Monitoring and Evaluation of Environmental Quality of the Waters near the Feiyun River Estuary in Wenzou in Recent Years

Based on the monitoring results of environmental quality of the waters near the Feiyun River estuary during 2011-2016, the current situation of environmental quality of the waters was analyzed and evaluated. The results showed that pH, DO, COD Mn , petroleum, and heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Hg, As and Cr) in the waters near the Feiyun River estuary did not exceed the second-class standard of Seawater Quality Standard (GB 3097-1997), while both inorganic nitrogen and reactive phosphate in the waters exceeded the second-class standard obviously. The water quality of the waters near the Feiyun River estuary was in an eutrophic state. In terms of sediment quality, the standard index of most evaluation factors except for Cu was smaller than 1, meeting the demands of sediment quality for environmental protection.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Environmental Quality of the Waters near the Oujiang River Estuary in Wenzou

Based on the monitoring results of environmental quality of the waters near the Oujiang River estuary from 2010 to 2017,the present situation of environmental quality of the waters was analyzed and evaluated.The results showed that pH,DO,COD Mn ,petroleum,and heavy metal (Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd,Hg,As and Cr) content in the waters near the Oujiang River estuary did not exceed the second-class standard of Seawater Quality Standard (GB 3097-1997),while both inorganic nitrogen and reactive phosphate in the waters greatly exceeded the second-class standard.The water quality near the Oujiang River estuary was in an eutrophic state.In terms of sediment quality,the standard index of most evaluation factors except for Cu was smaller than 1,meeting the demands of sediment quality for environmental protection.

The Derivation of Nutrient Criteria for the Adjacent Waters of Yellow River Estuary in China

Ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin are becoming part of the national strategy in recent years.The Yellow River Estuary has been seriously affected by human activities.Especially,it has been severely polluted by the nitrogen and phosphorus from land sources,which have caused serious eutrophication and harmful algal blooms.Nutrient criteria,however,was not developed for the Yellow River Estuary,which hindered nutrient management measures and eutrophication risk assessment in this key ecological function zone of China.Based on field data during 2004-2019,we adopted the frequency distribution method,correlation analysis,Linear Regression Model(LRM),Classification and Regression Tree(CART)and Nonparametric Changepoint Analysis(nCPA)methods to establish the nutrient criteria for the adjacent waters of Yellow River Estuary.The water quality criteria of dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN)and soluble reactive phosphorus(SRP)are recommended as 244.0μg L^(−1) and 22.4μg L^(−1),respectively.It is hoped that the results will provide scientific basis for the formulation of nutrient standards in this important estuary of China.

MIXING OF SALT WATER AND FRESH WATER IN THE CHANGJIANG RIVER ESTUARY AND ITS EFFECTS ON SUSPENDED SEDIMENT

Using field hydrological data, the relationship between the mixing of salt water and fresh water and the tidal range/ high tidal level in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary is discussed, and the transporting and concentrating of suspended sediment in the estuary were also analysed in respect to the circulation, flocculation and stratified interface resulting from mixing.The calculation results by two-dimentional box model have confirmed the effects of the circulation on the concentrating of suspended sediment in the estuary. The conclusions derived from this work have deepened the understanding on the mixing in the Changjiang River estuary and are of significance in bo’th theory and practice.

IMPACTS OF FUTURE SEA LEVEL RISE ON SALT WATER INTRUSION IN THE CHANGJIANG RIVER ESTUARY

Sea level rise could increase the salinity of an estuary by altering the balance between fresh water and salt water. The implications of sea level rise for increasing salinity have been examined in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary. By correlative analysis of chlorinity, discharge and tidal level and calculation of two-dimensional chlorinity, distribution of the Changjiang River estuary, the changes of the intensity and lasting hours of salt water intrusion at Wusong Station and the changes of chlorinity distribution in the South Branch of the Changjiang River estuary have been estimated when future sea level rises 50-100 cm. The intensity of salt water intrusion in the future will be far more serious than current trend.

