Complex sedimentation of the Holocene mud deposits in a ria-type coastal area,eastern Korea Strait

The innermost shelf of the eastern Korea Strait is a ria-type coastal sea comprising islands, intervening passageways and embayments. A detailed analysis of high-resolution (1−10 kHz) subbottom profiles and core sediments from this area reveals complicated depositional and distributional patterns of the Holocene mud deposits related to complex topography with varying supply of the adjacent Nakdong riverine sediments. Sediments from the Nakdong River were bifurcated around Gadeok Island, forming two proximal systems: Nakdong and western Gadeok systems. These proximal systems prograded offshore (southward) by active sediment supply from the Nakdong River in the early stage. Suspended sediments passing through the Nakdong system formed the distal (Gadeok Waterway and eastern Geoje) systems in the area between the northern Geoje and Gadeok islands. These distal systems show a northwestward (onshore) prograding tendency to Jinhae Bay, the biggest bay in the vicinity of the Nakdong estuary in which the Jinhae Bay system developed. In the late stage, a remarkable decrease of sediment supply from the Nakdong River has caused retrograding geometry of the two proximal systems. However, the most distal (Jinhae Bay) system has continuously prograded bayward due to the persistent supply of sediments resuspended by strong tidal currents from nearby distal (Gadeok Waterway and eastern Geoje) systems. These complex depositional features indicate that topography has an important influence on depositional developments of the Holocene mud deposits by controlling path and intensity of sediment dispersal and resuspension processes.     

Assessing the ecosystem health status of Korea Gwangyang and Jinhae bays based on a planktonic index of biotic integrity (P-IBI)

To assess the responses of planktonic organisms to pollutants in the coastal ecosystems of Gwangyang and Jinhae bays in Korea, we investigated seasonal changes in various biological factors during the period from 2010 to 2012. Based on the characteristics of nutrient uptake by planktonic organisms under the coastal pollution conditions, we focused on four major parameters: total phytoplankton, harmful algal bloom (HAB) species, heterotrophic bacteria (HB) and Escherichia coli to develop a planktonic index of biotic integrity (P-IBI). The threshold values for abundances of total phytoplankton, HAB species and HB were based on the zero Z-score following normal distribution of the data for each parameter during the three years. Based on this approach, the threshold values were: 1.2 × 10⁶ cells L^?1 for total phytoplankton; 3.3 × 10⁴ cells L^?1 for HAB species; and 1.7 × 10⁶ cells mL^?1for HB. Five grade levels for the P-IBI were established, based on the zero Z-scores. The threshold value for E. coli not to be normalized was based on the USEPA and the Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries guidelines. Validity of the grades and threshold values for each parameter established using the field data were tested by algal bioassays in a mesocosm enclosure, which supported the threshold values obtained in the field. In Gwangyang Bay, the annual integrated score for the P-IBI in 2010 was better than in the other years of the study. In Jinhae Bay, the P-IBI for the inner area of Masan Bay was Grade IV–V, indicating unhealthy conditions relative to the central and western outer areas, where the P-IBI varied from Grade II to III. The P-IBI values for Gwangyang and Jinhae bays were mostly rated as “Good (Grade II) or Fair (Grade III)”, except for a few stations in the semi-enclosed areas of the inner part of Jinhae Bay. From an overall view based on the P-IBI developed in this study, the coastal ecosystem health status in Gwangyang Bay was in a better condition than Jinhae Bay. The P-IBI indicated also a change to an unhealthy status during the rainy periods of spring and summer, whereas during winter and autumn the index indicated healthy conditions.     

Water quality assessment at Jinhae Bay and Gwangyang Bay,South Korea

A new water quality index for evaluating the water quality of Jinhae Bay and Gwangyang Bay was developed. Four water quality parameters were selected as water quality indicators for the water quality index: dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), and dissolved oxygen (DO). Reference levels of DIN, DIP, and Chl-a were determined as 6.22 μmol L^?1, 0.38 μmol L^?1, and 2.32 μmol L^?1, respectively, on the basis of a long-term dataset that was collected monthly in the Korea Strait over a period of seven years (2006–2012). The water quality index established for Jinhae Bay and Gwangyang Bay is (bottom DO grade × 0.33) + (surface Chl-a grade × 0.33) + (surface DIN grade × 0.17) + (surface DIP grade × 0.17). On the basis of a three-year observation, the water quality of Jinhae Bay was classified as “good” in winter and spring, “poor” in summer, and “fair” in autumn and exhibited large spatial variation, with the lowest-quality water observed in Masan Bay. The water quality of Gwangyang Bay was classified as “good” in winter, “fair” in spring, “poor” in summer, and “fair” in autumn. Unlike Jinhae Bay, the water quality of Gwangyang Bay exhibited minimal spatial variation. In both bays, water quality among the four seasons was worse during summer. It is essential that a survey for water quality evaluation be conducted during summer.     

