Macroalgal bloom dynamics in a highly eutrophic southern California estuary

A 16-mo long monitoring study was carried out in Upper Newport Bay estuary (UNB), Orange County, California, to quantify the macroalgal community of a southern California estuary. Quarterly sampling began December 1996 at 8 stations along the main channel and tidal creeks ranging from the head to the lower end of UNB. At each station, two strata (one at high and one at low elevation) were surveyed. Macroalgal species abundance (% cover and biomass) and algal tissue nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were measured. The algal community changed from sparse macroalgal cover during winter 1996 to larger patches dominated byEnteromorpha intestinalis in spring 1997. The community was characterized by a thick cover of macroalgae comprised ofE. intestinalis andUlva expansa in summer 1997 andU. expansa andCeramium spp. in fall 1997. UNB returned to sparse macroalgal cover by spring 1998. In summer and fall 1997, biomass ofE. intestinalis andCeramium reached over 1,000 g wet wt m⁻² each, andU. expansa biomass exceeded 700 g wet wt m⁻². Tissue N was high inE. intestinalis andU. expansa collected from UNB (≈3% dry wt) and higher inCeramium (≈3.5% dry wt). Tissue P in all three algae ranged from 0.24–0.28% dry wt. Tissue N∶P (molar) ratios inE. intestinalis andU. expansa ranged from 16.4 to 30.0 and inCeramium from 21.8 to 40.1. A field experiment was conducted in whichE. intestinalis was used as a bioassay of N and P availability. Algal tissue was cultured under known conditions and samples were deployed throughout the estuary and left for 24 h. Tissue N of algae from these bags showed a nominal increase in N with proximity to the primary nutrient input to the system, San Diego Creek (p=0.0251; r²=0.200). Our data indicate that UNB is already a highly eutrophic estuary, but macroalgal blooms in UNB may increase if more N is added to the system.     

Spatial and temporal variation of heavy metals in a tropical estuary

The lower part of the Coatzacoalcos River has great industrial development in which high pollution has been reported. Surface sediments of this area were studied over a year to observe spatial and seasonal sedimentological and chemical variations. Higher metal concentrations were found during the dry season, Pajaritos Dock and Teapa sampling points showing the highest values. Ni (182 ppm) and Co (37 ppm) concentrations are elevated relative to other estuarine areas. Metal normalization against Al₂O₃ content shows contaminant input in areas where urban and industrial discharges exist. A cluster analysis of the data separates sediment samples from the different sampling trips, suggesting the dynamic nature of the sediments. Through the statistical t-test, metal enrichment of Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn was evaluated and compared with metal concentration in sediments of the river higher parts. The percentage of bioavailable metals is a function of the physicochemical characteristics of the system.     

Spatial and seasonal patterns in sediment nitrogen remineralization and ammonium concentrations in San Francisco Bay,California

Nitrogen remineralization and extractable ammonium concentrations were measured in sediments from several locations in North and South San Francisco bays. In South Bay, remineralization rates decreased with depth in sediment and were highest in the spring following the seasonal phytoplankton bloom. At the channel stations, peak remineralization lagged peak water-column phytoplankton biomass (as measured by chlorophylla) by a month. Remineralization rates were generally higher in South Bay than North Bay. The lower remineralization rates in North Bay may be a result of anomalously low phytoplankton production and thus reduced deposition to the sediments, as well as low reiverine organic inputs to the upper estuary in recent years. Remineralization rates were positively correlated to carbon and nitrogen content of the sediments. In general, ammonium profiles in South Bay sediments showed no increase in deeper (4–8 cm) sediments. In North Bay, ammonium concentrations were greatest at stations with highest remineralization rates, and, in contrast to South Bay, extractable ammonium increased in deeper sediment. Differences in ammonium pools between North Bay and South Bay may be a result of increased irrigation by deep-dwelling macrofauna, which are more abundant in South Bay.     

