白令海特征区域的表层沉积硅藻分布及其古海洋学意义

对白令海表层沉积物样品进行硅藻分析,共鉴定硅藻30属56种(含变种),并确定17种硅藻新记录,其中包括Kisseieviella carina等3种化石种。白令海表层沉积物中的硅藻优势种为Neodenticula seminae,Fragilariopsis cylindrus和Fragilariopsis oceanica,在白令海北部陆坡深水区附近以Neodenticula seminae为主,而在白令海北部陆架以Fragilariopsis cylindrus和Fragilariopsis oceanica为主。对硅藻结果进行聚类分析,可以划分出3个硅藻组合,硅藻组合Ⅰ代表海冰种硅藻组合,组合Ⅱ代表受阿拉斯加流影响的大洋浮游硅藻组合,组合Ⅲ代表上述两个硅藻组合之间的过渡组合。Fossula arctica是17种硅藻新记录之一,首次记录于白令海表层沉积物中,其百分含量分布趋势与Fragilariopsis cylindrus和Fragilariopsis oceanica的相近,在白令海北部陆架为11.7%~17.1%,而在陆坡深水区附近明显减少,是继Fragilariopsis cylindrus和Fragilariopsis oceanica之后白令海又一海冰指示种,并有望成为一种有效的海冰变化替代物运用于晚第四纪以来白令海海冰进退历史研究。     

白令海北部表层沉积物中的生源组分分布特征及其古海洋学意义

对中国首次和第3次北极科学考察在白令海北部所采取的29个表层沉积物中的TOC、生源Opal和CaCO3含量等进行了研究,结果发现,TOC的高值出现在外陆架至中陆架区,其次为海盆区,白令海峡至内陆架最低;Opal的高值出现在海盆至陆坡边缘区,其次为外陆架至中陆架,白令海峡至内陆架最低;CaCO3的高值出现在内陆架至中陆架...     

亚北极太平洋边缘海表层沉积物地球化学特征

对鄂霍次克海和白令海及其毗邻区40个站位表层沉积物样品的粒度和43种地球化学元素分析表明,表层沉积物类型及地球化学组成在空间上分布存在显著差异。因子分析显示,表层沉积物元素地球化学存在陆源、生源(Ba,Ca和Sr等)和自生源(Mn,Mo和Cd)三种来源。沉积物粒度与主微量元素分布没有显著的相关性。主微量元素地球化学散点图揭示表层沉积物碎屑物质存在来自火山和上地壳风化产物的贡献。白令海陆坡流和东萨哈林流对于底层沉积物分选有重要的影响。聚类分析显示,在空间分布上,鄂霍次克海以及底特律海山表层沉积物由陆源碎屑和火山物质混合构成;堪察加半岛东侧表层沉积物主要来自堪察加半岛,以火山碎屑贡献为主;白令海西北陆坡和鄂霍次克海西部陆坡表层沉积物主要来自阿纳德尔河和黑龙江(俄罗斯境内为Amur河)的输入,以陆源碎屑为主。研究区表层沉积物地球化学空间分异性与碎屑物质的来源、搬运动力、区域水动力条件密切相关。     

白令海及西北冰洋有机质来源与新鲜程度的脂肪酸指示

白令海、西北冰洋等高生产力海域在北冰洋“生物泵”中起到重要作用；海水升温、海冰消退等北极快速变化，将强烈影响该海域“生物泵”的结构与规模，并在沉积物中有机质的来源与新鲜程度上有所体现，可用脂肪酸加以指征。对第五次、第六次中国北极科学考察在以上海域采集的表层沉积物进行脂肪酸含量（以沉积物干重计）及组成分析，结果显示楚科奇海陆架总脂肪酸含量非常高((97.15± 55.31) μg/g)，白令海盆最低((15.00±1.30) μg/g)，加拿大海盆、楚科奇海陆坡、白令海陆架居中(分别为(88.65 ± 3.52) μg/g，(70.35±11.32) μg/g与(38.28±14.89) μg/g)。海源脂肪酸占总脂肪酸比例最高(86.82%±7.08%)，陆源次之(8.45%±6.62%)，细菌最低(4.63%±2.24%)；硅藻指数(16:1ω9/16:0)在楚科奇海陆架(> 0.82)、白令海陆架边缘(> 0.65)较高，其他区域均较低。脂肪酸结果表明:(1) 该海域沉积有机质主要来自海源，陆源贡献小；在北部、南部楚科奇海陆架、白令海陆架边缘，硅藻生物量占主要优势；细菌脂肪酸比例显著低于温暖海域，指示低温抑制细菌活动。(2) 楚科奇海陆架区硅藻生产力高、细菌活动弱，新鲜有机质沉降效率高，但对未来海水升温、浮游植物群落变化也较为敏感。(3) 加拿大海盆、楚科奇海陆坡的浮游植物群落由绿藻与金藻主导。以上结论说明脂肪酸可指示表层沉积物中有机质的来源与新鲜程度；未来，脂肪酸有望进一步揭示北冰洋“生物泵”对北极快速变化的响应。     

