Inventories and sorption-desorption trends of radiocesium and radiocobalt in James River estuary sediments

Anthropogenic radionuclides (¹³⁷Cs,¹³⁴Cs,⁶⁰Co) have been introduced to the James River estuary as a result of low-level releases from the Surry Reactor site since 1973 and worldwide atmospheric fallout from nuclear weapons tests since the early 1950s The total radionuclide burden in the estuary sediments has been estimated by integrating radionuclide activities in 29 box cores and extrapolating these integrated values over surface areas subdivided on the basis of sediment type, rates of accumulation, and proximity to the reactor release site. Our results indicate that 30% of the⁶⁰Co, but only 15% of the¹³⁴Cs released from the reactor site, has been retained in the estuary sediments, and about 40% of the¹³⁴Cs and⁶⁰Co sediment inventory is in areas that represent less than 5% of the total estuarine surface area. Depletion of the¹³⁴Cs in downstream sediments forms a noticeable trend in the James River estuary, and we postulate that seawater cation competition and exchange is primarily responsible.     

The use of<Superscript>7</Superscript>Be and<Superscript>210</Superscript>Pb<Subscript>xs</Subscript> to differentiate fine suspended sediment sources in South Slough,Oregon

Suspended sediment was collected in the South Slough, National, Estuarine Research Reserve, Oregon, over 8 tidal cycles during and following a single runoff event. The sediment was analyzed for its radionuclide signature to determine the relative contributions of different sources of sediment to the efflux from the estuary. Suspended sediment in the estuary is a mixture of sediment from three potential sources: the river system, Coos Bay, and the estuarine bed. Each source material has a distinctive⁷Be:²¹⁰Pb_xs ratio. The ratios of the source sediments decreased, in magnitude in the following order: riverine >bay>bed. The ratios, of the suspended sediment collected within a subsection of the South Slough estuary reflected the relative mixture of the source areas. The⁷Be:²¹⁰Pb_xs ratios provided a means of not only differentiating, between resuspended bed sediment and freshly delivered sediment from both the river system and Coos Bay, but also calculating the relative amount of resuspended bed sediment in the suspended sediment collected in the estuary. The sampled subsection of the South Slough estuary was a net sink of sediment during a 100-h sampling period associated with the runoff event, but the radionuclide analysis suggests that approximately 39% of the sediment efflux was resuspended bed sediment.     

Sediment and Nutrient Deposition Associated with Hurricane Wilma in Mangroves of the Florida Coastal Everglades

The distribution of mangrove biomass and forest structure along Shark River estuary in the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE) has been correlated with elevated total phosphorus concentration in soils thought to be associated with storm events. The passage of Hurricane Wilma across Shark River estuary in 2005 allowed us to quantify sediment deposition and nutrient inputs in FCE mangrove forests associated with this storm event and to evaluate whether these pulsing events are sufficient to regulate nutrient biogeochemistry in mangrove forests of south Florida. We sampled the spatial pattern of sediment deposits and their chemical properties in mangrove forests along FCE sites in December 2005 and October 2006. The thickness (0.5 to 4.5 cm) of hurricane sediment deposits decreased with distance inland at each site. Bulk density, organic matter content, total nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations, and inorganic and organic P pools of hurricane sediment deposits differed from surface (0–10 cm) mangrove soils at each site. Vertical accretion resulting from this hurricane event was eight to 17 times greater than the annual accretion rate (0.30 ± 0.03 cm year⁻¹) averaged over the last 50 years. Total P inputs from storm-derived sediments were equivalent to twice the average surface soil nutrient P density (0.19 mg cm⁻³). In contrast, total N inputs contributed 0.8 times the average soil nutrient N density (2.8 mg cm⁻³). Allochthonous mineral inputs from Hurricane Wilma represent a significant source of sediment to soil vertical accretion rates and nutrient resources in mangroves of southwestern Everglades. The gradient in total P deposition to mangrove soils from west to east direction across the FCE associated with this storm event is particularly significant to forest development due to the P-limited condition of this carbonate ecosystem. This source of P may be an important adaptation of mangrove forests in the Caribbean region to projected impacts of sea-level rise.     

