Relationship between Salinity and Nutrients in the Subsurface Layer in the Suruga Bay

We investigated the water structure and nutrient distribution in the Suruga Bay from April 2000 to July 2002, especially the Offshore Water, which occupies a large part of the bay. The maximum salinity in the upper 200 m varied between 34.49 and 34.71, indicating a temporal change in the influence of Kuroshio Water on the Offshore Water. Seasonal variation in nutrient concentrations was largest from surface to 50 m. On the other hand, the variance in nutrient concentrations within each season was largest in the subsurface layer of 100–300 m in spring, summer and fall. In the Offshore Water, the change of nutrients was negatively correlated with that of salinity in each season. This suggests that an increasing intrusion of saline water brings about a lower nutrient concentration in the Offshore Water. Likewise, negative correlations were observed between the change of the maximum salinity and chlorophyll a (Δ [chl.a-int])/nutrients integrated in the upper 200 m. Δ[chl.a-int] was significantly correlated with the changes of nitrate and phosphorus, but there were no significant correlations between Δ[chl.a-int] and the change of silicate. These results suggest that the concentrations of chlorophyll a and nutrients in the Offshore Water were decreased due to the increasing intrusion of Kuroshio Water. The Offshore Water is likely to be related to the regulation of primary production by nitrate.     

Effects of oilfield brine effluent on sediments and benthic organisms in trinity bay,Texas

Field studies have established the concentrations of naphthalenes in bay sediments and water in the vicinity of an oil separator platform and their effects on the benthic fauna. Fifteen stations were occupied monthly, from July, 1974 to December, 1975, along three transects extending from the separator platform outfall outwards for a distance of 4·0 to 5·6 km. A lesser number of stations were occupied from April, 1974 to June, 1974. Bottom sediments at each station were analysed for total naphthalenes content and for number of species and individuals. All stations were located in 2 to 3 m of water. The outfall was located 1 m off the bay bottom.There was a definite correlation between sediment naphthalenes concentration and number of species and individuals. As expected, the first station, located 15 m from the outfall, had the highest concentration of naphthalenes of all stations sampled. The naphthalenes levels dropped sharply from the outfall to the stations located 75 m from the platform where levels were about 20–50% of those found 15 m from the outfall. Naphthalenes concentrations then decreased gradually to near background levels at stations farther out. Hydrocarbon concentrations in bottom water 15 m from the outfall were three orders of magnitude lower than those in the full strength effluent, but sediments 15 m from the outfall had hydrocarbon concentrations four times as great as in the full strength effluent. There were approximately four orders of magnitude more hydrocarbons in the sediment than in the overlying water.The bay bottom was almost completely devoid of organisms within 15 m of the effluent outfall. Stations located 150 m from the outfall had severely depressed benthic faunas but not to the extent of stations nearer the outfall. Stations located 455 m from the platform were unaffected. Both numbers of species and individuals increased with distance from the platform and reached a peak at the first station medial to the control on each transect (685 to 1675 m from the platform) and then dropped at the control station. Physical environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, water depth and sediment type were essentially the same at all stations.The temporary use of a second outfall located 275 m from the main platform outfall resulted in a rapid build up of naphthalenes in surrounding sediments which persisted for at least six months following the termination of use of the second outfall. The benthic fauna was also severely depressed in the vicinity of the second outfall. The use of multiple outfalls, located some distance apart, appears to be more harmful than the use of a single outfall.Trinity Bay, Texas, the site of this investigation, has a mean depth of 2·5 m. The bay water is highly turbid due to the presence of a high concentration of clay-sized particulate material. The brine outfall was located approximately 1 m above the bay bottom. These special conditions undoubtedly contributed significantly to the observed impact of the brine. Therefore, extrapolations from the results of this study to offshore oil production and brine disposal should be made with extreme caution.     

