Heavy metals in particulate matter and sediments in the southern Barcelona sedimentation system (North-western Mediterranean)

Concentrations of selected heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) from surface sediments, suspended particulate matter and settling particles in the southern Barcelona continental margin were studied in order to evaluate the environmental impact of the anthropogenic metals discharged by the Llobregat River in this Mediterranean area. The temporal variation of heavy metals discharged by this river onto the continental shelf is clearly related to the river water flow. Part of the fine sediment and associated heavy metals transported by the Llobregat River during periods of low river flow accumulate on the river bed, and they are totally removed and discharged onto the Barcelona continental shelf during sporadic river water flow increases. Metals produce significant anomalies of chromium (×2.5), copper (×3.4) and zinc (×3.7) in the surface sediments of the Llobregat prodelta and tend to be transported along the continental shelf following the mean flow. Metals associated with the finest suspended flocs transferred to the slope are controlled by the shelf-slope density front and are transported along slope by the general geostrophic current, instead of accumulating and becoming concentrated in the slope bottom sediments. Settling particulate matter collected in sediment traps on the Barcelona continental slope offshore of the shelf-slope front shows low heavy metal concentrations except in a few sediment trap samples that are significantly metal-enriched in chromium (×4.5) and zinc (×6.8). This enrichment is associated with very short and sporadic river flow increases and is only recorded inside the Foix submarine canyon, which acts as a preferential conduit for the shelf-slope sediment transfer.     

Theoretical considerations about the reactions of calcification in sea water

We examine the concentration variations of the different parameters X of the carbonate system in seawater when calcium carbonate precipitation occurs. Variations are expressed as ∂[X]/∂[Ca²⁺]. Four different cases are considered: spontaneous chemical precipitation; calcification combined with photosynthetic activity under a constant ΔCT/Δ[Ca²⁺] ratio; precipitation under constant p_CO2 and precipitation under constant [Ca²⁺]·[CO₃²⁻] ionic concentration product. The last condition should be maintained by an ecosystem which, thanks to the regulation of its calcifying and photosynthetic activity, would absorb 1 mol of carbon for organic tissue each time 1 mol of CaCO₃ is formed. This stoichiometric ratio would allow the activity of these biological communities to go on in practically closed systems during periods compatible with their growth or development cycles.     

Surfactant components of marine organic matter as agents for biogeochemical fractionation and pollutant transport via marine aerosols

The role of surfactant organic matter in marine aerosol production has been studied under conditions in which there is a large coverage of whitecaps on the sea surface. To improve the knowledge of matter exchange and pollutant recycling from the sea surface into the atmosphere, a spray drop adsorption model (SDAM) was developed and the validity of the proposed model verified by the following experimental results: (1) an increase of surfactant matter on the sea surface during rough sea conditions (‘surface wave concentration'); (2) an (hyperbolic-like) increase of the enrichment ratio (ER) of surfactant fluorescent organic matter (SFOM), made up predominantly by humic substances (HS), as the particle size decrease; (3) a similar behaviour for elements with pollutant properties, and which are known to interact with HS and other surfactant materials, considered pollution tracers. An additional laboratory experiment, based on the adsorption model conditions, gives enrichment ratio greater than unity for K and Ca. The first results on marine aerosols trapped in marine clouds (at 1000 m above sea level and at 100 km from the coast) seem to further support the proposed model and its ability to predict the transition from saline to almost entirely organic particles for the smaller fractions of marine aerosols. The possible contribution of these particles to the recycling and to the long range transport of pollutants via marine aerosols has been considered.     

