Jian Zhimin

Pulleniatina obliquiloculata as a paleoceanographic indicator in the southern Okinawa trough during the last 20,000 years

Abstract Pulleniatina obliquiloculata , a tropical species of planktonic foraminifera, is indicative of the Kuroshio current and sensitive to winter sea surface temperature for the late Quaternary in the Okinawa Trough. Its relative abundance fluctuations are significant and correlatable between three gravity cores (cores 255, 170, 253) raised from the southern Okinawa Trough. Four major changes in its abundances with paleoceanographic significance have been recognized during the last 20,000 years: an abrupt increase at the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary, a short-term decrease indicative of a ‘Younger Dryas’-type climate reversal at about 11.4-9.6 ka B.P., the P. obliquiloculata maximum zone (around 7-6 ka B.P.) corresponding to the mid-Holocene climate optimum and the P. obliquiloculata minimum zone (around 4-2 ka B.P.) correlated probably to the Neoglacial cooling. The widespread occurrence of these events in the western Pacific and the correlated variations of its abundance between sea areas suggest that P. obliquiloculata is well promising as a paleoceanographic and climatic monitor for high-resolution reconstruction and sea-land correlation.

Neogene oxygen isotopic stratigraphy, ODP Site 1148, northern South China Sea

A detailed stable isotopic study based on benthic foraminifera from 1165 samples of ODP Site 1148 (18° 50.17.3’N, 116° 33.93’E, water depth 3308.3 m), northern South China Sea, provides an excellent oxygen isotopic record with an average resolution of 30 ka. It contains the most continuous δ18O data with highest resolution for the whole Neogene sequence in the world. The δ18O curve shows a step-like increasing upwards and records 5 increases, 3 decreases and 2 stable stages during the Neogene, reflecting the general trend of global cooling. Among these events the δ18O decrease at 17.2–14.5 Ma, and two δ18O increases at 14.5-13.6 and 3.0-2.4 Ma are most marked and globally comparable. The intervals at 13.6-10.2 and 6.0-3.0 Ma with the lowest-amplitude and least fluctuation in δ18O represent the most stable bottom water periods for the South China Sea.

A record of Miocene carbon excursions in the South China Sea

High-resolution δ13C records are presented for the Miocene benthic foraminifersCibicidoides wuellerstorfi andC. kullenbergi (24-5 Ma) and the planktonic foraminiferGlobigerinoides sacculifer (18-5 Ma) from ODP Site 1148A (18° 50.17’N, 116° 33.93’E, water depth 3308.3 m), northern South China Sea. The general pattern of parallel benthic and planktonic δ13C shows a decrease trend of δ13C values from the early-middle Miocene to the middle-late Miocene. Two distinct δ13C positive excursions at 23.1-22.2 and 17.3-13.6 Ma, and two negative excursions at 10.2-9.4 and 6.9-6.2 Ma have been recognized. All these events are cosmopolitan, providing the good data for the stratigraphic correlation of the South China Sea with the global oceans as well as for studying the changes of the global carbon reservoir and its corresponding climate.

Quaternary biogenic opal records in the South China Sea: Linkages to East Asian monsoon, global ice volume and orbital forcing

Particulate fluxes investigated in the central South China Sea (SCS) during 1993–1996 indicate that opal flux can be used to show primary productivity change, which provides a foundation for tracing the evolutionary relationship between the surface productivity and East Asian monsoon in the SCS during the late Quaternary glacial and interglacial periods. Based on the studies of opal % and their mass accumulation rates (MAR) at the six sites recovered from the SCS during the “Resolution” ODP Leg 184 and “Sonne” 95 cruise of the Sino-Germany cooperation, opal % and their MARs increased evidently in the northern sites since 470–900 ka, and they enhanced and reduced, respectively, during the glacial and interglacial periods. Whereas they increased obviously in the southern sites since 420–450 ka, and they augmented and declined, respectively, during the interglacial and glacial periods. The variability in opal % and their MARs in the late Quaternary glacial cyclicity indicate the “seesaw” pattern of surface productivity in the SCS. The winter monsoon intensified during the glacial periods, surface productivity increased and decreased, respectively, in the northern and southern SCS. The summer monsoon strengthened during the interglacial periods, surface productivity increased and decreased, respectively, in the southern and northern SCS. The cross spectral analyses between the opal % in the northern and southern SCS during the Quaternary and global ice volume (δ18O) and orbital forcing (ETP) indicate that the East Asian winter and summer monsoons could be ascribed to the different drive mechanisms. On the orbital time scale, the global ice volume change could be a dominant factor for the winter monsoon intension and temporal variations. As compared with the winter monsoon, the correlative summer solar radiation with the obliquity and precession in the Northern Hemisphere could be a mostly controlling factor for the summer monsoon intension and temporal variations.

