Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2023, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (1): 98-113.doi: 10.11978/2022037CSTR: 32234.14.2022037

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Evolution characteristics and controlling factors of deep-water corals in the southwest Dongsha Sea area since 8000 a BP*

ZHANG Bin1,2,3(), CHEN Zhong1,2(), XU Antao2, WANG Xuesong4, TIAN Yuhang1,2, ZHANG Yingwei1,2,3   

  1. 1. Sanya Institute of Ocean Eco-Environmental Engineering, Sanya 572000, China
    2. Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
    3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    4. China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
  • Received:2022-02-24 Revised:2022-04-11 Online:2023-01-10 Published:2022-04-14
  • Contact: CHEN Zhong. email: chzhsouth@scsio.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    The 2020 Research Program of Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City(SKJC-2020-01-012); National Natural Science Foundation of China(41976065); National Natural Science Foundation of China(41776061); Key Special Project for Introduced Talents Team of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)(GML2019ZD0104)

Abstract:

Deep-water coral (DWC) skeletons record the fine changes in the environment where corals grow. However, the factors influencing the growth of DWCs in the South China Sea, evolutionary stages, and their responses to marine environmental changes are not well understood at present. In this paper, the chemical elements and U-Th ages of DWC skeletons in the Southwest sea area of Dongsha were determined and studied to reveal the development and evolution characteristics of DWCs since 8000 a BP and the factors controlling their growth. Major and trace elements and factor analysis of DWCs show that the growth and evolution of DWCs in the Southwest sea area of Dongsha are influenced by bottom current activity, primary productivity, and terrigenous materials. The evolution of DWCs can be divided into four stages according to U-Th age, Ⅰ: 8000~4500 a BP; Ⅱ: 4500~2500 a BP; Ⅲ: 2500~1200 a BP; Ⅳ: 1200 a BP till now. The drastic fluctuation of bottom current velocity, organic particulate matter, seawater temperature and heat content, and the supply of biogenic materials resulted in the development discontinuity of DWCs at 4500~2500 a BP. The strong bottom current activity, strong winter monsoon, and the supply of organic particulate matter affected the evolution stage and characteristics of DWCs in the southwest sea area of Dongsha. The results provide a new perspective for further exploring the influencing factors, development, and evolution characteristics of DWCs at ocean margins and their responses to ocean processes.

Key words: deep-water coral, U-Th age, evolution stage, Holocene, southwest sea area of Dongsha