Catchment environmental change over the 20th Century recorded by sedimentary leaf wax n-alkane δ~(13)C off the Pearl River estuary

The compound-specific stable carbon isotope compositions(δ~(13)C) of leaf wax n-alkanes from two short sediment cores recovered off the Pearl River estuary(PRE) were analyzed to check for their capability of indicating decadal scale catchment environmental change. Sedimentary long-chain n-alkanes exhibited an odd-over-even predominance, with a maximum at n-C_(29) or n-C_(31), indicating their leaf wax origin was from vascular plants. The δ~(13)C values of C_(29) and C_(31) n-alkane in all the sediment samples were in the range of -28.8‰ to -31.2‰, consistent with the C_3 plant-dominated vegetation in the Pearl River catchments. The time series of δ~(13)C records from the two cores were comparable and displayed a decreasing trend from the early 20 th century to the end of the 1970s, followed by a reversal in that change leading to continued increase for ca. 15 years. After being corrected for the effect of atmospheric CO_2 rise and δ~(13)C_(atm) decline, the δ~(13)C_(29) records largely retained their raw changing pattern; the post-1980 increase being more conspicuous. The slightly decreasing trend in corrected δ~(13)C records before around 1980 may have been caused by an increase in precipitation, whereas the subsequent increase of δ~(13)C is likely associated with the observed dry climate and/or intensive anthropogenic deforestation. Our results thus demonstrate that leaf wax n-alkanes buried in the sediments off the PRE may well reflect change in the regional climate and/or human activity in the river catchments over the past century.     

Spatiotemporal evolution of C3/C4 vegetation and its controlling factors in southern China since the last glacial maximum

To date, few research have been reported on the evolution of C3/C4 vegetation in southern China, and the main mechanism influencing the evolution of C3/C4 vegetation is unclear. That makes it difficult for researchers to understand the competition mechanism of C3 and C4 plants under different climate environments and its relationship with the climate factors. It is also not conducive for researchers to assess the influence of future climate change on regional C3/C4 vegetation. Exactly, C3/C4 vegetation change in the regional-scale will have a significant impact on the global carbon cycle and agricultural production.Therefore, it is especially important to reconstruct the evolutionary history of C3/C4 vegetation in southern China and clarify the influencing mechanism of climate change. In this study, we systematically analyzed stable carbon isotope(δ13 C) of the longchain n-alkanes in sediment samples from eight lakes and four peat profiles in southern China, to reconstruct the spatiotemporal evolution of C3/C4 vegetation in these regions since the Last Glacial Maximum(LGM) and to investigate the climate factors that affect the C4 plant abundance change in the research area. The integrated long-chain n-alkane(C27–C33) stable carbon isotope results of samples from Zhanjiang Huguangyan Maar Lake, Xingyun Lake, Lugu Lake and Dingnan peat showed that, from the LGM to the Early Holocene, C4 plant relative abundance exhibited a gradually increasing trend from 21% to 34%. In the Middle Holocene, the C4 plant abundance significantly declined and reached a lowest value of 10%. In space, the C4 plant abundance generally exhibited a gradually declining trend from south to north in the LGM and the Early Holocene, while it showed an opposite trend in the Holocene Climate Optimum(6.0 cal ka BP). It reflected that the main influencing factor on C4 plants spatial distribution was changing from temperature to precipitation. This study indicated that temperature was the dominant factor affecting C4 plant distribution in southern China, however, when the temperature condition was appropriate, an increase in precipitation(especially more spring precipitation) would reduce the competitive advantages of C4 plants. Therefore, the combination of temperature and seasonal precipitation was the important factor that determines the C3/C4 vegetation proportion change in the southern China. Under the premise that the temperature will rise and precipitation will increase in the future, the reduction of a competitive advantage for the C4 plants could affect agricultural production in China.     

