Stratigraphic Evolution of the Huanghe Delta (Bohai Sea) since the Late Quaternary and Its Paleoenvironmental Implications: Evidence from Core ZK1

Key words: 
• Huanghe delta /
• Late Quaternary /
• sea-level change /
• stratigraphic evolution /
• Bohai Sea

Abstract: A 100-m-long sediment core (ZK1) from the modern Huanghe Delta (Bohai Sea) were analyzed to document the stratigraphy and sea-level changes since the Late Quaternary. Accelerator mass spectrometry ¹⁴C dating and analyses of benthic foraminifera, ostracods, and sedimentary characteristics were analyzed for Core ZK1. Seven depositional units (DU1 to DU7 in descending order) were identified and interpreted as follows: DU 7 corresponds to terrestrial facies in MIS 4; DU 6 and DU 4, to alternating terrestrial and marine facies in MIS 3; DU 3, to terrestrial facies in MIS 2; DU 2, to Holocene marine facies; and DU 1, to the modern Huanghe Delta sediments deposited since 1855. By correlation with other well-studied cores in the nearby area, three transgressive layers of Core ZK1 were in agreement with Bohai and Xianxian transgressions in MIS3, and Huanghua transgressions in MIS1. These sedimentary facies of Core ZK1 reflect several sea-level fluctuations since MIS4, which played a key role in controlling the sedimentary environments in the study area.