DOCSLIB.ORG

Download Article (PDF)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Download Article (PDF) Open Geosci. 2019; 11:1061–1070 Research Article Rediat Abate, Changping Chen, Junrong Liang, Lin Sun, Xuesong Li, Bangqin Huang, and Yahui Gao* Decadal variations of total organic carbon production in the inner-shelf of the South China Sea and East China Sea https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2019-0082 Received Apr 20, 2019; accepted Nov 25, 2019 1 Introduction Abstract: Organic carbon content is one of the major prox- In coastal and marine systems, the deposition of organic ies of aquatic primary production and implication of envi- matter and the ratio of TOC:TN is mainly influenced by ronmental changes. However, there is a scarcity of infor- both the supply of organic matter from overlaying water mation regarding the decadal variation of organic carbon mass, settlement velocity of organic matter onto sea floor production in inner-shelf of South China Sea (SCS) and and diagenetic process that acting on the organic matter East China Sea (ECS). To bridge this gap of information after settlement/deposition [1]. The relationship between two sediment cores were collected from the inner shelf of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content (wt%) and Total Nitro- SCS (Leizhou Peninsula) and ECS. Then, Total Organic Car- gen (TN) content (wt%) has been used as an indicator of bon (TOC), Total Inorganic Carbon (TIC) and Total Nitro- marine Organic Matter (OM) productivity as well terrestrial gen (TN) content were examined. The TOC content in the OM input for more than half a century [2]. High TOC:TN Leizhou Peninsula averaged 0.56% and varied from 0.35% (molar weight), values greater than 20, are characteristic to 0.81%. At decadal time scale, the TOC content of Leizhou of terrestrial vegetation due to carbon-rich (and nitrogen- Peninsula erratically increased in the last century, and it poor) biochemical classes (i.e., lignin and cellulose) [3]. distinctly peaked after 1990’s. This is related to increased Whereas, marine algae typically have TOC:TN ratios be- primary production due to the increased input of anthro- tween 4 and 8, due to their cell content is rich in proteins pogenic nutrients and rainfall level. The TOC content of and lack cellulose [3]. the inner shelf of ECS averaged 0.5% and varied narrowly The East China Sea and South China Seas are being from 0.46% to 0.53%. The TOC:TN ratio of ECS averaged among the largest marginal western Pacific seas located 5.65 and varied from 4.42 to 7.85, indicating there is high de- in South East Asia; they are more prone to human pertur- gree of organic matter degradations. The TN:TP ratios were bations and climate changes. Furthermore, the impact of below 10 for the periods before late-1990’s, indicating that disturbances highly aggravated because they are found in there had been a potential nitrogen limitation in the inner one of the most densely populated areas of the world with shelf of ECS. Generally, this study showed that the TOC and TIC of ECS and SCS inner-shelf had undergone substantial changes in the last century. China; Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Keywords: anthropogenic impact, climate change, Wetland Ecosystem, College of Environment & Ecology, Xiamen decadal variation, diatoms, environment, inner shelf, phy- University, Xiamen 361102, China; College of Natural Science, Arba toplankton production, organic matter production Minch University, Arba Minch PO Box 21, Ethiopia Changping Chen, Junrong Liang: School of Life Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen Univer- sity, Xiamen 361102, China; Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Educa- *Corresponding Author: Yahui Gao: School of Life Sciences and tion for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem, College of Environment & State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China University, Xiamen 361102, China; Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Lin Sun, Xuesong Li: School of Life Sciences and State Key Labora- Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem, College of Environ- tory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen ment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; Email: 361102, China [email protected] Bangqin Huang: Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Rediat Abate: School of Life Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem, College of Environment & Ecology, Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China Open Access. © 2019 R. Abate et al., published by De Gruyter. