Ancient Changjiang channel system in the East China Sea continental shelf during the last glaciation

The global sea level had started to rapidly fall about at 25 cal. ka before present. The last glaciation maxi-mum (LGM) is from 23 to 19 cal. ka[1,2]. The sea level at that time is under 130 m depth lower than the mod-ern sea level[3,4]. The continental shelf plain is gradu-ally submerged with rapid sea level rise in the last de-glaciation cycle. Whether rivers occurred in the sere continental shelf plain during the last glaciation cycle has been the hotspot in academia at all times. There a…     

Tidal straining effect on the suspended sediment transport in the Huanghe (Yellow River) Estuary, China

Tidal straining effect on sediment transport dynamics in the Huanghe (Yellow River) estuary was studied by field observations and numerical simulations. The measurement of salinity, suspended sediment concentration, and current velocity was conducted during a flood season in 1995 at the Huanghe river mouth with six fishing boats moored at six stations for 25-h hourly time series observations. Based on the measurements, the intra-tidal variations of sediment transport in the highly turbid river mouth was observed and the tidal straining effect occurred. Our study showed that tidal straining of longitudinal sediment concentration gradients can contribute to intra-tidal variability in sediment stratification and to asymmetries in sediment distribution within a tidal cycle. In particular, the tidal straining effect in the Huanghe River estuary strengthened the sediment-induced stratification at the flood tide, thus producing a higher bottom sediment concentration than that during the ebb. A sediment transport model that is capable of simulating sediment-induced stratification effect on the hydrodynamics in the bottom boundary layers and associated density currents was applied to an idealized estuary to demonstrate the processes and to discuss the mechanism. The model-predicted sediment processes resembled the observed characteristics in the Huanghe River estuary. We concluded that tidal straining effect is an important but poorly understood mechanism in the transport dynamics of cohesive sediments in turbid estuaries and coastal seas.     

Pacific decadal oscillation impact on East China precipitation and its imprint in new geological documents

This paper briefly introduces the history of the study of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) and explores the relationship between the PDO and sediment grain size from two typical sediment cores from the lower Changjiang (Yangtze River) and Huanghe (Yellow River) estuaries. It is found that the median grain sizes of both cores exhibit relatively high correlation with the PDO. This is because the PDO causes interdecadal variability of precipitation in the East Asia Monsoon region, thus changing the hydrodynamics in both the Changjiang and Huanghe catchments, eventually resulting in variation of sediment grain size. Our analysis also revealed that during different phases of the PDO, the sediment grain size of the Changjiang and Huanghe estuaries showed different variations in cold and warm PDO phases. This is related to movement of the precipitation center driven by the shift in different PDO phases. Moreover, we compared more high resolution geological proxies with the PDO, including stalagmites and tree rings, in East China over the past century. The results indicate that variations of studied geological proxies are generally well correlated with the PDO but have some differences. Finally, longer variations of sediment grain sizes in the Changjiang and Huanghe estuaries are compared with a reconstructed PDO over the last 200 years; sediment grain sizes were still correlated with the PDO, implying that sediment grain size may be used as a new proxy for studying the long-term behavior of the PDO. This result supports previous knowledge of the PDO impact on East China climate evolution and offers a new proxy for further PDO study. Our study will improve paleoenvironment reconstruction in East China on a decadal time scale and benefit future climatic predictions.     