Temporal and spatial evolution of surface sediments characteristics in the Dagu River estuary and their dynamic response mechanism

Based on the 39 surface sediment samples collected in the flood season and the dry season in 2012 respectively and the measured hydrological data in October 2012, the sediment grain size characteristics has been analyzed and the response mechanism of surface sediments to estuarine hydrodynamics was revealed by calculating the range of waves and tidal currents. The results show that:(1) The grain size of the surface sediment samples decreased gradually from land to sea in the flood season. The fine sediment was redistributed under marine hydrodynamics in the dry season and the sediments showed coarser tendency ingeneral;(2) tidal current stirring sediment was very obvious in Dagu River estuary area, and wave stirring sediments mainly occurred in the tidal flat area and estuary sand bar area;(3) in the flood season, surface sediment sat the estuary were transported towards south and southeast. In the dry season, surface sediments were transported towards southwest at the north area of Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, and sediments were transported towards northeast area at the south of Jiaozhou Bay Bridge.

Remote Sensing Retrieval of Surface Suspended Sediment Concentration in the Yellow River Estuary

Accurate assessment of surface suspended sediment concentration(SSSC) in estuary is essential to address several important issues: erosion, water pollution, human health risks, etc. In this study, an empirical cubic retrieval model was developed for the retrieval of SSSC from Yellow River Estuary. Based on sediments and seawater collected from the Yellow River and southeastern Laizhou Bay, SSSC conditions were reproduced in the laboratory at increasing concentrations within a range common to field observations. Continuous spectrum measurements of the various SSSCs ranging from 1 to 5700 mg/l were carried out using an Ava Field-3 spectrometer. The results indicated the good correlation between water SSSC and spectral reflectance(Rrs) was obtained in the spectral range of 726–900 nm. At SSSC greater than 2700 mg/L, the 740–900 nm spectral range was less susceptible to the effects of spectral reflectance saturation and more suitable for retrieval of high sediment concentrations. The best correlations were obtained for the reflectance ratio of 820 nm to 490 nm. Informed by the correlation between Rrs and SSSC, a retrieval model was developed(R2 = 0.992). The novel cubic model, which used the ratio of a near-infrared(NIR) band(740–900 nm) to a visible band(400–600 nm) as factors, provided robust quantification of high SSSC water samples. Two high SSSC centers, with an order of 103 mg/l, were found in the inversion results around the abandoned Diaokou River mouth, the present Yellow River mouth to the abandoned Qingshuigou River mouth. There was little sediment exchange between the two high SSSC centers due to the directions of the residual currents and vertical mixing.

Three-Dimensional Water Quality Model Based on FVCOM for Total Load Control Management in Guan River Estuary,Northern Jiangsu Province

Guan River Estuary and adjacent coastal area(GREC) suffer from serious pollution and eutrophicational problems over the recent years.Thus,reducing the land-based load through the national pollutant total load control program and developing hydrodynamic and water quality models that can simulate the complex circulation and water quality kinetics within the system,including longitudinal and lateral variations in nutrient and COD concentrations,is a matter of urgency.In this study,a three-dimensional,hydrodynamic,water quality model was developed in GREC,Northern Jiangsu Province.The complex three-dimensional hydrodynamics of GREC were modeled using the unstructured-grid,finite-volume,free-surface,primitive equation coastal ocean circulation model(FVCOM).The water quality model was adapted from the mesocosm nutrients dynamic model in the south Yellow Sea and considers eight compartments:dissolved inorganic nitrogen,soluble reactive phosphorus(SRP),phytoplankton,zooplankton,detritus,dissolved organic nitrogen(DON),dissolved organic phosphorus(DOP),and chemical oxygen demand.The hydrodynamic and water quality models were calibrated and confirmed for 2012 and 2013.A comparison of the model simulations with extensive dataset shows that the models accurately simulate the longitudinal distribution of the hydrodynamics and water quality.The model can be used for total load control management to improve water quality in this area.

Estimation of Peak Water Level in Pearl River Estuary under the Background of Sea Level Rise

[Objective] The study aimed to predict the peak water level in Pearl River Estuary under the background of sea level rise. [Method] The changing trends of peak water level at Denglongshan station and Hengmen station were analyzed firstly on the basis of regression models, and then sea level rise in Pearl River Estuary in 2050 was predicted to estimate the 1-in-50-year peak water level in the same year. [Result] Regression analyses showed that the increasing rate of peak water level over past years was 6.3 mm/a at Denglongshan station and 5.8 mm/a at Hengmen station. In addition, if sea level will rise by 20, 30 and 60 cm respectively in 2050, it was predicted that the 1-in-50-year peak water level will reach 3.04, 3.14 and 3.44 m at Denglongshan station, and 3.19, 3.29 and 3.59 m at Hengmen station separately. [Conclusion] The estimation of peak water level in Pearl River Estuary could provide theoretical references for water resources planning.