Spatial and seasonal variations in the water quality of Jinhae Bay,Korea

The chemical and biological characteristics of surface waters in Jinhae Bay were investigated over four seasons to understand water quality in light of the growing industrialisation occurring within this area. Jinhae Bay includes four smaller bays: Masan; Hangam; Jindong; and Gohyun. The water quality in Jinhae Bay varied spatially and seasonally. The water quality of both Hangam Bay and Masan Bay was highly degraded, demonstrating high concentrations of ammonia, nitrate, chlorophyll a and particulate organic carbon. Contamination from sewage was the dominant cause of the water quality deterioration in these bays. Conversely, the water quality in Jindong Bay and Gohyun Bay was not as severely affected as that of the above two bays. Water quality in Jinhae Bay was particularly poor in summer when nutrient loading was highest due to the run-off associated with high precipitation. Principal component analysis indicated that nitrogen contamination was a major factor influencing the water quality of Jinhae Bay. The effective reduction in high-nitrogen discharges is essential to improve water quality in Jinghae Bay.     

Spawning characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clupea pallasii</Emphasis> in the coastal waters off Gyeongnam,Korea, during spawning season

The purpose of this study is to research the characteristics of spawning grounds of Clupea pallasii found at 1 spawning ground located in the coast of Yeongun-ri, Tongyeong, Gyeongnam, and 3 stations in Jinhae Bay. Diving observation was performed from January to June, 2014 at the coast of Yeongun-ri, and from February to June, 2016 at Jinhae Bay after total 4 stations (A: Gusan-myeon, B: Haengamdong, C: Hacheong-myeon, D: Jam-do) were constituted. During observation period, 1 spawning ground was found in Tongyeong area in January. In Jinhae Bay spawning grounds were found at 3 stations (A, B, D) out of 4 stations in February. Regarding the surrounding environment of spawning ground found at Yeongunri, Tongyeong, various kinds of seaweeds were distributed up to 1–5 m depth, and many branch type red algae were distributed. In case of Jinhae Bay, seaweeds were widely distributed from shallow water to 5 m depth. In addition, the scope that eggs were attached was considerably wide compared to Tongyeong area, and they were found at all the 3 spots, so C. pallasii is thought to use Jinhae Bay for its spawning ground widely. Eggs were attached from the surface to 3–4 m, and like Tongyeong area, eggs were attached to mostly branch type of red algae. The results of this study suggest that the spawning season of the C. pallasii in coast waters off Gyeongnam is until mid-February.     

Sea level fluctuations in central California at subtidal to decadal and longer time scales with implications for San Francisco Bay, California

Sea level elevations from near the mouth of San Francisco Bay are used to describe the low-frequency variability of forcing of the coastal ocean on the Bay at a variety of temporal scales. About 90% of subtidal fluctuations in sea level in San Francisco Bay are driven by the sea level variations in the coastal ocean that propagate into the Bay at the estuary mouth. We use the 100-year sea level record available at San Francisco to document a 1.9 mm/yr mean sea level rise, and to determine fluctuations related to El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and other climatic events. At time scales greater than 1 year, ENSO dominates the sea level signal and can result in fluctuations in sea level of 10–15 cm. Alongshore wind stress data from central California are also analyzed to determine the impact of changes in coastal elevation at the mouth of San Francisco Bay within the synoptic wind band of 2–30 days. At least 40% of the subtidal fluctuations in sea level of the Bay are tied to the large-scale regional wind field affecting sea level variations in the coastal ocean, with little local, direct wind forcing of the Bay itself. The majority of the subtidal sea level fluctuations within the Bay that are not related to the coastal ocean sea level signal are forced by an east–west sea level gradient resulting from tidally induced variations in sea level at specific beat frequencies that are enhanced in the northern reach of the Bay. River discharge into the Bay through the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Delta also contributes to the east–west gradient, but to a lesser degree.     

