A record of Miocene carbon excursions in the South China Sea

High-resolution δ¹³C records are presented for the Miocene benthic foraminifersCibicidoides wuellerstorfi andC. kullenbergi (24-5 Ma) and the planktonic foraminiferGlobigerinoides sacculifer (18-5 Ma) from ODP Site 1148A (18° 50.17’N, 116° 33.93’E, water depth 3308.3 m), northern South China Sea. The general pattern of parallel benthic and planktonic δ¹³C shows a decrease trend of δ¹³C values from the early-middle Miocene to the middle-late Miocene. Two distinct δ¹³C positive excursions at 23.1-22.2 and 17.3-13.6 Ma, and two negative excursions at 10.2-9.4 and 6.9-6.2 Ma have been recognized. All these events are cosmopolitan, providing the good data for the stratigraphic correlation of the South China Sea with the global oceans as well as for studying the changes of the global carbon reservoir and its corresponding climate.     

An isotopic model for the origin of autochthonous organic matter contained in the bottom sediments of a reservoir

Geochemical analysis of surface sediment samples collected in 2005 and 2006 was used to evaluate the potential sources of the organic matter present in sediments of southeast Poland's Solina Reservoir.Statistical analysis of sediment variables(carbon to nitrogen ratio, and the carbon 13 and nitrogen 15 isotope ratios) determined for the organic fraction indicated significant spatial variability with respect to sources of organic matter. A binary mixing model was developed from literature sources to predict the relative contributions of allochthonous and autochthonous production to sediment organic matter.Autochthonous production was shown to account for 60-75% of bulk sedimentation in the lacustrine parts of the reservoir, near the dam. In contrast, autochthonous production accounted for only 25% of sedimentation in the riverine zone receiving stream inputs. Statistical analysis identified the δ~(15)N of organic matter as the best predictor of the source of organic matter. Multiple regression analysis indicated that two water-quality variables(nitrate and dissolved silica) were significantly related to the δ~(15)N signature of organic matter. This led to a conclusion that limnetic nitrate and dissolved silica concentrations were regulating organic matter production in the Solina Reservoir.     

南海共轭大陆边缘构造属性的综合地球物理研究

利用南海最新的重磁资料,在岩石物性分析和全海域分带变倾角化极磁异常反演磁性基底分布的基础上,选择6条典型剖面拟合反演其密度与磁性结构,在此基础上进行了深部结构的对比分析.反演中尽可能以海底地震仪探测数据(OBS)、多道地震等结果作为约束,其中FF'剖面层速度分析是利用“南海大陆边缘动力学及油气资源潜力”973项目200...     

Source and distribution of lead in the surface sediments from the South China Sea as derived from Pb isotopes

Rapid economic development in East Asian countries has inevitably resulted in environmental degradation in the surrounding seas, and concern for the environment and its protection against pollutants is increasing. Identification of sources of contaminants and evaluation of current environmental status are essential to environmental pollution management, but relatively little has been done in the South China Sea (SCS). In order to investigate the abundance, distribution, and sources of Pb within the SCS, stable Pb isotopes and their ratios were employed to assess the contamination status and to differentiate between natural and anthropogenic origins of Pb in the surface sediments. The total Pb concentrations in sediments varied from 4.18 to 58.7 mg kg⁻¹, with an average concentration of 23.6 ± 8.9 mg kg⁻¹. The observed Pb isotope ratios varied from 18.039 to 19.211 for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.228 to 16.080 for ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 37.786 to 39.951 for ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 1.176 to 1.235 for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb, and 2.468 to 2.521 for ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁷Pb. The majority of these ratios are similar to those reported for natural detrital materials. Combined with Pb enrichment factor values, our results show that Pb found within most of the SCS sediments was mainly derived from natural sources, and that there was not significant Pb pollution from anthropogenic sources before 1998. Further studies are needed to reconstruct deposition history and for trend analysis.     

