Fish assemblage structure in the hypoxic zone in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary and its adjacent waters

Fish assemblage structure in the hypoxic zone in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary and its adjacent waters were analyzed based on data from bottom trawl surveys conducted on the R/V Beidou in June, August and October 2006. Four fish assemblages were identified in each survey using two-way indicator species analysis (TWIA). High fish biomass was found in the northern part, central part and coastal waters of the survey area; in contrast, high fish diversity was found in the southern part of the survey area and the Changjiang estuary outer waters. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain high fishery production when high fish diversity is evenly distributed in the fish community. Fish became smaller and fish size spectra tended to be narrower because of fish species variations and differences in growth characteristics. Fish diversity increased, the age to maturity was reduced and some migrant species were not collected in the surveys. Fish with low economic value, small size, simple age structure and low tropic level were predominant in fish assemblages in the Changjiang estuary and its adjacent waters. The lowest hypoxic value decreased in the Changjiang estuary and its adjacent waters.     

Spatio-temporal variations of harmful algal blooms along the coast of Guangdong,Southern China during 1980–2016

Harmful algal blooms(HABs) have become a recurring problem, posing severe impacts on marine ecosystems, fisheries, mariculture industry, and even public health. In this study, the geographic information system(GIS) was utilized to determine spatial and temporal characteristics of HAB events in the coastal waters of Guangdong from 1980–2016. We analyzed distribution patterns and characteristics of HABs by dividing the coast of Guangdong into well-known bays, estuary and coastal waters. Results showed that there were a total of 337 HABs recorded in Guangdong coastal waters. Spatial and temporal distributions varied among dif ferent regions. Most HABs occurred in the Mirs Bay, followed by the west coast of Daya Bay, while a few occurred in the west and east coasts of Guangdong but with an increasing trend in the past two decades. HABs occurred mostly in warmer months of March to May in the western coast of Guangdong, March and April in Mirs Bay, April in Zhujiang(Pearl) River estuary, November in eastern coast of Guangdong. For Daya Bay, most HABs were reported between March and September.The most frequently occurring HABs species were Noctiluca scintillans, P haeocystis globosa, Skeletonema costatum and Scrippsiella trochoidea, occurring mostly in Mirs Bay, western Guangdong coast area, eastern Guangdong coast area and Zhujiang River estuary and Daya Bay, respectively. Ichthyotoxic blooms were more common than toxic blooms, and Heterosigma akashiwo, Chattonella marina, Karenia mikimotoi and P haeocystis globosa were the most common ichthyotoxic species. Our results provide baseline information useful for policy making and management of HABs in the region.     

Assessing benthic ecological status in coastal area near Changjiang River estuary using AMBI and M-AMBI

The Changjiang （Yangtze） River estuary has been subject to a variety of anthropogenic pressures in recent decades. To assess the ecological health of the coastal benthic ecosystem adjacent to the estuary, three surveys were conducted in 2005, 2009, and 2010. The AZTI＇s Marine Biotic Index （AMBI） and multivariate-AMBI （M-AMBI） were used to analyse the benthic ecological status of this coast. The AMBI indicate that the ecological status of the coast adjacent to the Changjiang River estuary was only slightly degraded in all 3 years. In contrast, the M-AMBI indicated that the ecological status was seriously degraded, a result that is most likely due to pollution and eutrophication induced by human activities. The assessment of the coast＇s ecological status by the AMBI was not in agreement with that of the M-AMBI at some stations because of lower biodiversity values at those sites. The analysis of the two indices integrated with abiotic parameters showed that the M-AMBI could be used as a suitable bio-indicator index to assess the benthic ecological status of the coast adjacent to the Changjiang River estuary. The reference conditions proposed for the coast of the Changjiang River estuary should be further evaluated in future studies. Designation of local species could also provide an important reference for Chinese waters. To improve the reliability of AMBI and M-AMBI, further research into the ecology of local species is required to understand their arrangement in ecological groups.     