Radium isotopes assess water mixing processes and its application in the Zhujiang River estuary

Radium(Ra)isotopes are useful for tracing water mass transport and examining estuarine hydrological dynamics.In this study,several hydrological parameters,nutrients,chlorophyll-a(chl-a),suspended particulate matter(SPM)and Ra isotopes(2 23 Ra,224 Ra and 226 Ra)of surface waters of the Zhujiang(Pearl)River estuary(ZRE)were measured.This was done for both winter(December)and summer(July)seasons,to quantitatively understand the seasonal characteristics of river plume fl ow rate and trajectories,as well as the ecological response.The results show that Ra concentrations in summer were higher than in winter,especially 2 24 Ra(about 2–5 times higher).The spatial distribution of three Ra isotopes and relative Ra water ages indicated that river water mainly fl ushed out of ZRE through the western side in winter,where the water transport was about 5 days faster than in the eastern zone.In summer,diluted river water expended to the east side,resulting in fairly similar water ages for both sides of the river mouth.Although nutrients were higher during the summer season,lower chl-a concentrations indicated that reduced primary production might be caused by high SPM(low light penetration).The results obtained from this study will provide knowledge needed for ef fectively developing and managing the ZRE.

Response of the distributary channel of the Huanghe River estuary to water and sediment discharge regulation in 2007

The water and sediment discharge regulation(WSDR) project,which has been performed since 2002 before flood season every year,is of great significance to the river management in China.Until 2007,six experiments have been fulfilled to evaluate the effect of the project on the natural environment.To fill the gap of investigations,a study on flood and suspended sediment transportation and channel changing along the distributary channel of the Huanghe(Yellow) River was conducted during the WSDR project period in 2007.The lower channel was scoured rapidly and the channel became unobstructed gradually several days after the flood peak water was discharged from the Xiaolangdi Reservoir.Within four days after the flood peak at 3 000 m3/s entered the distributary,the channel in the river mouth area was eroded quickly.Both the mean values of area and depth of the main channel were tripled,and the maximum flood carrying capacity increased to 5 500 m3/s or more.Then,the river channel was silted anew in a very short time after completion of the WSDR.Favored by the WSDR project,the river status in April 2008 became better than that of the year before.The adjustment ranges of main channel parameters were about 30%,10%,and 10% at sections C2,Q4,and Q7,respectively.The process of rapid erosion-deposition was more active 15 km away in the channel from the river mouth due to the marine influence.It is reasonable for discharging sediment at concentration peak from Xiaolangdi Reservoir at the end of the flood peak.As a result,the sediment peak reached the river mouth about two days later than that of the water current.In addition,the WSDR project has improved the development of the estuarine wetland.Wetland vegetation planted along the river banks restrained the water flow as a strainer and improved the main channel stability.It is suggested to draw water at mean rate of 150 m3/s from the Huanghe River during flood periods,because at the rate the water in the wetland would be stored and replenished in balance.Moreover,we believe that cropland on the river shoal of the lower Huanghe River should be replaced by wetland.These activities should achieve the Huanghe River management strategy of "To concentrate flow to scour sediment,stabilize the main channel,and regulate water and sediment".

APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING IN THE ANALYSIS OF WATER ENVIRONMENT IN ZHUJIANG RIVER ESTUARY

1. PREFACE Lingdingyang is a trumpet estuary. It accepts the runoff of the Dongjiang River, the Beijiang River, the Zhengjiang River and the Liusihe River. It also accepts a part of the runoff of the Xijiang River. Its mean year runoff is 1.742×10" M^3. In resent ten years, industry and agriculture are developing rapidly in Guangzhou City, Dongguan City, Zhongshan City, Shunde County, Panyu County. Lingdingyang’s pollution is increesing. Water quality of lingdingyang is steadily deteriorated. In order to investigate the situation of water environment of Lingdingyang, we study its static environmental capacity of nitrogen and phosphorus. LANDSAT imageries are used in the study. The concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorous is detected by convention method.