Sediment yield in the Patuxent River (Md.) undergoing urbanization, 1968–1969

Water discharge from the Patuxent River into its estuary was near-average (95%) during the water year 1968–1969 although precipitation was only 79% of the average. Suspended-sediment discharge into the estuary, however, was more then double the normal yield (344 metric tons/km² compared to 143 metric tons/km²). These increases in runoff and suspended-sediment yields, despite decreased precipitation, must be attributed to urbanization of the drainage basin.The maximum measured suspended-sediment concentrations in the rural Middle Patuxent basin (Piedmont Province) increased only 40-fold during an increase from “average” to high water runoff (15 mg/l to 600 mg/l). In the portion of the Little Patuxent River basin undergoing urbanization (Piedmont portion), stream concentrations increased by over two orders of magnitude (20 mg/l to 2400 mg/l) as a result of heavy rainfall. The area undergoing urbanization of the Little Patuxent yielded more than twice as much suspended sediment per unit area as the rural Middle Patuxent (620 metric tons/km² versus 290 metric tons/km²). This increase also is interpreted to be the direct result of erosion of soils denuded or disturbed during urban construction.Using the Middle Patuxent as a “standard” for normal erosion rates in rural areas, construction sites contributed about 82% of the suspended sediment discharged by the Patuxent River into its estuary even though such sites represented only 23% of the drainage basin.     

Spatial and temporal variation of organic carbon in the northern South China Sea revealed by sedimentary records

Three sediment cores were taken from the Pearl River estuary and adjacent northern South China Sea (SCS). These sediment cores span the time interval 1900–2000 AD. The stratigraphy of the concentration, the ratio of total organic carbon (TOC) to total nitrogen (TN) and stable isotope (δ¹³C_org) of organic carbon (OC) from three high-resolution sediment cores were analyzed. The stratigraphic profiles of OC concentration, TOC/TN ratios and δ¹³C_org for the near past 100 yrs indicate that terrestrial organic matter decreases from 68.3% to 27.4% of the TOC in the Pearl River estuary, while Dapeng Bay (offshore east of Hong Kong) apparently had throughout little terrestrial organic matter input. The highest deposited OC occurs at the Humen River mouth and the OC concentrations are higher in the outer estuary than in the inner shelf of the northern SCS. The deposited OC at the River mouth increased with time, which could be caused by the high precipitation of land-derived organic matter and the high input of terrestrial organic matter, which is likely related to the rapid urbanization and industrial development in the Pearl River Delta since the 1970s. The OC concentrations did not exhibit an obvious increase with time in most areas of the Pear River estuary and adjacent inner shelf of the SCS, but the algal-derived OC concentration inferred from the δ¹³C_org values increased with time especially from 1980 to 2000 in the outer Pearl River estuary and Dapeng Bay. This increase is presumably caused by enhanced primary marine productivity supported by higher anthropogenic nutrient inputs.     

Aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of nonylphenol ethoxylates in estuary sediment of Yangtze River,China

The biodegradation behavior of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs) in estuary sediment of Yangtze River, China, was investigated. NPEOs were readily degraded in the estuary sediment under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The highest biodegradation rate constants for the aerobic biodegradation and anaerobic biodegradation were 0.333 and 0.194 day⁻¹, respectively. Anaerobic biodegradation of NPEOs in estuary sediment was enhanced under sulfate-reducing or nitrate-reducing conditions. The biodegradation constants increased by 23.4 and 56.7% in sulfate-adding treatment and nitrate-adding treatment, respectively. NPEOs were biodegraded through the terminal oxidative pathway in estuary sediment under aerobic conditions while these compounds were biodegraded through the non-oxidative pathway under anaerobic conditions. Estrogenic intermediates were formed during NPEO biodegradation under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Both treatments reached their highest estrogenicities on day 21. Short-chain nonylphenol ethoxycarboxylates (NPECs), which were feasibly mobile, were only formed under aerobic conditions.     

