• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.23-35
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• 2015

A 450 m-long sediment section was recovered from Hole U1359D located at the eastern levee of the Jussieau submarine channel on the Wilkes Land continental rise (East Antarctica) during IODP Expedition 318. The age model for Hole U1359D was established by paleomagnetic stratigraphy and biostratigraphy, and the ages of core-top and core-bottom were estimated to be about 5 Ma and 13 Ma, respectively. Biogenic opal content during this period varied between 3% and 60%. In the Southern Ocean, high biogenic opal content generally represents warm climate characterized by the increased light availability due to the decrease of sea-ice distribution. The surface water productivity change in terms of biogenic opal content at about 10.2 Ma in the Wilkes Land continental rise was related to the development of Northern Component Water. After about 10.2 Ma, more production of Northern Component Water in the North Atlantic caused to increase heat transport to the Southern Ocean, resulting in the enhanced diatom production. Miocene isotope events (Mi4~Mi7), which are intermittent cooling intervals during the Miocene, appeared to be correlated to the low biogenic opal contents, but further refinement was required for precise correlation. Biogenic opal content decreased abruptly during 6 Ma to 5.5 Ma, which most likely corresponds to the Messinian salinity crisis. Short-term variation of biogenic opal content was related to the extent of sea-ice distribution associated with the location of Antarctic Polar Front that was controlled by glacial-interglacial paleoclimate change, although more precise dating and correlation will be necessary. Diatom production in the Wilkes Land continental rise increased during the interglacial periods because of the reduced sea-ice distribution and the southward movement of Antarctic Polar Front.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

Biogenic opal crash at about 6.7 Ma was identified at both IODP Site U1447 and NGHP Site 17 in the Andaman Sea. The different biogenic opal content and general variation pattern between two sites may be attributed to the different concentration of analytical reagent and sedimentation rate estimated by the different chronological approaches. Nevertheless, this study suggests that the biogenic opal crash in the Andaman Sea is closely related to the restriction of Indonesian Throughflow and to the decreasing strength of Indian summer monsoon during the late Miocene, both of which resulted in the reduction of nutrient supply.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.141-153
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• 2023

Biological pump processes generated by diatom production in the surface water of the Southern Ocean play an important role in exchanging CO₂ gas between the atmosphere and ocean. In this study, the biogenic opal content of the sediments was measured to elucidate the variation in the primary production of diatoms in the surface water of the Southern Ocean since the last glacial period. A piston core (COR-1bPC) was collected from the Conrad Rise, which is located in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. The sediments were mainly composed of siliceous ooze, and sediment lightness increased and magnetic susceptibility decreased in an upward direction. The biogenic opal content was low (38.9%) during the last glacial period and high (73.4%) during the Holocene, showing a similar variation to that of Antarctic ice core ΔT and CO₂ concentration. In addition, the variation of biogenic opal content in core COR-1bPC is consistent with previous results reported in the Antarctic Zone, south of the Antarctic Polar Front, in the Southern Ocean. The glacial-interglacial biogenic opal production was influenced by the extent of sea ice coverage and degree of water column stability. During the last glacial period, the diatom production was reduced due to the penetration of light being limited in the euphotic zone by the extended sea ice coverage caused by the lowered seawater temperature. In addition, the formation of a strong thermocline in more extensive areas of sea ice coverage led to stronger water column stability, resulting in reduced diatom production due to the reduction in the supply of nutrient-rich subsurface water caused by a decrease in upwelling intensity. Under such environmental circumstances, diatom productivity decreased in the Antarctic Zone during the last glacial period, but the biogenic opal content increased rapidly under warming conditions with the onset of deglaciation.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.249-261
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• 2020

This study details grain-size distributions (GSDs) of carbonate and biogenic opal fractions of the sediments retrieved from the South Korea Plateau in the East Sea and draws paleocanographic implications from them. The opal-fraction GSDs show fine modes of 10.3 ㎛ and coarse modes of 102.5 ㎛ on average. The fine-mode grains of opal fractions mainly consist of small diatoms and radiolarians including their broken frustules, while the coarse-mode grains are mostly comprised of large warm-water diatoms and radiolarians. Significant positive correlation between opal contents and abundances of the coarse-mode GSDs in the total GSDs suggests that the abundances of the coarse-mode GSDs were controlled by the increased surface productivity of warm-water diatoms during interglacial stages. The carbonate-fraction GSDs show fine modes of 2.4 ㎛ and coarse modes of 99.1 ㎛ on average. The fine-mode grains mainly consist of coccolithophores, while the coarse-mode grains are mostly comprised of intact or broken planktonic foraminifera. The abundances of coarse-mode and fine-mode GSDs were not correlated with carbonate contents, suggesting a complex control exerted by both the degree of carbonate dissolution and the productivity of coccolithophores on the carbonate-fraction GSDs.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.211-221
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• 2011

