乳山湾外邻近海域氮和磷的分布与收支过程研究

基于2009年6–9月,2014年5月,2014年7–8月在乳山湾外邻近海域的综合调查资料,分析了该开放海域水体与沉积物中氮、磷营养盐的组成和分布,并在潮汐潮流数值模式计算水通量的基础上分析了近岸开放区域无机氮(DIN)和无机磷(DIP)的循环与收支的主要过程,量化了潮汐潮流、初级生产的消耗与转化、底界面过程与内部循环等过程对氮和磷营养盐循环与收支的影响。结果表明,夏季乳山湾外邻近海域水体DIN和DIP的浓度与分布受陆源输入和潮汐潮流的共同影响,高值均出现在湾口区域;沉积物-水界面存在DIN和DIP从沉积物向上覆水释放的现象,使得底层水体的氮、磷营养盐浓度高于表层水体。氮的收支表明,研究海域水体内部循环过程是初级生产所需DIN的主要来源,占初级生产总消耗量的86%,其次是水交换作用(11%),底界面扩散对初级生产的贡献相对较小(3%);水体DIN的移出主要是通过埋藏、向外海的输送和水体反硝化作用,其比例分别为80%、16%和4%。磷的收支显示,研究海域水体内部循环过程贡献了初级生产所需DIP的91%,其次是水交换作用(9%),底界面扩散对初级生产的贡献小于1%;水体DIP支出主要是通过沉积埋藏和向外海的输送,其比例分别为67%和33%。研究结果表明内部循环过程是近海水体氮和磷获得补充的主要途径,不过外部来源的氮、磷营养盐结构与系统内部具有显著的差异,且系统内磷的埋藏效率要高于氮,其必将对乳山湾外邻近海域营养盐结构和初级生产产生长远的影响。     

胶州湾围隔浮游生态系统氮、磷营养盐迁移-转化模型研究

通过对目前生态动力学模型的总结和综合,以生态系统中氮、磷营养盐循环为主线,建立了适用于海洋围隔浮游生态系统的多变量的营养盐迁移-转化动力学模型.该模型包括浮游植物、浮游动物、溶解无机态营养盐、溶解有机态营养盐和生物碎屑5个模块,涉及溶解无机氮、磷酸盐、溶解有机氮、溶解有机磷、浮游植物、浮游动物和生物碎屑7个状态变量.分别利用1999年秋季和2000年夏季胶州湾围隔生态实验数据进行了模型和验证工作,成功地模拟了富加营养盐条件下围隔浮游生态系统中氮、磷营养盐生物化学迁移-转化过程,并确定了20余个参数的量值.     

Tidal exchange of nitrogen and phosphorus between a mesohaline vegetated marsh and the surrounding estuary in the lower Chesapeake Bay

A 22-month study was conducted to determine the exchange of nitrogen and phosphorus between a mesohaline vegetated marsh in the Carter's Creek area of Virginia and the surrounding estuary, focusing on the role of the vegetated marsh surface in the processing of these constituents. On an annual basis there was a removal of $\text{NH}{}_4{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, $\text{PO}{}_4{}^{\mathrm{3?}}$, $\text{NO}{}_3{}^{\mathrm{?}}$, dissolved organic nitrogen, dissolved organic phosphorus, particulate nitrogen and particulate phosphorus from the tidal water as it resided on the vegetated marsh. Only nitrite was transported from the marsh to the estuary. Most of the nitrogen and phosphorus species showed distinct seasonal trends with respect to the direction of transport except nitrate and orthophosphate. The ammonium flux data indicates that this nutrient was removed from the inundating water during late spring and fall, with a slight release of this constituent into the tidal water during the late summer. The transport of nitrite was from the estuary to the marsh for most of the year except during the fall. The large release of this nutrient into the tidal water at this time is associated with the senescence of the marsh vegetation. There was a large removal of DON from the tidal water during the fall, while the flux of DOP was from the estuary to the marsh for most of the year except during the summer. The largest removal of particulate nitrogen and phosphorus from the tidal water occurred during the summer months when the turbidity of the tidal water was highest, especially when wave scouring of the mudflats brings material into the water column. A loss of particulate nitrogen from the marsh to the estuary was evident during the fall and winter.     

