Sources and transportation of suspended matter and sediment in the southern Yellow Sea： Evidence from stable carbon isotopes

The concentrations of total suspended matter (TSM) and the compositions of organic stable carbon isotopes of TSM and bottom sediments were analyzed to study the sources of TSM and sediments and the transportation processes. For this study, 284 TSM samples and 64 sediment ones taken from 67 stations along 7 transects and in 5 layers were collected in the southern Yellow Sea on the cruise in May, 1998. The main sediment transportation pattern in the southern Yellow Sea was obtained by analyzing the distribution characteristics of TSM concentration and particulate organic carbon δ^13C values. It was confirmed from the pattern that the bottom layer plays a more important role than the surface one in the transportation processes of terrigenous material to the central deep-water area of the southern Yellow Sea. The Yellow Sea circulation is an important control factor in determining the sediment transportation pattern in the southern Yellow Sea. The carbon isotope signals of sedimentary organic matter confirmed that the main material in sediments with high sedimentation rate in the Shandong subaqueous delta originated from the modern Yellow River.The terrigenous sediments in the deep-water area of the southern Yellow Sea are mainly from the abandoned Yellow River and the modern Yellow River, and a small portion of them are from the modern Yangtze material. The amount of terrigenous material from Korean Peninsula and its influence range are relatively limited. The conclusions derived from TSM and stable carbon isotopes were further confirmed by another independent material source tracer--PAHs.     

Sources and transportation of suspended matter and sediment in the southern Yellow Sea: Evidence from stable carbon isotopes

The concentrations of total suspended matter (TSM) and the compositions of organic stable carbon iso- topes of TSM and bottom sediments were analyzed to study the sources of TSM and sediments and the transportation processes. For this study, 284 TSM samples and 64 sediment ones taken from 67 stations along 7 transects and in 5 layers were collected in the southern Yellow Sea on the cruise in May, 1998. The main sediment transportation pattern in the southern Yellow Sea was obtained by analyzing the distribu- tion characteristics of TSM concentration and particulate organic carbon δ~(13)C values. It was confirmed from the pat- tern that the bottom layer plays a more important role than the surface one in the transportation processes of terrigenous material to the central deep-water area of the southern Yel- low Sea. The Yellow Sea circulation is an important control factor in determining the sediment transportation pattern in the southern Yellow Sea, The carbon isotope signals of sedi- mentary organic matter confirmed that the main material in sediments with high sedimentation rate in the Shandong subaqueous delta originated from the modern Yellow River. The terrigenous sediments in the deep-water area of the southern Yellow Sea are mainly from the abandoned Yellow River and the modern Yellow River, and a small portion of them are from the modern Yangtze material. The amount of terrigenous material from Korean Peninsula and its influen- ce range are relatively limited. The conclusions derived from TSM and stable carbon isotopes were further confirmed by another independent material source tracer-PAHs.     

Apparent ages of suspended sediment and soil erosion of the Pearl River (Zhujiang) drainage basin

The carbon isotopic composition (Δ 14 C,δ 13 C) and apparent ages of suspended sediment were determined in the Pearl River in the years 1998,2000 and 2005.These results indicate that suspended POC consists mostly of young carbon and some old carbon.Apparent ages of suspended POC range from 540 to 2050 a BP.The apparent ages are older in the Xijiang and Beijiang Rivers,while these values are variable in the Dongjiang River,including old and young samples.The suspended POCδ 13 C values increase with increasin...     

Preservation of black carbon in the shelf sediments of the East China Sea

Concentrations and carbon isotopic(14C,13C) compositions of black carbon(BC) were measured for three sediment cores collected from the Changjiang River estuary and the shelf of the East China Sea. BC concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 0.14 mg/g(dry weight) ,and accounted for 5% to 26% of the sedimentary total organic carbon(TOC) pool. Among the three sediment cores collected at each site,sediment from the Changjiang River estuary had relatively high BC contents compared with the sedi-ments from the East China Sea shelf,suggesting that the Changjiang River discharge played an im-portant role in the delivery of BC to the coastal region. Radiocarbon measurements indicate that the ages of BC are in the range of 6910 to 12250 years old B.P.(before present) ,that is in general,3700 to 9000 years older than the 14C ages of TOC in the sediments. These variable radiocarbon ages suggest that the BC preserved in the sediments was derived from the products of both biomass fire and fossil fuel combustion,as well as from ancient rock weathering. Based on an isotopic mass balance model,we calculated that fossil fuel combustion contributed most(60%―80%) of the BC preserved in these sediments and varied with depth and locations. The deposition and burial of this "slow-cycling" BC in the sediments of the East China Sea shelf represent a significant pool of carbon sink and could greatly influence carbon cycling in the region.     