中全新世以来南黄海中部沉积过程——基于岩心粒度和有机质指标

海陆交互作用下的南黄海沉积环境复杂，其沉积机制一直是古海洋研究的重点和难点。本文以取自南黄海中部泥质区的Z1岩心为载体，对196个样品的粒度和整体有机质指标(TOC、TN、TOC/TN和δ13Corg)进行了详细分析，并对5个层位进行AMS14C年龄测定，分辨率高达11 a/cm。研究结果显示，6.1 ka BP以来南黄海中部沉积过程可分为3个阶段:(1) 6.1～5.2 ka BP，沉积物粒度较粗，以残留砂和陆源粗粒物质为主，有机质含量较低且主要为陆源输入，本阶段多受东亚季风强盛的影响，动荡海洋环境下有机质保存效率低，大量陆源输入冲淡作用显著；(2) 5.2～3.9 ka BP，沉积物粒度变细且波动较大，有机质呈增加趋势且以海源为主，主要受东亚冬季风减弱的影响，海源有机质含量增加，与黄海暖流影响增强有关；(3) 3.9～0 ka BP，沉积物粒度最细且相对稳定，有机质含量继续增加，直至1.9 ka BP趋于稳定，主要受现代环流系统和东亚冬季风影响。结果表明，南黄海粒度和整体有机质指标变化过程复杂，显示中全新世以来南黄海中部泥质区沉积环境演化的复杂性。本研究获得了南黄海高分辨率的沉积环境演化记录，不仅为沉积机制研究提供更多数据支撑，还可为区域古气候和古海洋演化提供关键的指示证据。     

环雷州半岛近海表层沉积物有机碳分布及其控制因素分析

对环雷州半岛近海43个海底表层沉积物的总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)、沉积介质条件(包括沉积物粒度)进行了分析,探讨了沉积物TOC、TN的区域分布特征以及影响有机碳分布的主要因素。结果表明,环雷州半岛近海海域海底表层沉积物有机碳含量在0~0.79%之间,平均值为0.26%。与中国其它近海海域相比,环雷州半岛大部分近海区域海底表层沉积物有机碳含量明显偏低,为有机质贫乏区,仅雷州半岛西南部流沙湾近海海域为TOC相对高值区。总氮含量也不高,在0.011%到0.100%之间,TOC与TN存在较强的正相关性,且平面上TOC与TN分布高度重合,显示氮元素主要以有机化合物形式存在。TOC/TN比值在5.1~14.3之间,表明沉积有机质具有陆源输入和海洋自生来源的混合特征,但以雷州半岛西侧北部及东侧中部海域受陆源有机质输入影响更大。大多数站位海底沉积物粒度构成以粉砂为主、粘土次之,少数站位以砂质沉积为主。沉积物有机碳含量与粘土及粉砂含量呈弱正相关性,与沉积物pH值、Eh值及砂含量呈弱负相关性,这表明海底沉积物有机质丰度受有机质来源输入、海底氧化还原状态和沉积水动力条件(沉积物粒度)等因素综合控制。     

