Oxygen and Carbon isotope composition of planktonic foraminifera in surface sediments from South China Sea and its oceanography significance

• Published in: Zhejiang da xue xue bao. Journal of Zhejiang University. Sciences edition. Li xue ban Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 114 - 120
• Main Authors: Ye, Ying, Liu, Zhi-qing, Chen, Ning-hua, Tu, Xiao-xia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: Zhejiang University Press 01.01.2004
• Subjects: Foraminifera; Marine; 南海; 氧碳同位素; 浮游有孔虫; 海洋学; ISEW, South China Sea
• ISSN: 1008-9497

Foraminifera were separated from surface sediments sampled from South China Sea by SONNE95-1994 cruise and analyzed for carbon and oxygen isotope composition. Variation of planktonic foraminifera oxygen isotope in space depends predominantly on marine physics factors. In Dongsha, Zhongsha and Nansha areas where evaporation is strong, O-isotope of the surface species, G. ruber is heavier, but it is lighter in the north, west and southwest of the Sea, where fresh water comes in. In the O-isotope contour diagram of the sub-surface species, P. obliquiloculata, it is illustrated that Kuroshiro water with heavier O-isotope enters into South China Sea through Bashi and Luzon Straits, then mixes with diluted seawater there. C-isotope variation of planktonic foraminifera is affected mainly by marine bio-factors. In the off shore of Zhujiang Estuary where food supply is abundant, and in Nansha area where irradiance is strong, C-isotope of G. ruber is lighter. Along the route of Kuroshiro invasion, C-isotope of P. obliq