中国东海及邻近海域一条剖面的地壳速度结构研究

1982年以来，中国科学院海洋研究所在东海海域进行了二十多个站位的遥测浮标折射地震测量，1991年又在东海陆架区进行了OBS测量，本文在我国东海域选择了横穿东海陆架，冲绳海槽，琉球岛弧，琉球海沟和菲律宾海盆的一条剖面，利用上述折射地震资料及其它该剖面附近的折射地震资料，对该剖面的地壳速度结构进行了研究，并进行了速度年代对比。研究表明，剖面的速度结构在纵向上和横向上都表现出明显的差异，横向上可分为三隆三盆，纵向上大致可划分为1．8－2．2km/s,2.4-2.8km/s,3.0-3.6km/s,4.2-5.1km/s和5.75-6.0km/s的速度层，从地壳的速度结构否则 本海区至少有如下的沉积旋回：降冲 槽的中抽外，上新世纪至第四纪本海区沉积环境稳定，而冲第槽中轴可能一直处于构造活跃的状态；始新世为本区沉积的全盛渐新世该区域处于抬升的时期,钓鱼岛隆起区、琉球岛弧隆起区在此期的沉积被剥蚀殆，东海陆架和冲 槽此时斯 沉积也受到相当程度的剥蚀，东海陆架盆地和冲绳槽此时期的沉积也受到相当沉的剥蚀。，东海陆架盆地和冲槽盆地的出现可能在5．75－6．0km/s的速度层沉积之后，菲律宾海盆为典型的大洋地壳结构。     

Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the Changjiang sediments: Implications for tracing sediment sources

The suspended particulate and fine-grained floodplain sediments were collected from the main stream and tributaries of the Changjiang River for Sr-Nd isotopic measurements. The εNd(0) values gradually decrease downstream from -10.8 on average in the upper reaches to -12.3 in the lower reaches, whereas the 87Sr/86Sr ratios increase correspondingly, averaging 0.721899 and 0.725826 respectively in the upper and middle-lower reaches. The compositional variations primarily reflect the complex con- trols of provenance rocks, chemical weathering, and sediment characters between different catchments, among which the abnormal Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the Yalong, Fujiang, Tuojiang and Yuanjiang rivers indicate the sediment provenance contributions from the Emeishan Basalt in the upper reaches and the old metamorphic and siliceous rocks in the middle-lower reaches. The Sr-Nd isotopic ratios of the Changjiang sediments can better reflect the average composition of weathered continental crust compared to other major rivers in the world because of the unique source rock types in the Changjiang drainage basin. The recognition of the Sr-Nd isotopic systematics of the Changjiang sediments will contribute to our understanding of the Changjiang evolution history and continental weathering processes during the Cenozoic, and also to reconstructing the paleoenvironmental changes in East China and the marginal seas.     

Relocation of the Yellow River as revealed by sedimentary isotopic and elemental signals in the East China Sea

The Yellow River (YR) supplies a large amount of nutrients and fresh water to the northern Chinese marginal seas, and greatly influences the ecosystem and current patterns. The relocation of the YR outlet from the southern Yellow Sea (YS) to the Bohai Sea in 1855 was demonstrated using northern East China Sea (ECS) sediment characteristics. Both isotopic (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) signals and C/N ratios in the organic matter (OM) indicate that prior to 1750, the predominant source of OM to the sediments was terrestrial. The terrestrial influences continuously weakened until 1855, when the YR estuary moved; after 1855, the OM was characterized by oceanic sources. Major elements (Al, Ti, Fe, Mn) and trace elements (Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb) had a much closer association with Malan loess prior to 1855, as >90% of the YR sediment was loess-derived. These results reveal that the relocation of the YR induced significant changes in the current patterns of the northern China Seas in the last 250 years; however, more studies are needed to further examine these linkages.     

High-resolution records of thermocline in the Okinawa Trough since about 10000 aBP

The present paper uses planktonic foraminifera and their stable isotopes to study the changes in the depth of thermocline (DOT) in the Okinawa Trough since the last 10000 a based on the analysis of Core B-3GC in the northern Okinawa Trough, together with that of the core in the southern Okinawa Trough. As results show, the thermocline was shallow before 6400 aBP, and deepened afterward, then became shallow again from 4000 to 2000 aBP. The DOT fluctuations display a positive correlation with those of sea surface temperature (SST). In addition, the changes in the northern Okinawa Trough are similar to those in the southern trough, implying a possible connection with the variation of the Kuroshio Current. The changes of SST and DOT suggest that the Kuroshio Current changed its intensity or main axis from 4000 to 2000 aBP and around about 6400 aBP respectively. Moreover, the changes of DOT from 8200 to 6400 aBP may indicate a gradual intensification of the Kuroshio Current.     

