Calcareous nannofossil bioevents and microtektite stratigraphy in the Western Philippine Sea during the Quaternary

Two sediment cores, MD06-3050 and MD06-3047, were analyzed to study the Quaternary calcareous nannofossil and microtektite records. We dated bioevents and the microtektite impact event by calibrating with oxygen isotope stratigraphy. Seven calcareous nannofossil bioevents were identified over the past 2.36 Ma including the last appearance of data for Discoaster brouweri, Calcidiscus macintyrei, large Gephyrocapsa and Pseudoemiliania lacunosa, the first appearance of data for large Gephyrocapsa and Emiliania huxleyi, and the abrupt increase in the abundance of Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica. In addition, we fortunately observed that Australasian microtektites were distributed in core MD06-3050 from 1340 to 1374 cm.     

A 200-ka carbon isotope record from the South China Sea

Stable isotope of autogenous oceanic carbonate (e.g., calcite of foraminiferal shells) has become a basic tracer in paleoceanography. Oxygen isotope composi-tion (δ 18O) is generally controlled by factors, such as ice volume and water temperature, and is…     

Discovery of seep carbonate nodules as new evidence for gas venting on the northern continental slope of South China Sea

The geotectonic evolution of the northern South China Sea (SCS) is controlled by the Eurasian, the Pa-cific and the Indian-Australian Plates. With regard to its tectonic evolution, the northern margin composed of faulted terraces and basins and deposited …     

南海碳的生物地球化学研究进展

简述南海碳的生物地球化学的研究进展,重点介绍国家杰出青年基金课题“南海碳的生物地球化学循环研究-胶体的显著作用”的研究内容,报道了近年来我们在该领域的最新阶段性研究成果。     

南海表面海温异常对南海季风影响的数值模拟

采用P-σ混合坐标系区域气候模式模拟了4－7月南海季风的爆发、演变过程，并进行了3组敏感性数值试验，研究南海表面海温异常对南海季风的影响，得到以下结论：（1）南海4月份海温异常对南海季风的爆发日期影响不大，但对季风爆发后的强度有所影响，异常增温造成南海季风增强，异常降温则南海季风减弱。（2）南海季风爆发和强度的变化与南海本身的海温变化情况有密切的关系，尤其是5月份南海海温异常。5月份南海异常增温可以使南海季风提前爆发，季风增强，南海海温异常降低时，南海季风爆发的时间推迟，季风减弱。（3）南海海温持续异常可以影响南海及中国大陆的高低空环流变化，海温持续异常增温可以使南海季风提前爆发，显地加强南海季风，并有利于南海季风向北推进，但当海温在6月份进一步持续增温时，则有利于季风维持在较南地区，阻碍季风向北发展；当海温持续异常降低时，南海季风推迟爆发，且明显减弱。     

华南晚泥盆世腕足动物壳体保存状况及其氧碳同位素比较研究

对华南湘中地区上泥盆统弗拉/法门(F/F)界线附近的几种腕足动物化石壳体结构所进行的详细研究表明,其原始结构主要表现为两种类型：一是具有棱柱状第三层,二是缺失棱柱状第三层。基于壳体保存程度的详细分析,以阴极发光程度、壳体显微结构为参数建立了壳体成岩作用改造程度的量化模式,经化石壳体氧、碳同位素值的验证,这一模式基本可以用来对不同保存环境下的样品进行筛选。在对比研究中发现,以无洞贝目(Atrypida)为代表的具有柱状第三层结构的样品不仅在保存状况上优于只具有纤维层结构的壳体,而且其氧、碳同位素数值的分布也较为集中,从而说明无洞贝目的壳体是进行氧、碳同位素研究较为理想的材料。     

Effects of ultraviolet radiation B （UV-B） on photosynthesis of natural phytoplankton assemblages in a marine bay in Southern China

