Hydrological connectivity is the main abiotic driver of wetland ecological processes,particularly within the brackish water zone.Tidal creeks,shaped within this zone,serve as key conduits for the distribution,composit...Hydrological connectivity is the main abiotic driver of wetland ecological processes,particularly within the brackish water zone.Tidal creeks,shaped within this zone,serve as key conduits for the distribution,composition,migration,and transformation of nutrient elements in coastal wetlands.In this study,we aimed to visualize the hydrological connectivity of tidal creeks in the brackish water zone of the Yellow River Delta,China,and explore the impact on the content and distribution of various iron compounds in the sediment.The results revealed a strong hydrological connectivity in the southern region of the brackish water zone.The tidal creeks exhibited a clear density gradient,with the lowest density found near the inland areas and the ocean,while the highest density was observed in the intermediate regions.Meanwhile,sampling transects with a higher density of tidal creeks(2–6 km/km2)exhibited elevated iron concentrations(average total iron content:28.35 g/kg),and the total iron content generally increased with distance from the tidal creeks.Furthermore,this study identifies a negative correlation between pH and iron content,whereas electrical conductivity shows a positive correlation with iron levels.The study offers some insights into the study of iron in the sediments of coastal wetlands in the Yellow River Delta.展开更多
全新世以来,长江下游地区频繁的人类活动与水文变化共同驱动了区域的复杂地貌演化,并对地层沉积过程的连续性产生影响,使得难以准确理解区域内史前文化的起源、发展与环境演变之间的关系。文章通过对长江下游地区新岗遗址沉积样品的采集...全新世以来,长江下游地区频繁的人类活动与水文变化共同驱动了区域的复杂地貌演化,并对地层沉积过程的连续性产生影响,使得难以准确理解区域内史前文化的起源、发展与环境演变之间的关系。文章通过对长江下游地区新岗遗址沉积样品的采集,结合遗址内考古地层与自然钻孔的AMS14C测年结果,构建了自然沉积地层的年代学框架,并综合磁化率、Mn/Ti、Fe/Mn等地球化学代用指标与粒度参数的分析,探讨了区域环境演变过程与文明演化之间的联系。结果表明,约7 ka BP(距今七千年)前后,遗址附近的沉积环境由水下沉积逐渐转变为陆地沉积;结合长江下游多个钻孔出现的沉积间断现象,认为长江三角洲在该时期逐渐形成,长江三角洲的形成为史前聚落提供了新的栖居地和农耕空间;7 ka BP后的干燥气候进一步扩大了利于耕种的土地面积。地貌—气候协同作用提高了土地生产力并支撑了人口的大规模增长,从而为马家浜—崧泽考古学文化的发展奠定了空间基础,并最终促成该地区进入了古国时代。展开更多
The river plume front between the diluted ocean water and salty ocean water in the Changjiang(Yangtze)River Delta(CRD)is well studied.Comparatively,less is known about the estuarine front in the CRD,which is formed be...The river plume front between the diluted ocean water and salty ocean water in the Changjiang(Yangtze)River Delta(CRD)is well studied.Comparatively,less is known about the estuarine front in the CRD,which is formed between the riverine freshwater and the diluted ocean water and has the highest magnitude of salinity gradient(SG)in the CRD.Estuarine fronts are of great significance to the riverine material transport in the estuary.Many biogeochemical processes are enhanced in estuarine fronts,which have brought about environmental problems.In this study,the seasonal variations of the estuarine fronts in the CRD were studied in wet(July)and dry(January)seasons in 2017,based on model simulations with high spatiotemporal resolutions using the Finite-Volume Community Ocean Model(FVCOM).The estuarine front included several sharp fronts with a SG>4(/500 m),and was bottom-trapped on the submerged delta front.Seasonal changes mainly occurred off the Jiangsu coast,where a significant estuarine front was formed in July.The estuarine fronts generated around the submerged delta topography were accompanied by the offshore extension of older estuarine fronts,which were diluted and evolved into plume fronts over a tidal cycle.The simulated estuarine fronts had a salinity range of 6 to 22 in the dry season and 6 to 14 in wet season 2017.The estuarine fronts hindered the residual current by altering its flow direction to the southeast.展开更多
