Coral records of Mid-Holocene sea-level highstands and climate responses in the northern South China Sea

High-resolution sea-level data and high-precision dating of corals in the northern South China Sea(SCS)during the Holocene provide a reference and historical background for current and future sea-level changes and a basis for scientific assessment of the evolutionary trend of coral reefs in the SCS.Although sporadic studies have been performed around Hainan Island in the northern SCS,the reconstructed sea level presents different values or is controversial because the indicative meaning of the sea-level indicators were neither quantified nor uniform criteria.Here,we determined the quantitative relationship between modern living coral and sea level by measuring the top surfaces of 27 live Porites corals from the inner reef flat along the east coast of Hainan Island and assessed the accuracy of results obtained using coral as sea-level indicators.Additionally,three in situ fossil Porites corals were analyzed based on elevation measurements,digital X-ray radiography,and U-Th dating.The survey results showed that the indicative meanings for the modern live Porites corals is(146.09±8.35)cm below the mean tide level(MTL).It suggested that their upward growth limit is constrained by the sea level,and the lowest low water is the highest level of survival for the modern live Porites corals.Based on the newly defined indicative meanings,6 new sea-level index points(SLIPs)were obtained and 19 published SLIPs were recalculated.Those SLIPs indicated a relative sea level fluctuation between(227.7±9.8)cm to(154.88±9.8)cm MTL between(5393±25)cal a BP and(3390±12)cal a BP,providing evidences of the Mid-Holocene sea-level highstand in the northern SCS.Besides that,our analysis demonstrated that different sea-level histories may be produced based on different indicative meanings or criteria.The dataset of 276 coral U-Th ages indicates that coral reef development in the northern SCS comprised the initial development,boom growth,decline,and flourishing development again.A comparison with regional records indicated that synergistic effects of climatic and environmental factors were involved in the development of coral reefs in the northern SCS.Thus,the cessation of coral reef development during the Holocene in the northern SCS was probably associated with the dry and cold climate in South China,as reflected in the synchronous weakening of the ENSO and East Asian summer monsoon induced by the reduction of the 65°N summer insolation,which forced the migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

Kuroshio Intrusion Combined with Coastal Currents Affects Phytoplankton in the Northern South China Sea Revealed by Lipid Biomarkers

The northern South China Sea(NSCS)is significantly influenced by the Kuroshio intrusion and the coastal currents.Our knowledge on the roles of both currents on phytoplankton spatial variations is still inadequate.Here,we investigated the concentrations of phytoplankton biomarkers and their proportions in surface suspended particles from 47 sites of the NSCS during summer of 2017 and 2019.Brassicasterol/epi-brassicasterol,dinosterol,and C37 alkenones were used as proxies of biomass for diatoms,dinoflagellates,and haptophytes,respectively,and their sum indicating total phytoplankton biomass.A three end-member mixing model was applied to quantitatively assess the influence extent of the Kuroshio intrusion and the coastal currents.Our results showed that the Kuroshio intrusion and the coastal currents contributed equally to the overall surface water masses in the study area;however,the two currents had distinct effects on the spatial distribution of phytoplankton.For phytoplankton biomass,the eutrophic coastal currents were likely to be the main controlling factors,while the impact of the Kuroshio intrusion was weak and stimulated significant increases in phytoplankton biomass only at certain boundary sites.For phytoplankton community structures,the Kuroshio and its intrusion were the main factors,resulting in an increase in the proportions of dinoflagellates and haptophytes.The proportion of diatoms slightly increased due to the influence of the coastal currents.Our study quantifies the effects of the Kuroshio and the coastal currents on phytoplankton in the NSCS in terms of hydrological parameters,providing an important basis for the understanding of ecological functions and biogeochemical cycles in marginal sea-open ocean boundary regions.