Spatial sediment variability in a tropical tide dominated estuary: Sources and drivers

Surficial sediment composition and spatial variability reflect the dynamics and level of natural and anthropogenic impact in estuarine systems. The aim of this study is to evaluate some key environmental and sedimentary variables, as well as to evaluate the current environmental quality in the tide-dominated Caravelas estuarine system (Brazil). Sixty-five surficial sediment samples were studied for grain size as well as calcium carbonate, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, metals, semi-metals and rare earth elements and for organic matter δ¹³C. Based on the spatial distribution of these data and summarizing our findings, three sectors can be individualized in the Caravelas estuarine system: i. Barra Velha inlet; ii. the main channel of the Caravelas estuary, and iii. the channel interconnecting Caravelas and Nova Viçosa estuaries. In the inlet the sedimentary organic matter is provided essentially by marine sources, which corroborates the small continental input. Freshwater dissolved organic carbon and particulate organic carbon occur in the interconnecting channel, proving the occurrence of the residual transport towards the Caravelas estuary, with continental contribution towards Caravelas River. The geochemical fingerprint indicates that the Barreiras Group, composed by Neogene terrigenous deposits, located west of the study area, as an important source of terrigenous material to the entire Caravelas estuary system. The higher values of heavy rare earth elements (between 20 and 30 mg kg⁻¹) in the northern sector of the study area may be related to the high degree of chemical weathering in magmatic or metamorphic rocks, which occur to the north of the study area.     

Spatial and temporal patterns of factors influencing phytoplankton in a salt wedge estuary, the Swan River, Western Australia

During 1995 the phytoplankton in the Swan River were intensively sampled to assess biomass and species composition. Continuous measurements of fluorescence, salinity, and temperature were made weekly during 40 km sampling trips along the estuary and used to map the seasonal progression of the algal biomass. Weekly measurements of primary production were made and used to model net primary production from the vertical distribution of biomass, irradiance, and phytoplankton species composition. Potential nutrient limitation was assessed with “all but one” nutrient bioassays. The results indicate a complex mixture of potentially limiting factors, which vary in time and space. Although the data sequence is short, it suggests a annual succession pattern of diatoms, chlorophytes, diatoms, and finally dinoflagellates and cryptophytes in late summer-autumn. Peak seasonal biomass was observed during January to April. Mean annual chlorophylla biomass was greatest in upstream stations (5–9), where estimates of net primary production rates averaged 1.55 g C m^?2 d^?1 and gross primary production was 800–1000 g C m^?2 yr^?1. Potential nutrient limitation was most severe from November to May, although not during January 1995. Based on bioassay results, during the period of greatest potential for nutrient limitation, nitrogen was 15 to 30 times more limiting to biomass development than phosphate. Runoff due to consistent rainfall during winter eventually breaks down stratification and flushes the estuary with low-salinity, nutrient-rich water, producing, a light-limited, nutrient-rich aquatic ecosystem. Timing and magnitude of physical forcing events, mainly rainfall, appear critical in determining the susceptibility of this ecosystem to summer and autumn algal blooms.     

河口沉积物孔隙水营养盐分布特征及扩散通量

通过2010年夏季在李村河口潮滩区3个站位的采样分析,研究了孔隙水营养盐的分布特征,并利用Fick第一定律估算了沉积物-水界面间营养盐的扩散通量。结果表明,孔隙水营养盐在不同站位间质量浓度不同,呈现出自河口上游向下游逐渐降低的分布趋势。NH₄⁺-N质量浓度为26.21~53.10 mg/L,是孔隙水中营养盐的主要组分。沉积物中有机物的降解反应主要在还原状态下进行,营养盐质量浓度在垂向上的变化受有机质含量及沉积物氧化还原环境改变的综合影响。除NO₃^--N外其他营养盐均由沉积物向上覆水体扩散,沉积物是底层水体营养盐的重要来源。     

Spatial and temporal variability of mesozooplankton and tintinnid ciliates in a seasonally hypersaline estuary

The zooplankton community of Mission Bay, San Diego, California, was monitored over two years, to study spatial and temporal patterns and the response of zooplankton species composition to environmental variation. Data were collected every two weeks from six stations and included hydrographic parameters, dissolved nutrient concentrations, and phytoplankton and zooplankton species composition. Hydrography varied seasonally, along a spatial gradient from the mouth to the back of the bay, and between the two years around the influence of rainfall. Spatially, Mission Bay could be divided into three regions during this study based on hydrography and zooplankton species composition. Zooplankton species composition followed a predictable seasonal progression, with different groups of species being characteristic to particular times of the year. Variability in zooplankton species composition was also evident between years, as certain species were more common in one or the other year of the study. Spatial patterns were more consistent than temporal ones, and related to distance from the mouth of the bay during much of the year and distance from freshwater inlets during the relatively short rainy season. Multivariate analysis revealed that variation in zooplankton species composition was best related to measured abiotic factors (temperature, salinity, rainfall, and tidal velocity).     