A macro-tidal tropical estuary with high fluvial discharge is characterized by both fragility and remarkable dynamism.This study utilizes the Salween River Delta(SRD)as a case example to examine the interplay between ...A macro-tidal tropical estuary with high fluvial discharge is characterized by both fragility and remarkable dynamism.This study utilizes the Salween River Delta(SRD)as a case example to examine the interplay between morphology and vegetation under similar tidal conditions.Our analysis of correlations and inferences revealed several significant trends in the SRD:(1)an overall expansion of land area and intertidal vegetation,with the most pronounced changes occurring in the eastern sector;(2)the predominance of river discharge influencing the southwestern and northern sectors,contrasted with the primary impact of storm surges in the eastern sector;and(3)three distinct causal relationships among estuarine morphology,vegetation,storm surges,and river discharge:a direct model where river discharge shapes estuarine morphology,a progressive model in which river discharge affects vegetation distribution,subsequently influencing estuarine morphology,and a hybrid model where storm surges directly impact vegetation and indirectly modify its distribution through changes in estuarine morphology.The stability of sediment supply and the role of intertidal vegetation are crucial for the continuous seaward advance,providing a vital foundation for the protection and development of estuarine deltas.展开更多
The flux of dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN),predominantly nitrate(NO3-)and ammonium(NH4+),from land to coastal waters via rivers is commonly estimated simply by multiplying water flux with nitrogen conce...The flux of dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN),predominantly nitrate(NO3-)and ammonium(NH4+),from land to coastal waters via rivers is commonly estimated simply by multiplying water flux with nitrogen concentration.Understanding DIN fluxes in gated estuaries is critical as these systems often serve as hotspots for nutrient transformations,influencing coastal water quality and ecosystem health.However,the subsequent interactions involving NO3-and NH4+adsorption or desorption on suspended sediments are often overlooked.To better understand the impact of these interactions on the overall NO3-and NH4+sorption or desorption and subsequently,the mobility and transport to the coastal zone,we conducted a series of NO3-and NH4+adsorption and desorption experiments.These experiments involved varying suspended sediment concentrations,particle sizes,salinities,and sea-salt ions to assess their potential effects.Results indicate that desorption of NO3-and NH4+from suspended sediments is more prominent than adsorption,with NH4+desorption being particularly significant.Notably,at low suspended particle concentrations and high salinity,NH4+desorption from sediments increased markedly,which further amplified in polyhaline conditions.This effect could result from ion pairing between NH4+and seawater anions,along with competition from seawater cations for sediment cation exchange sites,enhancing NH4+diffusion from estuarine sediments,and the elevated NH4+release could promote DIN transport to nearshore waters,especially in gated estuaries where sediment resuspension occurs.Given the critical role of NH4+in estuarine nitrogen cycling,ignoring these dynamics could lead to underestimations of DIN transport in river-estuary systems.Therefore,incorporating sediment dynamics into DIN flux estimations is crucial for accurately assessing nitrogen transport in gated estuaries.展开更多