Differences of Polygonal Faults with Irregularly Polygonal Geometries: A Case Study from the Changchang Sag of Qiongdongnan Basin, Northern South China Sea

Polygonal faults(PFs)generally have a classic polygonal geometry in map view.However,under the influence of tectonic faults,diapirs,channels,and slopes,the classic polygonal geometry of PFs is not preserved,demonstrating differences(different characters)in map-view 3D seismic data covering an area of 334km^(2) of the Changchang(CC)sag,are used to document the mapview and cross-sectional characteristics of PFs.These data also help investigate the irregularly polygonal geometries of PFs due to the presence of influence factors,such as transtensional faults,submarine fans,channels,diapirs/gas chimneys,and the basal slope within the lower-middle Miocene strata.Results show that various irregularly polygonal geometries of PFs can be classified into enechelon and arcuate PFs,channel-segmenting and-bounding PFs,radial PFs,and rectangular PFs in map-view.En-echelon and arcuate PFs are induced by transtensional faults and exhibit a unique‘flower’structure in NE-and SE-trending cross-sections in the NW area of the study area.This finding is documented for the first time.Channel-segmenting PFs occur in the(northwest)low-amplitude muddy channel and are inhibited in the(southeast)high-amplitude sandy channel in the SW area.Radial PFs are radially aligned around a gas chimney/diapir containing some high-amplitude anomalies(HAAs)in the middle area.The presence of intrusive sandstones with HAAs along the periphery of the diapirs restricts the occurrence of PFs.Two high-amplitude submarine fans act as a mechanical barrier to the propagation of PFs.Meanwhile,the(moderate)slope in the NE area induces rectangular PFs.Additionally,the geneses of the PFs in the current study are comprehensively discussed.This study adds to our understanding of the differences between PFs with irregularly polygonal geometries.

Physical-mechanical properties of sediments and their correlation with near seafloor seismic amplitude in the Liwan canyon area, northern South China Sea

Before the implementation of offshore oil and gas exploitation,it is essential to understand the various factors that influence the stability of submarine sediments surrounding the project.Considering the factors such as cost and operability,it is not feasible to assess the physical-mechanical properties of sediments covering the entire region by borehole sampling.In this study,the correlation between near seafloor seismic amplitude and the mean shear strength of shallow sediments was explored using seismic and core testing data from the northern continental slope area of the South China Sea.Results showed that the mean water content of sediments in the layer up to 12 m below the seafloor(mbsf)gradually increased with increasing water depth,and the mean shear strength tended to decrease rapidly near the 1000 m depth contour.The near seafloor seismic amplitude could reflect the mean shear strength of sediments in the 12 mbsf layer under seismic frequency of 65 Hz and wave velocity of 1600 m/s.When the mean shear strength was greater than 10 kPa or the water depth was less than 1000 m,there was a significant linear positive correlation between mean shear strength and near seafloor seismic amplitude.Otherwise,there was a significant linear negative correlation between mean shear strength and near seafloor seismic amplitude.On the basis of these correlations,the pattern of shear strength was estimated from near seafloor seismic amplitude and mapped.The mean shear strength of sediments above 12 mbsf gradually decreased with increasing water depth in the continental slope area,whereas little change occurred in the continental shelf and the end of the canyon.Within the canyon area,the mean shear strength of sediments was characterized by larger values in both sides of the canyon walls and smaller values in the canyon bottom,which was consistent with the infinite slope stability theory.The study provides a method for using near seafloor seismic amplitude data to guide sediment sampling design,and presents a continuous dataset of sediment strength for the simulation of regional sediment stability.

