Spatial distribution and influencing factors of organic carbon in surface sediments along the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea

Zhai Xiaohui; Wang Huawei; Xia Tian; Gao Jianhua; Nie Tianyi; You Zijun; Song Xiuqing; Li Xinxin

doi:10.12284/hyxb2025012

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Zhai Xiaohui，Wang Huawei，Xia Tian, et al. Spatial distribution and influencing factors of organic carbon in surface sediments along the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2025, 47(1)：1–12 doi: 10.12284/hyxb2025012

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Spatial distribution and influencing factors of organic carbon in surface sediments along the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea

doi: 10.12284/hyxb2025012

1.
Shenzhen Marine Development Research Promotion Center, Shenzhen 518052
2.
Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055
3.
School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023
4.
Shanghai Sheshan National Geophysical Observatory, Shanghai Earthquake Agency, Shanghai 201602

Received Date: 2024-01-05
Rev Recd Date: 2024-08-12

Available Online: 2024-08-06

Abstract

Abstract

Understanding the distribution, migration, and transformation of organic carbon in the ocean is of great significance to study the global carbon cycle and tackle climate change. Here, surface sediment samples were collected from the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea. For illustrating the source composition, distribution pattern, and their constraints, material characterization such as specific surface area, total organic carbon, nitrogen, sulfur contents and their isotopes (TOC, TN, TS, S^2‒, δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ³⁴S), as well as pigment biomarkers and thermos-gravimetric analysis were conducted. The results showed that the TOC and TN contents were lower in the nearshore but higher in the offshore region due to stronger hydrodynamics nearshore. The specific surface area had significant impacts on the distribution of organic carbon. Three-endmember mixing model suggested that sediments near the Huanghe River mouth and the shallower region along the Liaodong Peninsula in the Bohai Sea were dominated by soil-derived organic carbon with a smaller carbon reactivity index, while marine phytoplankton contributed mostly to the southern Yellow Sea with increasing carbon reactivity index. Significant correlation between TOC and TS in the Bohai Sea and northern Yellow Sea indicated significant linkages between organic carbon degradation and sulfate reduction. The negative δ³⁴S indicated the process of sulfate reduction-sulfide oxidation-seawater sulfate diffusion at the sediment-water interface, which hinted the oxidation of organic carbon from oxic to anoxic condition. Pigment degradation potentially resulted in its weak correlation with the TOC content. As the risk of harmful algal bloom and hypoxia is becoming more severe, it is essential to monitor the water chemistry and elemental cycling in the sediment to comprehensively understand the role of the continental shelf on organic carbon burial.
- Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea,
- surface sediments,
- organic carbon,
- sulfur isotope,
- pigment,
- thermo-gravimetric analysis

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