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License 1062 Ë R. Abate et al. fast economic growth and urbanization. As consequent of so, recent data showed evident environmental contami- this, high nutrient inputs especially nitrogen from agricul- nation and degradation along the coast [18]. Particularly, tural and aquaculture activities [4–6] and construction of rapid expansion and booming of land and marine aqua- dams [7, 8] were reported in ECS and SCS. These ultimately culture, increasing of agricultural crop production by us- resulted in changes of Chlorophyll a concentrations [9], ing excessive artificial fertilizer, industrialization and un- nutrient levels [10], sediment supply to coastal zones and treated sewage disposal are among the main causes of the water discharges [8], eutrophication and hypoxia [11], red problems [19]. The detail description of ECS and SCS has tide frequency [12], primary production [13] and probably been explored [20, 21] (Figure 1). organic matter content as well. However, there are lim- ited scientific research reports on the decadal changes of the organic matter content in the inner shelf of ECS and 2.2 Sediment process and dating SCS. Thus, this research was aimed to bridge this gap of knowledge by setting two main objectives: 1) To analyze To assess recent decadal changes of sediment organic mat- the decadal variation of total organic carbon content and ter; two sediment cores were collected from the inner-shelf total nitrogen in the inner shelf of ECS and SCS and 2) To ex- of ECS and SCS. The first sediment core was collected from amine the decadal change of the ratio of total organic car- the inner-shelf of northwestern SCS (Leizhou, Zhanjiang) bon to total nitrogen content of the inner shelf of ESC and Peninsula coast at 20∘85.7650 N and 111∘18.168330E, from SCS. For this purpose, two sediment core samples were col- about 38m water depth, in 2012. Leizhou Peninsula is sur- lected from the inner-shelf of ECS and SCS followed by the rounded by Hainan Island from south next to Qiongzhou analysis of total organic carbon and total nitrogen content Strait, the coast of China from north and SCS from south, of the sediments; then the data were correlated with cli- and is drained by two large rivers, mainly the Red River mate change and anthropogenic impact variables. from the southwest and Pearl River from the northeast. The second sediment core was collected from inner-shelf ECS near to Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) at N 28∘26.15910and E 122∘11.07450, from 43m water depth, in 2011. The sediment 2 Material and methods samples were collected by gravity corer onboard the R/V Dongfanghong II. The sediment core showed gray to black 2.1 Study area color. After collection, the sediment sample slabs were ex- truded and sliced at 2 cm intervals and approximately 0.5 The East China Sea (ECS) is the largest continental cm of the outer rim of each sediment slab was trimmed marginal sea in the Western North Pacific [14, 15] and is off to minimize contamination between layers. Sediment one of the most developed shelf areas in the world. The dating was made by the α-spectrometry 210Pb (via 210Po) wide and shallow continental shelf favors primary produc- method [14, 22]. The detail of processing of the sediments tion through frequent replenishment of nutrients to the eu- and dating the chronologies has been reported [20, 21]. photic zone from a deeper layer [16]. The study site was lo- cated in the inner-shelf area of ECS, which is characterized by the distribution of fine-grained sediments manifested 2.3 Analyses of TOC, TN, Sulphur and by the dispersal of a plume from the Yangtze [17]. An im- Phosphorus mense amount of terrigenous and anthropogenic material flows into ECS from different river basins, and as a result, In the laboratory, 1 g of sediment subsamples were pre- it supports high biological production [16] (Figure 1). The treated; dried for 48 hours at 65∘C and finely ground. To South China Sea is one of the largest continental marginal measure the TOC, pre-treated samples were transferred seas of the Pacific Ocean, found in the western North Pa- into glass vials and acidified with 1M of HCl at room tem- cific surrounded by lands and islands which provide an perature for 12h to remove carbonates [23]. Then, the sam- ample amount of terrigenous material. The surface circu- ples re-dried and finely ground. Separate