Adaptive Wind Gust and Associated Gust-factor Model for the Gust-producing Weather over the Northern South China Sea

Wind gusts are common environmental hazards that can damage buildings,bridges,aircraft,and cruise ships and interrupt electric power distribution,air traffic,waterway transport and port operations.Accurately predicting peak wind gusts in numerical models is essential for saving lives and preventing economic losses.This study investigates the climatology of peak wind gusts and their associated gust factors(GFs)using observations in the coastal and open ocean of the northern South China Sea(NSCS),where severe gust-producing weather occurs throughout the year.The stratified climatology demonstrates that the peak wind gust and GF vary with seasons and particularly with weather types.Based on the inversely proportional relationship between the GF and mean wind speed(MWS),a variety of GF models are constructed through least squares regression analysis.Peak gust speed(PGS)forecasts are obtained through the GF models by multiplying the GFs by observed wind speeds rather than forecasted wind speeds.The errors are thus entirely due to the representation of the GF models.The GF models are improved with weather-adaptive GFs,as evaluated by the stratified MWS.Nevertheless,these weather-adaptive GF models show negative bias for predicting stronger PGSs due to insufficient data representation of the extreme wind gusts.The evaluation of the above models provides insight into maximizing the performance of GF models.This study further proposes a stratified process for forecasting peak wind gusts for routine operations.

Fouling in offshore areas southeast of the Zhujiang(Pearl)River Delta,the northern South China Sea

In order to understand the type and extent of marine fouling in offshore areas southeast ofthe Zhujiang (Pearl) River delta, within the period form May 1986 to June 1987, two biological buoys were deployed at water depths of 95 m and 113 m located in 114 km and 160 km off the coast of Hong Kong, respectively. Moreover, the fouling community of a Marex hydrological buoy located in 115 m depth water 172 km off Hong Kong was also surveyed. The results show that a total of 78 species were collected and identified. The panels exposed for 3 months were mainly dominated by stalked barnacles Conchoderma hunteri and Lepas anatifera and hydroids Orthopyxis sp. As for the buoys, including the subsurface buoy, and their mooring systems exposed for 6 and 12 months, respectively, some hard foulers such as common oysters, pearl oysters, acorn barnacles and bryozoans were also found. The compositions of fouling communities also varied greatly with depth.

Experience on offshore cathodic protection retrofitting in the northern South China Sea

Platforms I and II are steel structures located in offshore areas southeast of the Zhujiang (Pearl) River Delta, the northern South China Sea,. in about 110 in water depth. The jackets, with aluminum sacrificial anodes for cathodic protection (CP) of the immersed zone, were launched in March 1995. In May 096 a CP survey showed that, after almost one year of service, a low polarization level had been achieved and some extended unprotected zones existed; mainly in the deepest part of the Platform II. Further to this, a joint activity was decided in order to assess the need of a possible retrofitting of the CP systems. The results of the activity carried out are dealt with, including technical and economical comparisons amongst several retrofitting options, both with sacrificial anodes and with impressed current systems. The adopted solution is illustrated and data are reported on the level of protection presently achieved.

MARINE BIOFOULING IN OFFSHORE AREAS SOUTH OF HAINAN ISLAND, NORTHERN SOUTH CHINA SEA

This study on the characteristics of fouling communities in offshore areas south of Hainan Island, northern South China Sea, was conducted at four sites there. At each station, test panels on iron frames were hung on the mooring system at different depths. Data on biofouling were mainly obtained by examination of the fouled test panels. Organisms attached to buoys and anchors were scraped off and examined also. The results showed that the thickness and biomass of marine growth that increased the fluid loading on offshore installations depended to a large extent on hard foulers, i.e. mollusks and acorn barnacles. Algae, hydroids, stalked barnacles and bryozoans were important fouling species. The occurrence frequency and biomass of acorn barnacles decreased with increasing distance from the shore.

MARINE FOULING IN OFFSHORE AREAS EAST OF HAINAN ISLAND, NORTHERN SOUTH CHINA SEA

This paper reports on results of the investigation of marine biofouling on offshore structures east of Hainan Island in the northern South China Sea. Two buoy investigation stations were deployed in Qiongdong (W1, 68 n miles offshore) and southern Qiongdong (J2, 23 n miles offshore) waters, respectively. At both sites, water depths were more than 100 meters. Test panels on iron frames were placed at 1, 10, 25, 50 and 100 m below the seawater surface, and exposed for 8 months from October 1989 to June 1990. The results indicated that hydroids, gooseneck barnacles and oysters were the most important fouling species in these offshore areas. Acorn barnacles were mainly found at Station J2. The maximum fouling accumulations were observed in near surface waters. Substantial reduction of biomass and species diversity occurred with increasing depth and distance from shore. Sources of fouling organisms and influences of environmental factors on the species distributions are discussed in this paper.

