The orbital scale evolution of regional climate recorded in a long sediment core from Heqing, China

Based on the analysis of carbonate content and loss on ignition for a long sediment core (737 m in length) drilled in Heqing, the orbital scale evolution of the Southwest Monsoon is revealed, by using overlapped spectral analysis and filter methods. It is shown that the obliquity cycle and precession cycle are the key factors for the Southwest Monsoon evolution and that the change of the global ice volume and the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau also impose great influences on it.     

The plant diversity and its relationship with paleoenvironment since 2.78 Ma revealed by pollen records in the Heqing deep drilling core

Multifold palynological diversity indices calculated by pollen data of the Heqing deep drilling core are synthetically analyzed, the results show that the plant diversity rapidly increased and its fluctuant am- plitude and frequency evidently largened during the stages of 2.729--2.608 Ma, 1.176--0.342 Ma and since 0.118 Ma respectively, while during the other periods the plant diversity was relatively low with a gentle fluctuation. To discuss further the relation between ancient plant diversity and paleoenvironment, it is considered that the plant diversity in the Heqing region lies on increase or decrease of vertical vegetational belts in mountains around the studied area and richness of components of these vegeta- tional belts, and is controlled by amplitude of tectonic uplift of mountains and climatic changes. The high plant diversity during 2.729--2.608 Ma responded to the strong uplift of mountains at the stage, while the plant diversity greatly increased and its fluctuant amplitude and frequency markedly largened at about 1.176 Ma was obviously response to the Middle Pleistocene Transition. The plant diversity and its fluctuant amplitude and frequency increased further at about 0.991 Ma may be superposably affected by both the Middle Pleistocene Transition and the tectonic uplift. The plant diversity increased since 0.118 Ma may indicate that the southwest monsoon strengthened and humid climate more fitted many kinds of plants to grow.     

Surface pollen distribution patterns in Beibu Gulf and corresponding sediment dynamics environment

The Beibu Gulf is a semi-enclosed gulf in the northwest of the South China Sea.We palynologically analyzed 306 surface sediment samples from the eastern Beibu Gulf to improve bioclimatic interpretation of fossil pollen records there.Surface pollen assemblages could be classified into five pollen regions based on the distributions of total,arboreal,herbaceous and fern pollen concentrations.Four high-concentration and three low-concentration subregions could be distinguished within these regions.The distribution patterns of surface pollen assemblages were consistent with those of grain sizes of surface sediments.Sediments from regions with high pollen concentrations were very fine and fine silts (>7.0,<0.008 mm),whereas those with low pollen concentrations were fine sand (<3.5,>0.088 mm).Sedimentary heterogeneity of surface pollen assemblages was closely related to pollen source,transportation and sedimentation controlled by ocean currents,tides and waves,and oceanic bottom topography.Fern spores exhibited higher percentages along the east margins of the region,while arboreal types like Pinus increased in concentration towards the center.Herbaceous pollen appeared in high percentages around seacoasts near their source areas.Dacrydium and mangrove pollen were distributed near their source regions at low percentages.We discuss the sediment dynamic environments in the eastern Beibu Gulf based on surface pollen distributions.The estuary region is an important access to the sea basin and a depositional site for terrestrial pollen grains.Coastal regions can accumulate pollen due to the back-and-forth movements of tides there.Although ocean currents on a gulf scale tend to spread pollen grains,the interaction of multiple currents could lead to pollen accumulation and deposition.Low surface pollen concentrations in the northeast shallow-water regions of the eastern Beibu Gulf could be attributed to repeated washing and sediment floatation caused by severe wave activities during the summer.Strong tides in Qiongzhou Strait frequently wash the seabed and disadvantage pollen deposition,leading to low surface pollen concentrations there.     

A high-resolution climatic chanse since Holocene inferred from multi-proxy of lake sediment in westerly area of China

Multi-proxy data are presented and a discuss is made of paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental changes during Holocene from a 225-cm-long sediment core from Wulungu Lake, located in westerly area of China. The chronology is constructed from six AMS radiocarbon dates on the bulk organic matter. Analyses of pollen, TOC, TN, δ^13Corg, ostracod assemblages and the shell stable isotopes, suggest Holocene climate pattern as follows： temperate and dry （10.0-7.6 cal. ka BP） -warm and wet （7.6-5.3 cal. ka BP） -warm and moist （5.3-3.6 cal. ka BP） -temperate and dry （3.6-2.1 cal. ka BP）-temperate and moist （2.1-1.3 cal. ka BP） -cool and dry （1.3 cal. ka BP-present）. With the climatic change, Wulungu Lake experienced two large-scale retreat （5.3-3.6 cal. ka BP and 1.3 cal. ka BP-present） and an obvious transgression （7.6-5.3 cal. ka BP）. The records of climatic and environmental evolution of Wulungu Lake were in good accordance with those of adjacent areas. It responded to regional environmental change, global abrupt climate events and followed the westerly climate change mode.