近百年来洱海沉积物有机碳埋藏时空变化

湖泊沉积物有机碳埋藏是陆地碳循环中重要的环节,对全球碳平衡起着重要的作用.洱海是云贵高原第二大淡水湖,目前对洱海生态环境变化、重金属与营养盐污染等已展开了较为深入的研究,但对近百年来沉积物有机碳埋藏时空变化与驱动因素缺乏系统的分析.本文通过对洱海北部湖区典型岩芯（编号EH2012）以及其他湖区13个沉积岩芯中有机碳（OC）含量的分析,结合湖泊生态环境与气候因子变化,研究了近百年来沉积物有机碳埋藏时空变化特征与影响因素.C/N摩尔比值表明洱海沉积物中OC以湖泊内源为主,不同湖区岩芯中OC含量变化趋势基本相似.以EH2012岩芯为例,OC含量历史变化可分为3个阶段：1970年以前,表现出较稳定的低值;1970-2000年,OC含量逐渐增加;2000年以来,OC含量增加更加明显并达到近百年来的最大值.近百年来,EH2012岩芯有机碳累积速率（OCAR）呈逐渐增加趋势,变化范围为7.9~87.2 g/（m²·a）,平均OCAR（OCAR）为24.1 g/（m²·a）;OCAR变化与OC含量和区域气温呈显著正相关,全球变暖与营养驱动下的湖泊生产力提高可能是近年来OCAR增加的主要原因之一.基于重金属Cd污染初始时间建立的时标,1982年以来不同湖区OCAR为17.1~44.7 g/（m²·a）,采用克里金插值得到的全湖OCAR均值为31.4 g/（m²·a）;不同湖区OCAR与磷累积速率呈显著正相关,指示了湖泊营养水平对有机碳埋藏空间变化的重要影响.     

南海北部陆坡细粒沉积物天然气水合物系统的形成模式初探

我国在南海北部陆坡的细粒沉积物中首次钻获水合物样品,为深入了解这一特殊成藏体系的形成机制,本研究以钻探区域高精度的二维和三维多道地震资料为基础,通过精细的地球物理解释和地质分析,探讨了该天然气水合物系统的成藏控制因素.细粒沉积物天然气水合物系统中水合物的富集过程存在着三个特殊的控制因素：（1）大面积丰富的含甲烷流体的参与.南海北部深水盆地广泛存在的异常热流体活动促使深部的热解成因天然气或浅层的生物成因气运移到水合物稳定带,有利于水合物的发育.热流体活动表现为底辟和气烟囱构造,在地震剖面上,表现为地震声学模糊带、同相轴下拉或中断、顶部出现反射亮点,这些构造直抵水合物稳定带.在气烟囱或底辟构造顶部通常有BSR伴生,说明热流体活动与水合物成藏具有密切关系;（2）断裂构造的发育在水合物稳定带中细粒沉积物的成核和生长过程中具有重要的作用,一方面促进稳定带流体的垂向和侧向运移,另一方面,构造裂缝可能成为成核和生长过程的空间;（3)大型海底滑坡导致了地层中超压流体活动和构造裂缝的发育,从而促进了水合物富集.在上述研究基础上,提出了南海北部水合物钻探区高饱和度水合物成藏模式.     

南海北部陆缘深水-超深水盆地成因机制分析

本文以海洋地质调查和油气勘探开发中积累的地质和地球物理资料的解释和分析为基础,描述和划分了南海北部被动陆缘地壳岩石圈结构构造单元,由陆向海划分出近端带、细颈化带、远端带和洋陆转换带（OCT,含边缘高地）四个构造单元.从细颈化带到OCT基本处于现今陆架坡折带之外的深水-超深水区的范围,以强烈的地壳薄化和发育大型拆离断层控制的拆离盆地为特征.这些深水-超深水盆地的同裂陷阶段均经历了早期均一断陷、中晚期拆离式断陷的演化过程,受控于南海北部大型拆离断层作用及其所导致的岩石圈临界破裂过程.新的深水-超深水盆地形成机理的认识为南海北部陆缘岩石圈的非瞬时伸展破裂过程的分析提供了新的视角,同时,陆缘深水-超深水盆地具有独特的构造-沉积体系配置和构造-热演化过程,将为科学评价南海北部陆缘深水-超深水盆地油气勘探潜力提供新的思路.     

