海底生物扰动作用主要由底栖生物的摄食、掘穴和栖所建造等活动造成,它可以充分改变沉积物的物理、化学特性,扭曲或模糊地层学信号,影响早期成岩过程和沉积记录以及沉积物的稳定性。海底生物扰动作用的研究,对于全面、精确地掌握海洋中各种物质的生物地球化学循环过程,正确回溯古气候、古海洋和古生态记录,合理调节和控制海底生态系统的多样性具有十分重要的意义。简要回顾了海洋生物扰动作用的研究进展,并着重对海洋沉积物中生物扰动作用的观测和定量研究方法、主要影响因素及其对沉积过程和记录的影响进行了评述。
Bioturbation in seabed sediments results from feeding, burrowing and habitat construction by ben- thos. It can substantially modify the physical, chemical properties of sediments, distort or smear primary stratigra- phical signals, influence the early diagenesis, sedimentary record and stability of sediments. Research on bioturbation is very important to roundly and exactly understand the processes of biogeochemical cycles in marine sediments, accurately reconstruct the records of palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology and palaeoecology, reasonably adjust and control the biodiversity of seabed ecosystem. This paper briefly reviews the development of the research on bioturbation in marine sediments, and focuses on comments of the observation and quantitative research methods of biotutrbation, its major influential factors, and its effects on sedimentary processes and records.