Distribution and composition of tintinnids ciliates in the northern South China Sea during summer

Tintinnids were enumerated and identified in samples collected from 36 stations between 18°-22°N, 107°-122 °E in the northern South China Sea （NSCS）. 44 species belonging to 24 genera of tintinnids were recorded. The dominant species were He/icostome/la /onga and Tintinnopsis radix. Tintinnids abundance ranged from 0 to 2 200 cell/L, and mean abundance was 221cell/L in the surface water. Tintinnids abundance and species numbers decreased from coast to offshore. Upwelling and Pearl River discharge influenced the distribution of tintinnids by regulating nutrients supply. Maximum abundance （2 200 cell/L） was found in the surface water of A1. Tintinnids abundance showed positive relationship with chlorophyll a （Chl a） concentration, and no significant relationship was found between tintinnids abundance and temperature.

Asymmetric chlorophyll responses enhanced by internal waves near the Dongsha Atoll in the South China Sea

Internal waves(IWs)are small-scale physical processes that occur frequently in stratified marginal seas.IWs are ubiquitous and well documented in the northern South China Sea(n SCS),but few studies have explored the ecosystem responses to the IWs.MODISA chlorophyll-a(Chl-a)data from 2002 to 2014 were used to examine the distribution of Chl a near the Dongsha Atoll(DSA).Composite Chl a from about 40 IWs during spring and summer showed stronger response on the northern side than on the southern side of the DSA.One day after the passage of IWs,composite surface Chl a on the northern side increased from 0.11 mg/m3 to a maximum mean value of 0.18 mg/m3.It decreased to 0.13 mg/m3 after two days and maintained that level for several days after the passage of IWs.The enhanced surface Chl a likely caused subsurface Chl-a maximum and nutrients in the surface layer.Approximately 64%of the increase in surface Chl a was due to the uplift of the subsurface Chl-a maximum one day after the passage of IWs,while nutrient-induced new phytoplankton growth contributed about 18%of the increase a few days later.When the IWs occurred frequently in spring and summer,Chl-a level on the northern side was about 30%higher than that on the southern side.IW dissipation and its impact on nutrients and chlorophyll were stronger on the northern side of the DSA than on the south,which caused a north-south asymmetric distribution of Chl a in the region.

Internal tides in the northern South China Sea from 20-day in-situ mooring observations in 1998

20-day in-situ ADCP current and CTD data are used to investigate the characteristics and energy of the internal tides in the northern South China Sea （NSCS）. The results show that the O1, K1, M2 and S2 constituents of internal tides are energetic and diurnal constituents （O1 and K1） are dominating. In the observational period, the current vectors of these four constituents all rotate clockwise and the maximum semi-major axe of internal tidal ellipses is more than 14 cm/s. The variation of ocean temperature shows that the internal tides present obvious quasi-diurnal oscillation and the average amplitude reaches 50 m. Furthermore, these internal tides carry high energy and appear to be intermittent. The maximum values of KE （PE） during the observational period are up to 2 （3.5） k J/m^2 for diurnal internal tides, and up to 1 （1.5） k J/m^2 for semidiurnal internal tides.

