Threshold sediment flux for the formation of river deltas in Hainan Island,southern China

Journal of Geographical Sciences - The knowledge of geomorphological evolution from an estuary to a river delta is necessary to form the formulation of comprehensive land-ocean interaction...     

Do the shallow‐water habitats of a hypersaline tropical estuary act as nursery grounds for fishes?

Fish assemblages were studied in a hypersaline tropical estuary in Northeastern Brazil. A total of 104 species were collected by beach seine during the dry and rainy seasons of 2012. Two families, Atherinopsidae and Gerreidae, were numerically dominant in all zones of the estuary; juveniles of Atherinella brasiliensis, Eucinostomus argenteus, Lile piquitinga, Ulaema lefroyi, Lutjanus analis and Sphoeroides greeleyi contributed 77% of the total catch. The factors that best explained the fish abundance pattern were salinity and depth, which were related to spatial segregation. Species richness was lowest in the upper zone, an area with high salinity and shallow depth. The distinct roles of structurally different habitats (submerged macrophyte beds and mangrove prop‐roots) and the influence of physicochemical conditions in the middle zone of the estuary may influence taxonomic diversity. The middle zone of the estuary is the one most attractive to juveniles of reef species (Lutjanidae and Serranidae). The fish assemblages are clearly dominated by marine estuarine dependent species, highlighting the importance of the ecosystem as a nursery ground for marine species of the Brazilian coast.     

Sediment critical shear stress and geotechnical properties along the modern Yellow River Delta,China

A geological engineering study was undertaken to determine the spatial distribution of sediment critical shear stress in the modern Yellow River Delta and to determine the influence of sediment erodibility on sediment erosion and microtopography formation. The critical shear stress was tested using a cohesive sediment meter for sediments along lines running perpendicular to the coast in different sedimentary lobes of the delta, where the geotechnical properties of sediments were also determined. The results demonstrate that significant differences in critical shear stress exist among high, middle, and low tidal flats, which are influenced by biodisturbation in the different sedimentary lobes. Regional characteristics of the modern Yellow River Delta show that critical shear stress levels are the lowest in the northern area (0.11–0.4?Pa), are the highest in the eastern area (2.8–4.55?Pa), and are significantly heterogeneous in the northeastern area. The critical shear stress is found to be more nonuniform and levels of antierosion strength are relatively lower than values found for other estuarine deltas around the world.     

On the stability relationships between tidal asymmetry and morphologies of tidal basins and estuaries

Simple stability relationships are practically useful to provide a rapid assessment of coastal and estuarine landforms in response to human interventions and long‐term climate change. In this contribution, we review a variety of simple stability relationships which are based on the analysis of tidal asymmetry (TA). Most of the existing TA‐based stability relationships are derived using the one‐dimensional tidal flow equations assuming a certain regular shape of the tidal channel cross‐sections. To facilitate analytical solutions, specific assumptions inevitably need to be made, for example by linearizing the friction term and dropping some negligible terms in the tidal flow equations. We find that three major types of TA‐based stability relationships have been proposed between three non‐dimensional channel geometric ratios (represented by the ratio of channel widths, ratio of wet surface areas and ratio of storage volumes) and the tide‐related parameter a/h (i.e. the ratio between tidal amplitude and mean water depth). Based on established geometric relations, we use these non‐dimensional ratios to restate the existing relationships so that they are directly comparable. Available datasets are further extended to examine the utility of these TA‐based relationships. Although a certain agreement is shown for these relationships, we also observe a large scatter of data points which are collected in different types of landscape, hydrodynamic and sedimentological settings over the world. We discuss in detail the potential reasons for this large scatter and subsequently elaborate on the limited applicability of the various TA‐based stability relationships for practical use. We highlight the need to delve further into what constitutes equilibrium and what is needed to develop more robust measures to determine the morphological state of these systems. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

