Fluorescence of dissolved organic matter as a marker for distribution of desalinated waters in the Kara Sea and bays of Novaya Zemlya archipelago

The optical properties and distribution of dissolved organic matter in the surface waters of the Kara Sea and bays of Novaya Zemlya archipelago were studied during the 63th cruise of the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh. The fluorescence of dissolved organic matter has been studied over wide excitation (230–550 nm) and emission (240–650 nm) wavelength ranges. Based on the results of fluorescence measurements, we propose a simple technique for estimating the relative content of humic compounds entering the Kara Sea shelf region with Ob and Yenisei river runoff. We have found that the blue shift parameters of the DOM fluorescence are Δ_270–310 = 28 ± 2 nm and Δ_355–310 = 29 ± 2 nm. The highest contents of humic compounds in surface waters were measured on the transect across the desalinated layer of the Kara Sea, near the continental slope on the transect along the St. Anna Trough, and in the area of Sedova, Oga and Tsivol’ki bays. Traces of labile terrigenous organic matter were found in the region of the Voronin Trough, in the bays of the Severny Island of Novaya Zemlya, as well as in some freshwater reservoirs and ice samples of the archipelago. We established a conservative distribution of dissolved organic matter, whose content in water varied from 1.25 to 8.55 mg/L.     

渤海海洋线虫与底栖桡足类数量之比的应用研究

在渤海的22个站位，分3个航次采集未受扰动的沉积物样品，进行了小型底栖动物中两个主要类群自由生活海洋线虫和底栖桡足类数量变动和两者数量之比评价沉积物有机污染环境的研究。结果表明：对于同一航次的不同重复，数量变动差异显著或极显著；在同一个站位24h，6次重复取样，两者数量的变异系数较大；在应用该比值进行沉积物有机污染评价时，在同一站位该比值波动较大。     

Biogeochemical markers of organic matter along the Wight-Cherbourg transect (central English Channel)

Three cruises on the Wight-Cherbourg transect were undertaken during the FluxManche II Programme in order to study the origin, nature and behaviour of organic matter inputs to the waters of the English Channel. Suspended particulate material (SPM) collected from surface and deep waters at each station was analysed at elemental level for Particulate Organic Carbon and Particulate Organic Nitrogen (POC, PON), at molecular level for main classes of organic compounds using Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) and for phenolic compounds, particularly lignin-derived phenols, using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The SPM content increases from the French (south) to the English coast (north) with the lowest values being observed in the central waters of the Channel. This distribution is essentially linked to resuspension processes and the influence of terrigenous inputs from the Solent river inside English coastal waters. Py-GC-MS analyses show that organic material within French waters is usually marine in character and is more degraded than in English waters. Organic material in the central waters always shows the highest state of degradation, probably due to its long transit time in the “central water mass” from the Atlantic to the English Channel. Autochthonous and allochthonous organic tracers were positively identified through the use of HPLC analyses. Seasonal variations in the system lead to qualitative changes in terrigenous inputs (lignin-derived phenols). To our knowledge, it is the first time that phenolic compounds of autochthonous origin have been recorded in central Channel waters. Indeed, it is the study of the distribution and composition of hydroxybenzyl phenols which has allowed an estimate of the marine contribution to the particulate organic matter to be made. These compounds may originate from phytoplankton and macroalgae tissues developing in the coastal environments of the Channel.     

The satellite reversion of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) based on the analysis of the mixing behavior of DOC and colored dissolved organic matter: the East China Sea as an example

The retrieval of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) distribution by remote sensing is mainly based on the empirical relationship of DOC concentration and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) concentration in many literatures. To investigate the nature of this relationship, the distributions and mixing behaviors of DOC and CDOM are reviewed in the world’s major estuaries and bays. It is found that, generally, the CDOM concentration is well correlated with the salinity in most estuaries, while DOC usually shows a nonconservative behavior which leads to a weak correlation between the DOC concentration and the CDOM concentration. To establish a good satellite reversion of the DOC concentration, the East China Sea(ECS) was taken as an example, and the mixing behavior of DOC and CDOM as well as the influence of biogeochemical processes were analyzed except for the physical mixing process with the data from late autumn (November, 2010) and winter (December, 2009) cruises. In the two ECS cruises, the CDOM concentration was found to be tightly correlated with the salinity, influenced little by the photochemical or biological processes. The data from the winter cruise show that DOC followed a conservative mixing along the salinity gradient, while in the late autumn cruise it was significantly affected by the biological activities, resulting in a poor correlation between the DOC and the CDOM. Accordingly, an improved DOC algorithm (CSDM) was proposed: when the biological influence was significant (Chl a greater than 0.8 μg/dm3 ), DOC was retrieved by the conservative and biological model, and if the conservative mixing was dominant (Chl a less than 0.8 μg/dm3 ), the direct DOC concentration and CDOM concentration relationship was used. Based on the proposed algorithm, a reasonable DOC distribution for the ECS from satellite was obtained in this study, and the proposed method can be applied to the other large river-dominant marginal sea.     