Changes in zooplankton community structure in Sanmen Bay, China

Seasonal variations in zooplankton abundance,biomass,species diversity and community structure were investigated in the Sanmen Bay,China.Samples were collected from 15 stations,on the seasonal basis,in April(spring),July(summer) and October 2005(autumn) and January 2006(winter),respectively.The results show that zooplankton species number,abundance and biomass varied widely and had distinct spatial heterogeneity in the Sanmen Bay.A total of 72 species of zooplankton belonging to 56 genera and 17 groups of pelagic larvae were identified.The zooplankton species richness was strongly related to salinity.Based on hierarchical cluster analysis,zooplankton in this study area were classified into three groups:coastal,neritic and pelagic groups,which corresponded to the upper,middle and lower portion of the Sanmen Bay,respectively.The coastal low-saline species were dominant in the study area.The zooplankton abundance and biomass reached a peak in summer,moderate in spring and autumn,and the lowest in winter.Zooplankton abundance decreased from the upper to lower portion of the bay in April,when the highest biomass occurred in the middle portion of the bay.There were the same spatial distribution patterns for the biomass and abundance in July,with the maximum in the middle of the bay.However,zooplankton abundance was the highest in the middle of the bay in October,when maximum biomass occurred near the lower of the bay.Zooplankton abundance and biomass were evenly distributed in the Sanmen Bay in January.Spatial and temporal variations in zooplankton and their relationship with environmental factors were also analyzed.The BIOENV results indicate that the combination of chlorophyll a(Chl-a),salinity,dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN),dissolved oxygen(DO) and silicate(SiO3) was responsible for the variations in zooplankton community structure in the Sanmen Bay.The environmental changes played an important role in changes in the zooplankton community structure in the Sanmen Bay.     

2012年长江口及其邻近海域营养盐分布的季节变化及影响因素

根据2012年3、5、8和12月4个航次长江口及邻近海域的调查数据,研究了氮、磷、硅营养盐及总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)的浓度特点,及其与盐度的相关性和叶绿素a的变化特征。结果表明,总溶解无机氮(DIN)、硅酸盐(Si O3)和TN的浓度分布均表现出自长江口至外海迅速降低的特征,且与盐度呈现显著负相关性。磷酸盐(PO4)的浓度降低程度随远离河口而减弱,且与盐度的相关性相对较弱,可能存在外海水补充;而TP则在长江口浑浊带海域呈现出较高浓度,且与盐度的相关性不明显,可能是受浑浊带泥沙吸附所致。在调查海区内,DIN与TN的平均值在夏季较低,结合叶绿素a数据分析,认为浮游植物吸收作用降低了DIN和TN的浓度。通过分析各营养盐之间的比值特征,进一步考察了营养盐来源及其对浮游植物生长的可能限制情况,其中N/P比值的变化同样揭示了N主要来自于长江水而P有部分来自于外海水的特征。该比值呈现远离河口而降低的特征,且在浑浊带无明显季节变化。春季和夏季有超过90%的调查站位显示潜在P限制,且均位于外海区。与历史资料对比发现,春季和夏季潜在P限制站位的比例明显升高,而潜在Si限制站位比例在春季和夏季降低。本文研究认为,营养盐含量及组成结构反映了该海域浮游植物群落组成和优势种的演替。     

Sediment-water exchange of Mn,Fe, Ni and Zn in Galveston Bay,Texas

In-situ benthic flux studies were conducted at three stations in Upper Galveston Bay twice during March 1996 to directly measure release rates of dissolved Mn, Fe, Ni and Zn from the sediments. Results showed reproducible increases with time in both replicate light and light–dark benthic chambers, resulting in average fluxes of −1200±780, −17±12, −1.6±0.6 and −2.4±0.79 μmol m⁻² day⁻¹ for Mn, Fe, Ni and Zn, respectively. Sediment cores collected during 1994–1996 showed that surficial pore water concentrations were elevated compared to overlying water column concentrations, suggesting diffusive release from the sediments. Diffusive flux estimates of Mn and Zn agreed in direction with chamber fluxes measured on the same date, but only accounted for 5–38% of the measured flux. Diffusive fluxes of Fe agreed with measured fluxes at the near Trinity River station but overestimated actual release in the mid and outer Trinity Bay regions, possibly due to inaccurate determination of the Fe pore water gradients or rapid oxidation processes in the overlying water at these stations.In general, measured fluxes of Mn and Ni were higher in the mid Trinity Bay region and suggested a mechanism for the elevated trace metal concentrations previously reported for this region of Galveston Bay. However, the fluxes of Fe were highest in close proximity to the Trinity River, supporting the elevated Fe concentrations measured in this region during this and other studies, and decreased towards middle and outer Trinity Bay. Trace metal turnover times were between 0.1 and 1.2 days for Mn, between 1.3 and 4.6 days for Fe, and between 27 and 100 days for Ni and 12–20 days Zn, and were considerably shorter than the average Trinity Bay water residence time (1.5 years) for this period. Comparing area averaged benthic inputs to Trinity River inputs shows the sediments to be a significant source of trace metals to Galveston Bay. However, while benthic inputs of trace metals were measured, water column concentrations remained low despite rapid turnover times for Mn and Fe, suggesting removal of these metals from the water column after release from the sediments.     

