Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2026, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (4): 140-152.doi: 10.11978/2025193CSTR: 32234.14.2025193

• Marine Environmental Science • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Distribution characteristics and pollution assessment of biogenic elements in sediments of the Maowei Sea*

WANG Zeyu1(), LU Dongliang1,2,3(), ZHOU Jiaodi1,2(), JIN Zhuling1, LU Jinfeng1, LI Chenyang1   

  1. 1 College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China
    2 Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Disaster Processes and Ecological Protection Technology, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China
    3 Pinglu Canal and Beibu Gulf Coastal Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China
  • Received:2025-10-16 Revised:2025-11-12 Online:2026-07-10 Published:2026-07-31
  • Contact: LU Dongliang, email: ;ZHOU Jiaodi, email:
  • Supported by:
    Guangxi Natural Science Foundation(GuikeLT2504240009); Guangxi Natural Science Foundation(2025GXNSFDA02850005); National Natural Science Foundation of China(41966002); National Natural Science Foundation of China(42166002); Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Change and Disaster in Beibu Gulf, Independent Project(2023ZZ01); Open Topic(2020KF02); Experimental Research on Beibu Gulf Scientific Expedition 2023 (NORC2024-11) under the National Natural Science Foundation of China-Shared Voyage Program Proiect (42349911); Experimental Research on Beibu Gulf Scientific Expedition 2023(NORC2024-11); Guangxi Beibu Gulf Marine Ecological Environment Field Observation and Research Station(Guike 230267271)

Abstract:

Based on the investigation and analysis of surface sediment samples collected from 16 stations in the Maowei Sea during the wet season (July 2024) and dry season (December 2024), this study evaluated the pollution status using the comprehensive pollution index method and organic pollution index method. The results showed that the mass fraction ranges of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and biogenic silica (BSi) during the wet season were from 0.296% to 0.953%, 0.010% to 0.112%, 0.027% to 0.155%, and 0.291% to 0.520%, respectively. During the dry season, the corresponding ranges were 0.038%-1.487%, 0.004%-0.127%, 0.016%-0.113%, and 0.089%-0.982%, respectively. The contents of TOC, TN, and BSi were higher in the dry season than in the wet season, whereas TP exhibited no significant seasonal difference. Overall, the contents of biogenic elements showed a decreasing trend from the estuary to the outer bay. The TOC/TN ratio indicated that organic matter was derived from mixed marine and terrestrial inputs in the wet season, while terrestrial inputs dominated in the dry season. The distribution of biogenic elements was significantly influenced by sediment grain size and moisture content (P<0.05), and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) was significantly correlated with each of the biogenic elements in the dry season (P<0.01). Pollution assessment revealed that nitrogen and phosphorus pollution was generally at a slight level, with more severe pollution observed in the estuarine areas of the Maoling River and Qinjiang River. Organic pollution levels ranged from clean to relatively clean. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for monitoring and risk management of the benthic ecological environment in the Maowei Sea during the construction of the Pinglu Canal Project.

Key words: surface sediments, biogenic elements, pollution assessment, spatiotemporal distribution, Maowei Sea

CLC Number: 

  • P76