The Huanghe and Changjiang contribution to seasonal variability in terrigenous particulate load to the Okinawa Trough

Terrigenous particulate load transported to the Okinawa Trough was examined using time-series sediment trap samples collected in 1993–1994 at SST-1 (29°21.6′N, 128°13.5′E, 1100 m water depth). Lateral transport through the bottom layer was important in transport of terrigenous particles from shelf to the trough. Flux reached a maximum in spring, reflecting seasonal change, although a short period of transport also occurred in the late summer, unrelated with the general seasonal change. Mineralogical and chemical analyses revealed that contributions from sediment sources changed seasonally; a Changjiang (Yangtze River) influence was relatively high during winter, while the Huanghe (Yellow River)- and/or eolian-derived sediment was enhanced in spring and late summer when the total flux also intensified.