Stratigraphic gaps at northern South China Sea margin reflect changes in Pacific deepwater inflow at glacial Termination II

To constrain short-term changes of climate and oceanography in the northern South China Sea (SCS) over interglacial marine isotope stage (MIS) 5.5, we studied planktic and benthic δ18O records of seven marine sediment cores with a time resolution of 70–700 yr. Using 6-8 tie points the planktic records were tuned to the U/Th chronology of speleothem δ18O records in China and Europe. The last occurrence of pink Globigerinoides ruber marks the top of Heinrich stadial 11 (HS-11) near 128.4 ka. HS-11 matches a 2300-yr long positive δ18O excursion by 1.5/0.8‰ both in planktic and benthic δ18O records. Hence half of the planktic δ18O signal was linked to increased upwelling of 18O- and 12C-enriched deep waters in the southwestern SCS. The increase was possibly linked to a strengthened inflow of Pacific deep waters through the Bashi Strait, that form a boundary current along the northern slope of the SCS, building a major sediment drift. At its lower margin near 2300–2400 m water depth (w.d.) Parasound records reveal a belt of modern erosion. At the end of glacial termination 2, stratigraphic gaps deleted HS-11 in core MD05-2904 and subsequent peak MIS 5.5 at ODP Site 1144. Likewise hiatuses probably earmarked all preceding glacial terminations at Site 1144 back to 650 ka. Accordingly, boundary current erosion then shifted ∼300 m upslope to ∼2040–2060 m w.d. These vertical shifts imply a rise in boundary current buoyancy, that in turn may be linked to transient events of North Pacific deepwater formation similar to that traced in SCS and North Pacific paleoceanographic records over glacial termination 1.

Oxygen isotope stratigraphy and events in the northern South China Sea during the last 6 million years

Based on the stable isotopic analysis of more than 1000 samples of planktonic and benthic foraminifers from ODP Site 1148 in the northern South China Sea (SCS), the oxygen isotope stratigraphy has been applied to the last 3 million years for the first time in the SCS. Furthermore, the paleoceanographic changes in the northern SCS during the last 6 million years have been unraveled. The benthic foraminiferal δ18O record shows that before δ3.1 Ma the SCS was much more influenced by the warm intermediate water of the Pacific. The remarkable decrease in the deepwater temperature of the SCS during the period of 3.1-2.5 Ma demonstrates the formation of the Northern Hemisphere ice-sheet. However, the several sea surface temperature (SST) reductions during the early and middle Pliocene, reflected by the planktonic foraminiferal δ18O, might be related to the ice-sheet growth in the Antarctic region. Only those stepwise and irreversible SST reductions during the period of δ2.2-0.9 Ma could be related to the formation and growth of the Northern Hemisphere ice-sheet.Based on the stable isotopic analysis of more than 1000 samples of planktonic and benthic foraminifers from ODP Site 1148 in the northern South China Sea (SCS), the oxygen isotope stratigraphy has been applied to the last 3 million years for the first time in the SCS. Furthermore, the paleoceanographic changes in the northern SCS during the last 6 million years have been unraveled. The benthic foraminiferal δ 18 O record shows that before ~3.1 Ma the SCS was much more influenced by the warm intermediate water of the Pacific. The remarkable decrease in the deepwater temperature of the SCS during the period of 3.1—2.5 Ma demonstrates the formation of the Northern Hemisphere ice-sheet. However, the several sea surface temperature (SST) reductions during the early and middle Pliocene, reflected by the planktonic foraminiferal δ 18 O, might be related to the ice-sheet growth in the Antarctic region. Only those stepwise and irreversible SST reductions during the period of ~2.2—0.9 Ma could be related to the formation and growth of the Northern Hemisphere ice-sheet.

