Variability of sulfur along the coastal salt marshes, Quanzhou Bay, China

Abstract

macrophyte (Potamogeton pectinatus) growing zone, sediment characteristics of Lake Wuliangsuhai from different sampling sites began to change abruptly at 32.5-cm depth just when TSL was formed. Ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus (N/P) and organic matter that is associated with eutrophic species, such as Potamogeton pectinatus, decreased with depth after the TSL was formed. Dry matter and metals also began to increase with depth above the TSL, indicating a transformation of external source. Data from this study supported such conclusions that it was possible to discriminate trophic state change of the lake by using sediment characteristics, and that anthropogenic pollutant loading was the key factor leading to eutrophication of Lake Wuliangsuhai.