Mineral composition of soils and bottom sediments in bays of Novaya Zemlya

We have analyzed the specific features of the mineralogical composition of bottom sediments of Blagopoluchiya, Tsivol’ki, and Abrosimov bays and soils on Cape Zhelaniya and the coasts of Abrosimov and Stepovoi bays. The data were obtained during two scientific expeditions of the R/V Professor Shtokman in 2014 (cruise 128) and R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh in 2015 (cruise 63). These investigations revealed patterns in the transportation of terrigenous material in the coastal zone of the bays: a decrease in the share of nonclay minerals and an increase in that of clay minerals with distance from shore. The increase in kaolinite and smectite content in soil horizons is related to biochemical weathering, while illite is mainly formed as a result of physical weathering.

     

Distribution and nature of organic matter in recent sediments of Lake Nokoué, Benin (West Africa)

The distribution and nature of organic matter clearly identify the principle sectors of the lagoon which vary according to hydrological and sedimentological conditions. The central area frequently includes coarse ancient fluviatile sediments. The rare organic matter there offers aliphatic and nitrogenous characters which may be derived from both the origin of organic matter (algae and meiofauna) and the level of oxygenation prevailing during deposition. In the southern sector, highly oxygenated conditions resulting from sea currents generated by the Cotonou outlet could cause the elimination of labile compounds, and hence be responsible for the high degradation state of organic matter. In the western sector, still water conditions allow fine sediments to be deposited. This frequently leads to the accumulation of organic matter showing such reducing conditions that they allow the integration of sulphur in humic compounds and a decrease of their solubility. In the northern area, the contribution of terrestrial material supplied by the Ouémé and Sô rivers is clearly indicated by the low average percentages of hydrolyzable fraction, C/N ratios ranging between 9 and 15, while H/C and N/C ratios are low in humic acids.     

The importance of subsurface nepheloid layers in transport and delivery of sediments to the eastern Cariaco Basin,Venezuela

Optical transmissometer measurements were coupled with particulate organic matter (POM) observations to understand suspended sediment composition and distribution in the eastern Cariaco Basin during the rainy seasons of September 2003 and 2006. Our results suggest that nepheloid layers originating at the mouth of small mountainous rivers discharging into the eastern Basin are a major delivery mechanism of terrigenous sediments to the Basin interior. Intermediate nepheloid layers (INL) were observed near the shelf break (～100 m) and appear to effectively transport terrigenous material laterally from the shelf to deep waters, thereby providing a plausible supply mechanism of the terrestrial material observed in sediment traps. These findings highlight the importance of small, local rivers in the Cariaco Basin as sources of terrestrial material. In contrast, these nepheloid layers contained only limited POM. When this information is combined with published sediment trap POM data, it suggests that nepheloid layers may not be a primary mechanism for delivering terrigenous POM to the deeper waters of the basin during the rainy season. Rather, BNL may redistribute marine-derived POM from shallow waters to the Basin's interior by providing ballast materials, particularly during episodic events driven by wind and precipitation. Though we have determined that nepheloid layers play an important role in the seaward transport of particulate material in the Cariaco Basin, their composition and temporal variability have not been fully characterized. This is critical to understand lateral particle transport, since nepheloid layers constitute a significant source of sediment to the deep Cariaco Basin.     