过去5000 a以来抚仙湖沉积物有机质碳同位素的古环境指示意义

通过测定抚仙湖沉积物全有机样品的稳定碳同位素组成(δ~(13)C_(org))、总氮、总有机碳含量指标并计算碳氮比值,对过去5000 a以来抚仙湖沉积物有机质来源、δ~(13)C_(org)的影响因素及其所指示的古环境意义进行分析.结果表明:在过去的5000 cal a BP里,抚仙湖沉积物有机质主要来源发生明显变化,沉积物有机质输入由内源水生生物和陆生C_3植物共同输入(5000-2300 cal a BP阶段)转变为以内源沉水植物、浮游植物和藻类等输入为主(2000 cal a BP至今阶段);有机质来源发生变化是造成抚仙湖沉积物δ~(13)C_(org)值变化的主要原因;2000 cal a BP以来,陆源有机质输入的锐减与人类活动的影响密切相关;在2300-2000 cal a BP阶段,抚仙湖沉积物δ~(13)C_(org)值的快速变化可能指示了抚仙湖流域的古环境在这一时期经历了快速变化的气候事件.     

Chemostratigraphy of the Ediacaran basinal setting on the Yangtze platform,South China: Oceanographic and diagenetic aspects of the carbon isotopic depth gradient

The Ediacaran Yangtze platform in South China, which represents depositional settings ranging from coastal to basinal, provides valuable information for understanding climate changes and animal evolution during the Ediacaran Period. Although the shallower settings have been investigated, research on the basinal sections has been limited. This has hampered efforts to establish stratigraphic correlations and understand the oceanographic setting of the Yangtze platform. In this paper, the chemostratigraphy of a basinal section at Fengtan, Hunan Province, is reported based on analyses of stable carbon isotope profiles in carbonates (δ¹³C_carb), organic matter (δ¹³C_org), total organic carbon, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, and Mn, Rb, and Sr concentrations. The basinal section of the Doushantuo Formation, which is represented at Fengtan, provides data supporting regional correlations and oceanography. Three intervals in the Doushantuo Formation are correlated with the Three Gorges: (i) a negative δ¹³C_carb anomaly with stable δ¹³C_org values and altered ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in the lower section can be correlated to the boundary between Doushantuo Members 2 and 3 (Interval A); (ii) a relatively high δ¹³C_carb anomaly with unaltered ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (up to 0.7086) in the middle section corresponding to the lower part of Doushantuo Member 3 (Interval B); and (iii) a negative δ¹³C_carb anomaly with lowered δ values in the upper section can be correlated to the long interval of negative δ¹³C_carb (Interval C). The Gaskiers glaciation is likely represented in Interval A, and Interval C corresponds to the Shuram excursion reported for other Ediacaran localities. Our correlations confirm the depth gradient of δ¹³C_carb in the Yangtze platform and imply that reductive conditions prevailed in the basinal section from the Early to Middle Ediacaran. Under such conditions, anaerobic degradation of organic carbon or methane perturbed the inorganic carbon isotopic compositions and was at least partly responsible for the depth gradient of δ¹³C_carb.     

Riverine inputs of total organic carbon and suspended particulate matter from the Pearl River Delta to the coastal ocean off South China

A total of 1008 samples were collected from the eight major riverine runoff outlets in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) during 2005-2006 to estimate the fluxes of total organic carbon (TOC) to the coastal ocean off South China. The average dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration was 1.67 mg/L with a range of 1.38-2.13 mg/L. Concentrations of particulate organic carbon (POC) ranged from 2.66-4.12% of total suspended particulate matter (SPM). The fluxes of TOC and SPM from the PRD via the eight outlets were 9.2 x 10(5) and 2.5 x 10(7)tons/yr, respectively. Temporal variations in POC and DOC were observed at all outlets due to the large variability in runoff levels because of the seasonality of rainfall, and the riverine discharge amount was an important factor controlling TOC flux. The net contribution of organic carbon from the PRD to the coastal ocean represented approximately 0.1-0.2% of total organic carbon transported by rivers worldwide.     

