Processes controlling cobalt distribution in two temperate estuaries,Sagami Bay and Wakasa Bay,Japan

Concentrations of cobalt (Co) in surface waters from the Sagami River to northern Sagami Bay and from the Yura River to southwestern Wakasa Bay in Japan were determined in order to investigate the factors governing the distribution of this metal during estuarine mixing. Dissolved (<0.2 μm) and particulate (>0.2 μm) Co showed non-conservative mixing behavior with low or mid-salinity maxima within those two estuarine regions, indicating benthic remobilization and/or sewage input apart from riverine input during the estuarine mixing. These results are supported by a suite of complementary measurements of other parameters, such as manganese, phosphate, and suspended particulate matter concentrations. In addition, the concentration ratio of dissolved Co to total Co (dissolved plus particulate) increased along the salinity gradient, implying the potential for desorption of this metal from suspended particulate matter on estuarine mixing.