Threshold value of Benthic Pollution Index (BPI) for a muddy healthy benthic faunal community and its application to Jinhae Bay in the southern coast of Korea

For the determination of benthic community health criteria of a biotic index, Benthic Pollution Index (BPI), the faunal data on macrobenthic community of Deukryang Bay collected in 2012 were used. Each macrobenthic fauna was classified into 4 functional groups according to their feeding and life history strategies and BPI was calculated using the abundance of fauna for these functional groups. Amphipods were the dominant faunal group belonging to Functional Group (FG) II in Deukryang Bay during all seasons. The BPI value fluctuated seasonally from 55 to 61, and the overall mean value of BPI in the reference area was 60, which was estimated as the threshold value for healthy communities. We tried to use BPI as an assessment tool for macrofaunal community health status by categorizing the BPI values into 5 grades. If the BPI value of the community is more than 60, the health status of a macrobenthic community will be assessed as ‘Excellent’ (Grade 1) and as ‘Good’ (Grade 2), if between 40 and 60, as ‘Fair’ (Grade 3), if between 30 and 40, as ‘Poor’ (Grade 4), if between 20 and 30, and finally the health status of a community will be assessed as ‘Very Poor’ (Grade 5), if the BPI value is less than 20. This assessment tool using BPI was applied to macrobenthic communities in Jinhae Bay including the Special Management Area of South Korea. In Jinhae Bay, the FG IV containing a spionid species, Paraprionospio patiens was the most dominant group. The values of BPI in Jinhae Bay were very low and ranged from 11 to 23. The ecological health status of macrobenthic communities in Jinhae Bay was ‘Very Poor’ at more than 50% of sites, especially in summer.     

Ra and Ra in the mixing zones of the Pee Dee River-Winyah Bay, Yangtze River and Delaware Bay Estuaries

²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra have non-conservative excess concentrations in the mixing zones of the Pee Dee River-Winyah Bay estuary, the Yangtze River estuary, and the Delaware Bay estuary. Laboratory experiments, using Pee Dee River sediment, indicate desorption of ²²⁶Ra to increase with increasing salinities up to 20‰. In Winyah Bay desorption from river-borne sediments could contribute almost all of the increases for both isotopes. Desorption adds only a portion of the excess ²²⁸Ra measured in the Yangtse River and adjacent Shelf waters and Delaware Bay. In the Yangtze River the mixing zone extends over a considerable portion of the Continental Shelf where ²²⁸Ra is added to the water column by diffusion from bottom sediments, while ²²⁶Ra concentrations decrease from dilution. Diffusion of ²²⁸Ra from bottom sediments in Delaware Bay primarily occurs in the upper part of the bay (< 22‰ water) where fine grained sediments predominate. A diffusive flux for ²²⁸Ra of 0·33 dpm cm⁻² year was determined for Delaware Bay.     

226Ra and 228Ra in the mixing zones of the Pee Dee River-Winyah Bay,Yangtze River and Delaware Bay Estuaries

²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra have non-conservative excess concentrations in the mixing zones of the Pee Dee River-Winyah Bay estuary, the Yangtze River estuary, and the Delaware Bay estuary. Laboratory experiments, using Pee Dee River sediment, indicate desorption of ²²⁶Ra to increase with increasing salinities up to 20‰. In Winyah Bay desorption from river-borne sediments could contribute almost all of the increases for both isotopes. Desorption adds only a portion of the excess ²²⁸Ra measured in the Yangtse River and adjacent Shelf waters and Delaware Bay. In the Yangtze River the mixing zone extends over a considerable portion of the Continental Shelf where ²²⁸Ra is added to the water column by diffusion from bottom sediments, while ²²⁶Ra concentrations decrease from dilution. Diffusion of ²²⁸Ra from bottom sediments in Delaware Bay primarily occurs in the upper part of the bay (< 22‰ water) where fine grained sediments predominate. A diffusive flux for ²²⁸Ra of 0·33 dpm cm^?2 year was determined for Delaware Bay.     

Clay mineralogy of bottom sediment in the Jinhae Bay,Korea

The bottom sediments of Jinhae Bay area contain, on average, 45 % illite, 23 % kaolinite, 17 % intergrade clay, 10 % chlorite, and 5 % smectite. The geographical distribution of the clay minerals shows, in general, an it crease in illite, a decrease in kaolinite, and a slight decrease in chlorite seawards. The distributional trends of smectite and intergrade clay are irregular. The clay fractions of the sediments of Jinhae Bay are supplied from stream-borne sediments and are mixed with sediments transported landwards from the East China Sea. Local erosion and redeposition of the clay fractions of the bottom sediments is caused by rapid tidal currents.     

