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To investigate the evolution of sediment provenances and transport processes in the central Bay of Bengal (BoB) since the Last Glacial Maximum, we present a comprehensive study on the grain size, clay minerals, rare earth elements, and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS)14C analyses of the core BoB-24 sediments. Six AMS14C dates were obtained from planktonic foraminiferal Neogloboquedrina dutertrei (N. dutertrei) extracted from the core to reconstruct a reliable age model. The assemblage of clay minerals and the (La/Yb)UCC–δEu relationship indicated that the core contained a mixture of sediments from the Himalayas and Indian Peninsula. These results showed that the Himalayas were the main source of erosional materials during 25–6.5 ka BP, whereas those from the Indian Peninsula increased since the mid-Holocene. Between 25 ka BP and 12 ka BP, the sea level was relatively low, and a large amount of terrigenous detrital material were directly transported from the Himalayas and the Tibet Plateau to the study area by submarine canyons, forming a deposition center on the Bengal Fan. Between 12 ka BP and 6.5 ka BP, the sea level gradually rose and the Indian summer monsoon gradually strengthened, whereas the sedimentation rate and the amount of material transported from the Ganges–Brahmaputra River decreased greatly; the deposition center transferred from the Bengal Fan to the shelf of the BoB. Since 6.5 ka BP, the sea level has risen, reaching its present position. A high sea level and a strengthened East Indian Coastal Current resulted in an increase of material contribution from India, while the deposition center was on the shelf of the BoB. Overall, this study confirmed that both sea level fluctuations and variations of the Indian summer monsoon controlled the evolution of sediment provenances in the central BoB and transfer of the deposition center from the Bengal Fan to the continental shelf. This typical sedimentary pattern observed in the northeastern Indian Ocean improves our general understanding of past land–sea interactions.

Background Immunogenic cell death (ICD), as a form of regulated cell death, demonstrates promising roles in immunogenic tumor microenvironment. However, the expression and roles of ICD-related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in COAD were largely unknown. Methods RNA-sequencing data and clinical data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A list of 34 immunogenic cell death-related genes was retrieved from published literatures. ICD-related lncRNAs were retrieved using R language and Perl software. Univariate and multivariate cox analyses were used to construct an ICD-related lncRNA risk model. The performance of thissignature was validated using Kaplan-Meier curve and receiver operating curve (ROC). The immune landscape of the risk signature was revealed by analyzing the correlations with immune cells infiltration, immune function, immune checkpoint inhibitors. Correlations with RNA stemness score (RNAss) were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient. Correlation with m6A regulators was investigated using Wilcoxon test. Moreover, expression and survival analysis of the risk lncRNAs were revealed based on TCGA database. Results We identified 23 ICD-related lncRNAs with prognostic values to construct a risk model. The risk model demonstrated good performance in predicting survival. The area under curve (AUC) of the ROC curve at 1-, 2- and 3-year were 0.684, 0.715, and 0.747, respectively. Further univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the risk score was an independent prognosis factor. Further validation showed that there were significant differences in immune cells infiltration, immune functions, and immune checkpoint inhibitor expression between high- and low-risk groups. In addition, there was negative correlation between the risk signature and RNAss, and there was difference in the expression of m6A regulators in high- and low-risk groups. A nomogram including the risk score also demonstrating significant prognostic value. Moreover, upregulated expression of MIR4435-2HG, LINC02257, AL161729.4, AC007128.1 and AP001619.1 predicted poor overall survival in COAD. Conclusions We established an ICD-related lncRNA signature for the overall survival of COAD, which demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity. The correlations between ICD-related lncRNAs and tumor immune microenvironment still need to be further investigated.

FGF16 is implicated in the progression of some specific types of cancers, such as embryonic carcinoma, ovarian cancer, and liver cancer. Yet, the function of FGF16 in the development of lung cancer remains largely unexplored. In this study, we present the novel function of FGF16 and the regulation of miR-520b on FGF16 in lung cancer progression. In clinical lung cancer tissues, FGF16 is overexpressed and its high level is negatively associated with the low level of miR-520b. Furthermore, both the transcription and translation levels of FGF16 are restrained by miR-520b in lung cancer cells. For the regulatory mechanism investigation, miR-520b is able to directly bind to the 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR) of FGF16 mRNA, leading to its mRNA cleavage in the cells. Functionally, miR-520b reduces the growth of lung cancer and its inhibitor anti-miR520b is able to promote the growth through competing endogenous miR-520b. Moreover, FGF16 silence using RNA interference is capable of doing great damage to anti-miR-520b-accelerated growth of lung cancer. Thus, our finding indicates that FGF16 is a new target gene of miR-520b in lung cancer. For lung cancer, FGF16 may serve as a novel biomarker and miR-520b/FGF16 may be useful in clinical treatment.

