Fossil pigments as indicators for palaeoclimatic interpretations —A case study of Qinghai Lake

An 82 cm core was collected from Qinghai Lake in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China and sectioned in intervals of 1 cm for analysis of pigments (i. e. chlorophyll derivatives, carotenoids, myxoxanthophyll, oscillaxanthin) and²¹⁰Pb.²¹⁰Pb dating was used to establish the chronological sequence. The concentrations of myxoxanthophyll and oscillaxanthin from the cyanophytes increase with temperature. There are four peak values at 0–14 cm (present−1891a), 25 cm (1786a), 45 cm (1581a), 60 cm (1416a) representing four warm and low water level periods during the past 700 years. This was confirmed by the high concentration of carbonate and ∂¹³C in these stages. In these 700 years, there were also 4 periods of cold wet climate and high water level as indicated by the tree ring index and high value of native chlorophyll and high, variable CD/TC ratios. The project was supported by the Loess and Quaternary Research Lab, Academia Sinica.     

The changes of pigment contents and their environmental implications in the lake sediments of Ny-(A)lesund, Svalbard, the Arctic

According to palaeoclimatic and modern instrumental data, numerous studies have indicated that the Arctic climate has undergone a significant warming during the past 100 years, and this may lead to significant impact on the fragile lake ecosystem. In this study, we collected a lake sediment core from the Ny-(A)lesund of Svalbard and determined the concentrations of four pigments including chlorophyll derivatives, total carotenoids, oscillaxanthin and myxoxanthophyll in the sediments. Combined with other physical and chemical proxies such as calcium carbonate, total organic carbon, biogenic silicon etc., we have reconstructed the historical changes of lacustrine primary productivity in Ny-(A)lesund, especially for the past 100 years. The results showed that during the period of Little Ice Age (LIA), the climate was unfavorable for the growth of the lake algae, and thus the lacustrine productivity declined. This result was supported by the relatively low contents of pigment and biogenic silica in the sediments. In contrast, the contents of total organic carbon (TOC) and sediment pigments increased significantly in the upper 5 cm (~1890AD), reflecting the rapid growth of the lake algae, thus the great increase of lacustrine primary productivity, corresponding to the warming climate after LIA. However, the biogenic silica in the upper sediments still had a relatively low level, and this might be related to the growth competition with other algae species. Over the past 100 years, the ratio of Osc/Myx in the sediments decreased continuously, indicative of durative increase of myxoxanthophyll in blue-green algal pigments, and this might imply that the human activity had enhanced the nutrition level of the lake in the Arctic region.     

Short- and long-term sediment transport in western Bohai Bay and coastal areas

Sediment cores (∼40–100 cm) were collected at 12 locations in the western Bohai Bay, the Haihe River estuary, the Yongding River estuary and the Tianjin Harbor, China, during 24–26 July 2007, and analyzed for ⁷Be and ²¹⁰Pb activities. Due to localized hydrodynamic patterns and frequent disturbance from dredging activities, steady-state sedimentation features were not observed in this study. As demonstrated in the ⁷Be and ²¹⁰Pb profiles, the temporal and spatial variations of these radionuclides support a non-steady state depositional environment in the study area. By comparing ⁷Be and ²¹⁰Pb inventories in the sediments with those of the atmospheric source, we found that: 1) sediments dredged from the Tianjin Harbor or eroded from nearby estuarine and coastal areas are retained in the western Bohai Bay for relatively short intervals (several months), as reflected in the relatively high ⁷Be inventories in the western Bohai Bay; 2) over the long-term (years to decades), ²¹⁰Pb inventories in the sediments imply that there is a net on-shore transport of sediments, and the sediments are mass-balanced in the entire study area. Overall, our results suggest that the sediments are retained in the estuaries and the western Bohai Bay despite local variability in sediment dynamics and disturbance due to human activities.     