珠江口横门大气氮、磷干湿沉降的初步研究

通过对2006年12月至2007年11月中山横门的大气沉降采样分析, 初步探讨了珠江口大气氮、磷干湿沉降的特征。结果表明, 观测期间铵态氮(NH4+-N)、硝态氮(NO3--N)、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)降雨量加权平均浓度分别为0.82、0.52、2.14、0.039mg.L-1, 干湿总沉降通量分别为1.584、1.142、4.295和0.055g.m-2.a-1。NH4+-N、NO3--N和TN干、湿沉降通量相当, 而TP以湿沉降为主。TN大气沉降通量春、夏、秋三季相当, 均明显高于冬季, TP则以夏季最大, 秋季次之, 而冬季最小。     

Seasonal changes in nitrogen and phosphorus transport in the lower Changjiang River before the construction of the Three Gorges Dam

Water and sediment samples were collected at Datong from June 1998 to March 1999 to examine seasonal changes in the transports of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from the Changjiang River (Yangtze River) to the East China Sea (ECS). Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN; dominated by nitrate) concentration exhibited small seasonality, and DIN flux was largely controlled by water discharge. Dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) concentration was inversely correlated with water discharge, and DIP was evenly delivered throughout a year. The transports of DIN and DIP from the Changjiang River were consistent with seasonal changes in nutrient distributions and P limitation in the Changjiang Estuary and the adjacent ECS. Dissolved organic and particulate N (DON and PN) and P (DOP and PP) varied parallel to water discharge, and were dominantly transported during a summer flood. The fluxes of DOP and particulate bioavailable P (PBAP) were 2.5 and 4 times that of DIP during this period, respectively. PBAP accounted for 12–16% of total particulate P (PP), and was positively correlated with the summation of adsorbed P, Al–P and Fe–P. Ca–P, the major fraction of PP, increased with increasing percent of CaCO₃. The remobilization of riverine DOP and PBAP likely accounted for the summer elevated primary production in DIP-depleted waters in the Changjiang Estuary and the adjacent ECS. The Changjiang River delivered approximately 6% of DIN (1459 × 10⁶ kg), 1% of DIP (12 × 10⁶ kg), and 2% of dissolved organic and particulate N and P to the totals of global rivers. The construction of the Three Gorges Dam might have substantially reduced the particulate nutrient loads, thereby augmenting P limitation in the Changjiang Estuary and ECS.     

结合有人和无人驾驶船观测以及长期定点观测计算寒潮过境引起的海水输运

高分辨率的数据对于理解近海的复杂过程以及制定有效的管理措施日益重要,特别是考虑到恶劣气象的长期效应。这种长期效应的积累可以与潮汐的长期效应一样重要。本文讨论的即是一个大气锋面过境的过程对于Vermilion Bay水输运的影响。我们的研究采用了有人船和自制的无人船作为载具来测量流速剖面。这种自制无人船造价低廉、简单实用、可控性好,可以做比有人船更精确的测量。我们采用安装在这些观测载具上的多普勒流速剖面仪在一个潮周期内反复对流速的横向和垂向断面的水通量做高分辨率的精准测量,然后与一个定点的多普勒流速剖面仪的流速做相关分析得出相关系数。利用所求相关系数把水通量的计算扩展到总共717天的定点观测时间段,以此讨论在这个期间最强的一次大气寒潮过境时产生的水输运并阐述此类过程的重要性。     

夏季长江口水体层化和潮汐作用对颗粒氮、磷运移的影响

于2018年7月对长江口及其邻近海域水体中的海洋化学参数进行了3个连续站和5个大面站的调查,分析了该海区水体层化和潮汐作用对颗粒氮(PN)和颗粒磷(PP)的影响.结果表明,该海区PN浓度为0.75～27.42μmol·L-1,平均值为5.39μmol·L-1;PP浓度为0.07～2.05μmol·L-1,平均值为0.3...     

A nitrogen and phosphorus dynamic model of mesocosm pelagic ecosystem in the Jiaozhou Bay in China

A nitrogen and phosphorus dynamic model of mesocosm pelagic ecosystem was established according to the summary and synthesis of the models available, in which seven state variables （DIN, PO4-P, DON, DOP, phytoplankton, zooplankton and detritus） were included. Logically it had five modules--phytoplankton, zooplankton, dissolved inorganic nutrients, dissolved organic nutrients and detritus. The results showed that this model could simulate the variations of DIN, PO4-P, DON, DOP, POC and phytoplankton biomass in pelagic ecosystem in mesocosm properly, based on the site experiment data in the Jiaozhou Bay in the autumn of 1999 and the summer of 2000. Not only the logical structure but also the model parameters were feasible, and about 20 parameters were made to fit for the Jiaozhou Bay during the simulation. All of these are necessary to study the control mechanism of nutrients biogeochemical cycling in the Jiaozhou Bay and other China＇ s coastal waters.     

