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.     

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

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

The partial pressure of carbon dioxide and air-sea fluxes in the Changjiang River Estuary and adjacent Hangzhou Bay

The distributions of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (p CO2 ) in the surface waters of the Changjiang River Estuary and adjacent Hangzhou Bay were examined in the summer of 2010. Surface water p CO2 ranged from 751-2 095 μatm (1 atm=101 325 Pa) in the inner estuary, 177-1 036 μatm in the outer estuary, and 498-1 166 μatm in Hangzhou Bay. Overall, surface p CO2 behaved conservatively during the estuary mixing. In the inner estuary, surface p CO2 was relatively high due to urbanized pollution and a high respiration rate. The lowest p CO2 was observed in the outer estuary, which was apparently induced by a phytoplankton bloom because the dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a were very high. The Changjiang River Estuary was a significant source of atmospheric CO2 and the degassing fluxes were estimated as 0-230 mmol/(m2 d) [61 mmol/(m2 d) on average] in the inner estuary. In contrast, the outer estuary acted as a CO2 sink.     

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.     

The Effect of Macrofauna on Porewater Profiles and Nutrient Fluxes in the Intertidal Zone of the Humber Estuary

Macrofauna, nutrient fluxes, porewater chemistry and sediment characteristics were measured at six intertidal mudflat sites in the Humber Estuary, U.K., during the different seasons. Nereis diversicolor , Macoma balthica and Corophium volutator were found to be the dominant macrofauna. Salinity was the baseline control on macrofauna distribution but this was overprinted by periodic impoverishment due to sediment mobilization. High resolution gel probe porewater samplers provided direct evidence for the impact of burrows on porewater chemistry. The macrofauna modified nutrient fluxes during periods of mud flat stability. Nereis caused a decrease in silicate and phosphate effluxes but enhanced ammonia release and nitrate uptake. Macoma enhanced ammonia and nitrite release. The impact of Corophium was not possible to discern. The Humber is a large, highly dynamic macrotidal estuary in which sediment resuspension has a large impact on porewater profiles, nutrient fluxes and macrofaunal communities. Simple patterns and inter-relationships which are seen in small sheltered estuaries are not observed in the Humber.     

Nutrient exchange across the sediment-water interface in the Potomac River estuary

The flux of ammonia, phosphate, silica and radon-222 from Potomac tidal river and estuary sediments is controlled by processes occurring at the sediment-water interface and within surficial sediment. Calculated diffusive fluxes range between 0·6 and 6·5 mmol m^?2 day^?1 for ammonia, 0·020 and 0·30 mmol m^?2 day^?1 for phosphate, and 1·3 and 3·8 mmol m^?2 day^?1 for silica. Measured in situ fluxes range between 1 and 21 mmol m^?2 day^?1 for ammonia, 0·1 and 2·0 mmol m^?2 day^?1 for phosphate, and 2 and 19 mmol m^?2 day^?1 for silica. The ratio of in situ fluxes to diffusive fluxes (flux enhancement) varied between 1·6 and 5·2 in the tidal river, between 2·0 and 20 in the transition zone, and from 1·3 to 5·1 in the lower estuary. The large flux enhancements from transition zone sediments are attributed to macrofaunal irrigation. Nutrient flux enhancements are correlated with radon flux enhancements, suggesting that fluxes may originate from a common region and that nutrients are regenerated within the upper 10–20 cm of the sediment column.The low fluxes of phosphate from tidal viver sediments reflect the control benthic sediment exerts on phosphorus through sorption by sedimentary iron oxyhydroxides. In the tidal river, benthic fluxes of ammonia and phosphate equal one-half and one-third of the nutrient input of the Blue Plains sewage treatment plant. In the tidal Potomac River, benthic sediment regeneration supplies a significant fraction of the nutrients utilized by primary producers in the water column during the summer months.     