Characteristics and sources of microplastic pollution in the water and sediments of the Jinjiang River Basin,Fujian Province,China

Microplastic pollution is widely distributed from surface water to sediments to groundwater vertically and from land to the ocean horizontally.This study collected samples from surface water,groundwater,and sediments from upper to lower reaches and then to the estuary in 16 typical areas in the Jinjiang River Basin,Fujian Province,China.Afterward,it determined the components and abundance of the microplastics and analyzed the possible microplastic sources through principal component analysis(PCA).As a result,seven main components of microplastics were detected,i.e.,polyethylene(PE),polypropylene(PP),polyvinyl chloride(PVC),polyethylene terephthalate(PET),polyformaldehyde(POM),nylon 6(PA6),and polystyrene(PS).Among them,PE and PP were found to have the highest proportion in the surface water and sediments and in the groundwater,respectively.The surface water,groundwater,and sediments had average microplastic abundance of 1.6 n/L,2.7 n/L and 33.8 n/kg,respectively.The microplastics in the sediments had the largest particle size,while those in the groundwater had the smallest particle size.Compared with water bodies and sediments in other areas,those in the study area generally have medium-low-level microplastic abundance.Three pollution sources were determined according to PCA,i.e.,the dominant agriculture-forestry-fishery source,domestic wastewater,and industrial production.This study can provide a scientific basis for the control of microplastics in rivers.

A numerical study on water diversion ratio of the Changjiang(Yangtze)estuary in dry season

We studied the flood, ebb and tidal averaged along (net) water diversion ratio (WDR) during dry season in the Changjiang (Yangtze) estuary, China, along with the effects of northerly wind, river discharge, tide and their interactions on WDR using the improved version of three-dimensional numerical model ECOM. Using data for annual mean wind speed and river discharge during January, we determined that the flood, ebb, net WDR values in the North Branch of the estuary were 3.48%, 1.68%,-4.06% during spring tide, and 4.82%, 2.34%,-2.79% during neap tide, respectively. Negative net WDR values denote the transport of water from the North Branch into the South Branch. Using the same data, the corresponding ratios were 50.09%, 50.92%, 54.97%, and 52.33%, 50.15%, 43.86% in the North Channel and 38.56%, 44.78%, 103.96%, and 36.92%, 43.17%, 60.97% in the North Passage, respectively. When northerly wind speed increased, landward Ekman transport was enhanced in the North Branch, increasing the flood WDR, while the ebb WDR declined and the net WDR exhibited a significant decrease. Similarly, in the North Channel, the flood WDR is increased, the ebb WDR reduced, and the net WDR showed a marked decrease. In the North Passage, the flood WDR also increased while the ebb and net WDR declined. As the river discharge increased, the flood and ebb WDR of the North Branch increased slightly and the net WDR increased markedly. In the North Channel the flood and ebb WDR changed very slightly, while the net WDR declined during spring tides and increased during neap tides. The WDR in the North Passage changed slightly during flood and ebb tides while the net WDR showed a marked increase. The WDR values of different bifurcations and the responses to northerly wind, river discharge, and tide are discussed in comparison with variations in river topography, horizontal wind-induced circulation, and tidal-induced residual current.

Water Quality Evaluation in Tidal River Reaches of Liaohe River Estuary, China Using a Revised QUAL2K Model

Rivers in the Liaohe River Estuary area have been seriously polluted by discharges of wastewater containing petroleum pol- lutants and nutrients. In this paper, The Enhanced Stream Water Quality Model (QUAL2K) and its revised model as well as One-dimensional Tide Mean Model (1D model) were applied to predict and assess the water quality of the tidal river reach of the Liaohe River Estuary. Dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and total phosphorus (TP) were chosen as water quality indices in the two model simulations. The modelled results show that the major reasons for degraded rivers remain petroleum and non-point source pollution. Tidal water also has a critical effect on the variation of water quality. The sensitivity analysis identifies that flow rate, point load and diffuse load are the most sensitive parameters for the four water quality indices in the revised QUAL2K simulation. Uncertainty analysis based on a Monte Carlo simulation gives the probability distribution of the four water quality indices at two locations (6.50 km and 44.84 km from the river mouth). The statistical outcomes indicate that the observed data fall within the 90% confidence intervals at all sites measured, and show that the revised QUAL2K gives better results in simulating the water quality of a tidal river.