长江口邻近海域氮同位素的周日变化特征及其对营养盐过程的指示

长江口邻近海域的氮循环过程一直是近海富营养化研究领域的热点问题, 然而目前较少有针对短周期的调查研究。本文调查了该区域氮、磷、硅等主要营养盐及多种形态的氮稳定同位素的在潮周期周日变化特征。结果显示, NO_3~-、NH_4~+、PO_4~(3-)和SiO_3~(2-)的浓度范围分别为 14.09—55.85、0.21—2.26、0.82—1.08 和 16.80—33.85μmol/L, 而δ~(15)N-NO_3~-、δ~(18)O-NO_3~-、δ~(15)N_P和δ~(13)C_P 等的分布范围分别为 4.7‰—11.1‰、-2.0‰—7.8‰、-1.2‰—7.9‰和-22.9‰— -14.7‰。NO_3~-、PO_4~(3-)和SiO_2~(3-)均与盐度呈现明显的负相关特征, 说明三者的主要来源为长江冲淡水; 4NH(10)则随盐度升高而浓度增加, 且在底层高浓度出现时刻与高盐水团输入时刻一致, 说明外海输入是该区域铵盐的主要来源。另一方面, 氮稳定同位素(δ~(15)N-NO_2~-和δ~(15)N_P)未表现出随盐度的变化规律, 而δ~(18)3O-NO_3~-和δ~(13)C_P 则随盐度升高而增加, 说明淡水输入的同位素值低于海洋水平。通过对比中、高浓度叶绿素水体中NO_3~-、δ~(15)N-NO_3~-、δ~(18)O-NO_3~-的变化特征可以看出, 随NO_3~-浓度降低, δ~(15)N-NO_3~-值升高, 且呈现 6.2‰的分馏系数, 且氧同位素也随之增大, 指示水体中浮游植物对硝酸盐的同化吸收作用。而另一方面, 两种同位素的增加差值表现出△δ~(18)O︰△δ~(15)N1 , 说明硝酸盐在被消耗的同时还发生着补充作用。在较高盐度的水体中, 发现4NH(10)呈现出向硝酸盐的转化趋势并引起δ~(15)N-NO_3~-降低, 指示了底部明显的硝化过程, 与此前的研究结果一致。本文结果以期丰富对河口区氮循环和迁移转化的认知。     

典型入海口海岸带生态环境质量遥感评价研究——以宝山区为例

为了研究入海口海岸带生态环境质量状况,基于遥感信息技术,从土地利用的角度,构建入海口海岸带生态环境遥感评价体系,通过层次分析法并结合专家咨询法,以上海市宝山区岸线向陆5 km区域为例进行评价,得到各区域综合评价值。结果表明,宝山区入海口海岸带以工矿仓储用地为主,该区域生态环境质量自西向东逐渐下降,在练祁河和马路河之间区域到达最低点,向东开始回升,总体生态环境质量呈较差状态。     

Juvenile fish condition in estuarine nurseries along the Portuguese coast

Connectivity between estuarine fish nurseries and coastal adult habitats can be affected by variations in juvenile growth and survival. Condition indices are renowned proxies of juvenile nutritional status and growth rates and are valuable tools to assess habitat quality. Biochemical (RNA:DNA ratio) and morphometric (Fulton's condition factor K) condition indices were determined in juveniles of Solea solea, Solea senegalensis, Platichthys flesus, Diplodus vulgaris and Dicentrarchus labrax collected in putative nursery areas of nine estuaries along the Portuguese coast (Minho, Douro, Ria de Aveiro, Mondego, Tejo, Sado, Mira, Ria Formosa and Guadiana) in the Spring and Summer of two consecutive years (2005 and 2006) with distinct climatic characteristics. Individual condition showed significant variation amongst species. The combined use of both condition indices highlighted the low correlation between them and that RNA:DNA had a higher sensitivity. RNA:DNA varied between years but overall the site relative patterns in condition were maintained from one year to the other. Higher RNA:DNA values were found in Spring than in Summer in most species. Intra-estuarine variation also occurred in several cases. Species specific trends in the variability of condition amongst estuaries were highlighted. Some estuaries had higher juvenile condition for more than one species but results did not reveal an identical trend for all species and sites, hindering the hypotheses of one estuarine nursery promoting superior growth for all present species. Significant correlations were found between condition indices, juvenile densities and environmental variables (water temperature, salinity and depth) in the estuarine nurseries. These influenced juvenile nutritional condition and growth, contributing to the variability in estuarine nursery habitat quality. Management and conservation wise, interest in multi-species approaches is reinforced as assessments based on a single species may not reflect the overall nursery habitat quality.     

Community structure of epibenthic meiofauna in the St. Lucia Estuarine Lake (South Africa) during a drought phase

