Tracing submarine groundwater discharge flux in Tolo Harbor,Hong Kong (China)

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is an important pathway for groundwater and associated chemicals to discharge to the sea. Groundwater levels monitored along a transect perpendicular to the shoreline are used to calculate SGD flux from the nearshore aquifer to Tolo Harbor, Hong Kong (China). The calculated SGD flux—recharge/discharge measured with Darcy’s Law methods—agrees well with estimates based on geo-tracer techniques and seepage meter in Tolo Harbor during previous studies. The estimated freshwater SGD is 1.69–2.0 m²/d at the study site and 0.3?±?0.04 cm/d for the whole of Tolo Harbor, which is comparable to the river discharge (0.25?±?0.07 cm/d) and precipitation (0.45?±?0.15 cm/d). The tide-driven SGD in the intertidal zone is 13.98–17.59 m²/d at the study site and 2.42?±?0.56 cm/d for the whole of Tolo Harbor. The SGD occurring in the subtidal zone and the bottom of Tolo Harbor is 3.12?±?4.63 cm/d. Fresh SGD accounts for ~5% of the total SGD, while the rest (~95%) is contributed by saline SGD driven by various forces. About 96% of the tide-driven SGD in the intertidal zone occurs in the ebbing tide period because the head difference between the groundwater level and sea level is great during this period. Tide-driven SGD in the spring tide is ~1.2 times that during neap tide. The tidal fluctuation amplitude and tide-driven SGD in the intertidal zone are positively correlated to each other; thus, a spring neap variation of the tide-driven SGD is observed.     

Stable isotopic and geochemical data for inferring sources of recharge and groundwater flow on the volcanic island of Rishiri,Japan

An isotopic and chemical study was conducted on precipitation, spring water, streams, groundwater wells and submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to constrain the recharge areas and flow paths of SGD. The isotopic values of precipitation were used to determine the local meteoric water lines (LMWLs) of Rishiri Island. The d-excess values of precipitation showed seasonal variation, with lows of 2.5‰ in the summer and highs of 24.2‰ in the winter. The d-excess values of spring water, streams, groundwater wells and SGD ranged from 12.5‰ to 23.0‰, indicating that the resulting waters were a mix of two seasons of precipitation. The isotopic composition of the groundwater wells sampled along the coast and SGD showed more negative values than that of the spring water sampled along the coast. This indicated that SGD recharged at high altitudes and flowed into the sea. The isotopic and chemical composition of SGD indicated unidirectional flow from land to sea.     

Temporal variability of freshwater and pore water recirculation components of submarine groundwater discharges at Baffin Bay,Texas

Submarine groundwater discharges (SGDs) are an important source of freshwater as well as nutrients and other chemicals to bays and estuaries. SGDs are particularly important for coastal bodies in arid and semi-arid regions that are not fed by perennial streams. The Baffin Bay, TX is a shallow coastal water body that is weakly connected to the Gulf of Mexico and has no major rivers or streams draining into it. A year-long submarine groundwater discharge measurement study was carried out at the Loyola Beach of the Baffin Bay during the months of July 2005–June 2006. A total of 23 synoptic SGD sampling events were carried out with most events collecting SGD data continuously over a period of 24 h at a 1-min temporal resolution using an ultrasonic seepage meter. The median SGD was noted to be 3.83 cm/d with an inter-quartile range (IQR) of 11.36 cm/d. Four sampling events had anomalously high SGD values (~27–48 cm/d) which are hypothesized to be due to the geologic heterogeneity of the sea bed and meteorological effects. Eight of the 23 sampling events had a negative average SGD flux indicating landward flow. The short-term diurnal variability of SGD was comparable or sometimes higher than the longer-term and between-events variability. No long-term trend could be inferred. In the short-term, SGD measurements showed considerable persistence and the effective sample size analysis indicated each sampling event (consisting of over 1,000 samples) yielded only a handful of statistically independent measurements of SGD. The measured SGD values exhibited both negative (hydraulically controlled) and positive (wave set-up controlled) correlations with the bay water levels. Marine controls appeared to be the most significant SGD drivers and are in turn controlled by prevailing aeolian forcings. The salinity of the SGDs were estimated from measured sonic velocities and used in conjunction with the end-member mixing models to estimate fresh (meteoric) and re-circulated pore-water fractions. The freshwater fraction of the SGD was estimated to vary between nearly 4 and 89 % with a median value of 9.96 % and an IQR of 7.16 %. Three events were noted to have abnormally high freshwater fractions (~28, 50 and 84 %) which are likely artifacts caused by bay water freshening from rainfall and plausible thermal expansion. The meteoric and pore-water partitioning was sensitive to the assumed end-member concentrations. This study provides preliminary estimates for SGDs along the South Texas coast line and is useful for calibrating groundwater flow models and understanding the relative importance of terrestrial and marine controls on SGD. However, the heterogeneous nature of the sedimentary geology of the Texas Gulf Coast implies the SGD fluxes are likely to exhibit considerable spatial variation that has not been characterized yet. Therefore, the study provides useful insights for such future data collection and monitoring activities. The measured SGD values at Baffin Bay, TX are comparable to those reported at other parts of the Gulf of Mexico.     

