Abstract: Based on the data of suspended matter concentration and turbidity in the sea area west of Guangdong and northeast of Hainan Island, the characters of suspended matter concentration and turbidity distribution have been studied. We found that most suspended matter concentration in this area is low and that most of this sea area is very clear. In spring and summer, the suspended matter mainly comes from Pearl River Estuary and Qiongzhou Strait, where the suspended matter have an obviously dividing line. The suspended matter in the offshore area northeast of Hainan Island may come from land and the open sea. Also we found that the suspended matter concentration and turbidity have a better correlation near shore and at the bottom of the sea. The turbidity can reflect the content of suspended sand, but cannot reflect the activity and distribution of organisms. For example, the suspended matter concentration is high in the Qiongdong upwelling area, where the biological activities are extensive, but the turbidity is low.

Key words: concentration, turbidity, suspended matter, western Guangdong, northeastern Hainan