title: A centennial record of anthropogenic impacts and extreme weather events in southwestern Taiwan: evidence from sedimentary molecular markers in coastal margin.
abstract: A 100-year history of human and natural disturbances in southwestern Taiwan was reconstructed using a suite of molecular markers in four dated sediment cores from the upper slope region off the Gaoping River mouth. Trends in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) tracked Taiwan's industrialization/urbanization starting in the 1970s, and the enactment of environmental regulatory policies thereafter. The predominant pyrogenic sources include vehicular, smelter, and coal combustion but spatial differences are observed among sub-regions of the shelf. Profiles of lignin oxidation products (LOPs) point to a significant increase in terrestrial organic matter inputs driven by land development after the 1970s. Low lignin diagenetic signature ratios [(Ad/Al)v] in all sediments suggest quick transport of fresh plant material from land to sea via mountainous rivers. Shifts in PAHs, LOPs, and radionuclides in recent sediments reveal the deposition of turbidites resulting from typhoon-induced floods. Multiproxy analysis illustrates the interplay between anthropogenic activities and natural processes.
authors: Marine Science Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sequim, WA 98382, USA.
authors: Li-Jung
authors: LJ
authors: Kuo
authors: Department of Marine Environment and Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan; Kuroshio Research Group, Asia-Pacific Ocean Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan. Electronic address: linnohc@fac.nsysu.edu.tw.
authors: Chon-Lin
authors: CL
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Marine Sciences, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77554, USA; Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Louchouarn
authors: Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
authors: Chih-An
authors: CA
authors: Huh
authors: Department of Oceanography, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan.
authors: James T
authors: JT
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Marine Environment and Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan.
authors: Jian-Cheng
authors: JC
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Marine Environment and Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan.
authors: Kun-Je
authors: KJ
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000266:history* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D045483:Rivers; D013624:Taiwan; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014887:Weather
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Anthropogenic impacts; Extreme weather; Lignin; Mountainous rivers; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Turbidite