紫坪铺水库沉积物Sr同位素及元素组成变化对2008年汶川大地震的响应

2008年5月12日里氏7.9级汶川大地震引发了超过56000多个山体滑坡,在龙门山地区产生巨量的碎屑物质,极大地影响了流域的地表过程.然而,地震对河流碎屑物质组成及沉积过程的改变却知之甚少.紫坪铺水库超高沉积速率（平均74 cm/a）的沉积物完整记录了汶川地震前后的沉积过程,为研究2008年汶川地震对流域地表物质搬运及沉积物组成的影响提供了宝贵的素材.本研究测试了汶川地震前后紫坪铺水库沉积物的Sr同位素以及元素组成,结果表明其在地震之后均发生了显著变化.震后沉积物⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr与Rb/Sr比值同步降低,并且和沉积物化学蚀变指数（CIA）呈正相关性,反映了地震滑坡导致的新鲜物质对沉积物的贡献,特别是地震后强径流的2010—2011年.地震前后沉积物组成的差异性,为利用沉积物反演水文气候和构造事件及其环境效应提供了基础和潜在指标.     

全新世以来东北地区沼泽湿地发育过程及其对气候变化的响应

沼泽湿地是陆地生态系统的重要组成部分,在维护区域环境稳定中起着重要作用.随着社会经济的发展,人类活动导致湿地大面积退化和消失,严重影响了区域生态安全;恢复退化湿地已成为各国政府和学者关注的焦点.而了解历史时期沼泽湿地发育过程及影响因素则是建立合理湿地恢复目标的重要前提.东北地区是我国最大的沼泽湿地集中分布区,其中70%的湿地面临不同程度的退化威胁;但由于数据的缺乏,东北地区沼泽湿地发育过程及其与气候变化的关系仍不清楚.基于此,本研究系统分析了全新世以来东北地区沼泽湿地形成发育的动态变化过程,并探讨了东北地区不同区域沼泽湿地的发育规律及其对气候变化的响应机理.研究发现东北地区沼泽湿地约从12 ka（1 ka=1000 cal.）开始发育,在距今8.6 ka以后开始广泛形成,约有35%的沼泽湿地形成于全新世暖湿期（8.0-4.0 ka）;而沼泽湿地发育的高峰期则集中在全新世晚期.这种发育趋势与全球北方主要区域沼泽湿地大规模发育趋势显著不同.古气候重建表明,全新世早期东北地区气候温暖湿润,处在有利于沼泽发育的时期,促进了沼泽湿地的形成;而在全新世晚期,东北地区呈现冷湿的气候组合特征,冷湿的气候条件不利于有机质的分解,进而促进了沼泽湿地的大规模形成和发育.此外,研究结果也表明全新世以来东北地区不同区域沼泽湿地发育的时间和规模呈现显著的空间差异,而温度和降水则是影响不同区域沼泽湿地发育的最重要因素.本研究将为我国东北地区沼泽湿地的保护和恢复提供一定的理论和数据支持.     

江苏省石梁河水库高分辨率沉积速率变化及环境意义

石梁河水库是江苏省最大的人工湖泊.开展水库沉积速率研究,对认识水库环境变化具有重要意义.本文对石梁河水库沉积物岩芯粒度组成特征进行了分析,表明沉积物以黏土质粉砂和粉砂质黏土为主,从底部向上呈明显的变细趋势,并记录了1970年的强降雨事件.采用¹³⁷Cs同位素测年分析,得到1963年和1986年两个时标.通过石梁河水库的沉积年代序列,推算出平均沉积速率:1963 1970年为10.85 cm/a,1970 1986年为3.81 cm/a,1986 2005年为1.32 cm/a.对比粒度沉积特征和流域降水记录,粗颗粒物质和降雨量的变化趋势基本相同,沉积物粒度组成特点直接反映了沉积时的降水、水动力搬运强度等信息.在河川来水来沙、坝前水位变化和地形等条件下,石梁河水库表现为三角洲淤积,且沉积速率逐渐变缓,符合水库淤积的一般规律.此外,石梁河水库上游建设的众多大型水库,拦截了大量泥沙,也使得沉积速率呈现减小趋势.     