Application of the monitoring and early warning system for internal solitary waves:Take the second natural gas hydrates production test in the South China Sea as an example

Internal solitary waves(ISWs) contain great energy and have the characteristics of emergency and concealment. To avoid their damage to offshore engineering, a new generation of monitoring and early warning system for ISWs was developed using technologies of double buoys monitoring, intelligent realtime data transmission, and automatic software identification. The system was applied to the second natural gas hydrates(NGHs) production test in the Shenhu Area, South China Sea(SCS) and successfully provided the early warning of ISWs for 173 days(from October 2019 to April 2020). The abrupt changes in the thrust force of the drilling platform under the attack of ISWs were consistent with the early warning information, proving the reliability of this system. A total of 93 ISWs were detected around the drilling platform. Most of them occurred during the spring tides in October–December 2019 and April 2020, while few of them occurred in winter. As suggested by the theoretical model, the full-depth structure of ISWs was a typical current profile of mode-1, and the velocities of wave-induced currents can reach 80 cm/s and30 cm/s, respectively, in the upper ocean and near the seabed. The ISWs may be primarily generated from the interactions between the topography and semidiurnal tides in the Luzon Strait, and then propagate westward to the drilling platform. This study could serve as an important reference for the early warning of ISWs for offshore engineering construction in the future.

Deep-water Fan Systems and Petroleum Resources on the Northern Slope of the South China Sea

The shallow shelf delta/strand arenaceous-pelitic deposit region in the north of the Pearl River mouth basin, sitting on the northern continental shelf of the South China Sea, has already become an important oil production base in China. Recent researched has revealed that a great deal of deep-water fans of great petroleum potentiality exist on the Baiyun deep-water slope below the big paleo Pearl River and its large delta. Based on a mass of exploration wells and 2-D seismic data of the shallow shelf region, a interpretation of sequence stratigraphy confirmed the existence of deep-water fans. The cyclic falling of sea level, abundant detrital matter from the paleo Pearl River and the persistent geothermal subsidence in the Baiyun sag are the three prerequisites for the formation and development of deep-water fans. There are many in common between the deep-water shelf depositional system of the northern South China Sea and the exploration hotspots region on the two banks of the Atlantic. For example, both are located on passive continent margins, and persistent secular thermal subsidence and large paleo rivers have supplied abundant material sources and organic matter. More recently, the discovery of the big gas pool on the northern slope of the Baiyun sag confirms that the Lower Tertiary lacustrine facies in the Baiyun sag has a great potentiality of source rocks. The fans overlying the Lower Tertiary source rocks should become the main exploration areas for oil and gas resources.

Types,Characteristics and Significances of Migrating Pathways of Gas-bearing Fluids in the Shenhu Area,Northern Continental Slope of the South China Sea

The first marine gas hydrate expedition in China has been conducted by Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey in the Shenhu Area, northern continental slope of the South China Sea. Previous study has analyzed the P-T conditions, geophysical anomalies and saturation calculations of these gas hydrates, but has not documented in detail the migration of gas-bearing fluids in the study area. Based on the interpretations of 2D/3D seismic data, this work identified two types of migration pathways for gas-bearing fluids in the Shenhu area, i.e., vertical and lateral pathways. The vertical pathways（largescale faults, gas chimneys and mud diapirs） presented as steep seismic reflection anomalies, which could be traced downward to the Eocene source rocks and may penetrate into the Late Miocene strata. The deeper gases/fluids might be allowed migrating into the shallower strata through these vertical conduits. However, the distributions showed distinct differences between these pathways. Large-scale faults developed only in the north and northeast of the Shenhu area, while in the drilling area gas chimneys were the sole vertical migration pathways. Since the Pliocene, normal faults, detachment faults and favorable sediments have constituted the lateral pathways in the Shenhu gas hydrate drilling area. Although these lateral pathways were connected with gas chimneys, they exerted different effects on hydrate formation and accumulation. Gas-bearing fluids migrated upward along gas chimneys might further migrate laterally because of the normal faults, thereby enlarging the range of the chimneys. Linking gas chimneys with the seafloor, the detachment faults might act as conduits for escaping gases/fluids. Re-deposited sediments developed at the early stage of the Quaternary were located within the gas hydrate stability zone, so hydrates would be enriched in these favorable sediments. Compared with the migration pathways（large-scale faults and mud diapirs） in the LW3-1 deep-sea oil/gas field, the migration efficiency of the vertical pathways（composed of gas chimneys） in the gas hydrate drilling area might be relatively low. Description and qualitative discrimination of migration pathways in the Shenhu gas hydrate drilling area are helpful to further understand the relationship between good-quality deep source rocks and shallow, mainly biogenicallyproduced, hydrates. As the main source rocks of the Baiyun sag, lacustrine mudstones in the Wenchang and Enping Formations may provide thermogenic methane. Gas chimneys with relatively low migration efficiency created the vertical pathways. Caused by the Dongsha tectonic movement, the release of overpressured fluids might reduce the vertical migration rates of the thermogenic methane. The thick bathyal/abyssal fine-grained sediments since the Late Miocene provided migration media with low permeability. These preconditions may cause carbon isotopic fractionation ofthermogenic methane during long-distance vertical migrations. Therefore, although geochemical analyses indicate that the methane forming gas hydrate in the Shenhu area was mainly produced biogenically, or was mixed methane primarily of microbial origin, thermogenic methane still contribute significantly.

