Paleoenvironmental indication of n-alkanes composition: A case study of sediments from the Pearl River Estuary since the mid-Holocene

doi:10.3969-j.issn.1001-909X.2023.01.010

Abstract

Abstract:

The multiple indices of n-alkanes including ∑oddC_25-33, CPI, ACL, C₃₁/C₂₇ and P_mar-aq from a sediment core HKUV16 retrieved in the Pearl River Estuary were analyzed to explore their sources and environmental changes since the mid-Holocene. The distribution features of n-alkanes of core HKUV16 indicated that they were mainly from terrestrial higher vegetation. From 8.0 to 7.0 ka BP, ∑oddC_25-33, CPI, and P_mar-aq increased, while ACL and C₃₁/C₂₇ were low, which showed that terrestrial organic matter input increased and woody vegetation increased. The decrease of ∑oddC_25-33 during 7.0~3.2 ka BP indicated that the input of terrestrial organic matter decreased, while the ACL and C₃₁/C₂₇ showed an increase-decrease-increase trend, suggesting that the Pearl River Basin might have experienced dry-wet-dry climate change. From 3.2 to 2.2 ka BP, high ACL and C₃₁/C₂₇ indicated that herbaceous plants expanded and the climate was relatively arid. The multi-indices showed that the input of n-alkanes to the Pearl River Estuary before 2.2 ka BP was mainly affected by East Asian summer monsoon. However, increasing human activities since 2.2 ka BP might have become the dominant factor for the ecological environment of the Pearl River Basin.

Key words: Pearl River Estuary, n-alkanes, mid-Holocene, summer monsoon

CLC Number:

P736.4

CHEN Guosheng, QIU Zihui, KONG Deming. Paleoenvironmental indication of n-alkanes composition: A case study of sediments from the Pearl River Estuary since the mid-Holocene[J]. Journal of Marine Sciences, 2023, 41(1): 121-130.

Figures/Tables 7

Fig.1 Study area and sampling site

Tab.1 Radiocarbon ages of the core HKUV16

深度/cm	测试材料	测定年龄/a	校正年龄/a
40	贝壳	2 380±30	2 262.5
78	贝壳	570±30	477.5
143	贝壳	620±30	507.5
293	贝壳	3 680±30	3 858
454	贝壳	5 800±40	6 475.5
607	贝壳	4 140±40	4 517
932	贝壳	7 190±40	7 895

Fig.2 Depth-age model of the core HKUV16[28]

Fig.3 The n-alkanes distribution of the core HKUV16

Fig 4 Content of long-chainodd alkanes and the relative proportion of C25~C33

Fig.5 Comparison of n-alkane indices with Dongge Cave Stalagmite records

Fig.6 ACL vs C31 /C27 diagram of the n-alkanes in the core HKUV16

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