Palynological and algal assemblages from the sediments of Okinawa Trough

According to the distribution of spores, pollen and algae in the surface sediments, Okinawa Trough may be divided into three palynological regions: 1)Pinus-Quercus-Pteridium palynological region lying between the two slopes of Okinawa Trough, 2)Pinus-Castanopsis-Quercus palynological region lying north of the trough and 3)Pinus-Quercus-Polypodiaceae palynological region lying south of the trough. Comparing the sporo-pollen assemblages of the column sections with each other, five sporo-pollen zones have been distinguished and their ages determined. Four problems about the palynology of the trough sediments have been discussed. This paper was published in Chinese inOceanologia et Limnologia Sinica 13(5): 440–450, 1982.     

Long-term changes in sedimentary diatom assemblages and their environmental implications in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary,China

Long-term data on diatom assemblages in a sediment core （60 cm） obtained from the Changjiang （Yangtze） River estuary were analyzed in order to assess the environmental changes that took place in the approximately 38 years （as determined by 210pb measurements）, i.e., between 1974 and 2012, of sediment accumulation. From the sediment core, 62 diatom taxa and genera were identified. The diatom biomass in the core generally increased beginning in the mid-1990s （core depth： 35 cm）, accompanied by a shift in the dominant species from Podosira stelliger and two species of Cyclotella （C. stylorum and C. striata） to Paralia sulcata, three species of Thalassiosira （ T. eccentria, I＂. oestrupii, and T. excentrica）, Actinoptychus undulates, and Thalassionema nitzschioides. The changes in both species diversity and abundance suggested that since the 1980s the estuary has undergone extensive eutrophication. This conclusion was supported by the increased proportion of planktonic species, another indicator of high nutrients inputs, in the Changjiang River estuary.     

An experimental study on major element release from the sediments in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) Estuary

With the enhanced warming and acidification of global ocean, whether and to what extent the naturally-weathered fluvial sediment into the sea can release elements and thus influence the geochemical pro...     

Macrobenthic assemblages of the Changjiang River estuary (Yangtze River,China) and adjacent continental shelf relative to mild summer hypoxia

To assess the effects of hypoxia, macrobenthic communities along an estuarine gradient of the Changjiang estuary and adjacent continental shelf were analyzed. This revealed spatial variations in the communities and relationships with environmental variables during periods of reduced dissolved oxygen(DO) concentration in summer. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in macrobenthic community composition among the three zones: estuarine zone(EZ), mildly hypoxic zone(MHZ) in the continental shelf, and normoxic zone(NZ) in the continental shelf(Global R =0.206, P =0.002). Pairwise tests showed that the macrobenthic community composition of the EZ was significantly different from the MHZ(pairwise test R =0.305, P =0.001) and the NZ(pairwise test R =0.259, P =0.001). There was no significant difference in macrobenthic communities between the MHZ and the NZ(pairwise test R =0.062, P =0.114). The taxa included small and typically opportunistic polychaetes, which made the greatest contribution to the dissimilarity between the zones. The effects of mild hypoxia on the macrobenthic communities are a result not only of reduced DO concentration but also of differences in environmental variables such as temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentrations caused by stratification.     

Assessment of trophic status in Changjiang （Yangtze） River estuary

The integrated methodology for the assessment of estuarine trophic status (ASSETS), which was extended and refined from the United States National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment (NEEA), is a multi-parameter assessment system and has been widely used in eutrophication assessment in estuarine and coastal waters. The ASSETS was applied to evaluate the trophic status of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary, one of the largest estuaries in the world. The following main results were obtained: (i) The estuarine export potential is "moderate susceptibility" due to the "moderate" dilution potential and "moderate" flushing potential; (ii) The overall human influence (OHI) index classified the impact of nutrients in the system as "high" due to the high level of nutrient discharge by the river which channels anthropogenic impacts in the catchments to the estuarine system; (iii) The overall eutrophic condition (OEC) in the estuary was classified into the "high" category due to frequent occurrence of nuisance and toxic algal blooms in the mixing and seawater zones; (iv) Since the nutrient loadings (e.g., DIN) in the river is expected to continue to increase in the near future following the population increase and rapid economic growth throughout the drainage basin, the nutrient-related symptoms in the estuary are likely to substantially worsen, which leads to the "worsen high" category for the definition of future outlook (DFO). The combinations of the three components (i.e., OHI, OEC, and DFO) lead to an overall grade as "bad" for the trophic status in the Changjiang River estuary.     

