A case study of continental shelf waves in the northwestern South China Sea induced by winter storms in 2021

This study aims to investigate characteristics of continental shelf wave(CSW)on the northwestern continental shelf of the South China Sea(SCS)induced by winter storms in 2021.Mooring and cruise observations,tidal gauge data at stations Hong Kong,Zhapo and Qinglan and sea surface wind data from January 1 to February 28,2021 are used to examine the relationship between along-shelf wind and sea level fluctuation.Two events of CSWs driven by the along-shelf sea surface wind are detected from wavelet spectra of tidal gauge data.The signals are triply peaked at periods of 56 h,94 h and 180 h,propagating along the coast with phase speed ranging from 6.9 m/s to18.9 m/s.The dispersion relation shows their property of the Kelvin mode of CSW.We develop a simple method to estimate amplitude of sea surface fluctuation by along-shelf wind.The results are comparable with the observation data,suggesting it is effective.The mode 2 CSWs fits very well with the mooring current velocity data.The results from rare current help to understand wave-current interaction in the northwestern SCS.

pCO_2 distribution and CO_2 flux on the inner continental shelf of the East China Sea during summer 2011

Measurements of pH,total alkalinity(TA),partial pressure of CO2(pCO2) and air-sea CO2 flux(FCO2) were conducted for the inner continental shelf of the East China Sea(ECS) during August 2011.Variations in pCO2 distribution and FCO2 magnitude during the construction of the Three Gorges Dam(TGD)(2003-2009),and the potential effects of the TGD on the air-sea CO2 exchange were examined.Results showed that the ECS acts as an overall CO2 sink during summer,with pCO2 ranging from 107 to 585 μatm and an average FCO2 of-6.39 mmol/(m2·d).Low pCO2(<350 μatm) levels were observed at the central shelf(28°-32°N,123°-125.5°E) where most CO2-absorption occurred.High pCO2(>420 μatm) levels were found in the Changjiang estuary and Hangzhou Bay which acted as the main CO2 source.A negative relationship between pCO2 and salinity(R2=0.722 0) in the estuary zone indicated the predominant effect of the Changjiang Diluted Water(CDW) on the seawater CO2 system,whereas a positive relationship(R2=0.744 8) in the offshore zone revealed the influence of the Taiwan Current Warm Water(TCWW).Together with the historical data,our results indicated that the CO2 sink has shown a shift southwest while FCO2 exhibited dramatic fluctuation during the construction of the TGD,which is located in the middle reaches of the Changjiang.These variations probably reflect fluctuation in the Changjiang runoff,nutrient import,phytoplankton productivity,and sediment input,which are likely to have been caused by the operations of the TGD.Nevertheless,the potential influence of the TGD on the CO2 flux in the ECS is worthy of further study.

New interpretation on the provenance changes of the upper Pinghu–lower Huagang Formation within Xihu Depression,East China Sea Shelf Basin

Both Pinghu and Huagang formations are important hydrocarbon reservoirs of the Xihu Depression in the East China Sea Shelf Basin.Clarifying the source suppliers and restoring source-to-sink transport routes are of great significance to the future petroleum and gas undertakings.Previous researchers were largely confined by either limitation of geological records,highly dependence on a singular method or low-precision dating techniques.Our study integrated heavy mineral assemblages,geochemical analyses and detrital zircon U-Pb dating to reconstruct multiple source-to-sink pathways,and to provide a better understanding on the provenance evolution for the upper Pinghu–lower Huagang depositions of the Xihu Depression.At least three major provenances have been confirmed and systematically investigated for their separate compositional features.The Hupijiao Uplift(or even farther northern area)was dominated by a major Paleoproterozoic population peaked at ca.1830 Ma along with minor Mesozoic clusters.The Haijiao Uplift to the west and the Yushan Low Uplift to the southwest,on the other hand,generate opposite U-Pb age spectra with apparently larger peaks of Indosinian and Yanshanian-aged zircons.To be noted,both Indosinian and Paleoproterozoic peaks are almost identical in proportion for the Haijiao Uplift.The overall sedimentary pattern of late Eocene-early Oligocene was featured by both spatial and temporal distinction.The Hupijiao Uplift was likely to cast limited impact during the late Eocene,whereas the broad southern Xihu Depression was transported by a large abundance of materials from the nearby Haijiao and Yushan Low Uplifts.The northern source substantially extended its influence to the farther south during the early Oligocene by delivering plentiful sediments of higher-degree metamorphic parent rocks.Combined with the proximal western and southwestern suppliers,the overall Xihu Depression was under control from both distant and local provenances.