High-resolution records of thermocline in the Okinawa Trough since about 10000 aBP

The present paper uses planktonic foraminifera and their stable isotopes to study the changes in the depth of thermocline (DOT) in the Okinawa Trough since the last 10000 a based on the analysis of Core B-3GC in the northern Okinawa Trough, together with that of the core in the southern Okinawa Trough. As results show, the thermocline was shallow before 6400 aBP, and deepened afterward, then became shallow again from 4000 to 2000 aBP. The DOT fluctuations display a positive correlation with those of sea surface temperature (SST). In addition, the changes in the northern Okinawa Trough are similar to those in the southern trough, implying a possible connection with the variation of the Kuroshio Current. The changes of SST and DOT suggest that the Kuroshio Current changed its intensity or main axis from 4000 to 2000 aBP and around about 6400 aBP respectively. Moreover, the changes of DOT from 8200 to 6400 aBP may indicate a gradual intensification of the Kuroshio Current.The present paper uses planktonic foraminifera and their stable isotopes to study the changes in the depth of thermocline (DOT) in the Okinawa Trough since the last 10000 a based on the analysis of Core B-3GC in the northern Okinawa Trough, together with that of the core in the southern Okinawa Trough. As results show, the thermocline was shallow before 6400 aBP, and deepened afterward, then became shallow again from 4000 to 2000 aBP. The DOT fluctuations display a positive correlation with those of sea surface temperature (SST). In addition, the changes in the northern Okinawa Trough are similar to those in the southern trough, implying a possible connection with the variation of the Kuroshio Current. The changes of SST and DOT suggest that the Kuroshio Current changed its intensity or main axis from 4000 to 2000 aBP and around about 6400 aBP respectively. Moreover, the changes of DOT from 8200 to 6400 aBP may indicate a gradual intensification of the Kuroshio Current.

Paleoceanographic evolution recorded in the northern South China Sea since 4 Ma

Upper water structure over the last 4 million years in the northern South China Sea (SCS) was reconstructed by sea surface temperature (SST) and primary productivity estimated by changes in the abundance of planktonic foraminifer, planktonic foraminifer transfer function, and the accumulation rate of benthic foraminifera. Results of SST and primary productivity show that SST gradually decreased since 4 Ma, but differential seasonal temperature and primary productivity increased in steps mainly at about 3.1, 2.7, 2.1, 1.6, 0.9 and 0.5 Ma. Comparison with tectonics and orbital variations indicates that phased rising of the Tibet since 3.6 Ma, closing of Panama and Indonesian seaways, and orbital changes were responsible for the changes of upper water structure in the SCS, respectively.

Paleoceanographic implications of radiolaria in the southern Okinawa Trough over the last 20,000 years

Quantitative analyses have been carried out on radiolarians from 65 samples of Core 255 in the southern Okinawa Trough. The distribution of taxa and the results of Q-mode factor analysis show that during the last 20 000 years three radiolarian assemblages could be distinguished which can be correlated to high and low productivity levels indicated by the organic carbon content, radiolarian abundance and ratio of Nassellaria/Spumellaria in the sediment. TheTetrapyle quadriloba assemblage of thr last glaciation and deglaciation is associated with high productivity whereas the early HolocenePolysolenia spinosa and the middle and late HoloceneCarposhaera globosa assemblages correspond to low surface productivity. Meanwhile, the variations in the ratio of radiolarian fragments indicate higher SiO2 dissolution during the Holocene than during the last glacial stage.

Benthic foraminiferal fauna turnover at 2.1 Ma in the northern South China Sea

Quantitative analysis of benthic foraminifera from ODP Site 1146 in the northern South China Sea (SCS) shows that abundance of Bulimina alazanensis, sometimes up to about 90%, decreased gradually since 3.2 Ma, especially at 2.1 Ma. Abundance of other benthic foraminiferal species, Globobulimina subglobosa and Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi, increased after 2.1 Ma. Comparison with changes in oxygen and carbon isotopes of planktonic and benthic foraminifera shows that high abundance values of B. alazanensis corresponded with lower values of oxygen isotope, but for carbon isotope, high values of the species were consistent with heavier carbon isotope of benthic foraminifera and lighter carbon isotope of planktonic foraminifera, respectively, and vice versa. Considering factors such as uplift of Bashi Strait, expansion of the North Hemisphere Glaciation, strengthening of East Asian winter monsoon and variations in oxygen and carbon isotope of foraminifera, changes of B. alazanensis in ODP Site 1146 suggest that the source of deep water masses of the northern South China Sea changed from the warm Pacific deep water with high oxygen content to Pacific Intermediate water with low oxygen content at 2.1 Ma. In addition, the strengthened East Asian winter monsoon resulted in increased primary productivity, high nutrient and suboxic bottom water. Variations in species of B. alazanensis seemed to be unable to tolerate environmental stress induced by deep water masses and productivity changes.