象山港水体的磷酸盐及其对赤潮的潜在影响

根据2012年5月和2017年10月在象山港海域的调查结果,研究了象山港磷酸盐的来源、分布和消耗。磷酸盐浓度在两次的调查中均呈现由港顶向湾口逐渐降低的趋势,说明港顶区有较高浓度磷酸盐的输入,可能主要来自生活污水和海水养殖。磷酸盐、硝酸盐和盐度在象山港外湾的分布特征说明长江和钱塘江是外湾水体磷酸盐的一个重要来源;此外,磷酸盐、硝酸盐和盐度在牛鼻山水道和佛渡水道的差异分布说明,陆地径流可能经由佛渡水道向象山港贡献了一部分的磷酸盐。内湾水体的磷酸盐分布受控于内外湾水体混合和浮游植物的同化作用,磷酸盐在水体停留时间较长的内湾发生了明显的消耗,相比于保守混合模型的估算值,磷酸盐在象山港内湾中的净消耗比例在2012年5月和2017年10月分别约为20%和9%。2017年秋季观测到的磷酸盐浓度[（1.88±0.31）μmol/L]与2002-2005年在同季节观测到的结果相比增加超过了50%,N/P值下降明显,这一变化可能会导致象山港内引发藻华的藻类种群发生变化,同时也可能会引发更为严重的赤潮。     

Influence of the Oyashio Current and Tsugaru Warm Current on the circulation and water properties of Otsuchi Bay,Japan

Mooring and hydrographic observations were conducted from September 2012 to May 2014 at the mouth of Otsuchi Bay, a ria along the Pacific coast of Japan. Our observations quantitatively demonstrated that the circulation and the water properties of Otsuchi Bay are strongly influenced by the Tsugaru Warm Current (TWC) and Oyashio Current (OY) at seasonal and subseasonal time scales. Two bottom-mounted velocity profilers and temperature and salinity measurements beneath the near-surface halocline showed a counterclockwise lateral circulation pattern related to the TWC, which was enhanced from summer to autumn. From winter to early spring, the lateral circulation patterns related to the TWC weakened and the influence of the OY occasionally increased. When the OY was weak, surface flows became an overturning structure, with outflows in the upper layer and inflows in the lower layer. When the OY was strong and passed close to the Sanriku coast, the circulation became highly variable and intermittent. Intrusions of the markedly low-salinity OY water were observed on two occasions and persisted for periods of several weeks to several months. Salinity was sometimes less than 33.7, the lower limit of the typical TWC from late summer to autumn even when the TWC dominates. We suggested that this is the seasonal fluctuations of the TWC itself, as the upstream current of the Tsushima Warm Current is freshened in summer as a result of the influence of the Changjiang River. The surface water was generally fresher in the south of the bay than in the north, suggesting the Coriolis deflection of the river plume.     

大规模增养殖区柘林湾叶绿素a的时空分布

柘林湾是粤东一个大规模海水增养殖区和赤潮重灾区.2001年7月至2002年7月对柘林湾及其周边水域(共设19个站位)进行的叶绿素a含量周年调查结果表明,调查海区叶绿素a站位实测值年变化为0.01~3.26 mg/m3,均值为0.56 mg/m3.平面分布的基本格局表现为湾顶黄冈河内与湾口外侧海域的叶绿素a含量明显高于湾内的,湾内外侧和东部水域的叶绿素a含量明显高于湾内内侧和湾西部的.结合同步调查的水化数据得知,柘林湾是一个高营养盐、低叶绿素的海湾,其原因可能与高密度、大规模海水增养殖业引起的水流不畅、水下光照减弱和养殖贝类的摄食等有关.柘林湾叶绿素a含量的季节变化显著,最高值出现在2001年夏季8月,最低值出现在冬季1月和2002年7月,其中2002年7月的叶绿素a含量仅为2001年7月的1/10左右.这种巨大的年际间变化显然与2001~2002年厄尔尼诺现象导致粤东地区于2002年春夏期间气候异常、干旱少雨、径流剧减和调查海区浊度大幅升高有关.     