Clay minerals and elemental composition of sediments on different sedimentary units in the northern East China Sea shelf:provenance tracing and genetic mechanism analysis

The composition,provenance,and genetic mechanism of sediment on different sedimentary units of the East China Sea(ECS)shelf are essential for understanding the depositional dynamics environment in the ECS.The sediments in the northern ECS shelf are distributed in a ring-shaped distribution centered on the southwestern Cheju Island Mud.From the inside to the outside,the grain size goes from fine to coarse.Aside from the“grain size effect”,hydrodynamic sorting and mineral composition are important restrictions on the content of rare earth elements(REEs).Based on the grain size,REEs,and clay mineral composition of 300 surface sediments,as well as the sedimentary genesis,the northern ECS shelf is divided into three geochemical zones:southwestern Cheju Island Mud Area(ZoneⅠ),Changjiang Shoal Sand Ridges(ZoneⅡ-1),Sand Ridges of the East China Sea shelf(ZoneⅡ-2).The northern ECS shelf is mostly impacted by Chinese mainland rivers(the Changjiang River and Huanghe River),and the provenance and transport mechanism of sediments of different grain sizes is diverse.The bulk sediments come primarily from the Changjiang River,with some material from the Huanghe River carried by the Yellow Sea Coastal Current and the North Jiangsu Coastal Current,and less from Korean rivers.Among them,surface sediments in the southwestern Cheju Island Mud Area(ZoneⅠ)come mostly from the Changjiang River and partly from the Huanghe River.It was formed by the counterclockwise rotating cold eddies in the northern ECS shelf,which caused the sedimentation and accumulation of the fine-grained sediments of the Changjiang River and the Huanghe River.The Changjiang Shoal Sand Ridges(ZoneⅡ-1)were developed during the early-middle Holocene sea-level highstand.It is the modern tidal sand ridge sediment formed by intense hydrodynamic action under the influence of the Yellow Sea Coastal Current,North Jiangsu Coastal Current,and Changjiang Diluted Water.The surface sediments mainly originate from the Changjiang River and Huanghe River,with the Changjiang River dominating,and the Korean River(Hanjiang River)influencing just a few stations.Sand Ridges of the East China Sea shelf(ZoneⅡ-2)are the relict sediments of the paleo-Changjiang River created by sea invasion at the end of the Last Deglaciation in the Epipleistocene.The clay mineral composition of the surface sediments in the study area is just dominated by the Changjiang River,with the North Jiangsu Coastal Current and the Changjiang Diluted Water as the main transporting currents.

Origin of hydrocarbon fluids and discussion of abnormal carbon isotopic compositions in the Lishui-Jiaojiang Sag,East China Sea Shelf Basin

The hydrocarbon gases in the L1 gas field of the Lishui-Jiaojiang Sag have been commonly interpreted to be an accumulation of pure sapropelic-type thermogenic gas.In this study,chemical components,stable isotopic compositions,and light hydrocarbons were utilized to shed light on the origins of the hydrocarbon fluids in the L1gas pool.The hydrocarbon fluids in the L1 gas pool are proposed to be a mixture of three unique components:mid-maturity oil from the middle Paleocene coastal marine Lingfeng source rock,oil-associated(late oil window)gas generated from the lower Paleocene lacustrine Yueguifeng source rock,and primary microbial gas from the paralic deposits of the upper Paleocene Mingyuefeng source rock.Here,for the first time,the hydrocarbon gases in the L1 gas pool are diagnosed as mixed oil-associated sapropelic-type gas and microbial gas via four pieces of principal evidence:(1)The abnormal carbon isotopic distributions of all methane homologues from C_(1)(CH_(4)or methane)to C_(5)(C_(5)H_(12)or pentane)shown in the Chung plot;(2)the diagnostic~(13)C-depleted C_(1)compared with the thermogenic sapropelic-type gas model,whileδ^(13)C_(2)(C_(2)H_(6)or ethane)andδ^(13)C_(3)(C_(3)H_(8)or propane)both fit perfectly;(3)the excellent agreement of the calculated carbon isotopic compositions of the pure thermogenic gas with the results of the thermal simulated gas from the type-II1 kerogen-rich Yueguifeng source rock;and(4)the oil-associated gas inferred from various binary genetic diagrams with an abnormally elevated gas oil ratio.Overall,the natural gases of the L1 gas pool were quantified in this study to comprise approximately 13%microbial gas,nearly 48%oil-associated sapropelic-type gas,and 39%of nonhydrocarbon gas.The microbial gas is interpreted to have been codeposited and entrained in the humic-kerogen-rich Mingyuefeng Formation under favorable lowtemperature conditions during the late Paleocene-middle Eocene.The microbial gas subsequently leaked into the structurally and stratigraphically complex L1 trap with oil-associated sapropelic-type gas from the Yueguifeng source rock during the late Eocene-Oligocene uplifting event.A small amount of humic-kerogen-generated oil in the L1 gas pool is most likely to be derived from the underlying Lingfeng source rock.The detailed geological and geochemical considerations of source rocks are discussed to explain the accumulation history of hydrocarbon fluids in the L1 gas pool.This paper,therefore,represents an effort to increase the awareness of the pitfalls of various genetic diagrams,and an integrated geochemical and geological approach is required for hydrocarbonsource correlation.

