Abstract
We used a section-segment method to determine the copper (Cu) fluxes from the Yangtze River to the East China Sea during 2012–2016 in this study, including the maximum, minimum and mean annual fluxes of dissolved and suspended Cu. The Cu fluxes exhibited a pronounced inter-annual variability. June was characterized with the highest monthly dissolved and suspended Cu fluxes, while the lowest monthly Cu fluxes was in February. The monthly Cu concentration and Cu fluxes both increased from January to June and decreased from July to December. The monthly Cu fluxes showed a positive correlation with the water flux and monthly mean Cu concentration; however, it had a negative correlation with the ratio of tidal flux to river runoff flux. Both natural (53%) and anthropogenic inputs (32.8%) were the main sources of Cu. The discharges of industrial and domestic sewage wastewater were the main anthropogenic factors affecting the entry of Cu.
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