Geological structure and seabed morphology of the Stoupa submarine groundwater discharge system,Messinia, Greece

Detailed marine geological–geophysical survey of the submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) system at Stoupa, Messinia (Greece) was conducted as part of an offshore study aiming at the evaluation of the discharge rate, the quality of the water and the investigation of potential ways for exploitation. Systematic mapping of the seafloor included swath bathymetry, seismic profiling and side-scan sonar imaging in order to reveal the precise morphology of the submarine discharge site, to better understand the structure of the SGD system and the nature and thickness of the sedimentary cover, and finally to provide the necessary data for a potential exploitation design. The SGD system is located in an E–W trending ellipsoidal depression characterized by two depth maxima at 27 and 29 m. This depression has been developed on the hanging wall of a N–S trending fault, whilst the groundwater discharges occur at the base of a 10-m-high steep and faulted rocky slope developed on conglomerates or limestone formations, also occurring in the coast. Recent sand deposits cover the seabed around the depression. The complex morphology of the discharge site, the steep slopes, and the rapid changes (due to erosion with subsequent slope collapse) during enhanced water flow periods, do not favor submarine constructions for the exploitation of the SGD system.     

Detecting Freshwater Inputs via Groundwater Discharge to Marina Lagoon, Mediterranean Coast, Egypt

Much work in recent years has reported on the role of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) on coastal biogeochemistry, but most of those studies have focused on temperate or tropical climates where year-round rainfall recharges surficial aquifers. The aim of this work, however, was to examine SGD behaviors in an arid setting??Marina Lagoon on the Egyptian Mediterranean coast. SGD was estimated via radon surveys and time-series measurements in lagoon waters during two campaigns (wet season in March 2009 and dry season in July 2010). Relatively higher values of radon were detected in March (maximum >30?dpm/L) compared to July (up to 16?dpm/L), which would indicate either enhanced input rates, or lower mixing/atmospheric losses during the wet season. Lower salinity waters within Marina Lagoon were characterized by higher radon and higher concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and silica (DISi), characteristic of groundwater inputs. Based on lagoon and groundwater radon measurements and an advection-diffusion model, SGD average rates between 0.83 to 2.4?×?10⁸?L/day were estimated for both surveys. Since no seasonal pattern was detected, we suspect that either (1) SGD is derived from a regional aquifer not influenced by recharge from local rainfall or (2) local water use for irrigation and domestic purposes artificially recharges the surficial aquifer in the dry summer (tourist) months, which compensates for the lack of rainfall occurring at that time.     