西北冰洋楚科奇海台08P31孔晚第四纪的古海洋学记录

本文通过中国第三次北极科学考察在北冰洋楚科奇海台采集的08P31孔样品的多项指标分析,重建该区晚第四纪的古海洋与古气候演变历史。将08P31孔沉积物记录与其他孔综合对比初步划分为氧同位素3期(MIS 3)-MIS 1的沉积序列;TOC与Opal含量分析结果显示,自MIS 3以来该区总生产力呈逐渐上升趋势,但硅质生产力不高;CaCO3含量不仅代表海生钙质生物的生产力,也是陆源碎屑碳酸盐岩的信号;根据δ13Corg值运用两端元法计算出TOCmar/TOC,并通过TOCmar、TOCter与C/N值比较可知,δ13Corg值作为有机质来源的指标更可靠。经分析该孔沉积物有机质以海源有机质为主,但褐色层B2与白色层W3的有机质主要受到陆源有机质输入的影响;该孔沉积物中的浮游有孔虫Neogloboquadrina pachyderma(sin.)(Nps)的δ18 O和-δ13 C结果显示:褐色层B2和灰色层G1的轻值是由冰融水造成;黄褐色层Yb1上部到白色层W3下部的轻值反映了海冰形成速率提高,导致轻同位素卤水的生产和下沉。黄褐色层Yb1中部及白色层W3,Nps-δ18 O和-δ13C的重值对应低的有孔虫丰度,指示水体温度下降以及低营养环境。黄褐色层Yb2的Nps-δ18 O和-δ13C值呈镜像关系,这是由于大冰期环境下,海盆内储存了较少的融冰水导致。     

珠江口不同沉积有机质的来源及相对含量

通过分析珠江口表层沉积物的C、N元素及C、N稳定同位素，发现其总有机碳(TOC，干重％)含量为0．06％-1．02％，其中深圳湾-内伶仃岛-澳门和珠海附近海域及香港、大亚湾附近海域表层沉积物中的TOC含量较高。总氮(TN，干重％)含量为0．03％-O．19％，TOC和TN的比值范围为1．36-7．84，反映了沉积有机质的混合来源。沉积物的^15N值为3．86‰-6．39‰，δ^13Corg值为-24．76‰--21．98‰，表明珠江口的沉积有机质主要来源于海洋有机质和陆源有机物。从河口向西，δ^13Corg值偏轻，表明由河流带入的陆源有机质受科氏力作用主要在珠江西岸沉积。     

北冰洋西部沉积物有机碳、氮同位素特征及其环境指示意义

通过对楚科奇海及邻近的北冰洋深水区表层沉积物中有机碳同位素含量(δ13C)、氮同位素含量(δ15N)及生物成因SiO₂(BSiO₂)含量分析,结果表明海源和陆源有机质的分布受海区环流结构和营养盐结构所制约.楚科奇海中西部和楚科奇海台受太平洋富营养盐海水的影响,海洋生产力高,沉积物中海源有机质和BSiO₂含量高;靠阿拉斯加一侧海域海水的营养盐含量和生产力都偏低,沉积物中陆源有机质比重增加;在研究区北部和东北部的楚科奇高地和加拿大海盆,冰封时间较长,营养盐供应少,海洋生产力低,但来自马更些河和阿拉斯加北部的陆源有机质增多,沉积物中BSiO₂含量小于5%,海源有机质百分含量小于40%.由于亚北极太平洋水通过楚科奇海向北冰洋海盆输送,研究区营养盐池表现为开放系统,营养盐的利用率与它的供应成反比,与海洋生产力成反比.     

应用有机碳同位素技术研究湛江湾生态环境的变化过程

随着工业化进程的加快,湛江湾的生态环境承载力受到了极大的考验。为了解湛江湾生态环境的变化过程,文中利用湛江湾表层柱状沉积物样品中总有机碳含量(TOC)及其稳定同位素、总氮含量(TN)和C/N值的测定,结合端元混合模型,分析了湛江湾沉积物中有机质的来源,探讨了沉积物有机碳同位素的主要影响因素。结果表明,湛江湾沉积物中有机质主要来源为自生藻类,同时也受一定程度陆源输入的影响。沉积序列的元素地球化学参数表明,沉积物δ13C值呈现短暂的负偏随后长期正偏的趋势。底部的负偏可能与大气CO2浓度增加有关,随后δ13C主体正偏的趋势主要受控于气候转暖、生产力增加以及富营养化程度增加的共同影响,暗示了人类活动对湛江湾的生态环境的影响逐渐加剧。其中,人类活动相关的工业、农业有机污染物排放可能是不断加剧海水富营养化的主要原因。     

Latest Pleistocene to Holocene changes in glaciomarine sedimentation in Scoresby Sund and along the adjacent East Greenland Continental Margin: Preliminary results

Based on preliminary results of sedimentological and organic geochemical investigations, distinct changes in the composition of siliciclastic and biogenic components occured in sediments from the East Greenland Continental Slope and Shelf and Scoresby Sund during the latest Pleistocene to Holocene times. These changes probably reflect the (? early/) late Weichselian glacial to Holocene interglacial transition, i.e., the decay of continental ice masses and sea-ice cover, causing major changes in supply of terrigenous matter and surface-water productivity. Flux rates of coarse-grained ice-rafted debris (IRD) distinctly decreased on the continental slope/shelf during the deglaciation interval. During the last 10,000 years, major amounts of IRD were trapped in the Scoresby Sund system. In comparison to modern interglacial conditions, surface-water productivity was significantly lower during the last glacial.     