Cultural eutrophication in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) plume: History and perspective

The Changjiang (Yangtze River) is known to contribute significantly to the eutrophication that has caused drastic changes to the ecosystem of the East China Sea. However, evidence for historical changes in nutrient concentrations and composition and the consequent effects on the ecosystem in the coastal water is sparse. In this paper we present some long-term data for nutrient concentrations and Si:N:P ratios in the freshwater and the river plume and the long-term response of the ecosystem structure in the river plume. These data reveal increases in the dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphate concentrations in the Changjiang freshwater by a factor of five from the1960s to the end of the 1990s and a reduction in dissolved silicate by two thirds over the same period. Concomitantly, an increase in DIN concentration and a reduction in silicate concentration both by a factor of two were observed in the surface water of the Changjiang plume. As an ecological consequence to such nutrient changes, the chlorophyll a concentration increased by a factor of four since the 1980s and harmful algal blooms increased rapidly since 1985 in the Changjiang estuary and adjacent sea areas. The macrozoobenthic biomass decreased sharply from the mid 1980s to the present, suggesting that the Changjiang estuary has been in a high eutrophication state since that time. We predict that, due to the continuously increasing nutrient pressure, the symptoms of eutrophication associated with nutrients will worsen in the Changjiang plume in the near future.     

九龙江河口区营养盐分布特征及其影响因素分析

根据2009、2010年"丰水期"和"枯水期"四航次九龙江河口混合区的调查资料,且结合历史资料对营养盐含量及分布特征、周日变化特征进行了统计和相关分析,研究了九龙江流域营养盐输入海洋的变化过程,探讨九龙江河口营养盐伴随潮汐变化,以及河口混合过程中的生物地球化学行为。调查期间溶解无机氮、硅和磷含量的平面分布呈现出由径流冲淡水高值向河口外海端递减的变化趋势;在涨潮时,河口区感潮段高溶解无机氮、硅、磷营养盐的陆源冲淡水与低溶解无机氮、硅、磷营养盐外海水相遇,随着外海水的侵入,外海水的作用逐渐加强,在稀释混合过程中呈现出无机营养盐逐步降低的变化趋势,退潮时则相反;营养盐在这复杂的河口过程中往往表现出在水动力的作用下稀释混合是主要过程,无机氮和活性硅酸盐在河口稀释混合过程中呈现保守性特征,活性磷酸盐在河口转移(补充)过程的行为复杂化,呈现缓冲作用为主。     

Pore Water Nutrient Regeneration in Shallow Coastal Bohai Sea, China

The regeneration of pore water nutrients was studied and the contribution of benthic nutrient fluxes to the overlying water was evaluated on the basis of field specific observations conducted in September–October 1998 and April–May 1999 in the Bohai Sea. Nutrient concentrations in sediment pore waters were examined by incubating sediment core samples with overlying seawater in air and/or nitrogen conditions. Nutrient diffusion fluxes calculated by diagenetic equations were within a factor of 2 during incubations. The factors affecting nutrient diffusion across sediment/water interface include bioturbation, nitrification, denitrification, adsorption, and dissolution. The regeneration of nutrients from sediments will increase nutrient loads of the Bohai Sea and affect nutrient atomic ratios in this region. Among nutrient sources from riverine input, atmospheric deposition and sediment regeneration, ammonium and phosphate mainly came from atmospheric deposition (>50%); nitrate was mainly transported by riverine input into the Sea, silicate from sediment regeneration accounts up to 60%. This demonstrates that nutrient regeneration in sediments contributes more silicate than riverine input and atmospheric deposition together, but benthic flux contributes very much less phosphate and nitrate relative to riverine input and atmospheric deposition. The benthic fluxes of nutrients may lead to a decrease of the amount of nitrate, an increase of phosphate, ammonia and silicate in the water column. The release of silicate from sediments may compensate the decrease of silicate due to the reduction of riverine discharge. Nutrient regeneration in sediment may have an important influence on the eutrophic character of coastal waters in this region. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nutrient fluxes to the Bay of Biscay from Cantabrian rivers (Spain)

