The distribution and seasonal variations of sedimentary organic matter in the East China Sea shelf

Fengxia Zhou; Xuelu Gao; Huamao Yuan; Jinming Song; Fajin Chen

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.02.009

The distribution and seasonal variations of sedimentary organic matter in the East China Sea shelf

Mar Pollut Bull. 2018 Apr;129(1):163-171. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.02.009. Epub 2018 Feb 20.

Authors

Fengxia Zhou¹, Xuelu Gao², Huamao Yuan³, Jinming Song³, Fajin Chen⁴

Affiliations

¹ CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Coastal Ocean Variation and Disaster Prediction Technologies, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524088, China.
² CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China; Function Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Qingdao National Laboratory of Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China.
⁴ Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Coastal Ocean Variation and Disaster Prediction Technologies, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524088, China.

PMID: 29680534
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.02.009

Abstract

We sampled the surface sediments of the East China Sea shelf (ECSS) in spring and autumn, 2014, and analyzed the biogenic element concentrations and stable carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotopic compositions to study the distribution and seasonal variations of sedimentary organic matter (OM). The average concentrations of TOC, TN and OP in autumn decreased obviously compared with those in spring. The increase of δ¹⁵N values in autumn indicated the priority utilization of ¹⁴N by bacterial decomposition activity. The values of δ¹³C were used to trace organic matter sources. The estimated percentages for terrestrial OM were in the range of 0-34.6%. They generally decreased seaward in nearshore areas, indicating the decrease of terrigenous influence. There was an obvious tongue-shaped region with relatively low percentages of terrestrial OM (<12%) in the northern part of the ECSS, which may be a reflection of the intrusion pathway of the outer seawater.

Keywords: East China Sea shelf; Sedimentary organic matter; Spatial and temporal distribution; Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes.

MeSH terms

Carbon Isotopes / analysis
China
Environmental Monitoring / methods*
Geologic Sediments / analysis*
Humic Substances / analysis*
Nitrogen Isotopes / analysis
Oceans and Seas
Seawater / chemistry*
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

Carbon Isotopes
Humic Substances
Nitrogen Isotopes
Water Pollutants, Chemical