Partitioning of grain-size components of estuarine sediments and implications for sediment transport in southwestern Laizhou Bay, China

Sediment transport in estuarine systems has been of increasing interest for scientists during the past few decades. However, the mechanisms for sediment redistribution remain unclear. We characterized in detail sediment transport in the Xiaoqing River estuary using the mathematical Weibull function to partition grain-size components of surface sediments in the southwestern Laizhou Bay, Northeast China. Four partitioned components: finer than 4,4.6-12.5, 23.4-63.3, and 67.1-132.6 μm were interpreted in terms of hydrodynamic conditions. During sediment transport, silt grains were suspended and moved seaward from three depositional centers, whereas fine-grained sands moved generally landward. Overall, sediments are transported clockwise in a generally NNE direction near shore and then turn eastward offshore. The mathematical partitioning method showed a great potential for future estuarine environmental studies.

Numerical Simulation of Water Level Under Interaction Between Runoff and Estuarine Dynamics in Tidal Reach of the Yangtze River

The Yangtze Estuary, the largest estuary in China, is under an obvious interaction between runoff and astronomical tide. The research on the interaction is very important for the exploitation and utilization of water resources in this area. A horizontal 2D hydrodynamic numerical model is established and verified in the present study with the modeling rmage from Datong to the Yangtze Estuary. Based on the comparison of high water levels under the interaction between different runoff and estuarine dynamics, some conclusions are drawn. By revealing the general laws about the relationship between the astronomical tide and flood, the flood level is forecasted to lay a foundation for further research on storm surge in the Yangtze Estuary.

Late Quaternary diatom and sea level changes in estuarine plain of the Jiulong River

Four units and twenty-four zones of diatom have been discerned in the Borehole ZK5 in the estuarine plain of the Jiulong River, Fujian Province. Comprehensive analysis of these, together with microbiological assemblages and age determinations in some other boreholes, shows that during the Late Wurm Glacial, sea level of the study area rose and fell frequently, but had principally been in the environments of estuary-bay. This mainly resulted from the tectonic subouction. In this period 3 low sea levels occurred. at 18, 16 and 12 kaBP respectively. During Holocene, sea weter intruded massively and the sea level over the transgnaion maximum had been 5-10 m higher than that of the present.

Insights into community-based bioassessment of environmental quality status using microphytobenthos in estuarine intertidal ecosystems

The feasibility of community-based bioassessment of environmental quality status was studied using microphytobenthos（MPB） in estuarine intertidal ecosystems.The sediment samples of MPB were collected monthly during a 1-year cycle（September 2006-August 2007） at four sampling stations in the Nakdong River Estuary,Korea.Environmental variables,such as salinity,radiation,grain size of sediment,Si（OH）4（Si）,nitrate（NO3^-）,nitrite（NO2^-）,ammonium（NH4~＋） and phosphates（PO4^（3-））,were measured synchronously for comparison with biotic parameters.The statistical analyses were carried out for assessment the relationship between biotic and environmental parameters.The results showed that：（1） the MPB community structures were significant differences among four sampling stations;（2） spatial variation in the MPB communities were significantly correlated with environmental variables,especially the nutrient NH4＋ in combination with salinity and grain size;（3） three species（Navicula lacustris,Pleurosigma anglulatum and Fragilaria sp.1） were significantly correlated with nutrients and/or Si;and（4） the species richness and diversity were significantly correlated with the grain size.It is suggested that MPB communities may be used as a potentially robust bioindicator for assessing environmental quality status in estuarine intertidal ecosystems.