渤海表层悬浮泥沙的空间模态及其时间变化

针对整个渤海海域悬浮泥沙分布全貌研究的不足,基于2000-2004年连续5年的354个SeaWiFS反演的渤海表层悬沙浓度资料,经多年月平均得到其季节变化特征;通过经验正交函数分解,给出其空间模态及时间系数,揭示渤海表层悬浮泥沙的空间分布特征及其随时间的变化。渤海表层悬沙浓度除秦皇岛海域外近岸高,离岸低,辽东湾东岸浓度远大于西岸;冬季浓度最高,春秋次之,除河口海域外夏季浓度最低;河口海域冬夏季均为浓度高值区。经验正交分解显示第一空间模态反映渤海悬沙浓度的总体分布特征,其显著变化周期为12个月,显示渤海表层悬沙的季节变化特征。第二空间模态反映黄河入海径流对渤海表层悬沙浓度分布格局的影响, 其周期为6个月,代表黄河口海域悬沙浓度的变化周期。第三模态显示渤海不同海域悬沙浓度的增加或减小过程并不同步,存在明显的位相差异。     

Plutonium and radiocesium in the water column of the Hudson River estuary

Isotopes of plutonium (Pu), cesium (Cs), and cobalt (Co) introduced into the Hudson River Estuary from fallout deposition, the erosion of fallout-contaminated surface soils, and nuclear reactor effluent (isotopes of Cs and Co only) have been measured in water column samples collected from 1975 to 1980 Isotopic measurements conducted independently by two research groups utilizing different sampling and analytical techniques have been summarized. The major conclusions drawn from the work are that for water samples collected by the two laboratories over similar time periods, the mean concentrations of nonfilterable^239,240Pu (<0.45 μm) were identical at 0.13 fCi/l, mean concentrations of both¹³⁷Cs and^239,240Pu in suspended particulates were more divergent at 2,270±920 pCi/kg (±1 SD) and 1,430±430 pCi/kg for¹³⁷Cs, and 19±8 pCi/kg and 12±4 pCi/kg for^239,240Pu The behavior of^239,240Pu and¹³⁷Cs within the water column is shown to diverge within brackish waters Specifically, the magnitude of the¹³⁷Cs distribution coefficient (K _d ) can be expressed as an inverse power function of the chloride ion concentrations for chlorinities between 0.1 and 4 g Cl⁻/l No difference in the^239,240PuK _d has been observed between fresh and brackish waters Based on the expected inventories of^239,240Pu and¹³⁷Cs within watershed soils, the current downstream transport of these radionuclides represents fractional mobilization rates on the order of 1–4 (×10⁻⁴) per year     

珠江网河水沙分配变化及其对伶仃洋水沙场的影响

采用二维ECOMSED模型对径流来水来沙变化前后的1978年和1999年伶仃洋洪水期水动力场和悬沙场进行模拟,结果表明:伶仃洋水动力场整体增强,但不同地貌单元水动力变化具有明显差异.分流比变化后洪水期伶仃洋西槽、东槽和中滩水动力增强,涨潮和落潮流速普遍增大0.1m/s;西部各口门区和西滩涨潮流势减弱,径流优势更加明显,但西滩三个口门水道及滩面潮沟落潮流速增大约0.1 m/s;东滩水动力特征变化不大.悬沙浓度亦整体升高,平均增加了0.02~0.05 kg/m3,悬沙高值区范围扩大,0.10 kg/m3等值线由西槽西侧明显向东推进到沿东槽南北向分布,径流来沙的影响范围东扩.     