unacidified sam- lation is governed by East Asia monsoon systems which ples were used to measure TN, TC and total sulphur (TS). drive the cyclonic gyre during winter and anticyclonic gyre To measure the TC, TOC, TN and TS contents, approxi- in summer. Consequently, there is strong seasonality in pri- mately 25 mg of samples were weighed, foiled by tin cap- mary productivity and the organic material reaching the sules and loaded into CHNS elemental analyser (Vario EL sea floor. Although this area is regarded as one of the less- III, ElementarAnalysensysteme GmbH), with analysis ac- developed coastal areas of China until the last decade or curacy of ≤ 0.3% absolute (5mg benzene sulfonic acid) Decadal variations of total organic carbon production in the inner-shelf Ë 1063 Figure 1: Location of the study site of the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and description of the legend depicted on the bottom of the right side and ≤ 0.5% absolute (3mg benzoic acid).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Guangdong Information
    Guangdong Information Overview Guangdong’s capital and largest city is Guangzhou. It is the southernmost located province on the China mainland. Guangdong is China’s most populous province with 110,000,000 inhabitants. With an area of 76,000 sq mi (196, 891 sq km) it is China’s 15th largest province. Its sub-tropic climate provides a comfortable 72°F (22°C) annual average. Cantonese is spoken by the majority of the population. Known nowadays for being a modern economic powerhouse and a prime location for trade, it also holds a significant place in Chinese history. Guangdong Geography Guangdong is located in the south of the country and faces the South China Sea. The long hilly coast stretches 2670 miles (4.300 km) totaling one fifth of the country’s coastline. There are hundreds of small islands located in the Zhu Jiang Delta, which is where the Dong Jiang, Bei Jiang and Guang Jiang rivers converge. Among these islands are Macao and Hong Kong, the latter of which stretches its political boundaries over a portion of the mainland as well. Hainan province, an island offshore across from the Leizhou Peninsula in the southwest, was part of Guangdong until 1988 when it became a separate province. Guangzhou and Shenzhen are both located on the Zhu Jiang River. Guangdong China borders Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Hainan provinces in addition to the Gunagzhuang Autonomous Region, Hong Kong, and Macao. Guangdong Demographics Guangdong China is composed of 99% Han, .7% Zhuang, and .2% Yao. The Hui, Manchu, and She make up most of the remaining .1%.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of the International Palm Society Vol. 52(1) Mar. 2008 Essential Palm Palms:Essential Palm Palms 1/22/08 11:34 AM Page 1 the INTERNATIONAL PALM SOCIETY, INC
    Palms Journal of the International Palm Society Vol. 52(1) Mar. 2008 Essential palm Palms:Essential palm Palms 1/22/08 11:34 AM Page 1 THE INTERNATIONAL PALM SOCIETY, INC. The International Palm Society Palms (formerly PRINCIPES) Journal of The International Palm Society Founder: Dent Smith An illustrated, peer-reviewed quarterly devoted to The International Palm Society is a nonprofit corporation information about palms and published in March, engaged in the study of palms. The society is inter- June, September and December by The International national in scope with worldwide membership, and the Palm Society, 810 East 10th St., P.O. Box 1897, formation of regional or local chapters affiliated with the Lawrence, Kansas 66044-8897, USA. international society is encouraged. Please address all inquiries regarding membership or information about Editors: John Dransfield, Herbarium, Royal Botanic the society to The International Palm Society Inc., P.O. Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, United Box 1897, Lawrence, Kansas 66044-8897, USA. e-mail Kingdom, e-mail [email protected], tel. 44- [email protected], fax 785-843-1274. 20-8332-5225, Fax 44-20-8332-5278. Scott Zona, Fairchild Tropical Garden, 11935 Old OFFICERS: Cutler Road, Coral Gables, Miami, Florida 33156 President: Paul Craft, 16745 West Epson Drive, USA, e-mail [email protected], tel. 1-305- Loxahatchee, Florida 33470 USA, e-mail 669-4072, Fax 1-305-665-8032. [email protected], tel. 1-561-514-1837. Associate Editor: Natalie Uhl, 228 Plant Science, Vice-Presidents: John DeMott, 18455 SW 264 St, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 USA, e- Homestead, Florida 33031 USA, e-mail mail [email protected], tel.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the State of the Environment in China 2016
