Reconstruction of phytoplankton productivity and community structure in the South Yellow Sea

The sedimentary environment and ecological system in the South Yellow Sea (SYS) changed dramatically due to sea level change caused by glacial-interglacial cycles. The authors report the use of marine biomarkers (brassicasterol, dinosterol and C37 alkenones) and terrigenous biomarkers (C28+C30+C32 nalkanols) in core DLC70-3 from the SYS to reconstruct the variation in the phytoplankton productivity and community structure and possible mechanisms during the middle Pleistocene. The results show that the primary productivity and that of single algae presented a consistent trend for the whole core during the middle Pleistocene, which was high during interglacial periods and low during glacial periods, with the highest being in marine isotope stage (MIS) 5–9 and MIS 19–21. The main reason is that the Yellow Sea Warm Current (YSWC) carried much of high temperature, high salinity water into the SYS, causing upwelling and vertical mixing and stirring, which increased the nutrient supply in the photosynthetic layer. The phytoplankton community structure mainly showed an increase in the relative content of haptophytes in MIS 5–9 and MIS 19–21, while the relative content of diatoms and dinoflagellates decreased;there was no evidence for a haptophyte content in other stages. The results reveal a shift from a coccolitho-phoriddominated community during MIS 5 –9 and MIS 19 –21 to a diatom-dominated community during the other stages, mainly as a result of surface salinity variation, attributed to the invasion of the YSWC during high sea level periods.

Structural characteristics and evolution of the South Yellow Sea Basin since Indosinian

Based on the seismic data gathered in past years and the correlation between the sea and land areas of the Lower Yangtze Platform,the structural characteristics of the South Yellow Sea Basin since the Indosinian tectonic movement is studied in this paper.Three stages of structural deformation can be distinguished in the South Yellow Sea Basin since the Indosinian.The first stage,Late Indosinian to Early Yanshanian, was dominated by foreland deformation including both the uplifting and subsidence stages under an intensively compressional environment.The second stage,which is called the Huangqiao Event in the middle Yanshanian,was a change for stress fields from compression to extension.While in the third stage (the Sanduo Event)in the Late Himalayan,the basin developed a depression in the Neogene-Quatemary after rifting in the Late Cretaceous-Paleogene.The long-time evolution controlled 3 basin formation stages from a foreland basin,then a fault basin to a final depression basin.In conclusion,since the Indosinian,the South Yellow Sea Basin has experienced compressional fold and thrust,collisional orogen,compressional and tensional pulsation,strike-slip,extensional fault block and inversion structures,compression and convergence.The NE,NEE,nearly EW and NW trending structures developed in the basin.From west to east,the structural trend changed from NEE to near EW to NW.While from north to south,they changed from NEE to near EW with a strong-weak-strong zoning sequence.Vertically,the marine and terrestrial facies basins show a "seesaw"pattern with fold and thrust in the early stages,which is strong in the north and weak in the south and an extensional fault in later stages,which is strong in the north and weak in the south.In the marine facies'basin,thrust deformation is more prevailing in the upper structural layer than that in the lower layer.The tectonic mechanism in the South Yellow Sea Basin is mainly affected by the collision between the Yangtze and North China Block,while the stress environment of large-scale strike- slip faults was owing to subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate.The southern part of the Laoshan uplift is a weak deformation zone as well as a stress release zone,and the Meso-Paleozoic had been weakly reformed in later stages.The southern part of the Laoshan uplift is believed,therefore,to be a promising area for oil and gas exploration.

Sedimentological sequence and depositional evolutionary model of Lower Triassic carbonate rocks in the South Yellow Sea Basin

Based on well logging and seismic data, combined with a comparative analysis of drilling data in the Lower Yangtze region, the sequence stratigraphic framework of the Qinglong Formation was established and divided into four third-order sequences. Each sequence is mainly composed of the transgress system tract (TST) and the high-stand system tract (HST). According to the lithology, logging curve and seismic reflection structure, the sedimentary filling characteristics and evolution law for the sequence are analyzed. The results show that each sequence is dominated by a half-cycle decline of sea level, and the rise-fall of sea level controls the distribution and evolution of sedimentary systems within the sequence. During the relative sea-level rise, sedimentation rates slow down and muddy sediments are developed. The characteristics of condensing intervals on the flooding surface are very obvious, and continental shelf and open platform deposition are mainly developed. During the relative decline of sea level, the thickness of sediments increased. The main developments were restricted platform and platform shoal environment, and locally developed evaporation platform environment.