Calcium isotope fractionation and its controlling factors over authigenic carbonates in the cold seeps of the northern South China Sea

In this study, we analyzed stable calcium isotope results of authigenic carbonates from two cold seep areas of the Dongsha area and the Baiyun Sag in the northern South China Sea. The stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen as well as the mineral composition of authigenic carbonates were used to investigate control calcium isotope fractionation. The δ44/40Ca ratios of the southwestern Dongsha area samples ranged from 1.21‰ to 1.52‰ and the ratio of the Baiyun Sag sample was 1.55‰ of the SRM915a isotope standard. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the carbonate samples consisted of dolomite, calcite and aragonite, with small amounts of high-Mg calcite and siderite. The δ13C values of the carbonates of the southwestern Dongsha area varied between δ49.21‰ and δ16.86‰ of the Vienna PeeDee Belemnite (VPDB) standard and the δ18O values ranged from 2.25‰ to 3.72‰ VPDB. The δ13C value of the Baiyun Sag sample was 2.36‰ VPDB and the δ18O value was 0.44‰ VPDB. The δ13C values of the carbonates of the southwestern Dongsha area revealed there is methane seeping into this area, with a variable contribution of methane-derived carbon. The sampled carbonates covered a range of δ13C values suggesting a dominant methane carbon source for the light samples and mixtures of δ13C values for the heavier samples, with possibly an organic or seawater carbon source. The δ18O values indicated that there is enrichment in 18O, which is related to the larger oxygen isotope fractionation in dolomite compared to calcite. The results of the Baiyun Sag sample exhibited normal seawater carbon and oxygen isotopic values, indicating that this sample is not related to methane seepage but instead to precipitation from seawater. The relatively high δ44/40Ca values indicated either precipitation at comparatively high rates in pore-water regimes with high alkalinity, or precipitation from an evolved heavy fluid with high degrees of Ca consumption (Raleigh type fractionation). The dolomite samples from the Dongsha area revealed a clear correlation between the carbon and calcium isotope composition, indicating a link between the amount and/or rate of carbonate precipitation and methane contribution to the bicarbonate source. The results of the three stable isotope systems, mineralogy and petrography, show that mineral composition, the geochemical environment of authigenic carbonates and carbon source can control the calcium isotope fractionation.     

The impacts of ‘05.6’ extreme flood event on riverine carbon fluxes in Xijiang River

An extreme flood event with a frequency of nearly 200 year occurred in June of 2005 in the Xijiang River, the main trunk stream of the Zhujiang River. Samples were systematically collected during the flood event, and water quality parameters, including total suspended sediment (TSS), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and particulate organic carbon (POC) were analyzed, and riverine carbon concentrations associated with its changing pattern through the flood process were discussed. These parameters reflect the changes in basin surface flow and subsurface flow dur-ing the flood. This flood event influenced annual flux estimations of POC, DOC, and DIC to great extents. Based on carbon flux estimations for the year 2005 and the flood event (June 21-28) in the Xijiang River, it was found that DIC, DOC, and POC fluxes during ‘05.6’ flood event are 1.52×106 g.km?2.a?1, 0.24×106 g.km?2.a?1, and 0.54×106 g.km?2.a?1, and account for 14.87%, 24.75% and 44.89% of the annual fluxes in 2005, respectively. The results suggested that carbon exports during extreme flood events had great contributions to the total carbon fluxes and composition of various carbon components, be-ing important for accurate estimates of annual carbon fluxes in rivers with frequent floods.     

Changes in palaeoproductivity of Genggahai Lake over the past 16 ka in the Gonghe Basin, northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Sequential samples of a 7.82-m sediment core from Genggahai Lake in the central Gonghe Basin,controlled with 12 accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14 C dates,have been analysed for total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) contents,carbon isotope of bulk organic matter (δ 13 C org),and carbonate content.Plant macrofossils and stem encrustations,derived mainly from the species of P.pectinatus,M.spicatum and Chara spp.,were identified,and they dominated the aquatic plant community of the lake.Alternations of plant macrofossils of Chara spp.and the vascular species reflect the changing productivity of the lake over time.In such a shallow lake,the carbonate content is highly related to photosynthesis of aquatic macrophytes and thus indirectly indicates variations in productivity,consistent with a quantitative estimate of palaeoproductivity.Based on these results,the palaeoproductivity history was reconstructed over the past ca.16 ka.The lake was formed or recharged at 15.3 cal ka BP,as indicated by aeolian sand deposits at the core base.A marked increase in palaeoproductivity occurred from 15.3 to 11.6 cal ka BP.Between 11.6 and 9.2 cal ka BP,a sharply increased water-level,modulated probably by the enhanced Asian summer monsoon,might have exceeded the optimum water depth for macrophyte vegetation,causing a marked decline in coverage of aquatic macrophytes and low palaeoproductivity.The palaeoproductivity appeared to be high in the early stage of the period from 9.2 to 7.4 cal ka BP,and then decreased at approximately 8.6 cal ka BP.The palaeoproductivity sustained an overall high level between 7.4 and 2.1 cal ka BP,and decreased gradually since 2.1 cal ka BP.Our results suggest that the variability of Genggahai Lake palaeoproductivity may be associated with fluctuations of the lake level controlled by the strength of the Asian summer monsoon,probably indicating changes in the Asian summer monsoon.     

