Exploring thermocline and water masses variability in southern South China Sea from the World Ocean Database (WOD)

Study about water characteristics(temperature and salinity) from the World Ocean Database(WOD) was conducted in the area of southern South China Sea(SSCS), covering the area of 0°–10°N, 100°–117°E. From interannual analysis, upper layer(10 m) and deep water temperature(50 m) increased from 1951 until 2014. Monthly averaged show that May recorded the highest upper layer temperature while January recorded the lowest. It was different for the deep water which recorded the highest value in September and lowest in February. Contour plot for upper layer temperature in the study area shows presence of thermal front of cold water at southern part of Vietnam tip especially during peak northeast season(December–January). The appearances of warm water were obviously seen during generating southwest monsoon(May–June). Thermocline study revealed the deepest isothermal layer depth(ILD) during peak northeast and southwest monsoon. Temperature threshold at shallow area reach more than 0.8°C during the transitional period. Water mass study described T-S profile based on particular region. Water mass during the southwest monsoon is typically well mixed compared to other seasons while strong separation according to location is very clear. During transitional period between northeast monsoon to southwest monsoon, the increasing of water temperature can be seen at Continental Shelf Water(CSW) which tend to be higher than 29°C and vice versa condition during transitional period between southwest monsoon to northeast monsoon. Dispersion of T-S profile can be seen during southwest monsoon inside Tropical Surface Water(TSW) where the salinity and temperature become higher than during northeast monsoon.     

Seasonal Variations in Inorganic Nutrient Budgets of the Bangpakong Estuary, Thailand

Seasonal variations in freshwater, salt, dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in the Bangpakong estuary, Thailand were investigated by employing the database obtained in the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)-Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) cooperative project from 1994 to 1997. The results showed that variation in interaction between coastal sea and river discharge played an important role in controlling the characteristics of the water in the estuary. Residence time of fresh water was short in wet season and dry season, but it was long in the transition period from season to season. DIP and DIN load depended on river discharge, while high peak concentrations were related to loading and the long residence time in the transition period between dry and wet seasons. A strong eutrophic condition could possibly occur when the concentration of DIP and DIN were high during the onset of the wet season from April to July. The annual average of inorganic nutrient budgets indicated that the Bangpakong estuary is the internal source of 38.2 tons/month DIP and the internal sink of 4.9 tons/month DIN. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

2016年春季季风转换期的珠江冲淡水分布与生态特征分析*

基于2016年4—6月珠江口航次的现场调查资料及卫星数据, 对春季季风转换期的风场分布特征, 冲淡水路径的时空变化情况以及相应的生态响应进行了分析。结果显示珠江口及其临近海域在4—5月表现为过渡性风场, 受冬季风和夏季风的共同作用, 且风向多变。至6月, 冬季风消失, 西南季风控制了整个研究海域, 与此同时珠江径流量逐月增大, 冲淡水的分布特征也随着风场及径流变化发生转变。具体表现为4—5月份冲淡水向粤西沿岸方向扩展, 且在5月流幅更宽, 可达离岸70km处。6月冲淡水向东西两个方向扩展, 向西的冲淡水在河口外受到夏季风场以及背景流场的抑制, 形成以盐度和浊度为特征的锋面; 向东的冲淡水离岸扩展, 在粤东外海形成大面积的羽状流。此外, 珠江口叶绿素和溶解氧的分布主要受冲淡水的影响, 其分布形态与冲淡水路径相似。垂向上, 可观测到珠江口低氧的形成过程, 海水层化, 稳定水柱的形成以及生物分解过程共同导致了珠江口底部的溶解氧较低。浊度的分布主要受径流携带的悬沙影响, 与盐度有很强的负相关性。     

Surface chlorophyll-a dynamics in the upper Gulf of Thailand revealed by a coupled hydrodynamic-ecosystem model

Although plankton bloom incidents in the upper Gulf of Thailand (UGoT) have been reported, no dynamic investigation of the phenomenon has been conducted. To address this need, a simple pelagic ecosystem model coupled with the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) was employed to investigate seasonal variations in surface chlorophyll-a (chl-a) distributions to clarify phytoplankton dynamics in this area. The results revealed patterns of seasonal chl-a distribution that correspond to local wind, water movement and river discharge. High chl-a patchiness was found to be concentrated near the western coast following westward circulation near the northern coast developed during the northeast monsoon. During the southwest monsoon high concentrations were observed around the northeastern coast due to eastward flow. The simulated results could explain the seasonal shifting of phytoplankton blooms, which typically arise along the western and eastern coasts during the northeast and the southwest monsoons, respectively. Sensitivity analyses of simulated chl-a distributions demonstrate that water stability, including wind-induced vertical currents and mixing, plays significant roles in controlling phytoplankton growth. Nutrients in the water column will not stimulate strong plankton blooms unless upwelling develops or vertical diffusivity is low. This finding suggests an alternative aspect of the mechanism of phytoplankton bloom in this region.     