人类活动影响下的龙口海岸带海底地下水排泄通量研究

在沿海地区,以²²³Ra和²²⁴Ra为示踪剂建立的镭质量平衡模型已广泛应用于海底地下水排泄量(SGD)的研究中,然而目前国内外关于在人类活动复杂影响较大情况下的SGD研究却极为少见。本文对比研究了在有防渗墙(A区)和填海造陆(B区)两种不同人为因素影响下的龙口海岸带水体表现年龄、海底地下水排泄量及其携带的氮磷营养盐通量。结果表明,A区平均水体表现年龄为14.26 d,B区平均水体表现年龄为10.64 d。此外,B区沿岸地下水以及近岸海水中的Ra活度均普遍高于A区,而盐度低于A区。在SGD方面,A区的SGD速率为1.26~1.60 cm·d^-1,B区为1.43~1.82 cm·d^-1,考虑SGD在评估方法上存在一定的误差,因此两个区域的SGD速率相差不大。但与我国其他自然海域相比,这两个区域的SGD速率均处于较低水平。此外,B区的氮磷营养盐浓度普遍高于A区,而且由SGD驱动的氮磷营养盐通量不同,地下水输入的不平衡的营养盐极易改变龙口海域的营养盐结构,对海洋生态环境产生不利影响,这也进一步证实SGD在沿海生态环境以及水体污染治理中的重要地位。     

Investigation on Submarine Groundwater Discharge at Kozhikkode Coastal Aquifer,SW Western Ghats

The direct discharge of groundwater to sea through aquifer medium (Submarine Groundwater Discharge), has been recognized as a small but significant component of hydrological cycle as it often transfers considerable amount of nutrients and pollutants to the sea. Understanding on Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) allows us to estimate optimum exploitation levels of coastal fresh groundwater and to locate feasible waste disposal sites in coastal zones. SGD is temporally and spatially variable as interactions between multiple forcing mechanisms vary at any given location and time. Thus, site-specific investigation is necessary to comprehensively evaluate the timing, magnitude, and importance of SGD in any region. The potential of thermal remote sensing (IR imagery) was resorted to target the possible SGD zones in the initial phase. Subsequently, hydrogeological, hydrochemical and resistivity surveys have provided adequate field evidences to delineate the direct discharge areas. Though sandy horizons form the main aquifer material, laterite and weathered/fractured rock were also found to be functioning as aquifer zones. Based on different field investigation techniques, a total of three areas such as, Gotheeswaram, Kappad and Koyilandi were identified as potential groundwater discharge zones in the Kozhikkode coastal aquifer.     

Surface Water Metabolism Potential in Groundwater-Fed Coastal Waters of Hawaii Island,USA

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) has become increasingly recognized as an important source of freshwater and nutrients to coastal waters worldwide. Although groundwater nutrients have been found to cause algal blooms in many temperate coastal waters, little is known about the biological response to these nutrients in the tropics. On the leeward coast of Hawaii Island, SGD is the dominant freshwater and nutrient source to coastal waters. Kiholo Bay, HI and Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, HI are two nearshore regions with well-documented SGD with high nutrient concentrations; however, little is known about how biological processes within the surface waters respond to these inputs. This study examined how potential gross primary production (pGPP), respiration (RESP), and potential metabolism (pMET) within surface waters differed inside and outside of groundwater plumes at these two sites and between wet and dry seasons. pGPP and RESP were both significantly higher within groundwater plumes, suggesting that SGD stimulated these biological processes; however, RESP responded to a much greater extent than pGPP, resulting in heterotrophic surface waters. RESP also varied seasonally, with greater rates during the dry season compared to the wet one; pGPP did not vary seasonally. Autotrophic conditions were found within groundwater plumes at Kiholo Bay, while heterotrophic conditions were found within them at Kaloko-Honokohau and were greater during the dry season. Overall, our results show that coastal biological processes respond to SGD and that their responses vary over short spatial and temporal scales.     

