Abstract: In order to investigate the relationship between pollen distribution of marine surface sediments, pollen transmission mechanisms and vegetation, climate of pollen source areas, we conducted field sampling, laboratory experiments, calculation of pollen percentage and pollen concentration in this study. Our goal is to provide a reliable basis for paleoenvironmental research in the South China Sea. We analyzed the distribution of pollen in the surface sediments of Guangdong coast and southeast Hainan Island as recorded in the 40 samples from the area 108°34 ′ 12 ″ - 120°E and 17° - 23°43 ′ 12 ″ N at water depths of 37 - 3370m, focusing on the sea area along Guangzhou coast that has not been involved in surface pollen analysis before. It is found that pollen percentage of herbs (Poaceae, Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae and Brassiceae ) is low and the higher pollen percentage occurs in the sea area near Guangdong, probably related to tropic and subtropic grassland, cultivated rice, sugarcane and vegetable along the coast of Guangdong. The Pinus pollen percentage was relatively high (20%) and was transported over longer distance. It is revealed that Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae and Brassiceae were transported from north to south by the winter ocean current, while Pinus was transported by the winter monsoon. The high percentage of Trilete-spore (60%) in the surface sediments near the shore was probably related to human activities . Most pollen of tropical and subtropical broad-leaved trees ( Castanopsis, Quercus ) found in the northern part of the SCS occurred in low percentage. The pollen of Guangdong coast, such as Castanopsis, Quercus, and Trilete-spore, came from Hainan Island and Guangdong coast, probably was transported by rivers and coastal ocean currents. The higher percentage of Monolete-spore and Cyperaceae in the surface sediments occurred near the Pearl River Estuary , implying a fluvial discharge from the Pearl River.

Key words: Guangdong coast, southeastern Hainan Island, surface pollen, environmental significance