    2016 The 2016 Report on the State of the Environment in China is hereby announced in accordance with the Environmental Protection Law of the People ’s Republic of China. Minister of Ministry of Environmental Protection, the People’s Republic of China May 31, 2017 2016 Summary.................................................................................................1 Atmospheric Environment....................................................................7 Freshwater Environment....................................................................17 Marine Environment...........................................................................31 Land Environment...............................................................................35 Natural and Ecological Environment.................................................36 Acoustic Environment.........................................................................41 Radiation Environment.......................................................................43 Transport and Energy.........................................................................46 Climate and Natural Disasters............................................................48 Data Sources and Explanations for Assessment ...............................52 2016 On January 18, 2016, the seminar for the studying of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the Eighteenth CPC Central Committee was opened in Party School of the CPC Central Committee, and it was oriented for leaders and cadres at provincial and ministerial
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Land Subsidence Along the Coastal Areas of Guangdong, China, by Analyzing Multi-Track Mtinsar Data
    remote sensing Article Understanding Land Subsidence Along the Coastal Areas of Guangdong, China, by Analyzing Multi-Track MTInSAR Data Yanan Du 1 , Guangcai Feng 2, Lin Liu 1,3,* , Haiqiang Fu 2, Xing Peng 4 and Debao Wen 1 1 School of Geographical Sciences, Center of GeoInformatics for Public Security, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; [email protected] (Y.D.); [email protected] (D.W.) 2 School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; [email protected] (G.F.); [email protected] (H.F.) 3 Department of Geography, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0131, USA 4 School of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +86-020-39366890 Received: 6 December 2019; Accepted: 12 January 2020; Published: 16 January 2020 Abstract: Coastal areas are usually densely populated, economically developed, ecologically dense, and subject to a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly serious, land subsidence. Land subsidence can accelerate the increase in relative sea level, lead to a series of potential hazards, and threaten the stability of the ecological environment and human lives. In this paper, we adopted two commonly used multi-temporal interferometric synthetic aperture radar (MTInSAR) techniques, Small baseline subset (SBAS) and Temporarily coherent point (TCP) InSAR, to monitor the land subsidence along the entire coastline of Guangdong Province. The long-wavelength L-band ALOS/PALSAR-1 dataset collected from 2007 to 2011 is used to generate the average deformation velocity and deformation time series. Linear subsidence rates over 150 mm/yr are observed in the Chaoshan Plain.
    [Show full text]
  • Rare Earth Element Distributions in Continental Shelf Sediment, Northern South China Sea
    water Article Rare Earth Element Distributions in Continental Shelf Sediment, Northern South China Sea Qian Ge 1,2,*, Z. George Xue 3,4,5 and Fengyou Chu 1,2 1 Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; [email protected] 2 Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China 3 Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; [email protected] 4 Center for Computation and Technology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA 5 Coastal Studies Institute, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 16 October 2020; Accepted: 11 December 2020; Published: 16 December 2020 Abstract: A total of 388 surface sediment samples taken from the northern South China Sea (SCS) continental shelf were analyzed to characterize the signature of their rare earth elements (REEs). The average REEs concentration was 192.94 µg/g, with a maximum of 349.07 µg/g, and a minimum of 32.97 µg/g. The