模式和活跃渗流的一致性表明全新世沉积浅层气是珠江口甲烷来源。此外，在经历过活跃的人为干扰（包括采砂、疏浚和桥梁建设）的地区，存在近期或遗留渗漏的大量证据。这些地点的中断和不连续的气体前沿表明，活跃的浅层气体释放受到人为活动的影响。西滩高水柱甲烷浓度分布与沉积剖面超浅层气藏模式和活跃渗流的一致性表明全新世沉积浅层气是珠江口甲烷来源。此外，在经历过活跃的人为干扰（包括采砂、疏浚和桥梁建设）的地区，存在近期或遗留渗漏的大量证据。这些地点的中断和不连续的气体前沿表明，活跃的浅层气体释放受到人为活动的影响。在经历过活跃的人为干扰（包括采砂、疏浚和桥梁建设）的地区，存在近期或遗留渗漏的大量证据。这些地点的中断和不连续的气体前沿表明，活跃的浅层气体释放受到人为活动的影响。在经历过活跃的人为干扰（包括采砂、疏浚和桥梁建设）的地区，存在近期或遗留渗漏的大量证据。这些地点的中断和不连续的气体前沿表明，活跃的浅层气体释放受到人为活动的影响。