冲绳海槽地区地壳结构与岩石层性质研究

用冲绳海槽地区地质、地球物理、地球化学数据与资料，对横跨大陆边缘—大洋板块的中国东部—冲绳海槽—琉球岛弧地区进行综合研究. 根据地震体波、面波成像结果，空间与布格重力异常及磁力异常的综合解释等结果，利用调和系数法对该研究区的地壳厚度进行了计算，并对地壳属性进行分析. 同时，选择中国东部东北地区的宽甸、华北地区的汉诺坝、华南的闵溪和台湾海峡的澎湖列岛与冲绳海槽和日本岛弧的新生代玄武岩开展元素—同位素对比研究. 结果认为冲绳海槽岩石层明显减薄，上地幔低速层已达到莫霍面，在地幔中已形成交代软流层. 元素—同位素研究表明：它不同于中国东部，与琉球岛弧地区的特点也不相同. 综合分析认为：冲绳海槽地壳属于过渡型地壳，与大洋地壳的许多特点颇为相似.     

Particle size characteristics of suspended and bed sediments in the rhône river

Ten large volume water samples were taken from the Rhône River (Switzerland-France) in November, 1989 for recovery of total suspended sediment by continuous flow centrifugation. the samples were freeze-dried and analysed for particle size, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and carbonate. for comparative purposes, four bed sediments collected in July, 1989 are also described. the Rhône can be subdivided into three sections on the basis of the origins of the water. the first section is the Upper Rhône River draining into Lake Geneva. Waters are derived from glaciers, with low temperature and conductivity and high turbidity. Suspended sediment is coarse, has a bimodal distribution, and is low in both organic matter and carbonate. the second reach is from Lake Geneva to the confluence with the Saône at Lyon and has warmer water with higher conductivity and very low turbidity. Suspended sediment is higher in organic matter, with high carbonate originating from the lake. the final section is from Lyon to Arles, with warmer water and higher conductivity and turbidity due to modification by the Saône. Sediment is rich in organic matter, which May, account for an observed decline in oxygen in the river waters downstream from Lyon. Carbonate in these sediments also decreases due to increased turbidity from the Saône. Suspended sediments other than from the Upper Rhône show a remarkable consistency in grain size, predominantly in the fine silts (mode 9-11 μm). This consistency indicates a high degree of suitability for geochemical analysis. Bed sediments were bimodal throughout, with a dominant coarse population in two out of the four samples. Grain size statistical parameters could be easily explained by application of the theory of mixing of two major populations in the sand size (bed traction load) and the fine silt/clay size (suspended sediment load).     

东海陆坡及相邻槽底天然气水合物的稳定域分析

利用实测的海底温度和海底热流资料对东海陆坡和冲绳海槽中轴以西的槽底地区的海底温度场和热流场进行了分析. 利用地震声纳浮标和OBS（Ocean Bottom Seismometer）资料将本研究区的地层划分为6层，自上而下地层的速度分别为1.8(1.8～2.2) km/s、2.2（2.0～2.5）km/s、2.8（2.7～3.2）km/s、3.4～3.6km/s、4.2（4.1～4.7）km/s、5.1km/s. 上部的1.8～2.2 km/s的速度层相当于第四纪的地层，2.8 km/s的速度层相当于上新世上部的地层，3.4～4.2 km/s的速度层相当于上新世下部的地层. 天然气水合物稳定域覆盖的面积从水深约500m的陆坡下缘到冲绳海槽的中轴部分约70000km2，相当于整个东海海域面积的十分之一. 稳定带的厚度从400m（研究区中部）到1100m（研究区北部和南部）不等. 适合水合物稳定赋存的地层主要是第四纪（1.8km/s、2.2km/s）和上新世的地层（2.8km/s）. 根据热流、构造活动性和稳定带的厚度分析，研究区北部和南部更适合天然气水合物的稳定赋存.     

