Peaked abundance of Calanus sinicus earlier shifted in the Changjiang River (Yangtze River) Estuary: a comparable study between 1959, 2002 and 2005

The sea surface temperature (SST) of the East China Sea (ECS) increased in the past decades,which may have a great impact on the ecosystem of the ECS,including the changes in plankton-population structure.In this paper,the changes in peaked abundance of Calanus sinicus in the Changjiang River (Yangtze River) Estuary were compared between 1959 and 2002,based on the data collected from the seasonally oceanographic cruises and those performed in spring of 2005.It was much higher in spring compared with that in other seasons both in 1959 and 2002.Furthermore,in spring 2005,the time for occurrence and decrease of the peaked C.sinicus abundance advanced about one month, accompanying the increase in the sea surface water temperature (SST).It peaked in June and decreased in July in 1959,however,in 2005,it peaked in May and attenuated sharply in early June.The earlier decrease of peaked C.sinicus abundance may further deteriorate the ecosystem in the Changjiang River Estuary and north nearshore of the ECS.     

南黄海及长江口附近海域绿潮暴发前期微观繁殖体的动态变化

基于2011年3至5月对南黄海及长江口附近海域的水体与沉积物样品采集及实验室萌发培养实验,分析了绿潮暴发前期该海域微观繁殖体的时空分布特征。结果表明,在调查期间,南黄海水体中微观繁殖体空间分布趋势表现为近岸高远岸低,高值区主要集中在紫菜筏架养殖区附近海域,在122°30'E以东区域未发现有微观繁殖体存在。3,4,5月份该区域海水中平均微观繁殖体数分别为144 ,164和140株/dm³,最大值分别为278,426,和537株/dm³;南黄海沉积物中微观繁殖体数量分布范围介于19~127株/层,表层微观繁殖体数高于底层。长江口以北靠近江苏近岸区域有微观繁殖体存在,数量介于1~10株/dm³,31°N以南区域和河口内未发现有繁殖体分布,由此可排除黄海浒苔等绿藻微观繁殖体由长江水携带入海或来源于长江口南部海域。在春季绿潮暴发前开展该海域微观繁殖体的研究,可为查明绿潮发源地及早期发生发展过程提供基础资料,为预测和预警绿潮发生提供科技支撑。     

南黄海及长江口附近海域绿潮暴发前期微观繁殖体的动态变化

基于2011年3至5月对南黄海及长江口附近海域的水体与沉积物样品采集及实验室萌发培养实验,分析了绿潮暴发前期该海域微观繁殖体的时空分布特征。结果表明,在调查期间,南黄海水体中微观繁殖体空间分布趋势表现为近岸高远岸低,高值区主要集中在紫菜筏架养殖区附近海域,在122°30'E以东区域未发现有微观繁殖体存在。3,4,5月份该区域海水中平均微观繁殖体数分别为144 ,164和140株/dm3,最大值分别为278,426,和537株/dm3;南黄海沉积物中微观繁殖体数量分布范围介于19~127株/层,表层微观繁殖体数高于底层。长江口以北靠近江苏近岸区域有微观繁殖体存在,数量介于1~10株/dm3,31°N以南区域和河口内未发现有繁殖体分布,由此可排除黄海浒苔等绿藻微观繁殖体由长江水携带入海或来源于长江口南部海域。在春季绿潮暴发前开展该海域微观繁殖体的研究,可为查明绿潮发源地及早期发生发展过程提供基础资料,为预测和预警绿潮发生提供科技支撑。     