The historical movements of relative sea level(RSL)reflect the geomorphological dynamics around coastal regions in the past,and reconstructing the RSL curve contributes to the prediction of future RSL movements.On the...The historical movements of relative sea level(RSL)reflect the geomorphological dynamics around coastal regions in the past,and reconstructing the RSL curve contributes to the prediction of future RSL movements.On the basis of the sediment sequence and optical stimulated luminescence(OSL)dating data of three boreholes in the Yellow River Delta(YRD),the positions of paleo-coastlines and the movements of RSL in the last 2000 years were reconstructed.The main results are as follows:1)the YRD coast transformed from a tide-dominated silty coast to a wave-dominated sandy coast and back to a tide-dominated silty coast in the last 2000 years.2)The sand layers consisting of shell fragments indicated the locations of the coastline in 1855 AD,893 AD,and 40 BC,and their top elevations were close to the mean high water level in the corresponding years.3)The mean sea level elevation in 79 BC,1019 AD,and 1800 AD relative to the modern sea level was -4.52,-4.52,and-2.92 m,respectively.4)The RSL was almost stagnant during 79 BC-1019 AD,rose slowly during 1019-1800 AD due to the reverse change of global climate from the Little Ice Age to the Medieval Warm Period,and rose significantly after 1800 AD due to the warm period.5)The movement of RSL controlled the surface slope of YRD,which was a slope of approximately 0.022‰ at 893 AD,an inverted slope of 0.144‰ at 1855 AD,and a slope of 0.075‰ recently.These findings indicate that the modern YRD is far from being abandoned in the future,providing a historical geomorphological basis for the management of the Yellow River Estuary.展开更多
Although the Vietnamese Mekong Delta(VMD) is recognised as one of the world's most vulnerable deltas, scholars have yet to provide an integrated diagnosis linking locally driven pressures to actionable pathways fo...Although the Vietnamese Mekong Delta(VMD) is recognised as one of the world's most vulnerable deltas, scholars have yet to provide an integrated diagnosis linking locally driven pressures to actionable pathways for halting its rapid elevation loss. The VMD-39,000 km2 that feeds 18 million people-is sinking because four pressures act in concert: upstream dams have already cut sediment delivery by 70 %–83 %(projected 96 % if all planned projects proceed), mean sea level is rising 1.5–2 cm/yr, river-bed sand mining now removes about 3 Mm3/yr and deepens channels by up to 15 cm/yr, and groundwater withdrawals of approximately 2.5 Mm3/day have accelerated landsurface subsidence from smaller than 3 cm/yr in 2006–2010 to peaks of 5–6 cm/yr today. Scenario modelling shows that halving pumping would stabilize aquifer heads and cut subsidence by about 50 % within a decade,while provincial sand-quota cuts of 30 %–50 % would slow bed incision and ease salinity intrusion, reducing the irrigation deficits that drive further pumping. While the large-scale causes of subsidence(dams, sea level rise, sand mining, groundwater extraction) are well recognized, actionable, local-level management solutions to immediately slow subsidence and salinity intrusion-independent of slow international negotiations-have been underexplored and under-implemented. Because dam and climate remedies rely on slow transboundary negotiations, we target the more practical local pressures-sand mining and groundwater extraction-by first tightening sand-mining licenses, enforcing tiered groundwater tariffs, and scaling up rain-and surface-water alternatives, buying time for longer-term basin and climate agreements. These locally actionable measures can significantly reduce subsidence and provide a scalable model for sustaining deltas around the world.展开更多