Variations in late Quaternary upper ocean structure of Okinawa Trough: A nannofossil approach

The relative abundance ofFlorisphueru profunda, a calcareous nannofossil species in lower euphotic zone, affords an opportunity to study variations in upper ocean structure such as thickness of mixed layer. As revealed by the nannofossil analysis in sediments since 20 ka B. P. from three Okinawa Trough cores, the percentage ofF. profunda increased significantly from glacial to Holocene, with a declining event ca 4 ka B. P. in its southern part. Its downcore trend is similar to that ofPulleniatina obliquiloculuta, a tropical planktonic foraminifera1 species which lives in subsurface water below thermocline in the modern ocean. Their similar variations imply an eastward shift of the Kuroshio Current, a reduction in thickness of the mixed layer, a shallowing of thermocline and a possible increase of turbidity in the upper ocean during the glaciation. The eastward shift of the Kuroshio might be repeated again about 4 ka B.P. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 49776289 and 49406067)     

Changes in material fluxes from the Changjiang River and their implications on the adjoining continental shelf ecosystem

This study aims to examine the changing patterns of Changjiang material fluxes, which are influenced by anthropogenic activities, and the resultant modifications to the coastal and shelf oceanographic conditions, and to propose future research about the effect of these changes on the estuarine and shelf ecosystem. Within the catchment basin of the Changjiang River, the construction of more than 48,000 dams has caused significant sediment discharge reduction, together with modifications to the timing of seasonal freshwater discharge. In the future, the mean freshwater discharge will decrease following the completion of the water-diverting project for water supply to northern China. At the same time, the riverine nutrient loadings (N and P) have increased due to the extensive use of chemical fertilizers and the large discharge of industrial wastewater and domestic sewage. These changes are modifying the oceanographic conditions of the estuarine and shelf waters. The flushing time for the river water becomes longer in wet seasons but shorter in dry seasons. An increase in salinity can be expected after the completion of the water-diverting project. Nutrient concentrations will be enhanced in the shelf waters. In contrast to the decrease in the suspended sediment concentration of the river water, field measurements have not shown well-defined patterns of changes within the estuary; nevertheless, net sediment accumulation and carbon burial rates would be reduced in the deltaic areas because of the reduced sediment discharge. Finally, increase in the nutrient input appears to enhance the primary production in the East China Sea region, which, in turn, may enhance the fishery catch.     

太湖流域上游东苕溪干流沉积物和悬浮物的氮形态分布及影响因素

氮是影响和控制水体富营养化的重要因素,不同形态的氮对水体富营养化贡献不同.使用连续提取法对东苕溪干流悬浮物、表层沉积物样品中各形态氮含量进行测定,探讨各形态氮的分布特征及其影响因素.结果表明,东苕溪水体氮污染严重,总氮浓度均值为4.48 mg/L.悬浮物中各形态氮含量均高于沉积物,其中悬浮物中铁锰氧化态氮(IMOF-N)含量所占比例最大,均值为1506.94 mg/kg;沉积物中有机硫化物结合态氮(OSF-N)含量最高,均值为625.31 mg/kg.IMOFN、OSF-N含量受阳离子交换量、粒径影响显著,均与总氮浓度显著相关.相关性分析表明水体的性质对IMOF-N及OSF-N含量影响较显著,并且总体上对悬浮物的影响强于沉积物.另外,悬浮物有助于水体中的氮发生硝化反应向硝态氮转化,沉积物则有助于水体的氮发生还原作用向氨氮转化.在一定程度上,水体中的悬浮物对藻类具有抑制作用.     

Feedback between residual circulations and sediment distribution in highly turbid estuaries: An analytical model

Motivated by field studies of the Ems estuary which show longitudinal gradients in bottom sediment concentration as high as O(0.01 kg/m⁴), we develop an analytical model for estuarine residual circulation based on currents from salinity gradients, turbidity gradients, and freshwater discharge. Salinity is assumed to be vertically well mixed, while the vertical concentration profile is assumed to result from a balance between a constant settling velocity and turbulent diffusive flux. Width and depth of the model estuary are held constant. Model results show that turbidity gradients enhance tidally averaged circulation upstream of the estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM), but significantly reduce residual circulation downstream, where salinity and turbidity gradients oppose each other. We apply the condition of morphodynamic equilibrium (vanishing sediment transport) and develop an analytical solution for the position of the turbidity maximum and the distribution of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) along a longitudinal axis. A sensitivity study shows great variability in the longitudinal distribution of suspended sediment with the applied salinity gradient and six model parameters: settling velocity, vertical mixing, horizontal dispersion, total sediment supply, fresh water flow, and water depth. Increasing depth and settling velocity move the ETM upstream, while increasing freshwater discharge and vertical mixing move the ETM downstream. Moreover, the longitudinal distribution of SSC is inherently asymmetric around the ETM, and depends on spatial variations in the residual current structure and the vertical profile of SSC.     