Grain size composition and transport of sedimentary organic carbon in the Changjiang River (Yangtze River) Estuary and Hangzhou Bay and their adjacent waters

Surface sediments from the Changjiang River(Yangtze River) Estuary,Hangzhou Bay,and their adjacent waters were analyzed for their grain size distribution,organic carbon(OC) concentration,and stable carbon isotope composition(δ13C).Based on this analysis,about 36 surface sediment samples were selected from various environments and separated into sand(0.250 mm,0.125–0.250 mm,0.063–0.125 mm) and silt(0.025–0.063 mm)fractions by wet-sieving fractionation methods,and further into silt-(0.004–0.025 mm) and clay-sized(0.004mm) fractions by centrifugal fractionation.Sediments of six grain size categories were analyzed for their OC andδ13C contents to explore the grain size composition and transport paths of sedimentary OC in the study area.From fine to coarse fractions,the OC content was 1.18%,0.51%,0.46%,0.42%,0.99%,and 0.48%,respectively,while theδ13C was –21.64‰,–22.03‰,–22.52‰,–22.46‰,–22.36‰,and –22.28‰,respectively.In each size category,the OC contribution was 42.96%,26.06%,9.82%,5.75%,7.09%,and 8.33%,respectively.The OC content in clay and fine silt fractions(0.025 mm) was about 69.02%.High OC concentrations were mainly found in offshore modern sediments in the northeast of the Changjiang River Estuary,in modern sediments in the lower estuary of the Changjiang River and Hangzhou Bay,and in Cyclonic Eddy modern sediments to the southwest of the Cheju Island.Integrating the distribution of terrestrial OC content of each grain size category with the δ13C of the bulk sediment indicated that the terrestrial organic material in the Changjiang River Estuary was transported seaward and dispersed to the Cyclonic Eddy modern sediments to the southwest of the Cheju Island via two pathways:one was a result of the Changjiang River Diluted Water(CDW) northeastward extending branch driven by the North Jiangsu Coastal Current and the Yellow Sea Coastal Current,while the other one was the result of the CDW southward extending branch driven by the Taiwan Warm Current.     

伶仃洋表层沉积物特征及其泥沙运移趋势

根据伶仃洋表层沉积物的粒度分析资料,探讨表层沉积物的特征,并在此基础上应用Gao-Collins粒径趋势分析方法(GSTA模型)分析了伶仃洋表层沉积物的泥沙净输运趋势。结果表明,伶仃洋表层沉积物共有6种类型,其中以黏土质粉砂分布最广泛。受径流、潮流、波浪和陆架水入侵等多种动力作用,伶仃洋表层沉积物颗粒在北面最粗,南面次之,中间最细,东面略粗,西面略细;分选由中部向东、西两岸逐渐变好,但总体分选差;不同级配的泥沙分布和沉积特征存在差异。伶仃洋泥沙运移规律较复杂,泥沙呈现出向西南输运的总趋势;内伶仃洋四周泥沙受各种力作用,呈现出顺时针方向的环流运移,中心区域为最大浑浊带,泥沙以垂直落淤为主。淇澳岛以南至澳门半岛以东海域受粉砂和黏土向西扩散影响,泥沙向西运移。大屿海峡及外伶仃岛附近海域为高盐水入侵通道,泥沙向西北运移。     

化学生态调控对鳌山湾氮磷营养盐的影响

鳌山湾,是一个营养类型特殊的海湾,湾中基本无径流输入,呈“C”字形,封闭性较强,水较浅,湾内主要有筏式扇贝养殖和底播贝类养殖,沿岸有滩涂池塘养殖.根据1996年11月至1998年5月的调查结果得知,鳌山湾海域为贫营养海域[1,2].为探讨贫营养海域进行化学生态调控的可能性,利用鳌山湾的封闭性,根据其水交换规律[3],于1999年6月首次对鳌山湾进行了全湾规模较大的化学生态调控试验,旨在有效提高鳌山湾的营养水平,为今后在贫营养海域合理发展海水养殖业提供科学依据,获得了十分理想的效果.     

