Grain size and geochemistry of surface sediments in northwestern continental shelf of the South China Sea

Eighty-six surface sediments collected from the northwestern continental shelf of the South China Sea (SCS) were analyzed for grain size distribution, calcium carbonate, organic carbon, and major and trace element compositions to investigate sediment provenance and factors controlling their geochemical composition. Sediments from the eastern continental shelf of Hainan Island have higher sand and lower clay content, while the samples from the nearshore Hainan Island have higher contents of gravel and clay. Calcium carbonate contents in samples show a positive correlation with water depth in northwestern shelf of SCS, suggesting that it is related to biological factors. However, the nearshore sediments have higher contents of organic carbon compared to those of the outer shelf, possibly suggesting that the terrigenous organic matter usually deposited in nearshore environments such as bays and estuaries. Compared with the upper continental crust, the samples have relatively lower contents of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃, higher than those of the Pearl and Red river sediments. The low contents of K₂O and Na₂O in sediments from the northwestern continental shelf are consistent with intense chemical weathering in the river basin due to the seasonally hot and humid climate regime. The sediments mainly consist of three components, including the gravel fraction composed of calcareous debris, the sand fraction composed of quartz, and the silt and clay fractions mainly composed of clay minerals. The content of each component depends on grain size, sediment source, biogenesis, and hydrodynamic conditions, which finally controls the chemical composition of the sediments. The distributions of Co/Al₂O₃, Cr/Al₂O₃, and Zr/Sc ratios for sediments in the northwestern continental shelf suggest that source rocks are mainly composed of felsic rocks rather than mafic rocks. There is a distinct difference in sediment source between eastern and western shelf sediments; the eastern shelf sediments are characterized by high Zr/Sc ratios mainly derived from the Pearl River, while the western shelf sediments have relatively low values of Zr/Sc indicating a main contribution possibly sourced from the Red River Basin. Terrigenous materials from Hainan Island usually influence the geochemistry of sediments deposited in the nearshore area.     

REE Geochemistry of Surficial Sediments from the Yellow Sea of China

REE geochemical studies of surficial sediment samples from the Yellow Sea of China have shown:(1)The average content of RE2O3 in the Yellow Sea sediments is 175 ppm,close to that in the East China Sea sediments.The REE distribution patterns in the Yellow Sea sediments are also similar to anomalies.These REE characteristics are typical of the continental crust.(2)The contents of REE are controlled mainly by the sediment grain size,i.e.,REE contents increase gradually with decreasing sediment grain size.REE are present mainly in clay minerals.In addition,REE contents are controlled obviously by heavy minerals.REE abundances in heavy minerals are much greater than those in light minerals.(3)Correlation analysis shows that REE have a close relationship with siderophile elements,especially Ti,which has the largest correlation coefficient relative to REE.Terrigenous clastic materials subjected to weathering and transport are suggested to be the main source of REE in the Yellow Sea sediments.     

Speciation and spatial distribution of solid-phase iron in surface sediments of the East China Sea continental shelf

Speciation and reactivity characterization of solid-phase Fe in marine sediments are of significance to understanding its heterogeneous mineralogy and crystallinity, the diagenetic cycling of Fe and its regulating roles on many other elements in sediments. In this study, a combination of sequential and single-step extractions was used for the determination of seven Fe pools in surface sediments of the East China Sea (ECS) continental shelf: (1) carbonate associated Fe (Fe(II)_carb) plus acid volatile sulfide-Fe (Fe(II)_AVS), (2) easily reducible amorphous/poorly crystalline Fe oxides (Fe_ox1), (3) reducible crystalline Fe oxides (Fe_ox2), (4) magnetite (Fe_mag), (5) poorly reactive sheet silicate Fe (Fe_PRS), (6) pyrite-Fe (Fe_py), and (7) unreactive silicate Fe (Fe_U). Total Fe (Fe_T) in the sediments is largely determined by terrestrial aluminosilicate particles as indicated by a great similarity of the Fe_T with that of the Yangtze River and global riverine particulates. The size of Fe_PRS is found to be the largest pool, followed by Fe_U, Fe_ox2, Fe_mag, Fe(II)_AVS+carb, Fe_ox1 and Fe_py. The large Fe_PRS may result from neoformation of Fe-rich clay minerals via reverse weathering and subsequent ageing. The small sizes of Fe(II)_AVS+carb and Fe_py pools is believed to be the result of low SO₄ reduction due to generally low labile organic matter together with the oxic/suboxic, dynamic environments of the surface sediments. The occurrence of Fe_ox1, Fe_ox2 and Fe_PRS in the sediments is closely associated with the clay fraction as indicated by a high spatial correlation between the former and the latter. Highly reactive Fe(Fe_HR) in the sediments is comparable to that in global marine sediments, but apparently lower than in the Yangtze River and global riverine particulates due probably to sequestration in the Yangtze Estuary. The ratios of Fe_HR/Fe_T, Fe_PR/Fe_T and Fe_U/Fe_T in the ECS surface sediments consistently show more similarity to those in the Yangtze River particulates than in the global continental margin or deep-sea sediments. The surface sediments maintain a high level of buffering capacity toward sulfidation suggested by a large fraction of highly reactive Fe(III) oxides (Fe(III)_HR) in Fe_HR.     