应用重力资源估算东海冲绳海槽地壳厚度

利用东海地区的重力资源，并参考在该地区进行的地震测深结果，应用线性公式估算了研究区的地壳厚度，分析了研究区地壳结构特征，根据与中国东部地球物理场、地壳结构的对比，指出东海大陆架地区应是中国大陆的自然延伸，对冲绳海槽的地壳性质进行了探讨，指出冲绳海槽应该为东海大陆架的自然终结。     

Tide‐modulated hyperpycnal flows off the Huanghe (Yellow River) mouth,China

Few hyperpycnal flows have ever been observed in marine environments although they are believed to play a critical role in sediment dispersal within estuarine and deltaic depositional systems. The paper describes hyperpycnal flows observed in situ off the Huanghe (Yellow River) mouth, their relationship to tidal cycles, and the mechanisms that drive them. Simultaneous observations at six mooring stations during a cruise off the Huanghe mouth in the flood season of 1995 suggest that hyperpycnal flows observed at the river mouth are initiated by high concentrations of sediment input from river and modulated by tides. Hyperpycnal flows started near the end of ebb tides, when near‐bottom suspended sediment concentration (SSC) increased rapidly and salinity decreased drastically (an inverse salt wedge). The median grain size of suspended particles within the hyperpycnal layer increased, causing strong stratification of the suspended sediments in the water column. Towards the end of flood tides, the hyperpycnal flow attenuated due to frictions at the upper and lower boundaries of the flow and tidal mixing, which collapsed the stratification of the water column. Both sediment concentration and median grain size of suspended particles within the bottom layer significantly decreased. The coarser sediment particles were deposited and the hyperpycnal flows stopped. The intra‐tidal behaviors of hyperpycnal flows are closely associated with the variations of SSC, salinity, and stratification of the water column. As nearly 90% of riverine sediment is delivered to the sea during the flood seasons when hyperpycnal flows are active, hyperpycnal flows at the Huanghe mouth and the river's high sediment loads have caused rapid accretion of the Huanghe delta. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Measuring and modeling vertical gradients in suspended sediments in the Solimões/Amazon River

Accurately measuring sediment flux in large rivers remains a challenge due to the spatial and temporal cross‐sectional variability of suspended sediment concentrations in conjunction with sampling procedures that fail to accurately quantify these differences. This study presents a field campaign methodology that can be used to improve the measurement of suspended sediment concentrations in the Amazon River or similarly large rivers. The turbidity signal and Rouse model are together used in this study to define the spatial distribution of suspended sediment concentrations in a river cross‐section, taking into account the different size fractions of the sediment. With this methodology, suspended sediment fluxes corresponding to each sediment class are defined with less uncertainty than with manual samples. This paper presents an application of this methodology during a field campaign at different gauging stations along a 3,000‐km stretch of the Solimões/Amazon River during low water and flood periods. Vertical concentration profiles and Rouse model applications for distinctive sediment sizes are explored to determine concentration gradients throughout a cross‐section of the river. The results show that coupling both turbidity technology and the Rouse model may improve our understanding of the spatial distribution of different sediments fractions sizes in the Solimões/Amazon River. These data are very useful in defining a pertinent monitoring strategy for suspended sediment concentrations in the challenging context of large rivers.     

