Chemical parameters characterizing the sedimentary environment in a NW Adriatic coastal area (Italy)

Organic matter constituents (C, N, P) have been measured in surficial sediment samples from a coastal area often subjected to eutrophication phenomena. Chemical and physico-chemical parameters are substantially homogeneous throughout the area investigated, indicating a mainly autochthonous origin of the sedimented organic matter and allowing some considerations on the diagenetic processes possibly occurring at the sediment-water interface in relation to nutrient release.     

Benthic trophic status and nutrient fluxes in shallow-water sediments

Proliferation of fast-growing ephemeral macroalgae in shallow-water embayments constitutes a large-scale environmental change of coastal marine ecosystems. Since inorganic nutrients essential for the initiation and maintenance of macroalgal growth may be supplied from the underlying sediment, we investigated the coupling between benthic inorganic nutrient (mainly N and P) fluxes and sediment properties in 6 bays representing a wide gradient of sediment characteristics (grain size, organic matter content, solid phase C and N). The initial characterization of bays was made in June and also included measurements of oxygen flux and microphytobenthic and macrofaunal biomass. In September, still within the growth season of the macroalgae, complementary experiments with sediment-water incubations for benthic flux measurements of oxygen and nutrients focused on trophic status (balance between auto- and heterotrophy) as a controlling factor for rates of measured benthic nutrient fluxes. Generally, sediments rendered autotrophic by microphytobenthic photosynthesis removed nutrients from the overlying water, while heterotrophic sediments supplied nutrients to the overlying bottom water. Estimations of the green-algal nutrient demand suggested that late in the growth season, net heterotrophic sediments could cover 20% of the N-demand and 70% of the P demand. As the benthic trophic status is a functional variable more closely coupled to nutrient fluxes than the comparably conservative structural parameter organic matter content, we suggest that the trophic status is a more viable parameter to classify sediments and predict benthic nutrient fluxes in shallow-water environments.     

Annual Variation of Benthic Nutrient Fluxes in Shallow Coastal Waters (Gulf of Trieste, Northern Adriatic Sea)

Abstract. Benthic fluxes of dissolved N. Si and P nutrients, alkalinity, dissolved inorganic C (DIC), and O₂ from sediments in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic, Italy) were measured monthly for 16 months, using laboratory incubated flux chambers at in siru temperatures in the dark. The annual average fluxes were: 02 = -19.3 ± 8.2, DIC = 13.7 ± 9.6, NO3 = -0.04 ± 0.16, NH4 = 0.3 ± 0.4. PO₄= 4.001 ± 0.01, Si = 0.9 ± 0.1 mmol m-² d^-1, with strong temporal fluctuations. The highest effluxes of all nutrients and DIC were observed in the summer. Small effluxes of DIC and NH4 and influxes of Si and PO4 were observed in late winter. Only NH₄ (ca. 50%) and Si (ca. 70%) fluxes were significantly correlated with temperature. This correlation suggests that the rate of downward input and the quality of sedimented organic matter (autochthonous and allochthonous) were superimposed on the temperature fluctuations. High DIC, NH₄ and Si effluxes observed in May 1993 during low temperature were due to the degradation of sedimentary organic matter produced by an early spring bloom of benthic microalgae which occurred about 6 weeks earlies while the autumn phytoplankton bloom was simultaneously reflected in enhanced benthic fluxes due to higher temperature. The role of benthic biological advection in this transport across the sediment-water interface, evaluated by comparison between measured benthic and calculated diffusive fluxes from nutrient pore water concentrations, was of minor importance. This is probably due to low infaunal activity throughout the year it was localized mostly in the narrow surficial layer. The annual average diffusive fluxes of NH4 and PO4 were higher than those measured, probably due to the presence of nitrificationdenitrifi-cation processes and redox-dependent chemical reactions at the oxic sediment-water interface, respectively. Only during bottom-water hypoxia in September 1993 did strong PO₄ effluxes prevail. Calculations based on the Redfield stoichiometry of oxic decomposition of organic N to NH4 and NO3, and differences between diffusive and measured NH₄ fluxes showed that denitrifkation averaged 0.8 mmol m^-2 d^-1. Significant correlations between NH₄ and PO₄ DIC and Si, and NH4 and Si fluxes suggested their parallel regeneration and utilization at the sediment-water interface. The nutrient fluxes observed were not significantly linked to O₂ consumption, suggesting also that anaerobic oxidation processes were important at the sediment-water interface in the gulf. The N, P and Si nutriqnts released from sediment pore waters are probably utilized in benthic microalgal and bottorn-hater primary production. This indicates that pelagic and benthic communities in the central part of the Gulf of Trieste function relatively independently of each other.     