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has widely spread all over the world since the beginning of 2020. It is desirable to develop automatic and accurate detection of COVID-19 using chest CT. Purpose To develop a fully automatic framework to detect COVID-19 using chest CT and evaluate its performance. Materials and Methods In this retrospective and multicenter study, a deep learning model, the COVID-19 detection neural network (COVNet), was developed to extract visual features from volumetric chest CT scans for the detection of COVID-19. CT scans of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and other non-pneumonia abnormalities were included to test the robustness of the model. The datasets were collected from six hospitals between August 2016 and February 2020. Diagnostic performance was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity. Results The collected dataset consisted of 4352 chest CT scans from 3322 patients. The average patient age (±standard deviation) was 49 years ± 15, and there were slightly more men than women (1838 vs 1484, respectively; P = .29). The per-scan sensitivity and specificity for detecting COVID-19 in the independent test set was 90% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 83%, 94%; 114 of 127 scans) and 96% (95% CI: 93%, 98%; 294 of 307 scans), respectively, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.96 (P < .001). The per-scan sensitivity and specificity for detecting CAP in the independent test set was 87% (152 of 175 scans) and 92% (239 of 259 scans), respectively, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93, 0.97). Conclusion A deep learning model can accurately detect coronavirus 2019 and differentiate it from community-acquired pneumonia and other lung conditions. © RSNA, 2020 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Aim: CC chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) interacts with its exclusive ligand CCL25, resulting in promoting tumor progression and metastasis. However, the effect and mechanisms of CCR9 on lung adenocarcinoma distant metastasis remain largely unknown. To preliminary clarify the underlying mechanisms, we investigate the correlation between CCR9 and ALDH1A1+cancer stem cells (CSCs), as well as the effect of CCR9 on the migration and invasion of CSCs. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of CCR9 in lung adenocarcinoma tissues. The correlations of CCR9 with distant metastasis and overall survival were investigated. Serial paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were used to detect ALDH1A1+CSCs expression. The correlations between CCR9 expression and ALDH1A1+CSCs were evaluated. We further studied the effect of CCR9/CCL25 on the migration and invasion of CSCs using transwell assays. Results: There were positive correlations between CCR9 expression and distant metastasis, as well as poor overall survival. Patients with high CCR9 expression were more likely to develop distant metastasis and demonstrated poorer overall survival than patients with low CCR9 expression. In addition, there was positive correlation between the expression of CCR9 and ALDH1A1 in the same tumor microenvironment. ALDHhigh CSCs demonstrated enhanced expression of CCR9 than ALDHlow cells. Further transwell assays demonstrated that the numbers of CSCs migrated or invaded in response to CCL25 were more than that without CCL25 stimulation. Additional application of anti-CCR9 antibody reversed the CCL25-induced migration and invasion of CSCs. Conclusions: In summary, our study demonstrated that CCR9/CCL25 promoted the migration and invasion of CSCs, which might contribute to distant metastasis and poor overall survival. Our findings provided evidence that CCR9/CCL25 could be used as novel therapeutic targets for lung adenocarcinoma.

Lymphoma is a malignant disease of the hematopoietic system that typically affects B cells. The up-regulation of miR-148b is associated with radiosensitization in B-cell lymphoma (BCL). This study aimed to explore the role of miR-148b in regulating the radiosensitivity of BCL cells and to investigate the underlying mechanism. miR-148b directly targeted Bcl-w, decreased the cell viability and colony formation, while promoted apoptosis, in irradiated BCL cells. These changes were accompanied by decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome C, increased levels of the cleaved caspase 9 and caspase 3, and increased expression of other proteins related to the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. These effects of miR-148b were effectively inhibited by Bcl-w. In addition, miR-148b inhibited the growth of tumors in nude mice implanted with xenografts of irradiated Raji cells. In patients with BCL, levels of miR-148b were downregulated, while levels of Bcl-w were upregulated; a significant negative correlation between levels of miR-148b and Bcl-w was confirmed. Taken together, these experiments showed that miR-148b promoted radiation-induced apoptosis in BCL cells by targeting anti-apoptotic Bcl-w. miR-148b might be used as a marker to predict the radiosensitivity of BCL.

Abundant ferromanganese oxide deposits were recovered from the Chukchi Sea in the Arctic Ocean during the 7th Chinese Arctic Scientific Expedition in August 2016. Representative samples were collected to perform a mineralogical and geochemical analysis and elucidate their origin. Their mineral phases consist of todorokite, buserite, and birnessite, along with a small quantity of detrital minerals (quartz, feldspar, serpentine, kaolinite, and illite). Their elemental composition is rich in Ni and Mn compared to ferromanganese oxide deposits from other locations in the Chukchi Sea. The total rare earth element (REE) concentration varied from 138.95 to 207.23 μg/g with an average of 164.75 μg/g. The post-Archean Australian shale–normalized REE patterns have a slightly negative Ce anomaly and a positive Eu anomaly. The comprehensive geochemical and mineral data show that they have a mixed hydrothermal and diagenetic origin.

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSCC), as the major type of lung cancer, has high morbidity and mortality rates. The prognostic markers for LUSCC are much fewer than lung adenocarcinoma. Besides, protein biomarkers have advantages of economy, accuracy and stability. The aim of this study was to construct a protein prognostic model for LUSCC. The protein expression data of LUSCC were downloaded from The Cancer Protein Atlas (TCPA) database. Clinical data of LUSCC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A total of 237 proteins were identified from 325 cases of LUSCC patients based on the TCPA and TCGA database. According to Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, a prognostic prediction model was established which was consisted of 6 proteins (CHK1_pS345, CHK2, IRS1, PAXILLIN, BRCA2 and BRAF_pS445). After calculating the risk values of each patient according to the coefficient of each protein in the risk model, the LUSCC patients were divided into high risk group and low risk group. The survival analysis demonstrated that there was significant difference between these two groups (p= 4.877e-05). The area under the curve (AUC) value of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.699, which suggesting that the prognostic risk model could effectively predict the survival of LUSCC patients. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that this prognostic model could be used as independent prognosis factors for LUSCC patients. Proteins co-expression analysis showed that there were 21 proteins co-expressed with the proteins in the risk model. In conclusion, our study constructed a protein prognostic model, which could effectively predict the prognosis of LUSCC patients.

