Pliocene-Pleistocene biostratigraphic datums of ODP Site 184-1148

According to the modern delta13C distribution of G. ruber in the northern SCS, it is inferred that the East Asian winter monsoon strengthened during this interval. Afterwards, there were several conspicuous decreases of G. ruber delta13C at ~1.7, 1.3, 0.9, 0.45 and 0.15 Ma BP, that is, about every 0.4 Ma, suggesting that the East Asian winter monsoon became episodically stronger. This is confirmed by changes in relative abundance of planktonic foraminifer species Neogloboquadrina dutertrei, a typical East Asian winter monsoon proxy.

The deepwater delta13C of the SCS is close to that of the Pacific, but lighter than that of the Atlantic, implying that the pattern of deep water originating mainly from the Atlantic and through the Pacific entering the SCS existed at least since the early Pliocene. After 1.4 Ma, the benthic delta13C signal decreased conspicuously but with a periodicity of ~100 ka, suggesting that the deep-water ventilation of the SCS was reduced, probably corresponding to a decrease of the North Atlantic Deep Water and/or further isolation of the SCS deep basin from the Pacific during glaciations.