Phytoplankton dynamics associated with the monsoon in the Sulu Sea as revealed by pigment signature

Phytoplankton dynamics during the northeast monsoon was investigated in the Sulu Sea from algal pigment analysis. We visited the Sulu Sea in February 2000, a mid period of the northeast monsoon, and in November and December 2002, the beginning of the northeast monsoon. SeaWiFS images showed generally low concentrations of surface chlorophyll a (Chl a) during the southwest monsoon and higher concentrations with several peaks during the northeast monsoon. In the beginning of the northeast monsoon, subsurface chlorophyll maxima (SCM) occurred, where vertical variation in class-specific composition as estimated from pigment signatures was prominent. Prochlorococcus, cyanobacteria, prymnesiophytes and crysophytes were important groups above the SCM, and the contribution of cyanobacteria to Chl a became much lower at and below the SCM. Contributions of chlorophytes and prasinophytes to Chl a generally showed maxima near the SCM. This distribution was accompanied by vertical changes in the concentration of photoprotective pigments relative to photosynthetic accessory pigments. During the mid northeast monsoon, the upward supply of nutrients was probably enhanced at some stations due to vertical mixing, and as a consequence diatoms dominated in the upper 100 m water column of these stations, and other eukaryotic flagellates including prymnesiophytes, chrysophytes and cryptophytes were secondary major components of the community. The elevation of Chl a concentration and changes in phytoplankton community during the northeast monsoon likely influence the variation in biological production at higher trophic levels in the Sulu Sea.     

Large temporal changes in contributions of groundwater-borne nutrients to coastal waters off a volcanic island

We examined the contribution of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to nutrient budgets in Hwasun Bay, Jeju Island, Korea in August 2009, October 2014, and May 2015. The concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) in fresh groundwater were in the range of 285?716 μM and 2.3?3.2 μM, respectively, which were each 1?2 orders of magnitude higher than those in the bay seawater. The outer-bay seawater flowing into the bay was oligotrophic (2.9 ± 1.9 μM for DIN and 0.2 ± 0.3 μM for DIP). Nutrient budget calculations were performed for each season by accounting for submarine fresh groundwater discharge (SFGD) and water residence times. In August 2009 (DIN = 1.8 μM and DIN:DIP ratio = 4.6 for the outerbay water), DIN inputs from SFGD accounted for approximately 40% of the DIN inventory in the bay seawater. In October 2014 (DIN = 1.1 μM and DIP < 0.05 μM for the outer-bay water), DIP from SFGD accounted for approximately 100% of the DIP inventory in the bay seawater. In May 2015, mean concentrations of DIN and DIP in the bay seawater were 8.6 ± 12 μM and 0.11 ± 0.04 μM, respectively, with conservative behaviors in the bay seawater in association with excessive groundwater inputs. These results imply that SGD plays a critical but different role in nutrient budgets and stoichiometry in coastal waters off a volcanic island depending on open-ocean nutrient conditions.     

2006年冬季粤东沿岸下降流观测分析

根据珠江口及其附近海域2006年冬季(2006年12月至2007年1月)航次的CTD调查资料发现,由于表层水体冷却而产生的对流作用,以及东北季风、浪、流等强动力条件下,冬季陆架水体垂向混合均匀,但粤东近岸海域却存在显著的温跃层及逆盐跃层,其原因在于:东北季风的Ekman效应引起了陆架表层高温、高盐海水向岸输送,东北季风还驱动了西南向沿岸流,其底边界层的Ekman效应引起了沿岸底层低温、低盐海水离岸输送,这样就形成了陆架方向的次生环流,在沿岸海域则为下降流,并表现为沿岸海域的逆盐跃层及温跃层现象。在下降流显著的区域,溶解氧垂向分布均匀且浓度较高,这应归因于下降流将溶解氧浓度较高的表层水带入深层所致。     

Fluxes of riverine nutrient to the Zhujiang River Estuary and its potential eutrophication effect

The Zhujiang River Estuary is becoming eutrophic due to the impact of anthropogenic activities in the past decades. To understand nutrient dynamics and fluxes to the Lingdingyang water via four outlets(Humen,Jiaomen, Hongqimen and Hengmen), we investigated the spatial distribution and seasonal variation of dissolved nutrients in the Zhujiang River Estuary, based on fourteen cruises conducted from March 2015 to October 2017,covering both wet(April to September) and dry(October to March next year)...     