BackgroundRenal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by a large number of somatic mutations and genomic instability. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely involved in the expression of genomic instability in renal cell carcinoma. But no studies have identified the genome instability-related lncRNAs (GInLncRNAs) and their clinical significances in RCC.MethodsClinical data, gene expression data and mutation data of 943 RCC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Based on the mutation data and lncRNA expression data, GInLncRNAs were screened out. Co-expression analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were conducted to explore their potential functions and related signaling pathways. A prognosis model was further constructed based on genome instability-related lncRNAs signature (GInLncSig). And the efficiency of the model was verified by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The relationships between the model and clinical information, prognosis, mutation number and gene expression were analyzed using correlation prognostic analysis. Finally, the prognostic model was verified in clinical stratification according to TCGA dataset.ResultsA total of 45 GInLncRNAs were screened out. Functional analysis showed that the functional genes of these GInLncRNAs were mainly enriched in chromosome and nucleoplasmic components, DNA binding in molecular function, transcription and complex anabolism in biological processes. Univariate and Multivariate Cox analyses further screened out 11 GInLncSig to construct a prognostic model (AL031123.1, AC114803.1, AC103563.7, AL031710.1, LINC00460, AC156455.1, AC015977.2, ‘PRDM16-dt’, AL139351.1, AL035661.1 and LINC01606), and the coefficient of each GInLncSig in the model was calculated. The area under the curve (AUC) value of the ROC curve was 0.770. Independent analysis of the model showed that the GInLncSig model was significantly correlated with the RCC patients’ overall survival. Furthermore, the GInLncSig model still had prognostic value in different subgroups of RCC patients.ConclusionOur study preliminarily explored the relationship between genomic instability, lncRNA and clinical characteristics of RCC patients, and constructed a GInLncSig model consisted of 11 GInLncSig to predict the prognosis of patients with RCC. At the same time, our study provided theoretical support for the exploration of the formation and development of RCC.

Background:The expression and biological roles of a novel lncRNA HOXC-AS3 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC) are largely unknown.Methods:LncRNA HOXC-AS3 was identified from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Real time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate the expression of HOXC-AS3 in 68 pairs of CESC tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the significance of HOXC-AS3 in predicting overall survival (OS). Correlations between HOXC-AS3 expression and clinicopathological parameters were assessed using Chi-square test. The biological functions of HOXC-AS3 in CESC were investigated using loss-of and gain-of function assays, which including cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism was revealed using bioinformatics prediction, qRT-PCR and western blot.Results:HOXC-AS3 expression was significantly up-regulated in CESC tumor tissues. Up-regulated HOXC-AS3 expression was correlated with advanced stage and poor OS. Over-expression of HOXC-AS3 promoted tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Conversely, HOXC-AS3 knockdown significantly inhibited these effects. Subcellular fractionation analysis revealed that HOXC-AS3 was mainly localized in cell nuclei. Further mechanistic analyses demonstrated that HOXC-AS3 down-regulated the expression of FBXL17. The promotive effects of HOXC-AS3 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion could be repressed by FBXL17. Moreover, HOXC-AS3 activated the EMT process to promote the progression of CESC. Conclusion:In conclusion, our study indicated that HOXC-AS3 acted as an oncogenic lncRNA in CESC through downregulating FBXL17 expression and activating EMT process.

Aim The human ubiquitination factor E4B (UBE4B) gene is frequently amplified in some solid cancers. However, the role of UBE4B in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not yet been investigated. Methods Firstly, we analyzed the expression of UBE4B in NPC samples using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis. After knocking down UBE4B using small interfering RNA technology, the functions of UBE4B on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle, as well as underlying mechanism, were investigated. Results Compared with matched adjacent non-tumor tissues, both protein and mRNA levels of UBE4B were much higher in most NPC cancerous specimens. Deficiency of UBE4B could significantly inhibit tumor cell growth and induce cell apoptosis. Knocking down UBE4B could promote the expression of cleaved caspase3 and p53, and inhibition of caspase3 could prevent cell apoptosis induced by the deficiency of UBE4B. Conclusion These results indicate that expression of UBE4B was higher in most NPC tissues compared to adjacent non-tumoral tissues, and that knockdown of UBE4B inhibited the cell growth and induced apoptosis in NPC cells. This process was regulated by the activation of caspase3 and p53. Thus, UBE4B gene might act as a potential molecular target to develop novel strategy for NPC patients.