A Preliminary Sediment Budget for the Corsica River (MD): Improved Estimates of Nitrogen Burial and Implications for Restoration

The Corsica River, located on Maryland’s eastern shore, has been the site of restoration efforts targeting sediment and nutrient load reductions. Previous work has indicated that agricultural activities supply most of these materials; however, their dynamics and fate are largely unknown. To address these needs, bottom sediments have been collected and analyzed for their chemical and textural properties. Long-term (decadal) accumulation rates are determined with ²¹⁰Pb (half-life 22.3 years), verified with ¹³⁷Cs, and range from 0.18 to 0.84 g/cm²/year in the subtidal region and 0.3–1.89 g/cm²/year in the marshes. These estimates are compared with likely sediment sources to determine the direction of exchange with the adjacent estuary (Chester River), which is a subtributary of Chesapeake Bay, with the Chester River likely supplying 0.94 × 10³ t/year of sediment to the Corsica, ∼16% of the total sediment input. The radiochemical data are used to interpret profiles of grain size and nitrogen and to provide improved estimates of nitrogen burial. Comparison of the Corsica River to similar systems highlights the importance of marshes in trapping sediment and nutrient inputs from the watershed.     

Behavior and budget of dissolved uranium in the lower reaches of the Yellow (Huanghe) River: Impact of Water–Sediment Regulation Scheme

The Water–Sediment Regulation Scheme (WSRS) is an important water conservancy project in the Yellow River basin, which is usually operated annually from June to July to control water and sediment release from the Xiaolangdi Reservoir in the middle reaches. As a greatly concentrated period of delivering terrigenous materials from the Yellow River to the sea, the WSRS can serve as a natural laboratory to examine the geochemical behavior of elements during their transport along the river. Uranium isotopes (²³⁴U and ²³⁸U) were measured in Yellow River waters at stations Xiaolangdi (located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River) and Lijin (the last hydrologic station near the Yellow River estuary) during the WSRS 2012. Compared with station Xiaolangdi, dissolved uranium concentration at station Lijin was markedly higher, showing a significant impact from the WSRS. Budget calculation for dissolved uranium during the WSRS indicated that two major sources of new added dissolved uranium in the section of the Yellow River between Xiaolangdi and Lijin: suspended particles (46%) and porewater of bottom sediment (45%). The flux of dissolved uranium from the Yellow River to the sea was estimated to be 2.40 × 10⁷ g during the WSRS 2012.     

Suspended particulate matter and dynamics of the Mfolozi estuary,Kwazulu-Natal: Implications for environmental management

 The Mfolozi Estuary on the KwaZulu-Natal coast of South Africa is the most turbid estuary in Natal due to poor catchment management, leading to large quantities of suspended particulate matter (SPM) entering the estuary from the Mfolozi River. This paper quantities some of the solute and sediment dynamics in the Mfolozi Estuary where the main documented environmental concern is the periodic input of SPM from the Mfolozi Estuary to the St. Lucia system, causing reduction of light penetration and endangering biological productivity in this important nature reserve. Synoptic water level results have allowed reach mean bed shear stresses and velocities to be calculated for an observed neap tidal cycle. Results indicate that ebb velocities dominate the sediment transport processes in the estuary when fluvial input in the Mfolozi River is of the order of 15–20 m³ s^–1. Observed and predicted flood tide velocities are too low (<0.35 m s^–1) to suspend and transport significant amounts of SPM. Observed results indicate that although the SPM load entering the estuary is dominantly from the Mfolozi River, the Msunduzi River flow plays a major role in the composition of the estuary's salinity and velocity fields. It is calculated that the Mfolozi Estuary would fill with sediment in 1.3 years if it was cut off from the sea. The major fluvial flood events help maintain the estuary by periodically pushing sediment seawards (spit progrades seawards 5 m yr^–1) and scouring and maintaining the main flow channel in the estuary. During low fluvial flow conditions, tidal flow velocities will become the dominant control on sediment transport in the estuary. Interchange of SPM between the St. Lucia and Mfolozi estuaries under present conditions is complicated by the strong transverse velocity shear between the two systems at their combined mouth. This is creating a salinity-maintained axial convergence front that suppresses mixing of solutes and SPM between the systems for up to 10 h of the tidal cycle during observed conditions. Received: 22 May 1995 · Accepted: 31 July 1995     

Management and sediment dynamics of the St. Lucia Estuary mouth,Zululand, South Africa