Temporal variations of δ~(18)O of atmospheric water vapor at Delingha

Oxygen stable isotope of atmospheric water vapor is widely used to study the modern process of cli- mate. Atmospheric water vapor samples were collected at Dlingha, northeast of Tibetan Plateau during the period from July 2005 to February 2006. The variation of δ18O and the relationships between δ18O and both the temperature and specific humidity are analyzed in this paper. Results show that the sea- sonal variation of δ18O of atmospheric water vapor at Delingha is remarkable with higher δ18O in summer and lower δ18O in winter. The temporal variation of vapor δ18O shows obvious fluctuations, with magnitude of over 37‰. The daily variation of the δ18O is highly correlated with air temperature. The relationship between δ18O and atmospheric water vapor content is complex. Study shows that δ18O of atmospheric water vapor is positively correlated with specific humidity in winter in seasonal scale and inversely correlated with specific humidity in summer rainy period. The δ18O values of at- mospheric water vapor are lower than those of precipitation at Delingha, and the average difference is 10.7‰. Variations of δ18O of atmospheric water vapor is also found to be affected by precipitation events, The model results show that the precipitation effect could have caused the vapor δ18O in the raining season to lower by 7% in average in July and August.     

Reconstruction of the climate in the Tianmu Mountain area, Zhejiang Province, in the last 160 years by ? 13C sequence of tree ring α-cellulose

Based on cross-dating tree rings from the Tianmu Mountain, Zhejiang Province, the tree rings α-cellulose δ 13C time series was measured. By spectrum analysis, the variation of tree-ring δ13C sequence shows a quasi periodicity of 4.4 years, which is coincident with the standard cycle of El Nino. After removing the long-term decrease trend of the δ13C variation related to atmospheric CO2 concentration, the response of the δ13C to climate elements was analyzed using meteorology data from a nearby weather station. The results suggest that there is a distinct relativity between high-frequency variation of tree ring δ 13C series and seasonal climate parameters, e.g. Temperature and precipitation, with a significant time-lag effect. In addition, the high frequency also reflects the strength change of the East Asian Monsoon. The multiple regression method was employed to reconstruct the historical climate, and to analyze the climate change and trend in the last 160 years in the northern Zhejiang Province.     

Influence of aquatic plants on the hydrogen isotope composition of sedimentary long-chain n-alkanes in the Lake Qinghai region,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The hydrogen isotopic composition(δD) of leaf wax long-chain n-alkanes(C27, C29, and C31) from lacustrine sediments has been widely applied to reconstruct terrestrial paleoclimatic and paleohydrological changes. However, few studies have addressed whether the aquatic-derived n-alkanes can affect the δD values of lake sedimentary long-chain n-alkanes, which are usually regarded as a recorder of the terrestrial hydrological signals. Here we systematically investigated δD values of long-chain n-alkanes from modern aquatic plants, both near-shore and off-shore surface sediments, surrounding terrestrial plant litters, as well as river water and lake water in Lake Qinghai and its satellite lakes on the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Our data showed that(i) δD values of long-chain n-alkanes from aquatic plants varied from-184‰ to-132‰ for n-C27, from-183‰ to-138‰ for n-C29, and from-189‰ to-130‰ for n-C31, respectively, with no significant differences among the three n-alkanes homologues;(ii) δD values of long-chain n-alkanes from aquatic plants were generally more positive than those from surrounding terrestrial plants, possibly because that they recorded the D-enrichment of lake water in this semi-arid region;(iii) δD values of long-chain n-alkanes from surface sediments showed significant differences among the three n-alkanes homologues, due to the larger aquatic input of n-C27 to the sedimentary lipid pool than that of n-C31, and(iv) n-C27 δD values of near-shore aquatic plants and near-shore sediments are more negative than those from off-shore as a result of lower δD values of near-shore lake water. Our findings indicate that in this region(i) the offset between sedimentary n-C27 and n-C31 δD values(ΔδDC27-C31) could potentially be used to evaluate if sedimentary long-chain n-alkanes are derived from a single source;(ii) while δD values of n-C27 may be influenced by lake water hydrological changes, sedimentary n-C31 is derived predominantly from terrestrial plants and thus its δD can serve as a relatively reliable indicator for terrestrial paleoclimatic and paleohydrological reconstructions.     