Nutrient fluxes to the Bay of Biscay from the Cantabrian basin have been quantified for the first time. Data between 1981 and 1995 of the main 16 Cantabrian rivers from the COCA monitoring programme have been used. Values of water flow and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), phosphate and silicate concentrations have been taken. Equations are proposed to quantify the fluvial nutrient contributions to the Cantabrian Sea. The annual average of continental outputs to the Bay of Biscay from the Cantabrian basin is 16.1 × 10⁹ m³ of freshwater, 1.0 × 10⁹ mol of N in DIN, 0.062 × 10⁹ mol of phosphate and 1.2 × 10⁹ mol of silicate. In comparison with the French rivers, those of the Cantabrian have small fluxes and their outflow is very disperse, not forming large coastal plumes. From April to September, when the primary production is relatively important, the DIN contribution to the Cantabrian coastal reservoir is 10%. Coastal fertilisation due to continental waters could be considered as negligible and only influences areas very close to river mouths, except for the Nalón River. Its flux represents 33 % of nitrate, 39 % of phosphate and 15 % of silicate of the total continental inputs of nutrients to the Cantabrian Sea.     

夏季台湾海峡水及黑潮次表层涌升水向东海近陆架区营养盐输送通量的估算

According to historical mean ocean current data through the field observations of the Taiwan Ocean Research Institute during 1991–2005 and survey data of nutrients on the continental shelf of the East China Sea(ECS) in the summer of 2006, nutrient fluxes from the Taiwan Strait and Kuroshio subsurface waters are estimated using a grid interpolation method, which both are the sources of the Taiwan Warm Current. The nutrient fluxes of the two water masses are also compared. The results show that phosphate(PO4-P), silicate(SiO3-Si) and nitrate(NO3-N) fluxes to the ECS continental shelf from the Kuroshio upwelling water are slightly higher than those from the Taiwan Strait water in the summer of 2006. In contrast, owing to its lower velocity, the nutrient flux density(i.e., nutrient fluxes divided by the area of the specific section) of the Kuroshio subsurface water is lower than that of the Taiwan Strait water. In addition, the Taiwan Warm Current deep water, which is mainly constituted by the Kuroshio subsurface water, might directly reach the areas of high-frequency harmful alga blooms in the ECS.     

Advective pore water input of nutrients to the Satilla River Estuary,Georgia, USA

In situ benthic flux measurements, pore water nutrient profiles, water column nutrient distributions, sediment grain size distributions and side-scan sonar observations suggest that advective transport of pore waters may be a major input pathway of nutrients into the Satilla River Estuary (coastal Georgia, USA). In situ benthic chamber incubations demonstrate the occurrence of highly variable, but occasionally very large sea floor fluxes of silicate, phosphate, and ammonium. Locally occurring benthic microbial mineralization of organic matter, as estimated by S³⁵-sulphate reduction rate measurements, is insufficient to support these large fluxes. We hypothesize that the observed interlayering of permeable, sandy sediments with fine-grained, organic-rich sediments in the estuary provides conduits for advective transport of pore water constituents out of the sediments. Because permeable layers may extend significant distances beneath the salt marsh, the large fluxes observed may be supported by remineralization occurring over large areas adjacent to the estuary. Advective transport may be induced by pressure gradients generated by a variety of processes, including landward recharge by meteoric or rain waters if sand layers extend far enough into the maritime coastal lands. Alternatively, tidal variations across the salt marsh sediment surface may hydraulically pump water through the sediment system. Because these fluxes appear to be concentrated into small layers, this source may be a significant input of nutrients to the estuary even if permeable, sandy layers comprise a very small proportion of the seabed.     

