白令海表层沉积物中的放射虫与海洋环境

通过对白令海 1 2个表层沉积物中微体生物化石放射虫的分析 ,共鉴别放射虫 2 4 72枚 ,计36属、45种。表层沉积物中放射虫的分布特点为 :1 .浅水陆架 -陆坡上部区的粉砂、细砂沉积物中放射虫化石数量少且属种单调。2 .陆坡下部区的火山碎屑及浊流沉积物中放射虫化石亦不丰富。3.海盆区粘土沉积物中的放射虫化石丰度高且分异度高。本区陆架放射虫化石的优势种为Spongotrochus glacialis.影响放射虫分布的主要因素为海流、地形、水深、水温等。另外 ,该区沉积物的物源主要为陆源沉积物、生物源沉积物和火山源沉积物 ,它们主要来源于俄罗斯东部的勘察加半岛。

Distribution of Biogenic Silica Content in Surface Sediments from the Southern South China Sea and Its Environmental Dignificance

Biogenic silica content was determined in 25 surface sediment samples from the southern South China Sea to study its distribution and its modern oceanic environmental significance, which may provide further scientific evidence for paleoceanography explaination. This study showed that biogenic silica content in surface sediments and its water depth have evidently positive correlation, and the correlation coefficient was up to 0.782. Biogenic silica content was very low in continental shelf shallows and could not reflect the productivity of siliceous micropaleontology in surface waters, which may be affected by sedimentary types and terrigenous matter dilution. Distribution of biogenic silica content in surface sediments from deep water areas showed that it could not only reflect the paleoproductivity of siliceous micropaleontology in surface waters, but also indicate the strong or feeble upwelling. Thus, it was further confirmed that using biogenic silica content in sediments to trace upwelling and its change was effective and reliable. The analyzed result showed that radiolariia and poriferous specula have more contribution for biogenic opal, comparing with diatom in surface sediments from the northern studied area, probably owing to the diatom dissolved easily away and eaten by other organisms with little effort. In the upwelling areas, radiolarian, diatom and poriferous specula all approximately showed high abundance, which was consistent with high biogenic silica content.

Study on acid-volatile sulfide(AVS), simultaneously extracted metals(SEM) and its toxic effect on the organism in intertidal sediments of Donghai Island, Zhanjiang

The content and distribution of acid-volatile sulfide （AVS） and simultaneously extracted metals （SEM） （Cr Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb） were studied in surface sediments collected from the tidal fiat of Donghai Island, Zhanjiang. The results indicated that for most stations, the AVS concentration was higher in summer with the average of 0.449 μmol/g than that in winter with the average of 1.816 μmol/g. The AVS contents were higher in southern and northern areas and lower in western and eastern areas. The average content of ∑SEM was between 0.56 μmol/g and 4.60 μmol/g in summer and between 0.65μmol/g and 2.21 μmol/g in winter. The concentration change of single metal was Zn〉Cr〉Pb〉Cu〉Cd for most stations. The content percentage in ∑ SEM was below 1% for Cd and over 70% for Zn. SEMZn was the key pattern to control the distribution of T. SEM due to its high concentration percentage. Based on the assessment methods of （∑SEM/AVS） with （∑ SEM-AVS） and thresholds for metal toxicity to benthic organism, most values of （∑ SEM-AVS） in intertidal flats of Donghai Island were between 0 and 5. The most toxicity region was in Tongminghai area located in the west tidal zone of Donghai Island, and the most toxicity metal was zinc in Tongminghai area in summer. The land-based pollution and the environmental parameters such as sunlight, atmosphere temperature and hydrodynamic characteristics were the main affecting factors on the content level and distribution characteristics of AVS and SEM in intertidal sediments of Donghai Island.