近年来人类活动影响下长江河口的变化模式

To evaluate the controlling factors for coastline change of the Changjiang(Yangtze River) Estuary since 1974,we extracted the mean high tide line from multi-temporal remote sensing images that span from 1974 to 2014 at 2-year intervals.We chose 42 scenes to constrain the changing pattern of the Changjiang Estuary coastline,and implemented GIS technology to analyze the area change of the Changjiang(Yangtze) Subaerial Delta.Runoff,sediment discharge and coastal engineering were withal considered in the analysis of the coastline changes.The coastline has transgressed seaward since 1974,and a part of it presents inter-annual variations.The area of the Changjiang Subaerial Delta increased by 871 km2,with a net accretion rate of 21.8 km2/a.Based on the change of sediment discharge due to the major projects in the Changjiang River Basin,we divided the changing pattern of the coastline into three stages:the slow accretion stage(1974–1986),the moderate accretion stage(1987–2002),and the rapid accretion stage(2003–2014).Liner regression analysis illustrated that there is a significantly positive correlation between the area changes and sediment discharge in the Chongming Eastern Shoal and Jiuduansha.This suggested that sediment load has a fundamental effect on the evolution of the Changjiang Estuary.Construction of Deep Waterway in the North Passage of the Changjiang River(1998–2010) led to a rapid accretion in the Hengsha Eastern Shoal and Jiuduansha by influencing the hydrodynamics in North Passage.Coastal engineering such as reclamation and harbor construction can also change the morphology of the Changjiang Estuary.We defined a contribution rate of area change to assess the impact of reclamation on the evolution of Changjiang Estuary.It turned out that more than 45.3% of area increment of the Changjiang Estuary was attributed to reclamation.     

Distribution of ammonia-oxidizing Betaproteobacteria community in surface sediment off the Changjiang River Estuary in summer

The spatial distribution of ammonia-oxidizing Betaproteobacteria ( β AOB) was investigated by FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) and DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) techniques in the sediment off the Changjiang River Estuary.Sediment samples were collected from eight stations in June before the formation of hypoxia zone in 2006.The abundance of β AOB ranged from 1.87 × 10 5 to 3.53 × 10 5 cells/g of sediment.β AOB abundance did not present a negative correlation with salinity,whereas salinity was implicated as the primary factor affecting nitrification rates.The DGGE profiles of PCR-amplified amo A gene fragments revealed that the β AOB community structure of sample S2 separated from other samples at the level of 40% similarity.The variations in composition of β AOB were significantly correlated with the salinity,temperature,absorption ability of sediments and TOC. The statistical analysis indicates that the β AOB abundance was a main factor to influence nitrification rates with an influence ratio of 87.7% at the level of 40% biodiversity similarity.Considering the good correlation between β AOB abundance and nitrification estimates,the abundance and diversity of β AOB community could be expected as an indirect index of nitrification activity at the study sea area in summer.     

The impact of the Changjiang River plume extension on the nanoflagellate community in the East China Sea

Variation in the summer nanoflagellate community on the continental shelf ecosystem of East China Sea (ECS) is closely coupled with environmental variation due to extension of the Changjiang River plume. Spatial patterns of nanoflagellate abundance were studied in June and August 2003, June 2006 and July 2007 over the ECS shelf. The Changjiang River plume was smaller during the August 2003 and July 2007 cruises than during the rest other 2 cruises. Total nanoflagellates densities varied between 1 and 120 × 10² cells ml⁻¹ with the highest abundances occurring within the Changjiang River plume during large plume periods. In the small plume periods, the range of nanoflagellates abundance was 3–33 × 10² cells ml⁻¹ and the highest abundances were observed during these periods either within the Changjiang River plume or the Yellow Sea Coastal Water (YSCW). During large plume periods, nanoflagellate abundance closely related to changes in salinity and during the small period, abundance was most related to water temperature. The pigmented nanoflagellate community (PNF) within Changjiang River plume, especially in the <3 μm size class, appears to increase in response to terrestrial or anthropogenic inorganic nutrient loading in the discharge of fresh water from the Changjiang River. The PNF abundance pronounced increase caused the variation of nanoflagellate community of ECS in summer. We suggest that the discharge of fresh water from Changjiang River has significant ecological impacts on spatial variations in nanoflagellate community in the ECS.     