Geochemical and hydrodynamic constraints on the distribution of trace metal concentrations in the lagoon of Nouméa, New Caledonia

Seawater samples were collected in the lagoon of Nouméa (southwest New Caledonia) along two transects from eutrophic coastal bays to the oligotrophic barrier reef. Land-based emissions to the lagoon were measured with dissolved and particulate concentrations of chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni), used as tracers of both terrigenous and industrial (Ni ore treatment) activities, as well as dissolved and particulate concentrations of zinc (Zn), used as a tracer of urban effluents. The spatial variability of metal concentrations was related to geochemical and hydrodynamic conditions, i.e., respectively: (1) natural and anthropogenic emission sources, and chemical processes occurring in the water column; and (2) water residence times. The parameter used to describe the residence time of water masses was the local e-flushing time, i.e. the time required for a tracer mass contained within a given station to be reduced by a factor 1/e. High metal concentrations were found in coastal areas (up to 9000 ng dissolved Ni L⁻¹), and steeply decreased with distance from the coast (down to 101 ng dissolved Ni L⁻¹ near the barrier reef) to reach levels similar to those found in remote Pacific waters, suggesting a rapid renewal of waters close to the barrier. Distributions of metals in the lagoon are controlled upstream by land-based emission sources and later chemical processes. Then hydrodynamics constrain metal distributions, as shown by the observed relationship between local e-flushing times and the spatial variability of metal concentrations. In addition, a change in the direction of prevailing winds yielded a decrease of dissolved metal concentrations at the same site by a factor of 2.5 (Cr and Ni) and 2.9 (Zn). It is suggested that the residence time is a key parameter in the control of elemental concentrations in the lagoon waters, as much as land-based emission sources.     

Biomass of meiobenthic in the Bohai Sea, China

IorasMeiOfauna is a vmp imprtant pep in benthic small bo web energetica1ly duo to theirarell aize and high turnovr rates. A nde Of meMauna op be the recireulaton of nutrient8*Marine nemathe mey keep the bacterial chnies on sand grains in active phase Of gorth byfeding on bacteria, thus enhancing the recirculation Of nutrients (McIntyre, l969; Feller andWrmick, l988; MOntagna et al., l995). But energetics studie8, no matter tfor conductedon the energybudgt level for individua sPeCies or a…     

Correspondence between the distribution of hydrodynamic time parameters and the distribution of biological and chemical variables in a semi-enclosed coral reef lagoon

Hydrodynamic modeling can be used to spatially characterize water renewal rates in coastal ecosystems. Using a hydrodynamic model implemented over the semi-enclosed Southwest coral lagoon of New Caledonia, a recent study computed the flushing lag as the minimum time required for a particle coming from outside the lagoon (open ocean) to reach a specific station [Jouon, A., Douillet, P., Ouillon, S., Fraunié, P., 2006. Calculations of hydrodynamic time parameters in a semi-opened coastal zone using a 3D hydrodynamic model. Continental Shelf Research 26, 1395–1415]. Local e-flushing time was calculated as the time requested to reach a local grid mesh concentration of 1/e from the precedent step. Here we present an attempt to connect physical forcing to biogeochemical functioning of this coastal ecosystem. An array of stations, located in the lagoonal channel as well as in several bays under anthropogenic influence, was sampled during three cruises. We then tested the statistical relationships between the distribution of flushing indices and those of biological and chemical variables. Among the variables tested, silicate, chlorophyll a and bacterial biomass production present the highest correlations with flushing indices. Correlations are higher with local e-flushing times than with flushing lags or the sum of these two indices. In the bays, these variables often deviate from the relationships determined in the main lagoon channel. In the three bays receiving significant riverine inputs, silicate is well above the regression line, whereas data from the bay receiving almost insignificant freshwater inputs generally fit the lagoon channel regressions. Moreover, in the three bays receiving important urban and industrial effluents, chlorophyll a and bacterial production of biomass generally display values exceeding the lagoon channel regression trends whereas in the bay under moderate anthropogenic influence values follow the regressions obtained in the lagoon channel. The South West lagoon of New Caledonia can hence be viewed as a coastal mesotrophic ecosystem that is flushed by oligotrophic oceanic waters which subsequently replace the lagoonal waters with water considerably impoverished in resources for microbial growth. This flushing was high enough during the periods of study to influence the distribution of phytoplankton biomass, bacterial production of biomass and silicate concentrations in the lagoon channel as well as in some of the bay areas.     