Long-term changes in sedimentary diatom assemblages and their environmental implications in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary,China

Long-term data on diatom assemblages in a sediment core （60 cm） obtained from the Changjiang （Yangtze） River estuary were analyzed in order to assess the environmental changes that took place in the approximately 38 years （as determined by 210pb measurements）, i.e., between 1974 and 2012, of sediment accumulation. From the sediment core, 62 diatom taxa and genera were identified. The diatom biomass in the core generally increased beginning in the mid-1990s （core depth： 35 cm）, accompanied by a shift in the dominant species from Podosira stelliger and two species of Cyclotella （C. stylorum and C. striata） to Paralia sulcata, three species of Thalassiosira （ T. eccentria, I＂. oestrupii, and T. excentrica）, Actinoptychus undulates, and Thalassionema nitzschioides. The changes in both species diversity and abundance suggested that since the 1980s the estuary has undergone extensive eutrophication. This conclusion was supported by the increased proportion of planktonic species, another indicator of high nutrients inputs, in the Changjiang River estuary.     

Assessment of trophic status in Changjiang （Yangtze） River estuary

The integrated methodology for the assessment of estuarine trophic status (ASSETS), which was extended and refined from the United States National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment (NEEA), is a multi-parameter assessment system and has been widely used in eutrophication assessment in estuarine and coastal waters. The ASSETS was applied to evaluate the trophic status of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary, one of the largest estuaries in the world. The following main results were obtained: (i) The estuarine export potential is "moderate susceptibility" due to the "moderate" dilution potential and "moderate" flushing potential; (ii) The overall human influence (OHI) index classified the impact of nutrients in the system as "high" due to the high level of nutrient discharge by the river which channels anthropogenic impacts in the catchments to the estuarine system; (iii) The overall eutrophic condition (OEC) in the estuary was classified into the "high" category due to frequent occurrence of nuisance and toxic algal blooms in the mixing and seawater zones; (iv) Since the nutrient loadings (e.g., DIN) in the river is expected to continue to increase in the near future following the population increase and rapid economic growth throughout the drainage basin, the nutrient-related symptoms in the estuary are likely to substantially worsen, which leads to the "worsen high" category for the definition of future outlook (DFO). The combinations of the three components (i.e., OHI, OEC, and DFO) lead to an overall grade as "bad" for the trophic status in the Changjiang River estuary.     

THE REMOVAL OF Zn,Cd,Pb,AND Cu IN THE CHANGJIANG ESTUARY

The waters with salinity from 10 to 23 comprise the main removal region of ion and particulateforms of heavy metals in the Changjiang estuary.The positive correlationships between Zn,Cd,Pb,Cuand the reciprocal of transparency,COD and chlorophyll-a showed that the removal of heavy metalsclosely correlate with the distribution of suspensions,the adsorption of organic materials and theassimilation by organisms.The removal of heavy metals in the Changjiang estuary water were consistentwith the sedimentation rate of the sediments in these waters,sediment types and the distributions ofheavy metals contents in the sediments.     

Numerical simulation of the transport and diffusion of dissolved pollutants in the Changjiang(Yangtze)River estuary

Based on a coupled hydrodynamic–ecological model for regional and shelf seas (COHERENS), a three-dimensional baroclinic model for the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary and the adjacent sea area was established using the sigma-coordinate in the vertical direction and spherical coordinate in the horizontal direction. In the study, changing-grid technology and the "dry-wet" method were designed to deal with the moving boundary. The minimum water depth limit condition was introduced for numerical simulation stability and to avoid producing negative depths in the shallow water areas. Using the Eulerian transport approaches included in COHERENS for the advection and dispersion of dissolved pollutants, numerical simulation of dissolved pollutant transport and diffusion in the Changjiang River estuary were carried out. The mass centre track of dissolved pollutants released from outlets in the south branch of the Changjiang River estuary water course has the characteristic of reverse current motion in the inner water course and clockwise motion offshore. In the transition area, water transport is a combination of the two types of motion. In a sewage-discharge numerical experiment, it is found that there are mainly two kinds of pollution distribution forms: one is a single nuclear structure and the other is a double nuclear (dinuclear) structure in the turbid zone of the Changjiang River estuary. The rate of expansion of the dissolved pollutant distribution decreased gradually. The results of the numerical experiment indicate that the maximum turbid zone of the Changjiang River estuary is also the zone enriched with pollutants. Backward pollutant flow occurs in the north branch of the estuary, which is similar to the backward salt water flow, and the backward flow of pollutants released upstream is more obvious.     