Application of seismic sedimentology in characterization of fluvial-deltaic reservoirs in Xihu sag, East China Sea shelf basin

The fluvial-deltaic reservoirs of the Oligocene Huagang Formation in the Xihu sag of the East China Sea shelf basin reflect rapid lateral change in sedimentary facies and poor morphology of conventional slice attributes,which bring difficulties to the reservoir prediction for subsequent exploration and development of lithologic reservoirs.The traditional seismic sedimentology technology is optimized by applying the characteristic technologies such as frequency-boosting interpretation,inversion-conventional–90°phase shift joint construction of seismic lithologic bodies,nonlinear slices,paleogeomorphology restoration,and multi-attribute fusion,to obtain typical slice attributes,which are conducive to geological form description and sedimentary interpretation.The Huagang Formation developed three types of sedimentary bodies:braided river,meandering river and shallow water delta,and the vertical sedimentary evolution was controlled by the mid-term base-level cycle and paleogeomorphology.In the early–middle stage of the mid-term base-level ascending cycle,braided channel deposits were dominant,and vertical superimposed sand bodies were developed.In the late stage of the ascending half-cycle and the early stage of the descending half-cycle,meandering river deposits were dominant,and isolated sand bodies were developed.In the middle–late stage of the descending half-cycle,shallow-water delta deposits were dominant,and migratory medium–thick sand bodies were developed.Restricted paleogeomorphology controlled the sand body distribution,while non-restricted paleogeomorphology had little effect on the sand body distribution.Based on reservoir characterization,the fault sealing type and reservoir updip pinch-out type structural lithological traps are proposed as the main directions for future exploration and development in the Xihu sag.

Measurement of the current and spectral analysis on the continental shelf in the East China Sea

Direct measurements of current velocity and water temperature were undertaken at the mooring Sta. M (125°29.38' N, 31°49.70' E) on the continental shelf area in the East China Sea in June 1999 by R/V Xiangyanghong 14. The relationship between various time series of oceanic fluctuations is calculated by spectral analysis. The major results are as follows: (1) an average (u,v) of (6.9,-3.0 cm/s) at the 30 m depth is obtained during the 9-day observation, and that at the 45 m depth is (3.7,-1.1 cm/s), i. e., the mean flows are southeastward at both the 30 and 45 m depths;the currents become stronger gradually during the observation period; this may be mainly attributed to the transition of the tidal currents from neap to spring; (2)semidiurnal fluctuation is the most dominant in the current fluctuations, and rotates mainly clockwise; in the next place, there is also diurnal fluctuation;the local inertial period is close to the period of diurnal fluctuation, and an inertial motion is clockwise; thus, local inertial motion combines with diurnal fluctuation, and makes the spectral peaks in clockwise components much higher than those in counterclockwise ones; except for the fluctuations of above main periods, there is also the peak at 3 d period for counterclockwise compo-nents in the upper and lower layers; (3) the calculation of cross spectra between two time series of current velocities at the 30 and 45 m depths shows that both the current fluctuations at the 30 and 45 m depths are much alike, i. e., they are synchro; this shows that the flow field here is rather vertically homogeneous; (4)power spectra of tempera-ture time series at both the 30 and 45 m depths show that the semidiurnal peak is the most predominant, and the second highest peak is the diurnal period; besides spectral peaks at above periods, there are also obvious spectral peaks at 6.8 h and 2 d; (5)plots of temperature time series at 16 , 30 , 35 , 45 and 50 m depths show that the temporal variations of temperature at these depths are synchro, which are like those in the velocity field; temperature records also show a gradual rise in temperature, which are also like those in the velocity field.