Effects of sampling strategies and DNA extraction methods on eDNA metabarcoding: A case study of estuarine fish diversity monitoring

Environmental DNA(eDNA)integrated with metabarcoding is a promising and powerful tool for species composition and biodiversity assessment in aquatic ecosystems and is increasingly applied to evaluate fish diversity.To date,however,no standardized eDNA-based protocol has been established to monitor fish diversity.In this study,we investigated and compared two filtration methods and three DNA extraction methods using three filtration water volumes to determine a suitable approach for eDNA-based fish diversity monitoring in the Pearl River Estuary(PRE),a highly anthropogenically disturbed estuarine ecosystem.Compared to filtration-based precipitation,direct filtration was a more suitable method for eDNA metabarcoding in the PRE.The combined use of DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit(BT)and traditional phenol/chloroform(PC)extraction produced higher DNA yields,amplicon sequence variants(ASVs),and Shannon diversity indices,and generated more homogeneous and consistent community composition among replicates.Compared to the other combined protocols,the PC and BT methods obtained better species detection,higher fish diversity,and greater consistency for the filtration water volumes of 1000 and 2000 mL,respectively.All eDNA metabarcoding protocols were more sensitive than bottom trawling in the PRE fish surveys and combining two techniques yielded greater taxonomic diversity.Furthermore,combining traditional methods with eDNA analysis enhanced accuracy.These results indicate that methodological decisions related to eDNA metabarcoding should be made with caution for fish community monitoring in estuarine ecosystems.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES SINCE LATE PLEISTOCENE IN ESTUARINE PLAIN OF JIULONG RIVER, FUJIAN PROVINCE

Based on the evidences of lithostratigraphy, palynology, micropaleontolopy and geochronology, paleoenvironments since the Late Pleistocene in the study area have been reconstructed. One of the most important inferences is that two marine transgressions have occurred, one in Wurm Sub-interglacial and the other Postglacial. The former had caused the study area to be in an estuary-bay envirment over the transgression maximum, with a sea level of no less than 10 m below present; foe latter reached its maximum over the Atlantic stage, with sedimentary environments of estuary-bay, hay or shallow sea, and the sea level arrived at the highest elevation in about 6 - 5 ka B.P. Furthermore, it is notable that, during the Late Wurm Glacial, the study area area had principally been in an estuary-bay environment, although the climate, like many other areas, turned cold and dry, It reflects a general trend of crustal subduction in Jiulong Estudrine Plain over this pened.

An integrated measurement and modeling methodology for estuarine water quality management

This paper describes research undertaken by the authors to develop an integrated measurement and modeling methodology for water quality management of estuaries. The approach developed utilizes modeling and measurement results in a synergistic manner. Modeling results were initially used to inform the field campaign of appropriate sampling locations and times, and field data were used to develop accurate models. Remote sensing techniques were used to capture data for both model development and model validation. Field surveys were undertaken to provide model initial conditions through data assimilation and determine nutrient fluxes into the model domain. From field data, salinity re- lationships were developed with various water quality parameters, and relationships between chlorophyll a concentrations, transparency, and light attenuation were also developed. These relationships proved to be invaluable in model development, particularly in modeling the growth and decay of chlorophyll a. Cork Harbour, an estuary that regularly experiences summer algal blooms due to anthropogenic sources of nutrients, was used as a case study to develop the methodology. The integration of remote sensing, conventional fieldwork, and modeling is one of the novel aspects of this research and the approach developed has widespread applicability.

Using a semi-analytical model to retrieve Secchi depth in coastal and estuarine waters