Interactions of Aquaculture and Waste Disposal in the Coastal Zone

Throughout the world, the coastal zones of many countries are used increasingly for aquaculture in addition to other activities such as waste disposal. These activities can cause environmental problems and health problems where they overlap. The interaction between aquaculture and waste disposal, and their relationship with eutrophication are the subjects of this paper. Sewage discharge without adequate dispersion can lead to nutrient elevation and hence eutrophication which has clearly negative effects on aquaculture with the potential for toxic blooms. Blooms may be either toxic or anoxia-causing through the decay process or simply clog the gills of filter-feeding animals in some cases. With the development of aquaculture, especially intensive aquaculture, many environmental problems appeared, and have resulted in eutrophication in some areas. Eutrophication may destroy the health of whole ecosystem which is important for sustainable aquaculture. Sewage discharge may also cause serious public health problems. Filter-feeding shellfish growing in sewage-polluted waters accumulate micro-organisms, including human pathogenic bacteria and viruses, and heavy metal ion, presenting a signiticant health risk. Some farmed animals may also accumulate heavy metals from sewage. Bivalves growing in areas affected by toxic algae blooms may accumulate toxins (such as PSP, DSP) which can be harmful to human beings.     

Occurrence and distribution of dissolved tellurium in Changjiang River estuary

With the implementation of the GEOTRACES program, the biogeochemical cycle and distribution of tellurium （Te） in marine environments are becoming increasing environmental concerns. In this study, the concentration of dissolved Te in the Changjiang （Yangtze） River estuary and nearby waters was determined in May 2009 by hydride-generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry to elucidate the abundance, dominant species, distribution, and relationship with environmental factors. Results show that： （1） dissolved Te was low owing to its low abundance in the Earth＇s crust, high insolubility in water, and strong affinity to particulate matter; （2） Te（IV） and Te（VI） predominated in surface water. Te（VI） was the dominant species in bottom water, and Te（IV） was the minor species; （3） Horizontally, resulting from low phytoplankton metabolism and the weak reduction from Te（VI） to Te（IV） in the shore, Te（IV） was concentrated in the central zone instead of the coastal region. However, Te（VI） was abundant near the mouth of the Changjiang River where the Changjiang water is diluted and in the area to the south where the Taiwan Warm Current invaded. In the adsorption-desorption process, Te（IV） was negatively related to suspended paniculate matter （SPM）, indicating that it was adsorbed by particulate matter. While for Te（VI）, the positive correlation with SPM suggested that it was desorbed from the solid phase. In the estuary, dissolved Te had a negative correlation to salinity. However, it deviated from the dilution line in high-salinity regions due to the invasion of the Taiwan Warm Current and the mineralization of organic matter. The relationship between Te（IV） and SPM nutrients indicated that it was more bioavailable and more related to phosphorus than to nitrogen. Progress in the field is slow and more research is needed to quantify the input of Te to the estuary and evaluate the biochemical role of organisms.     

Characteristics of the δ~(15)N_(NO_3) distribution and its drivers in the Changjiang River estuary and adjacent waters