Prospective prediction and exploration situation of marine Mesozoic-Paleozoic oil and gas in the South Yellow Sea

The South Yellow Sea Basin is a large sedimentary basin superimposed by the Mesozoic-Paleozoic marine sedimentary basin and the Mesozoic-Cenozoic terrestrial sedimentary basin, where no oil and gas fields have been discovered after exploration for 58 years. After the failure of oil and gas exploration in terrestrial basins, the exploration target of the South Yellow Sea Basin turned to the marine Mesozoic- Paleozoic strata. After more than ten years' investigation and research, a lot of achievements have been obtained. The latest exploration obtained effective seismic reflection data of deep marine facies by the application of seismic exploration technology characterized by high coverage, abundant low-frequency components and strong energy source for the deep South Yellow Sea Basin. In addition, some wells drilled the Middle-Upper Paleozoic strata, with obvious oil and gas shows discovered in some horizons. The recent petroleum geological research on the South Yellow Sea Basin shows that the structure zoning of the marine residual basin has been redetermined, the basin structure has been defined, and 3 seismic reflection marker layers are traceable and correlatable in the residual thick Middle-Paleozoic strata below the continental Meso-Cenozoic strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin. Based on these, the seismic sequence of the marine sedimentary strata was established. According to the avaliable oil and gas exploration and research, the marine Mesozoic-Paleozoic oil and gas prospects of the South Yellow Sea were predicted as follows.(1) The South Yellow Sea Basin has the same sedimentary formation and evolution history during the sedimentary period of the Middle-Paleozoic marine basin with the Sichuan Basin.(2) There are 3 regional high-quality source rocks.(3) The carbonate and clastic reservoirs are developed in the Mesozoic- Paleozoic strata.(4) The three source-reservoir-cap assemblages are relatively intact.(5) The Laoshan Uplift is a prospect area for the Lower Paleozoic oil and gas, and the Wunansha Uplift is one for the marine Upper Paleozoic oil and gas.(6) The Gaoshi stable zone in the Laoshan Uplift is a favorable zone.(7) The marine Mesozoic-Paleozoic strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin has the geological conditions required to form large oil and gas fields, with remarkable oil and gas resources prospect. An urgent problem to be addressed now within the South Yellow Sea Basin is to drill parametric wells for the Lower Paleozoic strata as the target, to establish the complete stratigraphic sequence since the Paleozoic period, to obtain resource evaluation parameters, and to realize the strategic discovery and achieve breakthrough in oil and gas exploration understanding.

Middle Holocene Organic Carbon and Biomarker Records from the South Yellow Sea: Relationship to the East Asian Monsoon

The East Asian monsoon system influences the sedimentation and transport of organic matter in East Asian marginal seas that is derived from both terrestrial and marine sources. In this study, we determined organic carbon(OC) isotope values, concentrations of marine biomarkers, and levels of OC and total nitrogen(TN) in core YSC-1 from the central South Yellow Sea(SYS). Our objectives were to trace the sources of OC and variations in palaeoproductivity since the middle Holocene, and their relationships with the East Asian monsoon system. The relative contributions of terrestrial versus marine organic matter in core sediments were estimated using a two-end-member mixing model of OC isotopes. Results show that marine organic matter has been the main sediment constituent since the middle Holocene. The variation of terrestrial organic carbon concentration(OCter) is similar to the EASM history. However, the variation of marine organic carbon concentration(OCmar) is opposite to that of the EASM curve, suggesting OCmar is distinctly influenced by terrestrial material input. Inputs of terrestrial nutrients into the SYS occur in the form of fluvial and aeolian dust, while concentrations of nutrients in surface water are derived mainly from bottom water via the Yellow Sea circulation system, which is controlled by the East Asian winter monsoon(EAWM). Variations in palaeoproductivity represented by marine organic matter and biomarker records are, in general, consistent with the recent EAWM intensity studies, thus, compared with EASM, EAWM may play the main role to control the marine productivity variations in the SYS.