湛江湾三维温盐特征季节变化观测分析

利用2017年1?12月的现场观测数据,分析了湛江湾温盐的三维空间结构及季节变化特征。结果表明:(1) 2017年湛江湾各站位年平均温度为23～27℃、盐度为19～27、位势密度为11～17 kg/m3、浮性频率(N2)为7×10?5～5×10?3 s?2。浮性频率的垂向结构及水平分布与温度分布类似,而位势密度则与盐度的变化趋势几乎一致;(2)温度季节变化明显,夏季最高,秋季次之,冬季最低,冬夏温差最大达15℃,而盐度季节变化则不大。相较于季节引起的变化,涨落潮对温度以及盐度影响较小。温度跃层夏季最强,10 m处温度最大梯度可达到0.7℃/m,春秋季温跃层抬升至5 m附近,冬季水体上下混合均匀。夏季和秋季存在明显的盐跃层,盐度梯度最大可达到1.1 m?1。跃层上下温盐的季节变化规律一致;(3)水平分布上,从湾顶区、湾颈区、大堤区、浅滩区到湾口区,温度递减,盐度递增,湾顶区和湾口区平均温度差为2.3℃,盐度差为2.7。温盐图分析显示,不同季节水体呈现为不同的温盐条带,湾口区基本为低温、高盐水体,而湾顶区基本为高温、低盐水体,其他区域水体介于上述两者之间。     

Influence of the monsoon climate on the distribution of neuston copepods in the Northeastern Indian ocean

The horizontal distribution of the near-surface (neuston) copepods of the family Pontellidae was studied on the meridional transects through the central part of the Indian ocean between 12°N and 12°S and in the Bay of Bengal in the summer monsoon period. Eleven species of neuston pontellids were found. The common species Labidocera detruncate and Pontellopsis villosa have the sane high frequencies in the central part of the ocean and in the Bay of Bengal. Some species are rarer in the Bay of Bengal than in the central part of the ocean. In contrast, other species are more frequent in the Bay of Bengal. The special traits of the distribution in the Bay of Bengal coincide with the lower salinity in the bay than in the central ocean. The distribution of some neritic species from the Bay of Bengal to the south is dependent on the intensification of the water translocation to the south in the summer. In the central part of the Indian Ocean, the distribution of the common neustonic pontellids is similar in the periods of the summer and winter monsoons. It is the result of the occupation of the region by the same equatorial water masses.     

Observations of Floc Sizes in a Muddy Estuary

Measurements are presented of median floc diameters and associated environmental data over spring-tide tidal cycles at two stations in the muddy Tamar Estuary, UK, for winter, spring and summer conditions. The particulate organic carbon and particulate total carbon contents of mudflats and SPM (suspended particulate matter) at the stations, together with other evidence, indicates that much of the SPM was derived from mud sources that were located between the two stations during winter and spring, and from very mobile sediment sources in the upper estuary during summer. Observed in-situ median floc sizes varied widely, from <50 to >500 μm and rapid settling of particles close to HW and LW (high and low water) left only the smaller flocs in suspension. Time-series of depth-averaged median floc sizes generally were most closely, positively, correlated with depth-averaged SPM concentrations. Floc diameters tended to reach maximum median sizes near the time when SPM concentrations were highest. These high concentrations were in turn largely generated by resuspension of sediment during the fastest current speeds. Although such correlations may have arisen because of SPM-driven floc growth - despite fast tidal currents - there is also the possibility that tough aggregates were eroded from the intertidal mudflats and mudbanks. Although a hypothesis, such large aggregates of fine sediment may have resulted from the binding together of very fine bed particles by sticky extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) coatings, produced by benthic diatoms and by other biologically-mediated activity. A rapid reduction of SPM occurred at the up-estuary station within 2.5 h of HW on the flood, when decelerating currents were still relatively fast. It appears that at least two processes were at work: localised settling of the largest flocs and up-estuary transport in which large flocs were transported further into the estuary before settling into the Tamar's ETM (estuarine turbidity maximum) over the HW-slack period. Up-estuary advection of large flocs and their eventual settling would place the down-estuary edge of the ETM above the upper-estuary station during summer, spring-tide conditions. This position of the ETM was observed close to HW during longitudinal surveys of the estuary.     