Pore Water Nutrient Regeneration in Shallow Coastal Bohai Sea, China

The regeneration of pore water nutrients was studied and the contribution of benthic nutrient fluxes to the overlying water was evaluated on the basis of field specific observations conducted in September–October 1998 and April–May 1999 in the Bohai Sea. Nutrient concentrations in sediment pore waters were examined by incubating sediment core samples with overlying seawater in air and/or nitrogen conditions. Nutrient diffusion fluxes calculated by diagenetic equations were within a factor of 2 during incubations. The factors affecting nutrient diffusion across sediment/water interface include bioturbation, nitrification, denitrification, adsorption, and dissolution. The regeneration of nutrients from sediments will increase nutrient loads of the Bohai Sea and affect nutrient atomic ratios in this region. Among nutrient sources from riverine input, atmospheric deposition and sediment regeneration, ammonium and phosphate mainly came from atmospheric deposition (>50%); nitrate was mainly transported by riverine input into the Sea, silicate from sediment regeneration accounts up to 60%. This demonstrates that nutrient regeneration in sediments contributes more silicate than riverine input and atmospheric deposition together, but benthic flux contributes very much less phosphate and nitrate relative to riverine input and atmospheric deposition. The benthic fluxes of nutrients may lead to a decrease of the amount of nitrate, an increase of phosphate, ammonia and silicate in the water column. The release of silicate from sediments may compensate the decrease of silicate due to the reduction of riverine discharge. Nutrient regeneration in sediment may have an important influence on the eutrophic character of coastal waters in this region. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Advective pore water input of nutrients to the Satilla River Estuary,Georgia, USA

In situ benthic flux measurements, pore water nutrient profiles, water column nutrient distributions, sediment grain size distributions and side-scan sonar observations suggest that advective transport of pore waters may be a major input pathway of nutrients into the Satilla River Estuary (coastal Georgia, USA). In situ benthic chamber incubations demonstrate the occurrence of highly variable, but occasionally very large sea floor fluxes of silicate, phosphate, and ammonium. Locally occurring benthic microbial mineralization of organic matter, as estimated by S³⁵-sulphate reduction rate measurements, is insufficient to support these large fluxes. We hypothesize that the observed interlayering of permeable, sandy sediments with fine-grained, organic-rich sediments in the estuary provides conduits for advective transport of pore water constituents out of the sediments. Because permeable layers may extend significant distances beneath the salt marsh, the large fluxes observed may be supported by remineralization occurring over large areas adjacent to the estuary. Advective transport may be induced by pressure gradients generated by a variety of processes, including landward recharge by meteoric or rain waters if sand layers extend far enough into the maritime coastal lands. Alternatively, tidal variations across the salt marsh sediment surface may hydraulically pump water through the sediment system. Because these fluxes appear to be concentrated into small layers, this source may be a significant input of nutrients to the estuary even if permeable, sandy layers comprise a very small proportion of the seabed.     

Phosphorus regeneration and burial in near-shore marine sediments (the Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea)

