Response of particulate organic matter dynamics to the ocean front induced by typhoon Talim in Zhanjiang Bay

Chunqing Chen; Qibin Lao; Haoyu Yao; Xuan Lu; Qingmei Zhu; Shangjun Cai; Fajin Chen

doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106784

Response of particulate organic matter dynamics to the ocean front induced by typhoon Talim in Zhanjiang Bay

Mar Environ Res. 2024 Nov:202:106784. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106784. Epub 2024 Oct 11.

Authors

Chunqing Chen¹, Qibin Lao¹, Haoyu Yao², Xuan Lu³, Qingmei Zhu⁴, Shangjun Cai¹, Fajin Chen⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Ocean and Meteorology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; School of Chemistry and Environment, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China.
² College of Ocean and Meteorology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China.
³ Polar and Marine Research Institute, College of Harbor and Coastal Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China.
⁴ College of Ocean and Meteorology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Key Laboratory for Coastal Ocean Variation and Disaster Prediction, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Key Laboratory of Climate, Resources and Environment in Continental Shelf Sea and Deep Sea of Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China.
⁵ College of Ocean and Meteorology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; School of Chemistry and Environment, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Key Laboratory for Coastal Ocean Variation and Disaster Prediction, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China; Key Laboratory of Climate, Resources and Environment in Continental Shelf Sea and Deep Sea of Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39406172
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106784

Abstract

Typhoons greatly affect ocean hydrodynamics, thereby altering ocean productivity and biogeochemistry. This study used stable isotopes and geochemical indicators of particulate organic matter (POM) to investigate the impact of Typhoon Talim (2023) on marine productivity and POM dynamics in Zhanjiang Bay. During the typhoon, an ocean front formed in the upper bay, resulting in a nearly twofold increased POM and enhanced decomposition of resuspended POM, due to the strengthened vertical mixing. Despite of strong decomposition, the supplementation of terrestrial nutrient inputs maintained minimal changes in chlorophyll in the upper bay. By contrast, in the lower bay, chlorophyll and POM decreased significantly, primarily attributed to decomposition of fresh POM and nitrogen limitation resulting from high-salinity seawater intrusion induced by the typhoon. This study suggests that after typhoons, in the area where the ocean front forms, the decomposition degrades a large amount of resuspended POM, which is not conducive to the burial of organic carbon.

Keywords: Decomposition of organic matter; Ocean fronts; Stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes; Typhoons.

MeSH terms

Bays*
China
Chlorophyll / analysis
Cyclonic Storms*
Environmental Monitoring*
Particulate Matter* / analysis
Seawater* / chemistry

Substances

Particulate Matter
Chlorophyll