Changes in soils and vegetation in a Mediterranean coastal salt marsh impacted by human activities

This paper reports changes in vegetation distribution and species cover in relation to soil factors and hydrology in a semiarid Mediterranean salt marsh adjacent to the Mar Menor saline lagoon. Species cover, soil salinity, and the groundwater level were monitored between 1991 and 1993 and between 2002 and 2004, and total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrates, ammonium and exchangeable phosphorus were measured in the soils in both study periods. In addition, three soil profiles were described in August 1992 and August 2004. The results indicate an elevation of the water table throughout the 13-year period, which was attributable to water flowing from areas with intensive agriculture. Flooding increased and soil salinity dropped in the most saline sites and increased in the least saline ones. The morphology of the soil profiles reflected the increase in flooding periods, due to the appearance of a greyer matrix in the deeper horizons and a more diffuse pattern of Fe mottles. Following these environmental changes, Sarcocornia fruticosa, Phragmites australis and Juncus maritimus strongly expanded at the wettest sites, which led to the disappearance of the original zonation pattern. The cover of Limonium delicatulum, in turn, decreased with the increase in moisture but increased following the increase in salinity. Changes in soil nutrients were only very evident in the sandy soils of the beach, probably due to the influence of organic debris deposited on the shoreline by the storms and due to the strong increase in the colonisation of this habitat by perennial species. According to the results obtained, control measures are needed in order to preserve habitat diversity in this and other salt marshes of this area. Monitoring of the vegetation distribution could be a useful tool to identify environmental impacts, in order to implement remedial actions.     

Seasonal and annual variations in the volumetric sediment balance of a macro-tidal salt marsh

This paper examines the spatial and temporal variability in the volumetric sediment balance of Allen Creek marsh, a macro-tidal salt marsh in the Bay of Fundy. The volumetric balance was determined as the balance of inputs of sediments and organic matter via accretion on the marsh surface and outputs of sedimentary material primarily due to erosion of the marsh margin. Changes in marsh surface elevation were measured at 20 buried plates and 3 modified sediment elevation tables from 1996–2002, and detailed margin surveys were conducted in 1997, 1999 and 2001 using a differential global positioning system. Changes in surface area were calculated using GIS overlay analysis and used in conjunction with accretion and erosion data to derive volumetric estimates of gains and losses of sedimentary material in the marsh system.Currently the volumetric sediment balance at Allen Creek marsh is positive. However the processes of erosion and accretion demonstrate seasonal, annual and spatial variability. Inputs to the system include deposition on the marsh surface from sediment laden waters and from ice rafting of sediments. Sediment is deposited onto the marsh surface year round, even during the winter when vegetation cover is sparse, and the amount of deposition in general is not significantly correlated with the frequency of tidal inundations. Based on the data from 1996 to 2002, the mid and high marsh zones experience mean accretion rates of approximately 1.4 cm year^− 1 whereas accretion rates in the low marsh region are statistically significantly lower (0.8 cm year^− 1). The absolute amount of accretion varies between seasons and from year to year. The main loss to the marsh is through erosion of the marsh margin cliffs which can remove a comparatively large volume of sedimentary material in one mass wasting event and which also decreases the vegetated surface area available for deposition from sediment laden waters. The volume of material removed from the marsh margin almost tripled between 1997 (169 m³) and 2001 (502 m³) following breaching of the side of a tidal creek channel, altering the patterns of margin erosion and deposition in the marsh system. During this time, however, other sheltered areas of the marsh system, such as along the tidal creek banks, showed evidence of new vegetation growth, increasing the amount of vegetated surface area available for deposition.The processes of erosion and deposition on the marsh surface exhibit considerable spatial variability, with different regions of the marsh being more or less sensitive to seasonal variability in the dominant controls influencing sediment deposition and erosion in this system, namely wave activity, vegetation, ice and water depths. A key factor in predicting how a marsh will evolve and respond to a number of different controls, e.g. sea-level rise or reduced sediment supply, is to quantify both accretion of the marsh surface and erosion of the marsh margin, evaluating the marsh system as a volumetric whole. This study demonstrates that a marsh system should be assessed in three dimensions rather than simply as a surface of accumulation. This is particularly important for open coastal marshes exposed to the erosive action of waves.     