Background MicroRNA-148b (miR-148b) has been detected in various types of tumors, and is generally viewed as a tumor suppressor. Our previous study found the decreased expression of miR-148b in human non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens and cell lines. However, the underlying mechanisms of miR-148b in regulating tumor progression remain unclear. Methods Firstly animal experiments were performed to verify whether miR-148b could inhibit the tumor growth. Then, the underlying mechanisms were studied by transfecting recombinant plasmids containing a miR-148b mimic or a negative control (NC) mimic (shRNA control) into NSCLC cell lines PC14/B and A549 cells. Tumor cells transfected with unpackaged lentiviral vectors was used as blank control. Cell proliferation capabilities were measured by using CCK-8 kit and colony formation assay. Cell cycle arrest was compared to clarify the mechanism underlying the tumor cell proliferation. Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection kit was applied to investigate the effect of miR-148b on cell apoptosis. Furthermore, western blot analysis were performed to study the targeting pathway. Results We found that over-expression of miR148b could significantly inhibit tumor growth, while knocking down miR148b could obviously promote tumor growth. Further experiment showed that miR-148b inhibited tumor cell proliferation. Besides, over-expression of miR148b decreased the G2/M phase population of the cell cycle by preventing NSCLC cells from entering the mitotic phase and enhanced tumor cell apoptosis. Further western blot analysis indicated that miR148b could inhibit mitogen-activated protein kinase/Jun N-terminal kinase (MAPK/JNK) signaling by decreasing the expression of phosphorylated (p) JNK. Conclusions These results demonstrate that miR-148b could inhibit the tumor growth and act as tumor suppressor by inhibiting the proliferation and inducing apoptosis of NSCLC cells by blocking the MAPK/JNK pathway.

Highlights • NSE expression was positively correlated with distant metastasis of SCLC. • NSE promotes migration, invasion and EMT process of SCLC cells. • Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is activated in the NSE-overexpressing SCLC cells. • NSE interacts with β-catenin and inhibits the degradation of β-catenin., Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) has been used as a specific biomarker for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. Nevertheless, the biological function and mechanism of NSE in SCLC are still unclear. In this study, we clarified the role of NSE in the progression of SCLC and found that NSE expression was positively correlated with distant metastasis. Functional analysis showed that overexpression of NSE promoted migration and invasion of SCLC cells. Mechanism analysis showed that NSE overexpression induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of SCLC cells. Moreover, overexpression of NSE increased the protein expression of β-catenin and its downstream target genes, and silencing β-catenin eliminated NSE-mediated cell migration, invasion and EMT process. Furthermore, NSE interacted with β-catenin and inhibited the degradation of β-catenin. Besides, the animal experiments also indicated that NSE could promote the EMT process and distant metastasis of SCLC cells in vivo. In summary, our results revealed that NSE could promote the EMT process of SCLC cells by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby promoting cell migration, invasion and distant metastasis, which might serve as a potential target for the therapy of SCLC patients.

BackgroundNeuron-specific enolase (NSE) has been used as a specific biomarker for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. Nevertheless, the biological function and mechanism of NSE in SCLC are still unclear. MethodsWe conducted an investigation in SCLC patients and then analyzed the association between NSE concentration and the distant metastasis. The migration and invasion were analyzed using Wound-healing and Transwell assays. The proteins and mRNA levels were measured by western blot and qRT-PCR. Furthermore, we conducted Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) to explore potential signaling pathways. The interaction between NSE and β-catenin was verified through CO-IP experiments. In addition, animal experiments were performed in tumor metastasis models of nude mice.ResultIn this study, we clarified the role of NSE in the progression of SCLC and found that NSE expression was positively correlated with distant metastasis. Functional analysis showed that overexpression of NSE promoted migration, invasion and metastasis of SCLC cells, while knocking down NSE inhibited these effects. Mechanism analysis showed that NSE overexpression induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of SCLC cells, while knocking down NSE inhibited this effect. Moreover, overexpression of NSE increased the protein expression of β-catenin and its downstream target genes, and silencing β-catenin eliminated NSE-mediated cell migration, invasion and EMT process. Furthermore, NSE interacted with β-catenin and inhibited the degradation of β-catenin. Besides, the animal experiments also indicated that NSE could promote the EMT process and tumor distant metastasis of SCLC cells by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway in vivo.ConclusionOur results revealed that NSE could promote EMT process of SCLC cells by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby promoting migration, invasion and distant metastasis, which might serve as a potential target for the therapy of SCLC patients.

We present a paleoclimatic reconstruction for the Holocene by clay mineral analyses of sediments from core MZ02 retrieved from the mud area of the inner continental shelf of the East China Sea (ECS). The clay minerals mainly consist of illite (66%-79%) and chlorite (12%-19%), with minor kaolinite (7%-13%) and smectite (0-6%). Provenance analysis suggests that the illite-dominated clay minerals were derived mainly from the detrital outputs of the Changjiang, Minjiang, and small rivers from Taiwan Island. Our study indicates that the sea level rise since the last glacial, the strength of the Taiwan Warm Current (TWC) and Chinese Coastal Current (CCC) have controlled the dispersal and deposition of clay minerals on the ECS, that in turn determined the clay mineral compositions in the core sediments. During 13,000-9500 BP, due to the lower sea level and shorter distance between these three estuaries and core MZ02, fine sediments on the inner shelf of the ECS were primarily supplied by mixed provenances from the Changjiang, Taiwanese, and Minjiang rivers. During the early Holocene (9500-6200 BP), stronger sediment reworking and erosion at the shelf edge was responsible for the increased lateral transport of fine sediments in the ECS, which lead to a dominance of the sediment source from the Changjiang, while the Taiwanese and Minjiang rivers only provided minor components of detrital sediment to the shelf. Increased strength of TWC might have played an important role in the sediment dispersal and deposition on the inner shelf of the ECS during 6200-2400 BP, with a dominance of more than 60% sediments transported from Taiwanese rivers. Furthermore, our study implies that the Asian monsoon and the weakening of TWC were linked to the abrupt increase of Changjiang and Minjiang derived terrigenous detritus materials since 2400 BP. AcknowledgmentsThis work was supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China (No.41106063), Science and Technology Basic Special Program of China (No.2008FY220300), Marine Public Welfare Research Project of China (No.200805063), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No.20100481304) and Coastal Investigation and Research Project of China (No. 908-01-CJ12).