According to bioassay studies and high dissolved nutrient N/P ratios in the seawater column, phosphorus (P) is thought to control marine productivity in the northern Adriatic Sea. P in near-shore marine sediments of the Gulf of Trieste, the northernmost part of the Adriatic Sea, was investigated using pore water P distributions, and benthic P flux studies under oxic and anoxic conditions. The data show that P regeneration is up to three-fold more extensive in sediments overlain by oxygen-depleted waters and proceeds in parallel with Fe and Mn enhanced benthic fluxes. It appears from the incubation experiments that degradation of sedimentary organic matter is the main contribution to the flux of P at the sediment–water interface, while the release of phosphate adsorbed on the iron oxide surface is of minor importance.It appears that about 50% of P in the Gulf of Trieste is retained within in the sediments, probably bonded to clay minerals and carbonate grains or precipitated as fluoroapatite. In these sediments total P (P_tot) is preserved preferentially over organic C (C_org). P regenerated from surficial sediments contributes about 1/3 of the P that is assimilated by benthic microalgae. The phytoplankton P requirement should be entirely supplied from fresh-water sources. These results suggest that oxygen depletion in coastal areas caused by eutrophication enhances P regeneration from sediments, providing the additional P necessary for increased biological productivity. The development of anoxic bottom waters in coastal areas enhances the recycling of P, exacerbating the nutrient requirement in the area. A geochemical record of P burial in a longer sedimentary sequence revealed an increasing trend of P_tot and organic P (P_org) contents occurring approximately 50 years BP (after 1950), probably due to increasing use of inorganic fertilizers and detergents in the area.     

Past,present and future nutrient loads of the North Sea: Causes and consequences

Comprehensive, aggregate nutrient budgets were established for two compartments of the North Sea, the shallow coastal and deeper open regions, and for three different periods, representing pre-eutrophication (∼1950), eutrophication (∼1990) and contemporary (∼2000) phases. The aim was to quantify the major budget components, to identify their sources of variability, to specify the anthropogenic components, and to draw implications for past and future policy. For all three periods, open North Sea budgets were dominated (75%) by fluxes from and to the North-East Atlantic; sediment exchange was of secondary importance (18%). For the coastal North Sea, fluxes during the eutrophication period were dominated by sediment exchange (49% of all inputs), followed by exchange with the open sea (21%), and anthropogenic inputs (19%). Between 1950 and 1990, N-loading of coastal waters increased by a factor of 1.62 and P-loading by 1.45. These loads declined after 1990. Interannual variability in Atlantic inflow was found to correspond to a variability of 11% in nutrient load to the open North Sea. Area-specific external loads of both the open and coastal North Sea were below Vollenweider-type critical loads when expressed relative to depth and flushing. External area-specific load of the coastal North Sea has declined since 1990 from 1.8 to about 1.4 g P m⁻² y⁻¹ in 2000, which is close to the estimate of 1.3 for 1950. N-load declined less, leading to an increase in N/P ratio.     

桑沟湾养殖海域营养盐和沉积物-水界面扩散通量研究

利用2006年4,7,11月和2007年1月4个航次对桑沟湾养殖海域的观测资料,分析了该海域营养盐分布、结构特征、主要控制过程以及沉积物-水界面扩散通量,结果表明,该海域的营养盐分布具有明显的季节变化,海水中NO3-,NO2-,PO43-,DOP,TDP和SiO32-浓度皆是秋季最高,而NH4+,DON,TDN浓度则为夏季最高;各种营养盐的最低值除DON外都出现在春季。春季湾内外海水交换不畅,再加上大型藻类海带等生长旺盛期的消耗,使营养盐浓度处于较低水平,在夏秋两季丰水期沿岸河流注入对该海域营养盐的影响较大,冬季无机营养盐浓度分布主要受沿岸流的影响。磷的结构变化较大,其中DOP百分含量在夏季最高,达到81%。从春季到秋季海水中TDN的结构变化从以DON为主转变成以DIN为主。硅和氮的原子比值全年变化不大,硅和氮和氮和磷原子比值春夏两季的高于秋冬季的。分析营养盐化学计量限制标准和浮游植物生长的最低阈值结果表明,磷是春夏两季桑沟湾浮游植物生长的限制性因素;春季硅浓度低于浮游植物生长的最低阀值,也是一个潜在的限制因素。计算结果显示桑沟湾沉积物释放的NH4+,SiO32-和PO43-对初级生产力的贡献较小,与其他浅海环境相比,桑沟湾沉积物-水界面的营养盐通量处于较低或中等水平。     

Potential impacts of Three Gorges Dam in China on the ecosystem of East China Sea