长江口海域浮游植物分布及其与径流的关系

利用 2 0 0 1— 2 0 0 2年 4个季度月航次调查资料 ,研究了长江口海域浮游植物的分布及其与长江径流的关系 ,共鉴定浮游植物 1 5 4种 (含变种和变型 ) ,其中属硅藻类的有 1 1 3种 ,甲藻类 36种 ,近岸低盐性的中肋骨条藻 (Skeletonemacostatum)是最重要的优势种。夏季浮游植物密集区位于长江口海域的北部及靠近浙江近海的上升流区 ,春季和秋季密集区出现在调查区的南部。浮游植物数量高峰出现在夏季 (平均为 9 2 7× 1 0 6 个 /m3) ;冬季 (枯水期 )数量最少(平均为 2 91× 1 0 5 个 /m3) ,且分布相对较均匀 ,显示出该海域浮游植物种类组成与数量的季节变化同长江径流量有明显的关系。由于大量营养盐被长江径流携带入海 ,造成河口区严重富营养化 ,这为赤潮生物大量孳生提供了适宜的环境条件 ,长江口海域已成为我国沿海赤潮多发区之一。     

黄海水温与沙海蜇丰度年际变化的相关分析

近十年来,我国黄、东海沙海蜇的数量呈上下波动趋势,除2008、2010、2011、2013年为不暴发年外,其余年份均为暴发年或弱暴发年(本文界定沙海蜇平均丰度范围为2—10ind./100m2为暴发年,1—2ind./100m2为弱暴发年,0—1ind./100m2为不暴发年)。为研究沙海蜇数量年际变化的原因,本文借助同化的海洋模式结果,分析了2006—2013年南黄海沙海蜇平均丰度与表底层海水温度的关系、与不同温度持续时间的关系。研究结果发现,在海州湾附近,对于暴发年2007年和2009年,春季底层海水10—18°C持续时间为130天,比不暴发年2010年和2011年多近15天。在长江口区域,不暴发年2008年和2011年夏秋季底层海水18—25°C持续时间较长,约80天,比暴发年2007年多20天。在长江口、苏北近岸以及海州湾区域,春季底层海水10—18°C持续时间越长,南黄海水母丰度呈现越大的趋势;夏秋季底层海水18—25°C持续时间越长,第二年水母生物量则越大。结果支持和验证了春季底层10—18°C持续时间长有利于当年水母暴发及夏秋季底层18—25°C持续时间长有利于来年水母暴发的推论。本文通过分析沙海蜇丰度和温度变化的关系,可以为将来预测该水母数量提供基础。     

长江口及邻近海区营养盐结构与限制

通过研究长江口及邻近海域溶解无机氮(DIN=NO₃-+NO₂-+NH₄+)、磷酸盐(PO₄3-)、硅酸盐(SiO₃2-)所表征的营养盐区域结构特征及影响因素,在分析营养盐绝对限制情况的基础上,划分了潜在相对营养限制区域。结果表明,123°E以西近岸表层区域DIN/P比值全年均高于16,而Si/DIN除秋季外基本小于1,显示出长江冲淡水影响下"过量氮"的特征。春夏季河口锋面区(31°~32.5°N,122.5°~124°E)硅藻的大量生长可使DIN/P异常升高和Si/DIN异常降低。秋季研究区域北部DIN/P西低东高且Si/DIN西高东低是由于在高DIN、低PO₄3-的长江冲淡水影响下,近岸受相对低DIN、高SiO₃2-的苏北沿岸流南下入侵影响而被分割而成。冬季长江口门东北部存在的高DIN/P和低Si/DIN区则主要由于寡营养盐的黑潮水深入陆架,向东北输送的部分长江冲淡水和增强的苏北沿岸流共同作用造成DIN升高所致。利用Redfield比值进行了不同站位表层潜在相对营养限制情况的区分。近岸123°E以西受高DIN、SiO₃2-长江冲淡水影响,四季多呈现PO₄3-潜在相对限制,而在春夏季由于浮游植物的大量吸收PO₄3-,造成局部PO₄3-绝对限制及潜在相对限制。春夏季氮限(DIN潜在相对限制)一般发生在外海部分站位,但较为零散。秋季除了东南外海大部分站位外,受苏北沿岸流影响在长江口北部近岸也存在氮限。随着低DIN/P的黑潮表层水(KSW)的入侵加强,冬季外海氮限站位增多。硅限(SiO₃2-潜在相对限制)在夏季发生在赤潮高发区,而冬季南部存在较多硅限站位表明KSW中SiO₃2-相对较为缺乏。     