In this study,we conducted investigations in the Changjiang(Yangtze) River estuary and adjacent waters(CREAW) in June and November of 2014.We collected water samples from different depths to analyze the nitrogen isotopic compositions of nitrate,nutrient concentrations(including inorganic N,P,and Si),and other physical and biological parameters,along with the vertical distribution and seasonal variations of these parameters.The compositions of nitrogen isotope in nitrate were measured with the denitrifier method.Results show that the Changjiang River diluted water(CDW) was the main factor affecting the shallow waters(above 10 m) of the CREAW,and CDW tended to influence the northern areas in June and the southern areas in November.δ(15)N_(NO_3) values in CDW ranged from 3.21‰-3.55‰.In contrast,the deep waters(below 30 m) were affected by the subsurface water of the Kuroshio Current,which intruded into the waters near 31°N in June.The δ(15)N_(NO_3) values of these waters were 6.03‰-7.6‰,slightly higher than the values of the Kuroshio Current.Nitrate assimilation by phytoplankton in the shallow waters of the study area varied seasonally.Because of the favorable temperature and nutrient conditions in June,abundant phytoplankton growth resulted in harmful algae blooms(HABs).Therefore,nitrate assimilation was strong in June and weak in November.The δ(15)N_(NO_3) fractionations caused by assimilation of phytoplankton were4.57‰ and 4.41‰ in the shallow waters in June and November,respectively.These results are consistent with previous laboratory cultures and in situ investigations.Nitrification processes were observed in some deep waters of the study area,and they were more apparent in November than in June.The fractionation values of nitrification ranged from 24‰-25‰,which agrees with results for Nitrosospira tenuis reported by previous studies.     

Distribution patterns of phytoplankton in the Changjiang River estuary and adjacent waters in spring 2009

The Changjiang River estuary and adjacent waters are one of the most notable regions for red tides/harmful algal blooms in China's coastal waters.In this study,phytoplankton samples were collected and analyzed during the outbreak stage of red tides in May 2009.It was found that dinoflagellates,Prorocentrum donghaiense and Karenia mikimotoi,and diatoms,Skeletonema spp.and Paralia sulcata,were the major taxa dominating the phytoplankton community.Cluster analysis,non-metric multidimensional scaling(NMDS) and analysis of similarities(ANOSIM) was conducted on a data matrix including taxa composition and cell abundance of the phytoplankton samples.The analyses categorized the samples into three groups at a similarity level of 30%.Group Ⅰ was characterized by estuarine diatoms and distributed mainly in the highly turbid estuarine region.Group Ⅱ,which was dominated by the diatom Skeletonema spp.and represented the red tide of Skeletonema spp.,was situated around Group Ⅰ in the sea area west of 122°50'E.Group Ⅲ was characterized by a high proportion of dinoflagellates and was found further offshore compared with Groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ.Group Ⅲ was further divided into two subgroups(Ⅲ-S1 and Ⅲ-S2) at a similarity level of 40%.Group Ⅲ-S1 was characterized by the presence of the benthic diatom P.sulcata,representing phytoplankton samples collected either from the bottom or from the sea area affected by upwelling.GroupⅢ-S2 was dominated by dinoflagellates and represented red tides formed by P.donghaiense and K.mikimotoi.A gradual change of red-tide causative species was observed from the estuary to the offshore sea area,from diatoms to armored dinoflagellates and then unarmored dinoflagellates.Environmental factors associated with each group,and thus affecting the distribution of phytoplankton and red tides,are discussed.     

Nutrient fluxes in the Changjiang River estuary and adjacent waters——a modified box model approach

To solve nutrient flux and budget among waters with distinct salinity difference for water-saltnutrient budget,a traditional method is to build a stoichiometrically linked steady state model.However,the traditional way cannot cope appropriately with those without distinct salinity difference that parallel to coastline or in a complex current system,as the results would be highly affected by box division in time and space,such as the Changjiang(Yangtze) River estuary(CRE) and adjacent waters(30.75°-31.75°N,122°10′-123°20′E).Therefore,we developed a hydrodynamic box model based on the traditional way and the regional oceanic modeling system model(ROMS).Using data from four cruises in 2005,horizontal,vertical and boundary nutrient fluxes were calculated in the hydrodynamic box model,in which flux fields and the major controlling factors were studied.Results show that the nutrient flux varied greatly in season and space.Water flux outweighs the nutrient concentration in horizontal flux,and upwelling flux outweighs upward diffusion flux in vertical direction(upwelling flux and upward diffusion flux regions overlap largely all the year).Vertical flux in spring and summer are much greater than that in autumn and winter.The maximum vertical flux for DIP(dissolved inorganic phosphate) occurs in summer.Additional to the fluxes of the Changjiang River discharge,coastal currents,the Taiwan Warm Current,and the upwelling,nutrient flux inflow from the southern Yellow Sea and outflow southward are found crucial to nutrient budgets of the study area.Horizontal nutrient flux is controlled by physical dilution and confined to coastal waters with a little into the open seas.The study area acts as a conveyer transferring nutrients from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea in the whole year.In addition,vertical nutrient flux in spring and summer is a main source of DIP.Therefore,the hydrodynamic ROMS-based box model is superior to the traditional one in estimating nutrient fluxes in a complicated hydrodynamic current system and provides a modified box model approach to material flux research.     

