Characteristics and provenance implication of detrital minerals since Marine Isotope Stage 3 in Core SYS-0701 in the western South Huanghai Sea

The previous studies of the sedimentology and chronology of sediment core SYS-0701, which was recovered from the western South Huanghai Sea (Yellow Sea), have revealed the changes in the sea-level and sedimentary evolution during the late Quaternary in the region. The present study used mineralogical data from the section of the core deposited since Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3, to decipher the provenance of sediments of the paleo-delta deposited during MIS 3 and MIS 1. Based on the lithologic features and the variations with depth of the concentrations of carbonates and both heavy and light minerals in bulk samples, the upper part of Core SYS-0701 can be divided into three units designated DU1, DU4, and DU5, in accord with previously used terminology. Sub-units of units DU1 (DU1-1 and DU1-2) and DU4 (DU4-1 and DU4-2) have also been identified. DU1 was deposited during MIS 1, and DU4 and DU 5 were formed during MIS 3. All data pertaining to dominant heavy mineral assemblages, diagnostic minerals, ratios of diagnostic minerals, light mineral associations, textural maturities, and carbonate contents, indicate that the sediments of Core SYS-0701 are comparable with Huanghe River (Yellow River) sediments. Moreover, the mineralogy of the sediment evidenced its dependence on supply rates and hydrodynamic conditions. Weak hydrodynamics (DU5 and DU4-2) and/or low sediment supply (DU1-2) led to sediment containing less hornblende and epidote, with a large specific gravity and high content of flaky minerals, and vice versa in cases of strong hydrodynamics (DU4-1) and very large sediment supply (DU1-1).