Natural and human-induced effects on grain size of surface sediments along the Lianyungang muddy coast,China

To examine spatial variations of grain-size characteristics caused by both natural and human-induced processes along the Lianyungang muddy coast, China, 129 samples were collected and measured using standard sieving and sedimentation techniques. Results show that sediment diameter tends to increase with increasing water depth from nearshore to offshore. Size-frequency distributions indicate a gradual mixing process of coarse and fine diameter material. Grain size trend analysis indicates that a man-made structure, the West has resulted in severe siltation in Haizhou Bay and Breakwater, along with Liandao Island itself, the Lianyungang port area, where sediment quality is also poor. Results demonstrate that grain size can be used as a natural tracer to infer how sediments respond to the effects caused by both natural and human-induced processes.

Distribution and Ecological Risk Assessment of HCHs and DDTs in Surface Seawater and Sediment of the Mariculture Area of Jincheng Bay,China

The distribution of hexachloroeyclohexanes （HCHs） and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes （DDTs） in the surface sea- water and sediment of Jincheng Bay mariculture area were investigated in the present study. The concentration of total HCHs and DDTs ranged from 2.98 to 14.87ngL-l and were〈0.032ngL-1, respectively, in surface seawater, and ranged from 5.52 to 9.43 and from 4.11 to 6.72 ng g-l, respectively, in surface sediment. It was deduced from the composition profile of HCH isomers and DDT congeners that HCH residues derived from a mixture of technical-grade HCH and lindane whereas the DDT residues derived from technical-grade DDT and dicofol. Moreover, both HCH and DDT residues may mainly originate from historical inputs. The hazard quotient of α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH and δ-HCH to marine species was 0.030, 0.157, 3.008 and 0.008, respectively. It was estimated that the overall probability of adverse biological effect from HCHs was less than 5%, indicating that its risk to seawater column spe- cies was low. The threshold effect concentration exceeding frequency of γ-HCH, p,p＇-DDD, p,p＇-DDE and p,p＇-DDT in sediment ranged from 8.3% to 100%, and the relative concentration of the HCH and DDT mixture exceeded their probable effect level in sediment. These findings indicated that the risk to marine benthos was high and potentially detrimental to the safety of aquatic prod- ucts, e.g., sea cucumber and benthic shellfish.

Magnetic Characteristics of Surface Sediments of Liaodong Bay, China

Analysis of magnetic properties of marine surface sediments has been gradually proved to be one of the effective means for researching the source of marine sediments. In this paper, samples from 39 sites in Liaodong Bay were collected to analyze the magnetic characteristics of the surface sediments. Magnetic study indicated that the surface sediments of the Liaodong Bay are char- acterized by magnetite. In the middle and eastern part and the southwest comer of the Bay, the main magnetic grains were coarse multi- domain and pseudo-single-domain particles, while in other areas single-domain and pseudo-single-domain particles constitute the majority. Based on grain size and environmental magnetism data, the content of magnetic minerals has a positive correlation with the hydrodynamic environment when the magnetic mineral domain is finer. However, the content of magnetic minerals is in a complex relationship with the hydrodynamic environment in the coarse magnetic domain of magnetic minerals found in central Liaodong Bay and places outside the Fuzhou Bay, implying that the strong hydrodynamic environment accelerates the sedimentation of coarse magnetic minerals. Based on geographic pattern of magnetic properties, it can be inferred that the main provenance of the surface sediments of the Liaodong Bay is the surrounding rivers, and the comparative analysis indicates that Yellow River substances maybe also exist in the bay.

Mineral distributions in surface sediments of the western South Yellow Sea:implications for sediment provenance and transportation