Holocene organic carbon(OC)burial in mega-deltas is considered to have played a crucial role in mod-ulating long-term atmospheric CO2 levels,but this role has likely been significantly altered by human activities d...Holocene organic carbon(OC)burial in mega-deltas is considered to have played a crucial role in mod-ulating long-term atmospheric CO2 levels,but this role has likely been significantly altered by human activities during the Anthropocene.The absence of precise estimates for Holocene deltaic OC burial rates hinders a comprehensive understanding of carbon cycle evolution.This study,using data from 50 Holocene boreholes and 216 modern surface sediment samples,examines changes in OC sources and their controlling factors,and quantifies OC burial rates in the Yangtze Delta(YD)from the mid-Holocene to the Anthropocene.The results reveal three distinct stages of OC burial evolution.From 8 ka to 2 ka,the weakening East Asian Summer Monsoon reduced terrestrial OC contributions,but the YD maintained slow progradation and stable OC burial rates(~0.79 Mt/yr).After 2 ka,human activities emerged as the dominant driver,triggering a 78%increase in OC burial rates(1.40-1.44 Mt/yr).Following the impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam,the YD entered an erosion-driven destruction phase,with OC burial rates declining by 59%compared to pre-dam levels.Accounting for subaqueous delta erosion,the YD has shifted from a net OC burial system to a net OC source,contributing~0.81Mt/yr of OC to the Zhejiang-Fujian mud belt.These findings underscore the pivotal role of sediment burial rates in regulating OC sequestration in mega-deltas and highlight the global implications of human-altered sediment dynamics,suggesting that deltas worldwide may similarly transition from pos-itive and negative OC sequestration.展开更多
大河三角洲是全球关键的有机碳汇区。为揭示其在自然和人类活动影响下的演变规律,本研究基于长江三角洲50个钻孔的年代学、沉积学和有机地球化学数据,系统重建了该区域中晚全新世(8 ka BP)以来的有机碳埋藏历史。研究发现,沉积物堆积速...大河三角洲是全球关键的有机碳汇区。为揭示其在自然和人类活动影响下的演变规律,本研究基于长江三角洲50个钻孔的年代学、沉积学和有机地球化学数据,系统重建了该区域中晚全新世(8 ka BP)以来的有机碳埋藏历史。研究发现,沉积物堆积速率是调控有机碳埋藏通量的核心驱动力,两者呈现出极强的正相关性(r2=0.87)。然而,有机碳埋藏通量与总有机碳含量之间存在显著解耦,后者在整个研究时段内始终维持在0.41%~0.52%的低值区间,这主要受碎屑稀释效应与粒度分选效应的共同制约。有机碳的来源则经历了清晰的阶段性演变:8~2 ka BP,物源变化主要受自然因素驱动,其中海平面上升(8~5 ka BP)和东亚夏季风减弱(5~4 ka BP)先后导致了陆源有机碳贡献比例的下降;自2 ka BP以来,人类活动成为主导因素,其通过改变流域产沙区和沉积物来源,深刻重塑了三角洲的有机地球化学信号。本研究揭示了长江三角洲碳汇功能从自然背景下的动态平衡到人类世以来被剧烈扰动的演化过程,为理解和预测全球变化背景下三角洲碳库的脆弱性提供了关键科学依据。展开更多
基金Under the auspices of Key Program from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U2006215,U1806218)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2017YFC0505902)。
摘要Hydrological connectivity is the main abiotic driver of wetland ecological processes,particularly within the brackish water zone.Tidal creeks,shaped within this zone,serve as key conduits for the distribution,composition,migration,and transformation of nutrient elements in coastal wetlands.In this study,we aimed to visualize the hydrological connectivity of tidal creeks in the brackish water zone of the Yellow River Delta,China,and explore the impact on the content and distribution of various iron compounds in the sediment.The results revealed a strong hydrological connectivity in the southern region of the brackish water zone.The tidal creeks exhibited a clear density gradient,with the lowest density found near the inland areas and the ocean,while the highest density was observed in the intermediate regions.Meanwhile,sampling transects with a higher density of tidal creeks(2–6 km/km2)exhibited elevated iron concentrations(average total iron content:28.35 g/kg),and the total iron content generally increased with distance from the tidal creeks.Furthermore,this study identifies a negative correlation between pH and iron content,whereas electrical conductivity shows a positive correlation with iron levels.The study offers some insights into the study of iron in the sediments of coastal wetlands in the Yellow River Delta.
