Deep water bottom current deposition in the northern South China Sea

There are some active bottom currents on the northern continental slope of the South China Sea (SCS). Reflection seismic profiles show that the bottom current channels occur in the water depth range of 1000 to 2700 m,extending from the NE to the SW,leading to accumulation of discontinuous drifts with higher sedimentation rates on the eastern side of the channel. The stacking pattern of the layers sug-gests that these drifts propagated southwestward,following the direction of the bottom currents. One sedimentary drift to the southeast of the Dongsha Islands has the highest sedimentation rate of 97cm/ka in the last 12 ka. The sedimentary characteristics of the sediment layers indicate that these bottom currents are most likley caused by the water movement of a branch of the West Pacific Ocean Current,which enters the northern SCS via the Bashi Strait. Once formed,the bottom currents trans-port sediments along the northern slope of SCS southwestward and finally disappear into the central basin of the SCS. Due to the bottom current activity,the deep-sea sedimentary process in the northern SCS is complex.     

Detection and indication of 1,3,4-C27–29 triol in the sediment of northern South China Sea

After the detection of the 1,20,21-C_(29) long-chain triol in some sediments and freshwater pteridophytes, in this study, a new homologous long-chain triol, 1,3,4-C_(27-29), is detected for the first time in the Site4 B core sediment in the northern South China Sea. The hydroxyl location and length of the carbon chain of this newly discovered triol differ from those of 1,20,21-C_(29) triol. The test results of its molecular distribution and individual carbon isotope reveal that 1,3,4-C_(29) triol has a good correlation with n-C_(26-30) even carbon-numbered long-chain fatty alcohols, with R~2(n=68) values of 0.905, 0.929 and 0.903, respectively, and its carbon isotope composition, at –32.3‰±1.9‰, is similar to that of n-C_(26-30), at –29.13‰±0.87‰, –32.98‰±1.28‰, and –32.98‰±1.28‰. 1,3,4-C_(29) triol from the Site4 B core sediment and terrigenous long-chain fatty alcohol(n-C_(26-34)) show highly consistent distribution trends in the entire section; thus, the former could serve as a proxy indicator of the terrigenous input. Considering that the 1,20,21-C_(29) triol in previous research belongs to Azolla, which are fresh water pteridophytes, the 1,3,4-C_(27-29) triol identified in this study might have similar biogenetic derivation. Thus, determination of its biogenic area and growing environment could provide potential organic geochemical evidence supporting the terrigenous input and source in the northern South China Sea.     

Discussion on Characteristics of Crustal Deformation along the Zhangjiakou-Bohai Sea Seismotectonic Zone

INTRODUCTIONThe Zhangjiakou-Penglai fault zone has drawnextensive attentionfromseismologists and geologistssince it was determinedinthe1980’s(Zheng Binghua,et al.,1981).Ma Xingyuan,et al.(1989)consideredit asthe north boundaryof North China sub-block.Int…     

Impacts of coastal reclamation on tidal and sediment dynamics in the Rui’an coast of China

Ocean Dynamics - Coastal reclamation projects have been extensively constructed along the coastline of the East China Sea over the past decades. To investigate the impact of reclamations on the...     

Dynamical mechanism of the stratospheric quasibiennial oscillation impact on the South China Sea Summer Monsoon

The National Center for the Atmospheric Research (NCAR) middle atmospheric model is used to study the effects of the quasi-biennial oscillation in the stratosphere (QBO) on the tropopause and uppe troposphere, and the relationship between the QBO and South China Sea Summer Monsoon (SCSSM is explored through NCEP (the National Centers for Environmental Prediction)/NCAR, ECMWF (Euro pean Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) monthly mean wind data and in situ sounding data The simulations show that the QBO-induced residual circulations propagate downwards, and affect the tropopause and upper troposphere during the periods of mid-late QBO phase and phase transition Meanwhile, diagnostic analyses indicate that anomalous circulation similar to SCSSM circulation is generated to strengthen the SCSSM during the easterly phase and anomalous Hadley-like circulation weakens the SCSSM during the westerly. Though the QBO has effects on the SCSSM by meridiona circulation, it is not a sole mechanism on the SCSSM TBO mode.     

