本项目将以IODP U1501站岩芯样品为主要研究材料，并辅以其它站位岩芯样品开展下列研究：（1）始新世-渐新世钙质超微化石生物地层学。除了建立生物地层分带方案外，将重点关注始新世钙质超微化石，从钙质超微化石角度为南海形成年代提供依据；（2）详细研究渐新世/中新世界限附近钙质超微化石演化，探索其对T60构造事件的响应；（3）对下部无海相化石样品开展锆石年代分析，以确定下部样品的年代；（4）通过钙质超微化石定量分析并结合碳酸钙含量分析、粒度分析、元素地球化学分析等手段对始新世-渐新世古海洋环境进行研究。本项目的实施将为南海形成年代和形成环境等科学问题提供依据和新的认识，同时始新世-渐新世钙质超微化石生物地层分带方案的建立也将为南海北部陆架盆地相应工作的开展提供对比的标准，从而为油气勘探服务。

Samples from IODP Sites, U1501, U1499, U1500, U1502, U1504 and U1505 will be analyzed in order to study on: (1) Eocene –Oligocene calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. In spite of establishing the calcareous nannofossil zones, Eocene calcareous nannofossils study will be focused specially, and this study will provide evidence for the initial age of the South China Sea. (2) Calcareous nannofossil evolution during the Oligocene-Miocene boundary and their response to T60 tectonic event. (3) Detrital zircon ages and elemental analysis of bottom sequence in IODP Site U1501. （4）Eocene –Oligocene palaeoenvironments by using quantitative analysis of nannofossils, morphology of nannofossils ,CaCO3%, grain size, organic matter and elemental analysis. This study will be important for the understanding of the age and environments of the South China Sea formation and has important implication for the oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea.