Superimposed versus residual basin:The North Yellow Sea Basin

The North Yellow Sea Basin is a Mesozoic and Cenozoic basin. Based on basin-margin facies, sedimentary thinning, size and shape of the basin and vitrinite reflectance, North Yellow Sea Basin is not a residual basin. Analysis of the development of the basin＇s three structural layers, self-contained petroleum systems, boundary fault activity, migration of the Mesozoic--Cenozoic sedimentation centers, different basin structures formed during different periods, and superposition of a two-stage extended basin and one-stage depression basin, the North Yellow Sea Basin is recognized as a superimposed basin.

Seasonal distribution and relationship of water mass and suspended load in North Yellow Sea

The concentration of suspended load can be determined by its linear relationship to turbidity. Our results present the basic distribution of suspended load in North Yellow Sea. In summer, the suspended load concentration is high along the coast and low in the center of the sea. There are four regions of high concentration in the surface layer： Penglai and Chengshantou along the north of the Shandong Peninsula, and the coastal areas of Ltishun and Changshan Islands. There is a 2 mg/L contour at 124°E that separates the North Yellow Sea from regions of lower concentrations in the open sea to the west. And there is a 2 mg/L contour at 124°E that separates the North Yellow Sea from regions of lower concentrations in the open sea to the west. The distribution features in the 10 m and bottom layer are similar to the surface layer, however, the suspended load concentration declines in the 10 m layer while it increases in the bottom layer. And in the bottom layer there is a low suspended load concentration water mass at the region south of 38°N and east of 123°E extending to the southeast. In general, the lowest suspended load concentration in a vertical profile is at a depth of 10 to 20 m, the highest suspended load concentration is in the bottom near Chengshantou area. In winter, the distribution of suspended load is similar to summer, but the average concentrations are three times higher. There are two tongue-shaped high suspended load concentration belt, one occurring from surface to seafloor, extends to the north near Chengshantou and the other invades north to south along the east margin of Dalian Bay. They separate the low suspended load concentration water masses in the center of North Yellow Sea into east and west parts, Vertical distribution is quite uniform in the whole North Yellow Sea because of the cooling effect and strong northeast winds. The distribution of suspended load has a very close relationship to the current circulation and wind-induced waves in the North Yellow Sea. Because of this, we have been able to show for the first time that the distribution of suspended load can be used to identify water masses.

Sedimentary evolution since the late Last Deglaciation in the western North Yellow Sea

To decipher the sedimentary evolution and environmental changes since the late Last Deglaciation, two gravity cores were analyzed from the western North Yellow Sea (NYS). The two cores (B-L44 and B-U35) were sampled for grain size, clay minerals, detrital minerals, and 14C dating. They are comparable in lithofaies, and the observed succession was divided into four depositional units based on lithology and mineral assemblages, which recorded the postglacial transgression. Depositional unit 4 (DU 4) (before 11.5 ka) was characterized with enrichment in sand, and was interpreted as nearshore deposits in shallow water during the Younger Dryas Event. DU 3 (11.5-9.6 ka) displayed a fining-upward succession composed of sediments from local rivers, such as the Huanghe (Yellow) River, and from coastal erosion, which clearly were related to the Early Holocene transgression. Stable muddy deposition (DU 2) in NYS began to form at about 9.6 ka, which received direct supply of fine materials from the Shandong subaqueous clinoform. It is believed that the Yellow Sea circulation system played a major role in controlling the formation of fine sediment deposition in DU 1 (after 6.4 ka) after the sea level maximum.