摘要全新世以来,长江下游地区频繁的人类活动与水文变化共同驱动了区域的复杂地貌演化,并对地层沉积过程的连续性产生影响,使得难以准确理解区域内史前文化的起源、发展与环境演变之间的关系。文章通过对长江下游地区新岗遗址沉积样品的采集,结合遗址内考古地层与自然钻孔的AMS14C测年结果,构建了自然沉积地层的年代学框架,并综合磁化率、Mn/Ti、Fe/Mn等地球化学代用指标与粒度参数的分析,探讨了区域环境演变过程与文明演化之间的联系。结果表明,约7 ka BP(距今七千年)前后,遗址附近的沉积环境由水下沉积逐渐转变为陆地沉积;结合长江下游多个钻孔出现的沉积间断现象,认为长江三角洲在该时期逐渐形成,长江三角洲的形成为史前聚落提供了新的栖居地和农耕空间;7 ka BP后的干燥气候进一步扩大了利于耕种的土地面积。地貌—气候协同作用提高了土地生产力并支撑了人口的大规模增长,从而为马家浜—崧泽考古学文化的发展奠定了空间基础,并最终促成该地区进入了古国时代。
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U2240220)。
摘要The river plume front between the diluted ocean water and salty ocean water in the Changjiang(Yangtze)River Delta(CRD)is well studied.Comparatively,less is known about the estuarine front in the CRD,which is formed between the riverine freshwater and the diluted ocean water and has the highest magnitude of salinity gradient(SG)in the CRD.Estuarine fronts are of great significance to the riverine material transport in the estuary.Many biogeochemical processes are enhanced in estuarine fronts,which have brought about environmental problems.In this study,the seasonal variations of the estuarine fronts in the CRD were studied in wet(July)and dry(January)seasons in 2017,based on model simulations with high spatiotemporal resolutions using the Finite-Volume Community Ocean Model(FVCOM).The estuarine front included several sharp fronts with a SG>4(/500 m),and was bottom-trapped on the submerged delta front.Seasonal changes mainly occurred off the Jiangsu coast,where a significant estuarine front was formed in July.The estuarine fronts generated around the submerged delta topography were accompanied by the offshore extension of older estuarine fronts,which were diluted and evolved into plume fronts over a tidal cycle.The simulated estuarine fronts had a salinity range of 6 to 22 in the dry season and 6 to 14 in wet season 2017.The estuarine fronts hindered the residual current by altering its flow direction to the southeast.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41906148,No.42271086Rejuvenating Yunnan Talents Support Plan Young Talent Program,No.XDYC-QNRC-2023-0322。
摘要A macro-tidal tropical estuary with high fluvial discharge is characterized by both fragility and remarkable dynamism.This study utilizes the Salween River Delta(SRD)as a case example to examine the interplay between morphology and vegetation under similar tidal conditions.Our analysis of correlations and inferences revealed several significant trends in the SRD:(1)an overall expansion of land area and intertidal vegetation,with the most pronounced changes occurring in the eastern sector;(2)the predominance of river discharge influencing the southwestern and northern sectors,contrasted with the primary impact of storm surges in the eastern sector;and(3)three distinct causal relationships among estuarine morphology,vegetation,storm surges,and river discharge:a direct model where river discharge shapes estuarine morphology,a progressive model in which river discharge affects vegetation distribution,subsequently influencing estuarine morphology,and a hybrid model where storm surges directly impact vegetation and indirectly modify its distribution through changes in estuarine morphology.The stability of sediment supply and the role of intertidal vegetation are crucial for the continuous seaward advance,providing a vital foundation for the protection and development of estuarine deltas.