Nearshore hypoxia in the bottom water of the northwestern gulf of Mexico from 1981 to 1984

Hypoxia, and occasionally anoxia, occur annually in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Important physical properties preceding and partially causing hypoxia and the spatial extent of hypoxia are determined. Temporal trends of salinity, temperature, sigma-t, bottom dissolved oxygen, and river dischar ge offshore Cameron, Louisiana, are described and statistically analyzed using four years (1981–1984) of monthly data. A cruise was conducted in July 1984 to measure the spatial extent of hypoxia in coastal waters from Galveston, Texas, to 74 km east of Cameron, Louisina. A ‘best-fit’ linear model estimating bottom dissolved oxygen concentrations contained the salinity and temperature variables. Time series analysis of the data revealed time lags between low bottom (dissolved oxygen and peak river discharge (2 month lag), and low salinity (1 month lag). The time series model using the river discharge and (density gradient variahles more accurately predicted bottom dissolved oxygen concentrations during hypoxic events     

胶州湾水体和表层沉积物营养环境现状及影响因素

为了解胶州湾水体和表层沉积物营养环境状况及其主要影响因素,于2019年8月在胶州湾30个站位点采集了海水和表层沉积物样品,并于2021年5月在胶州湾沿岸采集了18个站位点的水样,对水体溶解无机态营养盐浓度和组成以及表层沉积物中总有机碳、总氮、总磷及生物硅含量和碳、氮稳定同位素(δ¹³C、δ¹⁵N)进行了分析。结果表明,胶州湾内水体和沿岸水体中溶解无机氮、溶解无机磷和溶解硅酸盐浓度空间分布相近,高值均位于湾东北部,主要受到河流输入和沿岸污水排放的影响,低值主要出现在湾中部和湾口处。结合近30年来的历史数据分析发现,胶州湾夏季营养盐浓度在1990-2008年期间呈持续上升的趋势,政府实施的污染物总量控制措施以及河流径流量下降使得2006年以来营养盐浓度呈现下降的趋势,该变化在空间上主要体现为大沽河氮、磷输入量的减少及其对应的湾西部营养盐高值的消失。胶州湾氮、磷营养盐输入的不平衡使得“磷限制”在2000年后逐渐加剧。胶州湾表层沉积物中总有机碳、总氮、总磷含量高值均集中于东北部和东部沿岸,结合生物硅和水体营养盐含量分析显示,这主要是河流与排污输入及其...     

中沙群岛海域春夏交季温盐分布特征

中沙群岛主要由中沙大环礁和黄岩岛组成,其温盐分布对于本区渔业生产、航海保障和水下通讯等具有重要意义。尤其是春夏之交的季节转换时期,该海域水温和盐度及其相应的跃层特性存在显著的季节变化,掌握其季节变化特征具有重要现实意义。本文基于2019年5月（南海春夏季风转换期）中沙大环礁、黄岩岛和2020年6月（夏季风爆发期）中沙大环礁海域大面站调查数据分析,发现中沙大环礁海域水温和盐度分布特征在夏季风爆发前后具有显著的差异性,2个航次的温跃层分布也呈现出较大不同,2019年5月黄岩岛海域温盐中上层分布与中沙大环礁相似,但底层有所差异,跃层深度也较大。2020年6月中沙大环礁内水体升温较快,各层水温均高于2019年5月,其中以底层水体升温最为显著;2019年5月中沙大环礁内水温水平梯度较大,且随着水深加大水平梯度也越大,2020年6日水平温度梯度逐渐减小。2个航次的盐度分布与水温分布较为相似。结合调查时段的海表热通量变化和卫星高度计资料分析认为,2019年5月中沙大环礁西南部海洋吸热高于东北部,故表层水温西南高东北低;2020年6月至7月环礁西南部海洋吸热低于东北部,故表层水温西南低东北高。由于中尺度涡的作用,中沙大环礁区域局部产生低温高盐或高温低盐水,并导致2020年6月中沙大环礁大部分海域的温跃层加深。     