Spatio-temporal carbon isotope variation during the Ediacaran period in South China and its impact on bio-evolution

The Ediacaran period is characterized by the extremely negative carbon isotope anomalies and great biotic evolution in Earth history. At least four negative carbon isotope anomalies have been reported from this interval in South China so far. It is traditionally argued that the isotope variations can be used as a useful tool for global correlation of Ediacaran succession; however, more and more researches argued against this idea. We reviewed the previously published carbon isotope data in South China, and ...     

History of anthropogenic nitrogen input to the German Bight/SE North Sea as reflected by nitrogen isotopes in surface sediments,sediment cores and hindcast models

The German Bight/SE North Sea is considered a hot-spot of river-induced eutrophication, but the scarce observational data of river nitrate loads prior to the 1970s complicate the assessment of target conditions for environmental management and legislation. Stable nitrogen isotope ratios (δ¹⁵N) in sediment records can be used to decipher historical river nitrate contributions. To better constrain pre-1970s conditions, we determined δ¹⁵N in archive sediment samples (1950–1969) and dated cores from the Helgoland depositional area. We also modeled the δ¹⁵N in past situations (1960 and 1860) using an N-isotope-tracking ecosystem model. The modeled spatial distribution of δ¹⁵N in sediments for 1960 conditions and the observed spatial pattern of δ¹⁵N in archive sediment samples (1950–1969) represent a period of moderate eutrophication. The modeled spatial distribution of δ¹⁵N in sediments for 1860 conditions (pre-industrial) showed a moderate δ¹⁵N gradient from the Elbe river mouth (δ¹⁵N<4‰) to the open sea (δ¹⁵N∼5‰). This pattern contrasts with the δ¹⁵N pattern in modern surface sediments, which exhibits a steep and inverted δ¹⁵N gradient from the Elbe river mouth (δ¹⁵N>9‰) to the open sea (δ¹⁵N<7‰). Modeled δ¹⁵N for 1860 conditions are consistent with δ¹⁵N values observed in dated sediment cores that span the last 900 years. Value of δ¹⁵N in sediment cores increased from approximately 1860 to 2000 by 2.5‰. The increasing trend reflects changes in the abundance and isotopic composition of riverine nitrate loads caused by anthropogenic activities. Sensitivity tests suggest that loads and isotopic ratios of nitrogen forms other than nitrate (ammonium and organic nitrogen) have minor impact on the modeled surface sediments, despite their higher abundance in the riverborne loads in the past. Our results suggest that eutrophication of the German Bight predates the 1960 period of documented rapidly increasing river loads. Pre-industrial levels of δ¹⁵N modeled with 28% of the modern annual (1990–1999) atmospheric loads and 10% of the modern annual river loads agree best with levels of δ¹⁵N (∼6‰) observed in sediments of the cores dated to 1860.     

Responses of foraminiferal isotopic variations at ODP Site 1143 in the southern South China Sea to orbital forcing

The foraminiferal δ ¹⁸O and δ ¹³C records for the past 5 Ma at ODP Site 1143 reveal the linear responses of the Plio-Pleistocene climatic changes in the southern South China Sea to orbital forcing at the obliquity and precession bands. The phase of the δ ¹⁸O variations with the orbital forcing is opposite to that of the δ ¹³C, which may be caused by the frequent El Niño events from the equatorial Pacific. The amplification of the Northern Hemisphere Ice Sheet at ñ3.3 Ma probably affected the development of the 100-ka climatic cycles. Its further spreading may spur the 100-ka climatic cycle to become the dominant cycle in the late Pleistocene. The “Mid- Pleistocene Transition” event has localized influence on the isotopic variations in the southern South China Sea. The foraminiferal δ ¹³C records for the past 5 Ma at Site 1143 are highly coherent with the orbital forcing at the long eccentricity band, and lead the δ ¹⁸O records at the shorter eccentricity band, highlighting the importance of the carbon cycle in the global climate change.     