Water vapor δD dynamics over China derived from SCIAMACHY satellite measurements

This study investigates water vapor isotopic patterns and controls over China using high-quality water vapor δD data retrieved from the Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography(SCIAMACHY) observations.The results show that water vapor δD values on both annual and seasonal time-scales broadly exhibit a continental effect,with values largely decreasing northwestward from coastal lowlands to high-elevation mountainous regions.However,region-specific analysis reveals spatially distinct patterns of water vapor δD between seasons.In the monsoon domain(e.g.,China south of 35°N),depletion in D in the summer and fall seasons is closely tied to monsoon moisture sources(the Indian and Pacific oceans) and subsequent amount effect,but higher δD values in winter and spring are a result of isotopically-enriched continental-sourced moisture proceeded by less rainout.In contrast,farther inland in China(non-monsoon domain),moisture is derived overwhelmingly from the dry continental air masses and local evaporation,and δD values are largely controlled by the temperature effect,exhibiting a seasonality with isotopically enriched summer and depleted winter/spring.The observation that the spatial pattern of water vapor δD is the opposite to that of precipitation δD in the summer season also suggests that partial evaporation of falling raindrops is a key driver of water vapor isotope in the non-monsoon domain.This study highlights the importance of non-Rayleigh factors in governing water vapor isotope,and provides constraints on precipitation isotope interpretation and modern isotope hydrological processes over China.     

Compound-specific δD and its hydrological and environmental implication in the lakes on the Tibetan Plateau

The hydrogen isotopic composition(δD) of n-alkanes in lacustrine sediments is widely used in palaeoenvironmental studies, but the heterogeneous origins and relative contributions of these lipids provide challenges for the interpretation of the increasing dataset as an environment and climatic proxy. We systematically investigated n-alkane δD values from 51 submerged plants(39 Potamogeton, 1 Myriophyllum, and 11 Ruppia), 13 algae(5 Chara, 3 Cladophora, and 5 Spirogyra) and 20 terrestrial plants(10 grasses and 10 shrubs) in and around 15 lakes on the Tibetan Plateau. Our results demonstrate that δD values of C_(29) nalkane are correlated significantly with the lake water δD values both for algae(R~2=0.85, p0.01, n=9) and submerged plants(R~2=0.90, p0.01, n=25), indicating that δD values of these algae and submerged plants reflect the δD variation of lake water. We find that apparent hydrogen isotope fractionation factors between individual n-alkanes and water(εa/w) are not constant among different algae and submerged plants, as well as in a single genus under different liminological conditions, indicating that the biosynthesis or environmental conditions(e.g. salinity) may affect their δD values. The δD values of submerged plant Ruppia in the Xiligou Lake(a closed lake) are significant enriched in D than those of terrestrial grasses around the lake(one-way ANOVA,p0.01), but the algae Chara in the Keluke Lake(an open lake) display similar δD values with grasses around the lake(one-way ANOVA, p=0.8260.05), suggesting that the n-alkane δD values of the algae and submerged plants record the signal of D enrichment in lake water relative to precipitation only in closed lakes in arid and semi-arid area. For each algae and submerged plant sample, we find uniformed δD values of different chain length n-alkanes, implying that, in combination with other proxies such as Paq and Average Chain Length, the offset between the δD values of different chain length n-alkanes can help determine the source of sedimentary n-alkanes as well as inferring the hydrological characteristics of an ancient lake basin(open vs closed lake).     

A projection of future changes in summer precipitation and monsoon in East Asia

The future potential changes in precipitation and monsoon circulation in the summer in East Asia are projected using the latest generation of coupled climate models under Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES) A1B scenario (a medium emission scenario).The multi-model ensemble means show that during the period of 2010-2099,the summer precipitation in East Asia will increase and experience a prominent change around the 2040s,with a small increase (～1%) before the end of the 2040s and a large increase (～9%) afterward.This kind of two-stage evolution characteristic of precipitation change can be seen most clearly in North China,and then in South China and in the mid and lower Yangtze River Valley.In 2010-2099,the projected precipitation pattern will be dominated by a pattern of "wet East China" that explains 33.6% of EOF total variance.The corresponded time coefficient will markedly increase after the 2040s,indicating a great contribution from this mode to the enhanced precipitation across all East China.Other precipitation patterns that prevail in the current climate only contribute a small proportion to the total variance,with no prominent liner trend in the future.By the late 21st century,the monsoon circulation will be stronger in East Asia.At low level,this is due to the intensification of southwesterly airflow north of the anticyclone over the western Pacific and the SCS,and at high level,it is caused by the increased northeasterly airflow east of the anticyclone over South Asia.The enhanced monsoon circulation will also experience a two-stage evolution in 2010-2099,with a prominent increase (by ～0.6 m s-1) after the 2040s.The atmospheric water vapor content over East Asia will greatly increase (by ～9%) at the end of 21st century.The water vapor transported northward into East China will be intensified and display a prominent increase around the 2040s similar to other examined variables.These indicate that the enhanced precipitation over East Asia is caused by the increases in both monsoon circulation and water vapor,which is greatly different from South Asia.Both the dynamical and thermal dynamic variables will evolve consistently in response to the global warming in East Asia,i.e.,the intensified southwesterly monsoon airflow corresponding to the increased water vapor and southwesterly moisture transport.     