This study investigated the late Quaternary sedimentary evolution of the outer shelf of the East China Sea (ECS) using borehole core data (DH02). Three unconformity-bounded sedimentary facies, namely, prodelta facies of marine isotopic stage (MIS) 3, intertidal to subtidal flat facies of the deglacial period, and offshore tidal sand ridge facies of the Holocene, were identified from the base upward according to combined evidence of lithology, microfossil assemblages, and geochronology. Through comparative analysis with other neighboring borehole cores, these three facies, along with the MIS 3 nearshore facies and the last glacial maximum (LGM) river facies, were found to constitute the late Quaternary sediment strata. Sedimentary processes of these five facies were interpreted based on a synthetic consideration of sea-level change, climate variation, paleotopographic setting, and paleoriver-sea interactions. In particular, the development of the delta was attributable to integration of the slow sea-level decline during the later stage of the MIS 3 and abundant sediment supply resulting from the warm-wet climate. The gentle shelf topography suggests the presence of shallow and wide rivers in the delta, and the lateral shift of river channels might have induced the local formation of nearshore facies at the abandoned river mouth. The LGM river facies, which was rarely observed (presumably due to marine erosion with deglacial transgression), was inferred to have been deposited during the latter half of the LGM in response to the rise in river base level. Occurrences of tidal flat facies imply the formation of a tide-dominated estuary with the deglacial transgression. Furthermore, tidal flat sediments were reworked by enhanced tidal currents in the estuary front environment, forming mud ridges during subsequent deglacial transgression. Formation of tidal sand ridges in offshore environments of the Holocene was attributable to the uneven base caused by the underlying estuarine erosion mud ridges, and this promoted the occurrence of tidal depositional processes. The sedimentary evolution in association with sea-level change was constructed using the above-mentioned results. Overall, this study systematically elucidates the late Quaternary sedimentary processes and evolution of the outer ECS shelf, and provides an insight into the sedimentary development of analogous shelves around the world.

Grain size, clay mineralogy, 87Sr/86Sr, eNd, and AMS14C analyses of deep-sea sediments cored in the central Bay of Bengal are used to reconstruct the evolution of provenances and climate control since the last glacial period. Clay minerals, 87Sr/86Sr ratios and eNd values indicate a mixture of sediment from the Himalaya source, Indian Peninsula and Indo-Burman Ranges/Irrawaddy River. These analyses show that the Himalaya Mountains and Indo-Burman Ranges/Irrawaddy River are the main suppliers before the Holocene period, while the inputs of erosion materials from the Indo-Gangetic floodplain and the Indian Peninsula increase during the Holocene period, accompanied by reduced inputs of the Indo-Burman Ranges and Irrawaddy sediments. The regional “source-sink” process is significantly controlled by the climate. Warm and wet climate conditions and enhanced Indian monsoon intensity during the Holocene period are responsible for the increase of sediment input from the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the Indian Peninsula by improving erosion in the source area, input from the floodplain to the river channel and the intensity of the southwest monsoon current. In contrast, due to the decrease of the northeast monsoon current during the Holocene period, sediment input from the Irrawaddy and Indo-Burman Ranges are constrained. Deposition center transition between the submarine fan and shelf during the last glacial period and the Holocene period occurs in response to the sea level change, which controls the sedimentary mode and thus significantly influences the transportation and deposition processes in the Bay of Bengal (BoB).

Seismic profiles integrated with borehole cores from offshore of the Yangtze River Delta characterize three distinctive Holocene deposition units in correspondence to estuarine, shallow marine and prodelta facies respectively (Units Ⅰ to Ⅲ). Sedimentary processes and evolution of three units in response to sea-level rise and Yangtze delta development was studied. Estuarine facies occurred as a cluster of mud ridges (unit Ⅰ) was considered to be formed during the later stage of the period ∼10-8 cal ka BP with the prevalence of tidal erosion processes. At the same time however, the area south of the ridge field experienced rapid deposition, possibly due to shelter effects of the Zhoushan Archipelago. Unit Ⅱ, characterized by homogeneous mud composition, rapid accumulation rates and a seaward dipping structure, indicated a gravity flow deposition most likely related to the wave and/or tidal current induced fluid mudflows during the period of ∼ 8-5 cal ka BP. Intrusion of a mud diapir during ∼5-3 cal ka BP related to gravity subsidence localized near the river mouth, lead to deformation of unit Ⅱ. During the ∼3 ka to present, the delta advanced to the study area, depositing subaqueous clinoform (unit Ⅲ). Meanwhile, erosional processes dominated by tidal currents were promoted by the southeastward progradation of the delta. Sediments deposited in the north of the area were transformed into tidal sand ridges. We predict that the delta will likely reduce in area with a further progradation in the recent future.