High organic carbon deposition in the northern margin of the Aleutian Basin (Bering Sea) before the last deglaciation

High-resolution geochemical, isotope and elemental data from core PC23A in the northern margin of the Aleutian Basin (Bering Sea) were used to reconstruct distinct paleoceanographic features of the last deglaciation (pre-Boreal[PB], Bølling-Allerød[BA], Younger Dryas[YD]). The PB and BA intervals are characterized by increased siliceous (diatom) and calcareous (coccolithophores and foraminifers) productivity represented by high biogenic opal and CaCO₃ contents, respectively. The enhanced productivity can plausibly be attributed to an elevated sea-surface nutrient supply from increased melt-water input and enhanced Alaskan Stream injection under warm, restricted sea-ice conditions. High C_org/N ratios and low δ¹³C values of sediment organic matter during the PB and BA intervals reflect the contribution of terrestrial organic matters. The PB and BA intervals were also identified by laminated sediment layers of core PC23A, characterized by high Mo/Al and Cd/Al ratios, indicating that the bottom water condition remained anoxic. High δ¹⁵N values during the same period were attributed mainly to the increased nutrient utilization and subsequent denitrification of seawater nitrate. Part of high δ¹⁵N values may also be due to incorporation of inorganic nitrogen in the clay minerals. It is worthy of note that high total organic carbon (TOC) deposition occurred approximately 3,000 years before onset of the last deglaciation. Simultaneous high C_org/N ratios and low δ¹³C values clearly suggest that the high TOC content should be related to terrestrial organic carbon input. Low δ¹⁵N values during the high TOC interval also confirm the contribution of terrigenous organic matter. Although abundant calcareous phytoplankton production under cold, nutrient-poor conditions represented by Baex data was reported for high TOC deposition preceding the last deglaciation in an earlier study of the Okhotsk Sea, the main reason for the enhanced TOC deposition in the Bering Sea is an increased terrigenous input from the submerged continental shelves (Beringia) with a sea-level rise; this is further supported by Al enrichment of bulk sediments during the high TOC deposition.     

Cycladophora davisiana (Radiolaria) in the Okhotsk Sea: A key for reconstructing glacial ocean conditions

Cycladophora davisiana, a radiolarian species dwelling at mesopelagic depths, is known as a representative glacial fauna due to its unique distribution during glacial periods. In the present ocean, abundant production of C. davisiana is only observed in the Okhotsk Sea, indicating an adaptation of C. davisiana for seasonal sea-ice covered conditions. We found pronounced abundant production of C. davisiana during the early to middle Holocene in the Okhotsk Sea, suggesting more favorable conditions for C. davisiana than the present Okhotsk Sea. In order to clarify the reason, oceanographic conditions during the Holocene were reconstructed based on biomarkers, lithogenic grains including ice-rafted debris (IRD), biogenic opal, and total organic carbon (TOC) in two sediment cores from the Okhotsk Sea. These indicators suggest that the pronounced C. davisiana production may be attributed to: 1) a supply to mesopelagic depths under intensified stratification of fine organic particles derived from coccolithophorids, bacteria, and detrital materials; and 2) cold, well-ventilated intermediate water formation.     

XRF岩心扫描估算海洋沉积物有机碳含量的适用性

X射线荧光光谱仪(XRF)的沉积物岩芯扫描技术可以无损、快速获得高分辨率的溴(Br)计数信息, 可用来估算海洋沉积物中有机碳含量, 但是其准确性及各种校正方法的效果还需要深入研究。文章选择两根在有机质来源构成上有明显差异的阿拉伯海和南海的沉积柱, 系统开展了沉积物有机碳(total organic carbon, TOC)含量与Br计数的相关性分析, 深入剖析了沉积物含水量、Br计数校正方法等对利用Br计数估算沉积物TOC含量的影响及评估该方法的适用性。对于有机质含量较高的海洋沉积物而言, Br计数与TOC含量之间存在较好的相关性, 且其相关性与是否校正Br计数没有显著关系。在陆源有机质输入量比较大的沉积物样品中, 则需谨慎采用Br计数来估算沉积物的总有机碳含量。     