St. Lucia Estuary is on the subtropical, predominantly microtidal Zululand coast of South Africa. Lake St. Lucia's surface area fluctuates between 420 and 215 km² and has a mean depth of less than 1 m. The 21-km-long narrows connects Lake St. Lucia with the Indian Ocean. Tidal effects penetrate 14 km up the narrows. The St. Lucia system has changed substantially since the 1930s due to bad farming techniques within its catchment. Large amounts of sediment were deposited in the estuary mouth, resulting in relocation of the Mfolozi River mouth to the south at Mapelane. The St. Lucia catchment was subjected to two devastating floods in the last ten years: Cyclone Domoina during February 1984 and the September 1987 cutoff low flood. After floods scoured out the estuary, marine sand advanced up the estuary at a rate of 1200 m/y as a series of flood-tidal deltas. Over 600,000 m³ of sediment accumulated in the St. Lucia Estuary mouth from February 1988 to November 1989. Of this amount, 466,000 m³ of sediment was removed by dredging, although this has not stopped the shoaling. During high rainfall years, the estuary mouth is able to maintain an open outlet to the sea, but as lake levels drop, shoaling causes the mouth to constrict and eventually close. Without the dredging program the mouth would ultimately close during low rainfall years, causing management problems.     

Anthropogenic components of heavy metal (Cd,Zn, Cu,Pb) budgets in the Lot-Garonne fluvial system (France)

Heavy metal (Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb) mass balances in the Lot-Garonne fluvial system have been established for 1999 and 2000. The mean annual discharges of these years are close to the mean discharge of the previous decade. The estimated annual dissolved and particulate fluxes in this model watershed integrate daily input from diffuse and point sources, diffusive fluxes at the water/sediment interface, changes in the dissolved-particulate partition and changes in sediment stock. Cadmium, Zn, Cu and Pb entering the Gironde estuary via the Garonne River (11–14 t a⁻¹ of Cd; 1330–1450 t a⁻¹ of Zn; 126–214 t a⁻¹ of Cu and 127–155 t a⁻¹ of Pb) are mainly transported in the particulate phase and the major part (i.e. ∼74 to 96% for Cd, ∼60% for Zn, ∼50 to 60% for Cu and ∼80% for Pb) is transported by the Lot River. The main anthropogenic heavy metal point source is located in a small upstream watershed (Riou-Mort River) accounting for at least 47% (Cd), ∼20% (Zn), ∼4% (Cu) and ∼7 to 9% (Pb) of the total heavy metal inputs into the Garonne River, although it contributes only 1% of the discharge. Mass balances for 1999 suggest that under mean annual hydrologic conditions on the basin scale, the heavy metal budget of the Lot-Garonne fluvial system is balanced and that the stocks of Cd [200 t; Environ. Tech. 16 (1995) 1145] and Zn in the Lot River sediment are constant under mean discharge conditions. Heavy metal input by molecular diffusion at the sediment surface represents an important component of dissolved metal inputs into the system (e.g. 30% for Cu). Except for Cu, these dissolved inputs are totally removed from solution by SPM. Based on the generally constant Zn/Cd (∼50) concentration ratio in sediment cores from the polluted Lot River reaches and the sediment stock of Cd [200 t; Environ. Tech. 16 (1995) 1145], the present day Zn stock in the Lot River sediments has been estimated at about 10,000 t. In addition to the mobilization of river-bed sediment and associated heavy metals by intense floods, local human activities, including river-bed dredging, may strongly modify the heavy metal budget of the river system. In 2000, the dredging-related remobilization of polluted Lot River sediment released 2–6 t Cd. This additional Cd point source was estimated to account for 15–43% of the gross inputs into the Gironde Estuary.     

Description of microbial community structure of sediments from the Daliao River water system and its estuary (NE China) by application of fluorescence in situ hybridization

The Daliao River watershed, an important industrial base of China, has been heavily influenced by anthropogenic activities. Microbes in sediments play an important role in recycling of organics and nutrients, and knowledge of the microbial composition and community structure in river sediments can help us to understand the contribution of microorganisms to environmental processes and their response to environmental perturbation. In this study, 11 surface sediment samples and 1 core sediment sample were collected from the Daliao River water system and its estuary, and their microbial abundance and community compositions were investigated using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results showed that total cell numbers in surface sediments from different locations ranged from 4.2 × 10⁸ to 16.2 × 10⁸ cells cm⁻³. Domain bacteria represented 58–82% with α-, β-, and γ-proteobacteria as the major subgroups summing up to 40%. Total cell numbers along the core sediment profile ranged from 7.9 × 10⁸ to 20.1 × 10⁸ cells cm⁻³, with relatively higher total cell numbers in the upper (0–6 cm) and middle (21–30 cm) layers. In the core sediment, domain bacteria represented 62–85% and archaea 1.0–11.8%. α-, β- and γ-Proteobacteria were three major phylogenetic groups of bacteria in the core sediment also with γ-proteobacteria as the most abundant subgroup accounting for 9.8–40.8% of total cells.     