Kongsfjorden is a typical fjord on the edge of the ice cap of the Arctic Svalbard-Barents Sea. Its inner bay is connected with a modern glacier front along the direction of the fjord axis with a significant gradient change in the parameters of hydrology, sedimentation, and biology. In summer, ice and snow melt-water and floating ice collapse continuously and thus transport the weathering products on the surrounding land into the sea. Thus Kongsfjorden is regards as a natural laboratory for the study of unique sedimentation in polar fjords under modern glacial-sea water conditions. In this study, fifty-two surface sediments were collected in Kongsfjorden for clay mineral analysis to study the sediment source and sediment-transport process. Our results indicate that clay minerals in the surface sediments from Kongsfjorden are mainly composed of illite, chlorite, and kaolinite, and no smectite is found. Rocks from different periods exposed extensively in the surrounding areas of Kongsfjorden provide an important material basis for clay minerals in the Kongsfjorden. Kaolinite may be mainly derived from the fluvial deposits, weathered from reddish sandstones and conglomerates during the Carboniferous Period. Illite is mainly derived from Proterozoic low-grade and medium-grade metamorphic phyllite, mica schist, and gneiss. While chlorite is mainly from Proterozoic low-grade metamorphic phyllite and mica schist. In the direction from the fluvio-glacial estuary to the sea of the glacier front of Kongsfjorden, illite increase gradually, and the content of kaolinite declines gradually. However, the change pattern of chlorite is insignificant, which may be related to the provenance. Kongsfjorden detritus is mainly transported by the fluvio-glacial streams and icebergs into the sea and deposited in the inner bay. Coarse sediments are rapidly deposited in the glacier front, estuary, and near-shore areas. Clay fraction begins to deposit significantly by 200–400 m after flowing into the sea, which due to the crystal behavior of clay minerals, hydrodynamic condition and flocculation. Kaolinite and chlorite on the south of the bay near the Blomstrandhalvoya Island is mainly affected by ice-rafted detritus and thus can reveal the trajectory of transportation by the floating ice while entering the sea.

Deep-sea sediments containing high concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) and yttrium (Y), termed REY-rich sediments, have attracted considerable attention and are widely distributed in the Pacific Ocean. However, the processes and mechanisms of REY enrichment in REY-rich sediments remain controversial. Here, we present our investigation of the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of deep-sea sediments in three sediment cores from the western North Pacific Ocean. REY-rich sediments with very high total REY (ΣREY) concentrations (>3000 ppm) were discovered within the study area, which is characterized by middle REE (MREE) and heavy REE (HREE) enrichment. REY-rich sediments have unique geochemical characteristics and are different from known onshore REE ore deposits. Our results suggest that the pelagic clay sediments have higher ΣREY concentrations than the carbonate ooze sediments. Bioapatite fossil and micronodule are the main host minerals of REY in REY-rich sediments, whereas terrigenous, volcaniclastic, and calcareous materials can dilute ΣREY concentrations. The contribution of micronodule to REY enrichment in REY-rich sediments is relatively moderate compared to that of bioapatite fossil. Seawater is the main source of REY in REY-rich sediments. During diagenesis, bioapatite fossils absorb REY from seawater/porewater by substitution, whereas micronodules release REY (especially Ce) into the ambient solution. Thus, a migration of REY from micronodules to bioapatite fossils occurs. The bioapatite fossil is likely to act as the ultimate host of REY, while the micronodule acts as a temporary sink for REY. The enrichment and transformation of REY in the bioapatite fossils and micronodules mainly occur in the seawater column and the sea-sediment interface. The REY enrichment in deep-sea sediments was caused by the physical enrichment of REY-rich materials (bioapatite fossil and micronodule). The sedimentation rate, therefore, is an important controlling factor for REY enrichment. The formation of REY-rich sediments with ΣREY concentrations > 2000 ppm was likely to occur due to the additional contributions of enriched bottom currents.

The Bengal Fan is world famous for its developed turbiditic system. This study identified turbidite records in a gravity core (BoB-104) taken from near a currently inactive channel (E4) based on lithology, geochemical and mineralogical parameters. This core contained turbidite and hemipelagic layers in this core. This study identified 21 turbidite layers which exhibited consistent provenance with the hemipelagic layers, showing a two end-member mixing pattern and indicating consistent sources since the last glacial period. Typical turbidite layer analysis was used to study the possible turbidite deposition mechanism. Features such as the lithology break interface, normal graded sequence, a consistent pattern of a sharp increase and gradual decrease in the variation of the mean grain size (Mz), and median grain size (D50) and Si/Al ratios commonly implied a continuous deposition in accordance with variations in densities and particle sizes. This study identified long-term evolution of turbidite deposition in the eastern middle Bengal Fan that appears to be the last and indispensable part of the systematic response of the “Bengal depositional system” to the climate. Four stages were identified from the turbidite records and all the identified intervals showed synchronous changes with the entire system. The Indian summer monsoon (ISM) played a dominant role in the system interactions. The sea level affects the turbidity system by regulating the transition of the deposition center between the deep-sea and the shelf, whereas the migration of the main channel to the “Active Valley (AV)” between 14.5 ka to 10.4 ka almost halted the deposition of turbidites along the E4 channel. Thus, turbidity activity in the eastern middle Bengal Fan is not an isolated incident but part of a comprehensive system resuling from global and regional changes at different scales.