The South Yellow Sea(SYS) is strongly influenced by the substantial sediment loads of the Huanghe(Yellow)(including the modern Huanghe and abandoned old Huanghe subaqueous delta) and Changjiang(Yangtze) Rivers. However,the dispersal patterns of these sediments,especially in the western SYS,have not been clearly illustrated. In this study,we have analyzed clay minerals,detrital minerals,and grain sizes for 245 surface sediment samples(0–5 cm) collected from the western SYS. The clay minerals,on average,consist of 67% illite,14% smectite,11% chlorite,and 8% kaolinite. Clay minerals,detrital minerals,and grain size analyses of surface sediments,combined with water mass hydrology analysis,reveal that sediments in the western SYS are mainly derived from the modern Huanghe River,the abandoned subaqueous delta of the old Huanghe River,some material from the Changjiang,and coastal erosion. The clay minerals(especially illite and smectite) and quartz/feldspar ratio distribution patterns,reveal that the influence of modern Huanghe sediments can reach 35°N in the northwestern part of the study area,an influence that can be enhanced especially in winter owing to northerly winds. Conversely,sediments along the Jiangsu coast are mixed,in summer,with material from the Changjiang arriving via northward flow of Changjiang Diluted Water. The Subei Coastal Current carries the refreshed sediments northward into the western SYS. Sediment distribution and transport in the western SYS are mainly controlled by the oceanic circulation system that is primarily related to the monsoon.

Distribution of diatoms and silicoflagellates in surface sediments of the Yellow Sea and offshore from the Changjiang River, China

The spatial distribution of siliceous microfossils （diatoms and silicoflagellates） in the surface sediments was mapped at 113 sites in the Yellow Sea and sea areas adjacent to the Chang^iang （Yangtze） River, China. In total, 267 diatom taxa and two silicoflagellate species were identified from the sediments. The spatial variations in abundance and diversity were classified into three distinct geographic patterns using Q mode clustering： a south-north geographic pattern, a coastal-offshore pattern and a unique pattern in the Changjiang River mouth. The south-north geographic pattern was related to the spatial variations in sea temperature. Coscinodiscus oculatus, a warm-water species, indicated these variations by a gradual decrease in abundance from the south to the north. The coastal-offshore pattern was in response to the spatiaJ variations in salinity. Cyclotella stylorum, Actinocyclus ehrenbergii and Dictyocha messanensis, the dominant brackish species in coastal waters, significantly decreased at the isobaths of approximately 30 m, where the salinity was higher than 31. Paralia sulcata and Podosira stelliger indicated the impact of the Yellow Sea Warm Current in the central Yellow Sea. The unique pattern in the Changjiang River mouth showed the highest species diversity but lower abundance, apparently because： freshwater input can significantly increase the proportion of brackish species; nutrients can supply the growth ofphytoplankton; and high sedimentation rates can dilute the mierofossil abundance in the sediments. Our results show that an integration of environmental factors （e.g., nutrient levels, sedimentation rate, sea temperature, salinity and water depth） determined the spatial characteristics of the siliceous micro fossils in the surface sediments.

Sedimentary ladderane core lipids as potential indicators of hypoxia in the East China Sea

Anammox （anaerobic ammonium oxidation） is an important process in many suboxic to anoxic marine environments for converting fixed nitrogen to N2, and has a major impact on the marine nitrogen cycle. Ladderane core lipids have been utilized as an indicator of the contribution of anammox to the marine nitrogen cycles. However, such studies have not been reported for the China seas and little is known about the importance of anammox within the nitrogen cycle of these marginal seas. In the research reported here, the ladderane core lipid contents of 17 surface sediment samples from the East China Sea are reported, and their spatial distribution is investigated. C^8-[5]-ladderane FAME, C20-[5]-ladderane FAME and C20-[3]- ladderane FAME have all been detected, suggesting that the anammox bacteria are widely present within the study area. The total contents of the three ladderane lipids （ZFAMEs） range from 24-355 ng/g （weight of dry sediments）, with higher contents occurring in the Minzhe Mud Zone and broadly coincident with the spatial distribution of hypoxia. It is suggested that the sedimentary ladderane core lipids are mainly produced in the water column and their sedimentary contents can be used as indicators of water column hypoxia.

Laboratory Application of Laser Grain-Size Analyzer in Determining Suspended Sediment Concentration

Suspended sediment concentration(SSC) is an important parameter in marine sedimentology. With the development of technology, many acoustic and optical devices, such as the Laser In-Situ Scattering and Transmissometry, have been designed to measure in situ SSC and grain size distribution. But due to fund or other restrictions, many experiments were only conducted in laboratory, using an indoor laser grain-size analyzer and gravimetric method to measure grain size distribution and concentration, respectively. In this study the laboratory experiment is simplified by omitting the tiring step of gravimetric method. The connections between SSC and other parameters(obscuration, D50 and sorting index) were investigated based on 124 surface sediment samples collected from different offshore areas. A new method is developed for determining SSC in laboratory using a laser grain-size analyzer.