IMPACTS OF FUTURE SEA LEVEL RISE ON SALT WATER INTRUSION IN THE CHANGJIANG RIVER ESTUARY

Sea level rise could increase the salinity of an estuary by altering the balance between fresh water and salt water. The implications of sea level rise for increasing salinity have been examined in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary. By correlative analysis of chlorinity, discharge and tidal level and calculation of two-dimensional chlorinity, distribution of the Changjiang River estuary, the changes of the intensity and lasting hours of salt water intrusion at Wusong Station and the changes of chlorinity distribution in the South Branch of the Changjiang River estuary have been estimated when future sea level rises 50-100 cm. The intensity of salt water intrusion in the future will be far more serious than current trend.     

Estimation of total suspended matter in the Zhujiang (Pearl) River estuary from Hyperion imagery

Although remote sensing data have been used to estimate total suspended matter (TSM) in coastal waters, it has limitations when applied to estuary waters in low spatial resolution situations. The spatial resolution of ocean color satellites such as SeaWiFS and MODIS is usually ～1 km, and therefore is not adequate for small, local-scale areas such as the Zhujiang (Pearl) River estuary. In contrast, 30 m-resolution EO-1 Hyperion imagery has potential for studying TSM in localized areas. We measured the surface spectral radiance reflectance of the river estuary water in the visible and near infra-red spectral range. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the ratio of remote sensing reflectance at 813 nm (Rrs(813)) to reflectance at 559 nm (Rrs(559)) could be used to estimate TSM concentration, and a linear relationship was established between the ratio and in-situ TSM concentration. We applied the linear relationship to Hyperion imagery to map TSM concentration in the estuary. The Hyperion imagery provided sufficient spatial resolution to detect spatiotemporal changes in TSM concentrations in the estuary small estuary area. This study demonstrated the usefulness of Hyperion imagery for mapping the distribution of TSM in estuary waters.     

Simulating the responses of a low-trophic ecosystem in the East China Sea to decadal changes in nutrient load from the Changjiang(Yangtze) River

Using a three-dimensional coupled biophysical model,we simulated the responses of a lowtrophic ecosystem in the East China Sea(ECS)to long-term changes in nutrient load from the Changjiang(Yangtze)River over the period of 1960–2005.Two major factors aff ected changes in nutrient load:changes in river discharge and the concentration of nutrients in the river water.Increasing or decreasing Changjiang discharge induced different responses in the concentrations of nutrients,phytoplankton,and detritus in the ECS.Changes in dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN),silicate(SIL),phytoplankton,and detritus could be identified over a large area of the ECS shelf,but changes in dissolved inorganic phosphate(DIP)were limited to a small area close to the river mouth.The high DIN:DIP and SIL:DIP ratios in the river water were likely associated with the diff erent responses in DIN,DIP,and SIL.As DIP is a candidate limiting nutrient,perturbations in DIP resulting from changes in the Changjiang discharge are quickly consumed through primary production.It is interesting that an increase in the Changjiang discharge did not always lead to an increase in phytoplankton levels in the ECS.Phytoplankton decreases could be found in some areas close to the river mouth.A likely cause of the reduction in phytoplankton was a change in the hydrodynamic field associated with the river plume,although the present model is not suitable for examining the possibility in detail.Increases in DIN and DIP concentrations in the river water primarily led to increases in DIN,DIP,phytoplankton,and detritus levels in the ECS,whereas decreases in the SIL concentration in river water led to lower SIL concentrations in the ECS,indicating that SIL is not a limiting nutrient for photosynthesis,based on our model results from 1960 to 2005.In both of the above-mentioned cases,the sediment accumulation rate of detritus exhibited a large spatial variation near the river mouth,suggesting that core sample data should be carefully interpreted.     