基金Supported by the Tianjin Key R&D Program(No.21YFSNSN00220)。
摘要The flux of dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN),predominantly nitrate(NO3-)and ammonium(NH4+),from land to coastal waters via rivers is commonly estimated simply by multiplying water flux with nitrogen concentration.Understanding DIN fluxes in gated estuaries is critical as these systems often serve as hotspots for nutrient transformations,influencing coastal water quality and ecosystem health.However,the subsequent interactions involving NO3-and NH4+adsorption or desorption on suspended sediments are often overlooked.To better understand the impact of these interactions on the overall NO3-and NH4+sorption or desorption and subsequently,the mobility and transport to the coastal zone,we conducted a series of NO3-and NH4+adsorption and desorption experiments.These experiments involved varying suspended sediment concentrations,particle sizes,salinities,and sea-salt ions to assess their potential effects.Results indicate that desorption of NO3-and NH4+from suspended sediments is more prominent than adsorption,with NH4+desorption being particularly significant.Notably,at low suspended particle concentrations and high salinity,NH4+desorption from sediments increased markedly,which further amplified in polyhaline conditions.This effect could result from ion pairing between NH4+and seawater anions,along with competition from seawater cations for sediment cation exchange sites,enhancing NH4+diffusion from estuarine sediments,and the elevated NH4+release could promote DIN transport to nearshore waters,especially in gated estuaries where sediment resuspension occurs.Given the critical role of NH4+in estuarine nitrogen cycling,ignoring these dynamics could lead to underestimations of DIN transport in river-estuary systems.Therefore,incorporating sediment dynamics into DIN flux estimations is crucial for accurately assessing nitrogen transport in gated estuaries.
基金supported financially by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42330406 and 42476163)。
摘要The historical movements of relative sea level(RSL)reflect the geomorphological dynamics around coastal regions in the past,and reconstructing the RSL curve contributes to the prediction of future RSL movements.On the basis of the sediment sequence and optical stimulated luminescence(OSL)dating data of three boreholes in the Yellow River Delta(YRD),the positions of paleo-coastlines and the movements of RSL in the last 2000 years were reconstructed.The main results are as follows:1)the YRD coast transformed from a tide-dominated silty coast to a wave-dominated sandy coast and back to a tide-dominated silty coast in the last 2000 years.2)The sand layers consisting of shell fragments indicated the locations of the coastline in 1855 AD,893 AD,and 40 BC,and their top elevations were close to the mean high water level in the corresponding years.3)The mean sea level elevation in 79 BC,1019 AD,and 1800 AD relative to the modern sea level was -4.52,-4.52,and-2.92 m,respectively.4)The RSL was almost stagnant during 79 BC-1019 AD,rose slowly during 1019-1800 AD due to the reverse change of global climate from the Little Ice Age to the Medieval Warm Period,and rose significantly after 1800 AD due to the warm period.5)The movement of RSL controlled the surface slope of YRD,which was a slope of approximately 0.022‰ at 893 AD,an inverted slope of 0.144‰ at 1855 AD,and a slope of 0.075‰ recently.These findings indicate that the modern YRD is far from being abandoned in the future,providing a historical geomorphological basis for the management of the Yellow River Estuary.
基金supported by various grants from the Ministry of Education,Singapore,under its Academic Research#Tier 1[RG 142/22],#Tier 2[MOE-T2EP50222-0007],#Tier 3 Climate Transformation Programme[MOET32022-0006],NIE AcRF-RI 10/22 EP,NIE AcRF-RI 9/24 EPthe Earth Observatory of Singapore(EOS)via its funding from the National Research Foundation Singapore and the Singapore Ministry of Education under the Research Centres of Excellence initiative+1 种基金comprises EOS Contribution number 660supported by the Netherlands Science Foundation(NWO)Drowning Deltas project(NWO-Veni-TTW-2022 No 20231).