Modelling the Transport and Export of Sediments in Macrotidal Estuaries with Eroding Salt Marsh

A process-based numerical model is applied to investigate sediment transport dynamics and sediment budget in tide-dominated estuaries under different salt marsh erosion scenarios. Using a typical funnel-shaped estuary (Ribble Estuary, UK) as a study site, it is found that the remobilization of sediments within the estuary is increased as a result of the tidal inundation of the eroded salt marsh. The landward export of the finest sediment is also intensified. The relationship between salt marsh erosion and net landward export of sediments has been found to be non-linear—with the first 30% salt marsh erosion causing most of the predicted export. The presence of vegetation also influences the sediment budget. Results suggest that vegetation reduces the amount of sediment being transported upstream. Again, the trapping effect of salt marsh in terms of plant density is non-linear. Whilst a vegetated surface with a stem density of 64 plants/m² decreased the net landward export of very fine sand by around 50%, a further increase in stem density from 64 to 512 plants/m² had a relatively small effect.     

Estimation of Groundwater and Nutrient Fluxes to the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina

A study was conducted between April 2004 and September 2005 to estimate groundwater and nutrient discharge to the Neuse River estuary in North Carolina. The largest groundwater fluxes were observed to occur generally within 20 m of the shoreline. Groundwater flux estimates based on seepage meter measurements ranged from 2.86?×?10⁸ to 4.33?×?10⁸ m³ annually and are comparable to estimates made using radon, a simple water-budget method, and estimates derived by using Darcy’s Law and previously published general aquifer characteristics of the area. The lower groundwater flux estimate (equal to about 9 m³ s^?1), which assumed the narrowest groundwater discharge zone (20 m) of three zone widths selected for an area west of New Bern, North Carolina, most closely agrees with groundwater flux estimates made using radon (3–9 m³ s^?1) and Darcy’s Law (about 9 m³ s^?1). A groundwater flux of 9 m³ s^?1 is about 40% of the surface-water flow to the Neuse River estuary between Streets Ferry and the mouth of the estuary and about 7% of the surface-water inflow from areas upstream. Estimates of annual nitrogen (333 tonnes) and phosphorus (66 tonnes) fluxes from groundwater to the estuary, based on this analysis, are less than 6% of the nitrogen and phosphorus inputs derived from all sources (excluding oceanic inputs), and approximately 8% of the nitrogen and 17% of the phosphorus annual inputs from surface-water inflow to the Neuse River estuary assuming a mean annual precipitation of 1.27 m. We provide quantitative evidence, derived from three methods, that the contribution of water and nutrients from groundwater discharge to the Neuse River estuary is relatively minor, particularly compared with upstream sources of water and nutrients and with bottom sediment sources of nutrients. Locally high groundwater discharges do occur, however, and could help explain the occurrence of localized phytoplankton blooms, submerged aquatic vegetation, or fish kills.     

Quantifying modern erosion rates and river-sediment contamination in the Bolivian Andes

We use petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical data on modern river sediments of the Tupiza basin in the Bolivian Andes to investigate the relationships among human activity, heavy-metal contamination of sediments and modern erosion rates in mountain fluvial systems. Forward mixing model was used to quantify the relative contributions from each main tributary to total sediment load of the Tupiza River. The absolute sediment load was estimated by using the Pacific Southwest Inter Agency Committee model (PSIAC, 1968) after two years of geological field surveys (2009; 2010), together with data obtained from the Instituto Nacional del Agua public authority (INA, 2007), and suspended-load data from Aalto et al. (2006).Our results indicate that the sediment yield in the drainage basin is 910 ± 752 ton/km²year and the mean erosion rate is 0.40 ± 0.33 mm/year. These values compare well with erosion rates measured by Insel et al. (2010) using ¹⁰Be cosmogenic radionuclide concentrations in Bolivian river sediments. More than 40% of the Tupiza river load is produced in the upper part of the catchment, where highly tectonized and weathered rocks are exposed and coupled with sporadic land cover and intense human activity (mines). In the Rio Chilco basin strong erosion of upland valleys produce an increase of erosion (∼10 mm/year) and the influx of large amounts of sediment by mass wasting processes. The main floodplain of the Tupiza catchment represents a significant storage site for the heavy metals (∼657 ton/year). Fluvial sediments contain zinc, lead, vanadium, chromium, arsenic and nickel. Since the residence time of these contaminants in the alluvial plain may be more than 100 years, they may represent a potential source of pollution for human health.     

