Variations in Accumulation of Terrigenous and Biogenic Materials in the Northwest Pacific Ocean since the Last Interglacial Period

Three cores were taken from the northwest Pacific Ocean (Shikoku Basin) to determine the accumulation rates of both biogenic and terrigeneous fractions since the last penultimate interglacial period. The sediment is characterized by large amounts of terrigenous materials with low biogenic fractions and intermittent volcanic-ash layers, suggesting a hemipelagic origin. Composition of major elements shows no significant differences among sites. Relatively small variation of TiO$_2$/Al$_2$O$_3$ ratios with respect to SiO$_2$ content is the strong evidence for the common origin of terrigenous materials. The fraction of biogenic carbonates varies from near 0% in ash layers to about 35%, with a gradual increase toward the south (St. 4 through St. 6 to St. 20). However, carbonate contents show step-wise increasing tendency from St. 4 through St. 6 to St. 20, which suggests a southward increase of carbonate production. The color reflectance indicates that the sediment of the southern sites contains relatively higher amounts of biogenic carbonates. The mass accumulation rate of terrigenous fractions during the glacial period was 2-3 times higher than that of interglacial period. This enhanced mass accumulation rate of terrigenous materials was concomitant with the high accumulation rate of biogenic fractions. The total sediment accumulation rate is considered as the most important factor controlling mass accumulation rates of the biogenic and terrigenous materials. The enhanced sediment accumulation during the glacial periods is interpreted as a consequence of climate-induced change in the supply of eolian dust from the Asian continent. Enhanced wind strength during the glacial time may have increased transportation of terrigenous materials to the ocean. Thus, variation of sediment accumulation is highly linked with climatic variations.