胶州湾氮、磷浓度的三维数值模拟

考虑了近岸海域影响氮、磷含量、时空分布的主要物理、生物化学过程,建立了胶州湾海域非保守物质(氮、磷)的水质预测模型。模型将氮、磷及与其相关的浮游植物、浮游动物作为状态变量,模拟了胶州湾海域夏季各状态变量浓度的时空分布。结果表明胶州湾北部氮、磷浓度最高,湾中央及湾口海域水质较好,各变量垂向分布均匀。数值模拟结果与监测结果及历史资料较为符合。     

近15 a来三门湾海域氮、磷营养盐分布与富营养化状况的变化分析

以1997年8月中旬和2011年10月中旬对三门湾附近海域开展的海域水质现状调查为依据,分析了近15 a间该海域水体环境氮、磷营养盐的分布现状及变化特征。结果表明:近15 a来,三门湾海域的无机氮和活性磷酸盐含量均成倍增长,水体营养程度由轻度富营养化逐步上升为重度富营养化;从营养结构来看,活性磷酸盐仍为限制性富营养化因子;大量的海水养殖是导致该海域营养盐大幅提高的直接原因。因此,为控制三门湾的富营养化现象进一步加剧,建议适度控制海水养殖规模,调整海水养殖结构,加强对三门湾沿岸排污控制,以获得养殖经济效益和生态环境效益的协调、可持续发展。     

夏冬季三沙湾海水营养盐含量的时空变化特征及与环境因子的相关性

根据2012年8月和2013年1月对三沙湾海域开展的海域水质现场连续调查数据,阐述了无机氮和活性磷酸盐含量时空变化特征及其与环境因子的相关性.结果表明,三沙湾海域夏冬季无机氮含量范围分别为0.059～1.669、0.569～0.940 mg/dm^3,均值为0.582、0.676 mg/dm^3,活性磷酸盐含量范围分别为0.036～0.071、0.050～0.070 mg/dm^3,均值为0.056、0.060 mg/dm^3.无机氮和活性磷酸盐含量的高值区出现在陆源径流入海区及大量网箱养殖区,总体呈湾顶向湾口递减趋势,氮磷含量表层高于底层,冬季高于夏季,大部分海域都超过第四类海水水质标准.根据CN/CP比值评价结果显示,三沙湾大部分海域浮游植物的生长为氮限制.相关性分析表明,三沙湾海域无机氮与硝酸盐含量相关性极显著（r=0.989）,表明硝酸盐是无机氮的主要存在形态;无机氮还与盐度（r=-0.923）和温度（r=0.939）有极显著的相关性,论证了沿岸径流对三沙湾营养盐的输入有重要影响.活性磷酸盐与铵盐、亚硝酸盐含量存在显著的正相关.本次调研结果为三沙湾海域富营养化研究提供基础数据.     

Water, organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus contents in sediment of a large-scale mariculture area in the Zhelin Bay of eastern Guangdong Province, China

The Zhelin Bay is one of the most important bays for large-scale mariculture in Guangdong Province, China. Owing to the increasing human population and the expanding mariculture in the last two decades, the ecological environment has greatly changed with frequent harmful algal blooms. A monthly survey of water content, organic matter （TOM）, and various forms of nitrogen and phosphorous in sediment from July 2002 to July 2003 in the bay was conducted. The results showed that the water content was correlated significantly with TOM and various forms of nitrogen and phosphorus and can be used as proxy for quick and rough estimate of these factors in the future surveys. TOM was also correlated significantly with various forms of nitrogen and phosphorus, indicating that it was one of the key factors affecting the concentrations and distributions of nitrogen and phosphorus in the investigated waters. Average total Kjeldhal nitrogen （TkN） content was（ 1 113.1 ± 382.5）μg/g and average total phosphorus （TP） content was（567.2± 223.3）μg/g, and both were much higher than those of similar estuaries in China and elsewhere. Average nitrogen and phosphorus tended to be higher inside than outside the bay, higher at aquaculture than non-aquaculture areas, and higher at fish-cage culture than oyster culture areas, suggesting that large-scale mariculture inside the bay played an important role in the eutrophication of the Zhelin Bay. Various forms of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were higher during the warm season （July--September）, which was due to the increased decomposition and concentration of organic matter resulted from the fast growth and high mortality of the cultured species. Compared with July 2002, TkN and TP contents were much higher in July 2003, in consonance with the eutrophication of the Zhelin Bay. Because exchangeable phosphorus （Ex-P）, iron-bounded phos- phorus （Fe-P） and organic phosphorus （OP） combined accounted for 34.3% of the TP and authigenic phosphorus （Au-P     