Secchi depth(SD,m)is a direct and intuitive measure of water's transparency,which is also an indicator of water quality.In 2015,a semi-analytical model was developed to derive SD from remote sensing reflectance,thus able to provide maps of water's transparency in satellite images.Here an in-situ dataset(338 stations)is used to evaluate its potential ability to monitor water quality in the coastal and estuarine waters,with measurements covering the Zhujiang(Pearl)River Estuary,the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea where measured SD values span a range of 0.2–21.0 m.As a preliminary validation result,according to the whole dataset,the unbiased percent difference(UPD)between estimated and measured SD is 23.3%(N=338,R^2=0.89),with about 60%of stations in the dataset having relative difference(RD)≤20%,over 80%of stations having RD≤40%.Furthermore,by excluding the field data which with relatively larger uncertainties,the semi-analytical model yielded the UPD of 17.7%(N=132,R^2=0.92)with SD range of 0.2–11.0 m.In addition,the semi-analytical model was applied to Landsat-8 images in the Zhujiang River Estuary,and retrieved high-quality mapping and reliable spatial-temporal patterns of water clarity.Taking into account the uncertainties associated with both field measurements and satellite data processing,and that there were no tuning of the semi-analytical model for these regions,these findings indicate highly robust retrieval of SD from spectral techniques for such turbid coastal and estuarine waters.The results suggest it is now possible to routinely monitor coastal water transparency or visibility at high-spatial resolutions from measurements,like Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 and newly launched Gaofen-5.

Optimization of Sample Pretreatment for Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Estuarine Sediments by Gas Chromatography

This study examined levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in estuarine sediments in Licun (Qingdao, China) by gas chromatography under optimized conditions for sample pretreatment via ultrasonic extraction, column chromatography, and thin layer chromatography. Methanol and dichloromethane (DCM)/methanol (2:1, v/v) were used in ultrasonic extraction, and DCM was used as eluate for column chromatography. The developing system consisted of n-hexane and DCM at a ratio of 9:1 (v/v), with DCM as the extraction solvent for PAHs-containing silica gel scraped off the plate. When the spiking level is 100 ng, total recoveries of spiked matrices for four target PAHs (phenanthrene, anthracene, pyrene and chrysene) were 83.7%, 76.4%, 85.8%, and 88.7%, respectively, with relative standard deviation (RSD) between 5.0% and 6.5% (n = 4). When the spiking level is 1000 ng, associated total recoveries were 78.6%, 72.7%, 82.7% and 85.3%, respectively, with RSD between 4.4% and 5.3% (n = 4). The opti-mized method was advantageous for determination of PAHs in complex matrix due to its effective sample purification.

Interdecadal variability in ecosystem health of Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary using estuarine biotic integrity index

Ichthyoplankton samples were collected from Changjiang(Yangtze)River estuary in May 2016.Species composition was studied by DNA barcoding and morphological identification.To make better use of the estuarine biotic integrity index(EBI)to assess the ecosystem health of the Changjiang River estuary over the past 30 years,we collected the data of a spring ichthyoplankton survey in the estuary from 1986 to 2016.The EBI was calculated using 12 evaluation metrics,namely,the number of total ichthyoplankton species,estuarine spawning species,estuarine nursery species,estuarine resident species,benthic species,pelagic species,and intolerant species,and the percentages of tolerant species,omnivores,insectivores,carnivores,and natural hybrid species.EBI was calculated in spring in four periods(1986,1999,2007,and 2016)by assigning points of 1,3 or 5,giving values of 50,38,36,and 32,respectively,corresponding to“Good”,“Fair-Poor”,“Fair-Poor”,and“Poor”EBI levels,respectively.Changes in species composition were the primary reason for the significant decreases in EBI between 1986 and 1999,and for the large differences between 1986 and 2007 and between 2007 and 2016.The changes in species composition were influenced by declines in ichthyoplankton species,pollution sensitive species,estuarine nursery species and estuarine sedentary species,and an increase in pollution resistant species.An analysis of EBI interdecadal variability showed that the health status of the Changjiang River estuary ecosystem over the last 30 years first declined and then stabilized at a lower level.This result further settled the argument for urgent protection and restoration of the Changjiang River estuary.

Suspended sediment concentration mapping based on the MODIS satellite imagery in the East China inland, estuarine, and coastal waters

The purpose of this research is to improve the retrieval accuracy for the suspended sediment concentration(SSC) from in situ and satellite remote sensing measurements in turbid East China estuarine and coastal waters. For this aim, three important tasks are formulated and solved: 1) an estimation of remote-sensing reflectance spectra R_(rs)(λ) after atmospheric correction; 2) an estimation of R_(rs)(λ) from the radiometric signals above the air-water surface; and 3) an estimation of SSC from R_(rs)(λ). Six different models for radiometric R_(rs)(λ) determination and 28 models for SSC versus R_(rs)(λ) are analyzed based on the field observations made in the Changjiang River estuary and its adjacent coastal area. The SSC images based on the above-mentioned analysis are generated for the area.