Hydrocarbon Geological Conditions and Exploration Potential of Mesozoic–Paleozoic Marine Strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin

No substantial breakthroughs have been made in hydrocarbon exploration of the South Yellow Sea Basin.It is believed that the Mesozoic-Paleozoic marine sedimentary formation in the South Yellow Sea Basin is similar to that in the Sichuan Basin.Therefore,outcrop,drilling,and seismic data were determined and compared with the research results on petroleum geological conditions in the Yangtze land area,and the hydrocarbon geological conditions were analyzed comprehensively from multiple aspects,such as basin evolution and main source rocks,reservoir characteristics,preservation conditions,and structural traps.The results show that two main stages in the South Yellow Sea Basin(the stable evolution stage of the Mesozoic-Paleozoic marine basin and the Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic reformation and basin formation stage)were important for the development and evolution of four sets of main source rocks.Reservoirs dominated by carbonate rocks,three sets of capping beds with good sealing capability,relatively weak magmatic activity,and multiple types of structural traps jointly constituted relatively good hydrocarbon-reservoir-forming conditions.There were four sets of main source-reservoir-cap assemblages and three possible hydrocarbon reservoir types(primary residual-type hydrocarbon reservoir,shallow reformed-type hydrocarbon reservoir,and composite-type hydrocarbon reservoir)developed in the marine strata.It is concluded that the marine strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin have relatively good hydrocarbon potential.The Laoshan Uplift is characterized by stable structure,complete preserved source reservoir cap assemblage,and large structural traps,and thus it is the preferred prospect zone for marine Paleozoic hydrocarbon exploration in this area.

Acoustic backscattering measurement from sandy seafloor at 6–24 kHz in the South Yellow Sea

The acoustic bottom backscattering strength was measured at the frequency range of 6–24 kHz on a typical sandy bottom in the South Yellow Sea by using omnidirectional sources and omnidirectional receiving hydrophones. In the experiment, by avoiding disturbances due to scattering off the sea surface and satisfying the far-field condition, we obtained values of acoustic bottom backscattering strength ranging from –41.1 to –24.4 dB within a grazing angle range of 18°–80°. In the effective range of grazing angles, the acoustic scattering strength generally increases with an increase in the grazing angles, but trends of the variation were distinct in different ranges of frequency, which reflect different scattering mechanisms. The frequency dependence of bottom backscattering strength is generally characterized by a positive correlation in the entire frequency range of 6–24 kHz at the grazing angles of 20°, 40° and 60° with the linear regression slopes of 0.222 9 dB/kHz, 0.513 0 dB/kHz and 0.174 6 dB/kHz, respectively. At the largest grazing angle of 80°, the acoustic backscattering strength exhibits no evident frequency dependence.

Numerical study on effect of tidal phase on storm surge in the South Yellow Sea

Because of the special topography and large tidal range in the South Yellow Sea,the dynamic process of tide and storm surge is very complicated.The shallow water circulation model Advanced Circulation(ADCIRC)was used to simulate the storm surge process during typhoon Winnie,Prapiroon,and Damrey,which represents three types of tracks attacking the South Yellow Sea,which are,moving northward after landing,no landing but active in offshore areas,and landing straightly to the coastline.Numerical experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of tidal phase on the tide-surge interaction as well as storm surge.The results show that the peak surge caused by Winnie and Prapiroon occurs 2-5 h before the high tide and its occurring time relative to high tide has little change with tidal phase variations.On the contrary,under the action of Damrey,the occurring time of the peak surge relative to high tide varies with tidal phase.The variation of tide-surge interaction is about 0.06-0.37 m,and the amplitude variations of interaction are smooth when tidal phase changes for Typhoon Winnie and Prapiroon.While the interaction is about 0.07-0.69 m,and great differences exists among the stations for Typhoon Damrey.It can be concluded that the tide-surge interaction of the former is dominated by the tidal phase modulation,and the time of surge peak is insensitive to the tidal phase variation.While the interaction of the latter is dominated by storm surge modulation due to the water depth varying with tide,the time of surge peak is significantly affected by tidal phase.Therefore,influence of tidal phase on storm surge is related to typhoon tracks which may provide very useful information at the design stage of coastal protection systems.