Solar ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) is known to have inhibitive effects on phytoplankton photosynthesis. UVB light decreases rapidly with increasing depth in the water column and exerts different degrees of UVB inhibitive effects on phytoplankton photosynthesis. In this study, the objectives were to quantify effects of UVB on phytoplankton photosynthesis and quantum yield, and to examine UVB effects on phytoplankton photosynthesis when light varies. The insitu experiments were conducted in Da Ya Bay, which is a semienclosed area in the subtropical South China. The results showed a significant reduction of photosynthetic rates and quantum yield in the presence of UVB. Maximum photosynthetic rates (Pmax) and maximum quantum yield (Φmax) were 11%-22% and 17%-49% less under solar radiation with UVB than without UVB. A simplified model was developed to describe the UVB biologically effective fluence rate (E*inh) as an exponential decay function of depth. Light-shift experiments, in which water samples from the surface and at depth of 4 m were divided into several subsamples, and each subsamples were then incubated at different depths with and without UVB in the water column, showed that phytoplankton from the deeper water (4 m) had more inhibitive rates by UVB than that from the surface when exposed to the same light condition.     

萨拉乌苏河流域钙结核中碳氧同位素特征及古环境意义

通过对萨拉乌苏河流域酒坊台剖面中普遍发育的钙结核进行碳、氧同位素分析,结果显示各岩性组中同位素分布特征差异较大,无明显线性关系。利用钙结核中碳同位素值推算了不同岩性组中C_3和C_4植物的相对贡献量,结合孢粉数据,探讨了不同气候条件下植被演变情况,这与邻区的黄土高原研究成果基本吻合。同时,利用氧同位素和温度的经验公式,定量恢复了倒数第二次冰期-末次冰期的温度变化,其中末次间冰期表现为相对温暖的气候特征。总之,利用钙结核的碳氧同位素可作为定量恢复古温度、古植被的一种有效方式,但需要注意与其他指标进行综合对比分析。     

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.     

Coral reef ecosystems in the South China Sea as a source of atmospheric CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in summer

Field measurements of air-sea CO2 exchange in three coral reef areas of the South China Sea (i.e. the Yongshu Reef atoll of the Nansha Islands, southern South China Sea (SCS); Yongxing Island of Xisha Islands, north-central SCS; and Luhuitou Fringing Reef in Sanya of Hainan Island, northern SCS) during the summers of 2008 and 2009 revealed that both air and surface seawater partial pressures of CO2 (pCO2) showed regular diurnal cycles. Minimum values occurred in the evening and maximum values in the morning. Air pCO2 in each of the three study areas showed small diurnal variations, while large diurnal variations were ob-served in seawater pCO2. The diurnal variation amplitude of seawater pCO2 was ~70 μmol mol–1 at the Yongshu Reef lagoon, 420–619 μmol mol–1 on the Yongxing Island reef flat, and 264–579 μmol mol–1 on the reef flat of the Luhuitou Fringing Reef, and 324–492 μmol mol–1 in an adjacent area just outside of this fringing reef. With respect to spatial relations, there were large differences in air-sea CO2 flux across the South China Sea (e.g. ~0.4 mmol CO2 m–2 d–1 at Yongshu Reef, ~4.7 mmol CO2 m–2 d–1 at Yongxing Island, and ~9.8 mmol CO2 m–2 d–1 at Luhuitou Fringing Reef). However, these positive values suggest that coral reef ecosystems of the SCS may be a net source of CO2 to the atmosphere. Additional analyses indicated that diurnal variations of surface seawater pCO2 in the shallow water reef flat are controlled mainly by biological metabolic processes, while those of deeper water lagoons and outer reef areas are regulated by both biological metabolism and hydrodynamic factors. Unlike the open ocean, inorganic metabolism plays a significant role in influencing seawater pCO2 variations in coral reef ecosystems.     

Nano-sized graphitic carbon in authigenic tube pyrites from offshore southwest Taiwan,South China Sea,and its implication for tracing gas hydrate

Gas hydrates are a significant energy resource and are usually detected by bottom simulating reflection and submarine geochemical anomalies. Authigenic minerals are related to gas hydrates, with carbonates, sulfates and sulfides being important tracing minerals. Authigenic tubular pyrites were collected from offshore southwest Taiwan in the South China Sea, and were investigated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Authigenic tubular pyrite was composed of framboidal pyrite, within which nanosized graphitic carbon of low crystallinity was discovered. The graphitic carbon coexisted with pyrite and had a texture similar to carbon nanotubes and nanocones, indicating that they likely precipitated from carbon supersaturated C-H-O fluid. Pyrite may act as a catalyst for the conversion of CH 4 to C. The discovery of nanosized graphitic carbon in pyrite indicated it was deposited in sediments that were supersaturated with methane fluid. Thus, nanosized graphitic carbon may be another tracing species for submarine gas hydrates. The discovery of nanosized graphitic carbon deposited in a low temperature environment will enlighten our understanding of the laboratory synthesis and industrial production of graphitic carbon.     