Temporal-Spatial Variation of Surface Suspended Matter and Controlling Factors in the Inner Shelf of the East China Sea in Winter

Based on the observed surface suspended matter in the East China Sea in February 2007 and June 2015, an empirical model was established using L1 b's band 4 data to retrieve surface suspended matter from the Moderate Resolution Imagine Spectroradiometer Terra imagery. The squared correlation coefficient is 0.8358, and the root mean square error is 0.4285 mg L-1. The model reflects the distribution characteristics of surface suspended matter in the inner shelf of the East China Sea. In this paper, the satellite images of the study area were retrieved in January from 2001 to 2015, and the monthly distribution of surface suspended matter were obtained. The inter-annual distribution of the study area is similar, and the concentration of surface suspended matter is higher near the shore than offshore. A large amount of surface suspended matter is transported southeast under the influence of Zhejiang and Fujian coastal current and Taiwan warm current. Only a small amount of surface suspension can reach the Kuroshio area. The surface suspended matter concentration changes obviously near the estuary because of the effect of differences in the flux of the Yangtze River. Meanwhile, winter monsoon, temperature front, El Ni?o events, and other factors affect the distribution of surface suspended matter in 100 m isobath to coastal water but minimally influence the distribution in 100 m isobath to deep sea.

Vertical Structure of the Tidal Currents on the Continental Shelf of the East China Sea

The available data on tidal currents spanning periods greater than six months for the continental shelf of the East China Sea (26°30.052′N, 122°35.998′E) were analyzed using several methods. Tidal Current Harmonic Analysis results demonstrated that semi-diurnal tides dominated the current movement. The tidal currents of the principal diurnal and semidiurnal rotated clockwise with depth, with the deflection of the major semi-axes to the right in the upper layer and to the left in the lower layer. The vertical structures of two principal semi-diurnal constituents-M2 and S2-were similar, which indicates that the tidal currents are mainly barotropic in this area. The main features of the variation of the four principal tidal constituents with depth demonstrate that the currents in this region are influenced by the upper and lower boundary layers. Therefore, the tidal constituents of the shallow water are similar. Different vertical modes were calculated based on the Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of the Eastern and Northern components of the tidal currents, with a variance contribution for the zero-order model of at least 90%. The variance contribution of the baroclinic model is minimal, which further reveals a strong barotropic character for the tidal currents of this region.

Recent sedimentary records in the East China Sea inner shelf and their response to environmental change and human activities

The East China Sea continental shelf is a unique area for the study of land-sea interactions and paleoenvironmental change because it receives a large amount of terrestrial material inputs. In recent decades, human activities and global climate change have greatly aff ected river discharges into the sea. However, changes in the deposition process caused by these factors in the East China Sea continental shelf are unclear. We collected eight short sediment cores from the East China Sea inner shelf(ECSIS) using a box core sampler in 2012 and 2015. The grainsize, 2 10 Pb, and 1 37 Cs of these cores were analyzed in order to reconstruct the deposition history since the 1950 s, and to reveal human activity and climate change influences on sediment deposition in the ECSIS. Results indicated that sediment grain size became finer after 1969, turned coarser after 1987, and then further coarser since 2003, corresponding well to the three steps of sediment load drop in the Changjiang(Yangtze) River, which are mainly caused by human activities(particularly the closure of the Three Gorges Dam). Simultaneously, the East Asian Monsoon influenced the deposition process in the ECSIS by changing the intensity of coastal currents. Mean grain size variations in the fine-grained population(divided by grain size vs. standard deviation method) coincided with that of the East Asian Winter Monsoon strength and reflected its weakness in 1987. Abrupt changes in sediment grain size over a short time scale in these sediment cores were generally caused by floods and typhoons. Spectral analyses of the sediment cores showed periodicities of 10–11 and 20–22 years, corresponding to the periodicity of solar activity(Schwabe cycle and Hale cycle). Mean grain size time series also displayed a 3–8 year periodicity corresponding to El Ni?o Southern Oscillation periodic change.