Spatial and temporal variations of sediment size on a mixed sand and gravel beach

Mixed sand and gravel beaches have been the subject of comparatively few studies in the UK. This paper describes the sediment distribution before, during and after a programme of beach nourishment along a section of mixed sand and gravel beach forming part of the Pevensey Bay Coastal Defences, in East Sussex, UK. The beach was recharged in September 2002, and beach profiles were measured along three cross-shore transects from August 2002 to February 2003. Sediment samples were taken along the transects between August and November 2002, and a total of 147 sediment samples were analysed, 40 before nourishment and 107 after nourishment. The majority of the sediment samples were strongly bimodal, with mean sizes varying between a minimum of 0.18 mm (2.48 ?) for the sand fraction and a maximum of 27 mm (− 4.74 ?) for the gravel. The recharge material was also bimodal but contained more fine sediment than the natural beach material, particularly on the upper beach. The recharge sediment had grain sizes and sorting similar to some of the natural material but lower bimodality parameters than any of the natural sediment. The sediment distributions after recharge contained significantly more fine sediment, particularly on the upper beach. Over time, the beach profile lowered and fine sediment appeared to be selectively transported seawards from the beachface.     

黄河口有机碳的时空输运特征及其影响因素分析

通过2004年4月,2004年9月,2005年9月,2006年4月4个航次,结合2003年8月对河道感潮带的连续同步观测,对低流量下黄河口有机碳的输运特征进行了考察。结果发现:黄河输入至河口的悬浮物中颗粒有机碳(POC)含量约为0.51%,主要以陆源输入为主,几乎不受季节变化影响,由于大量POC含量低的陆源泥沙的稀释作用,浮游植物对总颗粒有机碳的贡献只有在悬浮物含量(TSS)<200mg/L时才能显现出来;黄河口TSS超过455mg/L时,有机碳入海以颗粒有机碳为主;反之,以溶解有机碳为主。黄河口悬浮物在低盐度区沉降作用前后的中值粒径降低,Φ>16μm的悬浮物的沉降作用比Φ<16μm的悬浮物更为剧烈,POC含量随悬浮物粒径的降低而升高,黄河携带的颗粒有机碳80%以上集中在Φ<16μm的TSS中;低流量下,黄河口最大混浊带对POC的过滤效率为65%,混浊带对POC的过滤效应能造成黄河口POC的有效通量被高估;由于受黄河口沉积物向水体解析DOC的影响,在盐度小于10时,DOC几乎不受海水稀释作用的影响,但在盐度大于10的区域DOC与盐度表现出良好的负相关关系,黄河口枯、丰水期淡水端溶解有机碳的有效浓度分别高于实测最高值20%和10%左右,从而造成黄河口DOC有效通量被低估。     

Organochlorine pesticides characteristics in water column of strategic drinking water sources in the Yangtze estuary

Biandansha, Qingcaosha and Meimaosha sands located respectively in the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze （Changjiang River） estuary are regarded as strategic drinking water sources of Shanghai City. In the coming decade, the Qingcaosha Reservoir will first be built and gradually take the place of present water sources in the Huangpu River. However, there is little report on the occurrence of persistent organic pollutants （POPs） such as organochlorine pesticides （OCPs） in those strategic water sources. Water samples collected from those strategic water sources were filtered in-situ by Whatman GF/F filters in April 20-23, 2006. Pesticides in the filtrates were enriched on ENVI-18 solid phase extraction （SPE） tubes. OCPs eluted from SPE tubes were determined by GC-μECD method with a mixed standard solution of 20 OCPs compounds. Pentachloronitrobenzene was added as internal standard. Total concentrations of OCPs varied between 15.1 and 83.1 ng/L in water samples from Shanghai strategic water sources. A half of twenty objective OCPs compounds including DDTs were not detected. In Qingcaosha waters, there were six compounds such as a-HCH, dieldrin, endrin, endrin ketone, β-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate. Total concentrations of these OCPs ranged from 15.1 to 31.6 ng/L and averaged 19.9 ng/L. OCPs had higher concentrations at low water tide than at high water tide, and in bottom water than in surface water. In Biandansha and Meimaosha waters, lindane （T-HCH） of 9.0 ng/L and γ-chlordane of 8.8 ng/L were found, respectively. There was no significant difference between total OCPs concentrations in surface water from Biandansha and Qingcaosha, which are much lower than those in the downstream Meimaosha waters.     