Depositional environments of Late Cretaceous Gongila and Fika formations,Chad (Bornu) Basin,Northeast Nigeria

Organic geochemical and palynofacies studies of 172 ditch cuttings samples of possible source rock shales from the Late Cretaceous Gongila and Fika formations in the Chad Basin of NE Nigeria were carried out to determine their paleoenvironments of deposition. Although dominated by amorphous organic matter, C/S ratios and molecular parameters suggest the mostly organic lean shales (TOC contents typically below 1.5%) were deposited in a normal marine environment. Levels of oxygenation influenced by water depth in the depositional environment appear to control organic richness and quality of the dark grey shales.The organic rich (TOC > 2.0%) upper part of the Fika Formation was deposited under anoxic conditions during the Late Cretaceous and could represent an Oceanic Anoxic Event. Mature intervals where such conditions prevailed would have generated liquid hydrocarbon, although none were sampled here.A trend of increasing organic richness towards the central part of the larger Chad Basin observed in this and other studies supports the development of organic rich marine shales (average TOC contents of 2–3%) of equivalent age in the Termit Basin where water depth would have been deeper and oxygen conditions at levels that permitted preservation of marine organic matter.     

台湾东部黑潮区海源碳的沉积物记录与近千年来生产力与气候变化的反演

本文基于对台湾以东黑潮主流区沉积物的粒度和定年，通过解析沉积物总有机碳及其同位素组成获取海源碳变化特征，首次报道了该海区近千年来的初级生产力与气候变化反演结果。研究显示，台湾以东黑潮主流区近千年来的平均沉积速率为34.44 cm/ka，沉积环境较为稳定。另外，台湾以东黑潮主流区沉积物中的总有机碳和总氮含量主要受台湾东部河流输入、海洋初级生产力的沉降过程、成岩作用和粒度效应影响。对沉积物海源碳的定量估算表明，近千年来台湾以东黑潮主流区沉积物中40.02%~73.88%的有机质为海源输入，陆源输送次之。同时，近千年来台湾以东黑潮主流区沉积物记录较好地反映了中世纪暖期、小冰期和现代暖期3个气候变化阶段。1150-1420年期间，沉积物中总有机碳、总氮和海源碳含量缓慢升高，较高的表层海水温度有利于海洋初级生产力水平的升高。1500-1840年期间，较低的表层海水温度和亚洲大陆风尘输送水平使得海洋初级生产力较低，同时台湾地区小冰期较高的降水量有利于台湾东部河流向海输送，增强的水动力条件可能会加强海底沉积物的东移，从而导致该区域沉积物中总有机碳含量的增加。进入现代暖期以来研究区的海水温度逐渐增暖，而东亚季风强度和降水量却表现出波动的年际变化特征，并体现在研究区1930-1950年和1970年期间沉积物的中值粒径、总有机碳和总氮含量的快速波动。     

南日群岛东部海域岩芯沉积物有机碳含量和δ13CTOC值的变化特征及古气候环境意义

2008年在南日群岛东部海域用钻机采集长度为1 004 cm的岩芯样品,测试沉积物中总有机碳（TOC）含量、稳定碳同位素比值（δ13CTOC）、碳氮比值（C/N）、碳酸盐含量以及14C数据,分析其垂直剖面上的变化特征,阐明其沉积环境和古气候的指示意义.沉积物TOC含量变化范围为0.44%～0.74%,垂直剖面上总体显示出末次冰期和全新世中期TOC含量较高,全新世早期相对稳定,而全新世中后期TOC波动范围明显增大.C/N值在5.3～14.9之间变化,平均值为8.1;δ13CTOC值范围为-23.07‰～-21.04‰,表明沉积物中的有机质以海洋自生为主,同时混有部分陆源有机质.碳酸盐含量在3.3%～10.9%之间.TOC含量、C/N比值、δ13CTOC值在岩芯垂直剖面上具有很好的相关性.14C测年数据以及各要素测值在垂直剖面上的变化特征表明：自11 250 aBP以来该海域附近古气候有可能经历了以下4个演化阶段：①11 500～9 000 aBP期间气候寒冷、海平面下降,采样点可能为浅水区或潮间带;②9 000～8 000 aBP期间为升温期,气候由寒冷转向温暖;③8 000～4 300 aBP期间,为相对稳定的暖湿期,在后期气候出现小幅的波动;④4 300 aBP至今,气候进入明显的周期性波动期,暖湿和干冷气候多次交替变化;4 300～3 000 aBP期间为相对寒冷的时期;3 000～1 800 aBP期间为较稳定温暖期,1 800～1 000 aBP期间气温快速降低,标志着研究区进入一个新的寒冷阶段,但是自1 000 aBP以来,气候又再次出现转暖的趋势.     