The clay mineral contents in 110 surface sediment samples collected from the middle of the Bay of Bengal were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to investigate the provenance and transport patterns. The illite content was highest, followed by chlorite, kaolinite and then smectite, with average weight percent distributions of 52%, 22%, 14% and 12%, respectively. Illite and chlorite had similar distribution pattern, with higher contents in the northern and central areas and lower contents in the southern area, whereas smectite showed the opposite distribution pattern. Kaolinite show no obvious higher or lower areas and the southern “belt” was one of the highest content areas. Based on the spatial distribution characteristics and cluster analysis results, the study area can be classified into two provinces. Province I covers the southwestern area and contains high concentrations of illite and smectite sediments. Province II covers most sites and is also characterized by high concentrations of illite, but the weight percent of smectite is only half of that of province I. According to a quantitative estimate using end-member clay minerals contents, the relative contributions from the Himalayan source and the Indian source are 63% and 37% on average, respectively. Integrative analysis indicates that the hydrodynamic environment in the study area, especially the turbidity and surface monsoonal circulation, plays an important role in the spatial distribution and dispersal of the clay fraction in the sediments. The sediments in province I are mainly from the Indian source transported by the East Indian Coastal Current (EICC) and the surface monsoon circulation with minor contributions from the Himalayan source while the sediments in province II are mainly from the Himalayan source transported by turbidity and surface monsoonal circulation with little contribution from Indian river materials.

The Yellow River (or Huanghe and also known as China’s Sorrow in ancient times), with the highest sediment load in the world, provides a key link between continental erosion and sediment accumulation in the western Pacific Ocean. However, the exact age of its influence on the marginal sea is highly controversial and uncertain. Here we present high-resolution records of clay minerals and lanthanum to samarium (La/Sm) ratio spanning the past ~1 million years (Myr) from the Bohai and Yellow Seas, the potential sedimentary sinks of the Yellow River. Our results show a climate-driven provenance shift from small, proximal mountain rivers-dominance to the Yellow River-dominance at ~880 ka, a time period consistent with the Mid-Pleistocene orbital shift from 41-kyr to 100-kyr cyclicity. We compare the age of this provenance shift with the available age data for Yellow River headwater integration into the marginal seas and suggest that the persistent influence of the Yellow River on the Chinese marginal seas must have occurred at least ~880 ka ago. To our knowledge, this study provides the first offshore evidence on the drainage history of the Yellow River within an accurate chronology framework.

A 35.30 m-long core (MZ02) that was recovered from a water depth of 32.4 m from the inner shelf mud deposit of the East China Sea is analyzed to determine its sedimentary characteristics, color reflectance, clay mineral content, element geochemistry components and AMS 14 C dating to investigate the sedimentation rate, sediment provenance and paleoclimate evolution during the fast transgression period. Rare earth element and clay mineral proxies indicate that mixed-provenance sediment accumulated in the foreshore–nearshore region at the beginning of the fast transgression period, with a higher sedimentation rate of 5.58 m/ka. From the early Holocene (9.8–9.5 ka B.P.), the sedimentation rate declined by approximately 1.73 m/ka, and the sediment provenance obviously changed. The silt fraction resembled that of Taiwan's mountainous rivers and the clay fraction was primarily transported from the Yangtze River. A multiple proxy system including sediment redness (a*), chemical index of alteration (CIA), clay mineral ratio (smectite/kaolinite), and major and trace element ratios (CaO/MgO, Ba/Sr), also provides a good paleoclimate record during the fast transgression period, which can be divided into three units. All the proxies barely changed during Unit I (12.88–10.85 ka B.P.), revealing that the climate remained relatively stable. Obvious fluctuations occurred during Unit II (10.85–10.05 ka B.P.), and the temperature kept decreasing for more than 1 ka until the Younger Dryas event, showing a notable regional response to global climate changes. A continuous warming trend resumed again during Unit III (10.05–8.15 ka B.P.), which may mark the threshold of the Holocene warm period. In addition, we find significant 80-yr, 89-yr and 100-yr cycles in the CIA, CaO/MgO and Ba/Sr records, which imply the possible influence of solar activity on regional climate change during the fast transgression period in the Asian margin region.

Sediment core ARC4–BN05 collected from the Canada Basin, Arctic Ocean, covers the late to middle Quaternary (Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 1–15, ca. 0.5–0.6 Ma) as estimated by correlation to earlier proposed Arctic Ocean stratigraphies and AMS 14C dating of the youngest sediments. Detailed examination of clay and bulk mineralogy along with grain size, content of Ca and Mn, and planktonic foraminiferal numbers in core ARC4–BN05 provides important new information about sedimentary environments and provenance. We use increased contents of coarse debris as an indicator of glacier collapse events at the margins of the western Arctic Ocean, and identify the provenance of these events from mineralogical composition. Notably, peaks of dolomite debris, including large dropstones, track the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) discharge events to the Arctic Ocean. Major LIS inputs occurred during the stratigraphic intervals estimated as MIS 3, intra-MIS 5 and 7 events, MIS 8, and MIS 10. Inputs from the East Siberian Ice Sheet (ESIS) are inferred from peaks of smectite, kaolinite, and chlorite associated with coarse sediment. Major ESIS sedimentary events occurred in the intervals estimated as MIS 4, MIS 6 and MIS 12. Differences in LIS vs. ESIS inputs can be explained by ice-sheet configurations at different sea levels, sediment delivery mechanisms (iceberg rafting, suspension plumes, and debris flows), and surface circulation. A long-term change in the pattern of sediment inputs, with an apparent step change near the estimated MIS 7/8 boundary (ca. 0.25 Ma), presumably indicates an overall glacial expansion at the western Arctic margins, especially in North America.