Characteristics and evaluation of Mesozoic source rocks in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf

Source rocks are the material basis of oil and gas generation and determine the potential resources of exploration blocks and have important research value. This paper studies the lithology, thickness, and geochemistry of Mesozoic source rocks in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf. The results show that the Mesozoic source rocks are mainly dark mudstone and coal-bearing strata. The total thickness of Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks ranges from 100 m to 700 m, and that of Lower Cretaceous source rocks ranges from 50 m to 350 m. The overall thickness of Mesozoic source rocks is distributed in the NE direction and their thickness center is located in the Jilong Depression. The Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks are mainly developed shallow marine dark mudstone and transitional coal measure strata. Those of the Lower Cretaceous are mainly mudstone of a fan delta front. Lower –Middle Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous hydrocarbon source rocks are dominated by type III kerogen, with Lower –Middle Jurassic hydrocarbon source rocks having high organic matter abundance and being medium –good hydrocarbon source rocks, while Lower Cretaceous hydrocarbon source rocks have relatively poor quality. From northwest to southeast, the vitrinite reflectance Ro of Mesozoic source rocks increases gradually. Source rocks in the study area are divided into three types. The first hydrocarbon-generating area is mainly located in the southeastern region of the study area, and the Jilong Depression is the hydrocarbongenerating center. The results of this study can provide a basis for exploration of Mesozoic oil and gas resources in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf.

Sources and Transport of Terrigenous Organic Matters Along the East China Sea Inner Shelf: Insights from Lignin and Alkane Biomarkers

The area of East China Sea(ECS)inner shelf is an important sink of suspended particulates from Yangtze River(YR)and materials originated from YR basin.In this study,the parameters of lignin and alkane biomarkers in surface sediment samples from ECS inner shelf were determined to distinguish the sources and to trace the transport of terrigenous organic matters in the region.Our dataset showed that total alkanes with carbon numbers from 10 to 38(T-alkanes)were significantly correlated to both TAR(terrigenous/aquatic ratio)and HMW/LMW(the ratio of high molecular weight to low molecular weight alkanes)(r=0.88,P<0.05 for both),indicating that the majority of T-alkanes was predominantly originated from terrestrial sources,and T-alkanes are important constituents of terrestrial organic matters in the study area.The area was probably affected by petroleum pollution to a certain degree,as indicated by the values of carbon preference index(CPI),odd-over-even carbon number predominance(OEP)and the ratio of pristane to phytane(Pr/Ph).The values of Pr/n-C_(17) and Ph/n-C_(18) suggested a strong reductive sedimentary condition in the region with no obvious biodegradation.The content of eight lignin phenols(Σ8)decreased from the coast to the open sea,indicative of riverine input and hydrodynamic transport of terrigenous organic matters.Lignin degradation parameters presented an increasing trend from the coastline toward the open sea.The lignin vegetation parameters and alkane index(AI)suggested the predominance of non-woody angiosperms in the YR basin.The obvious correlation betweenΛ8(Σ8 normalized to 100 mg organic carbon),TAR and HMW/LMW reveals the significantly concurrent input of lignin and alkanes from terrestrial sources.

The continental shelf wave of the East China Sea and its effect on the Kuroshio

The free shelf wave theory is applied to the practical case of the continental shelf in the East China Sea to analyse the effects of the shelf wave on the Kuroshio. The results indicate that the shelf wave in lower frequency travels from north to south and its phase velocity is proportional to the Kuroshio's current velocity) the maximum current velocity of the Kuroshio lies at the continental margin. The analytical solutions obtained indicate that the hydrodynamic characters of the sea region over the shelf present band structure. The horizontal motion ( x -component) caused by the shelf wave at the margin may be one of the causes for generating wavy pattern of the Kuroshio's axis .