Distribution and Abundance of Pelagic Tunicates in the North Yellow Sea

In this paper, the distribution patterns and abundance of pelagic tunicates in the North Yellow Sea of China during the period 2006-2007 were analyzed. Zooplankton samples were obtained with vertical towing from bottom to surface using a WP2 plankton net(200 μm mesh size; mouth area: 0.25 m2). Five species belonging to two classes were identified: Oikopleura dioica, O. longicauda and Fritillaria borealis belonging to class Appendicularia; Salpa fusiformis and Doliolum denticulatum of class Thaliacea. O. dioica and O. longicauda were the dominant species, occurring in the samples of all four seasons, with different distribution patterns. Their maximum abundance were 1664.7 ind. m-3(spring) and 1031.7 ind. m-3(spring) respectively. Following Oikopleura spp. were D. denticulatum, which was found only in autumn with an average abundance of 149.6 ind. m-3, and S. fusiformis, which was detected all the year long except for autumn with low abundance(max. abundance 289.4 ind. m-3 in summer). Only a very small amount of F. borealis was detected in summer samples, with an average abundance of 2.7 ind. m-3. The relationship between tunicates abundances and the environmental factors was analyzed using the stepwise regression model for each species. The variation of appendicularian abundance showed a significant correlation with the surface water temperature and with the concentration of Chl-a. No relationship was found between tunicates abundance and salinity, likely due to the slight changes in surface salinity of the studied area during the four seasons. Salps abundance and that of doliolids were significantly correlated to bottom water temperature, indicating that these two species(S. fusiformis and D. denticulatum) migrate vertically in the water column. In particular D. denticulatum, known to be a warm water species, showed not only an important correlation with water temperature, but also a spatial distribution connected to the warm currents in the North Yellow Sea. The occurrence of D. denticulatum represents an interesting result never found in past research work. Water temperature, algal distribution and currents were the most relevant environmental factors influencing the tunicate abundance and distribution in the North Yellow Sea. Further research is needed in order to get more information on the ecology of these organisms and to better understand their role in the ecosystem including the oceanic food web.

Distribution of Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and Its Related Parameters in Seawater of the North Yellow Sea and off the Qingdao Coast in October, 2007

Data on the distribution of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were obtained from two cruises in the North Yellow Sea (NYS) and off the Qingdao Coast (QC) in October, 2007. Carbonate parameters were calculated. The concentrations of DIC are from 1.896-2.229 mmolL-1 in the NYS and from 1.939-2.032 mmolL-1 off the QC. In the southwest of the NYS, DIC in the upper layers decreases from the north of the SP (Shandong Peninsula) shelf to the center of the NYS; whereas in the lower layers DIC increases from the north of the SP shelf to the center of the NYS and South Yellow Sea. In the northeast of the NYS, DIC in all layers in- creases from the YR (Yalu River) estuary to the centre of the NYS. The distribution of DIC in NYS can be used as an indicator of Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM). Air-sea CO2 fluxes were calculated using three models and the results suggest that both the NYS and the QC waters are potential sources of atmospheric CO2 in October.

Distribution of Microbial Populations and Their Relationship with Environmental Variables in the North Yellow Sea,China

In order to understand the large-scale spatial distribution characteristics of picoplankton,nanophytoplankton and virio-plankton and their relationship with environmental variables in coastal and offshore waters,flow cytometry(FCM) was used to ana-lyze microbial abundance of samples collected in summer from four depths at 36 stations in the North Yellow Sea(NYS).The data revealed spatial heterogeneity in microbial populations in the offshore and near-shore waters of the NYS during the summer.For the surface layer,picoeukaryotes were abundant in the near-shore waters,Synechococcus was abundant in the offshore areas,and bacte-rial and viral abundances were high in the near-shore waters around the Liaodong peninsula.In the near-shore waters,no significant vertical variation of picophytoplankton(0.2-2μm) abundance was found.However,the nanophytoplankton abundance was higher in the upper layers(from the surface to 10 m depth) than in the bottom layer.For the offshore waters,both pico-and nanophytoplankton(2-20μm) abundance decreased sharply with depth in the North Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass(NYSCWM).But,for the vertical dis-tribution of virus and bacteria abundance,no significant variation was observed in both near-shore and offshore waters.Autotrophic microbes were more sensitive to environmental change than heterotrophic microbes and viruses.Viruses showed a positive correla-tion with bacterial abundance,suggesting that the bacteriophage might be prominent for virioplankton(about 0.45μm) in summer in the NYS and that viral abundance might play an important role in microbial loop functions.