Submarine groundwater discharge enhances primary productivity in the Yellow Sea,China:Insight from the separation of fresh and recirculated components

Submarine groundwater discharge(SGD)is being increasingly recognized as a significant source of nutri-ent into coastal waters,and generally comprises two components:submarine fresh groundwater dis-charge(SFGD)and recirculated saline groundwater discharge(RSGD).The separate evaluation of SFGD and RSGD is extremely limited as compared to the conventional estimation of total SGD and associated nutrient fluxes,especially in marginal-scale regions.In this study,new high-resolution radium isotopes data in seawater and coastal groundwater enabled an estimation of SGD flux in a typical marginal sea of the Yellow Sea.By establishing 226Ra and 228Ra mass balance models,we obtained the SGD-derived radium fluxes,and then estimated the SFGD and RSGD fluxes through a two end-member model.The results showed that the total SGD flux into the Yellow Sea was equivalent to approximately 6.6 times the total freshwater discharge of surrounding rivers,and the SFGD flux accounted for only 5.2％-8.8％of the total SGD.Considering the nutrient concentrations in coastal fresh and saline groundwater,we obtained the dissolved inorganic nutrient fluxes(mmol m-2 yr-1)to be 52-353 for nitrogen(DIN),0.21-1.4 for phosphorus(DIP),34-226 for silicon(DSi)via SFGD,and 69-262 for DIN,1.0-3.9 for DIP,70-368 for DSi via RSGD,with the sum of nutrient fluxes equaling to(1.8-9.3)-fold,(1.3-5.6)-fold and(2.0-9.5)-fold of the riverine inputs.Compared to the conventional estimation of the total SGD flux,the nutrient fluxes derived from the separation of SFGD and RSGD were(1.6-2.1),(1.6-1.8)and(4.0-4.9)times lower for DIN,DIP and DSi,respectively,indicating that the estimates by separating SFGD and RSGD could be conservative and representative results of the Yellow Sea.Furthermore,we suggested that SGD played an important role in nutrient sources among all the traditional nutrient inputs sources,providing 15％-48％,33％-68％and 14％-43％of the total DIN,DIP and DSi input fluxes into the Yellow Sea,and the high nutrient stoichiometric ratios(i.e.,DIN/DIP)in SGD probably contributed to the increasing ratios in the Yellow Sea.In addition delivering large amounts of nutrient into the Yellow Sea,SGD would create primary productivity of 10-49,1.6-6.8 and 8.8-42 g C m-2 yr-1 based on N,P and Si,which were equivalent to 5.2％-27％,0.9％-3.7％and 4.7％-23％of the total primary productivity,respectively.In par-ticular,the SFGD-derived DIN flux can be converted to primary productivity of 4.2-28 g C m-2 yr-1 thus demonstrating the disproportionately large role of SFGD in ecological environment of the Yellow Sea rel-ative to its flux.Therefore,we conclude that SGD,particularly SFGD,plays an important role as a nutrient source for the Yellow Sea,and not only affects nutrient budgets and structures but also enhances the pri-mary productivity.     

用氡-222评价五缘湾的地下水输入

海底地下水排泄(SGD)近年来成为陆-海相互作用的研究热点,地球化学示踪方法是其主要研究手段,尝试用天然示踪剂氡-222评价厦门五缘湾的SGD。为了评价五缘湾SGD的入海通量及其变化,对五缘湾海水中²²²Rn和²²⁶Ra活度、大气中²²²Rn活度、风速、水温和水深进行了连续2 d的测量,对沉积物进行了培养实验用以获得其²²²Rn扩散通量和孔隙水中²²²Rn活度。基于海水中²²²Rn通量的质量平衡,对实测的海水中²²²Rn活度实施了母体支持、涨落潮影响、大气逃逸损失、沉积物扩散输入、混合损失的校正,保守估计SGD输入的²²²Rn通量在0~126.7 Bq/(m²·h)范围内变化,对海水中²²²Rn的平均贡献达54%。以井水和孔隙水中²²²Rn的加权平均值作为SGD端元的代表,获得SGD的输入速率为0~29.3 cm/d,平均输入速率9.3 cm/d。SGD输入速率的动态变化基本围绕12 h的周期波动,是对本海域正规半日潮的具体响应。假设SGD以平均速率在五缘湾海底输入,则五缘湾海底的SGD输入量为1.86×10⁵ m³/d。以陆源地下淡水占SGD输入量的10%考虑,五缘湾的陆源地下淡水输入量约为1.86×10⁴ m³/d。     