Stable carbon isotope composition of monoterpanes in essential oils and crude oils

Twenty-five monoterpanes from six types of essential oils and hydrogenated turpentine oil have been identified and their stable carbon isotope composition determined.Monoterpanes in essential oils sourced from terrestrial higher plants display a δ13C value in the range of-34‰-26‰,and mostly between-29‰ and-27‰.The δ13C value of any single monoterpane is very consistent in different essential oils.Acyclic monoterpanes show closer isotope composition between-28.6‰ and-26.2‰,with an average value of-27.7‰.In contrast,the isotope composition of cyclic monoterpanes is more scattered with an average value of-28.6‰.Isotopic fractionation with 13C enrichment has been observed during both artificial and geological hydrogenation of monoterpenoids to monoterpanes,and this is more obvious for the acyclic monoterpenoids.In addition to higher plants,acyclic monoterpane 2,6-dimethylheptane in crude oil can also be originated from other organic inputs.     

Carbon and nitrogen isotopes analysis and sources of organic matter in the upper reaches of the Chaobai River near Beijing,China

The carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the surface sediments,plants,and soil in the upper reaches of the Chaobai River have been researched.The results showed 27.75‰-21.58‰ and 1.32‰-6.74‰ for carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios in the surface sediments,respectively.The sources of sedimentary organic matter in this area are soil organic matter,aquatic vascular plants,and riverine plankton,respectively,and a significant contributor to sediment in the Chaohe River,the Baihe River,and the Miyun Reservoir areas is soil organic matter.Furthermore,part of sedimentary organic matter in the Miyun Reservoir is attributed to the input from the Chaohe River and the Baihe River,the other is from C4 vegetation growing around individual point stations at the Miyun Reservoir.Compared with the situation in Hebei Province,the contribution of soil organic matter decreased significantly and river plankton and aquatic vascular plants increased significantly in Beijing municipal areas.This study reveals that the source of organic matter has a close relationship with the soil erosion.     

Origin of the Dashuigou independent tellurium deposit at Qinghai–Xizang Plateau: constraints from the light stable isotopes C,O, and H

By studying the light isotopic compositions of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, combined with previous research results on the ore-forming source of the deposit, the authors try to uncover its metallogenic origin. The δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C isotope signatures of dolomite samples vary between 10.2 and 13.0‰, and between-7.2 and-5.2‰, respectively, implying that the carbon derives from the upper mantle. δD and δ¹⁸O of quartz, biotite, and muscovite from different ore veins of ...     

On the timing of the East Asian summer monsoon maximum during the Holocene—Does the speleothem oxygen isotope record reflect monsoon rainfall variability?

The evolution of the East Asian summer monsoon(EASM) during the Holocene has long been of significant interest.Knowledge of past EASM variability not only increases our understanding of monsoon dynamics on a long timescale,but it also provides an environmental and climatic background for research into Chinese cultural development.However,the timing of the EASM maximum remains controversial.The popular concept of an "early Holocene maximum" is mainly based on speleothemδ~(18)O(δ~(18)O_c) records from caves in southern China;however,the interpretation of δ~(18)O_C as a reliable proxy for EASM intensity is being increasingly challenged.The present paper is a critical review of the climatic significance of the δ~(18)O_C record from China.Firstly,we suggest that precipitation in northern China is an appropriate index of EASM intensity,the variation of which clearly indicates a mid-Holocene monsoon maximum.Secondly,an interregional comparison demonstrates that the precipitation record in northern China is quite different from that in southern China on a range of timescales,and is inconsistent with the spatial similarity exhibited by speleothem oxygen isotope records.Furthermore,both modeling and observational data show that the δ~(18)O_C records from southern China indeed reflect changes in precipitation δ~(18)O(δ~(18)O_P) rather than precipitation amount,and therefore that their use as an EASM proxy is inappropriate.Finally,we address several significant monsoon-related issues-including the driving mechanism of the EASM on an orbital timescale,the climatic significance of speleothem oxygen isotopes,and the relationship between atmospheric circulation and precipitation in monsoonal regions.     