The Changjiang River in China was dammed in 2003. The possible changes in matters fluxes from the river downstream after the completion of Three Gorges Dam and their potential impacts on the ecosystem of the East China Sea are discussed . The estuarine and coastal waters in the East China Sea were heavily fertilized by the inflow of nutrient-rich freshwater from the Changjiang River, which has led to severe eutrophication and frequent harmful algal blooms ,thus worsening the ecosystem health in this area. Analy- sis showed that the nutrient loadings are very likely to be reduced in the lower Changjiang River due to the construction of Three Gorges Dam. Especially for the total phosphorus, the discharges to the East China Sea will be reduced by one-third, which would relieve the severe eutrophication in this area. However, the expected decrease in the riverine silicate discharge would lead the ratio of silicon to nitrogen to be much less than 1 in the estuarine and coastal waters and thus may cause an elevation of flagellate growth. The changes in the annual water discharges and their seasonal distributions below the dam will be minor. Reduction of suspended particulate matter loading, due to the sedimentation behind the dam, will reduce the nutrient loadings of the particulate form especially for phosphorus, and decrease the turbidity of estuarine and coastal waters. On the other hand, this may enhance the erosion of the delta and the coasts as well as modifythe benthic ecosystem.     

用成岩模型计算沉积物-水界面营养盐的交换通量--以渤海为例

根据沉积物中营养盐的再生对水体中营养盐的收支循环动力学的作用.利用1998年秋季和1999年春季沉积物间隙水中营养盐的分析结果,建立了沉积物中营养盐的成岩模型,并由此计算了沉积物-水界面营养盐的交换通量.结果表明,硝化速率、反硝化速率、有机氮含量、硅质成分的溶解速率、生物扰动作用、孔隙率明显影响沉积物间隙水中营养盐的分布和沉积物-水界面的交换通量.对比了实验室培养法和扩散通量计算法测得沉积物-水界面营养盐的交换通量,表明2种方法所得NO3通量较一致,但NH4 ,PO43-,SiO32- 2种方法所得通量有一定差异,文中讨论了可能的原因.以渤海为例阐明了在用扩散通量法研究沉积物-水界面营养盐的交换通量时,表层沉积物分割厚度对界面交换通量影响显著,为了得到合理的与现场接近的结果表层沉积物的分割厚度以不超过1em为宜.     

Sensitivity analysis of nitrogen and carbon cycling in marine sediments

Biogeochemical cycles in coastal sediments encompass numerous interconnected processes and are sensitive to a high number of external forces. Usually a small subset of these factors is considered when developing state-of-the-art models of marine nutrient cycling. This study therefore aims to assess the degree of complexity required in the model to represent the dependency of major biogeochemical fluxes on both intrinsic as well as external factors. For this, a sensitivity analysis (SA) of the generic Integrated Sediment Model (ISM) was performed comparing two different model setups: 1) a back barrier tidal flat in the German Wadden Sea and; 2) a deep sea site in the Argentine Basin. Both setups were first calibrated to fit pore water profiles of SO₄²⁺, NH₄⁺ and CH₄. We then employed a new type of SA that evaluates parameter impact rather than targeting variable change.General structural stability of the model is demonstrated by similar sensitivity patterns of both setups regarding carbon and nitrogen cycling. Mean temperature, organic carbon bio-availability, bacterial adaptation and sediment texture emerge as the most influential parameters of ubiquitous importance. It appears that in coastal settings, transport and sediment mixing and the composition of suspended particles in the bottom water are especially important. The nitrogen cycle displays a high responsiveness to internal feedback mechanisms as well as interdependencies to carbon and metal cycling, which is statistically reflected by sensitivities to 79% of all parameters. In contrast, the carbon cycle appears to be mainly controlled by organic matter decay. The SA also pointed to unexpected responses of the sediment system, which are analyzed by further scenario calculations. These, for example, reveal a nonlinear response of nitrification, denitrification and benthic fluxes of NH₄ and NO₃ to changing bioturbation and bioirrigation due to the interactions of different metabolic pathways.     