Submarine groundwater discharge is an important net source of light and middle REEs to coastal waters of the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, USA

Porewater (i.e., groundwater) samples were collected from multi-level piezometers across the freshwater-saltwater seepage face within the Indian River Lagoon subterranean estuary along Florida’s (USA) Atlantic coast for analysis of the rare earth elements (REE). Surface water samples for REE analysis were also collected from the water column of the Indian River Lagoon as well as two local rivers (Eau Gallie River, Crane Creek) that flow into the lagoon within the study area. Concentrations of REEs in porewaters from the subterranean estuary are 10-100 times higher than typical seawater values (e.g., Nd ranges from 217 to 2409 pmol kg⁻¹), with submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) at the freshwater-saltwater seepage face exhibiting the highest REE concentrations. The elevated REE concentrations for SGD at the seepage face are too high to be the result of simple, binary mixing between a seawater end-member and local terrestrial SGD. Instead, the high REE concentrations indicate that geochemical reactions occurring within the subterranean estuary contribute substantially to the REE cycle. A simple mass balance model is used to investigate the cycling of REEs in the Indian River Lagoon and its underlying subterranean estuary. Mass balance modeling reveals that the Indian River Lagoon is approximately at steady-state with respect to the REE fluxes into and out of the lagoon. However, the subterranean estuary is not at steady-state with respect to the REE fluxes. Specifically, the model suggests that the SGD Nd flux, for example, exported from the subterranean estuary to the overlying lagoon waters exceeds the combined input to the subterranean estuary from terrestrial SGD and recirculating marine SGD by, on average, ∼100 mmol day⁻¹. The mass balance model also reveals that the subterranean estuary is a net source of light REEs (LREE) and middle REEs (MREE) to the overlying lagoon waters, but acts as a sink for the heavy REEs (HREE). Geochemical modeling and statistical analysis further suggests that this fractionation occurs, in part, due to the coupling between REE cycling and iron redox cycling within the Indian River Lagoon subterranean estuary. The net SGD flux of Nd to the Indian River Lagoon is ∼7-fold larger than the local effective river flux to these coastal waters. This previously unrecognized source of Nd to the coastal ocean could conceivably be important to the global oceanic Nd budget, and help to resolve the oceanic “Nd paradox” by accounting for a substantial fraction of the hypothesized missing Nd flux to the ocean.     

用镭同位素评价海水滞留时间及海底地下水排泄

海底地下水排泄(submarine groundwater discharge, SGD)难以直接测量, 镭同位素和氡-222等天然示踪剂使得间接评价SGD通量成为可能.为了评价五缘湾的水体滞留时间和SGD通量, 实测了湾内海水、湾外海水和地下水中224Ra和226Ra的活度, 利用224Ra和226Ra半衰期的差异, 采用224Ra与226Ra的活度比值计算湾内水团的年龄和平均滞留时间, 利用224Ra和226Ra的质量平衡模型计算SGD通量.五缘湾13个站位的水团年龄在0.6~2.4 d之间, 湾顶水团年龄相对较大, 平均海水滞留时间1.4 d.地下水输入五缘湾的224Ra和226Ra通量分别为5.17×106 Bq/d和5.28×106 Bq/d, 将该通量用地下水端元的活度转换成为SGD通量分别是0.21 m3/m2/d(224Ra平衡模型)和0.23 m3/m2/d(226Ra平衡模型), 两种模型的结果较接近, 其平均值0.22 m3/m2/d可作为五缘湾的海底地下水排泄通量.      