Velocity structure in the South Yellow Sea basin based on first-arrival tomography of wide-angle seismic data and its geological implications

The South Yellow Sea basin is filled with Mesozoic-Cenozoic continental sediments overlying pre-Palaeozoic and Mesozoic-Palaeozoic marine sediments.Conventional multi-channel seismic data cannot describe the velocity structure of the marine residual basin in detail,leading to the lack of a deeper understanding of the distribution and lithology owing to strong energy shielding on the top interface of marine sediments.In this study,we present seismic tomography data from ocean bottom seismographs that describe the NEE-trending velocity distributions of the basin.The results indicate that strong velocity variations occur at shallow crustal levels.Horizontal velocity bodies show good correlation with surface geological features,and multi-layer features exist in the vertical velocity framework(depth:0–10 km).The analyses of the velocity model,gravity data,magnetic data,multichannel seismic profiles,and drilling data showed that high-velocity anomalies(>6.5 km/s)of small(thickness:1–2 km)and large(thickness:>5 km)scales were caused by igneous complexes in the multi-layer structure,which were active during the Palaeogene.Possible locations of good Mesozoic and Palaeozoic marine strata are limited to the Central Uplift and the western part of the Northern Depression along the wide-angle ocean bottom seismograph array.Following the Indosinian movement,a strong compression existed in the Northern Depression during the extensional phase that caused the formation of folds in the middle of the survey line.This study is useful for reconstructing the regional tectonic evolution and delineating the distribution of the marine residual basin in the South Yellow Sea basin.

SEDIMENTARY CHARACTERISTICS OF SILTY CLAY FACIES IN THE SOUTH YELLOW SEA SHELF

Grain size analysis, X ray diffraction analysis and biostratigraphy analysis of the structure, composition and formation conditions of the neritic silty clay facies sediments extensively distributed in the central part of the South Yellow Sea showed that the sediments were composed of more than 70% clay, less than 30% silt, had very little or no sand, and were characterized by homogenous texture, soapy feeling, high plasticity, light green gray color and elliptical distribution being about 3 m thick in the center, being thinner towards the margin and finally thinning out. These shelf cyclonic eddy environment sediments formed a sedimentary facies different from that of the sediments in the neighbouring area and revealed the particular sediment dynamic pattern in the environment.

Organic geochemical characteristics and significance of Permian Gufeng formation siliceous shale in well CSDP-2 of South Yellow Sea central uplift

In order to understand the hydrocarbon generation potential of the siliceous shale in the Permian Gufeng Formation of the South Yellow Sea,the organic geochemistry and organic petrology of the siliceous shale in the Gufeng Formation of the CSDP-2 well were studied and analyzed.It is found that the TOC of the samples is mainly between 9%and 12%,and Tmaxis mainly distributed between 510 and 540℃.The value of the organic microscopic type index(TI)is between 25.71 and 31.00,which is a set of II_(2)high-quality source rocks with high organic matter abundance in the over mature stage of largescale gas generation.According to the distribution characteristics of Molecular fossils in siliceous shale of Gufeng Formation of well CSDP-2,bacterial organic matter is the main hydrocarbon generating parent material,and aquatic animal organic matter is an important hydrocarbon generating parent material.The siliceous shale in Gufeng Formation of CSDP-2 well is in the stage of large-scale gas generation;Therefore,the Gufeng Formation in the central uplift of the South Yellow Sea has the material basis for the formation of large-scale shale gas reservoirs.At the same time,the siliceous metasomatism of the siliceous shale reservoir of Gufeng Formation is not conducive to the primary migration of oil,and there is much oil and gas remaining in the reservoir.