Estimation of net physical transport and hydraulic residence times for a coastal plain estuary using box models

A box model based on salinity distributions and freshwater inflow measurements was developed and used to estimate net non-tidal physical circulation and hydraulic residence times for Patuxent River estuary, Maryland, a tributary estuary of Chesapeake Bay. The box model relaxes the usual assumption that salinity is at steady-state, an important improvement over previous box model studies, yet it remains simple enough to have broad appeal. Average monthly 2-dimensional net non-tidal circulation and residence times for 1986–1995 are estimated and related to river flow and salt water inflow as estimated by the box model. An important result is that advective exchange at the estuary mouth was not correlated with Patuxent River flow, most likely due to effects of offshore salinity changes in Chesapeake Bay. The median residence time for freshwater entering at the head of the estuary was 68 d and decreased hyperbolically with increasing river flow to 30 d during high flow. Estimates of residence times for down-estuary points of origin showed that, from the head of the estuary to its mouth, control of flushing changed from primarily river flow to other factors regulating the intensity of gravitational circulation.     

Seasonal cycle and mass balance of cadmium in an estuary with an agricultural catchment: The Morlaix River estuary (Brittany,France)

Cadmium (Cd) variations were investigated over an annual cycle (12 surveys between February 1998–January 1999) in the Morlaix estuary (Brittany, France) in both the water column and the benthic compartment in relation to hydrological conditions. The drainage basin of the Morlaix River estuary is predominantly agricultural in character. Dissolved Cd concentrations in the water column varied from 0.04 to 0.48 nM. Particulate Cd concentrations ranged from 1 to 64 nmol g⁻¹. These concentrations reach levels commonly observed in estuaries affected by heavy industrial activities. Extensive agricultural activities in the drainage basin may be responsible for Cd levels above pristine conditions. Metal concentrations varied significantly over the seasonal cycle and the dissolved fraction exhibited high values in summer months. Particulate concentrations were always lowest during this season. In the benthic compartment, Cd concentrations in surface sediment varied from 0.4 to 5.0 nmol g⁻¹ and from 0.2 to 5.0 nM in porewaters. Concentrations in sediment were slightly affected by Cd contamination and temporal changes were important over the seasonal cycle. The variations seem to be controlled by the succession of sedimentation and erosion processes, which are tightly linked to seasonal changes in river discharge. A box model was constructed based on known Cd sources and sinks in the estuary. Cd is chiefly brought into the estuary by the Morlaix River and accumulates within the estuary. The accumulation within the estuary represents from 6.3 to 7.2 kg yr⁻¹.     

Distribution and speciation of metals,phosphorus, sulfate and organic material in brackish estuary water affected by acid sulfate soils