Diatom assemblages in surface sediments from the South China Sea as environmental indicators

We studied diatom distribution from 62 samples from the uppermost 1 cm of sedimem in the South China Sea （SCS）, using grabs or box corers in three cruises between 2001-2007. Fifty six genera, 256 species and their varieties were identified. Dominating species included Coscinodiscus africanus, Coscinodiscus nodulifer, Cyclotella stylorum, Hemidiscus cuneiformis, Melosira sulcata, Nitzschia marina, Roperia tesselata, Thalassionema nitzschioides, Thalassiosira excentrica, and Thalassiothrix longissima. Most surface sediments in the SCS were rich ill diatoms, except for a few coarse samples. Average diatom abundance in the study area was 104 607 valve/g. In terms of the abundance, ecology, and spatial distribution, seven diatom zones （Zones 1-7） were recognized. Zone 1 （northern continental shelf） is affected by warm currents, SCS northern branch of the Kuroshio, and northern coastal currents; Zone 2 （northwestern continental shelf） is affected by intense coastal currents; Zone 3 （Xisha Islands sea area） is a bathyal environment with transitional water masses; Zone 4 （sea basin） is a bathyal-to-deep sea with stable and uniform central water masses in a semi-enclosed marginal sea; Zone 5 （Nansba Islands marine area） is a pelagic environment with relatively high surface temperature; Zone 6 （northern Sunda Shelf） is a tropical shelf environment; and Zone 7 （northern Kalimantan Island shelf area） is affected by warm waters from the Indian Ocean and coastal waters. The data indicate that these diatom zones are closely related to topography, hydrodynamics, temperature, nutrients and especially the salinity. Better understanding of the relationship between diatom distribution and the oceanographic factors would help in the reconstruction of the SCS in the past.

Diatom distribution in surface sediments from Chinese inshore waters and the relationship to modern environmental variables

Diatoms are widely used to study past and present changes in the marine environment. Unimodal models are appropriate for exploring the relationship between environmental properties in Chinese inshore waters and fossil diatom species derived from modem surface sediments. The best-fit relationships between two multivariate datasets （diatom species and environmental variables） were identified using canonical correspondence analysis （CCA）, which is a constrained ordination technique. The absolute abundance of diatoms in the Chinese inshore waters ranged from 500 to 48 000 valves/g, and the average absolute abundance of all the 29 sites was l l 300 valves/g. 153 species and varieties of diatoms belonging to 42 genera in all were identified in the Chinese inshore waters. There were 28 dominant diatom species in all. According to the absolute abundance of the dominant species and the spatial distribution of the currents from the Chinese inshore waters, 12 diatom assemblages were distinguished from north to south, which reflected the different oceanographic conditions at the regional scale. Of the eight environmental variables considered, the most important environmental variable is winter sea surface salinity （WSS）, which was also the only environmental variable with statistical significance. Therefore, it may be used to establish a transfer functions for the Chinese inshore waters in future paleoclimate studies.

Bacterial and archaeal communities in the surface sediment from the northern slope of the South China Sea

Microbial diversity of sediments from the northern slope of the South China Sea was studied by constructing bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. Fourteen bacterial phylogenetic groups were detected, including Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Alphaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Nitrospirae, candidate divisions OP8 and OP 11, and an unknown group. Gammaproteobacteria was the predominant group in bacterial libraries with the percentage ranging from 31.8% to 63.2%. However, archaeal libraries had relatively lower diversity, with most clones belonging to marine archaeal group I uncultured Crenarehaeota. In addition, two novel euryarchaeal clones were detected not to match any culture-dependent or -independent isolates. Compared with other gas hydrate-rich ecosystems and different areas of the South China Sea, a distinct microbial community was revealed in this study.