Hydrocarbons in age-dated sediment cores from two basins in the Southern California Bight

The distributions of hydrocarbons in sediment cores dated by ²¹⁰Pb (1845–1977) from San Pedro and San Nicolas Basins in the Southern California Bight have been determined by gas Chromatographic and combined gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis. The chromatograms of the hydrocarbons contain peaks of resolved alkanes and cycloalkanes, as well as an unresolved complex mixture which decrease in content with increasing depth in both of the cores. The concentrations of o,p' andp,p'-DDE are highest in the top 50 mm of the San Pedro core section. The 45–50 mm segment of this core was deposited in the 1945–1950 period when DDT (the precursor of DDE compounds) came into common use. The relatively high content of hydrocarbons and DDE in this core is attributable to the proximity of the site to the San Pedro Harbor which receives petroleum residues from shipping, sewage outfalls and industrial effluents. The presence of only traces of DDE throughout the San Nicolas core, and the low hydrocarbon content are explainable by the greater distance of this basin from anthropogenic inputs and probably a greater rate of degradation of deposited organic matter during bioturbation. δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and electron-spin resonance analyses of kerogens and humic substances in these cores, indicate that most of this organic matter in these sediments is of a marine origin.     

Mapping of accumulated nitrogen in the sediment pore water of a eutrophic lake in Iowa, USA

A large pool of nitrogen in the sediment pore fluid of a eutrophic lake in Iowa, USA, was mapped in this study. Previously, the lake had supported fishing and boating, but today it no longer supports its designated uses as a recreational water body. In the top 5 cm of the lake bottom, the pore water nitrogen ranges between 3.1 and 1,250 μg/cm³ of sediments, with an average of 160.3 μg/cm³. Vertically, nitrate concentrations were measured as 153 μg/cm³ at 0–10 cm, 162 μg/cm³ at 10–20 cm, and 32 μg/cm³ at 20–30 cm. Nitrate mass distribution was quantified as 3.67 × 10³ kg (65%) in the bottom sediments, 172 kg (3%) in suspended particulates, and 1.83 × 10³ kg (32%) in the dissolved phase. Soil runoff nutrients arrive at the lake from the heavily fertilized lands in the watershed. Upon sedimentation, a large mass of nitrogen desorbs from mineral particles to the relatively immobile pore fluid. Under favorable conditions, this nitrogen diffuses back into the water column, thereby dramatically limiting the lake’s capability to process incoming nutrients from farmlands. Consequently, a condition of oxygen deficiency disrupts the post-season biological activities in the lake.     

Exchange of polychlorinated biphenyls between sediment and water in the Hudson River estuary

Sediment-bound polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) measured at several sites in the lower Hudson River Estuary are above equilibrium with the overlying water, providing a thermodynamic driving force for exchange from sediment to water. The fluxes of PCB congeners are estimated for a number potential processes: diffusive release of dissolved and colloidal PCBs from the bed, resuspension and subsequent desorption from resuspended particles, and sediment accumulation and burial. All processes are potentially significant, at least for some congeners. The sediment exchange fluxes of PCB solutes for five sites between Governors Island and Haverstraw Bay are estimated to be 20–860 μm m^?2 d^?1, which is between 2 and 100 times more than the flux of dissolved PCBs coming down the river at Haverstraw Bay. Much of the exchange from sediment to water may be balanced by burial of sorbed PCBs by sediment accumulation. Advection down the river and sediment exchange dominate other potential sources of PCBs to the lower estuary under current loading conditions. The magnitude of the calculated fluxes is consistent with the nonconservative behavior of PCBs in the same region but is higher than earlier modeling estimates that employed different assumptions.     