The influence of three mangrove species on the distribution of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in the Quanzhou Bay estuarine wetland soils

This study aims to investigate the effects of region and three regional dominated mangrove species(Avicennia marina, Aegiceras corniculatum and Kandelia candel) on the distribution of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus. Measurement of the inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus and enzymatic activities was carried out in soils covered by three mangrove species in the Quanzhou Bay estuarine wetlands, a typical coastal wetland in China.Species with a higher biomass in upstream and midstream absorb more nitrogen from soils, and the retention of the available phosphorus in the soils of different regions causes the regional variation of phosphorus. In areas dominated by A. marina, nitrate nitrogen is lower while available phosphorus is higher. Meanwhile, nitrate nitrogen and available phosphorus are higher in the soils covered by K. candel.Moreover, all three species affect the elemental and enzymic stoichiometry. The mangrove species influences the diversity of the elemental and enzymic stoichiometric relationship through differential microenvironments, which induce the biodiversity of wetland ecosystems. Thus, this study may facilitate a better understanding of the transformation ability of mangroves to nitrogen and phosphorus and will therefore be beneficial for providing a basis for the ecological restoration of estuarine wetlands.

Impact of Phenanthrene on Denitrification Activity and Transcription of Related Functional Genes in Estuarine and Marine Sediments

The effects of phenanthrene(Phe)on the denitrification activity and denitrifying genes(narG,nirS and nosZ)were evaluated by dose-response experiments in sediments of Dagu River Estuary(DRE)and Jiaozhou Bay(JZB).The results showed that potential denitrification activity(PDA),N2O,NO3−and NO2−reduction rates of both areas were inhibited with an increase of Phe concentrations.The PDA,N2O,NO3−and NO2−reduction rates of both areas was highest and lowest in the control(DRE:0.453,0.427,7.439 and 3.222mgNkg−1 h−1,JZB:0.592,0.555,8.470 and 3.793mgNkg−1 h−1)and highest Phe amended treatments(DRE:0.069,0.001,4.486,and 1.563 mgNkg−1 h−1;JZB:0.114,0.024,5.527 and 2.200 mgNkg−1 h−1).The inhibition rate of PDA was highest,follow by NO2−reduction and then NO3−reduction.Moreover,with the increasing of Phe concentrations,total bacteria count and the abundance of denitrifying genes were decreased.And N2O accumulation was promoted with the addition of Phe for both areas.Based on the comparison of EC50 values,denitrifiers harboring three genes were more sensitive to Phe than PDA,and denitrifiers harboring nirS gene were more sensitive,followed by nosZ gene,and then narG gene.Furthermore,according to correlation analysis,the relative abundance of denitrifying genes was much more positively correlated with PDA,NO3−and NO2−reduction than total bacteria count.In addition,the denitrification activity and total bacteria count in JZB were more inhibited than that of DRE.This study is useful for understanding the impact of Phe pollution on denitrification in estuary and marine sediments,with profound implications for the management of aquatic ecosystems regarding eutrophication(N-removal)and greenhouse effect.