chondrite-normalized REEs pattern exhibits a remarkably light REEs accumulation, a relatively flat heavy REEs pattern, and a negative Eu anomaly. We subdivided the study area into three zones using the characteristics of REEs and statistical characteristics. Zone I: continental shelf off western Guangdong Province. Here, the sediment provenance is mainly river-derived from the Pearl River, Taiwanese rivers, and those in the adjacent area. Zone II: Qiongzhou Strait and Leizhou Peninsula. Here, the sediment provenance consists of the Qiongzhou Strait and the Hainan Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Leizhou Peninsula, Located in the Southern Guangdong Province, China, Covering an Area of Over 7,800 Square Kilometers. Our Fiel
    Conservation of Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) in Leizhou Peninsula, China ID 03324317 Host country China Site location and the dates in the field Leizhou Peninsula, located in the southern Guangdong province, China, covering an area of over 7,800 square kilometers. Our fieldwork focused mainly on the east coast of it, and was carried out between November 2017 and January 2017. Names of any institutions involved in organising the project or participating School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University (support the fieldworks) Zhanjiang Bird Watching Society (logistics, cooperate in the workshop and support with volunteers), Hong Kong Bridwatching Society (support the fieldwork), Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force, Spoon-billed Sandpiper in China (Communicate with other NGO, cooperate in the workshop), Zhanjiang Yizhong Peicai School (cooperate in environmental education), Xinmin primary school (cooperate in environmental education). The overall aim summarised in 10–15 words Local population can be protected and monitored. Local conservation awareness is increased to high degree. Full names of author(s) Chengyi Liu, Xia Zhan, Leyi Su Permanent contact address, email and website Chengyi Liu Room 204, Mawenhui Hall No.135, Xingangxi Road Guangzhou, 510275 P. R. China [email protected] Date which the report was completed January 4th, 2019 Section 1: Summary Spoon-billed Sandpipers (Calidris pygmeus, SBS) is a critically endangered shorebirds endemic to the East Asian-Australasian Flyway[1]. Leizhou Peninsula, Guangdong as the largest wintering area for them in China (43 individuals recorded in 2016[2]), is important for this species of high conservation concern. To understand the wintering ecology of SBS habitat (especially their potential food resources) and carry out effective conservation action plan in the future, we conducted synchronous population survey and habitat studies in Leizhou during November 2017 - January 2018.
    [Show full text]
  • Tracking the Role of Policies and Economic Factors in Driving
    land Article Tracking the Role of Policies and Economic Factors in Driving the Forest Change Trajectories within the Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Region of China: A Remote Sensing Perspective Yuyang Xian 1, Yongquan Lu 1, Zipporah Musyimi 2 and Guilin Liu 1,* 1 School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; [email protected] (Y.X.); [email protected] (Y.L.) 2 Department of Environmental Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics, University of Trier, 54286 Trier, Germany; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] or [email protected] Abstract: Though forest ecosystems play a critical role in enhancing ecological, environmental, economic, and societal sustainability, on a global scale, their future outlooks are uncertain given the wide-ranging threats they are exposed to. The uniqueness of this study is to provide a line of evidence in which forest change trajectories are not only tracked but also evaluated through the lenses of forestry and economic oriented events’ timelines. The dynamics of forest change trajectories were mined using a temporal model. To understand the forces driving the changes, the change trajectories were linked to the timelines when forestry policies and economic factors where adopted. During 1980–1990, the forest change trajectory assumed a peak (forest gain). This was interpreted as a response to the adoption of policies that promoted ecological conservation. During 1995–2010, the forest change trajectories reflected the response to the antagonistic effects of forest-oriented Citation: Xian, Y.; Lu, Y.; Musyimi, Z.; Liu, G. Tracking the Role of policies and the economy-oriented drivers.