Effects of irradiance on benthic and water column processes in a Gulf of Mexico estuary: Pensacola Bay, Florida, USA

We examined the effect of light on water column and benthic fluxes in the Pensacola Bay estuary, a river-dominated system in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Measurements were made during the summers of 2003 and 2004 on 16 dates distributed along depth and salinity gradients. Dissolved oxygen fluxes were measured on replicate sediment and water column samples exposed to a gradient of photosynthetically active radiation. Sediment inorganic nutrient (NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻) fluxes were measured. The response of dissolved oxygen fluxes to variation in light was fit to a photosynthesis–irradiance model and the parameter estimates were used to calculate daily integrated production in the water column and the benthos. The results suggest that shoal environments supported substantial benthic productivity, averaging 13.6 ± 4.7 mmol O₂ m⁻² d⁻¹, whereas channel environments supported low benthic productivity, averaging 0.5 ± 0.3 mmol O₂ m⁻² d⁻¹ (±SE). Estimates of baywide microphytobenthic productivity ranged from 8.1 to 16.5 mmol O₂ m⁻² d⁻¹, comprising about 16–32% of total system productivity. Benthic and water column dark respiration averaged 15.2 ± 3.2 and 33.6 ± 3.7 mmol O₂ m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively Inorganic nutrient fluxes were generally low compared to relevant estuarine literature values, and responded minimally to light exposure. Across all stations, nutrient fluxes from sediments to the water column averaged 1.11 ± 0.98 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ for NH₄⁺, 0.58 ± 1.08 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ for NO₃⁻, 0.01 ± 0.09 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹ for PO₄³⁻. The results of this study illustrate how light reaching the sediments is an important modulator of benthic nutrient and oxygen dynamics in shallow estuarine systems.     

The partial pressure of carbon dioxide and air-sea fluxes in the Changjiang River Estuary and adjacent Hangzhou Bay

The distributions of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (p CO2 ) in the surface waters of the Changjiang River Estuary and adjacent Hangzhou Bay were examined in the summer of 2010. Surface water p CO2 ranged from 751-2 095 μatm (1 atm=101 325 Pa) in the inner estuary, 177-1 036 μatm in the outer estuary, and 498-1 166 μatm in Hangzhou Bay. Overall, surface p CO2 behaved conservatively during the estuary mixing. In the inner estuary, surface p CO2 was relatively high due to urbanized pollution and a high respiration rate. The lowest p CO2 was observed in the outer estuary, which was apparently induced by a phytoplankton bloom because the dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a were very high. The Changjiang River Estuary was a significant source of atmospheric CO2 and the degassing fluxes were estimated as 0-230 mmol/(m2 d) [61 mmol/(m2 d) on average] in the inner estuary. In contrast, the outer estuary acted as a CO2 sink.     

Factors affecting spatial and temporal variability in material exchange between the Southern Everglades wetlands and Florida Bay (USA)

Physical and biological processes controlling spatial and temporal variations in material concentration and exchange between the Southern Everglades wetlands and Florida Bay were studied for 2.5 years in three of the five major creek systems draining the watershed. Daily total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) fluxes were measured for 2 years in Taylor River, and ten 10-day intensive studies were conducted in this creek to estimate the seasonal flux of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), total organic carbon (TOC), and suspended matter. Four 10-day studies were conducted simultaneously in Taylor, McCormick, and Trout Creeks to study the spatial variation in concentration and flux. The annual fluxes of TOC, TN, and TP from the Southern Everglades were estimated from regression equations. The Southern Everglades watershed, a 460-km² area that includes Taylor Slough and the area south of the C-111 canal, exported 7.1 g C m⁻², 0.46 g N m⁻², and 0.007 g P m⁻², annually. Everglades P flux is three to four orders of magnitude lower than published flux estimates from wetlands influenced by terrigenous sedimentary inputs. These low P flux values reflect both the inherently low P content of Everglades surface water and the efficiency of Everglades carbonate sediments and biota in conserving and recycling this limiting nutrient. The seasonal variation of freshwater input to the watershed was responsible for major temporal variations in N, P, and C export to Florida Bay; approximately 99% of the export occurred during the rainy season. Wind-driven forcing was most important during the later stages of the dry season when low freshwater head coincided with southerly winds, resulting in a net import of water and materials into the wetlands. We also observed an east to west decrease in TN:TP ratio from 212:1 to 127:1. Major spatial gradients in N:P ratios and nutrient concentration and flux among the creek were consistent with the westward decrease in surface water runoff from the P-limited Everglades and increased advection of relatively P-rich Gulf of Mexico (GOM) waters into Florida Bay. Comparison of measured nutrient flux from Everglades surface water inputs from this study with published estimates of other sources of nutrients to Florida Bay (i.e. atmospheric deposition, anthropogenic inputs from the Florida Keys, advection from the GOM) show that Everglades runoff represents only 2% of N inputs and 0.5% of P input to Florida Bay.     