Contents of biogenic components [opal, $CaCO_3$, TOC (total organic carbon)] were measured in Core LHB-3PC sediments collected off Lutzow-Holm Bay, in order to understand glacial-interglacial cyclic variation of the high-latitude surface-water paleoproductivity, in the Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean. An age model was established from the correlation of ARM/IRM ratios of Core LHB-3PC with LR04 stack benthic ${\delta}^{18}O$ records, in complement with radiocarbon isotope ages and biostratigraphic Last Appearance Datum (LAD). The core-bottom age was estimated to be about 700 ka. Although the $CaCO_3$ content is very low less than 1.0% throughout the core, the opal and TOC contents show clear glacial-interglacial cyclic variation such that they are high during the interglacial periods (7.2-50.3% and 0.05-1.00%, respectively) and low during the glacial periods (5.2-25.2% and 0.01-0.68%, respectively). According to the spectral analysis, the variation of opal content is controlled mainly by eccentricity forcing and subsequently by obliquity forcing during the last 700 kyrs. The opal contents of Core LHB-3PC also represent the apparent Mid-Pleistocene Transition (MPT)-related climatic variation in the glacial-interglacial cycles. In particular, the orbital variation of the opal contents shows increasing amplitudes since marine isotope stage (MIS) 11, which defines one of the important paleoclimatic events during the late Quaternary, called the "Mid-Brunhes Event". Based on the variation of the opal contents in Core LHB-3PC, we suggest that the surface-water paleoproductivity in the Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean followed the orbital (glacial-interglacial) cycles, and was controlled mainly by the extent of sea ice distribution during the last 700 kyrs.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.395-400
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• 2001

A time-series sediment trap was deployed at 1,034 m water depth in the eastern Bransfield Strait from December 25, 1998 to December 24, 1999. About 99 % of total mass fluxes were observed during the austral summer and fall (January, February, and March). The annual total mass flux was $49.2g\;m^{-2}$. Biogenic materials including biogenic silica, organic matter, and carbonate accounted for about 67% of total particle flux, and lithogenic materials contributed about 29%. Biogenic silica was the most dominant (42% of the total flux) in these components. The next most important biogenic component was organic matter, comprising 24% of total mass flux. Calcium carbonate contributed a small fraction of total mass flux, only 0.6%. The annual organic carbon flux was $5.2g\;C\;m^{-2}$ at 1,034m water depth. The annual primary production was estimated to be $21.6g\;C\;m^{-2}$ at the sediment trap site, which seems to be highly underestimated. About 5.5% of the surface water production of organic carbon sinks below 1,034m water depth.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.167-176
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• 2005

A time-series sediment trap was deployed at 1,034 m water depth in the eastern Bransfield Strait for a complete year from December 25, 1998 to December 24, 1999. About 99% of total mass flux was trapped during an austral summer, showing distinct seasonal variation. Biogenic particles (biogenic opal, particulate organic carbon, and calcium carbonate) account for about two thirds of annual total mass flux $(49.2\;g\;m^{-2})$, among which biogenic opal flux is the most dominant (42% of the total flux). A positive relationship (except January) between biogenic opal and total organic carbon fluxes suggests that these two variables were coupled, due to the surface-water production (mainly diatoms). The relatively low $\delta^{13}C$ values of settling particles result from effects on C-fixation processes at low temperature and the high $CO_2$ availability to phytoplankton. The correspondingly low $\delta^{l5}N$ values are due to intense and steady input of nitrates into surface waters, reflecting an unlikely nitrate isotope fractionation by degree of surface-water production. The $\delta^{l5}N$ and $\delta^{l3}C$ values of sinking particles increased from the beginning to the end of a presumed phytoplankton bloom, except for anomalous $\delta^{l5}N$ values. Krill and the zooplankton fecal pellets, the most important carriers of sinking particles, may have contributed gradually to the increasing $\delta^{l3}C$ values towards the unproductive period through the biomodification of the $\delta^{l3}C$ values in the food web, respiring preferentially and selectively $^{12}C$ atoms. Correspondingly, the increasing $\delta^{l5}N$ values in the intermediate-water trap are likely associated with a switch in source from diatom aggregates to some remains of zooplankton, because organic matter dominated by diatom may be more liable and prone to remineralization, leading to greater isotopic alteration. In particular, the tendency for abnormally high $\delta^{l5}N$ values in February seems to be enigmatic. A specific species dominancy during the production may be suggested as a possible and speculative reason.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.195-207
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• 2016