Spatial and temporal dynamics of phytoplankton and bacterioplankton biomass in Sanya Bay, northern South China Sea

The composition of phytoplankton and the dynamics of phytoplankton and bacterioplankton biomass （PB and BB, respectively） of Sanya Bay, South China Sea, were determined. A total of 168 species （67 genera） phytoplankton were identified, including BaciUariophyta （diatom, 128 species）, Pyrrophyta （35 species）, Cyanophyta （3 species）, and Chrysophyta （2 species）. Annual average zbundance of phytoplankton was 1.2 × 107 cells/m^3, with the highest abundance in autumn, and the lowest in summer. Annual average diversity index （H＇） and evenness （J） values were 3.96 and 0.70, respectively. Average chlorophyll-a was 2.5 mg/m^3, and the average PB was 124 mg C/m^3, with the highest value in autumn. Surface PB was higher than the bottom, except for summer. Annual mean bacterioplankton abundance and BB were 6.9 × 10^1l cells/m^3 and 13.8 mg C/m^3, respectively. The highest BB was found in summer, followed by winter, spring, and autumn. Surface BB was higher than bottom all year round. The spatial distribution patterns of PB and BB were very similar with the highest biomass in the estuary, and decreased seaward, primarily due to the terrestrial input from the Sanya River and influx of oceanic water. The main factor influencing PB and BB was dissolved inorganic nitrogen （DIN）. Other factors such as temperature, which is above 22℃ throughout the year, had a negligible impact. The correlation between BB and PB was significant （P 〈 0.01）. The annual average ratio of BB/PB was 0.12 （0.06-0.15）. Phytoplankton primary production was one of the most important factors in controlling the distribution of bacterioplankton.

Detection of cyclonic eddy generated by looping tropical cyclone in the northern South China Sea: a case study

A case study on the cyclonic eddy generated by the tropical cyclone looping over the northern South China Sea (NSCS) is presented, using TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter data and AVHRR sea surface temperature (SST) data. Three cases relating to the tropical cyclone events (Typhoon Kai-Tak in July 2000, Tropical Storm Russ in June 1994 and Tropical Storm Maria in August-September 2000) over the NSCS have been analyzed. For each looping tropical cyclone case, the cyclonic eddy with an obvious sea level depression appears in the sea area where the tropical cyclone takes a loop form, and lasts for about 2 weeks with a slight variation in location. The cold core with the SST difference greater than 2℃against its surrounding areas is also observed by the satellite-derived SST data.

