Variations in deep-water masses from the northern South China Sea since the late Pliocene

Through the Q-mode factor analysis of benthic foraminifera from ODP Site 1146 in the northern South China Sea since 4 Ma, we identified four assemblages of benthic foraminifera. These are the Stilostomella-Globocassidulina subglobosa-Nodogenerina assemblage, the Bulimina alazanensis assemblage, the Uvigerina perigrina assemblage, and the Melonis barleeanus-Globobulimina affinis-Bulimina aculeata assemblage, divided at 2.1 Ma, 1.5 Ma and 0.7 Ma. Combined with the results of the benthic foraminiferal oxygen index (BFOI) and carbon isotopes of planktonic and benthic foraminifera, we consider that the variations in the benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the area were mainly controlled by nutrient changes in surface and bottom waters.EI05529-5333