The St. Lucia Estuary is Africa's largest estuarine system. It is a major component of the iSimangaliso (formerly Greater St. Lucia) Wetland Park, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999. The system has been severely affected by drought conditions which have culminated in the mouth of the system being cut off from the Indian Ocean since June 2002, for a period of almost five years. This study aimed to document the dynamics of meiofauna of the system during a drought phase, since (1) the effects of droughts on estuaries are poorly documented and understood and (2) because studies of meiofauna have never been undertaken in this system before. Meiofauna samples as well as physico-chemical data were collected at representative sites in February, April, August and October 2005. The drought had a major effect on the estuary, resulting in the development of hypersaline conditions (maximum 126 at Hells Gate), and to the complete evaporation of pelagic habitats, especially in the northern regions. The meiofauna of the St. Lucia Estuary was statistically separated into two distinct spatial clusters under drought conditions. The first cluster comprised sites in the Narrows and the southern region of South Lake, while the second comprised sites in the northern regions of South Lake and False Bay. Meiofauna of cluster 1, which was least affected by the drought, comprised nematodes, polychaetes, copepods, amphipods and ostracods, all of which accounted for 97% of meiofauna in this cluster. Cluster 2 on the other hand, which was more severely affected by the drought, was dominated by nematodes and copepods, which cumulatively contributed 97% to meiofauna in this group. Taxonomic richness and diversity of meiofauna were positively correlated with water depth, while abundance was inversely correlated with water temperature. The major effects of low water levels on the meiofauna of the system occurred through a negative impact on diversity and taxonomic richness, resulting in assemblages dominated by taxa most physiologically suited to such conditions. Secondly, at the peak of the drought, there was discontinuous water flow in the St. Lucia Estuary, resulting in parts of the northern and southern regions of the system being fragmented. This could have prevented the spread of meiofaunal taxa between the different basins of the system, and also explains the spatial separation of meiofauna into distinct clusters within the estuary.     

Distinctive stable isotope ratios in important zooplankton species in relation to estuarine salinity gradients: Potential tracer of fish migration

To assess the potential of stable isotope ratios as an indicator of fish migration within estuaries, stable isotope ratios in important zooplankton species were analyzed in relation to estuarine salinity gradients. Gut contents from migratory juveniles of the euryhaline marine fish Lateolabrax japonicus were examined along the Chikugo River estuary of the Ariake Sea, which has the most developed estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) in Japan. Early juveniles in March and April preyed primarily on two copepod species; Sinocalanus sinensis at lower salinities and Acartia omorii at higher salinities. Late juveniles (standard length > 40 mm) at lower salinities preyed exclusively on the mysid Acanthomysis longirostris until July and complementarily on the decapod Acetes japonicus in August. These prey species were collected along the estuary during the spring–summer seasons of 2003 and 2004, and their carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) were evaluated. The δ¹³C values of prey species were distinct from each other and were primarily depleted within and in close proximity to the ETM (salinity < 10); S. sinensis (−26.6‰) < Acanthomysis longirostris (−23.3‰) < Acartia omorii (−21.1‰) < Acetes japonicus (−18.5‰). The overall gradient of δ¹³C with salinity occurred for all prey species and showed minor temporal fluctuations, while it was not directly influenced by the δ¹³C values in particulate organic matter along the estuary. In contrast to δ¹³C, the δ¹⁵N values of prey species did not exhibit any clear relationship with salinity. The present study demonstrated that δ¹³C has the potential for application as a tracer of fish migration into lower salinity areas including the ETM.     

The benthic macrofauna of the St. Lucia Estuary during the 2005 drought year

The St. Lucia Estuary is the largest estuarine system in Africa. The estuary is part of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, which has been declared a World Heritage Site. This ecosystem has been subjected to severe drought conditions over the last four to five years, resulting in its mouth being closed off from the ocean in June 2002 for a period of over four years. The main aim of this study was to document the effects of the prevailing drought on the macrofauna of the system, since the last work on this benthic component had been undertaken over a decade ago, during a normal-to-wet phase. Macrofauna samples together with physico-chemical data were collected at representative sites in the Narrows, and the South and North lakes in February, April, August and October 2005. The drought exerted a strong influence on the system, leading to hypersaline conditions developing in its northern regions (maximum of 126 at Hell's Gate), and to the loss of aquatic habitat. Ordinations and clustering indicated that the macrofauna of the system could generally be separated into three clusters viz. (1) the Narrows and the southern portion of South Lake, (2) the northern half of South Lake, and (3) the North Lake–False Bay complex. Multivariate correlations indicated weak relationships between macrofaunal community structure and physico-chemical parameters. The distinction in macrofaunal assemblages between these clusters was probably caused by these habitats being physically separated at the peak of the drought, with no water flow between them, thereby preventing exchange of planktonic larvae and retarding colonisation of habitats. There was a northward decline in taxonomic richness and diversity of macrofauna in the system, which correlated positively with water depth and negatively with the biomass of microphytobenthos. It is evident that the drought structured macrofauna communities primarily through its effects on water depth and habitat fragmentation. The results of this investigation provide valuable information regarding the effects of droughts on estuarine–lake systems and the possible mechanisms by which they occur.