Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2022, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (3): 16-28.doi: 10.11978/2021142CSTR: 32234.14.2021142

• Marine Geochemistry • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Characteristics and sources of organic matter in sediments of the Pearl River Estuary: Carbon storage implications

SHANG Bowen1,2,3, WU Yunchao1,2, JIANG Zhijian1,2,3, LIU Songlin1,2, HUANG Xiaoping1,2,3()   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Guangzhou 510301, China
    2. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, China
    3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • Received:2021-10-25 Revised:2021-12-16 Published:2021-12-20
  • Contact: HUANG Xiaoping E-mail:xphuang@sciso.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(41890852);National Natural Science Foundation of China(U1901221);Key Special Project for Introduced Talents Team of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory(GML2019ZD0405);Guangzhou Science and Technology Program(202102021230)

Abstract:

Estuarine sediment, as an important carrier of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, is one of the main forms of organic matter occurrence. In this study, we analyzed total organic carbon (TOC) concentration, total nitrogen (TN) concentration, soluble organic matter excitation emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMs), spatial differences and influencing factors in different areas. Carbon stable isotope (δ13C) was applied to estimate the contribution of sediment organic matter (SOM) in different regions of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE). The results are as follows. (1) Spatial variations of TOC and TN concentrations are similar. The concentrations of SOM in the inner estuary and mixed areas are significantly higher than those in the estuary mouth. Principal component analysis results show that SOM concentrations in the inner estuary and the mixed area are mainly affected by river flow input, and those in the estuary mouth, by ferric iron. (2) MixSIAR results show that SOM in the inner estuary and the mixed zone is still mainly from terrestrial sources, and that in the estuary mouth is primarily from marine sources. (3) Newly produced organic matter in the sediments, which can be quickly utilized, is highly enriched in the PRE. Terrestrial input induced the higher humification degree of SOM in the inner estuary and mixed areas, which is conducive to organic carbon storage processes. In contrast, low storage capability was implicated in the estuary mouth, due to the influence of marine sources and iron oxide-organic matter complex. This makes it unfavorable for the storage of organic carbon in the PRE. This study provides a supplementary reference for further understanding the biogeochemical process of SOM and carbon storage in estuaries.

Key words: Sediment organic matter, terrestrial input, fluorescence characteristics, organic carbon storage, Pearl River Estuary

CLC Number: 

  • P736.41