Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2021, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (6): 52-62.doi: 10.11978/2021019CSTR: 32234.14.2021019

• Marine Environmental Science • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatial characteristics and formation mechanisms of hypoxia zone in Macao Inner Harbor

YANG Fang1,2(), JIANG Ran1, YANG Liling1,2, LIU Bingjun3   

  1. 1. Pearl River Hydraulic Research Institute, Pearl River Water Resource Commission, Guangzhou 510611, China
    2. Key Laboratory of the Pearl River Estuary Improvement and Protection (Ministry of Water Resources), Guangzhou 510611, China
    3. Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
  • Received:2021-02-17 Revised:2021-04-20 Online:2021-11-10 Published:2021-04-29
  • Contact: YANG Fang E-mail:532839727@qq.com
  • Supported by:
    Special Project on National Science and Technology Basic Resources Investigation(2019FY101900);National Natural Science Foundation of China(51409587);Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, China(2017A030313329)

Abstract:

Over the years, the Macao Inner Harbor has been the most serious eutrophication area in Macao. The deterioration of water quality in the inner harbor and its adjacent waters has killed a large number of fish. Based on the statistical data of water quality monitoring in Macao in recent years, we set up the scenarios of sediment release and sewage outlet discharge, and use three-dimensional numerical simulation model to simulate the dissolved oxygen distribution characteristics and hydrodynamic processes in the region. Our research results show that the hypoxia in the inner harbor is the result of physical and biochemical oxygen consumption in the Macao sea area. There are no obvious ocean reciprocating current and water stratification in the inner harbor. The key physical mechanism of hypoxia zone formation involves the weak hydrodynamic flow in the inner harbor and the semi-enclosed water area of Fai Chi Kei, which results in pollutant retention. The biochemical oxygen consumption in the Fai Chi Kei area leads to the inner harbor hypoxia directly. The oxygen consumption of the bottom sediment further accelerates the hypoxia.

Key words: Macao inner harbor, hypoxia zone, biochemical oxygen consumption, weak hydrodynamic flow, formation mechanism

CLC Number: 

  • U698.7