近百年来新疆博斯腾湖初级生产力的变化

本研究选择新疆博斯腾湖不同区域进行沉积岩芯采集.在210Pb、137Cs定年的基础上,利用漫反射光谱分析了湖泊沉积物中叶绿素a的含量,结合沉积速率、烧失量以及开都河的径流量记录等,探讨近百年来湖泊初级生产力的变化.结果表明:开都河的径流量变化对博斯腾湖沉积速率与生产力演化有一定影响,而人类活动干扰则是影响湖泊初级生产力演化的主要原因.1950s开始的新疆第一次大规模开垦活动导致了湖泊的沉积速率及初级生产力开始上升.沉积物的沉积速率以及叶绿素a的沉积通量在1970年左右出现最高值后下降,这与新疆的第二次大规模垦荒有关,同时,周边地区盐碱地除盐方式的改变对湖泊的生态环境变化也有很大影响.从1980s至今,由于流域内人类活动干扰增强,沉积物中的叶绿素a浓度逐渐增加,湖泊初级生产力呈上升的趋势.     

女山湖现代沉积速率和环境解释

为探讨本世纪以来女山湖生态环境的演化历史,以＾１３７Ｃｓ和＾２１０Ｃｂ放射性同位素为测试手段,分析该湖近期沉积物中＾１３７Ｃｓ和＾２１０Ｐｂ的含量分布,并根据其沉降特征和衰减规律,对沉积物做了年代定位,分段推导出平均沉积速率,建立柱状沉积年代序列。在此基础上,利用沉积记录,对沉积速率的变化进行环境解释,探讨了本世纪以来湖泊环境的演化过程。结果表明,１９２９￣１９３８年沉积速率达４．８ｍｍ／ａ,是淮     

太湖西北部表层沉积物粒度特征与沉积环境

对太湖西北部主要入湖河流、河口及近岸湖区64个表层沉积物样品进行粒度分析,结合粒度参数计算和聚类分析,探讨了表层沉积物的粒度分布特征及其沉积类型.研究结果表明:研究区沉积物平均粒径介于4.0~58.7μm之间,粒级组分为黏土、粉砂和砂,其含量的均值分别为7.19%、81.81%和11.00%.太湖西北部表层沉积物以粉砂和砂质粉砂为主;研究区粒度总体呈南粗北细的分布特征,太湖西部沿岸区距离物源区较近且水动力条件复杂,沉积物粒度较粗.太湖北部入湖河流沉积物的频率曲线峰形较宽,峰值位于细粒级;西岸入湖河道多呈单峰态,粒径偏粗;河口区沉积物粒径较河道偏粗,粗颗粒含量高.Q型聚类分析结果表明,研究区可分为4类沉积区,其中3类沉积区有典型特征:第1类沉积区主要分布在太湖西部沿岸,其沉积物粒度相对较粗;第2类沉积区主要位于入湖河流河口,沉积物粒度最粗;第3类沉积区位于蓝藻频发的梁溪河,其沉积物黏土含量极高,表明沉积物粒度特征可能与污染状况有一定的联系.     

洱海流域入湖河口湿地沉积物氮、磷、有机质分布及污染风险评价

以云南洱海罗时江河口湿地为典型对象,利用柱状底泥分层采样器采集罗时江河口湿地表层(0~10 cm)沉积物样品,研究分析总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、有机质(OM)的空间分布特征,并对沉积物进行污染风险评价.结果表明:表层沉积物TP含量在0.04~1.28 g/kg之间,空间分布特征为:Ⅱ区Ⅰ区,水道Ⅰ水道Ⅱ;TN含量在0.33~2.96 g/kg之间,空间分布特征为:Ⅰ区Ⅱ区,水道Ⅰ水道Ⅱ,OM含量在32.43~233.03 g/kg之间,空间分布表现为Ⅰ区Ⅱ区,水道Ⅰ水道Ⅱ.结合综合污染指数与有机指数评价法可知,罗时江河口湿地表层沉积物氮、磷污染:Ⅰ区和水道Ⅰ属于中度污染,Ⅱ区和水道Ⅱ属于轻度污染;有机污染:水道Ⅰ和水道Ⅱ属于重度污染,Ⅰ区和Ⅱ区属于中度污染.罗时江河口湿地表层沉积物空间分布受外源污染物、养殖活动和湿地水生植物的影响,氮、磷外源输入以水道Ⅰ为主,有机质输入以水道Ⅱ为主.     

