An estimation of nutrient fluxes to the East China Sea continental shelf from the Taiwan Strait and Kuroshio subsurface waters in summer

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.

Nutrient Structure of the Taiwan Warm Current and Estimation of Vertical Nutrient Fluxes in Upwelling Areas in the East China Sea in Summer

Based on field data for nutrients collected on the continental shelf of the East China Sea(ECS) during summer 2006, the structure and variations of nutrients in every water mass related to the Taiwan Warm Current(TWC) were analyzed. The supplementary effect of nutrient of upwelling on harmful algal blooms(HABs) in the ECS was also estimated, based on upwelling data. Then the maintenance contribution of nutrient of upwelling to HABs was assessed. The results showed that N/P ratio is fairly low in both surface and deep layers of the TWC, which possibly controls nutrient structure of the HABs-frequently-occuring areas. In upwelling areas, the rate of phosphate(PO4-P) uptake exceeds that of nitrate(NO3-N) of the TWC. The TWC may relieve PO4-P limitation during the process of HABs. Furthermore, upwelling plays an important role in providing nutrients to HABs. After estimating nutrient fluxes(NO3-N, PO4-P, Si O3-Si) in the upwelling areas along a typical section(S07), the results showed that the nutrient uptake rate is the greatest at 10-20 m below euphotic zone, sustaining the ongoing presence of HABs. The uptake rate of PO4-P is the highest among dissolved inorganic nutrients. Therefore, upwelling is most likely the main source of PO4-P supply to HABs.

Effects of key species mud snail Bullacta exarata (Gastropoda) on oxygen and nutrient fluxes at the sediment-water interface in the Huanghe River Delta, China

Since the mud snail Bullacta exarata was introduced for economic aquaculture in the Huanghe River(Yellow River) Delta in 2001, its quick population growth and expanded distribution make it a key-species in the intertidal zone of this area. This significantly contributed to the economic income of the local people, but its potential ecological impact on the benthic ecosystem remains unknown. A mesocosm study was conducted to test whether its bioturbation activities affect the microphytobenthos(MPBs;i.e., sedimentary microbes and unicellular algae)productivity and the nutrient exchange between the sediment-water interface. Our results show that the mud snail significantly impacted the dissolved oxygen(DO) flux across the sediment-water interface on the condition of normal sediment and light treatment, and significantly increased the ammonium efflux during recovery period in the defaunated sediment and dark treatment. The presence of micro-and meiofauna significantly increased the NH4-N flux in dark treatment. Whereas, in light treatment, these small animals had less effects on the DO and NH4-N flux between sediment-water interface. Our results provide better insight into the effect of the mud snail B.exarata on the ecosystem functioning via benthic fluxes.

Nutrient Fluxes and Sediments Composition in El Mex Bay and Surround Drains, Alexandria, Egypt

The regeneration of pore water (PW) nutrients was investigated and the contribution of benthic nutrient fluxes to the overlying bottom water (BW) was examined. Dissolved inorganic nutrients (NO-2, NO-3, PO3-4 and SIO4-4) were measured in PW and BW in El Mex Bay and surround drains during spring 2010. Nutrient concentrations gradiance in PW with overlying seawater were evaluated according to Fick’s Law. Average inorganic nutrient fluxes were estimated using the pore water gradient concentration across the sediment-water interface. Calculated nutrient fluxes had averages of ﹣7.24, ﹣1.36, ﹣7.86 and ﹣1.33 in El Mex Bay. Additionally, the fluxes in the drains were ﹣34.39, ﹣32.28, ﹣53.20 and ﹣117.6 mg·m﹣2·day﹣1 for NO-3, NO-2, PO3-4 and SIO4-4, respectively. Mineralogical studies of sediment samples by using IR, X-ray analysis were carried out to identify the chemical structure of sediments. The results revealed that calcite, aragonite and quartz are the dominant minerals. On the other hand, differential thermal analysis (DTA) was used to evaluate and discuss different kinetic parameters such as Ea#, ΔG#, ΔH#, ΔS#, Z and Tm support the view of the extra stability of these sediments.