东海外陆架浅孔沉积物的岩性和磁性特征及成因讨论?

利用东海外陆架的10根柱状样，进行磁性、粒度、氯离子含量和粘土矿物分析。结果表明：在东海外陆架扬子浅滩前缘，浅部沉积地层自上而下可分为两层。上层为砂泥混合物，含大量贝壳碎片，磁化率与饱和等温剩磁较强，主要是磁铁矿富集所致，反映了冰后期海侵对晚更新世沉积物的强烈改造。研究还发现，现代海底表层沉积物中存在铁硫化物，它是浅海还原环境中铁磁性矿物次生变化的产物。下层为坚硬致密的黄褐色泥质粉砂和粉砂质泥（硬土层），磁化率与饱和等温剩磁较弱，但局部存在剩磁异常高，从矫顽力等磁性特征证明它是硫复铁矿的富集所致。另外，在硫复铁矿富集层中绿泥石和氯离子含量明显富集，反映该硬土层是早期海侵沉积物在末次冰期干冷气候条件下的风化产物。     

Quaternary seismic stratigraphy and paleoenvironments on the continental shelf of the East China Sea

Paleoenvironments and stratigraphy have been interpreted from 4380 km of seismic profiling collected during a geological and geophysical cruise on the continental shelf of the East China Sea (ECS) undertaken in 1996. The geophysical data are correlated with a borehole situated on the outer shelf obtained by Shanghai Marine Geology Bureau, indicating that six seismic units have been preserved since oxygen-isotope stage 6, including four regressive–transgressive cycles. Seismic units U2, U3+U4+U5, U6, and U7 are interpreted to correspond respectively to oxygen-isotope stages 1, 3, 5, and 6, implying that sediment partitioning and sequence architecture in the ECS have been controlled by glacio-eustasy and global climate changes. Alternating continental and marine strata corresponding to glaciation and interglaciation are well preserved on the outer shelf of the ECS. Most of the cold environment strata, which formed on the outer shelf during oxygen-isotope stages 2 and 4, are too thin to be recognized on SIG 600J because of resolution, but corresponding erosion surfaces exist. Seismic unit U7 is widespread over the shelf, extending to the continental edge and showing little variation in thickness, as the regression was pronounced and lasted a long time. Thus, U7 can be used as a marker layer for correlation of Quaternary strata on the shelf of the ECS. Post-glacial transgression is obvious in the ECS. Marine strata with varied thickness were developed in the shallow sea of the inner shelf, thinning toward the outer shelf. The continental shelf of the ECS has been influenced by Pacific tide-wave systems for a long time, forming tidal sand-ridge sequences, developed during transgressions, corresponding to oxygen-isotope stages 7 (or 9), 5, 3 and 1.     

中国海及大陆架沉积物标准物质系列评介

自20世纪90年代末以来,在有关国家专项的支持下,中国先后研制了分别取自黄海、东海和南海的共9个大陆架沉积物地球化学标准物质,基本构成了一个比较有代表性的中国海及大陆架沉积物标准物质系列,为中国海洋国土及专属经济区调查研究工作提供了有力技术支撑.本文简介了这些标准的研制背景、概况,着重评介了这些标准物质的特点,特别说明了该标准物质系列在海洋地质调查与研究中应用及在地质分析技术发展上的意义.     