Research on the dynamics of the South China Sea opening:Evidence from analogue modeling

Independent of Indochina extrusion, the South China Sea experienced a process from passive continental rifting to marginal sea drifting. According to the fault patterns in the Beibu Gulf basin and the Pearl River Mouth basin, the continental rifting and early spreading stage from 32 to 26 Ma were controlled by extensional stress field, which shifted clockwise from southeastward to south southeastward. From 24 Ma on, the sea spread in NW-SE direction and ceased spreading at around 15.5 Ma. Integrated geological information with the assumption that the South China Sea developed along a pre-Cenozoic weakness zone, we did analogue experiments on the South China Sea evolu- tion. Experiments revealed that the pre-existing weakness zone goes roughly along the uplift zone between the present Zhu-1 and Zhu-2 depression. The pre-existing weakness zone is composed of three segments trending NNE, roughly EW and NEE, respectively. The early opening of the South China Sea is accompanied with roughly 15° clockwise rotation, while the SE sub-sea basin opened with SE extension. Tinjar fault was the western boundary of the Nansha block (Dangerous Ground), while Lupar fault was the eastern boundary of the Indochina, NW-trending rift belt known as Zengmu basin developed between above two faults due to block divergent of Indochina from Nansha. In the experiment, transtensional flower structures along NW-trending faults are seen, and slight inversion occurs along some NE-dipping faults. The existence of rigid massifs changed the orientations of some faults and rift belt, and also led to deformation concentrate around the massifs. The rifting and drifting of the South China Sea might be caused by slab pull from the proto South China Sea subducting toward Borneo and/or mantle flow caused by India-Asia collision.     

Beach recovery from extreme storm activity during the 2013–14 winter along the Atlantic coast of Europe

The storm sequence of the 2013–14 winter left many beaches along the Atlantic coast of Europe in their most eroded state for decades. Understanding how beaches recover from such extreme events is essential for coastal managers, especially in light of potential regional increases in storminess due to climate change. Here we analyse a unique dataset of decadal beach morphological changes along the west coast of Europe to investigate the post-2013–14 winter recovery. We show that the recovery signature is site specific and multi-annual, with one studied beach fully recovered after 2 years, and the others only partially recovered after 4 years. During the recovery phase, winter waves primarily control the timescales of beach recovery, as energetic winter conditions stall the recovery process whereas moderate winter conditions accelerate it. This inter-annual variability is well correlated with climate indices. On exposed beaches, an equilibrium model showed significant skill in reproducing the post-storm recovery and thus can be used to investigate the recovery process in more detail. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sediment mass and distribution in the South China Sea since the Oligocene

The sediment macro-distribution patterns and their evolutionary characteristics in the South China Sea (SCS) are discussed based on a quantification of the sediment mass from the be- ginning of seafloor spreading in the Oligocene to the Present. Above the pre-Oligocene base, the total sediment mass for the whole SCS is estimated to be 1.44×1016 t, with the highest average accumulation rate of ~22 g·cm-2·ka-1 in the Oligocene. Having no large abyssal fans but fast accumulation in sedimentary basins on the continental shelf and slope, the SCS shows quite different sedimentary characters not only from the open ocean but also from small backarc basins along the marginal West Pacific, apparently controlled by the coupling between local tectonics and global climate changes.     

Focal mechanism solutions and its tectonic significance in the trench of the eastern South China Sea

Introduction South China Sea (SCS) is located in the convergence zone between Euro-Asian plate, Pacific plate (Philippine plate) and Indian plate. Interactions of three plates made the crust of this region suffer tectonic stress in many directions and made the South China Sea be in the complex environ-ment of the tectonic stress. There are four different marginal types in the surrounding of the South China Sea: The tectonic zone of the rifting margin in the north of SCS, the NS direct…     

Diving down the reefs? Intensive diving tourism threatens the reefs of the northern Red Sea

Intensive recreational SCUBA diving threatens coral reef ecosystems. The reefs at Dahab, South Sinai, Egypt, are among the world’s most dived (>30,000 dives y⁻¹). We compared frequently dived sites to sites with no or little diving. Benthic communities and condition of corals were examined by the point intercept sampling method in the reef crest zone (3 m) and reef slope zone (12 m). Additionally, the abundance of corallivorous and herbivorous fish was estimated based on the visual census method. Sediments traps recorded the sedimentation rates caused by SCUBA divers. Zones subject to intensive SCUBA diving showed a significantly higher number of broken and damaged corals and significantly lower coral cover. Reef crest coral communities were significantly more affected than those of the reef slope: 95% of the broken colonies were branching ones. No effect of diving on the abundance of corallivorous and herbivorous fish was evident. At heavily used dive sites, diver-related sedimentation rates significantly decreased with increasing distance from the entrance, indicating poor buoyancy regulation at the initial phase of the dive. The results show a high negative impact of current SCUBA diving intensities on coral communities and coral condition. Corallivorous and herbivorous fishes are apparently not yet affected, but are endangered if coral cover decline continues. Reducing the number of dives per year, ecologically sustainable dive plans for individual sites, and reinforcing the environmental education of both dive guides and recreational divers are essential to conserve the ecological and the aesthetic qualities of these dive sites.     