High-resolution clay mineral assemblages in the inner shelf mud wedge of the East China Sea during the Holocene: Implications for the East Asian Monsoon evolution

The inner shelf mud wedge of the East China Sea(ECS) is a high-sedimentation-rate fine-grained sediment unit that has preserved a continuous environmental evolution history since the last deglaciation. We present a high-resolution clay mineralogical study from Core MD06-3040 to semi-quantitatively evaluate terrigenous sediment contributions from various potential provenances throughout the Holocene. The results showed that the clay mineral assemblage is composed of dominant illite(34–49%), moderate smectite(16–41%) and chlorite(15–28%), and minor kaolinite(5–12%). Provenance analysis suggested that most fine-grained terrigenous sediments originated from the Yangtze River, with minor sediments derived from Taiwan island and negligible sediments from nearby Zhejiang and Fujian provinces. Time series variation in the contribution of the Yangtze source fluctuated in the range of 38–80%, whereas that of Taiwan island had a converse variation pattern from ~10%to ~55%, and the contribution of Fujian was relatively stable in the range of 7–11% throughout the Holocene. The fluctuations of clay mineral assemblages and variations of clay mineral contributions from different provenances of Core MD06-3040 were controlled by the variability of precipitation in the Yangtze drainage associated with periodic fluctuations in the East Asian monsoonal circulation.     

n-Alkyl lipid concentrations and distributions in aquatic plants and their individual δD variations

Aquatic plants are major input sources of autochthonous organic matter in lake sediments, but investigations on fatty acid(FA) and n-alkane distributions in aquatic plants are currently limited, greatly hindering the applications of their isotope geochemistry in lacustrine environments. Here, the reported n-alkyl lipid distributions of aquatic plants in globally studied lakes,together with newly obtained aquatic plant n-alkyl lipid data in Chinese lakes(Yunnan and Inner Mongolia), are used to understand their distribution characteristics. The results show that aquatic plants have predominantly mid-chain lipids(C_(23)–C_(25) n-alkanes and C_(22)–C_(24) FAs), differing from that of terrestrial plants(dominant by long-chain lipids), but the long-chain n-alkanes(e.g., C_(27) and C_(29)) and long-chain FAs(e.g., C_(26) and C_(28)) also show high abundances in most samples. Submerged plants have high concentrations of long-chain n-alkanes(avg. 47 μg g~(-1)) and long-chain FAs(avg. 170 μg g~(-1)), close to those in terrestrial plants, indicating that submerged plants may make large contributions of long-chain n-alkyl lipids to lake sediments, while the contributions of long-chain n-alkyl lipids derived from algae to lake sediments may be small because of their low concentrations(avg. 2 μg g~(-1) for n-alkanes and 9 μg g~(-1) for FAs). We find that lipid molecular proxies(including ACL_(14-32) and ATR_(14-18)) can be reliably used to distinguish the FAs sourced from algae and other plants, and Paq′ values can be utilized to distinguish the nalkane sources between submerged plants and terrestrial plants. Aquatic plants do not have significant δD differences among different chain-length n-alkanes and FAs for each sample, suggesting that the offset between δD values of different chain-length n-alkyl lipids in lake sediments can help determine sedimentary lipid input sources and infer paleohydrological changes.     

Distribution of n-alkanes in Miocene loess in Qinan,western Chinese Loess Plateau,and its palaeoenvironmental implications