用镭-226示踪胶州湾的海底地下水排泄

海底地下水排泄（SGD）是全球水循环的一个组成部分,其输送的溶解物质不仅参与海洋的生物地球化学循环,而且影响近岸海域的生态环境。为了评估胶州湾海底地下水排泄状况,通过建立胶州湾内海水中²²⁶Ra的质量平衡模型来计算海底地下水排泄通量。胶州湾海水中²²⁶Ra的源主要有河流的输入、沉积物扩散输入和地下水的输入,海水系统在稳定状态下,这几种源应该与湾内海水和湾外海水的混合损失达到平衡。除了将地下水输入作为未知项外,对其他源和汇逐个进行量化,计算得知：2011年9-10月胶州湾的海底地下水排泄通量为7.85×10⁶ m³·d^-1;2012年4-5月胶州湾的海底地下水排泄通量为4.72×10⁶ m³·d^-1。在此基础上,对地下水输入胶州湾的营养盐进行了评价。     

A Review on Submarine Groundwater Discharge

Submarine Groundwater Discharge(SGD), an important part of global water cycle, is recently recognized as a research highlight on the land ocean interaction in the coastal zone. Firstly, This paper analyzes the components and driving force of SGD, and summarizes the main estimating methods of SGD and its individual strengths and weaknesses. Secondly, the paper describes the important role of SGD in transporting dissolved mass into the costal ocean and significant impacts on the ecological environment of costal ocean, and through analyzing the biogeochemical process in the mixing zone of fresh salt water, indicates the important position of subterranean estuary in studying submarine groundwater discharge. Finally, the paper points out the major problems currently existing in SGD research, then presents the future research direction.     

Natural Radon and Radium Isotopes for Assessing Groundwater Discharge into Little Lagoon,AL: Implications for Harmful Algal Blooms

Naturally occurring isotopes of radon (²²²Rn) and radium isotopes (^{223,224,226,228}Ra) were used as tracers to assess submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) into Little Lagoon, AL (USA), a site of recurring harmful algal blooms (HABs). The radium isotopic data suggests that there are two groundwater sources of these tracers to the lagoon, a shallow (A1) and deeper (A2) aquifer. We estimated the fraction of each source via a three-end-member mixing model consisting of Gulf of Mexico seawater, shallow and deep groundwater. The estimated lagoonwide SGD rates based on a radium mass balance and the mixing model were 1.22?±?0.53 and 1.59?±?0.20 m³ s^-1 for the shallow and deep groundwater discharges, respectively. To investigate temporal variations in SGD, we performed several radon surveys from 2010 through 2012, a period of generally declining groundwater levels due to a drought in the southeastern USA. The total SGD rates based on a radon mass balance approach were found to vary from 0.60 to 2.87 m³ s^-1. We observed well-defined relationships between nutrients and chlorophyll-a in lagoon waters during a period when there was an intense diatom bloom in April 2010 and when no bloom existed in March 2011. A good correlation was also found between radium (groundwater-derived) and nutrients during the April 2010 period, while there was no clear relationship between the same parameters in March 2011. Based on multivariate analysis of chemical and environmental factors, we suggest that nutrient-rich inputs during high SGD may be a significant driver of algal blooms, but during low SGD periods, multiple drivers are responsible for the occurrence of algal blooms.     

海底地下水排放:重要的海岸带陆海相互作用过程

沿海地区海底地下水排放在北美和欧洲等发达地区受到了越来越多的重视,被认为是一个重要的海岸带陆海相互作用过程。但这一过程在我国尚未引起足够认识,有关研究极少见。海底地下水排放的研究历史不长,只是近十多年才有了快速的发展,有了越来越多的定量研究成果。其研究方法主要有水文计算法、现场实测法和地球化学示踪法,各种方法之间的对比实验是目前的热点问题。沿海地下水排放具有重要的环境意义,它可以是陆地营养物质和污染物质的一个重要排放通道,可以对海岸带环境产生一定影响。我国沿海地区应该加强有关的研究工作,为海岸带环境管理作出贡献。     

