Due to the influence of tidal processes, sampling and study of microplastics in estuarine areas have been hampered by inconsistent research methods and large data errors. In this study, whole-water depth sampling was conducted in the Jiulong River estuary using the pumping method in August of 2019. The abundances and distribution patterns of microplastics among different water layers and stations were analyzed and compared with research studies performed using different sampling methods. The results showed that the microplastic abundances in the surface, middle, and bottom waters of the Jiulong River estuary were markedly different and influenced by tidal effects. The abundances of microplastics obtained by different sampling methods were also significantly different. The abundance of microplastics in the surface water was significantly higher than the abundances in the middle and bottom waters near the source of pollution, and the abundances of microplastics in the middle and bottom waters were higher than the abundance in the surface water within the main estuary, which is subject to strong tidal action and has obvious stratification. The pumping method was more effective than the trawling method at retaining plastic fibers. The volume of water sample filtered by the pumping method and the size of the filtering mesh had significant effects on the abundances and sizes of the obtained microplastics. Different sampling methods lead to considerable differences in microplastic abundance results, and it is necessary to take tidal effects into account during microplastic monitoring in tidal estuaries. Therefore, it is recommended that operational monitoring and flux observations of microplastics in tidal estuaries be established and that sampling methods for observation of full tidal periods of flood and dry seasons and high and low tides should be used.
Large cascade reservoirs in basins impound water in late summer and early autumn and release water in the dry season of the following year. These activities affect seasonal river discharge into the sea which, in turn, affects saltwater intrusion in estuaries and the utilization of freshwater resources. This study evaluated the effective storage capacity of large cascade reservoirs and the value of cross-basin water transfers by the South-to-North Water Transfer Project in the Yangtze River Basin. The estuarine and coastal three-dimensional numerical model ECOM-si was used to simulate and analyze the impact of major projects on estuarine saltwater intrusion and freshwater resources. In 2020, the effective storage capacity of large reservoirs built in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River Basin was 70.611 billion cubic meters with a mean reduction in monthly river discharge of 13,398 m3/s during the storage period of September to October. By 2035, the completion of additional reservoirs in the basin will raise the total effective storage capacity of these reservoirs to 94.388 billion cubic meters and reduce the average monthly runoff by 17909 m3/s during the storage period. Using data on average monthly river discharge measured at the Datong Hydrological Station from 1950 to 2020, and by taking into account variations in river discharge by major projects in the basin, the average monthly river discharge from August to October from 2020 to 2035 in regular- and extra dry hydrological years was calculated. Numerical simulation results show that saltwater intrusion from September to October will increase due to impoundment in cascade reservoirs and decreased river discharge. During regular hydrological years, freshwater can be obtained from the four water reservoirs in the South Branch of the Yangtze River Estuary from September to October. However, water from the Dongfengxisha, Taicang, Chenhang, and Qingcaosha reservoirs is unsuitable for water intake during these months, particularly in extremely dry years. In 2020, the total number of consecutive days with unsuitable water intake from the four reservoirs was 28.75, 24.99, 29.63, and 37.47 days, respectively, and is predicted to rise to 46.53, 44.18, 47.56, and 50.75 days, respectively, in 2035. The impoundment of basin reservoirs in late summer and early autumn during average- and extremely dry hydrological years exposes them to strong northerly winds which can significantly decrease water intake. Basin reservoirs should reduce storage capacity and release water during extremely dry years to ensure the safety of freshwater resources in the Yangtze River Estuary.
Coastal salt marsh wetlands have high productivity and low decomposition rates owing to long-term flooding, and these wetlands store a large amount of soil organic carbon. As newly restored salt marsh wetlands develop, changes in vegetation growth traits, soil physicochemical properties, and organic carbon content affect their carbon sequestration function. In this study, using a restored salt marsh wetland in Hengsha (Chongming, Shanghai) as an example, changes in the vegetation growth characteristics and soil organic carbon content of different vegetation communities at varying developmental ages were analyzed using the spatiotemporal substitution method. Key factors affecting the carbon sequestration capacity of these restored wetlands were also identified. The results showed that the organic carbon content in newly restored salt marsh wetlands increased with developmental age over 0 ~ 20 years. Soil porosity and water content were effective indicators of soil organic carbon content changes. The newly restored wetlands had a high soil carbon density, with a total organic carbon density of (21.49 ± 3.67) tC·hm–2 in the 0 ~ 20 cm soil layer of the eight-year-old wetland, similar to that of the natural wetland. The vegetation growth and carbon sequestration capacity of Phragmites australis were higher than those of Scirpus mariqueter and their ecotone.
To clarify the effects of global warming on dark carbon fixation (DCF) in eutrophic estuaries, the rates of total DCF and DCF driven by ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms (DCFAOB) were studied under various water temperatures and nitrogen concentrations using 14C labeling (NaH14CO3) and the allylthiourea (ATU) inhibitor method. The Yangtze River Estuary was used as a study area and sampling locations were set up in the estuary and offshore locations. The DCF rates in the Yangtze River Estuary ranged from 0.23 to 0.33 μmolC·L–1·d–1 and that DCFAOB rates accounted for 4.13% to 43.61% of the DCF. Although DCF rates increase significantly under optimum temperatures, the increase was more obvious with changes in ambient temperature under low salinity. The optimum temperatures for DCF in areas of low and high salinity were found to be 30℃ and 25℃, respectively, with the addition of ammonia-nitrogen at these conditions significantly increasing the DCF rates. The results of this study reveal how dark carbon fixation in estuarine water can change when subjected to environmental temperature changes, thereby providing theoretical support and data references to aid in the comprehensive understanding and scientific assessment of carbon fixation and carbon sink flux in estuarine ecosystems.
中国综合性科技类核心期刊(北大核心)