Concentration distribution and assessment of heavy metals in sediments of mud area from inner continental shelf of the East China Sea

Heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, and As), grain-size, pH, Eh, and total organic material (TOM and TN) of 59 surficial sediments of mud area from the inner continental shelf of the East China Sea have been analyzed. The relations of the heavy metals to sediment composition, pH, reduction/oxidation conditions and total organic materials were evaluated with multivariate statistics analysis, and the hydrodynamic conditions such as coastal current and Taiwan warm current are the other important controlling factors to the distribution of heavy metals. Sediment enrichment factors and potential ecological hazard index ( E_\textRI E_{\text{RI}} ) were used to assess the heavy metals accumulation; the results indicate that moderate contamination of most heavy metals is prevalent, and the contamination level in the estuary is rather high, which is mainly from anthropogenic source. Compared with other areas in China, the contaminant level of the study area is moderate.     

Earthquake-related soft-sediment deformation structures in Palaeogene on the continental shelf of the East China Sea

Earthquake, as disastrous events in geological history, can be recorded as soft-sediment deformation. In the Palaeogene of the East China Sea shelf, the soft-sediment deformation related to earthquake event is recognized as seismic micro-fractures, micro-corrugated laminations, liquefied veins, ‘vibrated liquefied layers’, deformed cross laminations and convolute laminations, load structures, flame structures, brecciation, slump structures and seismodisconformity. There exists a lateral continuum, the wide spatial distribution and the local vertical continuous sequences of seismites including slump, liquefaction and brecciation. In the Palaeogene of East China Sea shelf, where typical soft-sediment deformation structures were developed, clastic deposits of tidal-flat, delta and river facies are the main background deposits of Middle-Upper Eocene Pinghu Formation and Oligocene Huagang Formation. This succession also records diagnostic marks of event deposits and basinal tectonic activities in the form of seismites.     

Characteristics and evaluation of Mesozoic source rocks in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf

Source rocks are the material basis of oil and gas generation and determine the potential resources of exploration blocks and have important research value. This paper studies the lithology, thickness, and geochemistry of Mesozoic source rocks in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf. The results show that the Mesozoic source rocks are mainly dark mudstone and coal-bearing strata. The total thickness of Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks ranges from 100 m to 700 m, and that of Lower Cretaceous source rocks ranges from 50 m to 350 m. The overall thickness of Mesozoic source rocks is distributed in the NE direction and their thickness center is located in the Jilong Depression. The Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks are mainly developed shallow marine dark mudstone and transitional coal measure strata. Those of the Lower Cretaceous are mainly mudstone of a fan delta front. Lower–Middle Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous hydrocarbon source rocks are dominated by type III kerogen, with Lower–Middle Jurassic hydrocarbon source rocks having high organic matter abundance and being medium–good hydrocarbon source rocks, while Lower Cretaceous hydrocarbon source rocks have relatively poor quality. From northwest to southeast, the vitrinite reflectance Ro of Mesozoic source rocks increases gradually. Source rocks in the study area are divided into three types. The first hydrocarbon-generating area is mainly located in the southeastern region of the study area, and the Jilong Depression is the hydrocarbon-generating center. The results of this study can provide a basis for exploration of Mesozoic oil and gas resources in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf.© 2019 China Geology Editorial Office.     

REE geochemistry of fine-grained sediments from major rivers around the Yellow Sea

To investigate the distribution pattern and controlling factors of rare earth elements (REEs) in riverine sediments, river mouth sediments were collected at five geographically different rivers around the Yellow Sea. Two- (1 M HCl leached and residual fractions) and five-step sequential extraction schemes (the SEDEX method) were applied to size-separated sediments < 20 µm. For the total REE composition, patterns normalized relative to the upper continental crust (UCC) showed light REE (LREE) and middle (MREE) enrichments in the Korean river sediments and MREE enrichment in the Chinese river sediments. LREE and MREE enrichments in 1 M HCl leached fractions played a major role in the distribution patterns of the total compositions in all the river sediments. About half of LREE enrichment in Korean river sediments was explained by the residual fraction. Comparison of the REE composition with major elements (Al, Fe, Ca, P) in each fraction of the SEDEX scheme revealed that MREE enrichment could be explained by reactive iron minerals, including goethite and hematite, although REE/Fe ratios showed different trends among the rivers due to different major REE-host iron minerals. After extracting reactive irons, authigenic phosphate, and carbonate, the sequential 1 M HCl fraction indicated that LREE enrichment in Korean river sediments may have originated from clay minerals, such as chlorite. These observations suggest that LREE enrichment may be a good tracer, while MREE enrichment should be used cautiously considering diagenetic modification, when using the REE composition to identify the sources of terrestrial materials.     

