• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.35-48
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study is to investigate paleoenvironmental conditions of the shallow sea around Jeju Island during the Late Holocene using geochemical contents of the bivalve (Glycymeris albolineata) collected from the Sangmori Shell Mound. The bivalve shell used shows the archaeological age of 2,300 yr BP. Stable carbon and oxygen isotope compositions show that growth rates decreased with aging. Coeval trends of both isotope compositions can be observed: heavier values during winters and lighter values summers except for their young and old growth stages. The seasonality of bivalve shell appear to reflect seasonal variations of paleotemperature as well as paleosalinity. Especially China Coastal Water with low salinity was transported into the southern Jeju Strait from Changjiang River during summer periods. Heavier carbon isotope values during winter indicate higher productivity, and this is supported by high density of phytoplanktons and higher chlorophyll contents during winter time. For accurate interpretation, monitoring of present-day conditions of shallow marine water as well as additional geochemical analysis of the same Recent bivalve may be necessary.