The variation patterns and correlations of total phosphorus, organic phosphorus and phosphate in the Changjiang Estuary

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River or mangrove? Tracing major organic matter sources in tropical Brazilian coastal waters

The influence of mangrove-fringed tropical estuaries on coastal carbon budgets has been widely recognised. However, a quantitative differentiation between riverine and mangrove-derived inputs to the dissolved (DOM) and microparticulate organic matter (POM) pool of these environments has been hitherto not possible. Based on lignin-derived phenols and stable carbon isotopes a chemical signature for mangrove, terrestrial and marine-derived organic matter was established for a mangrove estuary in North Brazil. A mixing model was applied to calculate the contribution of each of the three sources to the DOM and POM pool in the estuary throughout 18 tidal cycles in the course of one year. Best source assignment for POM was reached with the yield of lignin phenols and δ¹³C as paired indicators, while the origin of DOM was best identified by the yield of lignin phenols and the acid to aldehyde ratio of vanillyl phenols. Although only about 6% of the fluvial catchment area is covered by mangroves, their contribution to the estuarine DOM and POM pool generally exceeded several times the terrigenic input from the hinterland. This outwelling of mangrove-derived organic matter was enhanced during the rainy season. DOM and POM were exported from the mangrove to the estuary in similar proportions. Most mangrove-POM was rapidly removed from the water column, while mangrove-DOM behaved conservatively. In contrast, terrestrial DOM was almost entirely removed in the outer part of the estuary, which was accompanied by a concomitant increase in terrestrial POM. This seems to be the result of a geochemical barrier zone for this type of DOM in the estuary. Generally, a high proportion of mangrove-DOM was present in the outer part of the estuary, even at high tide. This indicates DOM outwelling from mangroves in adjacent bays or estuaries and points to similar driving forces controlling this process on a regional scale. Mangroves probably play a more important role than rivers for marine carbon budgets along the North Brazilian coast south of the Amazon estuary.     

海南洋浦湾近百年来人与自然相互作用下的环境沉积记录

2005年8月在海南洋浦湾内湾取得1根柱状样,在铅-210定年的基础上分析沉积物粒度、总有机碳含量及其同位素值(δ13C)、总氮含量及其同位素值(δ15N)、生物硅含量、重金属(镍、镉、铬、铜、锌、铅)含量及有机氯农药(六六六、滴滴涕)含量等参数发现,111cm至表层,沉积物中有机碳、总氮、生物硅含量升高,特别是从45cm至表层,它们的含量明显增加,说明该湾内有富营养化趋势。由有机碳与总氮的原子比和有机碳同位素指示的物源信息可知,该湾内有机质来源为藻类和陆源脉管植物的混合,且以陆源输入为主。陆源有机碳含量与总有机碳含量的相关系数为0.917。自23cm至表层有机碳同位素明显偏轻,氮同位素偏重。从111cm至表层,重金属和有机氯农药含量升高。综合分析各环境指标可知,洋浦湾近百年来环境演变可分为三个时期,即20世纪70年代以前、70年代至90年代、90年代至21世纪初,洋浦湾经历了未污染期、轻度污染期、显著污染期。     

夏、秋季南黄海小型底栖动物空间分布格局及其环境影响因素

为研究南黄海小型底栖动物的空间分布格局及其环境影响因素,于2020年8月（夏季）和11月（秋季）对南黄海进行了两个航次的野外观测和采样,对小型底栖动物的类群组成、丰度、生物量、垂直分布、群落结构及其与环境因子的关系进行了研究。结果显示,共鉴定出小型底栖动物类群15个,其中自由生活海洋线虫为最优势类群,在两个航次中分别占小型底栖动物总丰度的75.6%和84.6%。其他较重要的类群还包括底栖桡足类、轮虫类和枝角类等。夏季和秋季小型底栖动物的平均丰度分别为（514.9±32.1）ind./(10 cm2) 和（350.8±30.7）ind./(10 cm2),平均生物量（干质量）分别为（651.7±98.0）μg/(10 cm2)和（589.2±37.1）μg/(10 cm2)。小型底栖动物在时空分布上存在差异。在季节分布上,小型底栖动物丰度和类群组成存在极显著差异。结合环境因子分析结果可知,沉积物中值粒径是引起差异的主要环境因子。在空间分布上,夏季小型底栖动物丰度和类群组成在不同水深间存在极显著差异,秋季小型底栖动物丰度和类群组成在不同水深间差异不显著。推测黄海冷水团是影响夏季小型底栖动物空间分布差异的主要因素。本研究中小型底栖动物的数量和类群多样性相较于国内其他对南黄海小型底栖动物的研究较低,其中沉积物叶绿素a含量及有机质含量是引起南黄海小型底栖动物丰度变化的重要因素。海洋线虫与桡足类的丰度比值（N/C比值）评估显示秋季该区域存在有机污染,这一结果与应用大型底栖动物对同一区域进行环境评价的结果不一致,对于应用N/C比值评价环境质量还需要进一步的研究。     