Prevalence and risk assessment of antibiotics in riverine estuarine waters of Larut and Sangga Besar River, Perak

Antibiotics released into the environment through anthropogenic activities exert selective pressure,driving bacteria towards increasing antimicrobial resistance.The prevalence of antibiotics and the ecological risks posed in the riverine estuarine of Larut River and Sangga Besar River,which included wastewater effl uents from hospital,zoo,and poultry slaughterhouse sources were investigated.Solid phase extraction(SPE)followed by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass chromatography(HPLC-MS/MS)were used to extract and quantify the antibiotic residues from 22 antibiotics belonging to six major antibiotic classes(sulfonamide,macrolide,fl uoroquinolone,phenicol,trimethoprim,and tetracycline).Sixteen antibiotic residues were detected with concentrations ranging from limit of detection(LOD)to 1262.3 ng/L.Fluoroquinolones and macrolides were the most frequently detected compounds.Erythromycin,clarithromycin,and ofl oxacin detected in hospital and zoo effl uents posed a high risk to algae while tetracycline had low to medium ecological risks toward all the relevant organisms from aquatic environments(algae,invertebrate Daphnia magna,and fi sh).

Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Denitrification and Denitrifying Bacteria Communities in Typical Estuarine Sediments

For revealing the effects of increasing of zinc oxide nanoparticles(ZnO NPs)on denitrification and denitrifying bacteria communities in estuarine sediments,the surface sediments of two typical estuaries(the Yangtze River Estuary and the Yellow River Estuary)were added with medium concentration(170mgL−1)and high concentration(1700mgL−1)of ZnO NPs for anaerobic cul-ture in laboratory.The concentration of NO_(3)^(−)and NO_(2)^(−),the reductase activity and denitrification rate were measured by physico-chemical analysis,nirS gene abundance and denitrifying bacteria communities by molecular biological methods.The results showed that ZnO NPs inhibited NO_(3)^(−), NO_(2)^(−)reduction process and NO_(3)^(−), NO_(2)^(−)reductase activity,and a stronger inhibition effect resulting from the higher ZnO NPs concentration.ZnO NPs decreased nirS gene abundance and community diversity of denitrifying bacteria.In addition,the inhibition degree of ZnO NPs on the denitrification process of sediments in different estuaries was different.These results were of great significance for evaluating the potential ecological toxicity and risks of nanomaterials in estuaries.

Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Denitrification and Associated N_(2)O Release in Estuarine and Marine Sediments

Silver nanoparticles(AgNPs)have been widely used in medicine and consumer products.And it enters the river in dif-ferent ways,then finally converges to the ocean through the estuary.AgNPs polution can affect NO_(2)−and N_(2)O production by denitri-fiers in aquatic system.The effects of AgNPs on denitrification activity,nitrogen transformation and nitrous oxide(N_(2)O)emission were investigated in Dagu River Estuary(DRE)and Jiaozhou Bay(JZB).The results showed that the potential denitrification activity(PDA),NO_(3)−and NO_(2)−reduction rates decreased with an increase of AgNPs concentration in DRE and JZB.However,the N_(2)O ac-cumulation was significantly increased at AgNPs concentrations above 5 mg kg^(−1)in both areas,and the accumulation rate was greater in estuary than in bay(P<0.05).Moreover,the total bacterial count showed a slightly increasing trend with an increase of AgNPs concentration(P>0.05)in DRE and JZB.Importantly,the relative abundance of narG,nirS and nosZ gene in two areas decreased with the increase of AgNPs concentration,and the negative effect of AgNPs varied in order:nosZ>nirS>narG,inferring that the expression of denitrifying related genes could be significantly and differently inhibited by AgNPs addition.Thus,this study demon-strated that the inhibitory effect of AgNPs on different denitrification process,which may lead to the increase of inorganic nitrogen accumulation and N_(2)O realease.This study provides a scientific basis for the further studies of AgNPs on the ecological impact mechanism and environmental effects of offshore sedimentary environment.