This study investigates Holocene sedimentary evolution and hypoxia development using borehole cores CJK06 and CJK09, in combination with other published core data. Based on lithology and microfossil (benthic foraminifera) characteristics, seven types of sedimentary facies were identified from the base upward: river, tidal flat, tide-influenced river, transgressive lag, estuary, inner-shelf, and prodelta. Isochronous correlation among the cores was established relying on accelerator mass spectrometry 14C dates. Facies succession indicates that a weak progradation occurred in coastal environments (12–10 ka BP) due to the Younger Dryas-induced deceleration of sea-level rise; rapid deposition locally occurred in the southern marginal area of tide-dominated estuary environments (10–8 ka BP), likely due to the junction of the Yangtze and Qiantangjiang River currents; and marine current-induced fluid mudflows prevailed in the shallow marine environments (8–1 ka BP), with the cooling climates of 5–1 ka BP. Furthermore, prodelta and shallow marine environments co-occurred with an uneven progradation of the delta within the last 1 ka, while deposition occurred just inside the more southern, delta-influenced area. The occurrence of euryhaline benthic foraminifera suggests that an enhanced freshwater discharge of the mid-Holocene (8–5 ka BP) was followed by a sharp decline in the late Holocene (5–1 ka BP) with climate change. The occurrence of cold-water benthic foraminifera indicates a severe cold-water condition during the mid-Holocene due to the intrusion of upwelling currents triggered by the propelling force of warm currents and summer monsoon winds. In addition, the occurrence of low-oxygen foraminiferal assemblages reveals that hypoxia has developed since 10 ka BP in stages consistent with the sedimentary evolution: localized hypoxia formation coincident with the southern depocenter during the early Holocene (10–8 ka BP); severe hypoxia with enhanced freshwater discharge and upwelling current intrusion during the mid-Holocene; and weakened hypoxia of the late Holocene, mainly due to the sharp decline in freshwater discharge. Within 1 ka BP, freshwater discharge from the approaching river mouth and increased nutrient inputs from enhanced human activities on land have contributed to the prevalence of hypoxia, especially in the southern deltaic area. Overall, it was revealed that the freshwater discharge modulated with climate variations and delta progradation plays a primary role in controlling the sedimentary evolution and hypoxia development during the mid-late Holocene.

This study focuses on sedimentary research at the subaqueous Changjiang (Yangtze River) delta, based on five high-resolution seismic profiles and seven borehole cores with accurate AMS 14C datings. Three distinct seismic units were identified from the seismic profiles according to seismic reflection characteristics, and five sedimentary facies were recognized from borehole cores. These facies constituted a fining upward sedimentary sequence in relation to postglacial sea-level transgression. Three sequence surfaces (sequence boundary (SB), transgressive surface (TS), and maximum flooding surface (MFS)) demarcate the boundaries between early transgressive system tract (E-TST), late transgressive system tract (L-TST), early highstand system tract (E-HST) and late highstand system tract (L-HST), which constitute the sixth order sequence. These system tracts were developed coevally with postglacial sea-level rise. E-TST (~ 19–12 ka BP) corresponds to an incised-valley infilling in the early stages of postglacial transgression whereas L-TST (~ 12–7.5 ka BP) was formed during the last stage of postglacial transgression. The progradational structure of L-TST reflected in seismic profiles is possibly related to the intensification of the East Asian summer monsoon. E-HST (~ 7.5–2 ka BP) was deposited in response to the highstand after maximum postglacial transgression was reached, while L-HST (~ 2 ka BP–present) was initiated by accelerated progradation of the Changjiang delta.

Forty-eight sediment samples collected in the Upper Gulf of Thailand (UGOT) and its nearby rivers including the Mae Klong, Tha Chin, Chao Phraya, and Bang Pakong were analyzed for grain size, heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, and Cd), and clay minerals. The results reveal that fine-grained sediments with Mz −1 , than in other sampling areas. Meanwhile, Cd content is greater than 120 μg kg −1 in sediments near the Bang Pakong River mouth and area between the Tha Chin and Mae Klong rivers mouth. The concentrations of heavy metals are higher than background data, and statistical analysis of geo-accumulation index indicates that the study area is either unpolluted to moderately polluted or moderately polluted by heavy metals. Our results also verify that illite is the dominant clay mineral, followed by kaolinite, chlorite, and smectite in terms of semi-quantitative content. Smectite/kaolinite can be used as an indicator to trace the riverine sediment in the study area, which present a counterclockwise dispersion pattern of sediment from the Chao Phraya River.