Quick sulfide buffering in inner shelf sediments of the East China Sea impacted by eutrophication

In the eutrophic coastal ocean, quick formation of iron (Fe) sulfide is environmentally important to effectively prevent accumulation of dissolved sulfide and its detrimental effects on the benthic ecosystem. In this study, 0.5 N HCl-extractable labile Fe (LFe), acid volatile sulfide, and pyrite in the East China Sea inner shelf sediments were examined to investigate the mechanisms of quick sequestration of dissolved sulfide and potential impacts of frequent algal blooms on the capacity of quick sulfide-buffering in eutrophic coastal areas of the large-sized continental shelf subject to massive terrestrial input. The results indicate that sulfate reduction has been competitively suppressed by dissimilatory Fe reduction due to limited availability of labile organic matter. Dissolved sulfide can be quickly buffered by reaction with LFe and, therefore, is difficult to accumulate to a high level. The quick sulfide-buffering capacity has not become exhausted partly because of the formation of un-sulfidized LFe(II) via dissimilatory reduction of less reactive Fe oxides. It is expected that dissolved sulfide will not pose detrimental effects on the benthic ecosystem in the near future if the current biogeochemical/ecological state remains.     

Trace metals in sediments from the inner continental shelf of the western Beaufort Sea

Increased development and changing climate have enhanced global interest in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas. Using a large, 3-yr data base, we have determined the distribution of trace metals in sediments from the inner shelf of the western Beaufort Sea. Metal concentrations in these sediments reflect pristine conditions, consistent with those for most coastal areas in the Arctic and with predictions based on average continental crust. Geographic variations in metal values are primarily related to sediment grainsize distribution. However, grain-size patterns are a complex function of several variables including source areas, ice and water movement, as well as physical and chemical weathering. Future identification of any metal contamination in Beaufort Sea sediments will be simplified by understanding the predictable natural patterns.     

Influence of the Yangtze River and grain size on the spatial variations of heavy metals and organic carbon in the East China Sea continental shelf sediments

Bulk heavy metal (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd), Al, organic carbon and carbonate concentrations, grain sizes, and δC¹³ of the organic carbon distributions were studied in sediments collected throughout the East China Sea continental shelf and the Yangtze River Delta. The results demonstrated that terrigenous sediments from the Yangtze River is a dominating factor controlling the spatial variations of heavy metals and organic carbon concentrations on the East China Sea continental shelf. In addition, grain size and recent anthropogenic influences are also major factors modifying the spatial and vertical variations of heavy metals.Large spatial variations with a band type distribution of heavy metals, grain size, organic carbon and carbonate were observed. Higher concentrations of heavy metal and light δC¹³ of the organic carbon were found primarily in the Deltaic and inner shelf sediments. The band type distribution generally followed the coastline with little variations in the north–south direction. Away from the Delta and inner shelf (west–east direction), most heavy metal concentrations decreased rapidly with the exception of Cd where high concentrations of Cd were also found in the carbonate-rich shelf break sediments. Coarse-grained relict sediments and biogenic carbonate are two primary diluting agents for the fine-grained aluminosilicate sediments from the Yangtze River with high concentrations of heavy metals.Unusually high concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Cd showed both spatially and vertically that more pollution prevention measures are needed in the Yangtze River drainage basin in order to prevent further heavy metal pollution of the East China Sea inner continental shelf.     