Responses of foraminiferal isotopic variations at ODP Site 1143 in the southern South China Sea to orbital forcing

1 Astronomical theory One of the greatest achievements of the EarthSciences in the 20th century is the establishment of theMilankovitch theory or the astronomical theory[1]. AsImbrie pointed out[2], the astronomical theory can bedescribed as a simple system model. The input to thesystem can be defined as changes in the geometry ofthe Earth’s orbit or the seasonal and latitudinal distri-bution of incoming solar radiation, whereas the outputto the system can be defined as one or more calc…     

Two episodes of C-depletion in organic carbon in the latest Permian: Evidence from the terrestrial sequences in northern Xinjiang, China

New analyses reveal two intervals of distinctly lower δ¹³C values in the terrestrial organic matter of Permian–Triassic sequences in northern Xinjiang, China. The younger negative δ¹³C_org spike can be correlated to the conspicuous and sharp δ¹³C drops both in carbonate carbon and organic carbon near the Permian–Triassic event boundary (PTEB) in the marine section at Meishan. The geochemical correlation criteria are accompanied by a magnetic susceptibility pulse and higher abundances of distinctive, chain-like organic fossil remains of Reduviasporonites.The older negative δ¹³C_org spike originates within a latest Permian regression. Significant changes in organic geochemical proxies are recorded in the equivalent interval of the marine section at Meishan. These include relatively higher concentrations of total organic carbon, isorenieratane, C₁₄–C₃₀ aryl isoprenoids and lower ratios of pristane/phytane that, together, indicate the onset of anoxic, euxinic and restricted environments within the photic zone. The massive and widespread oxidation of buried organic matter that induced these euxinic conditions in the ocean would also result in increased concentrations of ¹³C-depleted atmospheric CO₂. The latest Permian environmental stress marked by the older negative δ¹³C_org episode can be correlated with the distinct changeover of ostracod assemblages and the occurrences of morphological abnormalities of pollen grains. These observations imply that biogeochemical disturbance was manifested on the land at the end of the Permian and that terrestrial organisms responded to it before the main extinction of the marine fauna.     

中全新世以来呼伦湖沉积物碳埋藏及其影响因素分析

通过对内蒙古高原呼伦湖沉积物样品总有机碳含量(TOC)及其稳定同位素(δ13Corg)、总氮含量(TN)和TOC/TN(C/N)值的测定,结合沉积岩芯AMS14C年代标尺,分析了中全新世以来呼伦湖沉积物有机碳埋藏速率随时间变化的趋势及有机质的来源,并探讨了影响呼伦湖有机碳埋藏的主要因素.结果表明,中全新世以来呼伦湖有机碳埋藏速率平均值约为2.06 g/(m~2·a),碳储量约为35.25 Tg C,且总体上呈现增加趋势.呼伦湖沉积物中有机质主要来源于外源输入,但近1000 a以来内源输入逐渐增加并占据优势.呼伦湖有机碳埋藏速率与温度和降水均呈负相关,表明在长时间尺度上,升温及降水量的增加可能对呼伦湖的碳埋藏起到一定的抑制作用.     

Distribution and abundance of thaliaceans in the northwest continental shelf of South China Sea, with response to environmental factors driven by monsoon

The distribution and abundance of thaliaceans were studied in relation to physical and biological variables during summer and winter in the northwest continental shelf of South China Sea. Based on the topography and water mass of the surveyed region, it was divided into three subregions: region I (onshore waters of the east Leizhou Peninsula), region II (onshore waters of the east and southeast Hainan Island) and region III (offshore waters from Leizhou Peninsula to Hainan Island). During summer due to a strong southwest monsoon, a cold eddy and coastal upwelling dominated in regions I and II, respectively, whereas the onshore and offshore waters were vertically mixed during winter due to a strong northeast monsoon. A total of 18 thaliacean species (including 3 subspecies) were collected. The mean species richness was higher in summer compared to winter, with the occurrence of higher values during summer and winter at region II and region III, respectively. The average thaliacean abundance is also higher in summer than in winter, with higher values at region I in summer and no significant difference among three subregions in winter. Doliolum denticulatum and Thalia democratica were the dominant species during summer and winter. The results suggested that the seasonal and spatial distribution of thaliacean richness was considered to be the result of physical factors such as temperature and ocean current in summer and winter. Spatial distribution of thaliacean abundance was affected by chlorophyll a concentration increased by the occurrence of coastal upwelling and cold eddy in summer. Southwest and northeast monsoons are shown to play an important role in shaping the distribution of species richness and abundance of thaliaceans in the northwest continental shelf of South China Sea.     