基于无人机SfM摄影测量的海岸盐沼前缘形态变化研究

海岸盐沼前缘作为盐沼和光滩间的过渡带,在垂向剖面上呈现光滑、过渡、陡坎3种地貌类型,在平面岸线上也展现出不同的曲直特征。受到自然过程和人类活动的影响,盐沼前缘这一高度动态的生物地貌系统变化迅速,而高分辨率观测数据的缺乏使得这种变化难以得到充分认识。无人机SfM（Structure from Motion）摄影测量具有高分辨率、非侵入、可重复和低成本的优点,为解决上述问题提供可能。我们在江苏省盐城市大丰区海岸盐沼开展两次无人机调查,获取厘米级分辨率正射影像和地形数据。在高精度数据支持下,成功确定盐沼前缘位置,划分前缘类型,并定量刻画地形变化。研究发现：光滑和陡坎前缘占优势,形态稳定;光滑前缘平面轮廓复杂,后退速率小,过渡和陡坎前缘轮廓平直,后退明显;过渡前缘地形变化剧烈,向陡坎前缘转变。这项工作证明无人机SfM摄影测量适用于高效精准量化盐沼前缘形态,为认识盐沼前缘形态演化过程提供新视角。     

Release of dissolved organic matter during oxic and anoxic decomposition of salt marsh cordgrass

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), as the light absorbing fraction of bulk dissolved organic matter (DOM), plays a number of important roles in the global and local biogeochemical cycling of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and in controlling the optical properties of estuarine and coastal waters. Intertidal areas such as salt marshes can contribute significant amounts of the CDOM that is exported to the ocean, but the processes controlling this CDOM source are not well understood. In this study, we investigate the production of DOM and CDOM from the decomposition of two salt marsh cordgrasses, Spartina patens, a C₄ grass, and Typha latifolia, a C₃ grass, in well-controlled laboratory experiments. During the seven-week incubation period of the salt marsh grasses in oxic and anoxic seawater, changes in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations, dissolved nitrogen (DN) concentrations, stable carbon isotopic composition of DOC (DOC-δ¹³C), and CDOM fluorescence demonstrate a significant contribution of DOC and CDOM to estuarine waters from salt marsh plants, such as Spartina and Typha species. In the natural environment, however, the release processes of CDOM from different cordgrass species could be controlled largely by the in situ oxic and anoxic conditions present during degradation which affects both the production and decomposition of DOC and CDOM, as well as the optical properties of CDOM in estuarine and coastal waters.     

Invasive Spartina alterniflora-induced factors affecting epibenthos distribution in coastal salt marsh, China

Artificially introduced cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, rapidly colonized the intertidal flats of the Jiangsu coast, eastern China. The epibenthos on an intertidal flat invaded by S. alterniflora were studied, to identify how local epibenthos species react to an altered environment. Epibenthic samples and surficial sediment samples were collected along a shore-normal profile in 50 quadrats at ten stations across the Spartina salt marsh; and five control quadrats for a station located on the barren sandy-mud flat. The grain size parameters of the surficial sediments show that S. alterniflora altered the grain size gradient along the profile of the intertidal zone by trapping fine-grained sediments. Spartina alterniflora could inhabit lower elevations than indigenous salt marsh vegetation, thus creating larger areas of finer surficial sediments, which was suitable for not only native epibenthic species but also species which do not exist on the barren sandy-mud flat. Correlation analyses show that the epibenthos were sensitive to sediment grain size and type, on the invaded S. alterniflora salt marsh. Further, there was an interspecific relationship affecting the distribution of epibenthos. The results show that epibenthos preferred ecological niches, within the Spartina salt marsh, even in the same sampling station.     

基于高分辨率卫星和无人机的广西滨海盐沼面积变化监测

滨海盐沼作为重要的海岸带生态系统,在海岸保护、生物多样性维持、固碳减污等方面发挥了重要的生态服务功能。及时准确地监测滨海盐沼分布情况和动态变化,对于科学地管理和保护本地滨海盐沼生态系统意义重大。本研究基于2019年和2021年多源国产高空间分辨率卫星数据,结合无人机自主性强、灵活机动、不受云遮挡影响的优势,对广西壮族自治区滨海盐沼开展遥感跟踪监测。研究结果表明,广西2021年滨海盐沼总面积为1 341.40 hm2,其中,北海市、防城港市和钦州市3个海滨城市的滨海盐沼面积分别为1 247.82 hm2、49.73 hm2和43.85 hm2。与2019年相比,广西2021年滨海盐沼总面积减少108.96 hm2,其中,北海市互花米草（Spartina alterniflora）面积减少107.05 hm2,钦州市短叶茳芏（Cyperus malaccensis）和芦苇（Phragmites australis）面积减少1.91 hm2,防城港市滨海盐沼面积不变。广西当地对入侵种互花米草的治理卓有成效,互花米草大范围减少,但局部区域的互花米草分布仍呈不断增长的趋势,仍需重视对互花米草的监测与防控工作。     