Benthic nutrient fluxes in the intertidal flat within the Changjiang (Yangtze River) Estuary

In an annual cycle from March 2005 to February 2006, benthic nutrient fluxes were measured monthly in the Dongtan intertidal flat within the Changjiang (Yangtze River) Estuary. Except for NH4+, there always showed high fluxes from overlying water into sediment for other four nutrients. Sediments in the high and middle marshes, covered with halophyte and consisting of macrofauna, demonstrated more capabilities of assimilating nutrients from overlying water than the low marsh. Sampling seasons and nutrient concentrations in the overlying water could both exert significant effects on these fluxes. Additionally, according to the model provided by previous study, denitrifica- tion rates, that utilizing NO3- transported from overlying water (DW) in Dongtan sediments, were estimated to be from -16 to 193 μmol·h-1·m-2 with an average value of 63 μmol·h-1·m-2 (n=18). These estimated values are still un- derestimates of the in-situ rates owing to the lack of consideration of DN, i.e., denitrification supported by the local NO3- production via nitrification.

Nutrient fluxes induced by disturbance in Meiliang Bay of Lake Taihu

A wave flume experiment was conducted to study nutrient fluxes at water-sediment interface of Meiliang Bay under different hydrodynamic conditions. The results reveal that hydrodynamics has remarkable effects on nutrient fluxes in this area. With a bottom wave stress of 0.019 N m-2 (equivalent to disturbance caused by wind SE 5-7 m s-1 at the sediment sample site of Meiliang Bay), the fluxes of TN, TDN and NH4+-N were separately 1.92× 10-3, -1.81 × 10-4 and 5.28× 10-4 mg m-2 s-1(positive for upward and negative for downward), but for TP, TDP and SRP, the fluxes were 5.69 × 10-4, 1.68 × 10-4 and -1.29 × 10-4 mgm-2 s-1. In order to calculate the released amount of nutrients based on these results, statistic analysis on the long-term meteorological data was conducted.The result shows that the maximum lasting time for wind SE 5-7 m s-1 in this area is about 15 h in summer. Further calculation shows that 111 t TN, 32 t NH4+-N, 34 t TP and 10 t TDP can be released into water (the sediment area was 47.45% of the whole surface area), resulting in concentration increase of 0.025, 0.007, 0.007 and 0.002 mg L-1 separately. With stronger disturbance (bottom wave stress is 0.217 N m-2 which is equivalent to disturbance caused by wind SE 10-11 m s-1 at the same site), there has been significant increase of nutrient fluxes (1.16× 10-2, 6.76×10-3, 1.14× 10-2 and 2.14× 10-3 mgm-2 s-1 for TN, DTN and NH4+-N and TP). The exceptions were TDP with flux having a decrease (measured to be 9.54× 10-5 mgm-2 s-1 ) and SRP with flux having a small increase (measured to be 5.42 × 10-5 mgm-2 s-1). The same statistic analysis on meteorological data reveal that the maximum lasting time for wind SE 10-11 m s-1 is no more than 5 h. Based on the nutrient fluxes and the wind lasting-time, similar calculations were also made suggesting that 232 t TN, 134.9 t TDN, 228 t NH4+-N, 42.7 t TP, 2.0 t TDP and 1.1 t SRP will be released from sediment at this hydrodynamic condition resulting in the concentration increases of 0.050, 0.029, 0.049, 0.009, 0.0004 and 0.0002 mg L-1. Therefore in shallow lakes, surface disturbance can lead to significant increase of nutrient concentrations although some components in water column had negative flux with weak disturbance (e.g. TDN and SRP in this experiment). In this case, sediment looks to be a source of nutrients. These nutrients deposited in sediment can be carried or released into water with sediment resuspension or changes of environmental conditions at water-sediment interface, which can have great effects on aquatic ecosystem and is also the characteristics of shallow lakes.

The Effect of Bioturbation Activity of the Ark Clam Scapharca subcrenata on the Fluxes of Nutrient Exchange at the Sediment–Water Interface

Filter-feeding shellfish are common benthos and significantly affect the biogeochemical cycle in the shallow coastal ecosystems.Ark clam Scapharca subcrenata is one of the widely cultured bivalve species in many coastal areas owing to its tremendous economic value.However,there is little information regarding the effects of the bioturbation of S.subcrenata on the fluxes of nutrient exchange in the sediment-water interface(SWI).In this regard,S.subcrenata was sampled during October 2016 to determine the effects of its bioturbation activity on the nutrient exchange flux of the SWI.The results showed that the biological activity of S.subcrenata could increase the diffusion depth and the rate of the nutrients exchange in the sediments.The bioturbation of S.subcrenata could allow the nutrients to permeate into the surface sediments at 6-10cm and increase the release rate of nutrients at the SWI.The releasing fluxes of DIN and PO43−-P in the culture area were found to be around three times higher than that in the non-cultured region.The culture of S.subcrenata has been proved to be an important contributor to nutrient exchange across the SWI in the farming area of Haizhou Bay.Nutrients exchange in the SWI contributes a part of 86%DIN,71%PO43−-P and 18%SiO32−-Si for the aquaculture farm.