Organic Carbon Deposition on the Inner Shelf of the East China Sea Constrained by Sea Level and Climatic Changes Since the Last Deglaciation

The East China Sea(ECS), which is located in the transitional zone between land and ocean, is the main site for the burial of sedimentary organic carbon. Despite good constraints of the modern source to the sinking process of organic carbon, its fate in response to changes in climate and sea level since the last deglaciation remains poorly understood. We aim to fill this gap by presenting a high-resolution sedimentary record of core EC2005 to derive a better understanding of the evolution of the...     

A comparative study of fish community in four main estuaries of China southeastern coastal areas and their adjacent waters

Based on literature and survery data of fish composition collected by bottom trawl investigation from 2006 to 2007 infour main estuaries of China southeastern coastal areas and their adjacent waters,changes of the taxonomic diversity across spatialand temporal scales of fish community were analyzed by taxonomic diversity indices.The results are as follows:a total number of1397 fish species(including some freshwater species),belonging to 2 classes,42 orders,186 families and 593 genera,were collected inthe studied sea areas.The species richness increased with lower latitudes,particularly so with Perciformes.There were 339 fish spe-cies in the Yangtze River Estuary and adjacent waters,belonging to 2 classes,31 orders,101 families and 231 genera.There were 535fish species in the Minjiang River Estuary and adjacent waters,belonging to 2 classes,33 orders,133 families and 323 genera.A totalnumber of 803 fish species were collected in the Jiulongjiang River Estuary and adjacent waters,which belonged to 2 classes,35 orders,155 families and 419 genera.And 1021 fish species which belonged to 2 classes,32 orders,153 families,and 466 genera were collectedin the Pearl River Estuary and adjacent waters.The numbers of orders and families of fish species from the northern to the southern wa-ters first increased and then decreased.The average variation in taxonomic distinctness(Λ+)gradually decreased with lower latitudes inthe four estuaries and adjacent waters.There were no significant differences in the average taxonomic distinctness(△+)among the fourestuaries and adjacent waters,and fish fauna were closely related with each other,and all of them belonged to the same zoogeographicalfauna(Indian-Malaysia fauna).Fish composition in the Minjiang River Estuary and adjacent waters was more similar to that in the Jiu-longjiang River Estuary and adjacent waters among the four estuaries.Compared with the historical data,the average taxonomic dis-tinctness of fish community showed a great decrease in the Minjiang River Estuary and the Jiulongjiang River Estuary and their adjacentwaters.     

Tidal effects on diel variations of picoplankton and viruses in the Changjiang estuary

Spatial distributions and seasonal variations of picoplankton (i.e. Synechococcus spp., Prochlorococcus spp., picoeukaryotes and heterotrophic bacteria) and viruses in the Changjiang estuary have been reported in the past. However, short-term variations (e.g. at a tidal timescale) of these organisms and their regulating factors remain unclear. We determined the time-series of fluctuations of picoplankton and viruses with tide simultaneously in flow cytometry in the Changjiang estuary during a cruise in June 2006, in which a tidal model based rectangle equation was applied. The results indicate that high cell abundances of picoplankton and viruses occurred during flood tide and low cell abundances during ebb tide. The period of the surface cell abundance variations was about 13 h, suggesting the surface cell abundances in the Changjiang estuary were largely regulated by tide. However, cell abundances in middle and bottom waters varied in different periods due to influences of tidal induced physical forces such as resuspension and stratification. Therefore, tidal action is an important factor for the diel variations of picoplankton and viruses in the Changjiang estuary.     

