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ORGANIC GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SURFACE SEDIMENTS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT IN PRYDZ BAY, ANTARCTICA

Zhao Jun1,2, Yu Peisong1,2, Han Zhengbing1,2, Hu Chuanyu1,2, Pan Jianming1,2   

  1. 1Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, SOA, Hangzhou 310012, China; 2Second Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Hangzhou 310012, China
  • Online:2014-03-30 Published:2014-03-30

Abstract: Multiple biomarkers has been analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography – mass spectrum on surface sediments collected from 5 stations in Prydz Bay, East Antarctica, and its implication on ecology and environment has been discussed. The results showed that the concentration of total lipids was highest in the center area of Prydz Bay (1193 µg/g), follow by Amery Ice Shelf area (572 µg/g), and lowest in slope area (341 µg/g). It was significantly positive correlated with sedimentary organic carbon, total neutral monosaccharides, biogenic silica, brassicasterol, and chlorophyll a concentrations in surface sea water (p < 0.1), and indicated that organic matter preserved in surface sediment was mainly from marine phytoplankton. The significantly negative correlation of relative concentrations between C27 and C28 steranes showed the food chain between Euphausia crystallorophias and diatoms. The relative high ratio of saturated hydrocarbons : arenes (> 2.5), low ratios of Pr/C17 (< 0.5) and Pr/Ph (< 2) inferred the sedimentary organic matter was largely contributed by diatoms. Meanwhile, the double peak of saturated hydrocarbons (C17 or C18, C29) and relative high concentration of C29 steranes (35.79%) showed terrestrial vascular plants input, and it was higher in the center area of Prydz Bay (CPI = 1.60, Pr/Ph = 1.01) than the slope area and Amery Ice Shelf area (CPI = 0.69, Pr/Ph = 0.39). The ratio of C18:2/C18:0 for fatty acids was higher in sediment collected from the center area and Amery Ice Shelf area of Prydz Bay (0.78) than that from slope area of Prydz Bay (0.23) and lower latitude regions (< 0.1), and indicated that during austral summer, the surface sea temperature was higher in slope area of Prydz Bay than center area of Prydz Bay and Amery Ice Shelf area.

Key words: Prydz Bay, biomarker, surface sediment, ecology and environment