The impact of changing climate on phenology,productivity, and benthic–pelagic coupling in Narragansett Bay

The timing and magnitude of phytoplankton blooms have changed markedly in Narragansett Bay, RI (USA) over the last half century. The traditional winter–spring bloom has decreased or, in many years, disappeared. Relatively short, often intense, diatom blooms have become common in spring, summer, and fall replacing the summer flagellate blooms of the past. The annual and summer mean abundance (cell counts) and biomass (chl a) of phytoplankton appear to have decreased based on almost 50 years of biweekly monitoring by others at a mid bay station. These changes have been related to warming of the water, especially during winter, and to increased cloudiness. A significant decline in the winter wind speed may also have played a role. The changes in the phenology of the phytoplankton and the oligotrophication of the bay appear to have decreased greatly the quantity and (perhaps) quality of the organic matter being deposited on the bottom of the bay. This decline has resulted in a very much reduced benthic metabolism as reflected in oxygen uptake, nutrient regeneration, and the magnitude and direction of the net flux of N₂ gas. Based on many decades of standard weekly trawls carried out by the Graduate School of Oceanography, the winter biomass of bottom feeding epibenthic animals has also declined sharply at the mid bay station. After decades of relatively constant anthropogenic nitrogen loading (and declining phosphorus loading), the fertilization of the bay will soon be reduced during May–October due to implementation of advanced wastewater treatment. This is intended to produce an oligotrophication of the urban Providence River estuary and the Upper Bay. The anticipated decline in the productivity of the upper bay region will probably decrease summer hypoxia in that area. However, it may have unanticipated consequences for secondary production in the mid and lower bay where climate-induced oligotrophication has already much weakened the historically strong benthic–pelagic coupling.     

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter and dissolved organic carbon in Chesapeake Bay

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) is the light absorbing fraction of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The optical properties of CDOM potentially permit remote sensing of DOC and CDOM, and correction for CDOM absorption is essential for remote sensing of chlorophyll a (chl a) in coastal and estuarine waters. To provide data for this purpose, we report the distributions of CDOM, DOC, and chl a from seven cruises in Chesapeake Bay in 1994–1997. We observed non-conservative distributions of chl a and DOC in half of the cruises, indicating net accumulations within the estuary; however, there were no net accumulations or losses of CDOM, measured as absorption at 355 nm or as fluorescence. Freshwater end member CDOM absorption varied from 2.2 to 4.1 m⁻¹. Coastal end member CDOM absorption was considerably lower, ranging over 0.4–1.1 m⁻¹. The fluorescence/absorption ratio was similar to those reported elsewhere for estuarine and coastal waters; however, in the lower salinity/high CDOM region of the Bay, the relationship was not constant, suggestive of the mixing of two or more CDOM sources. Chl a was not correlated with the absorption for most of the cruises nor for the data set as a whole; however, CDOM and DOC were significantly correlated, with two groups evident in the data. The first group had high CDOM concentrations per unit DOC and corresponded to the conservative DOC values observed in the transects. The second group had lower CDOM concentrations per unit DOC and corresponded to the non-conservative DOC values associated with net DOC accumulation near the chl a maximum on the salinity gradient. This indicates the production of non-chromophoric DOC in the region of the chl a maximum of Chesapeake Bay. In terms of remote sensing, these data show that (1) the retrieval of the absorption coefficient of CDOM from fluorescence measurements in the Bay must consider the variability of the fluorescence/absorption relationship, and (2) estimates of DOC acquired from CDOM absorption will underestimate DOC in regions with recent, net accumulations of DOC.     

Eiefsis Bay Anoxia: Nutrient Conditions and Benthic Community Structure

Abstract. The changes in the concentrations of silicate, phosphate, and inorganic nitrogen in Eiefsis Bay. an intermittently anoxic basin, arc described and related to the changes in the physical properties of the water. Winter convection resulted in a very small vertical gradient of temperature, salinity, oxygen, and nutrients. Stratification started to develop in May and persisted for about 6 months. High values of silicate, phosphate, and ammonia occurred during the anoxic conditions prevailing in summer. The vertical transport of particulate organic matter and decomposition of abundant pelagic and benthic organic matter during the summer produced a low oxygen level in the bottom layer below the pycnoclinc. A high sea water temperature and vertical stability contributed to the development of anoxic conditions during the summer in the near bottom layer and to mass mortality of benthic macrofauna. Also the Eiefsis Bay anoxia appears to have had significant ecological effects on many other marine species, including several of economic importance.     