Nutrient transports in a Swedish estuary

Himmerfjärd is a Swedish estuary bordering on the Baltic. The estuary lacks astronomical tides and its circulation is driven by winds and freshwater runoff. Because of a tertiary sewage treatment plant located at its inner end, the estuary is becoming increasingly eutrophic. A field study was carried out for a 78-day period in late summer and early fall of 1977 to determine rates of nutrient transport and to construct nutrient budgets. Since physical parameters (current velocity, temperature, salinity, winds and water level changes) were measured more frequently than nutrients (phosphate, nitrate, nitrite and ammonium) it was necessary to develop a suitable method to calculate nutrient flux time series and net nutrient fluxes. Over the study period, Himmerfjärd imported phosphorus and exported nitrogen. Direction of nutrient fluxes and changes in flux direction were consistent with the structure of the baroclinic currents.     

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...     

The influence of catchment management on salinity,nutrient stochiometry and phytoplankton biomass of Eastern Cape estuaries,South Africa

Three estuaries with differing catchment use and freshwater input were investigated in terms of their nutrient status, phytoplankton biomass, freshwater inflow and salinity between 1993 and 1995. The nutrients analysed include phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and total particulate nitrogen. All the parameters were investigated for their relationship with land-use and freshwater abstraction. The Kromme River catchment area is relatively pristine, the river is impounded for ca. 133% of its mean annual runoff, and consequently, freshwater input into the estuary is only episodic. Nutrient and chlorophyll-a concentrations are low, but become elevated when freshwater does reach the estuary. The Geelhoutboom tributary contributes nutrients to the Kromme estuary during high freshwater inflow conditions, but is not a viable nutrient contributor during low flow conditions. Freshwater abstraction from the Swartkops River catchment is limited, and it is characterised by urbanisation and industrial development. The Swartkops River was the main source of phosphate in the estuary, whereas other small tributaries along the estuary were additional point sources for nitrate, ammonia and nitrite. The third system, the Sundays estuary, has no tributaries or other point sources except the Sundays River, where the catchment is extensively used for agriculture and freshwater input relatively high. The phytoplankton biomass (in terms of chlorophyll-a) was highest in the Sundays estuary, although phosphate concentrations were as low as in the Kromme estuary. Trends over time indicated a decrease in phosphate concentrations and showed variations for inorganic dissolved nitrogen concentrations since the previous 15 years in all the three estuaries. Nutrient stochiometry had changed in favour of inorganic dissolved nitrogen.     

Comparison of Monsoonal change of water quality parameters between 1983 and 2008 in a tropical estuary in Northeastern India: role of phytoplankton and community metabolism

Ongoing climate change and anthropogenic activities are introducing stressors that affect the structure and function of coastal ecosystems. This paper focuses on the fluvial fluxes and estuarine transport of nutrients from a tropical river (Mahanadi River) in Northeastern India and compares select nutrient and water quality parameters between 1983 and 2008. This estuary acts as a perennial source of CO₂ with a net annual flux to the atmosphere of about 135 tons. The non‐conservative fluxes showed a net annual removal of 650 and 140 tons of phosphorus and nitrogen from the water column, respectively. Negative biogeochemical feedbacks that decreased the availability of N and P in 2008 relative to 1983 levels indicate major changes in biogeochemical responses towards fluvial fluxes of nutrient.     