Role of Resuspended Sediments as Sources of Dissolved Inorganic Phosphorus Along Different Dimensions in the Subei Shoal, South Yellow Sea, China

Several studies have documented that during‘green tide’events,comprising green macroalgae blooms in aquatic ecosystems,dissolved inorganic phosphorus(DIP)levels remain relatively steady despite the absorption of a large amount of DIP.In this study,surface sediment samples and a sediment core were extracted using a modified sequential extraction scheme,and water and surface sediment samples were analyzed in April 2017 to better understand phosphorus(P)cycling and replenishment in Subei shoal.We used a simple model on equilibrium of adsorption-desorption to present the buffering capacity of phosphate.The total P(TP)in the surface sediments ranged from 12.2 to 28.4μmol g^(-1)(average 15.5μmol g^(-1))and was dominated by inorganic P.TP,exchangeable P,reactive and reductive Fe/Al bound P,and authigenic apatite P significantly decreased northward and eastward from Subei shoal,contrary to the detrital P and organic P results.Dissolved and particulate inorganic P in the water samples ranged from 0.01 to 0.54μmol L^(-1)(average 0.19μmol L^(-1))and 0.9 to 19.6μmol g^(-1)(average 4.9μmol g^(-1)),respectively.The applied model showed that suspended particulate matter is an important regulator of DIP behavior.Thus,modification of SPM can alter the DIP buffering capacity.The calculated buffering capacity in the surface layer of the sea water was>60 within Subei shoal and always>10 along the path of floating Ulva prolifera,providing a reasonable explanation for the steady concentration of DIP and its replenishment during the blooming of this green macroalgae.

Functional groups and seasonal diversity of crustacean zooplankton in adjacent waters of Haizhou Bay,South Yellow Sea

Zooplankton are important linkages in the food web and can respond nonlinearly to environmental changes.Marine organisms thrive from spring to summer.Thus,it is crucial to understand how ecological functions of zooplankton communities may shift under seasonal environmental changes during this period.Samples were collected from May to August(May,June-Ⅰ,June-Ⅱ,July-Ⅰ,July-Ⅱ,and August)in 2018 in Haizhou Bay,Jiangsu,East China for zooplankton and environmental variables.Crustaceans accounted for 75 out of 134 zooplankton taxa and 91.8%of total zooplankton abundance.The average abundance of crustacean varied between 2824.6±635.4 inds./m3 in July-Ⅱand 6502.7±1008.8 inds./m3 in June-Ⅱ.Multivariate analyses results showed that the dissimilarity of community increased gradually in the time series.Body length,feeding type,trophic group,and reproduction mode were used to investigate crustacean community functions.Trait-based functional groups contained species with similar ecological roles.Functional diversity fused the differences of species and trait.The proportion of large-sized species(2-5 mm)decreased with the increasing proportion of medium-sized species(1-2 mm).The proportion of current feeders increased with the drop in the proportion of mixed feeders.Parthenogenesis species increased with decreasing free spawners,and omnivores-carnivores increased with decreasing omnivoresherbivores.Generalized additive models suggested that temperature was the main driver of variations in crustacean zooplankton function.Seven identified functional groups varied with increasing temperature.Omnivorous-herbivorous copepods declined(90.0%-68.0%),whereas the parthenogenetic cladocerans increased(0-24.1%).The small egg-brooding ambush copepods fluctuated(6.5%-9.3%)with increasing water temperature.The other functional groups changed slightly.Functional diversity also varied according to temperature changes.The community structure and ecological function of crustacean zooplankton community showed gradual changes with increasing temperature from spring to summer.

Discussion on "sandwich"structures and preservation conditions of shale gas in the South Yellow Sea Basin

In order to make a breakthrough in Mesozoic-Paleozoic shale gas exploration in the South Yellow Sea Basin,a comparison of the preservation conditions was made within the Barnett shale gas reservoirs in the Fortworth Basin,the Jiaoshiba shale gas reservoirs in Sichuan Basin and potential shale gas reservoirs in Guizhou Province.The results show that the "Sandwich"structure is of great importance for shale gas accumulation.Therein to,the "Sandwich"structure is a kind of special reservoir-cap rock assemblage which consist of limestone or dolomite on the top,mudstone or shale layer in the middle and limestone or dolomite at the bottom.In consideration of the Mesozoic-Paleozoie in the Lower Yangtze,and Laoshan Uplift with weak Paleozoic deformation and thrust fault sealing On both flanks of the Laoshan Uplift,a conclusion can be drawn that the preservation conditions of shale gas probably developed "Sandwich" structures in the Lower Cambrian and Permian,which are key layers for the breakthrough of shale gas in the South Yellow Sea.Moreover,the preferred targets for shale gas drilling probably locate at both flanks of the Laoshan Uplift.

