Paleoenvironmental changes of the Yellow Sea during the Late Quaternary

Abstract

Based on stable isotope data and carbon and sulfur elemental analyses, the sedimentary environment of the Yellow Sea was significantly influenced by the sea level changes during the Late Quaternary. At the low sea level stand when the sea level was lower by 56 m, the salinity of seawater was reduced to about 7.6 parts per thousand, and the sedimentation rate in the central part of the Yellow Sea was three times higher than the present rate. The high C/S ratio during the low sea level stand is strong evidence that sedimentation took place in a lower salinity environment than exists at present.