Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2026, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (4): 190-202.doi: 10.11978/2025202CSTR: 32234.14.2025202

Previous Articles     Next Articles

The distribution characteristics, compositions and sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in Qinzhou Bay

JIANG Shihao1(), LIAO Riquan1,2,3(), NIU Donglei4, QIAO Zhen4, LU Dongliang1,2,3, TANG Jianhui1,2,4   

  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 Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
  • Received:2025-10-27 Revised:2025-11-17 Online:2026-07-10 Published:2026-07-31
  • Contact: LIAO Riquan. email:
  • Supported by:
    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:

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) serves as a key driver in biogeochemical processes. The composition and sources of DOM in estuarine and bay waters significantly influence marine ecosystems. This study was conducted in the estuary area connecting the Pinglu Canal and Qinzhou Bay through multiple sampling campaigns from August 2024 to June 2025. By integrating ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy with three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis (3D-EEM-PARAFAC) on collected samples, this study systematically investigated the compositional characteristics and sources of aquatic DOM. The study revealed that the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in the surface water of Qinzhou Bay ranged from 1.31 to 9.14 mg·L−1. The lowest concentration [average (2.11±0.38) mg·L−1] was in February 2025 and the highest concentration [average (7.53±1.43) mg·L−1] was in October 2024. Spatially, DOM concentrations showed a decreasing trend from the Pinglu Canal estuary to the Maowei Sea, but the concentration outside the bay has rebounded. Three fluorescent components were identified in the DOM of Qinzhou Bay: one humic-like component C1 (Ex/Em=240/430 nm), and two protein-like components, C2 (Ex/Em=245/300 nm) and C3 (Ex/Em=250, 275/350 nm), whose relative abundances varied seasonally. During the high-flow period, the relative proportion of the humic-like component (C1) reached 60%-81%, accompanied by significantly elevated aromaticity index and humification index (HIX). This indicates that the DOM pool was dominated by terrestrially derived, highly aromatic and humified substances transported by river inflow. During the low-flow period, protein-like components (C2 and C3) exceeded 70%, while aromaticity index (<1.5) and HIX dropped to extremely low levels; meanwhile, the biological index (BIX) increased, indicating a shift to endogenous and anthropogenic sources. Correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between salinity and humic-like component C1 (r=−0.96, P<0.01), while it showed no significant correlations with the DOC concentration (r=−0.23, P>0.05) and tyrosine-like component C2 (r=−0.08, P>0.05), suggesting that terrestrial DOM shows complex mixing behaviors in estuary. Comparative analysis with large natural estuaries such as the Yangtze River Estuary and the Yellow River Estuary reveals that the dynamics of DOM in Qinzhou Bay are co-regulated by natural hydrological processes (e.g., rainfall) and intensive anthropogenic activities (e.g., canal dredging, aquaculture), reflecting the biogeochemical signatures typical of a heavily human-modified estuary. The results provide support for understanding the evolution of the carbon cycle in estuaries under the influence of human activities and serve as a reference for the construction of Pinglu Canal, as well as for regional water environment management and pollution control.

Key words: dissolved organic matter, compositional characteristics, 3D-EEMs, Qinzhou Bay, Pinglu Canal

CLC Number: 

  • P734