渤海中部沉积物铅来源的同位素示踪

本研究对渤海中部表层和柱状沉积物中Pb的含量和同位素进行了分析,研究了其时空分布规律,并探讨了其物质来源。结果表明,表层沉积物中Pb的含量为14.54×10-6~59.42×10-6,其含量在渤海湾近岸、黄河口附近、研究区的东北部较高,而在研究区的中部和渤海湾北部含量较低;Pb同位素207Pb/206Pb的值为0.8341~0.8489,208Pb/206Pb的值为2.0828~2.0980。岩心沉积物中Pb含量、同位素组成与表层沉积物相似,整体上较为稳定,但在1990s以来呈现增大的趋势。渤海中部沉积物中Pb以自然来源为主,黄河沉积物是其主要物质来源,但渤海湾北端则与滦河源物质或沿岸侵蚀相关;人类活动影响主要出现在1990s以后,与中国含Pb矿石的燃烧等工业活动相关,但影响微弱,仅在黄河口西北近岸海域、渤海湾等个别站位得到体现。     

环境因素对杭州湾中型浮游动物群落结构的控制作用

A quarterly study of mesozooplankton community structure and environmental variables in the Hangzhou Bay was conducted to examine the response of mesozooplankton community to the variation of water mass and environmental condition. The southeast coast of China is a typical region under the intensive influence of Asia monsoon and freshwater discharge from rivers. The water mass and environmental condition of the Hangzhou Bay, which were influenced by the interaction of currents, freshwater discharge of the Qiantang River and Changjiang River Plume, showed significant seasonal variation. Our results showed that both biomass and abundance were significantly higher in summer((247.7±148.8) mg/m~3 and(350.9±215.6) ind./m~3, respectively)than those in other seasons. Four eco-geographical regions were divided based on the cluster analysis of zooplankton community of the Hangzhou Bay throughout the year, except for winter. Monsoon and the dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN) input from freshwater discharge of the Qiantang River and Changjiang River resulted in temporal and spatial variations of environmental gradient in the Hangzhou Bay, which significantly influenced the structure of mesozooplankton community. Redundancy analysis(RDA) indicated that the mesozooplankton community structure was strictly correlated with the DIN gradient, while salinity gradient showed a weak influence in the Hangzhou Bay.     

A budget for modern‐Holocene sediment on the South Otago continental shelf

A sediment budget for the South Otago continental shelf and coast, between Nugget Point and Otago Peninsula, reveals modern (post 6500 y) sediment input is dominated by the Clutha River (total 3.14 Mt y^‐1; Mt = 10⁶ tonnes). Contributions from the Taieri River (0.6 Mt y^‐1), the adjacent Southland shelf (0.4 Mt y^‐1), and the biogenic production of calcareous shell debris (0.25 Mt y^‐1) account for only 28% of the input. About half of the bedload (sand and gravel) reaching the Otago shelf is stored within a large nearshore sand wedge in the protected waters of Molyneux Bay, off the Clutha River. Bedload that escapes storage (1.1 Mt y^‐1) is transported north‐eastwards to be deposited on beach and inner shelf environments just north of Otago Peninsula. Suspended load (mud) accounts for over half of the sediment input (2.33 Mt y^‐1) and is nearly all transported from the study area to accumulate in north‐easterly shelf and slope depocentres.     

Current status and ecological roles of Zostera marina after recovery from large-scale reclamation in the Nakdong River estuary,Korea

Large Zostera marina meadows (covering 13.6 km²) existed in the Nakdong River estuary on the south coast of Korea until the mid-1980s, but these Z. marina beds nearly disappeared due to reclamation of adjacent mud flats for the construction of a port and industrial complex during the late 1980s. Partial recovery of Z. marina meadows occurred recently, and Z. marina coverage of about 0.3 km² was observed in this estuary. In this study, shoot morphology, density, biomass, productivity, and tissue nutrient content were measured to evaluate the current status of the Z. marina meadows by comparing these data to those for persistent seagrass meadows in similar geographical areas. Additionally, we examined the ecological roles of Z. marina in this estuary after recovery from the large-scale disturbance. Shoot density (151 shoots m⁻²) and total biomass (141 g DW m⁻²) in the estuary were similar to those reported from other Z. marina meadows in Korea. Annual leaf production (1726 g DW m⁻² y⁻¹) was higher than generally observed for Z. marina in other geographical areas. These results imply that the existing Z. marina meadows in this estuary have adjusted to local environmental conditions that changed after large-scale reclamation. Estimated annual whole plant carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) incorporations based on shoot production and tissue C and N content were 810.0 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ and 59.7 g N m⁻² y⁻¹, respectively. These values were equivalent to 2.4 × 10⁵ kg C y⁻¹ and 1.8 × 10⁴ kg N y⁻¹ for all Z. marina beds in the Nakdong River estuary. This high C and N incorporation into Z. marina tissues suggests that existing Z. marina meadows play important roles in C and N cycles in this estuary. Although the currently existing Z. marina beds in this estuary are persisting and play an important ecological role, anthropogenic factors that cause seagrass declines still affect the estuary. Thus, effective management and monitoring of Z. marina beds and environmental factors are critical to protecting and conserving this invaluable component of the Nakdong River estuary.     