Numerical study on the summer upwelling system in the northern continental shelf of the South China Sea

A three-dimensional baroclinic nonlinear numerical model is employed to investigate the summer upwelling in the northern continental shelf of the South China Sea (NCSCS) and the mechanisms of the local winds inducing the coastal upwelling, associated with the QuikSCAT wind data. First, the persistent signals of the summer upwelling are illustrated by the climatological the Advanced Very High-Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) image over 1985–2006 and field observations in 2006 summer. Then, after the successful simulation of the summer upwelling in the NCSCS, four numerical experiments are conducted to explore the different effects of local winds, including the wind stress and wind stress curl, on the coastal upwelling in two typical strong summer upwelling regions of the NCSCS. The modeled results indicate that the summer upwelling is a seasonal common phenomenon during June–September in the NCSCS with the spatial extent of a basin-scale. Typical continental shelf upwelling characteristics are clearly shown in the coastal surface and subsurface water, such as low temperature, high salinity and high potential density in the east of the Hainan Island, the east of the Leizhou Peninsula and the southeast of the Zhanjiang Bay (noted as the Qiongdong-QD), and the inshore areas from the Shantou Coast to the Nanri Islands of the Fujian Coast (noted as the Yuedong-YD). The analysis of the QuikSCAT wind data and modeled upwelling index suggests that the local winds play significant roles in causing the coastal upwelling, but the alongshore wind stress and wind stress curl have different contributions to the upwelling in the Qiongdong (QDU) and the coastal upwelling in the Yuedong (YDU), respectively. Furthermore, model results from the numerical experiments show that in the YD the stable alongshore wind stress is a very important dynamic factor to induce the coastal upwelling but the wind stress curl has little contribution and even unfavorable to the YDU. However, in the QD the coastal upwelling is strongly linked to the local wind stress curl. It is also found that not only the offshore Ekman transport driven by the alongshore wind stress, the wind stress curl-induced Ekman pumping also plays a crucial effect on the QDU. Generally, the wind stress curl even has more contributions to the QDU than the alongshore wind stress.     

咸水湖盆沉积物原始有机碳定量恢复的新方法——以青海湖布哈河口区沉积物为例

烃源岩中原始有机碳(TOC)总量的恢复是烃源岩评价的重点和难点,以青海湖西北部的布哈河口区沉积物为研究对象,探讨一种全新的利用沉积物中硼元素含量对原始TOC含量进行恢复的方法.布哈河口区沉积物主要为泥、粉砂、细砂及其过渡类型,黏土矿物含量总体较低,沉积物中干酪根类型主要为Ⅱ1和Ⅱ2型,有机质大部分来自陆源生物,少量来自水生生物.布哈河口区沉积物中TOC含量介于0.02%~4.29%之间,其中半深湖及前三角洲环境TOC含量总体较高.有机质对部分微量元素有明显的富集作用,沉积物中TOC含量与硼、钪、钴、镍、锌、镓、铷、铯、铅及铀等微量元素存在明显相关性.有机质对微量元素的富集能力和强度受沉积物和水体接触时间控制,因此微量元素与TOC含量的相关性在不同沉积环境存在明显差异:在河流、三角洲平原、前三角洲、浅湖及半深湖沉积区较高,而在滨湖区较低.硼元素对TOC含量变化的反映最灵敏,即便是在间歇暴露的滨湖沉积中硼含量与TOC含量呈明显的正相关性,因此硼可以作为反映烃源岩原始TOC含量的有效指标.根据布哈河口区沉积物中硼含量与TOC含量之间极好的线性相关性,建立了利用烃源岩中的硼含量对原始TOC含量进行定量计算的公式,该公式主要适用于陆相微咸水、半咸水及咸水环境泥质岩类原始TOC总量的恢复.