Simulating the influence of various nutrient sources on hypoxia off the Changjiang River Estuary

Hypoxia is increasingly reported off the Changjiang River Estuary with the confluence of multiple high volume nutrient sources. The Regional Ocean Modeling System coupled with a biological model was used to analyze the effect of different nutrient sources on the development of hypoxia off the Changjiang River Estuary. By comparing to observed data, our model suitably captured the regional dynamics of chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient concentration. A series of sensitivity experiments were conducted to investigate the hypoxia response to the various nutrient sources, such as loading from the Changjiang River, Kuroshio and Taiwan Warm Current. Our model results indicated that nutrients from different sources significantly influenced the hypoxia off the Changjiang River Estuary, and it was mostly affected by nutrients sourced from the Kuroshio. The nutrients input from the Changjiang River had larger impacts on the hypoxia in the north of 30°N than that in the south of 30°N. The nutrients sourced from the Taiwan Strait had a least influence on the hypoxia off the Changjiang River Estuary.     

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

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

Dispersal of the Zhujiang River (Pearl River) derived sediment in the Holocene

High-resolution Chirp profiling and coring reveals an elongated(ca. 400 km) Holocene Zhujiang River(Pearl River)-derived mud area(maximum thickness 20 m) extending from the Zhujiang River Delta, southwestward off the Guangdong coast, to the Leizhou Peninsula. Two depo-centers, one proximal and one distal, are identified. On the continental shelf off the west Guangdong Province, the mud is deposited in water depth shallower than 50 m; while to the southeast of the Zhujiang River Estuary, the mud area can extend to the-120 m isobath. A combined analysis with the stratigraphic sequences of other muddy deposits in the Western Pacific marginal seas(mainly Changjiang(Yangtze) and Huanghe(Yellow) Rivers derived) indicates that the initiation of the Zhujiang River muddy deposit can be further divided into two stages: Stage 1 is before the mid-Holocene sea-level highstand(ca. 7.0 cal. ka BP), the proximal mud was mostly deposited after 9.0 cal. ka BP, when the sea-level rose slowly after the Meltwater Pulse-1C; Stage 2, after the mid-Holocene sealevel highstand, clinoform developed on the continental shelf off the west Guangdong Province, extending ca. 400 km from the Zhujiang River Estuary. The proximal clinoform thins offshore, from ca. 10 m thickness around 5–10 m water depth to less than 1–2 m around 20–30 m water depth. In addition, we also find a developed distal clinoform in the east of the Leizhou Peninsula.     

Spatial distribution and deposition history of nonylphenol and bisphenol A in sediments from the Changjiang River (Yangtze River) Estuary and its adjacent East China Sea

Nonylphenol(NP) and bisphenol A(BPA) are endocrine disruptors causing harmful effects including feminization and carcinogenesis to various organisms,and consequently,their contamination in natural environment has received wide concerns.This study reports the distribution characteristics of NP and BPA in surface sediments and their deposition history based on a dated sediment core in the Changjiang River(Yangtze River) Estuary and its adjacent East China Sea.The contents of NP and BPA in surface sediments ranged from 1.56-35.8 and 0.72-13.2 ng/g(dry mass),respectively,with high values recorded in the two mud zones,the Changjiang River Estuarine Mud Zone and the Zhejiang Coastal Mud Zone.High values in the Zhejiang Coastal Mud Zone suggest the possibility of long distance transport of both contaminants through the Changjiang riverine plume.The contents were not correlated with the distance from the pollution source,indicating other factors including particle deposition rate and sediment grain size obviously affecting the distribution pattern.NP was also detected in a sediment core at layers deposited from the year of 1971 to 2001 with contents of up to 20.9 ng/g(dry mass).The deposition fluxes of NP varied from 0.68 to 17.9 ng/(cm2 · a) with peaks and valleys reflecting the traces of economic development history in China during the previous three decades.BPA was detected at sediment layers deposited from 1973 to 2001 with contents of up to 3.66 ng/g.The fluxes of BPA varied from 0.62 to 3.13 ng/(cm2 · a) showing a similar pattern as NP.The contents of NP and BPA also indicated potential risks on benthic organisms in the study area.     