Global charm of the Changjiang River Delta

Based on the theory of geo-economy, under the new situation of global economy, information network and China‘s entry into WTO, also with the holding of APEC (in 2001) and the International Exposition in the near future, the Changjiang (Yangtze) River Delta is striding toward the spectacular international multi-polar situation and becomes one of core regions with high-speed development. Facing the ocean and world all along, leading the progressive tides of the age and scintillating the splendor of the nation, she does advance with time. Through a long period of irrigation projects construction and intensive operation of lands in previous agricultural society, the artificial wetland ecosystem with a positive cycle had ever been formed in this region. At present, environmental pollution and urban expansion resulted from post-industrialization are being rectified. The delta will be the paradigm of industrial and agricultural modernization along the sustainable development road. With the rapid development of urbanization,she has been one of the regions with the highest density population and high urbanization level. Taking the Changjiang River estuary and the Hangzhou Bay as two parts, she is continuously strengthening and adjusting her interior structure, expanding mothball space and constructing the oriental modem ″logistics center“ to link the whole world. The butterfly-style urban system of the Changjiang River Delta is flying, probably engendering earthshaking “butterfly effect“.     

Fish assemblage structure in the hypoxic zone in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary and its adjacent waters

Fish assemblage structure in the hypoxic zone in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary and its adjacent waters were analyzed based on data from bottom trawl surveys conducted on the R/V Beidou in June, August and October 2006. Four fish assemblages were identified in each survey using two-way indicator species analysis (TWIA). High fish biomass was found in the northern part, central part and coastal waters of the survey area; in contrast, high fish diversity was found in the southern part of the survey area and the Changjiang estuary outer waters. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain high fishery production when high fish diversity is evenly distributed in the fish community. Fish became smaller and fish size spectra tended to be narrower because of fish species variations and differences in growth characteristics. Fish diversity increased, the age to maturity was reduced and some migrant species were not collected in the surveys. Fish with low economic value, small size, simple age structure and low tropic level were predominant in fish assemblages in the Changjiang estuary and its adjacent waters. The lowest hypoxic value decreased in the Changjiang estuary and its adjacent waters.     

Fish assemblage structure in the hypoxic zone in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary and its adjacent waters

Fish assemblage structure in the hypoxic zone in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary and its adjacent waters were analyzed based on data from bottom trawl surveys conducted on the R/V Beidou in June, August and October 2006. Four fish assemblages were identified in each survey using two-way indicator species analysis (TWIA). High fish biomass was found in the northern part, central part and coastal waters of the survey area; in contrast, high fish diversity was found in the southern part of the survey area and the Changjiang estuary outer waters. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain high fishery production when high fish diversity is evenly distributed in the fish community. Fish became smaller and fish size spectra tended to be narrower because of fish species variations and differences in growth characteristics. Fish diversity increased, the age to maturity was reduced and some migrant species were not collected in the surveys. Fish with low economic value, small size, simple age structure and low tropic level were predominant in fish assemblages in the Changjiang estuary and its adjacent waters. The lowest hypoxic value decreased in the Changjiang estuary and its adjacent waters.     