Reanalysis of the Atmospheric Flux of Nutrient Elements to the Southern Yellow Sea and the East China Sea

Based on the recent research results on dry and wet deposition of nutrient elements and sulphate, we estimate the atmospheric flux of nutrient elements and sulphate to the southern Yellow Sea and the East China Sea in each season. The results suggest that the concentrations of nutrient elements and sulphate in aerosol and precipitation show an apparent seasonal cycle with the maximum values in winter and the minimum values in summer. Depositions of nitrate and sulphate are dominated by wet deposition, while the deposition for phosphate is mainly dry deposition. Moreover, compared with the riverine inputs, the atmospheric deposition may be the main source of dissolved inorganic nutrients in the southern Yellow Sea and the East China Sea.

BIOGEOCHEMICAL BEHAVIOR OF NUTRIENTS AND THEIR FLUXES IN THE MINJIANG RIVER ESTUARY

The biogeochemical behavior of DIN (dissolved inorganic nitrogen), phosphate and silicate in the Minjiang River estuary is discussed based on data obtained from May, 1990 to Feb., 1991 oceanographic surveys in the area. The annual fluxes of nutrients in the Minjiang River estuary were estimated to be 326.8 ×103 t for silicate, 771.0 t for phosphate, 45.7×103 t for DIN (42.1×103 t for nitrate, 3.0×103 t for ammonia. 600 t for nitrite), respectively.

Nutrient Input and CO₂Flux of a Tropical Coastal Fluvial System with High Population Density in the Northeast Region of Brazil

The carbon dioxide flux through the air-water interface of coastal freshwater ecosystems must be quantified to understand the regional balances of carbon and its transport through coastal and estuarine regions. The variations in air-sea CO2 fluxes in nearshore ecosystems can be caused by the variable influence of rivers. In the present study, the amount of carbon emitted from a tropical coastal river was estimated using climatological and biogeochemical measurements (2002-2010) obtained from the basin of the Capibaribe River, which is located in the most populous and industrialized area of the northeast region of Brazil. The results showed a mean CO2 flux of +225 mmol·m-2·d-1, mainly from organic material from the untreated domestic and industrial wastewaters that are released into the river. This organic material increased the dissolved CO2 concentration in the river waters, leading to a partial pressure of CO2 inthe aquatic environment that reached 31,000 μatm. The months of April, February and December (the dry period) showed the largest monthly means for the variables associated with the carbonate system (, DIC, CO2(aq), CO32-, TA, temperature and pH). This status reflects the state of permanent pollution in the basin of the Capibaribe River, due, in particular, to the discharge of untreated domestic wastewater, which results in the continuous mineralization of organic material. This mineralization significantly increases the dissolved CO2 content in the estuarine and coastal waters, which is later released to the atmosphere.

Pore-water distribution and quantification of diffusive benthic fluxes of nutrients in the Huanghai and East China Seas sediments

The distribution of nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate and silicate in pore-water and their exchange between sediments and overlying waters （benthic flux） were determined at nine locations on the shelve of Huanghai and East China Seas. On the basis of the redox potential of sediments and nutrients distributions in the pore-waters, it is found that the benthic sediments are being in a suboxic to anoxic environment in the Huanghai and East China Seas. The nutrients distribution in the pore-waters is mainly controlled by the sediment environment, and ammonia is the major inorganic nitrogen in the pore-waters. On the basis of benthic fluxes of nutrients calculated us- ing Fick＇s first law, there is remarkable efflux of ammonia, dissolved inorganic nitrogen（DIN）, phosphate and silicate from the sediments to the overlying waters in the study area, and their benthic fluxes are 299.3-2 214.8, 404.4-2 159.5 , 5.5-18.8 and 541.3-1 781.6 μmol/（m^2·d） respectively, and perhaps they are the major source of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphate and silicate for the overlying water. At most stations, the nitrate flux was from the overlying waters to the sediments, which suggests that suboxic organic matter decomposition via denitrification is dominated in the most area of Huanghai and East China Seas. High benthic fluxes appearing in the coastal area and relatively low benthic fluxes occurring in the shelf area are found and are consistent with pri- mary productivity zoning in the study area. On the other hand, the ammonia flux displays an exponential decrease with water depth increase and an exponential increase with the bottom water temperature. However, others do not display this trend.