The Stable Carbon Isotopic Compositions of n-Alkanes in Sediments of the Bohai and North Yellow Seas: Implications for Sources of Sedimentary Organic Matter

Stable carbon isotopic compositions of n-alkanes in surface sediments of the Bohai and North Yellow Seas were investigated to elucidate sources of sedimentary organic matter in these seas. The long-chain n-alkanes in surface sediments are predominantly long-chain C27, C29, and C31 types, with obvious odd carbon predominance. The δ13 C values of long-chain n-C27, n-C29, and n-C31 alkanes are-30.8% ± 0.5‰,-31.9% ± 0.6‰, and-32.1% ± 1.0‰, respectively, within the range of n-alkanes of C3 terrestrial higher plants. This suggests that sedimentary n-alkanes are derived mainly from terrestrial higher plants. Compound-specific carbon isotopic analysis of long-chain n-alkanes indicates that C3 terrestrial higher plants predominate(64%–79%), with angiosperms being the main contributors. The n-alkane δ13 C values indicate that mid-chain n-alkanes in sediments are derived mainly from aquatic emergent macrophytes, with significant petroleum pollution and bacterial degradation sources for short-chain n-alkanes.

Characteristics of zooplankton community in North Yellow Sea unveiled an indicator species for the Yellow Sea Warm Current in winter: Euchaeta plana

Zooplankton distributions are largely influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors in the surrounding environment.Some zooplankton species can be used as bio-indicators for particular currents and water masses to help discover the dynamics of water current in the ocean.In this study,we investigated the distribution of zooplankton in North Yellow Sea(NYS)during winter when the Yellow Sea Warm Current(YSWC)influenced that area.Zooplankton communities in the NYS were dominated by temperate and warm-temperate species,such as Calanus sinicus,Paracalanus parvus,Acartia bifilosa,and Sagitta crassa.Two warm-water species,Eucheata plana and Sagitta enflata were also present.Cluster analysis grouped NYS zooplankton into three communities,the Shandong Coastal Community(SCC)in the Shandong neritic area,the Yellow Sea Central Community(YSCC)in the central waters of the NYS,and the Liaoning Coastal Community(LCC)in the Liaoning neritic area.Abundances varied significantly among these communities,with an average of 102.2 ind./m^3 in SCC,179.8 ind./m^3 in YSCC,and 1244.2 ind./m^3 in LCC.Depth and the bottom(3 m from the sea floor)temperature were likely the primary abiotic factors influencing zooplankton distributions.The appearance of E.plana,an indicator species for the YSWC path,indicated a significant northwestward trend for the YSWC in 2007.

Paleo-Fluvial Systems during Marine Isotope Stages 6, 4 and 2 in the North Yellow Sea

Objective During the sea-level lowstands of the Late Quatemary, paleo-channels resulting from large-scale glacial regressions were extensively developed on continental shelves worldwide. Great attention has been paid to the mechanisms and ages of these successions of fluvial incisions, which provide insight into the sedimentary evolution and processes of shelves.

Hydrocarbon Potential of Pre-cenozoic Strata in the North Yellow Sea Basin

The North Yellow Sea Basin ( NYSB ), which was developed on the basement of North China (Huabei) continental block, is a typical continental Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary basin in the sea area. Its Mesozoic basin is a residual basin, below which there is probably a larger Paleozoic sedimentary basin. The North Yellow Sea Basin comprises four sags and three uplifts. Of them, the eastern sag is a Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary sag in NYSB and has the biggest sediment thickness; the current Korean drilling wells are concentrated in the eastern sag. This sag is comparatively rich in oil and gas resources and thus has a relatively good petroleum prospect in the sea. The central sag has also accommodated thick Mesozoic-Cenozoic sediments. The latest research results show that there are three series of hydrocarbon source rocks in the North Yellow Sea Basin, namely, black shales of the Paleogene, Jurassic and Cretaceous. The principal hydrocarbon source rocks in NYSB are the Mesozoic black shale. According to the drilling data of Korea, the black shales of the Paleogene, Jurassic and Cretaceous have all come up to the standards of good and mature source rocks. The NYSB owns an intact system of oil generation, reservoir and capping rocks that can help hydrocarbon to form in the basin and thus it has the great potential of oil and gas. The vertical distribution of the hydrocarbon resources is mainly considered to be in the Cretaceous and then in the Jurassic.