贵州草海喀斯特高原湖泊湿地甲烷氧化菌群落特征及功能探析

草海是由喀斯特盆地积水发育而形成的一个完整的、典型的高原湖泊湿地生态系统,同时也是中国面积最大的岩溶构造湖.甲烷氧化菌作为一类能够将甲烷氧化为CO₂和水的独特微生物,其活动与生态系统中能量流动和元素循环的关键步骤密不可分.为了解贵州草海喀斯特高原湖泊湿地中甲烷氧化菌的群落结构特征及功能,利用宏基因组技术对浅水沼泽、莎草湿地、深水沉积物进行研究.结果表明,草海湿地中主要的好氧甲烷氧化菌为Methylobacter和Methylomonas,主要的厌氧甲烷氧化菌为Candidatus_Methylomirabilis_oxyfera,属于NC10门的反硝化型厌氧甲烷氧化菌.所研究的4种代谢功能基因种类多样性表现为碳代谢＞氮代谢＞硫代谢＞甲烷代谢;基于KEGG数据库共注释到6大类功能和18条与碳、甲烷、氮、硫相关的完整代谢路径.PCoA分析表明浅水沼泽和莎草湿地中甲烷氧化菌的种类和功能相似,且与深水沉积物存在差异.物种与功能相关性网络分析结果显示Methylacidiphilum_fumariolicum和Methylacidiphilum_kamchatkense与草海湖泊湿地中的各个代谢功能均具有较强的相关性.显著影响草海湿地中大多数甲烷氧化菌的群落结构的环境因素是硝酸盐、电导率、总磷和有机质.     

利用GRACE数据反演东海沉积物变化

GRACE卫星的成功发射为海底沉积物的监测提供了新的方法.利用2003-2014年间的GRACERL05数据,采用同期的测高数据对海面高变化进行改正,使用水文模式数据和基于均一假设的尺度因子估计方法处理泄漏误差,反演了东海地区的沉积物变化情况,并对GIA效应进行了改正.结果表明:东海入海口处沉积物的平均变化速率为5.44±0.88mm·a^-1,最大值出现在浙江沿海地区,变化速率为6~7mm·a^-1;在空间分布上,呈现河口处沉积速率大,远离河口的大洋地区沉积速率小的特征.在时空分布上均与实测数据很好的吻合.沉积物变化时间序列的周年项振为6.8cm,周年变化主要与东海泥沙扩散路径相关的海洋环流模式有关;半周年项和两周年项振幅分别为0.6cm和0.7cm,这两项变化主要与长江流域降水引起的土壤侵蚀变化有关.最后,分析讨论了本文沉积物监测方法推广到其他地区的适用性和局限性.     

青藏高原东南部巴松措现代沉积过程及其对气候变化的响应

湖泊沉积物是记录气候演化信息的重要载体之一,在探讨过去气候变化过程研究中发挥重要作用.然而,沉积物中的许多代用指标对气候的指示意义存在多解性,不同指标所反映的环境信息相互之间有时会存在矛盾.为了能够更准确地解读湖泊沉积物中指标所记录的环境变化信息,开展现代湖泊沉积物指标与环境之间的关系研究,深入探讨各指标对环境变化的响应机制尤为关键.本文选取青藏高原东南部巴松措湖泊表层沉积物作为研究对象,利用²¹⁰Pb与¹³⁷Cs比活度检测结果建立年代序列,对沉积物中粒度、磁化率、有机质含量等指标进行分析,揭示巴松措现代沉积过程.结合沉积物粒度端元组分分析结果,并将不同指标变化与林芝气象站所记录的数据资料进行对比,得出以下主要结论：该地区沉积物来源主要包括径流搬运的冰川碎屑物质和来自青藏高原南部、西南部上空悬浮于大气中的风成物质两部分;其中,通过风力搬运的物质输入主要集中在冬半年,受季节性风向及风速变化影响明显;径流受到冰雪融水与夏季降水的补给,因此通过径流搬运的物质输入量受到温度与降水综合影响;湖泊中磁性矿物碎屑的产生和输入主要受区域降水量影响的流域侵蚀速率变化控制,该湖泊沉积物磁化率波动可以有效的指示该地区降水量变化;沉积物中总有机碳含量和总氮含量变化主要反映湖泊自身初级生产力的变化,对区域温度变化的响应显著.     