Paleoecological implications of the nitrogen isotope signatures in the sediments amended by Antarctic seal excrements

The nitrogen isotope signatures in the sediments amended by seal excrements, from Fildes Peninsula of King George Islands, Antarctica, were examined for their paleoecological application potential. The contents of total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) and the atomic C/N ratios in the sediments show that the organic carbon and nitrogen are predominantly of marine origin and derived from seal excrements. The remarkably high δ15N values in the sediments may be related to at least two important factors of trophic enrichment and NH3 volatilization, which requires further studies. The large variations in the seal hair abundances and the determinedδ15N values in the sediments signify similar changes of the historical seal populations around the study site. A significant negative correlation between the δ15N values and seal hair abundance was observed, and this suggests that the δ15N values, like the number of seal hairs,can be used as a paleoecological proxy for the historical seal populations. The time-integrated δ15N signatures in the sediments with predominantly animal-derived nitrogen source thus provide a new tool for estimating historical populations of seals and penguins and interpretlng the underlying paleoecological processes.     

Anaerobic oxidation of methane: Geochemical evidence from pore-water in coastal sediments of Qi’ao Island (Pearl River Estuary), southern China

The concentrations of CH4 and SO4^2- in pore-water and the carbon isotope compositions of total dissolved inorganic （TCO2） and OH4 were determined for three coastal sedimentary cores collected from Qi＇ao Island （Pearl River Estuary）, southern China. Results show that methane concentration changes dramatically at the base of the sulfate-reducing zone and sulfate concentration gradients are linear for all stations. In addition, the carbon isotope of methane becomes heavier at the sulfate-methane transition （SMT）, which causes ∑CO2-δ^13C to become the minimum. The geochemical profiles of pore-water render indirect evidence for anaerobic oxidation of methane （AOM）. Based on numerical modeling of AOM and sulfate-reducing rates, the portion of total sulfate reduction occurring via AOM is 9.0%, 84% and 45.5%, respectively, and the percentage of TCO2 added to the pore-water is 4.7%, 72.4% and 29.45% correspondingly for three sites. Furthermore, it is found that the methane concentration, methane diffusive flux and the depth of SMT are controlled by the quantity and quality of sedimentary organic matter incorporated into the sediments. The great amount of organic material is favorable for rapid depletion of sulfate via sedimentary organic matter degradation, and on the other hand, causes the increase of the methane flux in the SMT, which results in a portion of sulfate reduction supported by AOM. Accordingly, the SMT was shifted towards the sediment surface.     

The impacts of “05.6” extreme flood event on riverine carbon fluxes in Xijiang River

An extreme flood event with a frequency of nearly 200 year occurred in June of 2005 in the Xijiang River, the main trunk stream of the Zhujlang River. Samples were systematically collected during the flood event, and water quality parameters, including total suspended sediment （TSS）, dissolved inorganic carbon （DIC）, dissolved organic carbon （DOC）, and particulate organic carbon （POC） were analyzed, and riverine carbon concentrations associated with its changing pattern through the flood process were discussed. These parameters reflect the changes in basin surface flow and subsurface flow during the flood. This flood event influenced annual flux estimations of POC, DOC, and DIC to great extents. Based on carbon flux estimations for the year 2005 and the flood event （June 21-28） in the Xijiang River, it was found that DIC, DOC, and POC fluxes during ＇05.6＇ flood event are 1.52×10^6g.km^-2.a^-1, 0.24×10^6 g.km^-2.a^-1, and 0.54×10^6 g.km^-2.a^-1, and account for 14.87%, 24.75% and 44.89% of the annual fluxes in 2005, respectively. The results suggested that carbon exports during extreme flood events had great contributions to the total carbon fluxes and composition of various carbon components, being important for accurate estimates of annual carbon fluxes in rivers with frequent floods.     