Neogene eolian successions are one of the most important terrestrial palaeoenvironmental archives in East Asia.However, they have received far less attention than Quaternary loess deposits, especially in the case of lipid biomarker analysis.In order to obtain a better insight into the early-middle Miocene palaeoenvironment, we conducted a study of n-alkane biomarkers from sediments of the QA-I section(Qinan) in the western Chinese Loess Plateau, and compared the results with those of previous n-alkane analyses of eolian and aquatic sediments of varying age. Our principal results are as follows:(1) All QA-I samples contain n-alkanes ranging from C_(14) to C_(35), among which the relative content of short-chain n-alkanes(C_(14)–C_(20)) from microorganisms is significantly greater than that of long-chain n-alkanes(C_(26)–C_(35)) from the waxes of terrestrial higher plants;the main peak is at C_(16)–C_(18). All samples have a relatively lower abundance of medium-chain n-alkanes(C_(21)–C_(25)) than that of long-and short-chain n-alkanes, similar to strongly weathered palaeosols in Quaternary loess and Late Miocene-Pliocene Hipparion Red-Earth; however, this distribution is significantly different from that in weakly-weathered loess of Quaternary loess and Late Miocene-Pliocene Hipparion Red-Earth, as well as from aquatic sediments.(2) Despite some odd-over-even carbon predominance of long-chain n-alkanes in the QA-I samples, the carbon preference index(CPI) values are significantly lower than those of most of the weakly-weathered sediments. Our results show that strong weathering and microbial processes have significantly altered the n-alkanes in the Miocene eolian deposits in Qinan, and led to a significant oxidation and degradation of long-chain n-alkanes and the predominance of short-chain n-alkanes from bacteria. Therefore, the contribution of microorganism to total organic carbon(TOC) and its resulting in carbon isotopic composition should be carefully assessed in future studies.     

The discovery of annually laminated sediments (varves) from shallow Sugan Lake in inland arid China and their paleoclimatic significance

Detailed examination of sedimentary cores retrieved from Sugan Lake in the northern Qaidam Basin of northwest China’s Tibetan Plateau reveal that fine laminated beddings form in the sediments where water depth exceeds 3 m. Seasonal surface sediments trapped at the bottom of the lake suggest that sediments deposited during summer and autumn are mainly light colored monohydrocalcites, while those deposited in winter are dark organic matter, indicating that varve layers form under modern limnological conditions. Continuous varve sediments comprising four types have accumulated in the upper 5.5 m of Core SG03I from the center of the lake. All types exhibit clear seasonality indicative of annual deposition. Varve counts correspondence with 210Pb dates on recent sediments in the upper core suggest the continuous varves of the upper 5.5 m of the core formed in the late Holocene (2670 a BP). The Sugan Lake varve sequence is the first demonstration of annually laminated sediments re-ported in arid western China.     

Origin of CO_2 in natural gas from the Triassic Feixianguan Formation of Northeast Sichuan Basin

The natural gas from the Triassic Feixianguan Formation of Northeast Sichuan Basin contains high H2S whereas relatively low CO2 concentrations and the CO2 display high δ13C values (ranging from -5.81‰ to 3.3‰ (PDB)). This seems to contradict the conventional wisdom that TSR should be a primary source of CO2 in natural gas from the Feixianguan Formation. In contrast, many authigenic calcite samples from these sites display very low δ13C values (ranging from -18.4‰ to -10.3‰ (PDB)). This suggests that the carbon from TSR source dominated the formation of calcite whereas the carbon from inorganic source came into CO2 in natural gas. In order to assess the origin of CO2 from these H2S-rich sites, we have calculated the relative contributions of organic and inorganic carbon sources to the CO2 and authigenic calcite. The organic carbon source possibly originated from TSR, whereas the inorganic one might be generated from marine carbonates dissolution. This calculation is based on the carbon isotopic compositions of CO2 and authigenic calcite as well as an isotopic mass balance. The results show that the contribution of organic carbon source to the CO2 is only 2%, whereas that to authigenic calcite is as high as 43% on average. Such results combined with thermodynamic evidence indicate that the isotopically light CO2 produced by TSR process may contribute to authigenic calcite precipitation during burial diagenesis. Distinguishable from Ordovician reservoir of Tarim Basin, Feixianguan reservoir of Northeast Sichuan Basin experienced rapid tectonic uplift due to Yanshanian movement after TSR occurred. Such tectonic event could induce temperature decrease and further promote carbonates dissolution. During these processes, secondary porosity has developed in Feixianguan carbonate reservoirs. Therefore, much attention should be paid to the structural highs in search of high quality carbonate reservoirs.     