    [Show full text]
  • Bioclimatic Suitability of Actual and Potential Cultivation Areas for Jacaranda Mimosifolia in Chinese Cities
    Article Bioclimatic Suitability of Actual and Potential Cultivation Areas for Jacaranda mimosifolia in Chinese Cities Chunping Xie 1, Guowu Zhang 2,*, Chiyung Jim 3,* , Xuefeng Liu 2, Peijian Zhang 2, Jianhuang Qiu 1,2 and Dawei Liu 4 1 Landscape Department, College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjing 524088, China; [email protected] (C.X.); [email protected] (J.Q.) 2 China Eucalypt Research Centre, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Zhanjiang 524022, China; [email protected] (X.L.); [email protected] (P.Z.) 3 Department of Social Sciences, Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China 4 Key Laboratory for Forensic Technology of Wildlife, State Forestry Administration, Nanjing Forest Police College, Nanjing 210023, China; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] (G.Z.); [email protected] (C.J.) Abstract: Jacaranda mimosifolia is regarded as a prized ornamental tree in the urban landscape with attractive, abundant and long-lasting violet-colored flowers and graceful tree form. It has been widely cultivated in recent years in many Chinese cities. However, the lack of scientific and practical guidance to cultivate the exotic species has brought about planting failures in some areas, incurring substantial economic losses and landscape decline. A comprehensive understanding of the current spatial pattern and climatic conditions of J. mimosifolia in China can inform species choice, planting and management. We collected data on the geographical coordinates of 257 planting cities and acquired additional information from the literature and field surveys. The limiting factors for cultivation were investigated using principal component analysis (PCA) of 19 bioclimatic parameters Citation: Xie, C.; Zhang, G.; Jim, C.; of the sampled sites.
    [Show full text]
  • Blueprint of Coastal Wetland Conservation and Management in China
    Blueprint of Coastal Wetland Conservation and Management in China The Convention on Wetlands Management Office, Institute of Geographic Sciences and People's Republic of China Natural Resources Reasearch, CAS Blueprint of Coastal Wetland Conservation and Management in China FORWARD Coastal wetlands are the source of abundant biodiversity and valuable ecological services, which support our human livelihoods and contribute to our long-term prosperity– both economic and social. Coastal wetlands in China are critical, life- supporting habitats that sustain irreplaceable biodiversity, including millions of migratory water birds, along with many unique species of plants and other animals. However, as the recently completed Blueprint of Coastal Wetland Conservation and Management in China indicated, coastal wetlands in China are the most threatened but least protected wetlands of all ecosystems in China. Since the 1950s, China has lost more than 60% of its natural coastal wetlands to economic development, and the speed and scale of coastal wetland reclamation in the past 15 years is especially stunning. Henry M. Paulson, Jr. Due to this over-reclamation of coastal wetlands, we have already begun to see adverse Chairman, socioeconomic and ecological consequences. Paulson Institute The Blueprint project was a joint initiative of the Paulson Institute, the Convention on Wetlands Management Office of P. R. China (CWMO), and the Institute of Geographical Science and Natural Resources Research of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Experts from various institutions mapped the biodiversity and threats to China’s coastal wetlands and identified 180 priority conservation sites, including 11 most important, but unprotected habitats for migratory birds. Based on scientific analysis, they have produced a set of policy recommendations for the Chinese government.
    [Show full text]
  • Subsidence Evolution of the Leizhou Peninsula, China, Based on Insar Observation from 1992 to 2010
    applied sciences Article Subsidence Evolution of the Leizhou Peninsula, China, Based on InSAR Observation from 1992 to 2010 Yanan Du 1,2, Guangcai Feng 1,2,*, Xing Peng 1,2 and Zhiwei Li 1,2 1 School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; [email protected] (Y.D.); [email protected] (X.P.); [email protected] (Z.L.) 2 Key Laboratory of Metallogenic Prediction of Nonferrous Metals and Geological Environment Monitoring (Central South University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410012, China * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +86-182-7486-7449 Academic Editor: Saro Lee Received: 2 March 2017; Accepted: 26 April 2017; Published: 29 April 2017 Abstract: Over the past two decades, the Leizhou Peninsula has suffered from many geological hazards and great property losses caused by land subsidence. However, the absence of a deformation map of the whole peninsula has impeded the government in making the necessary decisions concerning hazard prevention and mitigation. This study aims to provide the evolution of land deformation (subsidence and uplift) in the whole peninsula from 1992 to 2010. A modified stacking procedure is proposed to map the surface deformation with JERS, ENVISAT, and ALOS1 images. The map shows that the land subsidence mainly occurs along the coastline with a maximum velocity of 32 mm/year and in a wide range of inland arable lands with a velocity between 10 and 19 mm/year. Our study suggests that there is a direct correlation between the subsidence and the surface geology. Besides, the observed subsidence in urban areas, caused by groundwater overexploitation for domestic and industrial use, is moving from urban areas to suburban areas.
