Deep-sea sediments contain high concentrations of rare earth element (REE) which have been regarded as a huge potential resource. Understanding the marine REE cycle is important to reveal the mechanism of REE enrichment. In order to determine the geochemistry characteristics and migration processes of REE, seawater, porewater and sediment samples were systematically collected from the western Pacific for REE analysis. The results show a relatively flat REE pattern and the HREE (Heavy REE) enrichment in surface and deep seawater respectively. The HREE enrichment distribution patterns, low concentrations of Mn and Fe and negative Ce anomaly occur in the porewater, and high Mn/Al ratios and low U concentrations were observed in sediment, indicating oxic condition. LREE (Light REE) and MREE (Middle REE) enrichment in upper layer and depletion of MREE in deeper layer were shown in porewater profile. This study suggests that porewater flux in the western Pacific basin is a minor source of REEs to seawater, and abundant REEs are enriched in sediments, which is mainly caused by the extensive oxic condition, low sedimentation rate and strong adsorption capacity of sediments. Hence, the removal of REEs of porewater may result in widespread REE-rich sediments in the western Pacific basin.

The rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) in bioapatite from deep-sea sediments are potential proxies for reconstructing paleoenvironmental conditions. However, the REY enrichment mechanism and the reliability of this tracer remain elusive because of the lack of key information from ambient pore water. Here, we report high-resolution geochemical data for pore water, bottom water, and bioapatite from deep-sea sites in the western Pacific. Our results reveal that the benthic flux of REY from the deep sea is less substantial than from the shallow marine realm, resulting in REY-rich sediment. The depth distribution of REY in pore water is opposite to that of bioapatite, and REY patterns and neodymium isotopic compositions are not uniformly distributed within bioapatite. These results indicate alteration of REY and neodymium isotopic compositions during early diagenesis. Therefore, we infer that REY from bioapatite are not robust recorders of the deep marine environment through Earth’s history.

The release of phosphorous (P) via chemical weathering is a vital process that regulates the global cycling of numerous key elements and shapes the size of the Earth’s biosphere. It has long been postulated that global climate should theoretically play a prominent role in governing P weathering rates. Yet, there is currently a lack of direct evidence for this relationship based on empirical data at the global scale. Here, using a compilation of temperature and P content data of global surface soils (0 to 30 cm), we demonstrate that P release does enhance at high mean annual surface temperatures. We propose that this amplification of nutrient supply with warming is a critical component of Earth’s natural thermostat, and that this relationship likely caused expanded oceanic anoxia during past climate warming events. The potential acceleration of phosphorus loss from soils due to anthropogenic climate warming may pose threats to agricultural production, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and alter marine redox landscapes.

Methane seeps are widespread at continental margins, and may exert an influence on climate change. However, many details concerning the relationship between methane seepage and climate change in the geological history remain unclear. Geological records of cold seeps at glacial‐interglacial transitions remain scarce due to the lack of relatively complete records. Here we present geochemical data of seep carbonates from a drill core from the South China Sea, which reveals three stages of methane seepage linked to the dissociation of biogenic methane hydrate: ∼130.3 ka BP before, MIS 5 (∼130.3 to 111.4 ka BP) and MIS 1 (∼11.1 to 10.0 ka BP). Our results evidence that methane seepage was induced by warm seawater and subsequently hydrostatic pressure drop during deglaciations. We suspect this process to occur in other world regions and infer that methane seepage might occur more widespread at glacial‐interglacial transitions, which in turn might have accelerated global warming.

Ferromanganese deposits in the South China Sea (SCS) hold significant strategic metal resources, yet their distribution remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we conducted an integrated study across 6,600 km² in the central basin of the SCS, combining sampling, seafloor video, and multi‐beam backscatter acoustic surveys. A high‐backscatter zone of 1.21 km² on the Jiaolong seamount was identified as a ferromanganese nodule‐rich area, contrasting with the abyssal basin. The ferromanganese nodules exhibit high vernadite contents and atypical hydrogenesis characteristics, including high Fe/Mn and Fe/Co ratios, and elevated Pb and rare earth element contents. These features suggest that marginal seas are more effective in supplying short‐life cycle elements. Seamounts in the central basin may enhance circulation efficiency, facilitating sediment removal and dissolved oxygen recharge, thereby promoting ferromanganese deposit formation in certain areas. This study contributes to the further exploration of ferromanganese deposits in the SCS.