Recent volumetric changes in salt marsh soils

Salt marsh sediment volume decreases from organic decomposition, compaction of solids, and de-watering, and each of these processes may change with age. Variability in the vertical accretion rate within the upper 2 m was determined by assembling results from concurrent application of the ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb dating techniques used to estimate sediment age since 1963/1964, and 0 to ca 100+ years before present (yBP), respectively. The relationship between ²¹⁰Pb and the ¹³⁷Cs dated accretion rates (Sed₂₁₀ and Sed₁₃₇, respectively) was linear for 45 salt marsh and mangrove environments. Sed₂₁₀ averaged 75% of Sed₁₃₇ suggesting that vertical accretion over the last 100+ years is driven by soil organic matter accumulation, as shown for the pre ¹³⁷Cs dated horizon. The ratio of Sed₂₁₀/Sed₁₃₇ declines with increasing mineral content. A linear multiple regression equation that includes bulk density and Sed₁₃₇ to predict Sed₂₁₀ described 97% of the variance in Sed₂₁₀. Sediments from Connecticut, Delaware and Louisiana coastal environments dated with ¹⁴C indicate a relatively constant sediment accretion rate of 0.13 cm year⁻¹ for 1000–7000 yBP, which occurs within 2 m of today's marsh surface and equals modern sea level rise rates. Soil subsidence is not shown to be distinctly different in these vastly different coastal settings. The major reason why the Sed₁₃₇ measurements indicate higher accretion rates than do the Sed₂₁₀ measurements is because the former apply to younger sediments where the effects of root growth and decomposition are greater than in the latter. The most intense rates of change in soil volume in organic-rich salt marshes sediments is, therefore, neither in deep or old sediments (>4 m; >1000 years), but within the first several hundreds of years after accumulation. The average changes in organic and inorganic constituents downcore are nearly equal for 58 dated sediment cores from the northern Gulf of Mexico. These parallel changes downcore are best described as resulting from compaction, rather than from organic matter decomposition. Thus most of the volumetric changes in these salt marsh sediments occurs in the upper 2 m, and declines quickly with depth. Extrapolation forwards or backwards, using results from the ²¹⁰Pb and the ¹³⁷Cs dating technique appear to be warranted for the types of samples from the environments described here.     

Arsenic incorporation in a salt marsh ecosystem

Replicate portions of a Delaware salt marsh were enclosed in cylindrical microcosms and exposed to elevated levels of inorganic arsenic (arsenate). All biotic and abiotic components in dosed cylinders rapidly incorporated arsenic. Spartina blades showed the greatest arsenic enrichment, with dosed plants incorporating arsenic concentrations an order of magnitude higher than controls. Spartina detritus and sediments also exhibited greatly elevated arsenic concentrations. Virtually all of the arsenic was incorporated into plant tissue or strongly sorbed to cell surfaces. Thus, elevated arsenic concentrations in estuarine waters will be reflected in living and non-living components of a salt marsh ecosystem, implying that increased arsenic will be available to organisms within the marsh ecosystem.     