Seasonal variation of residual current in Tokyo Bay,Japan —diagnostic numerical experiments—

The residual currents in Tokyo Bay during four seasons are calculated diagnostically from the observed water temperature, salinity and wind data collected by Unokiet al. (1980). The calculated residual currents, verified by the observed ones, show an obvious seasonal variable character. During spring, a clear anticlockwise circulation develops in the head region of the bay and a strong southwestward current flows in the upper layer along the eastern coast from the central part to the mouth of the bay. During summer, the anticlockwise circulation in the head region is maintained but the southwestward current along the eastern coast becomes weak. During autumn, the preceding anticlockwise circulation disappears but a clockwise circulation develops in the central part of the bay. During winter, the calculated residual current is similar to that during autumn. As a conclusion, the seasonal variation of residual current in Tokyo Bay can be attributed to the variation of the strength of two eddies. The first one is the anticlockwise circulation in the head region of the bay, which develops in spring and summer and disappears in autumn and winter. The second one is the clockwise circulation in the central part of the bay, which develops in autumn and winter, decreases in spring and nearly disappears in summer.     

Hydrodynamic modeling and ecohydrological analysis of river inflow effects on Apalachicola Bay,Florida, USA

This paper presents an integrated hydrodynamic modeling and probability analysis approach to assess the long-term effects of changing river inflows on the estuarine ecosystem. The probability analysis method, which is popularly used in advanced hydrological frequency analysis of river flows and rainfalls, has been applied to analyze the effects of changing inflow on salinity and thus on oyster ecology in Apalachicola Bay. Long-term salinity data were predicted through the application of a calibrated 3D hydrodynamic model under two river inflow conditions over a 10-year period. The first flow represents the historic flow. The 2nd flow condition, called Scenario-1, represents a regulated flow scenario to account for the potential increasing upstream water demands. Two stations, Mid Bay and Dry Bar, in the bay were selected to examine the estuarine responses. Under the historic flow condition, the maximum probability salinity at Dry Bar in the rich oyster reef is near 24 ppt, within the optimal salinity range for oyster growth of 16–26 ppt (Harned et al., 1996); the maximum probability salinity at Mid Bay station is 27 ppt, beyond the optimal salinity for oyster growth in mid-bay area where there is no oyster reef around. While it is difficult to examine the difference between two scenarios by conventional time series analysis of river flows and salinity, probability analysis reasonably characterizes and quantifies the changes of river flow and salinity patterns over the 10-year period. The Scenario-1 has caused the increase of the probability in low flows. Higher probability of low flows for the regulated flow scenario shortens the period of optimal salinity in the oyster reef, and cause substantial increase of exceedance probability of higher salinity in the oyster reef to the level beyond the optimal salinity range for oyster growth. The probability analysis approach has demonstrated its advantage for the risk assessments of the long-term estuarine ecohydrological effects under various regulated inflow scenarios to support estuarine water resources managements.     

Suspended sediment dynamics on a seasonal scale in the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries,central west coast of India

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected at regular stations from the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries indicates that the peaks of high SPM coincide with peaks of high rainfall and low salinity and also with peaks of moderate/low rainfall coupled with high salinity during the monsoon. The estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) is a characteristic feature, it occurs in the channel accompanying spring tide during the monsoon and pre-monsoon, and shifts to the bay on neap tide during post-monsoon. ETM remains at the same position in the Mandovi River, both during the monsoon and pre-monsoon, whereas in Zuari it stretched upstream during monsoon and migrates seaward of the channel during pre-monsoon. The ETM coincides with the freshwater–seawater interface during the monsoon and is formed by the interaction between tidal currents and river flows. The ETM during pre-monsoon is associated with high salinities and is generated by tidal and wind-induced currents. The turbidity maximum on neap tide during post-monsoon may be due to the erosion and resuspension of sediments from the emergent tidal flats and transport of these turbid waters into the bay. Funneling effect of the narrowing bay in the Zuari estuary and associated physical processes effectively enhance the magnitude of the currents and transports sediments to the channel. SPM retention percentage indicates that the estuarine channel is prone to siltation.     