A 150-year isotopic record of lead deposition in Yancheng coastal wetland,China

Radioactive markers are useful in dating lead(Pb) deposition patterns from industrialization in sedimentary archives. As a well-known natural reserve in the world, Yancheng coastal wetland in Jiangsu Province is one of areas most sensitive to global sea level change and is located in the most developed and polluted region of China. Two cores were collected in Yancheng wetland in October 2013 and dated using ~(210)Pb and ~(137)Cs radiometric techniques. Sediments in both cores were sectioned into depth bands and examined systematically for dry bulk density, water content, magnetic susceptibility and grain-size. Multiple elements including Pb were also measured using inductively coupled plasma systems. Unsupported ~(210)Pb activities decreased with depth in both of the two cores, and ~(210)Pb chronologies were established(covering 150 years) using the constant rate of supply(CRS) model. The measured Pb contents ranged from 14.97 mg/kg to 29.40 mg/kg with average values of 17.17–22.79 mg/kg, and the Pb fluxes ranged from 41.70 mg/(m~2·yr) to 172.70 mg/(m~2·yr) with averages of 95.59–123.41 mg/(m~2·yr). Temporal variations of Pb flux, enrichment factors and Pb isotopes show a gradual and continuous increase over time and clearly reflect increased emissions from anthropogenic activities in the region. The Pb isotopic compositions show that most of Pb deposition in Yancheng wetland is input from natural sources by water flows and has the same levels of Pb as in the surface sediment of the Yangtze River and the Pacific mineral aerosol. We also stress the anthropogenic Pb contribution in Yangcheng wetland sediment and the reason of our Pb isotopes not showing anthropogenic signature is likely the instability of anthropogenic Pb in high Fe/Mn oxide conditions. Therefore, more attention should be paid to current local pollution problems, and society should take action to seek a balance between economic development and environmental protection.     

Responses of primary productivity to current and climate changes in the mud area to the southwest of Cheju Island during the past 800 years

The biogenic silica (BSi), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and grain size were analyzed with a gravity core (3250-6) collected from the mud area in the north East China Sea. The average deposition rate of the upper core was about 0.078 cm yr^?1 based on the results of ²¹⁰Pb_ex. The mean grain size increased with depth in general. The frequency distribution of grain size showed that two marked changes of deposition environment occurred at 30 cm and 50 cm depths (about 1550 AD and 1300 AD, respectively). The variations of BSi and TOC indicated two distinct major periods of primary productivity over the past 800 years: a stage of low primary productivity corresponding to weak upwelling and low nutrient input below 30 cm depth (about 1200–1550 AD), and a stage of high primary productivity with strong currents and upwelling above 30 cm depth (about 1550–1950 AD). The stage with high primary productive appeared to be due to the northward-expanded muddy area caused by strong Asian Winter Monsoon and enhanced Yellow Sea Warm Current in winter. In conclusion, the BSi and TOC in the muddy sediments, the symbols of marine primary productivity, can be then used to investigate the evolution history of currents and relative climate change in the offshore areas.     

Anthropogenic,detritic and atmospheric soil-derived sources of lead in an alpine poor fen in northeast China

Ombrotrophic bogs are faithful archive of atmospheric metal deposition,but the potential for fens to reconstruct environmental change is often underestimated.In this study,some new data on the Pb depositional history in northeast China were provided using two 210Pb-dated peat sequences from a poor fen in the Fenghuang Mountain of Heilongjiang province.Anthropogenic,detritic and atmospheric soil sources were discriminated using a two-step sequential digestion(weak acid leaching to liberate mobile Pb which is often regarded as anthropogenic Pb,especially for recent samples)and a ratio of unsupported 210 Pb and supported 210 Pb with the logic of that the 214 Pb mainly represents the residual detritus(constant throughout the core)and the unsupported 210 Pb arises from atmospheric fallout.A higher 210Pb/214 Pb suggests more contributions from atmospheric deposition to the Pb content in the peat,and a ratio of 10 was defined to indicate the boundary between detritic input and atmospheric deposition.The detritic Pbwas estimated to be 10~(-1)3 mg·kg~(-1),the anthropogenic Pb ranged from 10-80 mg·kg~(-1),and the atmospheric soil-derived Pb ranged from 5 mg·kg~(-1) to 30mg·kg~(-1).The history of anthropogenic Pb pollution over the last 150 years was reconstructed,and the calculated Pb deposition rate(AR Pb) ranged from 5to 56 mg·m-2·yr~(-1).Using Ti as a reliable reference,the enrichment factor of Pb(EF Pb) relative to the upper continental crust was calculated.Both AR Pb and EF Pb increased with time,especially after the foundation of the People's Republic of China.This is consistent with increasing industrialization and coal burning in the last 60 years in northeast China.The present record of anthropogenic Pb deposition was consistent with the previous reports and an increasing trend of environmental pollution due to anthropogenic activities,in contrasts to Europe and North America which have experienced a major environmental cleanup.For the first time,this work estimates atmospheric Pb deposition via a minerotrophic peat core in China.This will enhance the use of peat archives for studies of environmental change.     