Transport patterns of micro nutrient elements from the continental shelf of the East China Sea to the Kuroshio area

On the basis of the in situ data of DO2, pH, SiO2. PO4-P, NO3-N and NO2-N collected in the north of the East China Sea during 1987-1988, the following points are mainly expounded.1.The inorgonic nutrients are obviously affected by continent runoff in the north of the East China Sea. Their distributions are characteristic of its distribution of terrigenous materials.2.There are three transport paths of nutrients from the shelf to the Kuroshio area. The first is mixing-diffusing-advec-tion and upwelling process, the process of biology and biochemistry belongs to the second, and the sinking process is the last one.3.The swing of the Kuroshio axis affectes both the range of the migration of substances through mixing-diffusing-advec-tion process and the upwelling degree of the subsurface Kuroshio water to the shelf.4.Most part of the substances sink as macroparticles to the deep layer before reaching the Kuroshio area.

Study on interaction between the coastal water, shelf water and Kuroshio water in the Huanghai Sea and East China Sea

The main processes of interaction between the coastal water, shelf water and Kuroshio water in the Huanghai Sea (HS) and East China Sea (ECS) are analyzed based on the observation and study results in recent years. These processes include the intrusion of the Kuroshio water into the shelf area of the ECS, the entrainment of the shelf water into the Kuroshio, the seasonal process in the southern shelf area of the ECS controlled alternatively by the Taiwan Strait water and the Kuroshio water intruding into the shelf area, the interaction between the Kuroshio branch water, shelf mixed water and modified coastal water in the northeastern ECS, the water-exchange between the HS and ECS and the spread of the Changjiang diluted water.

Diagenesis and Diagenetic Evolution of Deltaic and Neritic Gas-Bearing Sandstones in the Lower Mingyuefeng Formation of Paleogene, Lishui Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin: Implications for Depositional Environments and Sequence Stratigraphy Controls

Gas-bearing deposits in the Lower Mingyuefeng Formation of Paleogene, Lishui Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin consist of shoreface sandstones of the highstand systems tract（HST） and transgressive systems tract（TST）, and deltaic sandstones of the lowstand systems tract（LST） and falling stage systems tract（FSST）.Detailed petrographic observations suggest that the diagenetic features and related evolution of these deposits cannot be simply characterized and demonstrated in the depth domain.However, the occurrence of diagenetic minerals systematically depends on the studied interval within the HST, TST, LST, and FSST; therefore, diagenesis in this region can be better constrained when studied in the context of the depositional environments and sequence stratigraphic framework.The eogenetic processes in such settings include：（1） microcrystalline siderite precipitated as concretions in almost all environments and systems tracts, which inhibited further mechanical compaction;（2） grain dissolution and kaolinitization occurred in shoreface HST sandstones and deltaic LST and FSST sandstones;（3） glaucony was locally observed, which did not clearly reflect the controls of facies or sequence stratigraphy; and（4） cementation by pyrite aggregates occurred in the shoreface HST sandstones and deltaic LST sandstones.The mesogenetic diagenesis includes：（1） partial conversion of kaolinite into dickite in deltaic LST sandstones, and minor chlorite cementation in deltaic FSST sandstones;（2） transformation of kaolinite into illite and quartz cementation in deltaic LST and FSST sandstones;（3） frequent precipitation of ankerite and ferroan calcite in shoreface TST sandstones and early HST sandstones, forming baffles and barriers for fluid flow, with common calcite in shoreface HST sandstones as a late diagenetic cement; and（4） formation of dawsonite in the deltaic LST and FSST sandstones, which is interpreted to be a product of the invasion of a CO2-rich fluid, and acts as a good indicator of CO2-bearing reservoirs.This study has thus constructed a reliable conceptual model to describe the spatial and temporal distribution of diagenetic alterations.The results may provide an entirely new conceptual framework and methodology for successful gas exploration in the continental margins of offshore China, thus allowing us to predict and unravel the distribution and quality evolution of clastic reservoirs at a more detailed and reliable scale.

Tectonics and Petroleum Potential of the East China Sea Shelf Rift Basin

There are two Cenozoic sedimentary basins in the East China Sea. They are the East China Sea shelf basin and the Okinawa Trough basin. The former can be divided into a western and an eastern rift region. The development of the shelf basin underwent continental-margin fault depression, post-rift and then tectonic inversion stages. Available exploration results show that the distribution of source rocks is controlled by the basin architecture and its tectonic evolution. In the Xihu depression, mudstones and coals are the main source rocks. The eastern rift region has good geological conditions for the formation of large oil and gas fields.

