Abstract
Surface water samples were collected along the west coast of Taiwan during two expedition cruises which represent periods of different regional climatic patterns. Information on hydrochemical parameters such as salinity, nutrients, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and Chlorophyll a concentrations were obtained, and dissolved and particulate trace metal (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) concentrations were determined. Spatial variations were observed and the differences were attributed to (1) influence of varying extents of terrestrial inputs from the mountainous rivers of Taiwan to the coast, and (2) urbanization and industrialization in different parts of the island. Geochemical processes such as desorption (Cd) and adsorption to sinking particles (Pb) also contributed to the variability of trace metal distributions in coastal waters. Results showed temporal variations in chemical characteristics in coastal waters as a consequence of prevailing monsoons. During the wet season when river discharges were higher, the transport of particulate metals was elevated due to increased sediment loads. During the dry season, lower river discharges resulted in a lesser extent of estuarine dilution effect for chemicals of anthropogenic sources, indicated by higher dissolved concentrations present in coastal waters associated with slightly higher salinity.
Highlights
Coastal environments are sites where chemical species and terrestrial material are transformed, removed, and/or transported to the ocean (Boyer et al 2006)
Coastal waters are direct recipients of terrestrial material that is discharged from rivers and estuaries and mixed with oceanic waters
In contrast to lower salinity and higher suspended particulate matter (SPM) and silicate concentrations indicate the relative extent of terrestrial influence; the influence of anthropogenic inputs from Taiwan to its coastal waters is seen from results of phosphate and trace metal (Cu, Ni, Zn) concentrations
Summary
Coastal environments are sites where chemical species and terrestrial material are transformed, removed, and/or transported to the ocean (Boyer et al 2006). Small river systems are highly influenced by seasonally variable climatic patterns which can cause extreme hydrological conditions and have a profound influence in these regions (Wen et al 2008; Wang et al 2012). In order to quantify the material fluxes from land to ocean, and to better understand the influence of human activities on coastal environments, studies on the chemical characteristics of coastal waters are needed (Pohl et al 2006). Because of the convergence of the two major plates, the island is narrow and has very small plains in the east, and most major rivers/streams are located in the western part of Taiwan. With wider plains and more water resources in the west, population density on the island is heavily tilted to that region, with major industrial and urban development occurring in western Taiwan. Taiwan has become one of the world’s most powerful economies over the last few decades which has caused its estuarine and coastal waters to face more environmental stressors (Wen et al 2008)
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