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.     

MODERN SEDIMENTATION RATES AND SEDIMENTATION FEATURE IN THE HUANGHE RIVER ESTUARY BASED ON ~(210)Pb TECHNIQUE

Based on Pb technique, sedimentation rates of 11 cores collected from the Huanghe River estuary were determined. CaCO3 distribution of 4 cores chosen from among these was measured. Profiles of 210Pb in the cores showed that the distribution of 210Pb activity decayed with depth, appeared in stages and in more than one segment. The sedimentation rates,210Pb and CaCO3 data have similar distribution trend in the 4 cores. Jhe profiles of Pb and CaCO3 were used to study sedimentation in -tensity, transportation trend of material and sedimentation features in the coring area.     

Modern sedimentation rates and sedimentation feature in the Huanghe River estuary based on210Pb technique

Based on²¹⁰Pb technique, sedimentation rates of 11 cores collected from the Huanghe River estuary were determined. CaCO₃ distribution of 4 cores chosen from among these was measured. Profiles of²¹⁰Pb in the cores showed that the distribution of²¹⁰Pb activity decayed with depth, appeared in stages and in more than one segment. The sedimentation rates,²¹⁰Pb and CaCO₃ data have similar distribution trend in the 4 cores. The profiles of²¹⁰Pb and CaCO₃ were used to study sedimentation intensity, transportation trend of material and sedimentation features in the corring area. Contribution No. 2230 from the Institute of Oceanology, Academia Sinica. This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

210Pb chronology and trace metal geochemistry in the intertidal sediment of Qinjiang River estuary, China

Historical records of metal inputs were studied by using a sediment core collected from a sand-rich mudflat in the Qinjiang River estuary, China. 210Pb chronology was used to reconstruct the fluxes of Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr and As to the core site during the last 86 years. Based on the constant initial concentration model, the sedimentation rates are 1.18 cm year-1 in the top 30 cm sandy layer and 0.92 cm year-1 in the muddy bottom layer. To compensate for grain-size and mineralogy effects on metal concentra-tions, aluminum was used as the normalizing element. The enrichment factors (EF) indicate that the natural inputs had prevailed up to the early 1980s. After this period, the intensity of human activities has resulted in continual increasing trend of metals towards the surface. Recent sediment samples from the Qinjiang River estuary are found moderately enriched by Cd (EF>1.5) and slightly enriched by other metals (EF<1.5). Considering that the drainage area of the Qinjiang River is mostly agricultural land, the increased Cd may be due to the usage of fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural activities and the combustion of fossil fuels.     

Bioaccumulation of Pb^2＋ and Its Effects on Growth, Morphology and Pigment Contents of Spirulina （Arthrospira）platensis

A laboratory experiment was conducted to assess the bioaccumulation of Pb2 and its effects on growth,morphology andpigment contents of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis.The specimen cultured in Zarrouk liquid medium was treated with variousinitial metal concentrations (0,5,10,30,50 and 100 μgmL-1).The growth of S.platensis was adversely affected by Pb2 at high con-centrations (30,50 and 100 μg mL-1).However,at low concentrations (5 μg mL-1),Pb2 could stimulate its growth slightly.The pig-ment contents (chlorophyll α and β carotene) were decreased in a dose-dependent manner.The highest reductions (67% and 53%respectively in chlorophyll α and β carotene) were observed in 100 μg mL-1 treatment group.The LC50 (96 h) of Pb2 was measured as75.34μg mL-1.Apart from a few cases of filament breakages at elevated concentrations (50 and 100μg mL-1),morphological abnor-malities are not specific.Metal bioaccumulation increased with Pb2 concentrations,but decreased with exposure time.The maxi-mum accumulated amount was 188 mgg-1 dry weight.The bioconcentration factor (BCF) reached to a peak at day 2,followed by agradual reduction for all the exposure concentrations.S.platensis is able to tolerate considerably high Pb2 concentrations.Conse-quently it can be used as a potential species to remove heavy metal from contaminated waters.     