Exchange fluxes of nutrients between sediment and sea water in the Bohai Sea

IrocrIowThere is a linkage in shallow marine systerns between sea-noor biOgaxhemical pmeessesand water column pnductivity (Bereson et al., l998). Benthic fluxes provide a significantsource of nutrients to the overlying water tO supPOrt primary pnduction and play a role in de-.creasing oxygen concentrations (van et al., l999; Cowan and Boynton, l996; Berelson etal., 1998; Friedl et al., l998; Zabel et al., l998). TherefOre, it is imPOrtant to define theediment di8genetic pathways for the …     

Three-dimensional hydrodynamic-eutrophication model (HEM-3D): application to Kwang-Yang Bay, Korea

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to describe the water quality model of Three-Dimensional Hydrodynamic-Eutrophication Model (HEM-3D) and to present an application of HEM-3D to a coastal system in Korea. HEM-3D, listed as a tool for the development of Total Maximum Daily Load by US Environmental Protection Agency, is a general-purpose modeling package for simulation of the flow field, transport, and eutrophication processes throughout the water column and of diagenetic processes in the benthic sediment. This paper describes the water quality model of HEM-3D with emphasis on its unique features. Excessive loadings of organic wastes have significantly deteriorated water quality conditions of Korean coastal waters. This paper presents an application of HEM-3D to Kwang-Yang Bay, a coastal system in Korea, which is one of the first water quality modeling efforts for Korean coastal waters accompanied by a relatively comprehensive field program. The current status of data availability for water quality modeling in Korea is discussed.     

Distribution and bioturbation effects of the tropical alpheid shrimp Alpheus macellarius in sediments impacted by milkfish farming

The impact of milkfish fish pens on the distribution of the alpheid shrimp Alpheus macellarius was studied in the Bolinao area, Philippines. In addition, the impact of the alpheid shrimp on sediment biogeochemistry, including organic matter mineralization, nutrient and sulfur cycling was compared in sediments affected and unaffected by fish farming. The fish farming activity had negative impact on the distribution of shrimps by reducing the abundance up to 60% in the vicinity of the net pens, and to almost absence inside the net pens. At a farm site abandoned seven month prior to sampling the abundance of shrimps was still low and sediment pools of reduced sulfur high, indicating a slow benthic recovery. The shrimp had large physical impact on the sediments, and the mineralization rates were stimulated by the presence of the shrimp in pristine sediments, whereas the fish farm impacted sites showed high mineralization rates both in sediments with and without the presence of the shrimp suggesting that the organic matter enrichment stimulated the mineralization in these low-organic sediments, whereas the shrimp had less impact. Sulfate reduction rates and in particular pools of sulfides increased in the farm impacted sediments, and sulfate reduction was an important process for organic matter mineralization (>67%) in all sediments. Although the shrimp had minor effect on the organic matter mineralization and nutrient fluxes in the farm impacted sediments, they appeared to increase the oxidation of sulfides by increasing the zone of oxidized surface sediment and thereby improving the sediment conditions for recolonization after fish farming has ceased.     

Remineralization and accumulation of organic carbon and nitrogen in marine sediments of eutrophic bays: the case of the Bay of Concepcion, Chile

The Bay of Concepcion (36°40′S; 73°02′W) is a semi-enclosed and shallow embayment in which biogeochemical processes are seasonally coupled to coastal upwelling during the austral spring and summer. The nutrient cycle in the bay is complex due to the combined effects of a pronounced O₂ minimum layer and high nutrient concentrations both originating from subsurface equatorial water during coastal upwelling and a rapid rate of sediment nutrient recycling. The sediments are characterized by a high content of organic matter mainly due to the extremely high rates of phytoplankton production and deposition. During the upwelling period, a black flocculent layer frequently covers the sediment–water interface in the inner part of the bay where an extensive mat of Beggiatoa spp. develops. Three approaches are used to analyse the extent to which the benthic system recycles or retains nutrients at two stations, located at the centre (station C, St. C) and mouth (station B, St. B) of the bay for a 1-year period (March 1996–1997): (1) estimation of C and N remineralization rates based on SO₄²⁻ reduction measurements, (2) calculation of C and N turnover rates using a diagenetic model applied to total organic carbon and total nitrogen vertical distributions and, (3) construction of C and N budgets from direct measurements of sedimentation (from a sediment trap) and estimates of the C and N burial rates. Depth-integrated SO₄²⁻ reduction rates varied between 3.4 (winter) and 25.5 (summer) mmol m⁻² d⁻¹. Estimated C and N oxidation rates ranged between 7.9 and 87.8 mol C m⁻² yr⁻¹ and between 0.9 and 6.9 mol N m⁻² yr⁻¹, respectively. Each approach yielded minor differences in the C and N remineralization rates (and also minor differences between both studied stations), except when the kinetic model was applied to C and N distribution without including the presence of the flocculent layer. The rates of carbon oxidation and sulphate reduction were considerably higher than in other coastal sediments with similar depositional regime. The C and N burial rates were 2.23 and 0.21 (St. C) and 1.30 and 0.09 (St. B) mol m⁻² yr⁻¹, respectively. The C/N ratio of the buried fraction was ca. 10.6 at St. C and 14.4 at St. B. Because the observed differences in burial rates could not be ascribed to distinctive depositional (both stations have similar sediment accumulation rates) and oceanographic (similar O₂ concentration and hydrography) conditions, differences may be due to in part spatial heterogeneity in the supply of organic matter. The degree of preservation of organic matter as plankton detritus and nitrogen accumulating bacterial biomass associated with Beggiatoa spp. at St. C may also be involved.     