Exchange fluxes of nutrients between sediment and sea water in the Bohai Sea

Investigations of sediment-water fluxes of nutrients in the Bohai Sea were carried out in September - October 1998 and April - May 1999. The exchange fluxes of nutrients between sediment and sea water were determined by incubating the core-top sediments with overlying water aerated with air. The benthic fluxes of NO3- , NO2- , NH4+ , DIN, DON and TON in the first cruise and the flux-es of NO3 , NO2- , NH4+ , DIN, DON, TDN, PO43- , DOP and TDP in the second cruise were measured. The exchange fluxes of nutrients in fall were higher than in spring. The benthic nutrient fluxes represented 15% -55% of nutrient budgets in the Bohai Sea.

Effects of Salt Pond Restoration on Benthic Flux: Sediment as a Source of Nutrients to the Water Column

Understanding nutrient flux between the benthos and the overlying water (benthic flux) is critical to restoration of water quality and biological resources because it can represent a major source of nutrients to the water column. Extensive water management commenced in the San Francisco Bay, Beginning around 1850, San Francisco Bay wetlands were converted to salt ponds and mined extensively for more than a century. Long-term (decadal) salt pond restoration efforts began in 2003. A patented device for sampling porewater at varying depths, to calculate the gradient, was employed between 2010 and 2012. Within the former ponds, the benthic flux of soluble reactive phosphorus and that of dissolved ammonia were consistently positive (i.e., moving out of the sediment into the water column). The lack of measurable nitrate or nitrite concentration gradients across the sediment-water interface suggested negligible fluxes for dissolved nitrate and nitrite. The dominance of ammonia in the porewater indicated anoxic sediment conditions, even at only 1 cm depth, which is consistent with the observed, elevated sediment oxygen demand. Nearby open-estuary sediments showed much lower benthic flux values for nutrients than the salt ponds under resortation. Allochthonous solute transport provides a nutrient advective flux for comparison to benthic flux. For ammonia, averaged for all sites and dates, benthic flux was about 80,000 kg/year, well above the advective flux range of -50 to 1500 kg/year, with much of the variability depending on the tidal cycle. By contrast, the average benthic flux of soluble reactive phosphorus was about 12,000 kg/year, of significant magnitude, but less than the advective flux range of 21,500 to 30,000 kg/year. These benthic flux estimates, based on solute diffusion across the sediment-water interface, reveal a significant nutrient source to the water column of the pond which stimulates algal blooms (often autotrophic). This benthic source may be augmented further by bioturbation, bioirrigation and episodic sediment resuspension events.

海水多品种养殖池塘沉积物-水界面氮磷通量

为探明生源要素氮、磷在沉积物与水体间的迁移过程,比较3种不同养殖模式下、不同时间养殖池塘沉积物-水界面的氮、磷通量变化,2014年6—10月,在3种综合养殖池塘:海蜇+凡纳滨对虾+菲律宾蛤仔、海蜇+凡纳滨对虾+缢蛏和海蜇+凡纳滨对虾的整个养殖周期内,采集检测3口池塘沉积物-水界面样品中的亚硝态氮、硝态氮、氨氮和活性磷酸盐含量,分析沉积物-水界面的亚硝态氮+硝态氮、氨氮和活性磷酸盐的通量变化。试验结果显示,6—10月,3种综合养殖池塘沉积物上覆水中亚硝态氮和硝态氮均以向沉积物中扩散为主,仅10月海蜇+凡纳滨对虾池塘沉积物中亚硝态氮和硝态氮向上覆水释放。海蜇+凡纳滨对虾+菲律宾蛤仔、海蜇+凡纳滨对虾+缢蛏池塘沉积物上覆水中氨氮向沉积物扩散,6月海蜇+凡纳滨对虾+缢蛏池塘沉积物中氨氮向上覆水扩散;与海蜇+凡纳滨对虾+菲律宾蛤仔和海蜇+凡纳滨对虾+缢蛏池塘相比,海蜇+凡纳滨对虾池塘氨氮通量变化幅度较大,6—7月上覆水中氨氮向沉积物扩散,且扩散速率逐渐降低,9—10月沉积物中氨氮向上覆水释放,释放速率逐渐上升。6、7、10月海蜇+凡纳滨对虾+菲律宾蛤仔池塘沉积物中活性磷酸盐向上覆水释放,8—9月上覆水中活性磷酸盐向沉积物扩散;6—10月,海蜇+凡纳滨对虾+缢蛏池塘沉积物中活性磷酸盐向上覆水释放;海蜇+凡纳滨对虾池塘上覆水中活性磷酸盐向沉积物扩散,10月沉积物中活性磷酸盐向上覆水释放。试验结果表明,配养底栖贝类,可以通过改变综合养殖池塘沉积物-水界面的氮、磷通量,改善池塘的底质和水质环境。

