The time-series sediment traps were deployed in the northern South China Sea (NSCS) to collect settling particles to study the spatial and temporal variations of particle fluxes, particle sources and particle compositions. Each recovered sample was analyzed to determine the particle flux, major compositions (OM, Carbonate, opal and lithogenic materials) and trace metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Cd, Zn). The data were employed to elucidate the biochemical processes in controlling particle and chemical fluxes. The results show that the particle fluxes vary significantly in time and space, and were apparently related to terrestrial inputs and monsoon-effected processes. Episodic events such as typhoon and earthquakes also effected the fluxes considerably. Vertical fluxes generally decreased with depth for biogenic components (POC, carbonate, opal) but increased with depth for the lithogenic component. Most lithogenic fluxes below the surface were likely derived from lateral transport and decreased with distance away from Taiwan Island. Biogenic fluxes in surface layers were generally higher in winter than in otherseasons, which may be resulted from the elevated primary production in winter. Typhoons also enhanced biogenic fluxes in surface layers but biogenic fluxes were diluted in deep layers by strong lithogenic fluxes. Carbonate dominated the biogenic fluxes in the upper layer and may play as the major ballast in the transportation of biogenic materials through the water column. The C/N ratios of organic matter increased generally with depth implying that nitrogen was preferentially decayed over carbon through the water column. Lithogenic elements such as Al, Fe, Mn were closely correlated and increased in fluxes with depth. However, microelements associated with biogenic materials (Cd, Zn) displayed a significant decrease in content with depth, showing a rapid recycling in water columns.