东海内陆架沉积物中有机硫形态的K边XANES谱分析

有机硫是海洋沉积物重要的硫形态,与有机质保存及多种元素的地球化学循环密切相关。利用硫的K边XANES谱从分子水平研究了东海内陆架沉积物中腐殖酸硫(HA-S)、富里酸硫(FA-S)以及铬不可还原有机硫(non-CROS)的形态及相对含量。结果表明,HA-S和FA-S总体上均以氧化态有机硫为主,其相对平均含量分别为56%和69%,而non-CROS则以还原态有机硫为主(86%)。HA-S和FA-S的强还原态硫为还原态有机硫的主要组成,磺酸盐和硫酸酯为HA-S中氧化态有机硫的主要组分,硫酸酯为FA-S中氧化态有机硫的主要组分。FA-S的强还原态有机硫为硫化成因,HA-S的强还原态硫可能与硫化和生物成因有关,而non-CROS的强还原态有机硫则主要为生物成因。如non-CROS能近似代表海洋沉积物中的有机硫总量,则表明该沉积物中总有机硫以还原态硫为主;而腐殖质硫(HA-S+FA-S)较高比例的氧化态硫则表明腐殖质硫不能全面反映沉积物中有机硫的组成和来源。     

Diatom preservation in an inner continental shelf borehole from the South China Sea

Diatom distribution in a 60-m long borehole from a siliciclastics-dominated ‘stable’ inner continental shelf in the South China Sea off Hong Kong was investigated. The Quaternary sediments contained evidence for five interglacial marine transgressions dating back to oxygen-isotope Stage 12, and yielded 53 genera and 186 taxa of diatoms. Intertidal species and nearshore shallow water species, including both planktonic and benthonic tropical and subtropical varieties, were dominant. Four diatom zones reflecting the shallow water environment have been recognized in the top 13.8 m of the borehole. Diatoms are missing in Stage 11 while Stage 7 and Stage 9 are very low in diversity and abundance compared to Stage 1 and Stage 5. The distribution pattern found is accounted for by the duration of time available for frustule dissolution through acid–sulphate soil development during Stages 2, 6, 8 and 10 when the shelf was subaerially exposed. Preservation of diatoms is best in Stage 1 because the deposits have never been subaerially exposed followed closely by Stage 5. Aging mainly through post-depositional dissolution is identified as the important controlling factor in determining diatom distribution in pre-Holocene deposits.     

末次冰消期以来东海内陆架沉积物地球化学特征及其古环境意义

尝试对末次冰消期以来东海内陆架沉积物地球化学特征及其蕴含的古环境、古气候信息进行探讨。对位于浙-闽沿岸泥质沉积中心附近的EC2005孔岩性、粒度、常量元素、矿物以及AMS^14C测年数据进行了综合分析,得出以下主要结论：（1）东海内陆架沉积物不同常量元素与TiO2的比值具有不同的环境、气候意义,SiO2、Na2O与TiO2的比值可以用来反映沉积水动力条件的强弱,Al2O3、Fe2O3、MgO、K2O、MnO以及下部湖相沉积层中的CaO、P2O5与TiO2的比值则主要反映了沉积物源区的变化以及与风化程度相关的源区气候变化。（2）研究区自17．3k。BP以来沉积环境经历了剧烈变化,岩芯底部60．20m至41．00m（17．3～13．1kaBP）为湖泊三角洲沉积序列,海水自13．1kaBP开始侵入研究区,形成了41．00m的海相沉积地层。自12．3kaBP研究区受到沿岸流影响,7．3ka BP以来稳定的泥质沉积体开始形成。（3）自末次冰消期初期至末期,气候总体向暖湿方向发展,新仙女木事件、8．2k。冷事件在本孔中有明显的记录,显示出全球性重要气候事件在中纬度浅海陆架海域的区域性响应。     

从陆架海到西太平洋:黄、东海悬浮体跨陆架输运通道与机制

黄、东海是亚洲大陆与西太平洋物质和能量交换的重要海域之一,在复杂的环流动力背景下,悬浮体的跨陆架输运是海洋地质学的研究热点。目前的研究表明,黄、东海物质跨陆架输运主要通过三条路径,包括苏北沿岸流作用下向济州岛西南搬运、浙闽北部向东输运和台湾暖流向东分支作用下跨陆架输运。其控制机制有水深地形、陆架环流、冬季风、水体斜压结构等研究结论,但尚未取得共识。且研究结论多基于叶绿素、水温等表层遥感分析获得,悬浮泥沙尤其是中下层高浓度泥沙跨陆架向深海输运的机制有待深入研究,此外,其季节变化、时空演变、输运通量等有待研究,台风、冬季风暴等的作用有待甄别。