Seasonal variations in chlorophyll and nutrients in a Canadian arctic estuary

The Eskimo Lakes and Liverpool Bay constitute a series of estuarine waters to the Beaufort Sea in arctic Canada. Salinity ranges in summer from 20‰ at the mouth to less than 1‰ at the head of the system. Arctic features include an ice cover lasting for about 8 months annually and water temperatures which fluctuate from ?1°C in winter to as high as 12°C in late summer. Subsurface light is severely attenuated. Reactive phosphate varies from a spring high of 0.3 μg-at P per 1 to undetectable levels during summer. Nitrate is more abundant, and silicate is consistently plentiful. Chlorophyll a reaches a maximum only occasionally higher than 3 mg per m³ in June and July, rising from undetectable levels in winter. Photosynthetic rates are low by all standards, and have not been measured at greater than 6.4 mg C per m² per hour in summer. Low levels of subsurface light and reactive phosphate and nitrate characterize this exceptionally oligotrophic arctic estuary.     

Spatial and temporal analysis of water pollution in China

The relationship between water pollution and economic development, its regional differentiation and its temporal trend is analyzed. With the uneven distribution of water resources, the regional differentiation of water pollution in China is very obvious. Based on the index RSR (the ratio of sewage to runoff), water pollution can be divided into five grades across the whole country. Overall, water pollution is more serious in north and northeast China. On the other hand, economic development level is not the only factor associated with water pollution. As for temporal change, with current economic growth and urbanization, it is impossible that water quality in China will be improved in the near future.     

Spatial and temporal variations in terrestrially-derived organic matter from sediments of the Delaware estuary

Terrestrially-derived organic matter in sediments of the Delaware Estuary originates from riverine transport of soils and fresh litter, sewage and industrial wastes, and marsh export of organic matter. The quantity, composition, and spatial distribution of terrigenous organic matter in sediments was determined by elemental (C and N), lignin, and stable carbon isotope analyses. Sediments in the upper Delaware Estuary had low organic carbon content and high lignin content. In contrast, sediments in the lower Delaware Estuary had high organic carbon content and low lignin content. There was a slight decrease in the proportion of syringyl and cinnamyl phenols relative to vanillyl phenols between the upper estuary and lower estuary. Differences in lignin and stable carbon isotope compositions between sediments of the Delaware Estuary and sediments of the Broadkill River estuary (an adjoining salt-marsh estuary) supported previous observations that marshes do not export substantial quantities of organic matter to estuaries. Additional results suggested that lignin-rich sediments were concentrated in the upper estuary, most likely in the zone of high turbidity. Furthermore, algal material diluted lignin-rich sediments, particularly in the lower estuary. The weaker algal signal in bottom sediments compared to that in suspended particulate matter suggested algal material was decomposed either in the water column or at the sediment-water interface. Physical sorting of sediments prior to deposition was also indicated by observations of compositional differences between the upper and lower estuary bottom sediments. Finally, seasonal variations in primary productivity strongly influenced the relative abundance of terrestrial organic matter. In fall, however, the proportion of lignin was greatest because of a combination of greater inputs of terrestrially-derived organic matter, lower river discharge, and a decrease in algal biomass.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of methane in an extensive shallow estuary, South India

Sedimentary methane (CH₄) fluxes and oxidation rates were determined over the wet and dry seasons (four measurement campaigns) in Pulicat lake, an extensive shallow estuary in south India. Dissolved CH₄ concentrations were measured at 52 locations in December 2000. The annual mean net CH₄ flux from Pulicat lake sediments was 3.7 × 10⁹ g yr^-1 based on static chamber measurements. A further 1.7 × 10⁹g yr_-1 was estimated to be oxidized at the sediment-water interface. The mean dissolved concentration of CH₄ was 242nmol |^-1 (ranging between 94 and 501 nmol |^-1) and the spatial distribution could be explained by tidal dynamics and freshwater input. Sea-air exchange estimates using models, account only for ∼13% (0.5 × 10⁹ g yr-1) of the total CH₄ produced in sediments, whereas ebullition appeared to be the major route for loss to the atmosphere (∼ 63% of the net sediment flux). We estimated the total atmospheric source of CH₄ from Pulicat lake to be 0.5 to 4.0 × 10⁹g yr^-1.