Carbon and sulfur isotopic compositions of basal Datangpo Formation, northeastern Guizhou, South China: implications for depositional environment

Isotopic compositions of Mn-carbonate and organic carbon from the same individual samples and sulfur isotopic compositions of pyrites in the basal Datangpo Formation were analyzed. Highly 34S-enriched pyrites （834Spyrite =31.7-59.4‰） were precipitated in rel- atively occlusive pore water under anoxic condition in sediments, which is consistent with the observation of large and scattered pyrite framboids. The sulfidic deep ocean was not ＂oxidized＂ in the early Datangpo interglacial interval, thus the level of seawater sulfate remained low and marine δ34Ssulphate remained high. Low δ13Ccar （average -7.4‰） and abnormal relationship between δ13Ccar and fractionation （ΔCar-ors） imply that the negative δ13CCar excursion may have resulted from oxidation of part of a large organic carbon reservoir. High Δcar-org （average 25.1‰） implicates high CO2 level in the atmosphere. Small standard deviation （1.0‰） of δ13CCar values indicates the Mn-carbonate was precipitated near the water-sediment interface under dysoxic conditions rather than in occlusive pore water in sediments.     

Variations of sulfur and carbon isotopes in seawater during the Doushantuo stage in late Neoproterozoic

The Doushantuo Formation of the Sinian System in the Yangtze area is the first sedimentary stratigraphic unit after the Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth event[1], named the Nantuo Glaciation in south China. There are not only phosphorite and manganese mineralized beds[2], but also a series of biome which represents the biological radiation in Neoproterozoic[3] found in this formation. It is important to study the palaeoenvironment and the early biological evolution implied in the Doushantuo …     

长江口粘性细颗粒泥沙絮凝试验研究

长江口航道淤积的主要成因是河流从上游带来的大量粘性细颗粒泥沙，在河口盐、淡水交汇处遇强电解质海水，产生絮凝形成絮团而加速沉降形成的。用长江口粘性泥沙在不同盐度的人工海水中做了大量的试验，研究结果表明，影响絮凝的主要因素为含盐度、颗粒大小、含沙量、泥沙矿物成分、有机质含量等、这些因素和絮团形成的大小有密切关系。     

Stable isotopic geochemistry of organic carbon and pyrite sulfur from the Early Cambrian black shales in Northwestern Hunan, China

The early Cambrian black shale sequence in Northwestern Hunan Province has been investigated for its stable isotopic geochemistry of organic carbon and pyrite sulfur. The relatively low δ 13C values of organic matter, -29.7‰～-34.2‰, are interpreted as caused by the high CO2 concentration in atmosphere/ocean and an anoxic depositional environment in early Cambrian. Variable, but significantly positive δ 34S values, 10.2‰～ 28.2‰, for sedimentary pyrite reveals bacterial sulfate reduction as the pyrite-forming process but under sulfate-limited conditions. A protected anoxic basin, which had very limited access to open ocean, and its sediments, where metabolizable organic matter was rich and bioturbation was absent, are supposed to be the sulfate-limited environments and might have existed in South China in the early Cambrian.     

廉州湾红树林大型底栖动物食物来源研究

【目的】了解可能性食物源对红树林大型底栖动物的贡献率。【方法】利用碳氮稳定同位素技术,对广西廉州湾红树林大型底栖动物及可能性食物源的碳、氮同位素比值(δ~(13) C值、δ~(15) N值)进行分析,并通过贝叶斯稳定同位素混合模型,估算不同食物源对大型底栖动物的贡献率。【结果】大型底栖动物的δ~(13) C值为-23.37‰~-18.09‰,δ~(15) N值为6.59‰~17.00‰,δ~(13) C值、δ~(15) N值的变化范围较大,表明大型底栖动物食物来源较为复杂多样。7种可能性食物源的δ~(13) C值为-29.09‰~-21.53‰,δ~(15) N值为6.85‰~15.67‰,其中红树植物的δ~(13) C值最为贫化。大型底栖动物的营养级别均小于3,表明它们基本属于初级消费者。SIAR混合模型计算结果显示,颗粒有机物(POM)对大型底栖动物有较高的贡献率,其次为表层沉积物(SOM),大型藻类、附生植物的贡献率较低,红树植物叶片、落叶、树皮对大型底栖动物的贡献率最低。【结论】POM、SOM是广西廉州湾红树林大型底栖动物重要的食物源,红树植物不是大型底栖动物碳的主要来源。     

