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The use of natural resources has been an important factor in national economic and social development. In 2006, the CGS was especially dedicated to the
development of two lines of research in this area: hydrogeology and gas hydrate prospects. |
| A. |
Exploration of Gas Hydrate Prospects Offshore Southwestern Taiwan |
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In 2006, intensive geological, geophysical and geochemical investigations were carried out in the gas hydrate prospect area offshore of southwestern Taiwan.
Seismic reflection, chirp-sonar profiling, ocean bottom seismometer, heat flow, and magnetic data were collected. A newly compiled bottom simulating
reflector (BSR) distribution map suggests that gas hydrates are widely and densely distributed in the investigation area. Submarine mud volcanoes were
identified and mapped to demonstrate fluid activities. Velocity models indicate that free gas exists beneath BSRs. Working hypotheses for petroleum
systems suggest that the investigation area is a prospect for both conventional hydrocarbon and gas hydrate accumulation.
Sediment samples, bottom water, and water column samples were collected from the continental slope of the South China Sea for geological and geochemical
studies. The results show no positive features of methane venting and /or gas hydrate exist in most cored samples except GS-5 in which a high methane anomaly
and rapid sulfate reduction were identified. Abundant live mussels, crab and authigenic carbonate were illustrated by TowCam images at site GS-5. These
phenomena indicate that GS-5 is a methane rich venting site. In addition to the offshore investigations, gas hydrate formation and dissociation processes
were studied in a diamond anvil cell by microscope. |
| B. |
Hydrogeological Research |
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The CGS and Water Resource Bureau have executed a 3 stage 17-year "Groundwater Monitoring Network Plan in Taiwan" since 1992. The main goal is to establish
the basic data of ground water hydrology and hydrogeology in each ground water region of Taiwan for the basis of ground water resources use, management, and
conservation.
In 2006, the 3rd year of the 3rd stage, the investigation area included the Taipei basin, Taoyuan-Chungli, and Taichung areas:
-Completion of the hydrogeological drilling survey and hydrology research for the Groundwater Monitoring Network, 2006. Ten (10) borehole cores were
-drilled and described to depths of 1,813 m along with the creation of hydrogeological profiles and maps.-Completion of four geological and hydrochemical research: -(1) -foraminifera, nanofossil and pollen analysis applied to stratigraphic correlations of drilling wells, (2) the study of sediments, depositional environments and -stratigraphic -correlations in the Taichung area and Hualien-Taitung valley, (3)stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope study on groundwater, and (4) Carbon-14 dating, -Tritium dating and water -quality analysis of groundwater for establishing the hydrogeological framework.
-Maintenance and update of the core data management system and hydrogeological database.
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