    [Show full text]
  • International Seminar for UNESCO Integral Study of the Silk Roads: Roads of Dialogue: “Manila As an Entrepot in the Trans-Pacific Commerce”
    International Seminar for UNESCO Integral Study of the Silk Roads: Roads of Dialogue: “Manila as an entrepot in the trans-pacific commerce”. 5-6, February, 1991. Manila, The Philippines. PARTICIPATION OF THE PHILIPPINES IN THE NANHAI TRADE: 9th - 16th Centuries By: Rita C. Tan Nanhai trade was a luxury trade that involved a very extensive trade network principally between China and the countries in mainland Asia and insular Southeast Asia. Prime commodities such as silk, ceramics, lacquer wares, glass beads, and metals were traded by the Chinese for the exotica of the South Seas, such as pearls, aromatics, spices, pepper, ivories, scented wood, rhinoceros horns, beeswax, and cotton. Much of the maritime trade was in the form of exchange of tributary goods. It went on continually for many centuries, covering as far as the Middle East and Africa. Early Records on Nanhai Trade The earliest written reference is that of the Han chronicles or Han Shu, in which tributary envoys, as early as 140 B.C., sailing from the Leizhou Peninsula (Southwest of Guangzhou) to various states on the Malay Peninsula, Burma, and South India, are recordedi. In the Sixth Dynasties (219-584 A.D.), the traffic of tributary missions is well documented in Chinese historical annals. Not only Chinese ships, but Arabian and Indian ships, and even Cambodian ships were plying the South Seasii.f With the prosperity of the Tang dynasty (618-906 A.D.), trade flourished along both the overland and maritime Silk Roads. An extended maritime network is recorded in the New Tang chronicles, Sin Tang Shu, albeit there was no mention yet of the Philippines.
    [Show full text]
  • Religious Diversity and Patrimonialization a Case Study of the Nianli Festival in Leizhou Peninsula, China
    ZHENG SHANSHAN Religious diversity and patrimonialization A case study of the Nianli Festival in Leizhou Peninsula, China ith the emergence of the neologism ‘intan­ in China, which seeks to document, examine and gible cultural heritage’ in 2003 and the adop­ critically evaluate the empirical changes that Chinese Wtion of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Law of popular religion has been undergoing during this the People’s Republic of China in 2011 various popular process of patrimonialization. religious practices in China which used to be consid­ This article provides a preliminary overview of the ered as feudal superstitions started to be recognized popular religious landscape during the era of patri- as examples of cultural heritage worthy of protection. If monialization in the Leizhou Peninsula1 (the south- we examine the concept of religious diversity at a local ernmost part of Guangdong Province) in southern level in contemporary China, the process of a ‘patrimo­ China. Leizhou Peninsula is administratively com- nialization’ of popular religious practices that reflect prised of two prefecture-level cities; Zhanjiang and the dynamic relationships which can be detected Maoming. In Zhanjiang, there are four districts, three across diverse discourses, multiple stakeholders and county-level cities, two counties, two economic and cultural policies in different arenas could offer us a technological development zones and one tourism new perspective on religious practices to explore. In demonstration zone.2 As the most important coastal this article I offer an analysis, based on fieldwork con­ region in the southwest of Guangdong Province, the ducted between 2013 and 2016 on the Leizhou Peninsula Leizhou Peninsula is currently accelerating its tran- in southern China’s Guangdong Province, of the varying sition from an agriculture-based economy into one degrees of acceptance, accommodation and resistance prompted by the actualization of popular religious prac­ tices in this era of patrimonialization.
    [Show full text]