Acid Sulfate Soil Induced Acidification of Estuarine Areas Used for the Production of Sydney Rock Oysters, <i>Saccostrea glomerata</i>

This study investigated estuarine acidification, associated with drainage and excavation of acid sulfate soils, in areas used for commercial cultivation of Sydneyrock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata). Regular measurements of pH and electrical conductivity were collected in oyster cultivation areas and acidified reaches of the Hastings River estuary and Port Stephens estuary located on the mid north coast of New South Wales, Australia. Water quality information from acidified floodplain drains was also collected in theHastingsRiverfollowing heavy rainfall. Both estuaries experienced acidification of tributaries following periods of heavy rainfall. Drain outflow waters were acidic

Fertility of domestic sewage and eutrophication in estuarine harbor

The concentration and partition ratio of various speciations of nutrients in domestic sewage were determined. The transformation and transportation among the speciations, as well as their biological effects during sewage-seawater mixing were simulated in laboratory. The results are compared with field observation and the following findings are: i) The suitable range of ratio DIN/DIP in seawater for growth of phytoplankton in subtropical estuary and harbor is quite wide. It could grow well even in the range of 15-55 in atom ratio, and is independ of the variation in levels of N and P. ii) The transformation rate among the speciations of phosphorus is within the range of 0. 5 to 1. 1 μmol/d . iii) Phytoplankton uptakes P prior to N during its growth. The growth rate for Skeletonema costatum (the major species) and field algae are 0. 34-0. 58/d and 0. 30-0. 31/d, respectively. iv) The red tide species Prorocentrum micans could become the dominant species to a density 107 cells/L after Skeletonema costatum blooms and phosphorus is almost exhausted. In a word, eutrophication may bring out red tide in estuarine harbor, but the acceleration of degredation, transportation and precipitation of nutrients by turbid water is beneficial to the alleviation of eutrophication and red tide.

Does Procambarus Clarkii （Girard, 1852） Represent a Threat for Estuarine Brackish Ecosystems of Northeastern Adriatic Coast （Italy）？

The ongoing expansion of P. clarkii in the aquatic environments of northern Italy, where it is very common and abundant in most of the streams, lakes and reservoirs, led us to worry about the possibility of invasion into the estuarine and lagoonal brackish environments of the Adriatic coast, which is important not only for their peculiar fauna and flora and high biodiversity, but also for fishing and aquaculture. We carried out laboratory tests to investigate whether this species could live, moult and breed in water with different salinity levels. Several stocks of adult individuals, acclimated before the laboratory experiments, were maintained and monitored daily for a long period （100 days） in glass aquaria with water salinity varying from 5 to 33 ppt. They not only survived during the whole experiment period in levels up to 25 ppt, but also they regularly moulted and mated. These results confirmed that the species could invade the estuarine and brackish environments of the Adriatic coast, with all the implied consequences for the native species of both vertebrates and invertebrates and for human livelihoods.

Phytoplankton Productivity and Hydrology in an Impacted Estuarine Complex in Northeastern Brazil

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the productive capacity of the phytoplankton community and other environmental variables in the estuarine area of Suape;while considering the constant morphological, sedimentological and hydrological changes, the site has been facing due to the implementation and expansion of an industrial and port complex. The study comprised 6 campaigns: 3 in the dry season and 3 in the rainy season. Water samples were collected from the surface layer of the internal and external portions of the estuarine bay during low spring tides. The salinity ranged from 32.20 to 37.10, the water temperature ranged from 26.60°C to 29.40°C, and the oxygen saturation rate ranged from 58.5% to 114.5%. There was significant seasonal variation. The nitrite concentration was higher during the rainy season, whereas the ammonia concentration was higher during the dry season;the higher ammonia concentration helped increase chlorophyll-a levels and rates of primary productivity, which ranged from 0.02 - 2.45 mg·m&#8722;3 and from 0.34 to 4.32 mg·C·m&#8722;3·h&#8722;1, respectively. Chlorophyll-a a-containing biomass, and this reflected the low nutrient content in the water and indicated that the area was free from eutrophication processes. The decrease of rainfall during the sampling months and the anthropogenic changes in the environment led to reduced continental contributions, increased marine interference, nutrient dilution and loss of phytoplankton production capacity in Suape Bay, which severely damaged other trophic links in the ecosystem.