Experimental restoration of a salt marsh with some comments on ecological restoration of coastal vegetated ecosystems in Korea

Since the 1980s, the coastal wetlands in Korea have been rapidly degraded and destroyed mainly due to reclamation and landfills for coastal development. In order to recover damaged coastal environments and to develop wetland restoration technologies, a 4-year study on ecological the restoration of coastal vegetated ecosystems was started in 1998. As one of a series of studies, a small-scale experiment on salt marsh restoration was carried out from April 2000 to August 2001. The experiment was designed to find effective means of ecological restoration through a comparison of the changes in environmental components and species structure between two different experimental plots created using sediment fences, one with and one without small canals. Temporal variation in surface elevation, sedimentary facies, and benthic species were measured seasonally in each plot and in the adjacent natural reference sites. Monthly exposure occurred from 330 cm to mean sea level, which represents the critical tidal level (CTL) at which salt marsh plants colonize. Vegetation, especially Suaeda japonica, colonized the site the following spring and recovered to a similar extent in the natural marshes 16 months later. The sedimentary results indicated that the sediment fences had effects on particle size and sediment accumulation, especially in the plot with small canals. This experiment also showed that tidal height, especially that exceeding the CTL, is an important factor in the recovery of the benthic fauna of salt marshes. From these results, we suggested that designs for the restoration of salt marsh ecosystems must consider the inclusion of a tidal height exceeding CTL, as this may allow reconstruction of the previous natural ecosystem without artificial transplanting.     

Temporal sampling and discharge asymmetry in salt marsh creeks

Studies of tidal flows in salt marsh creeks have shown velocity pulses on certain tides, although these have often been overlooked in considering temporal sampling designs for the measurement of discharge asymmetry. Velocity measurements for both spring and neap tides were taken at 5-min intervals at Bridge Creek in south-east Essex. The importance of temporal sampling interval in determining measured discharge asymmetry is examined using these data, integrating at intervals of between 5 and 30 min. The results indicate that sampling at 30-min intervals can underestimate discharge when velocity pulses on spring tides are not accurately monitored. Both under- and over-estimation of discharge on neap tides suggests that temporal sampling is also an important consideration when velocity pulses do not occur.     

Cross-shore suspended sediment flux in the salt marsh pioneer zone of Chongming eastern beach in the Changjiang Estuary in China

Between April 2002 and April 2003, in situ measurements of water depth, current velocity and suspended sediment content were carried out in edge region of East Chongming salt marsh and neighboring bald flat in the Changjiang (Yangtze) Estuary under different weather conditions. Cross-shore suspended sediment flux was calculated and analyzed. The results show that under calm weather conditions, the current velocity process in bald field and salt marsh area varied differently during semidiurnal tidal cycles. Owing to current velocity asymmetry, mean SSC during flood tide phase was 1.8 times higher than that of ebb tide phase. As a result, net onshore sediment flux controlled cross-shore suspended sediment transport process and salt marsh pioneer zone was generally accreting. There was significant positive correlation between total sediment flux and quartic power of maximum water depth. It indicates that tidal ranges dominate suspended sediment transport and sedimentation process in the salt marsh pioneer zone under the calm weather condition. The sedimentation rate on the adjacent mudflat was higher than the salt marsh, which induced stable accreting of salt marsh towards the sea. The wind events enhanced SSC and current velocity during the semidiurnal tides. And the remarkable onshore net sediment flux could occur on the high marsh and mudflat close to the marsh fringe during the short period under the rough weather condition.     

长江口崇明东滩盐沼前缘地带悬浮泥沙横向通量的潮周期变化

对长江口崇明东滩盐沼边缘及邻近光滩处的水深、流速和悬沙含量的潮周期变化过程进行了现场实测,并对横向悬沙通量进行了计算和分析。研究结果表明,在平静天气条件下光滩和盐沼上的流速过程有明显差异,植被缓流作用在落潮期更为显著,流速在涨潮由光滩向盐沼不断增大。与涨潮流速优势相对应,涨潮期平均悬沙含量是落潮期的1.8倍。横向悬沙通量以向岸输移为主,悬沙总通量与潮次内最大水深的四次方呈显著正相关。在平静天气条件下潮汐作用控制着盐沼前缘地带泥沙输移水平,盐沼滩面保持稳定淤积,前缘光滩淤积速率高于盐沼处的,盐沼逐渐向海延伸。在大风天气条件下潮次内的流速和悬沙含量水平提高了数倍,悬沙输移量大增,净输移仍以向岸方向为主,在盐沼上部和前缘光滩均可能在短期内发生大量淤积。     