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.

Tectonic Evolution and Geological Characteristics of Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in Marine Mesozoic-Paleozoic Strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin

The South Yellow Sea Basin is the main body of the lower Yangtze area in which marine Mesozoic–Paleozoic strata are widely distributed.The latest geophysical data were used to overcome the limitation of previous poor-quality deep data.Meanwhile,the geological characteristics of hydrocarbon reservoirs in the marine Mesozoic–Paleozoic strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin were analyzed by comparing the source rocks and the reservoir and utilizing drilling and outcrop data.It is believed that the South Yellow Sea Basin roughly underwent six evolutionary stages:plate spreading,plate convergence,stable platform development,foreland basin development,faulted basin development,and depression basin development.The South Yellow Sea Basin has characteristics of a composite platform-fault depression geological structure,with a half-graben geological structure and with a ‘sandwich structure' in the vertical direction.Four sets of hydrocarbon source rocks developed – the upper Permian Longtan–Dalong formation,the lower Permian Qixia formation,the lower Silurian Gaojiabian formation,and the lower Cambrian Hetang formation/Mufushan formation,giving the South Yellow Sea Basin relatively good hydrocarbon potential.The carbonate is the main reservoir rock type in the South Yellow Sea area,and there are four carbonate reservoir types:porous dolomitic,reef-bank,weathered crust,and fractured.There are reservoir-forming horizons similar to the typical hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Yangtze land area developed in the South Yellow Sea,and there are three sets of complete source-reservoir-cap rock assemblages developed in the marine strata,with very good hydrocarbon potential.

New insights into marine hydrocarbon geological conditions in the South Yellow Sea Basin:evidence from borehole CSDP-2

The South Yellow Sea Basin(SYSB) has multiple sets of proven source rocks and good hydrocarbon prospects,but no industrial oil and gas has been explored at present.To solve this puzzle for petroleum geologists,we systematically investigated the marine hydrocarbon geological conditions based on cores and testing data from borehole CSDP-2,the first exploration well with continuous coring in SYSB.The qualities of source rocks are evaluated in detail according to organic matter abundance,type,and maturity.The reservoir characterization mainly includes porosity,permeability,and reservoir space.Displacement pressure test and stratum thickness are the main foundations for defining the caprocks.Then,the oil-source rock correlation in the Permian and stratum model are analyzed to determine the favorable source-reservoir-caprock assemblages.The results show that three sets of effective source rocks(the Lower Triassic,Upper Permian,and Lower Permian),two sets of tight sandstone re servoirs(the Upper Permian and Lower Silurian-Upper Devonian),and two sets of caprocks(the Lower Triassic and Carboniferous) combine to constitute the hydrocarbon reservoir-forming as se mblages of "lower-ge neration and upper-accumlation" and "self-generation and self-accumlation",thus laying a solid foundation for promising petroleum prospects.The three sets of marine source rocks are characterized by successive generation and expulsion stages,which guarantees multistage hydrocarbon accumulation.Another three sets of continental source rocks distributed across the Middle Jurassic,Upper Cretaceous,and Paleogene depression areas,especially in the Northern Depression,may supplement some hydrocarbons for the Central Uplift through faults and the Indosinian unconformity.The favorable Permian exploration strata have been identified in the Central Uplift of SYSB.First,the Lower Permian and Upper Permian source rocks with high organic matter abundance and high thermal maturity supply sufficient hydrocarbons.Secondly,the interbedding relationship between the source rocks and sandstones in the Upper Permian strata ensures that hydrocarbons have been migrated into the nearby Upper Permian sandstones,reflecting near-source hydrocarbon accumulation.Finally,the good sealing property of the Lower Triassic Qinglong Formation caprocks plays an indispensable role in hydrocarbon preservation of the Permian reservoirs.This conclusion is supported by direct oil shows,gas logging anomalous layers,and hydrocarbon-bearing fluid inclusions.