Petroleum-contaminated soil extent recorded by δ15N and δ13C of plants and soils

Petroleum contamination in terrestrial environments caused by industrial activities is a significant problem that has received considerable attention. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions (δ13C and δ15N) effectively describe the behavior of plants and soils under petroleum contamination stress. To better understand plant and soil responses to petroleum-contaminated soil, δ13C and δ15N values of the plants (Trifolium repens, Leguminosae with C₃ photosynthesis pathway, and Agropyron cristatum with C₄ photosynthesis pathway) and the soil samples under one-month exposure to different extents of petroleum contamination were measured. The results showed that petroleum contamination in the soil induced the soil δ15N values to increase and δ13C values to decrease; from 1.9‰ to 3.2‰ and from ?23.6‰ to ?26.8‰, respectively. However, the δ13C values of Agropyron cristatum decreased from ?29.8‰ to ?31.6‰, and the δ13C values of Trifolium repens remained relatively stable from ?12.6‰ to ?13.1‰, indicating that they have different coping strategies under petroleum-contaminated soil conditions. Moreover, the δ15N values of Trifolium repens decreased from 5.6‰ to 0.8‰ near the air δ15N values under petroleum-contaminated soil, which implies that their nitrogen fixation system works to reduce soil petroleum stress. The δ13C and δ15N values of Agropyron cristatum and Trifolium repens reflect changes in the metabolic system when they confront stressful environments. Therefore, stable isotopic compositions are useful proxies for monitoring petroleum-contaminated soil and evaluating the response of plants to petroleum contamination stress.     

Carbon isotopic composition of mantle xenoliths in alkali basalt from Damaping, Hebei

The carbon isotopic composition of CO-2, CO and CH-4 extracted by pyrolysis from spinel lherzolite and black pyroxenolite xenoliths in alkali basalt from Damaping has been measured with GC_MS. The results show that, at heating temperatures from 400 to 1 140℃, the δ 13C of CO-2 and CO is -22‰--27‰, and that of CH-4 -30‰--50‰. The data imply that the magma which was generated in the upper mantle by partial melting in the area has experienced the multistage degassing process, and the δ 13C values represent the carbon isotopic composition of CO-2, CO and CH-4 remaining in it, respectively.     

Variation of δ13C in karst soil in Yaji Karst Experiment Site,Guilin

This study deals with δ13C variation in karst soil system of Yaji Karst Experiment Site, Guilin, a typical region of humid subtropical karst formations. Samples of near ground air, plant tissue, soil and water (soil solution and karst spring) were respectively collected on site in different seasons during 1996-1999. Considerable variation of δ13C values are not only found with different carbon pools of soil organic carbon, soil air CO2 and soil water HCO-3, but also with the soil depths and with different seasons during a year.The δ13C values of CO2 both of near ground air and soil air are lower in July than those in April by 1%-4‰ PDB. Our results indicate that the δ13C values of carbon in the water and air are essentially dependent on interface carbon interaction of air-plant--soil-rock--water governed by soil organic carbon and soil CO2 in the system.     

Carbon and oxygen isotopes analyses for the Sinian carbonates in the Helan Mountain, North China

We conducted detailed studies of the Sinian carbonates from the Helan Mountain, Ningxia by both field investigation and laboratory analyses of carbon and oxygen isotopes. The carbon isotopic compositions of the Sinian Zhengmuguan Formation shows variations with regularity in the five studied sections, the δ ¹³C values all gradually decrease from bottom to top, with a total range from ?4.51‰ to 0.11‰, and the biggest negative excursion reaches up to ?6.88‰. In addition, abundant macro-body fossils were also found from the Tuerkeng Formation in this study, similar to those found from the Dengying Formation in the South China Block. This observation firmly constrained the age for the Zhengmuguan and Tuerkeng formations to the Sinian period. Here we interpreted that the Zhengmuguan Formation formed during a glacial period when the extremely cold climate substantially decreased the amount of burial of organic matter in the ocean and thus led to the general negative δ ¹³C excursion. The increasing δ ¹³C values in the Tuerkeng Formation dolomites imply the ending of the glacial period in the Zhengmuguan epoch, biological recovery and increase of organic matter burial in the ocean occurred during this period. Comparing our obtained carbon and oxygen isotopes of the Zhengmuguan and Tuerkeng formations with those of coeval carbonate successions from other places all over the world, the Zhengmuguang-aged glacial deposits might be deposited after the Gaskiers glaciation. This study provides important information for paleo-ocean, paleogeographic and biological evolution in the North China Block during the Ediacaran period and adds new carbon and oxygen isotopes data for the global Sinian carbon-oxygen isotopes dataset.