夏季长江口及邻近海域水母类生态特征研究

利用2003年6月和2006年6月在长江口及邻近海域进行的两次大面调查所采集的浮游动物网采样品,对长江口及邻近海域水母类的种类组成、优势种、数量分布及生态类群等进行了探讨。结果表明:研究水域共记录水母类77种,其中水螅水母60种,管水母12种,钵水母1种,栉水母4种。优势种有:五角水母(Muggiaea atlantica),双生水母(Diphyes chamissonis),拟细浅室水母(Lensia subti-loides),四叶小舌水母(Liriope tetraphylla),两手筐水母(Solmundella bitentachlata),嵊山秀氏水母(Sugiura chengshanense)和瓜水母(Bere cucumis)等。其中水螅水母类的优势种存在较大的年际变化,2003年为嵊山秀氏水母,2006年为四叶小舌水母和两手筐水母。研究水域内水母类平面分布不均匀,2003年平均丰度为13.3个/m3,除在长江口外存在一个由河口低盐种贝氏拟线水母(Nemopsis bachei)大量聚集形成的高值区外,在舟山群岛南部还存在一个密集中心;2006年水母类丰度略有上升,平均丰度为16.0个/m3,与2003年相比,其密集中心向东北部偏移。2006年6月研究海域温、盐较2003年同期均大幅升高是造成两航次优势种类更替及水母类分布变化的主要原因。     

秋季南黄海浮游动物分布及其影响因素

基于2007年秋季在南黄海（32°20'~37°00'N;124°E以西）进行的浮游动物及环境因子大面调查;分析了秋季南黄海浮游动物种类组成、分布特征及其影响因素;主要结果如下:共鉴定浮游动物113种（不包括25种浮游幼体）;中华哲水蚤（Calanus sinicus）、强壮滨箭虫（Aidanosagitta crassa）、磷虾幼体（Euphausia larvae）和小齿海樽（Doliolum denticulatum）是秋季优势种;浮游动物丰度为（156.37±12.04）ind/m3;生物量为（172.57±10.41）mg/m3;与历史调查数据相比;本航次浮游动物丰度和生物量相对处于较高水平;磷虾幼体分布趋势与中华假磷虾（Psudeuphausia sinica）一致;说明秋季是中华假磷虾种群的一个重要的补充时期;小齿海樽在南黄海的大量出现系自身种群补充的结果;精致真刺水蚤（Euchaeta concinna）和肥胖软箭虫（Flaccisagitta enflata）主要分布在深水区;在近岸海区很少出现。中华哲水蚤、强壮滨箭虫丰度高值区倾向分布于海洋锋附近;进一步佐证了海洋锋对浮游动物的积聚作用。     

丰、枯水期长江口邻近海域浮游植物群落结构特征及其环境影响初探

通过2013年3月和8月在长江口及其邻近海域进行的多学科综合调查,研究了枯水期和丰水期浮游植物的群落结构和空间分布特征,并探讨了影响其分布的环境因子效应。枯水期共发现浮游植物3门41属80种（不包括变种和变型）,以硅藻为主,主要优势种为具槽帕拉藻（Paralia sulcata）;浮游植物细胞丰度介于0.15×103~16.35×103 cells/L,平均值为（3.24±3.14）×103 cells/L;浮游植物细胞丰度在长江口外东北部海域形成高值,垂直变化较小,硅藻刻画了浮游植物的空间分布。丰水期共发现浮游植物4门67属135种（不包括变种和变型）,甲藻物种数量和细胞丰度均升高,主要优势种为东海原甲藻（Prorocentrum donghaiense）和骨条藻（Skeletonema sp.）;浮游植物细胞丰度介于0.2×103~1 925.45×103 cells/L,平均值为（41.67±186.00）×103 cells/L;浮游植物细胞丰度在长江口外形成南北两个高值区,随水深增加,细胞丰度逐渐降低。浮游植物的空间分布受长江口冲淡水影响,与盐度和浊度有显著的相关性;N/P比影响浮游植物群落结构,随着N/P比升高,甲藻的相对丰度升高,硅藻的相对丰度逐渐降低。浮游植物在层化水体的上层大量繁殖是底层低氧形成的必要条件,硅藻具有较高的沉降速率,因而以硅藻为主的群落更利于低氧的形成。     

长江口沉积记录反映的近80年陆源输入和营养盐变化特征

A variety of environmental problems have been observed in the Changjiang River Estuary and adjacent coastal area, including eutrophication, harmful algal blooms (HABs), and hypoxia in recent decades. A...     