Spatial variation of nutrients and primary productivity in the Rufiji Delta mangroves,Tanzania

Determinations of spatial and temporal variations in organic matter and nutrient dynamics in water and sediments are crucial for understanding changes in aquatic bodies. In this study, we (i) determine the spatial dynamics of dissolved inorganic nutrients, during the transition from the dry to the rainy season, and (ii) provide future productivity predictions for the Rufiji Delta mangroves, Tanzania, based on the input of various nutrients. Water samples were collected from six locations, three times per year between April 2012 and January 2014, and analysed for dissolved nutrients, total organic and inorganic carbon, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total carotenoids. The prediction of future net primary productivity in the Rufiji mangroves was undertaken using the software STELLA. The mean nutrient concentrations were of the order: nitrate > phosphate > ammonium > silica > dissolved organic carbon. The study revealed that high nutrient concentrations occurred in the northern part of the Rufiji Delta as a result of anthropogenic influence in the watershed. Modelling of nutrient inputs into the delta indicated enhanced primary productivity, which is expected to increase the vulnerability of water quality in the near future due to eutrophication.     

Influence of river discharge on plankton metabolic rates in the tropical monsoon driven Godavari estuary,India

To examine the influence of river discharge on plankton metabolic balance in a monsoon driven tropical estuary, daily variations in physico-chemical and nutrients characteristics were studied over a period of 15 months (September 2007 to November 2008) at a fixed location (Yanam) in the Godavari estuary, India. River discharge was at its peak during July to September with a sharp decrease in the middle of December and complete cessation thereafter. Significant amount of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN, of 22–26 μmol l⁻¹) and dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP, of 3–4 μmol l⁻¹) along with suspended materials (0.2–0.5 g l⁻¹) were found at the study region during the peak discharge period. A net heterotrophy with low gross primary production (GPP) occurred during the peak discharge period. The Chlorophyll a (Chl a) varied between 4 and 18 mg m⁻³ that reached maximum levels when river discharge and suspended loads decreased by >75% compared to that during peak period. High productivity was sustained for about one and half months during October to November when net community production (NCP) turned from net heterotrophy to autotrophy in the photic zone. Rapid decrease in nutrients (DIN and DIP by ∼15 and 1.4 μmol l⁻¹, respectively) was observed during the peak Chl a period of two weeks. Chl a in the post monsoon (October–November) was negatively related to river discharge. Another peak in Chl a in January to February was associated with higher nutrient concentrations and high DIN:DIP ratios suggest possible external supply of nitrogen into the system. The mean photic zone productivity to respiration ratio (P:R) was 2.38 ± 0.24 for the entire study period (September 2007–November 2008). Nevertheless, the ratio of GPP to the entire water column respiration was only 0.14 ± 0.02 revealing that primary production was not enough to support water column heterotrophic activity. The excess carbon demand by the heterotrophs could be met from the allochthonous inputs of mainly terrestrial origin. Assuming that the entire phytoplankton produced organic material was utilized, the additional terrestrial organic carbon supported the total bacterial activity (97–99%) during peak discharge period and 40–75% during dry period. Therefore, large amount of terrestrial organic carbon is getting decomposed in the Godavari estuarine system.     

胶州湾东北部养殖海区环境质量状况及分析

基于2006年2月、5月、8月、11月胶州湾东北部养殖海区现场调查结果,采用单因子指数、富营养化指数、有机污染指数对环境状况进行了分析评价。结果表明:该海域主要受到无机N、P污染;COD在夏、秋季符合一类,但在冬、春季只达到国家二类海水水质标准;DO全部符合国家一类海水水质标准。通过站位间的比较发现,东北部沧口水域环境质量最差,全年处于富营养化状态,有机污染介于轻度到严重污染之间。红岛附近水质较好,不存在有机污染,只有春、秋季达到富营养化水平。研究结果显示该海域主要受陆源污染,且与现有污水处理不能有效去除无机N、P营养盐有关。     

Hypoxia in the Upper Gulf of Thailand: Hydrographic observations and modeling

We conducted hydrographic observations throughout the year to investigate seasonal variations of the hypoxic water mass distribution in the Upper Gulf of Thailand (UGoT). Hypoxic water masses were observed from June to November, with half of the UGoT occupied by hypoxic water in September. A hypoxic water mass appeared in the northeastern part of the UGoT in June and August, and moved westward over time. Low-salinity surface water moved from east to west as the rotational direction of surface circulation shifted with the reversal of monsoon winds. Westward movement of low-salinity water causes strong stratification in the northwestern part of the UGoT, leading to severe hypoxia. Numerical experiments showed high dissolved oxygen consumption rates around and offshore of river mouths, where hypoxic water is generated. This finding suggests that hypoxic water masses are transported to the south by physical processes. We examined how flooding affects hypoxic water mass formation. The volume of hypoxia in a flood year was approximately 2.5 times greater than in a normal year. In addition, hypoxia occurred in the dry season and extensive hypoxia was observed in the year after flooding. These results suggest that the hypoxic water mass persists for a long time after flooding.