^(226)Ra and ^(228)Ra tracer study on nutrient transport in east coastal waters of Hainan Island,China

Material fluxes （e.g., nutrients） from coastal waters to offshore areas play an important role in controlling the water quality of the adjacent sea areas not only by increasing nutrient concentration hut also by changing nutrient structures. In this study, naturally occurring isotopes, ^226Ra and ^228Ra, were measured with the alpha spectrometry in the Wenjiao-Wenchang and Wanquan estuaries and adjacent sea areas along the east coast of Hainan Island. The excess ^226Ra and ^228Ra activities were observed by comparison with the values derived from the conservative mixing of freshwater and seawater end-members in both estuaries. Using a one-dimensional diffusion model, the horizontal eddy diffusion coefficient of 3.1 6 × 10^5 cm^2/s, for nutrients diffusing from their sources, was derived from 228Ra activities. Consequently, the corresponding nutrient fluxes flowing into the coastal waters were assessed. The results can provide useful information for the study of the mixing and exchange processes of coastal waters as well as dissoluble pollutant transport in this sea area.

环渤海河流营养盐的向海输送及环境效应

对2017年枯水期、2019年丰水期、2020年丰水期和2021年丰水期环渤海24条主要入海河流溶解态无机营养盐向海输送的浓度、比值和通量进行了分析.结果表明:环渤海河流溶解无机氮(DIN)浓度在世界河流中处于较高水平,硝酸盐(NO_(3)^(-))为DIN的主要赋存形态,溶解硅(DSi)和溶解无机磷(DIP)浓度较低.环渤海河流每年向渤海输送约0.61Gmol氨盐(NH_(4)^(+))、0.24Gmol亚硝酸盐(NO_(2)^(-))、4.85Gmol NO_(3)^(-)、0.02Gmol DIP和3.27Gmol DSi.环渤海小河流在环渤海河流营养盐的向海输送中扮演着重要作用,尤其是DIP的输送可以占入海河流总通量的80%以上;小河流单位流域面积DIN、DIP和DSi输送通量均高于黄河.与世界河流相比,环渤海河流向海输送的营养盐比例失衡,具有高氮磷比、高硅磷比和低硅氮比的特点,磷限制显著.环渤海河流营养盐向海输送和结构失衡可能会进一步影响到渤海的初级生产和生态环境演变,值得深入研究.

Using seismic surveys to investigate sediment distribution and to estimate burial fluxes of OC, N, and P in a canyon reservoir

As a high-precision survey method,seismic surveying has been increasingly applied to inland water research,although its application to artificial reservoirs has remained limited.As a special artificial water body,reservoirs have important effects on the fluvial transport of material from land to ocean,and inevitably have complex terrain which can complicate and distort the results of seismic surveys.Therefore,there are still some problems need to be resolved in the application of seismic surveys in reservoirs with complex terrain.For this study,the Dongfeng Reservoir located in the upper reaches of the Wujiang River was chosen as an example to test the seismic survey method.Our testing showed that(1)because of the complex underwater terrain,the signal-to-noise ratio of the echo signal in canyon reservoir is low,making it difficult to determine sediment layers thicknesses in some areas;and(2)due to the large spatial heterogeneity of sediment distribution,insufficient density of cross-sections can lead to inaccurate interpolation results.To improve the accuracy of calculations,a mathematical method was used.Ultimately,the total burial mass of sediment was estimated at 2.85 x 107 tons,and the average burial rates of total organic carbon,total phosphorus,and total nitrogen were estimated at 0.194,0.011,and 0.014 g cm-2 year-1,respectively.These values were close to the results of previous studies and hydrographic station data,indicating that seismic survey can be a reliable and efficient method for the mapping of reservoirs.