A numerical study of summertime expansion pattern of Changjiang (Yangtze) River diluted water

Observations show that during summer especially in August, the northward expansion of the Changjiang(Yangtze) River diluted water (CRDW) is blocked in the vicinity of the Changjiang Estuary. To explain this phenomenon, Princeton ocean model (POM) is applied to simulate the summertime expansion pattern of CRDW. Numerical experiments show that to the north of the Changjiang Estuary, a tide-induced temperature front of a cold water centered at (34°N,122.5°E) plays the key role in determining the expansion patt...     

典型河口浮游动物种类数及生物量变化趋势的研究

依据国家海洋局2004-2006年每年5月和8月的黄河口、长江口和珠江口生态监控区浮游动物的监测结果,对上述河口浮游动物和桡足类种类数及浮游动物生物量分布进行了分析,并将结果与历史资料进行同测区、同季节的对比。结果表明,与全国海洋普查时期相比,2006年黄河口浮游动物种类数下降了50．6％,桡足类种类数下降了53.3％;桡足类在浮游动物中所占比重由1985年的42.4％下降到2006年的32．6％。长江口浮游动物种类数有所上升,但是桡足类种类数由1985年的62种降低到2006年的37种;桡足类在浮游动物中的比重从1958年的54．2％降低到2006年的42．5％。珠江口桡足类在浮游动物中所占的比例由1959年的59．3％下降到54．4％,未发生明显变化。黄河口春季、夏季浮游动物生物量上升趋势不明显,夏季增幅较小;长江口自2000年以后春季浮游动物平均生物量为528．36mg／m^3,是1958年的2．4倍,2005年与2006年夏季浮游动物生物量分别是1958年的2．2和2．7倍,增加趋势十分明显;珠江口春季浮游动物生物量上升趋势最为显著,2004-2006年3年春季浮游动物平均生物量是1959年同期的5．7—8．7倍,1981年、2006年夏季生物量分别比1959年增加了3．1倍和11倍。就这3个河口生物量变化趋势看,珠江口生物量的上升趋势最为明显,长江口次之,黄河口变化幅度较小。     

Carbonate system and CO2 degassing fluxes in the inner estuary of Changjiang (Yangtze) River,China

We examined the carbonate system, mainly the partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity (TAlk) in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River Estuary based on four field surveys conducted in Sep.–Oct. 2005, Dec. 2005, Jan. 2006 and Apr. 2006. Together with our reported pCO₂ data collected in Aug.–Sep. 2003, this study provides, for the first time, a full seasonal coverage with regards to CO₂ outgassing fluxes in this world major river–estuarine system. Surface pCO₂ ranged 650–1440 μatm in the upper reach of the Changjiang River Estuary, 1000–4600 μatm in the Huangpujiang River, an urbanized and major tributary of the Changjiang downstream which was characterized by a very high respiration rate, and 200–1000 μatm in the estuarine mixing zone. Both DIC and TAlk overall behaved conservatively during the estuarine mixing, and the seasonal coverage of these carbonate parameters allowed us to estimate the annual DIC export flux from the Changjiang River as ∼ 1.54 × 10¹² mol. The highly polluted Huangpujiang River appeared to have a significant impact on DIC, TAlk and pCO₂ in the lower reaches of the inner estuary. CO₂ emission flux from the main stream of the Changjiang Estuary was at a low level of 15.5–34.2 mol m^− 2 yr^− 1. Including the Huangpujiang River and the adjacent Shanghai inland waters, CO₂ degassing flux from the Changjiang Estuary may have represented only 2.0%–4.6% of the DIC exported from the Changjiang River into the East China Sea.