An improved method for evaluating the seasonal variability of total suspended sediment flux field in the Yellow and East China Seas

The suspended sediment flux field in the Yellow and East China Seas(YECS) displays its seasonal variability.A new method is introduced in this paper to obtain the flux field via retrieval of ocean color remote sensing data,statistical analysis of historical suspended sediment concentration data,and numerical simulation of three-dimensional(3D) flow velocity.The components of the sediment flux field include(i) surface suspended sediment concentration inverted from ocean color remote sensing data;(ii) vertical distribution of suspended sediment concentration obtained by statistical analysis of historical observation data;and(iii) 3D flow field modeled by a numerical simulation.With the improved method,the 3D suspended sediment flux field in the YECS has been illustrated.By comparison with the suspended sediment flux field solely based on the numerical simulation of a suspended sediment transport model,the suspended sediment flux field obtained by the improved method is found to be more reliable.The 3D suspended sediment flux field from ocean colour remote sensing and in situ observation are more closer to the reality.Furthermore,by quantitatively analyzing the newly obtained suspended sediment flux field,the quantity of sediment erosion and deposition within the different regions can be evaluated.The sediment exchange between the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea can be evident.The mechanism of suspended sediment transport in the YECS can be better understood.In particular,it is suggested that the long-term transport of suspended sediment is controlled mainly by the circulation pattern,especially the current in winter.     

Evolution and variation of the Tsushima warm current during the late Quaternary: Evidence from planktonic foraminifera, oxygen and carbon isotopes

The evolution and variation history of the Tsushima warm current during the late Quaternary was reconstructed based on the quantitative census data of planktonic foraminiferal fauna, together with oxygen and carbon isotope records of mixed layer dweller G. ruber and thermocline dweller N. dutertrei in piston core CSH1 and core DGKS9603 collected separately from the Tsushima warm current and the Kuroshio dominated area. The result showed that the Tsushima warm current vanished in the lowstand period during 40―24 cal ka BP, while the Kuroshio still flowed across the Okinawa Trough, arousing strong upwelling in the northern Trough. Meanwhile, the influence of freshwater greatly increased in the northern Okinawa Trough, as the broad East China Sea continental shelf emerged. The freshwater reached its maximum during the last glacial maximum (LGM), when the upwelling obviously weakened for the lowest sea-level and the depression of the Kuroshio. The modern Tsushima warm current began its development since 16 cal ka BP, and the impact of the Kuroshio increased in the middle and north- ern Okinawa Trough synchronously during the deglaciation and gradually evolved as the main water source of the Tsushima current. The modern Tsushima current finally formed at about 8.5 cal ka BP, since then the circulation structure has been relatively stable. The water of the modern Tsushima cur- rent primarily came from the Kuroshio axis. A short-term wiggle of the current occurred at about 3 cal ka BP, probably for the influences from the enhancement of the winter monsoon and the depression of the Kuroshio. The cold water masses greatly strengthened during the wiggle.     

Distribution of 137Cs in the Lena River estuary-Laptev Sea system.

Surface sediment samples in the Laptev Sea have average 137Cs content of 7.1 Bq kg(-1), a value intermediate between that of the western Kara Sea (23 Bq kg(-1) and the East Siberian Sea (4.2 Bq kg-'). Both surface sediment content and sediment inventory of 137Cs in the Laptev Sea sediments show significant variability, and the influence of a variety of environmental factors.137Cs concentrations in the Laptev Sea surface sediments range from 0.8 to 16 Bq kg(-1). There is a marked increase in 137Cs content of surface sediment samples collected near the Lena River delta, and a local enrichment in the 137Cs inventories at these sites is also evident. Fine-grained mixed-layer illite/ smectite rich sediments in the estuary provide effective adsorption sites to fix 137Cs, in spite of desorption processes associated with low salinities in estuarine mixing. The Lena River-Laptev Sea mixing zone is a major site of sea-ice production. River and shelf sediments are incorporated into sea-ice formed in this region (Holmes and Creager, 1974). The irregular 137Cs activity profiles of the Lena River estuary cores indicate disturbance or removal of 137Cs-laden sediments via sea-ice related processes. Lena River and Estuary sediments may have served as a secondary source (i.e. other than direct fallout) of 137Cs in sea-ice. North-east of the Lena River estuary, sediment contains a thin layer of 137Cs-bearing material over an erosion surface. The 137Cs-laden surface layer may be the result of transient deposition of estuarine sediments being delivered by sea-ice or spring floods.