Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2026, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (4): 162-178.doi: 10.11978/2025242CSTR: 32234.14.2025242

• Marine Environmental Science • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Monthly variability of nutrient concentrations and influencing factors in surface seawater of Qinzhou Bay*

SUN Kangwei1(), LIAO Riquan1,2,3(), LI Han1, WENG Peiyao4, TANG Jianhui1,2,5   

  1. 1 College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China
    2 Pinglu Canal and Beibu Gulf Coastal Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China
    3 Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Disaster Processes and Ecological Protection Technology, College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China
    4 Qinzhou Marine Environment Monitoring and Forecasting Center, Qinzhou 535011, China
    5 Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
  • Received:2025-12-18 Revised:2025-12-28 Online:2026-07-10 Published:2026-07-31
  • Contact: LIAO Riquan. email:
  • Supported by:
    Project for Enhancing Young and Middle-aged Teacher's Research Basis Ability in Colleges of Guangxi(2021KY0440); National Natural Science Foundation of China(42476043); Scientific Research and Technology Development project of Qinzhou(202116623); China College Students' Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program Project(S202411607021)

Abstract:

Estuaries and bays are crucial links between land and sea. The nutrient levels in Qinzhou Bay, a critical estuary of the Pinglu Canal, are fundamental to preserving both the structural health and functional stability of the coastal ecosystem in this region. This study systematically investigated monthly variations of nutrients in surface seawater of Qinzhou Bay from June 2024 to May 2025. Key nutrient-influencing factors were identified using a random forest regression model and the eutrophication status was assessed. Monthly average concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) ranged from (0.12±0.22) to (0.95±0.92) mg∙L−1 in Qinzhou Bay, mostly meeting the Class Ⅳ seawater quality standard. Pollution levels of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) were relatively low, with monthly average concentrations ranging from (0.006±0.001) to (0.043±0.019) mg∙L−1, meeting the Class Ⅱ and Ⅲ seawater quality standards. The high-value areas of monthly DIN and dissolved silica (DSi) concentrations consistently occurred in the Qinjiang River estuary, while the high-value areas of DIP exhibited inter-monthly migration between the estuary and the aquaculture area of Maowei Sea. Qinzhou Bay has been under eutrophic conditions for extended periods. Using the eutrophication index (EI) and nutrient quality index (NQI) methods, the study found that the two methods matched consistently in high eutrophication periods (June to August 2024, May 2025), but showed significant differences in medium and low eutrophication periods. Both EI and NQI were significantly positively correlated with DIN concentration and significantly negatively correlated with salinity, indicating that land-based freshwater input is the key contributor to eutrophication in Qinzhou Bay. Apart from freshwater input being the main source of DIN and DIP, chemical oxygen demand is also an important factor influencing the spatial variation of DIP, accounting for 32.70% of the total feature importance. Long-term trend analysis showed that the concentrations of DIN and DIP in Qinzhou Bay have increased rapidly from 1983 to 2024, with significant long-term accumulation of nutrients. Although there have been some phased achievements in nitrogen and phosphorus control in recent years, population growth during urbanization, industrial expansion, and fluctuations in agricultural fertilizer application remain the main reasons for the severe pollution of nitrogen and phosphorus in this sea area. This study provides a scientific basis for a deeper understanding of the monthly variations and transformation of nutrients, the dynamics of eutrophication and the interannual changes in nutrients in Qinzhou Bay, and also offers theoretical support for the targeted prevention and control of eutrophication in this sea area.

Key words: Pinglu Canal, Qinzhou Bay, nutrients, DIN, DIP

CLC Number: 

  • P734