Simulated circulations off the Changjiang （Yangtze） River mouthin spring and autumn

The circulations off the Changjiang mouth in May and November were simulatedby a three dimension numerical model with monthly averaged parameters of dynamic factors in this paper. The area covers the East China Sea (ECS), Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea. Simulated results show that the circulation off the Changjiang mouth in spring and autumn is mainly the Changjiang runoff and Taiwan Warm Current (TWC). The Changjlang discharge is much larger in May than in November, and the wind is westward in May, and southward in November offthe Changjiang mouth. The runoff in May branches in three parts, one eastward flows, the other two flow northward and southward along the Subei and Zhejiang coast respectively. The Changjiang diluted water expands eastward off the mouth, and forms a strong salinity front near the mouth. Surface circulation in autumn is similar to that in winter, the runoff southward flows along the coast, and the northward flowing TWC becomes weaker compared to that in spring and summer. The bottom circulations in May and November are mainly the runoff near the mouth and the TWC off the mouth, and the runoff and TWC are greater in May than in November.     

Internal Facies Architecture and Evolution History of Changxing Mouth-Bar Complex in the Changjiang (Yangtze) Delta,China

River-mouth bar is a fundamental element to constitute a delta system, and its internal facies architectures are vital to reconstruct delta evolution history and study high-resolution sequence stratigraphy. Changxing Island is a representative mouth-bar complex in the modern Changjiang Delta. Its vertical stacked strata produced by delta progradation were first studied by detailed facies analysis of core CX03, and then a general facies architecture and evolution history of mouth-bar complexes in the modern Changjiang Delta were discussed through a comparative study of 5 different cores and historical charts. A progradational deltaic sequence has generally a similar internal facies architecture, composed of massive muddy deposits of prodelta and delta-front slope facies at the bottom, sand-dominated deposits of delta-front platform, inter-bar channel and mouth-bar facies at the middle, and heterolithic deposits of tidal flat and saltmarsh facies at the top. There is a significant time lag for the initial formation of channel-mouth bar systems between Chongming and Jiuduansha Islands. Compared with subtidal flats, sedimentation rates on intertidal flats were highly accelerated, potentially resulting from weakening wave and tidal strength over extensive intertidal flats and increasing human embankment activities in the last few centuries. These findings provide some new clues to understand modern and ancient mouth-bar evolution and resultant sequence strata in tide-dominated deltas.     

Observed residual currents off the Changjiang （Yangtze） Rivermouth in summertime of 1959 and 1982

Data taken in two large scale ocean observations in China in summer 1959 and 1982 were used to analyze the residual current off the Changjiang (Yangtze) River mouth. The currents at surface off the mouth in July 1959 and 1982 flow northeastward and eastward due to the river discharge, the current speed was larger in 1982 than in 1959. All the bottom currents flow landward due to baroclinic effect. The surface current was controlled by the river runoff and the Taiwan Warm Current (TWC). A return current at surface off the mouth was observed in September 1959. In general, the bottom currents were controlled by the TWC in most study area in addition to the runoff near the mouth. Although driven by 3-D model with the monthly averaged forces (river discharge, wind stress, baroclinic effect, open boundary water volume flux and tidal mixing) in August, the simulated circulations were basically consistent with the observed ones with episodic time manner.     

Numerical simulation of the transport and diffusion of dissolved pollutants in the Changjiang(Yangtze)River estuary

Based on a coupled hydrodynamic–ecological model for regional and shelf seas (COHERENS), a three-dimensional baroclinic model for the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary and the adjacent sea area was established using the sigma-coordinate in the vertical direction and spherical coordinate in the horizontal direction. In the study, changing-grid technology and the "dry-wet" method were designed to deal with the moving boundary. The minimum water depth limit condition was introduced for numerical simulation stability and to avoid producing negative depths in the shallow water areas. Using the Eulerian transport approaches included in COHERENS for the advection and dispersion of dissolved pollutants, numerical simulation of dissolved pollutant transport and diffusion in the Changjiang River estuary were carried out. The mass centre track of dissolved pollutants released from outlets in the south branch of the Changjiang River estuary water course has the characteristic of reverse current motion in the inner water course and clockwise motion offshore. In the transition area, water transport is a combination of the two types of motion. In a sewage-discharge numerical experiment, it is found that there are mainly two kinds of pollution distribution forms: one is a single nuclear structure and the other is a double nuclear (dinuclear) structure in the turbid zone of the Changjiang River estuary. The rate of expansion of the dissolved pollutant distribution decreased gradually. The results of the numerical experiment indicate that the maximum turbid zone of the Changjiang River estuary is also the zone enriched with pollutants. Backward pollutant flow occurs in the north branch of the estuary, which is similar to the backward salt water flow, and the backward flow of pollutants released upstream is more obvious.     