Detailed seafloor geomorphology of the western region of the North Yellow Sea,China:The result of Holocene erosional and depositional processes sculpting the offshore continental shelf

High-resolution multi-beam/single-beam bathymetric data and seismic profiling data from the latest surveys are used to map and interpret the detailed seafloor geomorphology of the western region of the North Yellow Sea(NYS),China.The mapping area covers 156410 km^(2),and incorporates a flat shelf plain,subaqueous accumulation shoals,tidal scouring troughs,and tidal sand ridge groups.Offshore areas with water depths less than 50 m in the western region of the NYS are mainly covered by thick,loose sediments,forming wide spread accumulation geomorphological features;these include the Liaodong Peninsula subaqueous accumulation system containing shoals and rugged scouring troughs,and the large mud wedge of the Shandong Peninsula.In the central part of the NYS,there is a relatively flat residual shelf plain with coarser sediment deposits.This flat shelf plain has a water depth larger than 50 m and a thin layer of sediment,on which there is a large pockmark field caused by seafloor seepage.These geomorphological structures indicate that modern sedimentary processes are the main driving force controlling the sculpture of the current seafloor surface landform.Extensive strong tidal current systems and abundant sediment sources provide the critical external forces and essential conditions for the formation of seafloor geomorphology.The tectonic basement controls the macroscopic morphological shape of the NYS,but is reflected very little in the seafloor geomorphic elements.Our results provide a detailed seafloor geomorphological map of the western region of the NYS,an area that has not previously mapped and also provide a scientific framework for further research into offshore seafloor geomorphology,shelf sedimentary processes,and submarine engineering construction in this region.

Evolution of Surface Cold Patches in the North Yellow Sea Based on Satellite SST Data

Ten years （from 2005 to 2014） of satellite sea surface temperature （SST） data from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer （AVHRR） are analyzed to reveal the monthly changes in surface cold patches （SCPs） in the main areas of the Northern Yellow Sea （NYS）. The Canny edge detection algorithm is used to identify the edges of the patches. The monthly changes are de- scribed in terms of location, temperature and area. The inter-annual variations, including changes in the location and area of the SCPs from 2010 to 2014, are briefly discussed. The formation mechanisms of the SCPs in different periods are systematically analyzed using both in situ data and numerical simulation. The results show that from May to October, the location and area of the SCPs re- main stable, with a north-south orientation. The SCPs altogether cover about I° of longitude （124°E-125°E） in width and 2° of lati- tude （37.5°N-39.5°N） in length. In November, the SCP separates from the Jangsan Cape and forms a closed, isolated, and approxi- mately circular cold patch in the central NYS. From May to October, the upweUing that leads to the formation of the SCP is mainly triggered by the headland residual current, wind field, climbing movement of the current and secondary circulation at the tide front. In November, cyclonic circulation in the NYS is primarily responsible for generating the upwelling that leads to the formation of the closed and isolated SCE

Characteristics of Milankovitch cycles recorded in Eocene strata in the eastern depression of North Yellow Sea Basin, North China

As cyclical orbital movements of Earth,Milankovitch cycles can be recorded in sedimentary strata.The time they reflect can be used to accurately divide and compare strata.Milankovitch cycles recorded in strata enrich the stratigraphic theory,especially the theories of cycle stratigraphy,and thus they are widely used in geological survey engineering nowadays.This study explored the characteristics of the Milankovitch cycles recorded in the eastern depression of the North Yellow Sea Basin,highlighting their control over high-frequency stratigraphic sequences.The Eocene Milankovitch cycles in the depression were calculated based on the method proposed by J.Laskar,and their parameters primarily include eccentricity cycles of 125 ka and 99 ka,obliquity cycles of 51 ka and 39 ka,and precession cycles of 23 ka and 19 ka.Spectral analysis of gamma-ray(GR)and spontaneous potential(SP)log curves of the Eocene strata was carried out to divide and compare stratigraphic sequences,revealing that the spectral peaks correspond well to astronomical cycles.This indicates that the strata in the depression fully record Milankovitch cycles.Furthermore,there are long-,medium-,and short-term stratigraphic cycles in the eastern depression,with a thickness of 13.03-15.89 m,3.70-5.21 m,and 2.17-2.94 m,respectively.The sedimentation rates of the Eocene strata were calculated to be 121.2-127.12 m/Ma accordingly.From the uplift to the center of the lacustrine basin along the slope in the eastern depression,both the sedimentation duration and the sediment thickness increase,while the sedimentation rate remains relatively stable.The Eocene strata can be divided into six stages of high-frequency sequences by continuous wavelet transformation,namely E_(6)-E_(1) from bottom to top.The sedimentation duration and sedimentation rates of the sequences were calculated using spectral analysis with each of the sequences as a separate window.Moreover,the impacts of climate change on the sedimentary environment in the eastern depression were analyzed.It can be concluded that E_(6) was a lowstand system tract,E_(5) and E_(4) were lacustrine expansion system tracts,E_(3) was a highstand system tract,and E_(2) and E_(1) were lacustrine contraction system tracts.All these verify that Milankovitch cycles serve as an effective approach for the analysis of sedimentary cycles.