Paleoproductivity variations in the southern Okinawa Trough since the middle Holocene: Calcareous nannofossil records

Based on 17 AMS 14 C age data,we reconstructed high-resolution records of sea surface primary productivity(PP) in the southern Okinawa Trough(MD05-2908) over the last 6.8 ka BP using the calcareous nannofossil carbon isotope and the relative percentage contents of Florisphaera profunda indexes.The underlying mechanism controlling the sea surface PP was then discussed.The sea surface PP,indicated by the coccolith δ 13 C and %Fp conversional equations,decreased with some fluctuations since 6.8 ka BP.This decrease may be connected to the decreased terrigenous input resulting from the reduced East Asian Summer Monsoon(EASM) precipitation.Both the periods of 4-2 ka BP(PME) and 6.8-4.8 ka BP were characterized by relatively higher PP.The former was mainly controlled by the weakening of the Kuroshio Current,whereas the latter mainly resulted from the greater terrigenous input associated with the stronger EASM.     

滇西兰坪盆地马登温泉碳酸根同位素组成示踪研究

在系统测定和分析了兰坪盆地碳酸盐岩地层碳、氧同位素（１３Ｃ、１８Ｏ）组成特征和地层中方解石脉，地下水中碳酸根及泉华碳氧同位素组成特征的基础上，发现方解石脉，地下水碳酸根及泉华碳、氧同位素组成特征与原岩存在相关关系。据此，以马登温泉为例，论证了地下水碳酸根碳，氧同位素作为“示踪剂”确定其补给含水层的可行性。结果是马登温泉的补给含水层为晚三叠世歪古村组碳酸盐岩地层，同时也证实了马登盆地地下存在歪古材组含盐系地层。     

三亚海洋环境试验站硅藻污损群落初探

【目的】探明海洋工程材料在热带海洋环境试验站硅藻污损群落的组成变化,为研究该海域材料腐蚀、生物污损以及生物多样性提供参考。【方法】取4种材料进行全浸腐蚀试验,定期取出试片冷藏客运到青岛,用次氯酸钠法制成永久封片,在带有微分干涉显微镜下记数,并使用PRIMER 6对硅藻Shannon多样性指数、Pielou’s均匀度指数和Simpson优势度进行计算。【结果】检出污损硅藻16目24科30属61种,其中双眉藻属、菱形藻属和舟形藻属为优势类群;物种多样性指数随时间而增加;热浸锌表面硅藻群落结构变化与其他3种材料有所不同。【结论】在南海热带近岸,材料表面性质对其表面附着的污损硅藻群落有一定影响,其中锌离子的影响较为明显。     

Authigenic sulfide minerals and their sulfur isotopes in sediments of the northern continental slope of the South China Sea and their implications for methane flux and gas hydrate formation

This is a report of the study of the authigenic sulfide minerals and their sulfur isotopes in a sediment core (NH-1) collected on the northern continental slope of the South China Sea, where other geo-physical and geochemical evidence seems to suggest gas hydrate formation in the sediments. The study has led to the findings: (1) the pyrite content in sediments was relatively high and its grain size relatively large compared with that in normal pelagic or hemipelagic sediments; (2) the shallowest depth of the acid volatile sulfide (AVS) content maximum was at 437.5 cm (>2 μmol/g), which was deeper than that of the authigenic pyrite content maximum (at 141.5-380.5 cm); (3) δ 34S of authigenic pyrite was positive (maximum: 15‰) at depth interval of 250-380 cm; (4) the positive δ 34S coincided with pyrite enrichment. Compared with the results obtained from the Black Sea sediments by Jorgen-sen and coworkers, these observations indicated that at the NH-1 site, the depth of the sulfate-methane interface (SMI) would be or once was at about 437.5-547.5 cm and the relatively shallow SMI depth suggested high upward methane fluxes. This was in good agreement with the results obtained from pore water sulfate gradients and core head-space methane concentrations in sediment cores collected in the area. All available evidence suggested that methane gas hydrate formation may exist or may have existed in the underlying sediments.