Contrasting food-web support bases for adjoining river-influenced and non-river influenced continental shelf ecosystems

Nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations and distributions in two adjoining regions of the South Atlantic Bight (SAB), Onslow Bay and nearshore Long Bay, were investigated over a 3-year period. Onslow Bay represents the northernmost region of the SAB, and receives very limited riverine influx. In contrast, Long Bay, just to the south, receives discharge from the Cape Fear River, draining the largest watershed within the State of North Carolina, USA. Northern Long Bay is a continental shelf ecosystem that has a nearshore area dominated by nutrient, turbidity and water-color loading from inputs from the river's plume. Average planktonic chlorophyll a concentrations ranged from 4.2 μg l⁻¹ near the estuary mouth, to 3.1 μg l⁻¹ 7 km offshore in the plume's influence, to 1.9 μg l⁻¹ at a non-plume station 7 km offshore to the northeast. Average areal planktonic chlorophyll a was approximately 3X that of benthic chlorophyll a at plume-influenced stations in Long Bay. In contrast, planktonic chlorophyll a concentrations in Onslow Bay were normally <0.50 μg l⁻¹ at a nearshore (8 km) site, and <0.15 μg l⁻¹ at sites located 45 and 100 km offshore. However, high water clarity (K_PAR 0.10–0.25 m⁻¹) provides a favorable environment for benthic microalgae, which were abundant both nearshore (average 58.3 mg m⁻²) and to at least 45 km offshore in Onslow Bay (average 70.0 mg m⁻²) versus average concentrations of 10–12 mg m⁻² for river-influenced areas of Long Bay. This provides evidence that much of the inner shelf food web in Onslow Bay is based on benthic microalgal production, in contrast to a plankton-based food web in northern Long Bay and more southerly areas of the SAB.     

Rare earth elements and Opal/CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ratio of sinking particles observed with a time-series sediment trap at the mouth of Tokyo Bay

A time-series sediment trap was deployed from December 1994 to February 2002 at the mouth of Tokyo Bay (35°03′ N, 139°40′ E; water depth, 850 m). Sinking particles were obtained with a time interval of one week at a depth of approximately 100 m above the sea floor. Observed total mass fluxes varied from 3.3 to 226.7 g/m²/day with an average of 28.0 g/m²/day. Concentrations of rare earth elements, Al, Ca and Si in particulate materials were measured. The combustible fraction at 450°C is assumed to be equivalent to the organic matter content. Contents of biogenic materials, namely organic matter, opal and calcium carbonate, were about 30% and the content of lithogenic material was about 70%. Using La/Yb ratios of particles from the sediment trap and Tama-gawa River and surface sediment of Tokyo Bay, it was estimated that about 50% of the lithogenic particles collected in the sediment trap at the mouth of Tokyo Bay originated from resuspended surface sediment in Tokyo Bay. An increasing trend of Opal/CaCO₃ ratio in the sinking particles was found in the spring season. It is suggested that the relative increase of diatoms is due to the decreasing dissolved inorganic nitrogen input into Tokyo Bay.     