Verification of Parameters of Major Historical Earthquakes in the North Yellow Sea

Based on existing historical data and observations from the Dalian seismic station,this paper rechecks the parameters of the three historical earthquakes of 1916,1917 and 1944 in the North Yellow Sea,near the Yalu River region.The results show that their relocated epicenters are located at contemporarily intense seismic active zones,consistent with the results derived from the data of the Dalian seismic station.The results are valuable in both revising earthquake catalogues and understanding the local background seismicity.

Stratigraphy of late Quaternary deposits in the mid-western North Yellow Sea

The North Yellow Sea(NYS) is characterized by strong land-sea interaction and paleoenvironmental changes with sea-level fluctuations during the late Quaternary. However, large-time scale depositional stratigraphy in this area and its relationship with sea-level changes remain unresolved. Highresolution seismic profiles from NYS were subdivided into eleven seismic units(U1 to U11 in descending order). A 70.6-m-long borehole(DLC70-2) from localities on seismic profiles, analyzed for lithology, microfossil assemblages and geochronology, comprises eleven sedimentary units(D1 to D11 in descending order), which were clearly correlated with the eleven seismic units. These units constitute four distinctive sequences(SQ1 to SQ4 from top to bottom) bounded by three sequence boundaries(S3, S5 and S10) with obvious depositional hiatus, correlated with sea-level lowstands of MIS2, MIS4 and MIS6, respectively. The lowermost SQ4 below S10, has been identified only upper part of transgressive systems tract(TST)(D11, tidal flat facies in early MIS6). SQ3 overlying S10 consists of a set of lowstand systems tracts(LST)(D10, fluvial to incised-channel filling facies in late MIS6), TST and highstand systems tracts(HST)(D9 to D6, interactive deposits of neritic and littoral facies in MIS5 and early MIS4). SQ2 above S5 is composed of LST(D5, channel-filling facies in late MIS4) and TST(D4, littoral to estuary facies in early-middle MIS3), but lack of HST resulting from subaerial exposure and channel incising during the Last Glacial Maximum(LGM). The uppermost SQ1 overlying S3 comprises LST(D3, channel-filling to flooding plain or marsh facies in MIS2), Holocene TST(D2, littoral and tidal sand ridge facies) and HST(D1, neritic facies). The unusual depositional stratigraphy was largely dominated by sea-level fluctuations and the Bohai Strait topography. This study confirms that TSTs are relative continuous and widely distributed, while LSTs vary considerably in thickness and lateral extent since MIS6 in NYS.

Properties of coarse particles in suspended particulate matter of the North Yellow Sea during summer

Fine particles in seawater commonly form large porous aggregates. Aggregate density and settling velocity determine the behavior of this suspended particulate matter(SPM) within the water column.However, few studies of aggregate particles over a continental shelf have been undertaken. In our case study, properties of aggregate particles, including size and composition, over the continental shelf of the North Yellow Sea were investigated. During a scienti?c cruise in July 2016, in situ ef fective particle size distributions of SPM at 10 stations were measured, while temperature and turbidity measurements and samples of water were obtained from surface, middle, and bottom layers. Dispersed and inorganic particle size distributions were determined in the laboratory. The in situ SPM was divided into(1) small particles(<32 μm),(2) medium particles(32–256 μm) and(3) large particles(>256 μm). Large particles and medium particles dominated the total volume concentrations(VCs) of in situ SPM. After dispersion, the VCs of medium particles decreased to low values(<0.1 μL/L). The VCs of large particles in the surface and middle layers also decreased markedly, although they had higher peak values(0.1–1 μL/L). This suggests that almost all in situ medium particles and some large particles were aggregated, while other large particles were single particles. Correlation analysis showed that primary particles <32 μm in?uenced the formation of these aggregates. Microscopic examination revealed that these aggregates consisted of both organic and inorganic ?ne particles, while large particles were mucus-bound organic aggregates or individual plankton.The vertical distribution of coarser particles was clearly related to water strati?cation. Generally, medium aggregate particles were dominant in SPM of the bottom layer. A thermocline blocked resuspension of?ne material into upper layers, yielding low VCs of medium-sized aggregate particles in the surface layer.Abundant large biogenic particles were present in both surface and middle layers.