Interannual (1999-2005) morphodynamic evolution of macro-tidal salt marshes in Mont-Saint-Michel Bay (France)

This paper provides a detailed study on the sedimentation patterns and the recent morphodynamic evolution affecting the macro-tidal salt marshes located west of the Mont-Saint-Michel (France). Twenty-two stations along three transects on the marshes were seasonally monitored for marsh surface level variations from 1999 to 2005, using a sediment erosion bar. The corresponding erosion/accretion rates were obtained together with data on topography, vegetation cover, and grain size of surface sediment. To examine the mechanisms contributing to the salt marsh sedimentation, the data and their evolution were treated with respect to tides, relative mean regional sea level, and wind speed/frequency variations.From 1999 to 2005, the marsh was globally accreting (from 3.45 to 38.11 mm yr⁻¹ in the low marsh, up to 4.91 mm yr⁻¹ in the middle marsh, and up to 1.35 mm yr⁻¹ in the high marsh), while the study was conducted during a window of decreasing trend in mean regional sea level (−2.45 mm yr⁻¹ according to regional-averaged time series). These sedimentation rates are one of the highest recorded worldwide; however, the sedimentation was not found to be continuous over the period in question. This pattern is illustrated by the strong extension of the marshes from 1999 to 2002, and the relative stability observed from 2003 to 2005. The imported and reworked sediments are trapped and fixed by the dense vegetation (Puccinellia maritima, Halimione portulacoides), inducing the general seaward extension of the marshes. The processes governing sediment budget (accretion/erosion) show annual, seasonal, and spatial variability on the marsh. Spatial variations display contrasted patterns of erosion/sedimentation between the low, middle, and high marsh, and between the different transects. These patterns are a result of distance from sediment sources, strong heterogeneity in vegetation cover (human induced or not), and contrasting topographic and micro-topographic characteristics. The higher accretion rates are observed in distal settings in the low marsh, and strongly decrease toward the middle and high marsh. This evolution results from a decrease in accommodation space/water column thickness, and frequency of inundation coupled with an increase in station elevation, but also from the cumulated effects of vegetation cover and micro-topography. The vegetation cover of the low and middle marsh enhance the settling and fixing of fine sediments imported through tides or dispersed by flood and ebb currents.The seasonal evolution of the marshes is marked by contrasting effects of water storage in the sediment. The overall seasonal sediment budget is controlled by the variation of the frequency of inundation relative to tidal range and marshes topography. Autumns are influenced by the tide (equinoxes), relative mean regional sea level, and variations in wind speed/frequency. Winter wind speed and frequency in relation with tidal variations appear to be the main parameters regulating winter marsh evolution. Summers are predominantly under the influence of local variations in water storage (desiccation) while external parameters generally display a low influence. Although it is not governed by any one parameter, springtime sediment budget seems to result from strong interaction between the above-cited parameters, despite the significant frequency of inundation (equinoxes).     

Distribution of 137Cs in the Lena River estuary-Laptev Sea system.

Surface sediment samples in the Laptev Sea have average 137Cs content of 7.1 Bq kg(-1), a value intermediate between that of the western Kara Sea (23 Bq kg(-1) and the East Siberian Sea (4.2 Bq kg-'). Both surface sediment content and sediment inventory of 137Cs in the Laptev Sea sediments show significant variability, and the influence of a variety of environmental factors.137Cs concentrations in the Laptev Sea surface sediments range from 0.8 to 16 Bq kg(-1). There is a marked increase in 137Cs content of surface sediment samples collected near the Lena River delta, and a local enrichment in the 137Cs inventories at these sites is also evident. Fine-grained mixed-layer illite/ smectite rich sediments in the estuary provide effective adsorption sites to fix 137Cs, in spite of desorption processes associated with low salinities in estuarine mixing. The Lena River-Laptev Sea mixing zone is a major site of sea-ice production. River and shelf sediments are incorporated into sea-ice formed in this region (Holmes and Creager, 1974). The irregular 137Cs activity profiles of the Lena River estuary cores indicate disturbance or removal of 137Cs-laden sediments via sea-ice related processes. Lena River and Estuary sediments may have served as a secondary source (i.e. other than direct fallout) of 137Cs in sea-ice. North-east of the Lena River estuary, sediment contains a thin layer of 137Cs-bearing material over an erosion surface. The 137Cs-laden surface layer may be the result of transient deposition of estuarine sediments being delivered by sea-ice or spring floods.     

