The Pearl River Delta

formed since the Late Pleistocene

is one of the major delta in the world. There are abundant microfaunas preserved in sediments of the Pearl River Delta

which have been proved to be essential for reconstructing Quaternary environment. In this study

Microfaunas (foraminifers and ostracods) of borehole PRD17 from the eastern Pearl River Delta have been analyzed quantitatively. A total of 29 foraminiferal species belonging to 14 genera and 17 ostracod species referred to 14 genera were identified. They can be divided into three different groups with respect to their ecological ranges. Based on the comprehensive analysis of microfaunas

lithological and sediment grainsize characteristics of core samples

palaeoenvironmental changes since the Late Pleistocene can be reconstructed. Before ~43 400 cal a B.P.

a fluvial environment was recorded in the borehole until the late Wurm Interglacial Stage when the first Quaternary marine unit began to lie down. During this transgressive interval

three short-term environmental fluctuations of water depth can be recognized base on microfaunal data. A peak transgression of the Late Pleistocene was marked between ~35 400 and 30 900 cal a B.P.. Since about ~25 900 cal a B.P.

sea waters gradually retreated from the study area and the Upper Pleistocene sediments were subsequently subaerially exposed during the Last Glaciation Maximum

which is indicated by a mottled clay layer in the core. Around ~6 000 cal a B.P.

the postglacial sea level rise initiated a new phase of the Holocene sedimentation. This timing was later than in other parts of the Pearl River Delta because core site is located in the GuangzhouPanyu fault block with a higher elevation during the Early-Middle Holocene. A supralittoral-zone environment developed during the first phase of Holocene sedimentation. Since ~3 700 cal a B.P.

the study area gradually changed into a tide flat environment with microfossils sporadically present.