The Influx of the Tsushima Current into the Central Ulleung Basin of East Sea (Sea of Japan), Korea

Abstract

A total of 85 samples, collected from the UBGH1–9 core taken from the Ulleung Basin, East Sea, Korea, were analyzed using diatom assemblages. 111 diatom species belonging to 46 genera were identified, and three diatom assemblage zones were established on the basis of occurrence and distribution pattern of diatoms. Diatom assemblage zone I (134.10–174 m) is characterized by a relatively high abundance of marine species, while the increased number of the brackish species is recorded in diatom assemblage zone II (75–125 m). The assemblage zones IIIa became drastic drop of valve abundances and brackish planktons, whereas it became increase during the IIIb. High Td values which indicate an influence of warm current are recorded both in diatom assemblage zone I and III, and low Td values in diatom assemblage zone II. Analysis of diatom assemblages indicating that the depositional condition moved from oceanic to littoral-neritic environments and that paleotemperature underwent a shift from warm to cold condition at the middle interval, and from cold to warm condition in the upper interval of the UBGH1–9 core. This suggests that the lower (130–162 m) and upper intervals (0–20 m) of the UBGH1–9 core were deposited in the warm current condition (Tsushima Warm Current).