Observed residual currents off the Changjiang （Yangtze） Rivermouth in wintertime of 1959 and 1982

Data taken in the two large-scale ocean investigations in China in winter 1959 and 1982 are used to analyze the residual current off the Changjiang (Yangtze) River mouth in this paper. The current in wintertime off the river mouth consist of the Changjiang runoff, wind-driven current, coastal current, density-driven current and Taiwan Warm Current (TWC). The TWC occurs in wintertime off the mouth. The surface TWC reaches only to the east side of Dinghai, then turns southeastward. The bottom TWC can flow to the area off the Changjiang mouth along west slop of the submerged river valley (SRV) and to the area off the Subei coast, The simulated currents by 3D model are basically consistent with the observed currents, although the model was run with climatological forces and the observations was done in episodic time manner.     

Size-fractionated phytoplankton biomass in autumn of the Changjiang （Yangtze） River Estuary and its adjacent waters after the Three Gorges Dam construction

A cruise was undertaken from 3rd to 8th November 2004 in Changjiang （Yangtze） River Estuary and its adjacent waters to investigate the spatial biomass distribution and size composition of phytoplankton. Chlorophyll-a （Chl-a） concentration ranged 0.42-1.17 μg L^-1 and 0.41-10.43 μg L^-1 inside and outside the river mouth, with the mean value 0.73 μg L^-1 and 1.86 μg L^-1, respectively. Compared with the Chl-a concentration in summer of 2004, the mean value was much lower inside, and a little higher outside the river mouth. The maximal Chl-a was 10.43 μg L^-1 at station 18 （122.67°E, 31.25°N）, and the region of high Chl-a concentration was observed in the central survey area between 122.5°E and 123.0°E. In the stations located east of 122.5°E, Chl-a concentration was generally high in the upper layers above 5 m due to water stratification. In the survey area, the average Chl-a in sizes of 〉20 μm and 〈20 μm was 0.28 μg L^-1 and 1.40 μg L^-1, respectively. High Chl-a concentration of 〈20 μm size-fraction indicated that the nanophytoplankton and picophytoplankton contributed the most to the biomass of phytoplankton. Skeletonema costatum, Prorocentrum micans and Scrippsiella trochoidea were the dominant species in surface water. The spatial distribution of cell abundance of phytoplankton was patchy and did not agree well with that of Chl-a, as the cell abundance could not distinguish the differences in shape and size of phytoplankton cells. Nitrate and silicate behaved conservatively, but the former could probably be the limitation factor to algal biomass at offshore stations. The distribution of phosphate scattered considerably, and its relation to the phytoplankton biomass was complicated.     

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS ON HUMAN SETTLF, MENT IN THE CHANGJIANG RIVER DELTA IN NEOLITHIC AGE

Dating data, altitude of Neolithic sites, climatic changes from sedimentary records and previous research results were collected and analyzed to detect possible connections between climatic changes and human activities in the Changjiang River Delta in the Neolithic Age. The results indicated that hydrological changes greatly impacted the human activities in the study region. Low-lying geomorphology made the floods and sea level changes become the important factors affecting human activities, especially the altitude change of human settlements. People usually moved to higher places during the periods characterized by high sea level and frequent floods to escape the negative influences from water body expansion, which resulted in cultural hiatus in certain profiles. However, some higher-altitude settlements were not the results of climatic changes but the results of social factors, such as religious ceremony and social status. Therefore, further research will be necessary for the degree and types of impacts of climatic changes on human activities in the study area at that time.     