Tertiary Sea Level Changes and Sequence Stratigraphic Framework in East China Sea Shelf Basin

The East China Sea shelf basin is a key area for setting up the sea level changes of Cenozoic in the West Pacific. Based upon the characteristics of seismic reflection, the analysis of sequence stratigraphy and depositional system, the high resolution chronostratigraphic framework has been set up by using the data of micropaleontologic biozone fossils. The relative sea level change curve has been set up by combining analysis of paleoecology, genetic facies, specific sedimentary structures and on lap recognized from the seismic profiles with study of geochemical characteristics. There are 4 2nd order basin cycles showing the long term sea level changes, and 22 3rd order cycles showing short term ones with relative changing ranges of 0-150 m. Transgression and regression showing long term sea level changes bear asymmetric feature, which indicates that the speed of transgression is faster than that of regression. There are a lot of differences when compared with Haq ’s curve. The sequence stratigraphic framework has also been set up and 3 tectonic sequences, 7 supersequences and 19 sequences have been subdivided for Tertiary in the East China Sea shelf basin. On the basis of detailed analysis of genetic facies and log facies, 9 sedimentary systems, 20 depositional assemblages and many genetic facies have also been recognized and investigated. Based on the studies mentioned above, the favorable source and reservoir facies of gas and petroleum are indicated.

TRANSPORT OF SUSPENDED MATTER FROM THE CHANGJIANG RIVER TO THE EAST CHINA SEA SHELF

Suspended matter (SM) in the East China Sea (ECS) shelf seawater was investigated during Oct. 1993, Apr. and Oct. 1994. Results showed that the high total suspended matter(TSM) region (>7200)mg/L) was limted to near the estuary and reduced rapidly to <10 mg/L at 122 °30’E. The high TSM contour extended mainly NE in surface water but SE in near bottom Water,i. e., SM transport from the Changjiang River was characterized by "stratification and different transport directions in different layers’. TSM distribution on sections showed that the up-climbing Kuroshio water prevents Changjiang River SM in middle and bottom water from transporting to the Okinawa Trough. Vertical distributions of the TSM showed a suspended-cline that appeared in the inner and middle shelf TSM below it was dense and formed a turbid water laper, TSM above it was less dense, so the water was reatively clear. Formation of the suspended-cline correlated with high density current and resuspension of bottom sediment.

Geochemical and isotopic characteristics of volcanic rocks from the northern East China Sea shelf margin and the Okinawa Trough

Volcanic rocks both from the northern East China Sea （NECS） shelf margin and the northern Okinawa Trough are subalkaline less aluminous,and lower in High Field Strength Elements （HFSE）.These rocks are higher in Large Ion Lithophile Elements （LILE）,thorium and uranium contents,positive lead anomalies,negative Nb-Ta anomalies,and enrichment in Light Rare Earth Elements （LREE）.Basalts from the NECS shelf margin are akin to Indian Ocean Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt （MORB）,and rhyolites from the northern Okinawa Trough have the highest 207 Pb/ 204 Pb and 208 Pb/ 204 Pb ratios.The NECS shelf margin basalts have lower 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios,ε N d and σ 18 O than the northern Okinawa Trough silicic rocks.According to 40 K– 40 Ar isotopic ages of basalts from the NECS shelf margin,rifting of the Okinawa Trough may have been active since at least 3.65–3.86 Ma.The origin of the NECS shelf margin basalt can be explained by the interaction of melt derived from Indian Ocean MORB-like mantle with enriched subcontinental lithosphere.The basalts from both sides of the Okinawa Trough may have a similar origin during the initial rifting of the Okinawa Trough,and the formation of basaltic magmas closely relates to the thinning of continental crust.The source of the formation of the northern Okinawa Trough silicic rocks was different from that of the middle Okinawa Trough,which could have been generated by the interaction of basaltic melt with an enriched crustal component.From the Ryukyu island arc to East China,the Cenozoic basalts have apparently increasing trends of MgO contents and ratios of LREE to Heavy Rare Earth Elements （HREE）,suggesting that the trace element variabilities of basalts may have been influenced by the subduction of the Philippine Sea plate,and that the effects of subduction of the Philippine Sea plate on the chemical composition of basaltic melts have had a decreasing effect from the Ryukyu island arc to East China.