Spatiotemporal characteristics of sea ice transport in the Baffin Bay and its association with atmospheric variability

Sea ice export through the Baffin Bay plays a vital role in modulating the sea ice cover variability in the Labrador Sea.In this study,satellite-derived sea ice products are used to obtain the sea ice area flux (SIAF) through the three passages in the Baffin Bay (referred to as A,B,and C for the north,middle,and south passages,respectively).The spatial variability of the monthly sea ice drift in the Baffin Bay is presented.The interannual variability and trends in SIAF via the three passages are outlined.The connection to several large-scale atmospheric circulation modes is assessed.Over the period of 1988–2015,the average annual (October to the following September) SIAF amounts to 555×10~3 km~2,642×10~3 km~2,and 551×10~3 km~2 through Passages A,B,and C,respectively.These quantities are less than that observed through the Fram Strait (FS,707×10~3 km~2) of the corresponding period.The positive trends in annual SIAF,on the order of 53.1×10~3 km~2/(10 a) and 43.2×10~3 km~2/(10 a)(significant at the 95%confidence level),are identified at Passages A and B,respectively.The trend of the south passage (C),however,is slightly negative (–13.3×10~3 km~2/(10 a),not statistically significant).The positive trends in annual SIAF through the Passages A and B are primarily attributable to the significant increases after 2000.The connection between the Baffin Bay sea ice export and the North Atlantic Oscillation is not significant over the studied period.By contrast,the association with the cross-gate sea level pressure difference is robust in the Baffin Bay (R equals 0.69 to 0.71,depending on the passages considered),but relatively weaker than that over FS (R=0.74).     

Biogeochemical transport in the Loxahatchee River estuary, Florida: The role of submarine groundwater discharge

The distributions of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), Ba, U, and a suite of naturally occurring radionuclides in the U/Th decay series (²²²Rn, ^{223,224,226,228}Ra) were studied during high- and low-discharge conditions in the Loxahatchee River estuary, Florida to examine the role of submarine groundwater discharge in estuarine transport. The fresh water endmember of this still relatively pristine estuary may reflect not only river-borne constituents, but also those advected during active groundwater/surface water (hyporheic) exchange. During both discharge conditions, Ba concentrations indicated slight non-conservative mixing. Such Ba excesses could be attributed either to submarine groundwater discharge or particle desorption processes. Estuarine dissolved organic carbon concentrations were highest at salinities closest to zero. Uranium distributions were lowest in the fresh water sites and mixed mostly conservatively with an increase in salinity. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations were generally lowest (< 5 mg L^− 1) close to zero salinity and increased several-fold ( 18 mg L^− 1; low discharge) toward the seaward endmember, which may be attributed to dynamic resuspension of bottom sediments within Jupiter Inlet.Surface water-column ²²²Rn activities were most elevated (> 28 dpm L^− 1) at the freshwater endmember of the estuary and appear to identify regions of the river most influenced by the discharge of fresh groundwater. Activities of four naturally occurring isotopes of Ra (^{223,224,226,228}Ra) in this estuary and select adjacent shallow groundwater wells yield mean estuarine water-mass transit times of less than 1 day; these values are in close agreement to those calculated by tidal prism and tidal frequency. Submarine groundwater discharge rates to the Loxahatchee River estuary were calculated using a tidal prism approach, an excess ²²⁶Ra mass balance, and an electromagnetic seepage meter. Average SGD rates ranged from 1.0 to 3.8 × 10⁵ m³ d^− 1 (20–74 L m^− 2 d^− 1), depending on river-discharge stage. Such calculated SGD estimates, which must include both a recirculated as well as fresh water component, are in close agreement with results obtained from a first-order watershed mass balance. Average submarine groundwater discharge rates yield NH₄⁺ and PO₄^− 3 flux estimates to the Loxahatchee River estuary that range from 62.7 to 1063.1 and 69.2 to 378.5 μmol m^− 2 d^− 1, respectively, depending on river stage. SGD-derived nutrient flux rates are compared to yearly computed riverine total N and total P load estimates.