WETLAND LOSS IN COASTAL LOUISIANA

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Spatial and temporal factors controlling short‐term sedimentation in a salt and freshwater tidal marsh,Scheldt estuary,Belgium, SW Netherlands

During a one‐year period temporal and spatial variations in suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and deposition were studied on a salt and freshwater tidal marsh in the Scheldt estuary (Belgium, SW Netherlands) using automatic water sampling stations and sediment traps. Temporal variations were found to be controlled by tidal inundation. The initial SSC, measured above the marsh surface at the beginning of inundation events, increases linearly with inundation height at high tide. In accordance with this an exponential relationship is observed between inundation time and sedimentation rates, measured over 25 spring–neap cycles. In addition both SSC and sedimentation rates are higher during winter than during summer for the same inundation height or time. Although spatial differences in vegetation characteristics are large between and within the studied salt and freshwater marsh, they do not affect the spatial sedimentation pattern. Sedimentation rates however strongly decrease with increasing (1) surface elevation, (2) distance from the nearest creek or marsh edge and (3) distance from the marsh edge measured along the nearest creek. Based on these three morphometric parameters, the spatio‐temporal sedimentation pattern can be modelled very well using a single multiple regression model for both the salt and freshwater marsh. A method is presented to compute two‐dimensional sedimentation patterns, based on spatial implementation of this regression model. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid tidal marsh development in anthropogenic backwaters

Tidal marsh restoration and creation is growing in popularity due to the many and diverse sets of services these important ecosystems provide. However, it is unclear what conditions within constructed settings will lead to the successful establishment of tidal marsh. Here we provide documentation for widespread and rapid development of tidal freshwater wetlands for a major urban estuary as an unintended result of early industrial development. Anthropogenic backwater areas established behind railroad berms, jetties, and dredge spoil islands resulted in the rapid accumulation of clastic material and the subsequent initiation of emergent marshes. In one case, historical aerial photos document this transition occurring in less than 18 years, offering a timeframe for marsh development. Accretion rates for anthropogenic tidal marshes and mudflats average 0.8–1.1 and 0.6–0.7 cm year⁻¹, respectively, equivalent to two to three times the rate of relative sea level rise as well as the observed accretion rate at a 6000+ year-old reference marsh in the study area. Paired historical and geospatial analysis revealed that more than half of all the tidal wetlands on the Hudson River were likely triggered by anthropogenic development since the onset of the industrial era, including two-thirds of the emergent cattail marsh. These inadvertently constructed tidal wetlands currently trap roughly 6% of the Hudson River's sediment load. Results indicate that when sediment is readily available, freshwater tidal wetlands can develop relatively rapidly in sheltered settings. The study sites serve as useful examples to help guide future tidal marsh creation and restoration efforts.     

Mercury contamination history of an estuarine floodplain reconstructed from a Pb-dated sediment core (Berg River, South Africa)

Mercury deposition histories have been scarcely documented in the southern hemisphere. A sediment core was collected from the ecologically important estuarine floodplain of the Berg River (South Africa). We establish the concentration of Hg in this ²¹⁰Pb-dated sediment core at <50 ng g⁻¹ Hg_T throughout the core, but with 1.3 ng g⁻¹ methylmercury in surface sediments. The ²¹⁰Pb dating of the core provides a first record of mercury deposition to the site and reveals the onset of enhanced mercury deposition in 1970. The ratio of methylmercury to total mercury is relatively high in these sediments when compared to other wetlands.     

Sediment and vegetation spatial dynamics facing sea-level rise in microtidal salt marshes: Insights from an ecogeomorphic model

Modeling efforts have considerably improved our understanding on the chief processes that govern the evolution of salt marshes under climate change. Yet the spatial dynamic response of salt marshes to sea-level rise that results from the interactions between the tidal landforms of interest and the presence of bio-geomorphic features has not been addressed explicitly. Accordingly, we use a modeling framework that integrates the co-evolution of the marsh platform and the embedded tidal networks to study sea-level rise effects on spatial sediment and vegetation dynamics in microtidal salt marshes considering different ecological scenarios. The analysis unveils mechanisms that drive spatial variations in sedimentation rates in ways that increase marsh resilience to rising sea-levels. In particular, marsh survival is related to the effectiveness of transport of sediments toward the interior marshland. This study hints at additional dynamics related to the modulation of channel cross-sections affecting sediment advection in the channels and subsequent delivery in the inner marsh, which should be definitely considered in the study of marsh adaptability to sea-level rise and posterior management.     