Effect of water-sediment regulation and its impact on coastline and suspended sediment concentration in Yellow River Estuary

Implementation of the water-sediment regulation(WSR) scheme, mainly focused on solving the sedimentation problems of reservoirs and the lower reaches of the Yellow River, has inevitably influenced the sediment distribution and coastal morphology of the Yellow River Estuary.Using coastline delineation and suspended sediment concentration(SSC) retrieval methods, this study investigated water and sediment changes,identified detailed inter-annual and intra-annual variations of the coastline and SSC in the normal period(NP: 1986-2001, before and after the flood season) and WSR period(WSRP: 2002-2013, before and after WSR). The results indicate that(1) the sedimentation in the low reaches of the Yellow River turned into erosion from 2002 onward;(2) the inter-annual coastline changes could be divided into an accretion stage(1986-1996), a slow erosion stage(1996-2002), and a slow accretion stage(2002-2013);(3) an intra-annual coastline extension occurred in the river mouth in most years of the WSRP; and(4) the mean intra-annual accretion area was 0.789 km^2 in the NP and 4.73 km2 in the WSRP,and the mean SSC increased from 238 mg/L to 293 mg/L in the NP and from 192 mg/L to 264 mg/L in the WSRP.

Investigation on Water Pollution of Four Rivers in Coastal Wetland of Yellow River Estuary

[Objective] The study aimed at analysing water pollution of four rivers in coastal wetland of Yellow River estuary. [Method] Taking four seriously polluted rivers (Guangli River, Shenxian Ditch, Tiao River and Chao River) in coastal wetland of Yellow River estuary as study objects, water samples were collected from the four rivers in May (dry period), August (wet period) and November (normal period) in 2009 and 2010 respectively, then pollution indices like nutritive salts, COD, chlorophyll-a, petroleum, etc. were measured. Afterwards, the status quo of water pollution was assessed based on Nemero index and comprehensive trophic level index (TLI), so as to find out the integral status quo of water quality of wetland rivers and damages to aquatic ecological environment. [Result] On the whole, water pollution of four rivers in coastal wetland of Yellow River estuary was serious, in the eutrophication state, and the main pollutants were TN, TP, NH+4-N and petroleum. In addition, excessive N and P in the four rivers resulted in water eutrophication of Bohai Bay, so further leading to ride tide, which destroyed the coastal ecological environment of Bohai Sea. Moreover, compared with historical data, water pollution by nitrogen and phosphorus became more serious, while there was no obvious aggravation in the water pollution by petroleum. In a word, water pollution wasn’t optimistic on the whole. [Conclusion] The research could provide theoretical bases for the protection and utilization of river water in coastal wetland of Yellow River estuary and its coastal sea area.

Filling of the Three Gorges Reservoir to the 135-m Level: Instant Effects on the Yangtze Discharge and Suspended Sediment Concentration Entering the Estuary

Via the valuable opportunity of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) 135-m filling in June 2003, the Yangtze discharge and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) entering the estuary during the period from 15 May to 15 July 2003 were analyzed to examine the instant effects of the filling on them. The Yangtze discharge and SSC entering the estuary in the periods before, during and after the filling clearly indicated three phases: 1) the pre-storage phase characterized by natural conditions, in which the SSC increased with increasing water discharge; 2) the storage phase, during which the SSC decreased dramatically with decreasing water discharge; and 3) the post-storage phase, during which both the SSC and water discharge remained at relatively low levels first until the end of June, then the SSC increased gradually with increasing water discharge. It seems that the times for the instant effects of the decreasing discharge downstream from the upper Yangtze on the Yangtze discharge and SSC entering the estuary due to the TGR 135-m filling to take place were about 5 d and 1 d respectively, while both were about 18 d for those of the increasing discharge. This probably reflects the buffering and resultantly hysteresis of the 1800-km stretch from the upper Yangtze to the estuary. The results are helpful for scientific and hydrological investigation of the Yangtze mainstream downstream from the TGR Dam and of the estuarine and adjacent coastal waters.