Dissolved copper and copper-organic complexes in the Narragansett Bay estuary

The geochemistry of dissolved copper-organic complexes was investigated in the estuarine waters of Narragansett Bay. A transect survey was conducted in August 1980, while one mid-bay station was monitored from March through August of that year. The transect data indicated that most of the copper-organic complexes enter the bay via sewage effluent which is discharged into the Providence River at the head of the bay. Organic copper concentrations in the estuary ranged from 0.12 to 2.30 μg kg^?1 and comprised from 14 to 70% of the total dissolved copper. The concentration of copper-organic complexes was not directly related to the amount of dissolved organic matter; and recently generated organic material from phytoplankton production within the bay had a negligible influence on the fraction of dissolved copper which was organically bound.The major source of total copper to the bay is anthropogenic inputs from sewage effluents. Particulate and dissolved copper concentrations ranged from 0.06 to 2.42 and 0.23 to 16.4 μg kg^?1, respectively, giving average values of about 40% particulate and 60% dissolved copper. Particulate copper concentrations decreased rapidly from the upper to the lower bay as a result of both removal and dilution. About 75% of the dissolved copper entering the bay is rapidly removed in the Providence River and upper bay, and the remaining portion (which is largely organic copper) follows conservative mixing in the mid to lower bay. The data suggest that copper binding by dissolved organic matter may be an important control on the riverine flux of dissolved copper through estuaries into coastal and oceanic waters.     

Distribution of suspended particulate matter in the northern Bohai Bay in summer and its relation with thermocline

Field observations of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the Bohai Bay, China have not been widely reported. The aim of this paper is to describe the horizontal and vertical distribution of mass and volume concentrations of SPM, respectively, based on observed data at 312 stations in the northern Bohai Bay during summer of 2006. A numerical model ECOMSED coupled with a sediment transport module was also established to further discuss the mechanism of the thermocline effect on the vertical distribution of SPM. The mass concentrations of SPM exhibited high inshore values and low offshore values in the horizontal distribution; while in the vertical direction, characteristics of the volume concentration of SPM can be divided into two types: one with a sharp peak at depth of 10–15 m and another without. The peak value at the depth of the thermocline was resulted from concentrated phytoplankton. A numerical experiment further displayed that the thermocline can also prevent particles from being resuspended upward.     

Sources and distribution of organic matter in a river-dominated estuary (Winyah Bay, SC, USA)

The sources and distribution of organic matter (OM) in surface waters and sediments from Winyah Bay (South Carolina, USA) were investigated using a variety of analytical techniques, including elemental, stable isotope and organic biomarker analyses. Several locations along the estuary salinity gradient were sampled during four different periods of contrasting river discharge and tidal range. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations of surface waters ranged from 7 mg l⁻¹ in the lower bay stations closest to the ocean to 20 mg l⁻¹ in the river and upper bay samples. There was a general linear relationship between DOC concentrations and salinity in three of the four sampling periods. In contrast, particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations were significantly lower (0.1–3 mg l⁻¹) and showed no relationship with salinity. The high molecular weight dissolved OM (HMW DOM) isolated from selected water samples collected along the bay displayed atomic carbon:nitrogen ratios ([C/N]a) and stable carbon isotopic compositions of organic carbon (δ¹³C_OC) that ranged from 10 to 30 and from −28 to −25‰, respectively. Combined, such compositions indicate that in most HMW DOM samples, the majority of the OM originates from terrigenous sources, with smaller contributions from riverine and estuarine phytoplankton. In contrast, the [C/N]a ratios of particulate OM (POM) samples varied significantly among the collection periods, ranging from low values of 5 to high values of >20. Overall, the trends in [C/N]a ratios indicated that algal sources of POM were most important during the early and late summer, whereas terrigenous sources dominated in the winter and early spring.In Winyah Bay bottom sediments, the concentrations of the mineral-associated OM were positively correlated with sediment surface area. The [C/N]a ratios and δ¹³C_OC compositions of the bulk sedimentary OM ranged from 5 to 45 and from −28 to −23‰, respectively. These compositions were consistent with predominant contributions of terrigenous sources and lesser (but significant) inputs of freshwater, estuarine and marine phytoplankton. The highest terrigenous contents were found in sediments from the river and upper bay sites, with smaller contributions to the lower parts of the estuary. The yields of lignin-derived CuO oxidation products from Winyah Bay sediments indicated that the terrigenous OM in these samples was composed of variable mixtures of relatively fresh vascular plant detritus and moderately altered soil OM. Based on the lignin phenol compositions, most of this material appeared to be derived from angiosperm and gymnosperm vascular plant sources similar to those found in the upland coastal forests in this region. A few samples displayed lignin compositions that suggested a more significant contribution from marsh C₃ grasses. However, there was no evidence of inputs of Spartina alterniflora (a C₄ grass) remains from the salt marshes that surround the lower sections of Winyah Bay.