The study on climatic changes and lake level fluctuations of Qinghai lake in holocene

According to loess and palaeosol climatic record, field observation, analysis data and¹⁴C dating, we discuss the climatic changes and the water level fluctuations of Qinghai Lake. It is pointed out that there were four relatively warm and moist stages in Qinghai Lake basin during the Holocene. They formed in the periods from 10,300 yr.B.P. to 8,500 yr.B.P., 7,000 yr.B.P. to 3,500 yr.B.P., 2,800 yr.B.P. to 2,000 yr.B.P. and from 1,300 yr.B.P. up to now. the climate in the Holocene optimum period, from 7,000 yr.B.P. to 3,500 yr.B.P., was much warmer and moister than that today. Polypodium plant grew luxuriantly around Qinghai Lake. The annual temperature was 2.5°C higher than that today, but there was no forest at Qinghai Lake shore. It is found that there was a good relationship between precipitation and water level fluctuation. In warm and moist period water level was high and in the cold and dry period it was low in the Holocene. There were four high water level periods for Qinghai Lake in the Holocene, but the highest level was less than 30m above present water level. This research is supported by Youth Foundation of Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 49101015).     

Distribution and accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in sediments in southern sea area of Huludao City, China

The southern sea area of the Huludao City, Liaoning Province might be polluted by heavy metals because it is close to the Jinzhou Bay, one of the heaviest sea area polluted by heavy metals in China. The undisturbed modern sediment core can be used to analyze the accumulation and source of the pollutants using 137 Cs and 210 Pb ex . Thirty-five samples of surface sediment and two core sediments were collected from the southern sea area of Huludao City. The concentrations of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chrome (Cr), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in the surface sediments as well as Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, 137 Cs and 210 Pb ex in the core sediments were determined to research the spatial distribution and accumulation characteristics, and to analyze the sources and the potential risks of heavy metals. The results show that the pollution levels of Zn and Hg are serious, and 26 stations are at moderate or heavy ecological risks. The concentrations of the heavy metals increase from east to west, as well as from open sea to offshore marine area. The concentrations of heavy metals are not high in the sediments adjacent to the Jinzhou Bay, and the influence caused by the seawater exchange with the Jinzhou Bay is little. The concentrations of the heavy metals in the core sediments show low-high-low characteristic, and it coincides with the pollution history of Huludao City. The atmospheric deposition of heavy metals from the Huludao Zinc Plant is likely to be the main source of pollution without direct discharge of wastewater. The high concentrations of heavy metals appear on the upper sediment of 20 cm. The shallow sediment with high heavy metal contents might be exposed to surface when it was disturbed by the ocean engineering and big storm surge, then cause risk to the safety of aquaculture and human healthy.     

Decadal variability of chlorophyll a in the South China Sea: a possible mechanism

Four climatologies on a monthly scale (January, April, May and November) of chlorophyll a within the South China Sea (SCS) were calculated using a Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) (1979-1983) and the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) (1998-2002). We analyzed decadal variability of chlorophyll a by comparing the products of the two observation periods. The relationships of variability in chlorophyll a with sea surface wind speed (SSW), sea surface temperature (SST), wind stress (WS), and mixed layer depth (MLD) were determined. The results indicate that there is obvious chlorophyll a decadal variability in the SCS. The decadal chlorophyll a presents distinct seasonal variability in characteristics, which may be as a result of various different dynamic processes. The negative chlorophyll a concentration anomaly in January was associated with the warming of SST and a shallower MLD. Generally, there were higher chlorophyll a concentrations in spring during the SeaWiFS period compared with the CZCS period. However, the chlorophyll a concentration exhibits some regional differences during this season, leading to an explanation being difficult. The deepened MLD may have contributed to the positive chlorophyll a concentration anomalies from the northwestern Luzon Island to the northeastern region of Vietnam during April and May. The increases of chlorophyll a concentration in northwestern Borneo during May may be because the stronger SSW and higher WS produce a deeper mixed layer and convective mixing, leading to high levels of nutrient concentrations. The higher chlorophyll a off southeastern Vietnam may be associated with the advective transport of the colder water extending from the Karimata Strait to southeastern Vietnam.     