Benthic nutrient regeneration in South Texas coastal waters

Because of the variable, unpredictable nature of many potential nutrient sources for coastal phytoplankton primary production needs in the north-western Gulf of Mexico, benthic regeneration was investigated as a more constant source of nutrients to this ecosystem. Water column ammonia profiles taken at several locations on the south Texas inner-shelf in the last seven years showed peak concentrations in bottom waters. Benthic chamber measurements verified the presence of ammonia fluxes at the mud-water interface in south Texas coastal waters. These fluxes were related to benthic faunal activity as measured by sediment metabolism. Laboratory experiments, designed to test the effect of benthic faunal removal on nutrient regeneration, suggested that the fauna play a role in regulating this process. How this regulation may occur is discussed. It was estimated that annual benthic regeneration rates can supply 69% of the nitrogen required to support phytoplankton primary production in these coastal waters.     

Biogeochemistry in highly reduced mussel farm sediments during macrofaunal recolonization by Amphiura filiformis and Nephtys sp.

Mussel farming is considered a viable means for reducing coastal eutrophication. This study assessed the importance of bioturbation by recolonizing fauna for benthic solute fluxes and porewater distributions in manipulated mussel farm sediments. Three consecutive time-series flux incubations were performed during an experimental period of three weeks in sieved farm sediment treated with the brittle star Amphiura filiformis and the polychaete Nephtys sp. The functional behavior of Nephtys sp. and interactions between Nephtys sp. and the spontaneously colonizing spionid Malacoceros fuliginosus determined the biogeochemical response in the Nephtys sp. treatment. For example, the oxic zone was restricted and benthic nitrate and silicate fluxes were reduced compared to the brittle star treatment. A. filiformis seemed to enhance the bioadvective solute transport, although an increased supply of oxygen was due to the highly reducing conditions of the sediment mainly seen as secondary effects related to porewater distributions and benthic nutrient fluxes.     

Contents and stable isotopic compositions of organic carbon and total nitrogen in the surface sediment of two coastal bays in Korea

Surface sediment from the coastal bays of Gwangyang and Masan in South Korea were analyzed for their contents and isotopic values of organic carbon and total nitrogen. The sources and diagenetic alteration of organic matter were also assessed. Total organic carbon varied from 0.22% to 3.48% (average = 1.40%, n = 75), and C/N ratios varied from 2.4 to 15.2 (average = 8.79, n = 75). δ¹³C_org ranged from −19.92‰ to −25.86‰ (average = −21.21‰, n = 75), and δ¹⁵N_TN ranged from 8.57‰ to 3.93‰ (average = 6.49‰, n = 75). Total organic carbon in both areas was associated with grain-size, with higher contents in finer grained sediment. The high carbon content observed in Masan Bay sediment correlated with its higher C/N ratio. δ¹³C_org and δ¹⁵N_TN varied widely, attributable to various influences such as the input of terrestrial organic matter and diagenetic alteration. The depleted δ¹³C_org and higher δ¹⁵N_TN observed in the sediment of Gwangyang Bay reflected terrestrial supply, implying that biogeochemical processes, i.e. bacterial degradation, were more active in Masan Bay sediment, which showed less depleted δ¹³C_org and higher δ¹⁵N_TN than Gwangyang Bay sediment. δ¹⁵N_TN was the more useful indicator of biogeochemical processes in the highly anoxic sediment. These results indicate that the δ¹³C_org and δ¹⁵N_TN of sedimentary organic matter in coastal bays can indicate the source and degree of diagenetic alteration of sedimentary organic matter.     