Vertical distribution patterns of macrofauna in a subtropical near‐shore coastal area affected by urban sewage

The vertical distribution of macrobenthic fauna, heavy metals, and other physico‐chemical and biological characteristics of the sediments were studied in three sediment layers (0–7, 8–14, 15–21 cm) at seven stations in the Ubatuba region, north coast of São Paulo State, Brazil at several temporal and spatial scales. Six stations were located in the inner bay near the riverine run‐off, and one was outside the bay, distant from the riverine influence. The samples were collected four times in 1 year, on a seasonal basis. Sediments were basis comprised predominantly of very fine sand and the vertical distribution of grain size was uniform to a depth of 21 cm in all stations. Higher values of total organic matter, organic carbon, sulphur, heavy metals and phaeopigments were recorded at the inner Ubatuba Bay stations, probably due to the riverine influence. C/N ratios indicated a mixed origin of organic matter with a major contribution of terrestrial material in the inner stations. The vertical distribution of heavy metals showed a slight decline with sediment depth in the inner stations, indicating the present contribution. Most of the macrofauna was found at the surface sediment layer. Biological data showed that in the inner stations of Ubatuba Bay, which are under the influence of urban sewage and are moderately polluted, the fauna was distributed more superficially within the substrate than in St. 7, which is located in the external portion of the bay distant from sewage inputs. The environmental quality of the sites studied varied little throughout the year, at least in relation to the variables considered here. Temporal variation in the vertical distribution of benthic fauna was not evident in the four sampling surveys analysed. Only minor changes in the vertical distribution of the total fauna were detected in the seasonal scale, with the organisms located less deep within the sediment column in summer, indicating some influence of the tourism impact and/or rainy season.     

Abundance and biomass of meiobenthos in the spawning ground of anchovy (Engraulis japanicus) in the southern Huanghai Sea

1 Introduction Meiofauna is an important group in benthic small food web energetically due to their small size, high abundance and fast turnover rates. The production of meiofauna is equal to or higher than that of macrofau- na in estuaries, shallow waters and deep sea (Gerlach, 1971; Platt and Warwick, 1980; Heip et al., 1985; Zhang et al., 2004). A role of meiofauna may be the recycling of nutrients. Marine nematodes may keep the bacterial colonies on sand grains in active phase of growth …     

渤海小型底栖动物生物量的初步研究

主要以线虫、桡足类、双壳类、多毛类和动吻5个类群对渤海小型底栖动物的生物量进行了估算,并对其水平分布进行了研究.结果表明,3个航次平均,渤海小型底栖动物年生物量为(干重)0.404g/(m2·a);1998年9～10月和1999年4～5月2个航次中小型底栖动物生物量的水平分布主要表现为渤海中东部和海峡口站位的生物量明显高于其他站位,但在1999年航次,海峡口靠近海岸的站位生物量下降,位于莱洲湾B1站位生物量明显上升.依据小型底栖动物的年生产力P=9B,估算渤海小型底栖动物的年平均生产力为(干重)3.636g/(m2·a).还对渤海小型底栖动物生物量与世界其他海域的进行了比较,认为渤海小型底栖动物生物量的数值与其他海域生物量的数值接近,但略偏低.就不同学者研究所得的线虫平均个体干重进行了比较研究.     