THE HOLOCENE ALONG THE COAST OF HAINAN ISLAND, CHINA

Based on the new data of the Quaternary along the coast of Hainan Island, China, this paper puts forward that the Holocene in Hainan Island can be divided into four formations: Wanning formation (Q41), Sanya formation (Q42-1), Qiongshan formation (Q42-2) and Ledong formation (Q43). Spore-pollen analysis shows that there are 6 spore-pollen zones existed, reflecting two cycles of climatic fluctuation from warm-dry to hot-humid. The climax of hot-humid period occurred 6,000-5,000 years B.P.. Based on the 14C dating data of the 38 samples representing the positions of ancient sea level, a breakthrough curve representing the sea level change during the Holocone is obtained, in which , a sea level change caused by tectonic movement is subtracted. Two cycles of rise-drop of sea level with three periods of high sea level were found. The period with the highest sea level is some 6,000-5,000 years B.P.. According to the rise-drop rate of sea level, four periods of the sea level change can be distinguished in the     

铅污染水稻的冠层高光谱特征研究

本研究通过铅污染土壤中的水稻盆钵栽培试验,考察了水稻对土壤重金属铅的吸收以及铅对水稻生长的胁迫,并借助地面高光谱辐射仪器获取多个生育期（苗期、分蘖前期、分蘖盛期、拔节期和孕穗期）的水稻冠层高光谱反射数据。在进行光谱测量的同时测定了水稻植株体内的铅含量与冠层叶片叶绿素含量。分析结果表明:铅污染胁迫下水稻冠层叶片叶绿素含量与叶绿素a、b组成变化明显,可见光区间520nm～560nm和630nm～690nm处是铅污染水稻对冠层反射高光谱敏感的特征波段。通过模拟高光谱分辨率遥感传感器MODIS的相应波段（第4通道:545nm～564nm、第1通道附近:620nm～670nm）以及考虑叶绿素的荧光特征（760nm）,本研究分别选择敏感波段中的552nm,672nm与760nm构造了复合归一化污染指数CNDPI（Compos-ite Normalized Difference Pollution Index）,分析发现CNDPI能够明显地区分不同铅污染水平的水稻。在分蘖前期采用适当的冠层光谱反射率形式（敏感波段、CNDPI）可以实现水稻铅污染的遥感监测。     

High resolution records of flood deposition in the mud area off the Changjiang River mouth during the past century

This paper presents a paleoflood study to determine the flood frequency of the Changjiang River, based on core cj0702, taken from the Changjiang River subaqueous delta. We identified flood deposits by means of high-resolution grain-size variation, sensitive population, geochemical indexes and magnetic susceptibility. The core covers a time span of 120 years by 210 Pb dating and was sampled at 1–2 cm intervals. Grain size, geochemical elements, and physical parameters were analyzed. The results indicate that the sediment of the core is mainly composed of silt and clay, as well as groups of interbedded silt, clay silt, and clay. Vertically, the grain size pattern was controlled by seasonal variations in water discharge and by the sediment input in winter from the abandoned Huanghe River delta. River flooding caused extreme values in all our measured parameters. We identified more than 20 flood events that occurred since 1887 using the physical parameter analysis method. The environmentally sensitive component of sediment grain size(14.32–96.39 μm) contribution30%, Zr/Rb ratio1.5, and magnetic susceptibility16 were selected as the criteria for flood identification generally. We also found that floods that had taken place in the upstream, midstream, or downstream parts of the river were clearly identified by these indexes while the large-scale floods that covered the whole drainage area did not leave clear indications in the sediment record. This study for identification of flood events is of great significance for understanding hyperpycnal current sedimentation as well as for forecasting of floods.     