Validating the deep time carbonate carbon isotope records: effect of benthic flux on seafloor carbonate

It is a consensus that marine carbonate archives the isotopic composition of seawater dissolved inorganic carbon(DIC,δ~(13)C_(sw)),the largest active C reservoir in the hydrosphere.Carbonate carbon isotope(δ~(13)C_(carb)) excursions have been used to reflect perturbations of the global carbon cycle and related environmental change.However,the deep time δ~(13)C_(carb) records indicate faster and more pronounced perturbations of the carbon cycle compared to the present day.Here,we report δ~(13)C_(carb) and elemental compositions of Late Paleozoic carbonate sections from South China,showing negative correlations between δ~(13-)C_(carb) and Fe~(2+) content of carbonate(Fe_(carb)).We suggest that,because Late Paleozoic carbonate was mainly produced by benthic carbonate-secreting organisms,δ~(13)C_(carb)recorded the isotopic composition near the seafloor,where benthic flux derived from anaerobic organic matter degradation delivers both Fe~(2+) and ~(13)C-depleted DIC from porewater.The binary mixing between seawater and benthic flux would result in the deviation of δ~(13)C_(carb) fromδ~(13)C_(sw).The negative correlation implies that δ~(13)C_(carb) is influenced by benthic flux and is affected by the seafloor redox and sedimentation rate.The deep time spatially heterogeneous and temporally oscillatory δ~(13)C_(carb) records in the basin-scale could be alternatively attributed to the variations of local environmental factors rather than aδ~(13)C_(sw) depth-gradient.Thus,the seafloor carbonate precipitation is continuously affected by diagenetic reactions in sediments,suggesting that δ~(13)C_(carb) recording the seawater DIC composition is conditional.Our study urges that the interpretation of δ~(13)C_(carb) should also consider the sedimentary process and depositional environment of marine carbonate.     

A multiple-proxy stalagmite record reveals historical deforestation in central Shandong,northern China

Evaluating anthropogenic impacts on regional vegetation changes during historical time is not only important for a better understanding of the Anthropocene but also valuable in improving the vegetation-climate models. In this study, we analyzed stable isotopes(δ~(18)O, δ~(13)C) and trace elements(Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca) of a stalagmite from Huangchao Cave in central Shandong, northern China.~(230)Th and AMS~(14)C dating results indicate the stalagmite deposited during 174BC and AD1810, with a hiatus between AD638 and 1102. Broad similarities of the δ~(18)O and trace elements in the stalagmite suggest they are reliable precipitation indexes. The δ~(13)C of the stalagmite, a proxy of vegetation change, was generally consistent with local precipitation and temperature variations on a centennial-scale before the 15th century. It typically varied from –9.6‰ to –6.3‰, indicating climate controlled C3 type vegetation during this period. However, a persistent and marked increasing trend in the δ~(13)C record was observed since the 15th century, resulting in δ~(13)C values from –7.7‰ to –1.6‰ in the next four centuries. This unprecedented δ~(13)C change caused by vegetation deterioration cannot be explained by climate change but is fairly consistent with the dramatically increasing population and farmland in Shandong. We suggest that the increasing deforestation and reclamation in central Shandong began to affect vegetation in the mountain region of central Shandong since the 15th century and severely destroyed or even cleared the forest during the 16th–18th century.     

Precise dating of abrupt shifts in the Asian Monsoon during the last deglaciation based on stalagmite data from Yamen Cave, Guizhou Province, China

Based on 33 U/Th dates and 1020 oxygen isotopic data from stalagmite Y1 from Yamen Cave, Guizhou Province, China, a record of the Asian Summer Monsoon (ASM) was established. The record covers the last deglaciation and the early Holocene (from 16.2 to 7.3 ka BP) with an average oxygen isotope resolution of 9 years. The main millennial-scale deglacial events first identified in Greenland (Greenland Interstadial Events: GIS 1e through GIS 1a) and later in China are clearly present in the Y1 record. By analogy to earlier work, we refer to these as Chinese Interstadials (CIS): CIS A.1e to CIS A.1a. The onset of these events in Y1 δ18O records are nominally dated at: 14750±50, 14100±60, 13870±80, 13370±80, and 12990±80 a BP. The end of CIS A.1a or the beginning of the Younger Dryas (YD) event is nominally at 12850±50 a BP and the end of the YD dates to 11500±40 a BP. The δ18O values shift by close to 3‰ during the transition into the Bφlling-Allerφd (BA, the onset of CIS A.1e) and at the end of the YD. Comparisons of Y1 to previously published early Holocene records show no significant phase differences. Thus, the East Asia Monsoon and the Indian Monsoon do not appear to have been out of phase during this interval. The Y1 record confirms earlier work that suggested that solar insolation and North Atlantic climate both affect the Asian Monsoon.