Community structure changes of macrobenthos in the South Yellow Sea

The ecological environment in the Yellow Sea has changed greatly from the 1950s to 1990s and this has had significant impact on marine organisms. In this study, data on soft-sediment macrobenthos occurring in depths from 25 m to 81 m in the South Yellow Sea were used to compare changes in community structure. The agglomerative classification (CLUSTER) and multidimensional scaling (MDS) methods were applied. Five communities were recognized by cluster analysis: 1. The Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass community dominated by cold water species, which changed slightly in species composition since the 1950s; 2. The mixed community with the coexistence of cold water species and warm water species, as had been reported previously; 3. The polychaete-dominated eurythermal community in which the composition changed considerably as some dominant species disappeared or decreased; 4. The Changjiang (Yangtze) River Estuarine community, with some typical estuarine species; 5. The community affected by the Yellow Sea Warm Current. The greatest change occurred in the coastal area, which indicated that the change may be caused by human activities. Macrobenthos in the central region remained almost unchanged, particularly the cold water species shielded by the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass. The depth, temperature and median grain size of sediments were important factors affecting the distributions of macrobenthos in the South Yellow Sea.

Tectonic Evolution of the North Depression of the South Yellow Sea Basin Since Late Cretaceous

On the basis of subsidence history analysis and balanced cross-section analysis, the vertical uplift/subsidence history and horizontal extension/compression history of the north depression of the south Yellow Sea basin are quantitatively studied. The results show that the tectonic evolution of the north depression of the south Yellow Sea basin since late Cretaceous can be divided into a rifting phase(late Cretaceous to Paleogene) and a post-rifting phase(Neogene to Quaternary). The rifting phase can be further subdivided into an initial rifting stage(late Cretaceous), an intensive rifting stage(Paleocene), a rifting termination stage(Eocene), and an inversion-uplifting stage(Oligocene). Together, this division shows the characteristics of an episodic-evolved intracontinental rift-depression basin. The deformation of the north depression of the south Yellow Sea basin since late Cretaceous was mainly fault-related. The horizontal extension and tectonic subsidence were controlled by the activity of faults. The differential evolution of faults also caused variations in local uplift/subsidence movements and the regional heterogeneity in extension. The late Cretaceous initial rifting of the north depression of the south Yellow Sea basin is related to the Pacific-Eurasia convergence. From the Paleocene intensive rifting stage to present, the Pacific-Eurasia convergence and India-Eurasia convergence have played important roles in the evolution of this region.

Seasonal Suspended Particles Distribution Patterns in Western South Yellow Sea Based on Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Observation

An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) observation site was set up in the Western South Yellow Sea from 2012 to 2013 to study the local suspended particle matters(SPM) distribution pattern. The SPM concentration could be semi-quantitatively represented by backscatter intensity(Sv), converted by the echo intensity(EI) of ADCP. Results show two types of SPM in the water column: the quasi-biological SPM and quasi-mineral SPM. The quasi-biological SPM mainly exists in summer half year and is concentrated above the thermocline. It has periodically diurnal variations with high concentration at night and low concentration in the daytime. The quasi-mineral SPM is located in lower part of the water column, with similar relation to monthly tidal current variation all year round. However, the daily quasi-mineral SPM distribution patterns vary between summer and winter half year. The sunlight is thought to be the origin factor leading to the diurnally vertical motion of the biological features, which might cause the diurnal Sv variation. Unlike in winter half year when tidal current is relatively single driving force of the monthly SPM pattern, the high speed current near the thermocline is also responsible for the concentration of quasi-mineral SPM in summer half year. The sediment input difference between summer and winter half year contribute to the varied daily variation of quasi-mineral SPM with re-suspended SPM in winter and sediments from Yellow Sea Mud Area(YSMA) in summer. The seasonal variations in hydrodynamics, water structure and heavy-wind incidents are the primary factors influencing the differential seasonal SPM distribution patterns.