Water discharge variability of Changjiang （Yangtze） and Huanghe （Yellow） Rivers and its response to climatic changes

Influences of large-scale climatic phenomena, such as the E1Nifio/La Nifia-Southem Oscillation （ENSO） and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation （PDO）, on the temporal variations of the annual water discharge at the Lijin station in the Huanghe （Yellow） River and at the Datong station in the Changjiang （Yangtze） River were examined. Using the empirical mode decomposition-maximum entropy spectral analysis （EMD- MESA） method, the 2- to 3-year, 8- to 14-year, and 23-year cyclical variations of the annual water discharge at the two stations were discovered. Based on the analysis results, the hydrological time series on the inter- annual to interdecadal scales were constructed. The results indicate that from 1950 to 2011, a significant downward trend occurred in the natural annual water discharge in Huanghe River. However, the changes in water discharge in Changjiang River basin exhibited a slightly upward trend. It indicated that the changes in the river discharge in the Huanghe basin were driven primarily by precipitation. Other factors, such as the precipitation over the Changjiang River tributaries, ice melt and evaporation contributed much more to the increase in the Changjiang River basin. Especially, the impacts of the inter-annual and inter-decadal climate oscillations such as ENSO and PDO could change the long-term patterns of precipitation over the basins of the two major rivers. Generally, low amounts of basin-wide precipitation on interannual to interdecadal scales over the two rivers corresponded to most of the warm ENSO events and the warm phases of the PDO, and vice versa. The positive phases of the PDO and ENSO could lead to reduced precipitation and consequently affect the long-term scale water discharges at the two rivers.     

Interdecadal variability in ecosystem health of Changjiang(Yangtze) River estuary using estuarine biotic integrity index

Ichthyoplankton samples were collected from Changjiang(Yangtze) River estuary in May 2016.Species composition was studied by DNA barcoding and morphological identification.To make better use of the estuarine biotic integrity index(EBI) to assess the ecosystem health of the Changjiang River estuary over the past 30 years,we collected the data of a spring ichthyoplankton survey in the estuary from 1986 to 2016.The EBI was calculated using 12 evaluation metrics,namely,the number of total ichthyoplankton species,estuarine spawning species,estuarine nursery species,estuarine resident species,benthic species,pelagic species,and intolerant species,and the percentages of tolerant species,omnivores,insectivores,carnivores,and natural hybrid species.EBI was calculated in spring in four periods(1986,1999,2007,and 2016) by assigning points of 1,3 or 5,giving values of 50,38,36,and 32,respectively,corresponding to "Good", "Fair-Poor", "Fair-Poor",and "Poor" EBI levels,respectively.Changes in species composition were the primary reason for the significant decreases in EBI between 1986 and 1999,and for the large differences between 1986 and 2007 and between 2007 and 2016.The changes in species composition were influenced by declines in ichthyoplankton species,pollution sensitive species,estuarine nursery species and estuarine sedentary species,and an increase in pollution re sistant species.An analysis of EBI interdecadal variability showed that the health status of the Changjiang River estuary ecosystem over the last 3 0 years first declined and then stabilized at a lower level.This result further settled the argument for urgent protection and restoration of the Changjiang River estuary.     

Carbon biomass,production rates and export flux of copepods fecal pellets in the Changjiang(Yangtze) River estuary

Copepod fecal pellets are ubiquitous throughout the oceans. Their production and export can represent a highly efficient pathway of carbon export. However, the role these fecal pellets play in carbon export in the Changjiang(Yangtze) River estuary is not well known. Two cruises were carried out in the Changjiang estuary in the spring and summer of 2013, during which time carbon biomass, production, and export of copepod fecal pellets were studied. Spring and summer fecal pellet carbon biomass ranged 0.30–1.01 mg C/m~3(mean=0.56±0.20 mg C/m~3) and 0.31–1.18 mg C/m~3(mean=0.64±0.24 mg C/m~3), respectively, significantly lower than phytoplankton. At most stations, fecal pellet carbon biomass was higher in surface or subsurface layers than deeper layers. Production rates ranged 0.65–1.49 pellets/(ind.?h)(mean=1.02±0.27 pellets/(ind.?h)) in spring and 0.62–1.34 pellets/(ind.?h)(mean=0.98±0.22 pellets/(ind.?h)) in summer, within the range reported in previous studies. Higher production rates of fecal pellets occurred at stations with higher chlorophyll a concentrations, and production rates of copepods of size 500–1 000 μm greater than copepods 1 000 μm during both cruises. The potential export flux of fecal pellets was slightly higher in summer(mean=68.95±14.37 mg C/(m~2 ?d)) than spring(mean=52.08±11.33 mg C/(m~2 ?d)) owing to higher summer copepod abundances. To our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind in the Changjiang estuary, and it confirms the significant role of copepod fecal pellets in local carbon export.     