Evidence of microphytobenthic roles on coastal shallow water of the Seto Inland Sea,Japan

This study describes the temporal variation of microphytobenthic biomass and its controlling factors, as well as the impact of microphytobenthic activities on coastal shallow sediment in the eastern Seto Inland Sea, Japan. The chlorophyll a (Chl a), phaeopigments and sedimentary biophilic element (C, N, P and Si) contents in surface sediments, as well as nutrient concentrations at the sediment-water interface (overlying water and pore water) were observed monthly during November 2003 to May 2005 at one site in Shido Bay (water depth ca. 7 m) and at one site in Harima-Nada (35 m). No correlation was observed between the sedimentary biophilic elements and other parameters. The maximum chlorophyll a content of 48.2 μg g^–1 was found in surface sediments under the photon flux reaching the seafloor of 537 μmol photon m^–2 s^–1 during the winter period when water transparency was the highest at station S (Shido Bay). Our results suggest that higher chlorophyll a content in surface sediment was due to the fresh microphytobenthic biomass (mainly benthic diatom). We also found a significant negative correlation between Chl a and inorganic nutrients in pore water during the low temperature period, especially silicic acid. This result suggests that the silicic acid was assimilated largely during the increase of microphytobenthic biomass in surface sediment. This study suggests that the microphytobenthic roles may have a great effect on nutrient budgets during the large supply of irradiance (winter periods) for their photosynthetic growth in shallow coastal waters.     

Typhoon-induced precipitation impact on nutrient and suspended matter dynamics of a tropical estuary affected by human activities in Hainan,China

Typhoons regularly hit the coasts along the northern South China Sea during summer monsoon. However, little is known on the effects of typhoon-related heavy precipitation on estuarine dynamics and coastal ecosystems. We analyzed physico-chemical characteristics, and concentrations and composition of dissolved and suspended matter in the Wenchang/Wenjiao Estuary (WWE) on the tropical island of Hainan, China, prior to and after typhoon Kammuri in August 2008. Before the typhoon, the estuary displayed vertical and horizontal gradients. High nutrient inputs from agriculture and widespread aquaculture were to a large extent converted into biomass inside the estuarine lagoon resulting in low export of nutrients to coastal waters and a mainly autochthonous origin of total suspended matter (TSM). Heavy typhoon-associated precipitation increased river runoff, which moved the location of the estuarine salinity gradient seaward. It resulted in an export of dissolved and particulate matter to coastal waters one day after the typhoon. Dissolved nutrients increased by up to an order of magnitude and TSM increased approximately twofold compared to pre-typhoon values. Lower δ¹³C_org and δ¹⁵N and elevated C/N ratios of TSM together with lower chlorophyll a (chl a) concentrations indicated an increased contribution of terrestrial material originating from typhoon-induced soil erosion. Local uptake of excess nutrients inside the lagoon was inhibited because of reduced water transparency and the lack of phytoplankton, which had been washed out by the initial freshwater pulse. Two weeks after the typhoon, TSM concentration and composition had almost returned to pre-typhoon conditions. However, physico-chemical properties and nutrients were still different from pre-typhoon conditions indicating that the estuarine system had not fully recovered. Unusually high chl a concentrations in the coastal zone indicated a phytoplankton bloom resulting from the typhoon-induced nutrient export. The typhoon-induced flushing of the WWE resulted in hyposalinity, reduced water transparency, siltation, as well as temporary eutrophication of coastal waters. These are physiological stressors, which are known to impair the performance of adjacent seagrass meadows and coral reefs. The predicted increase in typhoon frequency and intensity will lead to a frequently recurring exposure of coastal ecosystems to these threats, particularly in the South China Sea region where aquaculture is widespread and tropical cyclone frequency is at a maximum.