Bloom forming species of phytoplankton in two coastal waters in the Southeast coast of India

The results of an investigation carried out during June 2005 to May 2007 on bloom-forming phytoplankton species composition and abundance in the Parangipettai and Coleroon coastal waters(Southeast coast of India) are reported.Air and surface water temperatures(℃) varied from 25.1 to 30.1 and 24.5 to 28.5,respectively,in the former waters and from 25.5 to 31.2 and 25.0 to 29.3 in the latter waters.The respective salinities varied from 6.0 to 28.5 and 5.0 to 33.1 and the respective pH ranged between 7.0 and 8.3 and 7.2 and 8.3.Correspondingly,the dissolved oxygen content varied from 3.1 to 7.5 and 3.1 to 7.9 mgL-1 while the light extinction coefficient(LEC) values ranged between 3.1 and 10.1 and 1.8 and 11.0.The content ranges of inorganic nutrients,i.e.,nitrate,nitrite,phosphate and silicate(μmolL-1),in the Parangipettai and Coleroon coastal waters were:6.5-27.0;1.0-8.9;0.1-3.0 and 15.0-140 and 10.1-23.4;1.2-8.9;0.2-3.1 and 55-125 respectively.The chlorophyll a contents in both waters ranged from 2.0-7.5 μgL-1.Presently,124 phytoplankton species representing different classes were recorded in the Coleroon coast,viz,Bacillariophyceae(77);Dinophyceae(19);Cyanophyceae(15);Chlorophyceae(10) and Chrysophyceae(3),whereas 117 phytoplankton species were recorded in the Parangipettai coast,viz,Bacillariophyceae(66);Dinophyceae(22);Cyanophyceae(19);Chlorophyceae(7) and Chrysophyceae(3).The phytoplankton cell abundance in the Parangipettai and Coleroon coastal waters varied from 290 to 111662 and 140 to 132 757 cells L-1,respectively,with peak diversity(3.38 and 3.52 bits ind-1.) recorded in summer.The maximum abundance occurred in summer coinciding with the stable hydrographical conditions.The seasonal distribution and abundance of phytoplankton are discussed in relation to hydrographical parameters.Totally 31 and 24 species of phytoplankton were found to be bloom-forming in the Parangipettai and Coleroon coastal waters,respectively.Presently Trichodesmium bloom was also observed,which appeared at the 10 fathom level of the coastal water and quickly spread to the marine zone of the Vellar estuary and near the mouth region of the mangrove waters.The Parangipettai and Coleroon coastal waters are subject to long term fluctuations in physico-chemical conditions depending upon the seasonal tidal range and freshwater influx,resulting in a continuous exchange of organic,inorganic,plant and animal matters.     

Impact of Human Activities on Depositional Process of Tidal Flat in Quanzhou Bay of China

As a very important component of a coastal system,tidal flats come to be a focus of the studies on land-ocean interaction in the coastal zone because those areas are subjected to intense human activities and are highly sensitive to the global change.The Quanzhou Bay,located along the middle part of Fujian coast of China,covers about 136.4km2,and the area of coastal wetland in the entire bay from intertidal to subtidal with 6m of water depth accounts for 96% of the total area.Seven short cores were collected and divided in situ with the interval of 5cm on the coastal wetlands of Quanzhou Bay on April 19,2006.The sediment samples were scattered and the grain sizes were measured by using Mastersizer 2000.Human beings' activities on tidal flat have disturbed the vertical distribution of sediments in stratigraphic sequence and accelerated the sedimentation rates.Grain size analysis results show that the grain size diameters increase and sediment becomes worse sorted towards the sea under the strong human disturbance;Spartina alterniflora can play a role of trapping the fine sediment;but near the bank,the sediment becomes coarse and there are two peak values on frequency curve influenced by the sandpile.The trough formed by human activities along the coastline changes the transport path of water and suspended sediment.The sediments are transported through the trough and deposit in it during the flood;the ebb flow is retarded by the flow output through the adjacent trough,and the deposited sediment can not be re-suspended;then,the sedimentation rate increases.In situ observation show that the sedimentation rate is about 8-10cm/yr.