     

2006年9月南海北部表层温盐场的走航观测

通过2006年9月南海北部开放航次的走航观测,得到了该海区多个断面的表层温度、盐度分布曲线.QuikScat海面风场资料显示观测期间处于西南季风向东北季风的转换阶段,走航观测所得的温、盐资料显示出在这一季风转换的特殊阶段该海区表层的水文特征.珠江口冲淡水的扩散范围在季风转向前后有显著的变化,低盐的冲淡水在西南季风阶段向珠江口外海区的东南方延伸较远,而在东北季风阶段则受珠江径流量、南海北部表层环流等因素的影响收缩至珠江口附近.闽南近岸和台湾浅滩南部表层具有低温高盐特征,但CTD资料表明台湾浅滩区域存在上升流,结合风场资料,可证实观测期间此处的上升流由海流-地形因素所造成.     

Transport of chemical components in sea ice and under-ice water during melting in the seasonally ice-covered Saroma-ko Lagoon,Hokkaido, Japan

Physico-chemical properties in the brine and under-ice water were measured in Saroma-ko Lagoon on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan, which is connected to the Sea of Okhotsk, during the period from mid-February through mid-March 2006. The brine within brine channels of the sea ice was collected with a new sampling method examined in this study. Salinity, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total alkalinity (TA), dissolved oxygen (DO), nutrients and oxygen isotopic ratio (δ¹⁸O) contained in the brine within brine channels of the sea ice and in the under-ice water varied largely in both time and space during the ice melt period, when discharge from Saromabetsu River located on the southeast of the lagoon increased markedly due to the onset of snow melting. The under-ice plume expands as far as 4.5 km from the river mouth at mid-March 2006, transporting chemical components supplied from the river into the lagoon. The under-ice river water was likely transported into the sea ice through well-developed brine channels in the sea ice due to upward flushing of water through brine channels occurred by loading of snowfalls deposited over the sea ice. These results suggest that the river water plume plays an important role in supplying chemical components into the sea ice, which may be a key process influencing the biogeochemical cycle in the seasonally ice-covered Saroma-ko Lagoon.     

黄河下游营养盐浓度月际变化及其对水库泄洪事件的响应

根据2017年12月—2019年12月和2018年小浪底水库泄洪期间对黄河下游营养盐的月观测和日观测,系统的分析了黄河下游溶解态营养盐浓度、组成和通量变化.结果表明,除DON(溶解有机氮)、DSi(溶解态硅)和DIP(溶解无机磷)外,其他各溶解态营养盐浓度均呈丰水期低、枯水期高的特点.在观测期间,DSi/DIN(溶解态...     

Nutrients,light and phytoplankton production in the shallow,tropical coastal waters of Bandon Bay,Southern Thailand

Phytoplankton primary production and its regulation by light and nutrient availability were investigated in the shallow, tropical coastal waters of Bandon Bay, Southern Thailand. The bay was meso‐eutrophicated and highly turbid, receiving river water discharge. Water column stratification was consistently weak during both rainy and dry seasons. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was higher off the river mouth than in the other regions, suggesting that river water discharge was a main source of DIN. By contrast, dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) showed a significant negative correlation with total water depth, implying that regeneration around the sea floor was an important source of DIP. Surface DIN and DIP showed positive correlations with surface primary production (PP) and water column primary productivity (ΣPP*), respectively. The combined correlation and model analyses indicate that total water depth had an ambivalent influence on water column primary production (ΣPP); shallower water depth induced more active regeneration of nutrients, but it also caused higher turbidity and lower light availability as a result of enhanced resuspension of sediments. Furthermore, there was a vertical constraint for phytoplankton during the rainy season: total water depth tended to be shallower than euphotic zone depth. In conclusion, light limitation and vertical constraint owing to shallow water depth appear to be more important than nutrient limitation for water column primary production in Bandon Bay.