BC content and stable carbon isotope analysis of core SCS GC-1

To better understand the interactions between climate, vegetation, and fire, we analyzed BC, total organic carbon, and stable carbon isotopic composition (δ¹³C) in a sediment core retrieved from the northern SCS, covering the last 33 ka. Sediment core SCS GC-1 was retrieved using a gravity corer during the R/V Songhang research expedition in the SCS conducted by Shanghai Ocean University in October 2022. Samples were firstly analyzed for TOC content and δ¹³CTOC, and the BC content was assessed using two established methodologies: chemical thermal oxidation (CTO-375) method and benzene polycarboxylic acids (BPCAs) method.