晚第四纪南极阿蒙森海扇区冰盖与古生产力旋回变化

本文通过对阿蒙森海西北部陆隆AMS01岩心沉积物颜色、粒度及地球化学等多种指标分析，重建了该地区氧同位素9期(MIS9，大约距今34万年)以来冰盖与古生产力演变历史，结果表明:(1)岩心沉积物粒度与古生产力替代指标表现出明显的冰期–间冰期旋回变化特征；(2)MIS9、MIS7和MIS5等间冰期沉积速率较小，沉积物呈褐色，冰筏碎屑含量低，生源组分含量高，反映出该时期阿蒙森海地区气候温暖，冰盖发生了大规模退缩，冰盖–冰架–冰山等陆源冰对沉积物的影响减弱，海冰覆盖减弱，有利于浮游植物的生长和繁殖；(3)MIS8c、MIS8a、MIS6、MIS2等冰期沉积速率大，沉积物呈灰色，沉积物随之变粗，冰筏碎屑含量高，生源组分含量低，说明该时期冰盖大幅扩张，陆隆区成为近冰盖/冰架沉积环境，海冰和冰山密集，海洋生产力显著降低；(4)冰期、间冰期内，冰盖与古生产力也有不同程度的波动；特别是MIS8b期发育浅褐色间冰阶沉积，冰筏碎屑含量低，生产力水平与间冰期基本持平，说明阿蒙森海地区冰盖、海洋对气候变化的响应比东南极地区敏感。     

越南岸外上升流区48万年来高分辨率的生源组分记录及其古海洋学意义

南海西部越南岸外MD05-2901孔沉积物分析显示,该孔覆盖氧同位素1-12期,底界年龄约为48万年。生源组分记录显示表层古生产力冰期高、间冰期低,体现间冰期海平面下降、陆源物质输入增强的影响。生产力在末次冰期达到最高,体现末次盛冰期海陆差异增强,东北风发育对生产力提高的促进作用。碳酸钙含量变化呈现冰期早期含量低、冰消期和间冰期含量高的趋势。其冰消期的高值在MIS1/2、MIS3/4和MIS5/6分界处,与浮游有孔虫碳同位素低值对应,揭示该地区的碳酸钙沉积旋回是“稀释旋回”。同时碳酸钙含量变化领先于同一地区浮游有孔虫氧同位素的变化,证明低纬海区碳酸钙泵作用对大气二氧化碳浓度和温度有影响。滤波分析结果显示碳同位素存在23 ka的岁差周期和偏心率长周期,生源组分的含量变化显示出典型的岁差周期,体现南海季风环流的轨道响应,证明低纬热带过程是调节气候变化的重要因素。     

Core-based reconstruction of paleoenvironmental conditions in the southern Drake Passage (West Antarctica) over the last 150 ka

A deep-sea sediment core (GC98-06) from the southernmost Drake Passage, West Antarctica, shows late Quaternary depositional environments distinctly different from sedimentary drifts commonly found along the southwestern Pacific margin of the Drake Passage. The chronology of the core has been inferred using geochemical tracers of paleoproductivity and diatom biostratigraphy, and represents the paleoceanographic conditions in a continental rise setting during the last 150,000 years. Three dominant sediment types associated with distinct sedimentary processes have been identified using textural/compositional analyses: (1) hemipelagic mud (interglacial sediments) deposited from pelagic settling of bioclasts, meltwater plumes, and ice-rafted detritus; (2) terrigenous mud (glacial sediments) delivered by turbid meltwater plumes; and (3) massive muds marking the boundaries from interglacial to glacial periods. The succession of the sedimentary facies in core GC98-06 is interpreted to reflect temporal changes in environmental conditions prevailing on the continental rise of the southern Drake Passage in the course of successive climatic stages over the last 150 ka: from the bottom upward, these are glacial, interglacial, glaciation, glacial, and interglacial episodes. Variability in sediment flux and diatom abundance seem to have been related to changes in glacial advance, sea-ice extent, and specific sedimentary environments, collectively influenced by mid- to late Quaternary climatic changes.