Synergistic effects of diuron and sedimentation on photosynthesis and survival of crustose coralline algae

Effects of short-term exposure to sedimentation and diuron, separately and in combination, on the photophysiology and survival of crustose coralline algae (CCA) were examined in controlled time-course experiments, using pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM) chlorophyll fluorometry. These experiments indicated that the effects of sediments and diuron, when applied in isolation, were often reversible, with recovery time dependent upon sediment type and diuron concentration. Exposure to fine (<63 microm grain size), nutrient-rich estuarine sediments reduced effective quantum yields (Delta F/F(m')) of photosystem II in CCA species more than exposure to the same amount of fine (<63 microm grain size) calcareous sediments. Significant inhibition of photosynthesis (Delta F/F(m')) was also observed at diuron concentrations > or =2.9 microg L(-1). Fine estuarine sediments in combination with 0.79 microg L(-1) dissolved diuron, caused yields (Delta F/F(m')) to drop by 60% compared with controls after 24 h. The combined exposure to sediments and diuron also retarded recovery, thus Delta F/F(m') values were still only 60% of the controls after 9 days recovery in clean seawater. Mortality of CCA was observed in some fragments treated with combinations of sediment and diuron. Our results suggest that sediment deposition and exposure to diuron can negatively affect the photosynthetic activity of CCA, with sedimentation stress being significantly enhanced by the presence of trace concentrations of diuron.     

Proglacial sediment trapping in recently formed Silt Lake,upper Lillooet Valley,Coast Mountains,British Columbia

The sedimentology of proglacial Silt Lake was assessed by lake sediment coring and monitoring of lacustrine processes during a late‐summer period of high glacier melt to characterize sediment delivery from the heavily glacierized catchment and investigate the sediment trapping dynamics of this upland lake. A complete varve chronology was established for a distal basin of the lake which was exposed by Lillooet Glacier retreat between 1947 and 1962. The varve record showed decreasing sedimentation rates in the basin while the glacier retreated, and as the lake became free of ice contact in the early 1970s. Although recession has continued over recent decades, and glacier proximity to the lake has, therefore, continued decreasing, lacustrine sedimentation rates are now accelerating due to changing basin morphometry caused by delta progradation. Over shorter time scales, lake sedimentation patterns respond to changing runoff conditions, including late‐summer glacier melt intensity, intra‐annual flooding events, diumal runoff fluctuations, and within‐lake turbidity currents. Turbidity currents included quasi‐regular flows during high diurnal discharges and an episodic flushing of temporarily stored sediment from the sandur or delta at a time of low stage. Suspended sediment yield to Silt Lake is estimated to exceed 10³ Mg km^?2 a^?1, a magnitude that surpasses previous local and regional yield estimates for the glacierized headwaters of the Lillooet River valley. Since Silt Lake currently traps a significant prooportion of that upland sediment supply, and the trapping efficiency of the basin has been variable at decadal time scales, the formation and continued development of Lilt Lake has likely had a significant influence on downstream sediment delivery. Lacustrine sediment‐based proxies of long‐term hydroclimatic variability being developed in glacially distal settings should include provisions for dynamic sediment trapping effects in upstream water bodies that often form in the active proglacial environment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tracing anthropogenic contamination in the Pearl River estuarine and marine environment of South China Sea using sterols and other organic molecular markers

5beta-Coprostanol together with eight other sterols and unresolved complex mixtures (UCMs) were quantitatively investigated for surficial sediments and surface waters to assess the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the Pearl River estuarine and marine environment of South China Sea. The studied area extends from the Pearl River Estuary southward to the open sea. 5beta-Coprostanol concentrations ranged from trace amounts to 53 microgg(-1) TOC in surficial sediments. The highest levels and highest percentages of coprostanol were found in the Pearl River estuary, especially in the inner estuary and those sites close to the submarine outfalls of Hong Kong. For waters, only in estuarine samples was coprostanol quantitatively detected, ranging from 11 to 299 ngL(-1). Bimodal UCM "humps" were observed for most sediment samples, with concentrations ranging from 215 to 10,491 microg g(-1) TOC in sediments and from 2 to 26 mcirogL(-1) in waters, respectively. Progressive seaward declines in concentrations were found for both 5beta-coprostanol and UCM in surficial sediments. Trace or no 5beta-coprostanol was found in open-sea samples. Concentrations of coprostanol and UCM in surficial sediments are correlated. These results imply that there are obvious anthropogenic contaminations in the Pearl River estuary. The submarine outfalls in Hong Kong represent important sources of the sewage pollution to the Pearl River estuarine sediments evidenced by a combination of coprostanol concentration, diagnostic indices, sterol profiles and UCM. No obvious dispersion or transport of the sewage contamination occurred from the Pearl River estuary to the open South China Sea indicated by fecal sterol biomarkers.