镭同位素示踪隆教湾的海底地下水排泄

福建省漳州市隆教湾海水中镭同位素的研究,目的是评价海底地下水排泄量。在2007年6月的航次中,垂直于岸线的9km剖面上布置15个站位,每个站位用潜水泵采集表层海水样60L于塑料桶中。水样运回实验室后,立即用装有锰纤维的PVC管以虹吸的方式富集水样中的镭同位素,水通过PVC管的流速小于300ml/min。224Ra活度用连续射气法测定,测完224Ra后密封7d以上,然后用直接射气法测定226Ra活度。224Ra和226Ra活度都呈现自岸向海逐渐降低的规律,表明扩散控制镭同位素的分布,由224Ra获得68.83km2d-1的扩散系数,同时226Ra形成-0.963dpm100l-1km-1的活度梯度。用扩散系数和活度梯度建立的226Ra的离岸通量为6.62×1011dpmkm-2d-1,这个通量一定是得到SGD输入的镭支持,从而获得隆教湾的海底地下水排泄量是3.03×109m3km-2d-1。该排泄量包括陆源地下淡水排泄量和再循环海水排泄量,绝大部分可能是再循环海水,有待进一步研究。     

海底地下水排泄研究回顾与进展

海底地下水排泄是全球水循环的重要组成部分,是近岸、滩涂和河口地区典型而重要的海水—地下水相互作用过程。作为全球水循环的重要组成部分,海底地下水排泄是海洋中水和各种化学物质的重要来源之一,同时也是各种污染物从陆地向海洋输送的一个重要而隐蔽的通道。综述了海底地下水排泄(SGD)的研究现状与进展,对海底地下水排泄的过程、研究方法、研究分布以及环境意义等方面进行了详细介绍,指出了目前研究存在的不足和需要努力的方向,从而为我国开展大规模海底地下水排泄研究提供了一定的思路。     

Nutrient and Radium Fluxes from Submarine Groundwater Discharge to Port Royal Sound, South Carolina

Water exchange between the coastal ocean and underlying aquifers provides a newly-recognized source of materials to the ocean. The flux of materials into the ocean from this process is termed submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). Both surficial and semi-confined aquifers contribute to SGD. Here we use ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra to quantify fluxes of SGD to Port Royal Sound, South Carolina, and to separate fluxes from the Upper Floridan (UFA) and surficial aquifers. Higher activity ratios of ²²⁸/²²⁶Ra in the surficial aquifer make this separation possible. We estimate total SGD fluxes of about 100 m³ s^-1 with about 80% being derived from the surficial aquifer. The SGD flux provides about1.8 × 10⁶ mol d^-1 of NH4 with almost 90% from the surficial aquifer. Because of strong differences in the concentration of PO4 within the UFA, PO₄ fluxes areless certain. Using the UFA wells with low PO₄ concentrations yields a flux of 1.2 × 10⁵ mol d^-1; using wells with high concentrations yields a flux of 2.0 × 10⁵ mol d^-1. In the first case virtually all of the PO₄ flux is from the surficial aquifer; in the second case, 40% is from the UFA.The UFA in this region has experienced dramatic changes as a result of withdrawals for human use. Prior to these withdrawals, total nutrient fluxes from the UFA may have been even larger. These changes in the UFA and similar coastal aquifers worldwide have the potential to significantly alter a major nutrient source for the coastal ocean.     

Submarine Groundwater Discharge to a High-Energy Surf Zone at Stinson Beach,California, Estimated Using Radium Isotopes

Two 14-day experiments conducted in the dry summer (July 2006) and wet winter (March 2007) seasons, respectively, examined tidal, wave-driven, and seasonal variability of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) at Stinson Beach, CA, using natural radium tracers. Tide stage, tide range, breaker height, and season each explained a significant degree of radium variability in the surf zone. A mass balance of excess radium in the surf zone was used to estimate SGD for each season, confirming larger discharge rates during the wet season. Our results indicate median groundwater discharge rates of 6 to 8 L min⁻¹ m⁻¹ in July 2006 and 38 to 43 L min⁻¹ m⁻¹ in March 2007. SGD from 200 m of Stinson Beach in March 2007 contributed a flux of phosphate and dissolved inorganic nitrogen approximately equal to that associated with all local creeks and streams within 6 km of the study site at that time.