南四湖出湖口沉积物-水界面中营养盐分布特征分析及释放风险评估

为了解决南四湖出湖口沉积物-水界面中磷酸盐、氨氮和硝态氮等营养盐释放风险控制缺乏科学依据的问题,利用薄膜扩散梯度技术、高分辨率孔隙水采样技术分析南四湖出湖口沉积物-水界面中营养盐浓度的垂直剖面分布特征,并根据有效态磷、有效态氨氮和有效态硝态氮的浓度,计算三者的净扩散通量,评估三者的释放风险。结果表明:非泄洪期南四湖出湖口上覆水中的溶解态磷浓度低于孔隙水中的,表明沉积物孔隙水中的溶解态磷可能会因浓度梯度的存在而向上覆水中扩散;根据连续分级提取法,钙结合态磷是南四湖出湖口沉积物中磷元素的主要赋存形态,表层沉积物中的不稳定磷元素含量高于深层沉积物中的;有效态磷与有效态铁呈显著正相关,说明南四湖出湖口沉积物-水界面中有效态磷的释放受铁氧化物还原释放影响;有效态磷、有效态氨氮和有效态硝态氮的净扩散通量分别为17.58、1.16、-40.72 ng/(cm^(2)·d),说明有效态磷和有效态氨氮有从沉积物向上覆水中释放的潜在风险。

Chemical characteristics and estimation on the vertical flux of N，P，Si in upwelling area of Taiwan Strait

Based on the data obtained from oceanographic surveys at the central and northern parts of the TaiwanStrait during the period from 1983 to 1988, it is showed that the nutrient content in the coastal and bottom waters isrelatively high with an upward and offward decrease, and that the upwelling in the Fujian coastal area controls the distribution of nutrients in summer.The upwelling water is characterized by 2. 29 μmol/dm￣3 of nitrate; 2. 83 μmol/dm￣3of silicate; 0. 20 μmol/dm￣3 of dissolved inorganic phosphate,respectively. Significant correlation between nutrientsand dissolved oxygen content and its degree of saturation, temperature, and salinity, respectively are found in the upweiling area. Average of N/P ratio in the area(15. 9) approaches to Redfield ratio. Their vertical flux is estimated tobe 23. 6 mg/(m￣2·d) for - P, 223 mg/(m￣2·d) for NO-N, 302 mg/(m￣2·d) for SiO-Si, respectively,which is the main source Of nutients in the areas in summer. The mean of the flux of P and NO-N is about86 % and 73% necessary for phytoplankton in the euphotic zone.

Estimating submarine groundwater discharge and associated nutrient inputs into Daya Bay during spring using radium isotopes

Daya Bay, a semi-enclosed bay in the South China Sea, is well known for its aquaculture, agriculture, and tourism. In recent years, many environmental problems have emerged, such as the frequent(almost yearly) occurrence of harmful algal blooms and red tides. Therefore,investigations of submarine groundwater discharge(SGD) and associated nutrient inputs to this bay have important theoretical and practical significance to the protection of the ecological system. Such a study was conducted using short-lived radium isotopes ^(223)Ra and ^(224)Ra. The estimated SGD fluxes were 2.89 × 10~7 m^3/d and 3.05 × 10~7 m^3/d based on ^(223)Ra and ^(224)Ra, respectively. The average SGD flux was about 35 times greater than that of all the local rivers. The SGD-associated dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus(DIP)fluxes ranged from 1.95 × 10~6 to 2.06 × 10~6 mol/d and from 5.72 × 10~4 to 6.04 × 10~4 mol/d, respectively. The average ratio of DIN to DIP fluxes in SGD was 34, much higher than that in local rivers(about 6.46), and about twice as large as the Redfield ratio(16). Our results indicate that SGD is a significant source of nutrients to the bay and may cause frequent occurrence of harmful algal blooms. This study provides baseline data for evaluating potential environmental effects due to urbanization and economic growth in this region.