长江口管理界线的现状和分析

自然界河海相互关系非常密切.河海交互的河口海域,既不可同于一般典型河流,也不同于一般典型海洋.河口地区有着自身特有的现象和规律,这些特殊的现象和规律,不仅使许多河流研究者痴迷,也使许多海洋学家难以释怀.引发长江口河海划界之事或之争最初是在20世纪80年代中期,缘于河口选划海洋倾倒区,确定<海洋环境保护法>在河口区适用的地理范围.1993年财政部、国家海洋局颂布<国家海域使用管理暂行规定>,上海市出现了执行该规定的适用地理范围问题的不同意见,再次引发长江口河海划界之争.2001年12月市政府批准的<上海市海洋功能区划>虽然涵盖了长江口,但由于水务和海洋部门在长江口海域使用管理问题上争执不下,影响了上海海域使用管理工作的推进.2002年1月1日<海域管理法>施行后,长江口河海之争峰烟越燃越旺,直至现在,这一问题也没有很好解决.管理长江口海域的政府部门众多,它们在长江口海域的工作界线不同,对长江口海域的认识也很难统一意见.河口区是河海相互作用的交汇区,很难按照自然属性在河口区划出一条河海分界线,从自然科学研究角度出发也无必要划定一条河海分界线.就海洋与水行政管理部门的工作范围和工作衔接问题提出一些看法,首先是解决河海划界问题的3条基本原则:有利于经济社会发展和维护社会主义法制统一;尊重和考虑历史与现状,不纠缠细节,不排斥对方,具体问题具体分析解决;建立海洋与水行政部门之间的协调机制,以"非排他性原则"作好长江口海域权属管理的职能分工、协同配合与有机衔接.在此基础上,提出解决河海划界问题的3点办法.有关河口海域管理问题,要解决好不同部门管理上的地理范围重叠交叉和法律关系上的职能各有分工、不能相互取代、互相排斥的问题,在管理地理范围有交叉重叠的河口海域时,各自依法履行职责,共同监督管理.有关海岸带滩涂的管理问题,应以海岸线为界,在城市化地区应以一线海堤为界,海岸线或一线海堤以下滩涂的开发利用,纳入海域使用管理;海岸线以上的高滩涂,按地方滩涂管理条例进行管理.有关长江河口区的海域使用管理问题,海洋和水利行政主管部门应依据法律和各自的职责,共同监督管理,并对管理的具体做法提出4点建议.     

2009年夏季长江口及邻近海域硝酸盐、磷酸盐的变化规律及其行为特征

利用2009年6月份和8月份(夏季)长江口及邻近海域的调查资料,分析了该海域硝酸盐、磷酸盐的扩散和输运行为特征,结果表明:8月份冲淡水对长江口及邻近海域硝酸盐和磷酸盐的影响比6月份大,这可能与8月份时长江的径流量大有关;6月份和8月份,该海域硝酸盐、磷酸盐的转移机制主要是物理混合稀释过程,但8月份时的硝酸盐、磷酸盐转移...     

长江河口水流输运时间研究

利用水龄理论的新方法,借助环境水动力学模型定量讨论了多年平均径流条件下长江河口径流和潮汐作用对河口水流输运时间的影响。研究给出了长江河口水流输运时间的时空格局:多年平均流量条件下,水流从徐六泾输出至河口(122.5°E)大约需要24d,南、北槽分流口以上河段水流输运时间主要由径流控制,水流输运时间为8d,向下至拦门沙滩顶水域由径流和潮汐共同控制,水龄为16d,说明最大浑浊带区域的水流输运速度较上下游为慢,从一个侧面阐述了最大浑浊带区域水动力的特征;长江河口水流输运时间存在明显的层化现象,表底层相差最大值可达6d。数值模拟试验结果表明长江河口的潮汐作用是影响河口水流输运时间的关键要素,河口巨大的进潮量增强河口水流交换能力并减小水流输运时间,从而显著影响随水体运动的物质输运格局。水流输运时间研究,不仅可以成功应用于河口水动力环境的量化研究,而且可以为泥沙输运及污染物输运等环境变化研究提供动力的基础。     

长江河口盐度锋

根据1988－1991年河口锋面现场调查、上海市海岸带调查及历次标准断面调查资料对长江盐度场及盐度锋进行了分析，提出了由口门至外海纵向上存在着三级锋面现象：内侧锋面即长江河口锋为长江河口水与长江冲淡水的界面；羽状锋是长江口羽状流水与口外混合水的界面，它是长江口最主要的盐度锋面，也是长江口一个重要的生物地球化学带，对河口沉积过程及水下三角洲发育具有重要的影响。外侧锋面即海洋锋，是长江冲淡水的最外边缘。