Sensitivity Study of the Seasonal Mean Circulation in the Northern South China Sea

A study of the circulation in the northern South China Sea （SCS） is carried out with the aid of a three-dimensional, high-resolution regional ocean model. One control and two sensitivity experiments are performed to qualitatively investigate the effects of surface wind forcing, Kuroshio intrusion, and bottom topographic influence on the circulation in the northern SCS. The model results show that a branch of the Kuroshio in the upper layer can intrude into the SCS and have direct influence on the circulation over the continental shelf break in the northern SCS. There are strong southward pressure gradients along a zonal belt largely seaward of the continental slope. The pressure gradients are opposite in the southern and northern parts of the Luzon Strait, indicating inflow and outflow through the strait, respectively. The sensitivity experiments suggest that the Kuroshio intrusion is responsible for generating the imposed pressure head along the shelf break and has no obvious seasonal variations. The lateral forcing through the Luzon Strait and Taiwan Strait can induce the southwestward slope current and the northeastward SCS Warm Current in the northern SCS. Without the lateral forcing, there is the continental slope. The wind forcing mainly causes the The wind-induced water pile-up results in the southward no high-pressure-gradient zonal belt seaward of seasonal variation of the circulation in the SCS. high pressure gradient along the northwestern boundary of the basin. Without the blocking of the plateau around Dongsha Islands, the intruded Kuroshio tends to extend northwest and the SCS branch of the Kuroshio becomes wider and stronger. The analyses presented here are qualitative in nature but should lead to a better understanding of the oceanic responses in the northern SCS to these external influence factors.

Microbial diversity in cold seep sediments from the northern South China Sea

South China Sea （SCS） is the largest Western Pacific marginal sea. However, microbial studies have never been performed in the cold seep sediments in the SCS. In 2004, ＂SONNE＂ 177 cruise found two cold seep areas with different water depth in the northern SCS. Haiyang 4 area, where the water depth is around 3000 m, has already been confirmed for active seeping on the seafloor, such as microbial mats, authigenic carbonate crusts and bivalves. We investigated microbial abundance and diver- sity in a 5.55-m sediment core collected from this cold seep area. An integrated approach was employed including geochemistry and 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analyses. Here, we show that microbial abun- dance and diversity along with geochemistry profiles of the sediment core revealed a coupled reaction between sulphate reduction and methane oxidation. Acridine orange direct count results showed that microbial abundance ranges from 105 to 106 cells/g sediment （wet weight）. The depth-related variation of the abundance showed the same trend as the methane concentration profile. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the presence of sulphate-reducing bacteria and anaerobic methane-oxidizing archaea. The diver- sity was much higher at the surface, but decreased sharply with depth in response to changes in the geochemical conditions of the sediments, such as methane, sulphate concentration and total organic carbon. Marine Benthic Group B, Chloroflexi and JS1 were predominant phylotypes of the archaeal and bacterial libraries, respectively.

The main controlling factors and developmental models of Oligocene source rocks in the Qiongdongnan Basin,northern South China Sea

Coals developed in the Oligocene Yacheng and Lingshui formations in the Qiongdongnan Basin have high organic matter abundance, and the dark mudstones in the two formations have reached a good source rock standard but with strong heterogeneity. Through the analysis of trace elements, organic macerals and biomarkers, it is indicated that plankton has made little contribution to Oligocene source rocks compared with the terrestrial higher plants. The organic matter preservation depends on hydrodynamics and the redox environment, and the former is the major factor in the study area. During the sedimentary period of the Yacheng Formation, tidal flats were developed in the central uplift zone, where the hydrodynamic conditions were weak and the input of terrestrial organic matter was abundant. So the Yacheng Salient of the central uplift zone is the most favorable area for the development of source rocks, followed by the central depression zone. During the sedimentary period of the Lingshui Formation, the organic matter input was sufficient in the central depression zone due to multiple sources of sediments. The semi-enclosed environment was favorable for organic matter accumulation, so high quality source rocks could be easily formed in this area, followed by the Yacheng salient of central uplift zone. Source rocks were less developed in the northern depression zone owing to poor preservation conditions,