YRE-Cores(HHK1&2)-Bulk and molecular record

This study analyzed the centennial-scale sedimentary organic carbon (SOC) dynamics and phytoplankton community shifts in response to the anthropogenic interventions in the Yellow River Estuary (YRE). By analyzing bulk organic carbon (OC) parameters (TOC and δ13C), we reconstructed temporal trends of terrestrial and marine organic carbon (OCterr and OCmar) in the YRE and their relationship with riverine input and human interventions within the watershed. Molecular evidence (brassicasterol (B), dinosterol (D)) further demonstrated that the increased riverine nutrient fluxes, could directly enhance phytoplankton productivity. Moreover, changes in the B/(B+D) ratio indicated that the altered nutrient structure reshaped the community composition, with a decline in diatom dominance over the recent decades.