Study on the Marine Sedimentary Environment Evolution of the Southern Laizhou Bay Under the Impact of Port Projects

The southern Laizhou Bay is mainly composed of silt-sandy coasts with diverse landforms, and its marine hydrodynamic environment is sensitive to human activities. Marine hydrodynamic and sedimentary environments of the study area have changed under the influence of large-scale port projects in recent years. In this paper, the evolution of hydrodynamic environment, deposition rate, and geochemical characteristics were studied based on sediment grain size, element analysis and ~(210)Pb dating of two cores, in order to analyze the influence of Weifang Port on marine environmental evolution, and provide theoretical and practical basis for protecting marine environment in developing marine resources reasonably. Results showed that sediments of the two cores were relatively coarser and mainly composed of silty sand. Sediments above 230 cm in core WF1 and 218 cm in core WF2 were deposited since 1855 when the Yellow River appeared to deposit its sediments within the modern active delta, and the average deposition rate was between 0.3 and 0.5 cm a~(-1). Implement of Weifang Port projects in 1997 and 2007 created great influence on the sedimentary environment evolution in the surrounding waters, and the deposition rate was significantly increased. The average annual deposition rates were 5.1 cm and 3.5 cm in WF1 and WF2 respectively between 1997 and 2007. Content of heavy metals in sediments showed no obvious change in the vertical, indicating that the heavy metals were less affected by human activity and there was no significant accumulation of such metals in the study area.     

Flood Risk Analysis and Flood Potential Losses Assessment

The heavy floods in the Taihu Basin Showed increasing trend in recent years.In this work,a typical area in the northern Taihu Basin was selected for flood rish analysis and potential flood losses assessment.human activities have strong impact on the study area‘s flood situation(as affected by the polders built,deforestation,population increase,urbanization,etc.) and have made water level higher,flood duration shorter,and flood peaks sharper.Five years of different flood return periods[(1970),5(1962),10(1987),20(1954),50(1991)] were used to calculate the potential flood risk area and its losses.The potential flood risk map,economic losses,and flood-impacted population were also calculated.The study‘s main conclusions are:1) Human activities have strongly changed the natural flood situation in the study area,increasing runoff and flooding;2) The flood risk area is closely related with the precipitation center;3) Polder construction has successfully protected land from flood.Shortened the flood duration,and elevated water leel in rivers outside the polders;4) Economic and social development have caused flood losses to increase in recent years.     

Reconstructing environmental changes of a coastal lagoon with coral reefs in southeastern Hainan Island

Coastal lagoons with small catchment basins are highly sensitive to natural processes and anthropogenic activities. To figure out the environmental changes of a coastal lagoon and its contribution to carbon burial, two sediment cores were collected in Xincun Lagoon, southeastern Hainan Island and (210) ~Pb activities, grain size parameters, total organic carbon(TOC), total nitrogen(TN), total inorganic carbon(TIC) and stable carbon isotopes(δ~(13)C) were measured. The results show that in 1770–1815, the decreasing water exchange capacity with outer open water, probably caused by the shifting and narrowing of the tidal inlet, not only diminished the currents and fined the sediments in the lagoon, but also reduced the organic matter of marine sources. From 1815 to 1950, the sedimentary environment of Xincun Lagoon was frequently influenced by storm events. These extreme events resulted in the high fluctuation of sediment grain size and sorting, as well as the great variation in contributions of terrestrial(higher plants, soils) and marine sources(phytoplankton, algae, seagrass). The extremely high content of TIC, compared to TOC before 1950 could be attributed to the large-scale coverage of coral reefs. However, with the boost of seawater aquaculture activities after 1970, the health growth of coral species was severely threatened, and corresponding production and inorganic carbon burial flux reduced. The apparent enhanced inorganic carbon burial rate after 1990 might result from the concomitant carbonate debris produced by seawater aquaculture. This result is important for local government long-term coastal management and environmental planning.