Effects of Dual Fronts on the Spatial Pattern of Chlorophyll-a Concentrations in and off the Changjiang River Estuary

Abstract

Estuarine fronts have significant effects on estuarine circulation, water quality, and productivity. However, there are limited studies on the joint ecological effects of sediment and plume fronts caused by tidal mixing and a low-salinity plume in and off the Changjiang River Estuary (CRE). Based on observational data during the summers of 1988–2016, we analyzed the spatial correlations between environmental factors and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations along the two frontal boundaries. The water mass that is shoreward of the sediment front was characterized by the highest nutrients and total suspended matter (TSM); extensive light limitation caused by TSM consequently led to the lowest Chl-a. The water mass between the sediment and plume fronts displayed the highest Chl-a, which benefited from increased light availability due to rapid deposition of TSM across the sediment front and higher nutrients contributed by the plume and coastal upwelling. Shelf water mass beyond the plume front showed the lowest TSM and nutrients; the distinct reduction of nutrient supply resulted in a relatively low Chl-a. The spatial pattern of summer phytoplankton biomass tended to be a result of the balance of light and nutrients constructed by the two fronts and coastal upwelling in and off the CRE.