Dissolved (<1 kDa) and colloidal (1 kDa-0.45 μm) size fractions of sulfate, organic carbon (OC), phosphate and 17 metals/metalloids were investigated in the acidic Vörå River and its estuary in Western Finland. In addition, geochemical modelling was used to predict the formation of free ions and complexes in these waters. The sampling was carried out during high-water flow in autumn and in spring when the abundantly occurring acid sulfate (AS) soils in the catchment area are extensively flushed. Based on the high concentrations of sulfate, acidity and several metals, it is clear that the Vörå River and its estuary is strongly affected by AS soils. The high dissolved form of metals limits also the existence of fish and other organisms in this estuary, and certainly also in other similar shallow brackish estuaries elsewhere in the Gulf of Bothnia. However, generally already <20% saline sea water reduces the concentration for OC and several elements (Al, Cu, Cr, Fe, Pb, PO₄ and U) by half and c. 20–30% saline sea water is needed to halve concentrations of Cd, Co, Mn, Ni and Zn. Consequently, these elements as well as organic matters were rapidly precipitated in the estuary, even after mixing with fairly small amounts of the alkaline brackish sea water. Aluminium, Cu, Fe and U most likely precipitate together with organic matter closest to the river mouth. Manganese is relatively persistent in solution and, thus, precipitates further down the estuary as Mn oxides, which concomitantly capture Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn. In the inner estuary, the high contents of Al is as important than Fe in removing PO₄ and, thus, also reducing the risk of algae blooms in near coastal areas influenced by AS soils in the Gulf of Bothnia. Moreover, the dispersion of metals far out in the estuary is dependent on hydrological conditions, i.e. with high flows the plume of metal-rich water will spread further out in the estuary. Furthermore, the extensive drainage of the catchment and subsequent artificial enlargement of the river channel during recent decades has not only enabled oxidation of sulfidic sediments, but strongly increased flow peaks that reach further out in the estuary.     

山溪性强潮河口最大浑浊带形成机制及其模拟

为阐明强潮河口最大浑浊带的形成机制及其运动规律,通过瓯江和椒（灵）江实测资料分析,系统分析了强潮河口最大浑浊带形成的影响因素及其与河口地貌的响应关系。考虑黏性细颗粒泥沙运动特性和盐度的影响,开发了强潮河口最大浑浊带数学模型,对椒（灵）江枯季大潮最大浑浊带运移过程进行了模拟。结果表明:①强潮河口最大浑浊带是潮波变形、咸淡水混合、泥沙再悬浮等复杂因素在一定河口边界和泥沙条件下相互作用的产物,潮波变形和泥沙供给是影响最大浑浊带形成的关键因素。②强潮河口最大浑浊带模拟必须充分考虑潮流、盐淡水混合、泥沙周期性起动、絮凝和沉积密实等因素,所建立的数学模型可用于强潮河口最大浑浊带研究。     

Discharge diversion in the Patía River delta,the Colombian Pacific: Geomorphic and ecological consequences for mangrove ecosystems

In the Patía River delta, the best-developed delta on the western margin of South America, a major water diversion started in 1972. The diversion of the Patía flow to the Sanquianga River, the latter a small stream draining internal lakes from the Pacific lowlands, shifted the active delta plain from the south to the north and changed the northern estuarine system into an active delta plain. The Sanquianga Mangrove National Park, a mangrove reserve measuring 800 km², lies in this former estuary, where major hydrologic and sedimentation changes are occurring. Overall, major environmental consequences of this discharge diversion in terms of geomorphic changes along distributary channels and ecological impacts on mangrove ecosystems are evidenced by: (1) distributary channel accretion by operating processes such as sedimentation, overbank flow, increasing width of levees, sedimentation in crevasses, interdistributary channel fill, and colonization of pioneer mangrove; (2) freshening conditions in the Sanquianga distributary channel, a hydrologic change that has shifted the upper estuarine region (salinity <1%) downstream; (3) downstream advance of freshwater vegetation, which is invading channel banks in the lower and mixing estuarine zones; (4) die-off of approximately 5200 ha of mangrove near the delta apex at Bocas de Satinga, where the highest sediment accumulation rates occur; and (5) recurrent periods of mangrove defoliation due to a worm plague. Further analyses indicate strong mangrove erosion along transgressive barrier islands on the former delta plain. Here tectonic-induced subsidence, relative sea-level rise, and sediment starving conditions due to the channel diversion, are the main causes of the observed retreating conditions of mangrove communities. Our data also indicate that the Patía River has the highest sediment load (27 × 10⁶ t yr⁻¹) and basin-wide sediment yield (1500 t km⁻² yr⁻¹) on the west coast of South America. Erosion rates from the Patía catchment have been more pronounced during the decades of 1970–1980 and 1990–2000, as a result of land degradation and deforestation. The high sediment and freshwater inputs into the mangrove ecosystem create additional stress (both at ongoing background levels and, occasionally, at dramatic levels), which may periodically push local environmental parameters beyond the thresholds for mangrove survival. The future environmental state of the Sanquianga Mangrove National Reserve deserves more scientific and governmental attention.