The impact of the planetary β-effect on the vertical structure of a coherent vortex in the South China Sea

Ocean Dynamics - Vertical axes of mesoscale eddies with the coherent structure were observed to tilt southwestward significantly from the sea surface to bottom in the South China Sea. The dynamic...     

Characteristics of fault rocks and paleo-earthquake source along the Koktokay-Ertai fault zone,Xinjiang,China

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Trace element contamination in the estuarine sediments along Tuticorin coast – Gulf of Mannar,southeast coast of India

Sediment samples were collected from Kallar, Korampallam creek and Punnakayal estuaries of Tuticorin coast for assessing the level of contamination by trace elements in these estuarine sediments. The trace element concentration, calcium carbonate, organic carbon and mercury level were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer, Titrimetric method and SnCl₂ reduction method. The results reveals that the enrichment factor, metal pollution index and geo-accumulation index of these estuarine sediments were predominantly polluted by Cd, As, Zn, Hg and Pb. The factor analysis revealed the source of trace element accumulation in the estuarine sediments particularly Mn and Fe are from riverine inputs and As and Hg from untreated industrial effluents. Among the selected estuaries, Korampallam creek was found to be highly contaminated by trace elements due to the discharge of effluents from thermal power plant, Tuticorin alkali chemicals, copper smelting, Petrochemical industries and shipping activities.     

Hydrochemical Characteristics of the Aral Sea in 2012–2013

The decrease in Aral Sea area, which started in the 1960s, caused considerable changes in the hydrological, chemical, and biological structure of sea water. Regular observations of Aral water chemistry ceased in the early 1990s. There were no observations of the concentrations of biogenic element compounds in water (the so-called “first-day analyses”). During expeditions of the Institute of Oceanology, RAS, in September 2012 and October 2013, integrated hydrochemical observations were carried out, including measuring the concentrations of biogenic element compounds, dissolved oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, and carbonate equilibrium components. An objective of this study was to develop methods of hydrochemical studies under high water salinity (mineralization). In addition to the standard hydrochemical complex, water samples were taken to determine total water mineralization and the concentration of dissolved and suspended metal forms. The results of these studies are given.     

Grain-size records at ODP Site 1146 from the northern South China Sea: Implications on the East Asian monsoon evolution since 20 Ma

273 samples from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 1146 in the northern South China Sea (SCS) were analyzed for grain-size distributions using grain-size class vs. standard deviation method and end-member modeling algorithm (EMMA) in order to investigate the evolution of the East Asian monsoon since about 20 Ma. 10–19 μm/1.3–2.4 μm, the ratio of two grain-size populations with the highest variability through time was used to indicate East Asian winter monsoon intensity relative to summer monsoon. The mass accumulation rate of the coarsest end member EM1 (eolian), resulting from EMMA, can be used as a proxy of winter monsoon strength and Asian inland aridity, and the ratio of EM1/(EM2 EM3) as a proxy of winter monsoon intensity relative to summer monsoon. The combined proxies show that a profound enhancement of East Asian winter monsoon strength and winter monsoon intensity relative to summer monsoon occurred at about 8 Ma, and it is possible that the summer monsoon simultaneously intensified with winter monsoon at 3 Ma. Our results are well consistent with the previous studies in loess, eolian deposion in the Pacifc, radiolarians and planktonic foraminifera in the SCS. The phased uplift of the Himalaya-Tibetan Plateau may have played a significant role in strengthening the Asian monsoon at 8 Ma and 3 Ma.     

Latitude-Longitude Characteristics of the North–South Asymmetry of Solar Activity

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The characteristics of the latitude-longitude distribution of the north–south (NS) asymmetry of the number of sunspots for the period of 1874–2013 are...     

Observations on surface pollution in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea during the Sindbad Voyage (1980–1981)

Analysis of 159 visual observations on tar balls, oil slicks and other surface pollutants in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea form the basis of this study. Observations were made between November 1980 and June 1981 aboard a replica of an ancient Arab sailing vessel, Sohar, during the ‘Sindbad Voyage’. The vessel, being both small and slow-moving, provided an almost ideal platform from which to make visual observations on surface pollution. Tar balls were encountered in more than 20% of the observations, and show a progressive increase in occurrence from Malaysia/Indonesia (<15%) towards the Gulf region (>60%). In contrast, oil slicks and other forms of surface pollution were encountered less frequently. The results are discussed in the light of observations made during the Marine Pollution [Petroleum] Monitoring Pilot Project (MAPMOPP).     

Interannual variations of bomb radiocarbon during 1977—1998 recorded in coral from Daya Bay, South China Sea

Radioactive isotope tracers such as 14C, 3H, 222Rn and 226Ra are extensively applied in oceanological research, simply because these radioactive isotopes can be indicative of some ex-tremely slow processes occurring in sea water, which may include the off…