Revisiting and rethinking regional urbanization in Changjiang River Delta, China

China is entering a critical and accelerating phase of urbanization.As one of the most urbanized regions in China,the Changjiang(Yangtze)River Delta has experienced dramatic urbanization and urban transformation.However,in the recent years,many changes have taken place in this region and there is limited attention to the regional urbanization path evolution,its problems and the way to solve these problems.Therefore,we should revisit the urbanization process in the Changjiang River Delta again.In this paper,we revisited urbanization paths of the Changjiang River Delta by data analysis,influence factors of urbanization by the Gray Relational Analysis,and major challenges to urbanization of the Changjiang River Delta by theoretical considerations.We found that the urbanization of the Changjiang River Delta had experienced several stages of large-scale spatial and urban system restructuring.Within the Changjiang River Delta,Shanghai,Zhejiang and Jiangshu had experienced different urbanization path with local characteristics.But with their development model gradually converging,their urbanization model is also converging.We also found that the major influence factors affecting the Changjiang River Delta urbanization were dynamic change and urbanization was driven by different key factors in different socio-economic development stages.Meanwhile,the Changjiang River Delta urbanization is facing many problems such as existing institutional arrangements,including the hukou(household registration)system and others which can not meet the needs of current socioeconomic development and urbanization.Therefore,it is imperative to promote institutional innovation and adopt a new urbanization development strategy for the sake of the orderly and sustainable urbanization development in the Changjiang River Delta.     

Simulating the responses of a low-trophic ecosystem in the East China Sea to decadal changes in nutrient load from the Changjiang(Yangtze) River

Using a three-dimensional coupled biophysical model,we simulated the responses of a lowtrophic ecosystem in the East China Sea(ECS)to long-term changes in nutrient load from the Changjiang(Yangtze)River over the period of 1960–2005.Two major factors aff ected changes in nutrient load:changes in river discharge and the concentration of nutrients in the river water.Increasing or decreasing Changjiang discharge induced different responses in the concentrations of nutrients,phytoplankton,and detritus in the ECS.Changes in dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN),silicate(SIL),phytoplankton,and detritus could be identified over a large area of the ECS shelf,but changes in dissolved inorganic phosphate(DIP)were limited to a small area close to the river mouth.The high DIN:DIP and SIL:DIP ratios in the river water were likely associated with the diff erent responses in DIN,DIP,and SIL.As DIP is a candidate limiting nutrient,perturbations in DIP resulting from changes in the Changjiang discharge are quickly consumed through primary production.It is interesting that an increase in the Changjiang discharge did not always lead to an increase in phytoplankton levels in the ECS.Phytoplankton decreases could be found in some areas close to the river mouth.A likely cause of the reduction in phytoplankton was a change in the hydrodynamic field associated with the river plume,although the present model is not suitable for examining the possibility in detail.Increases in DIN and DIP concentrations in the river water primarily led to increases in DIN,DIP,phytoplankton,and detritus levels in the ECS,whereas decreases in the SIL concentration in river water led to lower SIL concentrations in the ECS,indicating that SIL is not a limiting nutrient for photosynthesis,based on our model results from 1960 to 2005.In both of the above-mentioned cases,the sediment accumulation rate of detritus exhibited a large spatial variation near the river mouth,suggesting that core sample data should be carefully interpreted.