摘要Although the Vietnamese Mekong Delta(VMD) is recognised as one of the world's most vulnerable deltas, scholars have yet to provide an integrated diagnosis linking locally driven pressures to actionable pathways for halting its rapid elevation loss. The VMD-39,000 km2 that feeds 18 million people-is sinking because four pressures act in concert: upstream dams have already cut sediment delivery by 70 %–83 %(projected 96 % if all planned projects proceed), mean sea level is rising 1.5–2 cm/yr, river-bed sand mining now removes about 3 Mm3/yr and deepens channels by up to 15 cm/yr, and groundwater withdrawals of approximately 2.5 Mm3/day have accelerated landsurface subsidence from smaller than 3 cm/yr in 2006–2010 to peaks of 5–6 cm/yr today. Scenario modelling shows that halving pumping would stabilize aquifer heads and cut subsidence by about 50 % within a decade,while provincial sand-quota cuts of 30 %–50 % would slow bed incision and ease salinity intrusion, reducing the irrigation deficits that drive further pumping. While the large-scale causes of subsidence(dams, sea level rise, sand mining, groundwater extraction) are well recognized, actionable, local-level management solutions to immediately slow subsidence and salinity intrusion-independent of slow international negotiations-have been underexplored and under-implemented. Because dam and climate remedies rely on slow transboundary negotiations, we target the more practical local pressures-sand mining and groundwater extraction-by first tightening sand-mining licenses, enforcing tiered groundwater tariffs, and scaling up rain-and surface-water alternatives, buying time for longer-term basin and climate agreements. These locally actionable measures can significantly reduce subsidence and provide a scalable model for sustaining deltas around the world.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC-42206062,42330411,42206052).
摘要Holocene organic carbon(OC)burial in mega-deltas is considered to have played a crucial role in mod-ulating long-term atmospheric CO2 levels,but this role has likely been significantly altered by human activities during the Anthropocene.The absence of precise estimates for Holocene deltaic OC burial rates hinders a comprehensive understanding of carbon cycle evolution.This study,using data from 50 Holocene boreholes and 216 modern surface sediment samples,examines changes in OC sources and their controlling factors,and quantifies OC burial rates in the Yangtze Delta(YD)from the mid-Holocene to the Anthropocene.The results reveal three distinct stages of OC burial evolution.From 8 ka to 2 ka,the weakening East Asian Summer Monsoon reduced terrestrial OC contributions,but the YD maintained slow progradation and stable OC burial rates(~0.79 Mt/yr).After 2 ka,human activities emerged as the dominant driver,triggering a 78%increase in OC burial rates(1.40-1.44 Mt/yr).Following the impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam,the YD entered an erosion-driven destruction phase,with OC burial rates declining by 59%compared to pre-dam levels.Accounting for subaqueous delta erosion,the YD has shifted from a net OC burial system to a net OC source,contributing~0.81Mt/yr of OC to the Zhejiang-Fujian mud belt.These findings underscore the pivotal role of sediment burial rates in regulating OC sequestration in mega-deltas and highlight the global implications of human-altered sediment dynamics,suggesting that deltas worldwide may similarly transition from pos-itive and negative OC sequestration.
摘要大河三角洲是全球关键的有机碳汇区。为揭示其在自然和人类活动影响下的演变规律,本研究基于长江三角洲50个钻孔的年代学、沉积学和有机地球化学数据,系统重建了该区域中晚全新世(8 ka BP)以来的有机碳埋藏历史。研究发现,沉积物堆积速率是调控有机碳埋藏通量的核心驱动力,两者呈现出极强的正相关性(r2=0.87)。然而,有机碳埋藏通量与总有机碳含量之间存在显著解耦,后者在整个研究时段内始终维持在0.41%~0.52%的低值区间,这主要受碎屑稀释效应与粒度分选效应的共同制约。有机碳的来源则经历了清晰的阶段性演变:8~2 ka BP,物源变化主要受自然因素驱动,其中海平面上升(8~5 ka BP)和东亚夏季风减弱(5~4 ka BP)先后导致了陆源有机碳贡献比例的下降;自2 ka BP以来,人类活动成为主导因素,其通过改变流域产沙区和沉积物来源,深刻重塑了三角洲的有机地球化学信号。本研究揭示了长江三角洲碳汇功能从自然背景下的动态平衡到人类世以来被剧烈扰动的演化过程,为理解和预测全球变化背景下三角洲碳库的脆弱性提供了关键科学依据。