Because the high latitude region in the North Pacific is characterized by high primary production in the surface water enriched with nutrients, it is important to understand the variation of surface water productivity and associated nutrient variability in terms of global carbon cycle. Surface water productivity change or its related nutrient utilization rate during the Northern Hemisphere Glaciation (NHG; ca. 2.73 Ma) has been reported, but little is known about such circumstances under gradual climate cooling since the NHG. Bulk nitrogen isotope (${\delta}^{15}N_{bulk}$) of sedimentary organic matter has been used for the reconstruction of nutrient utilization rate in the surface water. However, sedimentary organic matter experiences diagenesis incessantly during sinking through the water column and after burial within the sediments. Thus, in this study we examine the degree of nitrate utilization rate during the early Pleistocene (2.4-1.25 Ma) since the NHG, using the diatom-bound nitrogen isotope (${\delta}^{15}N_{db}$), which is known to be little influenced by diagenesis, from Site U1343 in the Bering slope area. ${\delta}^{15}N_{db}$ values range from ~0.5 to 5.5‰, which is lower than ${\delta}^{15}N_{bulk}$ values, but they vary with larger amplitude. Variation patterns between ${\delta}^{15}N_{db}$ values and biogenic opal concentration are generally consistent, which indicates that the nitrate utilization rate is closely related to opal productivity change in the surface water. A positive correlation between opal productivity and nitrate utilization rate was observed, which is different from the other high latitude regions in the North Pacific. The main reason for this contrasting relationship is that the primary production in the surface water at Site U1343 is influenced mostly by the degree of sea ice formation. Still, although concerns about diagenetic alteration have been avoided by using ${\delta}^{15}N_{db}$, the effects of the preservation state of biogenic opal and the species-dependent isotopic fractionation on ${\delta}^{15}N_{db}$ should be assessed in the future studies.

• Journal of the korean society of oceanography
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.98-108
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• 2000

A geochemical study on a hemipelagic core sediment taken from the northwest Pacific Ocean (eastern edge of the Shikoku Basin) was conducted to use of excess barium (Ba(ex)) for evaluate the paleoceano-graphic changes. Also, the excursion of sedimentary Ba(ex) was compared with those of biogenic opal, carbonate and organic carbon content in the sediment during the last glacial and interglacial periods. The calculated Ba(ex) derived from the major and minor element shows a distinctive glacial-interglacial variations, and the mass accumulation rate (MAR) of Ba(ex) shows coincident variations with the MARs of biogenic fractions. Especially, strong positive correlation (r$^2$=0.85) between the MAR of Ba(ex) and the MAR of biogenic carbonate is recognized. Based on the strong positive correlation(r$^2$=0.85) between the MAR of Ba(ex) and the MAR of carbonate content, we estimated the degree of carbonate dissolution rate during the glacial and interglacial periods. Assuming the proportional variation and the refractory nature of barium exist between two factors, the variation of index Ca/Ba ratio in sediment indicates the degree of carbonate dissolution. Sedimentary Ca/Ba ratios index clearly show a striking fluctuation between the glacial and interglacial periods with higher positive correlation during glacial and lower correlation during interglacial. This fact indicates enhanced carbonate dissolution during interglacial period. Thus, the sedimentary Ca/Ba ratio in sedimentary records can be used as one of the useful tools for estimation of the relative degree of carbonate dissolution. The excursion of Ba(ex) and the sedimentary Ca/Ba ratio follows the typical pacific carbonate dissolution type(enhanced dissolution during interglacial and reduced dissolution during glacial time) as suggested by previous work (e.g., Wu et al., 1990). Variation in sedimentary Ca/Ba ratio thus strongly supports that glacial-interglacial fluctuation in carbonate dissolution has been prevailed in the northwest Pacific Ocean.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.134-144
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• 2009

Paleoproductivity changes in the central part of the Bering Sea since the last glacial period were reconstructed by analyzing opal and total organic carbon (TOC) content and their mass accumulation rate (MAR) in sediment core PC23A. Ages of the sediment were determined by both AMS $^{14}C$ dates using planktonic foraminifera and Last Appearance Datum of radiolaria (L. nipponica sakaii). The core-bottom age was calculated to reach back to 61,000 yr BP. and some of core-top was missing. Opal and TOC contents during the last glacial period varied in a range of 1-10% and 0.2-1.0%, and their average values are 5% and 0.7%, respectively. In contrast, during the last deglaciation, opal and TOC contents varied from 5 to 22% and from 0.8 to 1.2%, respectively, with increasing average values of 8% and 1.0%. Opal and TOC MAR were low ($1gcm^{-2}kyr^{-1}$, $0.2gcm^{-2}kyr^{-1}$) during the last glacial period, but they increased (>5 and >$1gcm^{-2}kyr^{-1}$) during the last deglaciation. High diatom productivity during the last deglaciation was most likely attributed to the elevated nutrient supply to the sea surface resulting from increased melt water input from the nearby land and enhanced Alaskan Stream injection from the south under the restricted sea-ice and warm condition during the rising sea level. On the contrary, low productivity during the last glacial period was mainly due to decreased Alaskan Stream injection during the low sea-level condition as well as to extensive development of sea ice under low-temperature seawater and cold environment.