Sedimentation rates and heavy metal pollution of sediments in the Seto Inland Sea

Sedimentation rates in ten sediment cores from Hiroshima Bay in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan were determined with the |2210|0Pb technique, and heavy metals were analyzed. The sedimentation rates vary from 0.18 to 0.33 g cm|2-2|0 yr|2-1|0. The highest sedimentation rates were observed in the northern part of the bay at the mouth of Ota River, while lower sedimentation rates not more than 0.20 g cm⁻² yr⁻¹ were observed at stations close to narrow water-ways, or where water depth was shallow. The contents of copper and zinc in the sediment cores began to increase around 1930 as a result of increased human activity, and have remained almost unchanged since 1970 possibly because of regulation of pollutant discharge. The natural background values of copper and zinc in the sediment of this bay range from 16 to 27 mgkg⁻¹ and 70 to 105 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The total amounts of anthropogenic copper and zinc deposited in the sediments since about 1930 are estimated to be 0.5–2.7 ton km⁻² and 2.2–14.5 ton km⁻², respectively. At the present-day, the anthropogenic loads of copper and zinc to the sediments of the whole bay are 26 ton yr⁻¹ and 183 ton yr⁻¹, and these values constitute 39% and 48% of the total sedimentary loads at the present-day, respectively.     

Optical Characteristics and Distribution of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter in Onega Bay (White Sea) during the Summer Season (Findings from an Expedition from June 22 to 26, 2015)

Onega Bay waters are characterized by a high content of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM). The absorbance spectra and fluorescence intensity (excitation wavelength 455 nm, emission wavelength >680 nm) were used to assess the distribution of CDOM content in water filtered through a GF/F filter. The CDOM content at different points in Onega Bay showed more than a fourfold difference, as inferred from the measured values. The CDOM content in surface waters was, as a rule, higher than in the deeper horizons. A higher CDOM content was measured near the Onega River, near the middle part of the Onega shore, and near the Pomor shore opposite the town of Belomorsk. River runoff is the major source of CDOM in Onega Bay water. The CDOM chemical composition in Onega Bay waters was heterogeneous. The ratio of the fluorescence intensity to the absorbance value was higher near the mouths of rivers and in intensive mixing zones than in water characterized by high salinity. A highly significant linear correlation (R² = 0.7825) between water salinity and CDOM fluorescence intensity was demonstrated. The contribution of fluorescent compounds to river runoff CDOM is substantially higher than the contribution to the composition marine CDOM.     

Above-ground biomass estimation of tuberous bulrush (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bolboschoenus planiculmis</Emphasis>) in mudflats using remotely sensed multispectral image

We present a multivariate regression approach for mapping the spatial distribution of above-ground biomass (AGB) of B. planiculmis using field data and coincident moderate spatial resolution satellite imagery. A total of 232 ground sample plots were used to estimate the biomass distribution in the Nakdong River estuary. Field data were overlain and correlated with digital values from an atmospherically corrected multispectral image (Landsat 8). The AGB distribution was derived using empirical models trained with field-measured AGB data. The final regression model for AGB estimation was composed using the OLI3, OLI4, and OLI7 spectral bands. The Pearson correlation between the observed and predicted biomass was significant (R = 0.84, p < 0.0001). OLI3 made the largest contribution to the final model (relative coefficient value: 53.4%) and revealed a negative relationship with the AGB biomass. The total distribution area of B. planiculmis was 1,922,979 m². Based on the model estimation, the total AGB had a dry weight (DW) of approximately 298.2 tons. The distribution of high biomass stands (> 200 kg DW/900 m²) constituted approximately 23.91% of the total vegetated area. Our findings suggest the expandability of remotely sensed products to understand the distribution pattern of estuarine plant productivity at the landscape level.     

Factors controlling excess radium in the Nakdong River estuary,Korea: submarine groundwater discharge versus desorption from riverine particles

The activities of naturally occurring radium isotopes (²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra) in estuarine water were measured downstream of the dam constructed in the Nakdong River, Korea. The sampling of surface waters for radium, silicate, and suspended solid (SS) analyses was conducted at 18 stations during three periods (July 1997, April 1998, and June 1999). In general, radium activities exceeded the value expected from the mixing of two freshwater and seawater endmembers. We characterized the responses of Ra and Si according to three different conditions: (1) when the freshwater discharge and the water level of the dam relative to the sea level at low tide were lower (April 1998), the excess Ra and Si contents were lower in the estuary; (2) when the fresh water discharge was larger following heavy precipitation (July 1997), both excess Ra and Si contents were higher in the estuary with conservative mixing of Si; and (3) when the water level of the dam relative to the sea level at low tide was highest under low freshwater discharge (June 1999), high excess Ra but low Si levels were observed. The occurrence of high Ra activity in June 1999 was likely due to the large submarine brackish groundwater discharge downstream of the estuary. Since brackish groundwater in general contains high concentrations of nutrients, Ba, Ra, etc, our result suggests an important role for the submarine groundwater discharge on the biogeochemistry of estuarine/coastal waters, especially when the water level of the dam (hydraulic head) is high.