Seabed domes with circular depressions in the North Yellow Sea

Numerous isolated shallow seabed domes with depressions were discovered in the North Yellow Sea in a high-resolution multibeam echosounder survey. Twelve domes were located within a 11 km by 17 km survey area. The domes in this area were between 0.1 m and 1.0 m high with diameters ranging from 250 to 1 700 m. They were surrounded by corresponding depressions and displayed characteristic shapes ranging from circular to elliptical. The acoustic anomalies displayed on the high resolution sub-bottom profile images demonstrated that shallow gas accumulated just beneath these domes, suggesting that the migration and accumulation of the shallow gas caused the formation of these features. Accumulation atop the seabed domes and erosion within the depressions, as indicated by the lithological features of the sediment cores, suggested that seabed bottom currents also played a role in the formation and evolution of these features. In addition, the simultaneous decrease in the chlorite and sulfate content in core d pore water samples confirmed the presence of submarine fresh/brackish groundwater, which is of interest for hydrological budgets and may be a significant component of the regional hydrologic balance. Our findings suggested that shallow gas accumulation and migration are likely coupled to localized groundwater discharge at this domed site.

Spatial and Temporal Variations of Pelagic Copepods in the North Yellow Sea

This study aims to analyze the spatial and temporal variations of the abundance and biodiversity of pelagic copepods and their relationships with the environmental factors in the North Yellow Sea(NYS). These variations were analyzed on the basis of the survey data of the NYS in four seasons from 2006 to 2007. A total of 31 copepod species that belong to 17 genera, 13 families and 4 orders were identified in the four seasons. Of these copepods, the species belonging to Calanoida is the most abundant component. The dominant species include Calanus sinicus, Centropages abdominalis, Paracalanus parvus, Acartia bifilosa, Oithona plumifera, and Corycaeus affinis. C. sinicus is the most important and widely distributed dominant species in all of the seasons. The dominant species have not shown any significant variation for the past 50 years. However, the richness of warm-water species increased. The abundance of copepods significantly varied among different seasons: the average abundance was higher in spring(608.2 ind m^(-3)) and summer(385.1 ind m^(-3)) than in winter(186.5 ind m^(-3)) and autumn(128.0 ind m^(-3)). Factor analyses showed a high correlation between the spatial distributions of dominant copepods and environmental parameters, and Chl-a was the most important factor that influenced the distribution of copepods. This research can provide the fundamental information related to zooplankton, especially pelagic copepods. This research is also beneficial for the long-term monitoring of zooplankton ecology in the NYS.

Tidal Effects on the Bottom Thermal Front of North Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass near Zhangzi Island in Summer 2009

Three seabed-mounted TD/CTD chains and two upward-looking acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) in the southwest of Zhangzi Island are used and a simultaneous cruise observation in the northern North Yellow Sea (NYS) is conducted to study temperature variation in the bottom thermal front zone of the NYS Cold Water Mass (NYSCWM) during the summer of 2009. In the flood-ebb tidal cycles, the bottom temperature decreases (increases) during flood (ebb) tides, which are dominated by the tidal-current induced horizontal advection. The ebb tide-induced temperature increase is larger than the flood tide-induced tempera- ture decrease due to seasonal warming. In the spring-neap tidal cycles, the temperature and the vertical temperature structure show notable fortnightly variation from 16 July to 25 August. The bottom temperature increases from neap to spring tides and decreases from spring to neap. The Richardson number demonstrates strengthened vertical mixing during spring tides but enhanced stratifica- tion during neap tides. The spring-neap variation in vertical shear caused by tidal current is the dominant factor that induces the fort- nightly variation in vertical mixing and thus bottom temperature.