Composition and fluxes of particulate organic matter in a temperate estuary (Winyah Bay, South Carolina, USA) under contrasting physical forcings

To understand the role that physical processes play on the biogeochemical cycles of estuaries, we conducted intense field studies of the turbidity maximum region within a partially mixed estuary (Winyah Bay, SC, USA) under contrasting conditions of river discharge, tides and wind. Water samples and hydrographic data were collected at different depths and locations along the main channel over several tidal cycles during several cruises to Winyah Bay. Tidal variations in current speed, salinity, total suspended solid concentrations were measured within each cruise and were consistent with estuarine circulation processes. Salinity and total suspended solid concentrations ranged from 0 to 32 and from 20 to over 500 mg L⁻¹, respectively, with the highest salinity and total suspended solid values measured during periods of low river discharge. In fact, comparison of tidally averaged salinity and total suspended solid concentrations revealed marked differences among cruises that were negatively correlated to river discharge and SW wind speed. Moreover, significant contrasts in the chemical compositions of suspended particles were evident among periods of contrasting river discharge and wind regime. For example, the weight percent organic carbon content of suspended particles ranged from 1 to over 6% and displayed a positive correlation with river discharge. Similarly, both the molar carbon to nitrogen ratios (10 to 20 mol:mol) and stable carbon isotopic compositions (−25 to −29%) of the suspended organic matter varied significantly as a function of discharge and wind. Such trends indicate that in Winyah Bay low river discharge and steady SW winds promote resuspension of bed sediments from shallow regions of the estuary. These materials contain highly altered organic matter and their incorporation into the water column leads to the observed trends in suspended particle concentrations and compositions. Furthermore, these conditions result in net landward fluxes of salt, sediment and particulate organic matter throughout most of the water column, promoting efficient trapping of materials within the estuary. Our results illustrate the fundamental connection between physical forcings, such as discharge and wind, sediment transport processes and the cycling of biogeochemical materials in estuarine environments.     

天津近海小型底栖动物丰度研究

2006年7月至2007年10月在渤海湾天津近海的15个站位,分春、夏、秋、冬4个航次进行了小型底栖动物丰度的调查.通过对未受扰动沉积物样品中的生物分析,共采集到线虫、桡足类、多毛类、介形类、寡毛类、双壳类、动吻类等小型底栖动物类群和少量未鉴定实体,其中线虫为优势类群,占总丰度的90%以上.调查海域小型底栖动物丰度春、夏、秋、冬依次为(405.4±154.8)ind/10cm2,(417.6±38.6)imd/10 cm2,(161.6±64.5)ind/10cm2和204.7±69.7ind/10 cm2,区内的分布以中部海域居多.小型底栖动物丰度值存在季节变化,春季和夏季平均丰度值较高,夏季略高于春季;秋冬季值偏低.小型底柄动物多分布于沉积物0～5 cm层次,占总量的85.9%～92.9%.春季和秋季的小型底栖动物丰度值与沉积物叶绿素a含量显著相关.与我国近海海域研究资料比较显示,目前渤海湾天津近海小型底栖动物丰度值略低.     

Mechanisms of land–sea interactions – the distribution of metals and sedimentary organic matter in sediments of a river-dominated Mediterranean karstic estuary

This paper examines disposal of metals and the origin, characteristics, and distribution of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) in a Mediterranean karstic estuary in the north-eastern Adriatic. This environment offers a real-time, small model system for studies of geochemical processes in microtidal Mediterranean estuaries that are infilling with sediments and classified as river-dominated disequilibrium estuaries. The results have shown that the longitudinal distribution of heavy metals in sediments follows the sedimentation dynamics and deposition pattern of river-borne, clay mineral particles. The highest concentration of metals was found in the restricted upper part of the estuary, characterized by rapid deposition of clay particles and terrestrial sedimentary organic matter, and decreases toward the open sea. The vertical distribution of metals in sediment cores depends on the prevailing pH and Eh conditions. Significant increases of the concentrations of metals in the uppermost strata are the result of recent anthropogenic inputs. The share of the terrestrial component in SOM, estimated by N/C_org atomic ratios and δ¹³C values, decreases with distance from the river mouth. The small vertical variation in δ¹³C values of SOM indicates that a fast sedimentation rate overrides the diagenetically determined decomposition. The results obtained indicate that river-borne inorganic particles, natural terrigenous organic material, and anthropogenic metal loads are trapped in sediments of the estuarine system. Under the prevailing conditions, there is negligible transport towards the open sea.