长江品崇明东滩盐沼前缘地带悬浮泥沙横向通量的潮周期变化

对长江口崇明东滩盐沼边缘及邻近光滩处的水深、流速和悬沙含量的潮周期变化过程进行了现场实测,并对横向悬沙通量进行了计算和分析.研究结果表明,在平静天气条件下光滩和盐沼上的流速过程有明显差异,植被缓流作用在落潮期更为显著,流速在涨潮由光滩向盐沼不断增大.与涨潮流速优势相对应,涨潮期平均悬沙含量是落潮期的1.8倍.横向悬沙通量以向岸输移为主,悬沙总通量与潮次内最大水深的四次方呈显著正相关.在平静天气条件下潮汐作用控制着盐沼前缘地带泥沙输移水平,盐沼滩面保持稳定淤积,前缘光滩淤积速率高于盐沼处的,盐沼逐渐向海延伸.在大风天气条件下潮次内的流速和悬沙含量水平提高了数倍,悬沙输移量大增,净输移仍以向岸方向为主,在盐沼上部和前缘光滩均可能在短期内发生大量淤积.     

罗源湾海岸盐沼悬沙粒度及沉降速率的观测和分析

海岸盐沼对环境变化的响应非常敏感,是研究全球变化和人类活动对海岸带环境影响的典型区域之一。影响盐沼演化过程的一个非常重要的因素就是水体悬沙特性[1]。在沿岸水域环境中,有机和无机的细颗粒悬沙在物理和化学的作用下絮凝成大颗粒的絮凝体,其粒径和沉降速率通常是分散细颗粒悬沙的好几倍,因此絮凝过程基本上改变了细颗粒悬沙的水动力行为过程[2]。絮凝体因相对分散颗粒物有较高的沉降速率,水中的悬沙更容易沉降到滩面,控制着水体中的细颗粒物质的沉降通量[3]。     

Observations and analyses of floc size and floc settling velocity in coastal salt marsh of Luoyuan Bay, Fujian Province, China

In coastal environments, fine-grain sediments often aggregate into large and porous flocs. ElectroMagnetic Current Meters (EMCM) and Laser In Situ Scattering and Transmissometry (LISST-ST) have been deployed within a Spartina alterniflora marsh of the Luoyuan Bay in Fujian Province, China, to measure the current velocity, the floc size and the settling velocity between 15 and 22 January 2008. During the observations, the near-bed water was collected in order to obtain the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and constituent grain size. Data show that: (1) the nearbed current velocities vary from 0.1 to 5.6 cm/s in the central Spartina alterniflora marsh and 0.1–12.5 cm/s at the edge; (2) the SSCs vary from 47 to 188 mg/dm 3 . The mean grain size of constituent grains varies from 7.0 to 9.6 μm, and the mean floc sizes (MFS) vary from 30.4 to 69.4 μm. The relationship between the mean floc size and settling velocity can be described as: w s =ad b , in which w s is the floc settling velocity (mm/s), a and b are coefficients. The floc settling velocity varies from 0.17 to 0.32 mm/s, with a mean value of 0.26 mm/s, and the floc settling velocity during the flood tide is higher than that during the ebb tide. The current velocity and the SSC are the main factors controlling the flocculation processes and the floc settling velocity.     

互花米草入侵对海岸盐沼二甲基硫及氧化亚氮气体释放的影响

为探讨互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)入侵对我国沿海生态系统的影响,采用静态采样箱法,研究了互花米草入侵滩涂和临近未入侵滩涂在二甲基硫(DMS)、氧化亚氮(N2O)气体通量上的差异及其相关因素.结果显示,互花米草滩DMS和N2O释放量均显著高于临近光滩、盐蒿滩和芦苇滩.该两种气体释放量同植被地下生物量、总生物量以及土壤有效氮含量均呈显著正相关,DMS气体通量还与植被地上生物量有关,但两种气体通量与土壤有机质含量均无直接相关性.研究说明互花米草生物入侵不仅改变了生态系统结构,还能通过改变区域温室气体排放通量进而影响到全球气候变化.