Abstract
Abstract. In order to assess the role of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and its impact on the carbonate system on the northern South China Sea (NSCS) shelf, we measured seawater concentrations of four radium isotopes 223,224,226,228Ra along with carbonate system parameters in June–July, 2008. Complementary groundwater sampling was conducted in coastal areas in December 2008 and October 2010 to constrain the groundwater end-members. The distribution of Ra isotopes in the NSCS was largely controlled by the Pearl River plume and coastal upwelling. Long-lived Ra isotopes (228Ra and 226Ra) were enriched in the river plume but low in the offshore surface water and subsurface water/upwelling zone. In contrast, short-lived Ra isotopes (224Ra and 223Ra) were elevated in the subsurface water/upwelling zone as well as in the river plume but depleted in the offshore surface water. In order to quantify SGD, we adopted two independent mathematical approaches. Using a three end-member mixing model with total alkalinity (TAlk) and Ra isotopes, we derived a SGD flux into the NSCS shelf of 2.3–3.7 × 108 m3 day−1. Our second approach involved a simple mass balance of 228Ra and 226Ra and resulted in a first order but consistent SGD flux estimate of 2.2–3.7 × 108 m3 day−1. These fluxes were equivalent to 12–21 % of the Pearl River discharge, but the source of the SGD was mostly recirculated seawater. Despite the relatively small SGD volume flow compared to the river, the associated material fluxes were substantial given their elevated concentrations of dissolved inorganic solutes. In this case, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) flux through SGD was 153–347 × 109 mol yr−1, or ~23–53 % of the riverine DIC export flux. Our estimates of the groundwater-derived phosphate flux ranged 3–68 × 107 mol yr−1, which may be responsible for new production on the shelf up to 0.3–6.3 mmol C m−2 d−1. This rate of new production would at most consume 11 % of the DIC contribution delivered by SGD. Hence, SGD may play an important role in the carbon balance over the NSCS shelf.
Highlights
Recent studies have recognized submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) as an important component of the hydrological cycle and chemical budgets in the coastal zone (Swarzenski et al, 2001; Taniguchi et al, 2002; Burnett et al, 2003; Charette et al, 2003; Moore, 2003; Bokuniewicz et al, 2008). Moore et al (2008) estimated that the SGD flux to the Atlantic Ocean is similar in volume to the riverine flux
We observed that the shelf regions laced with these plume waters were characterized by low dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) (Cao et al, 2011) but high inorganic nitrogen (NO−3 +NO−2 ) and relatively low PO4 and Si (Han et al, 2012), indicating that DIC was reduced by the enhanced biological consumption caused by the high nutrients supplied from the Pearl River plume
This study demonstrated that SGD can be a significant source of inorganic carbon to a RioMar shelf subject to abundant freshwater input from large rivers
Summary
Recent studies have recognized SGD as an important component of the hydrological cycle and chemical budgets in the coastal zone (Swarzenski et al, 2001; Taniguchi et al, 2002; Burnett et al, 2003; Charette et al, 2003; Moore, 2003; Bokuniewicz et al, 2008). Moore et al (2008) estimated that the SGD flux to the Atlantic Ocean is similar in volume to the riverine flux. Recent studies have recognized SGD as an important component of the hydrological cycle and chemical budgets in the coastal zone (Swarzenski et al, 2001; Taniguchi et al, 2002; Burnett et al, 2003; Charette et al, 2003; Moore, 2003; Bokuniewicz et al, 2008). SGD is often characterized by high concentrations of nutrients, trace metals and inorganic carbon as compared with surface water. Inputs of these materials can have a profound impact on the biogeochemistry and ecosystem functioning of coastal systems (Moore, 2010a).
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