Sources Of Suspended Particulate Matter Research Articles

Fe contents and isotopes in suspended particulate matter of Lancang River in Southwest China

Iron (Fe) isotope geochemistry in rivers is crucial for comprehending surficial weathering and geochemical cycle mechanisms. Lancang River is an important channel for material transport between the Tibet Plateau and the oceans of Southeast Asia. In this study, Fe contents and Fe isotope (δ56Fe) compositions in the suspended particulate matter (SPM) are investigated to discuss the rock weathering processes in the Lancang River Basin. The δ56Fe values of SPM range from 0.01 ‰ to 0.21 ‰, with an average of 0.12 ‰, close to the average δ56Fe value of continental crust (0.07 ‰). The results indicate that the fractionation of Fe isotopes is limited caused of weathering process in the Lancang River Basin. Due to the interception of dense dams in the middle and lower reaches (1000–2000 m), the dissolved oxygen (DO) values of river water and the Fe contents of SPM remain at a relatively highest level, whereas the δ56Fe values in SPM are more positive. The positive correlation between chemical index of alteration (CIA) values and the Fe contents suggest that Fe in the tributary SPM may represent the weathering degree of their source areas. The increase of DO in the mainstream water may promote the decomposition and dissolution of SPM, thus increasing the contents of Fe in the remaining SPM, and causing slight positive fractionation of Fe in SPM. This study presents a complete analysis of the Fe isotope's potential utility in identifying the source of SPM. In addition, the Fe isotope may represent some alterations encountered by SPM throughout the runoff process.

Sources and geochemical behaviors of rare earth elements in suspended particulate matter in a wet-dry tropical river

The processes of rock weathering and soil erosion, and hydrochemical characteristics are significantly affected by the climate in a basin. However, the sources of rare earth elements (REEs) in suspended particulate matter (SPM) under soil erosion, as well as the geochemical behaviors of REEs with changes in hydrochemical properties between seasons, have received little attention in the tropical monsoon zone. In this study, the temporal and spatial characteristics of the REEs in SPM were investigated in the Mun River (a wet-dry tropical river), Northeast Thailand. During the dry season, the compositions of the major elements and REEs in SPM were very similar to those in local soils. However, there was a clear difference between the compositions of these major elements and REEs in SPM and those in local soils during the rainy season. This suggests that the SPM and its REEs during the dry season were primarily derived from soil materials, while those during the rainy season were primarily derived from soil materials and products of rock weathering. The ∑REE contents in SPM decreased from 191.2 mg kg−1 to 170.6 mg kg−1 along the flow direction during the dry season, while they increased from 100.7 mg kg−1 to 135.3 mg kg−1 during the rainy season. The δEu (mean 1.26) and δGd (mean 1.58) values in SPM during the rainy season were higher than those (mean δEu 1.21 and mean δGd 1.12) during the dry season, and both of them were mainly controlled by the relative contributions of rock weathering products and soil materials to SPM. The results suggest that the temporal differences of REE geochemical characteristics in SPM were closely associated with SPM sources, while their spatial variations were mainly affected by the water-particle interaction in the tropical monsoon zone.

210Po and 210Pb as tracers for particle cycling in a shallow semi-enclosed bay of Taiwan Strait

Naturally-occurring 210Po and 210Pb are good tracers for particle cycling in the estuarine and coastal environment. Activities of 210Po and 210Pb were measured in samples of bulk (wet + dry) atmospheric deposition, river water and surface seawater collected in the Zhangjiang Estuary-Dongshan Bay to investigate the geochemical scavenging rates (or residence times) of these particle-reactive nuclides. The spatial distribution of 210Po and 210Pb were strongly influenced by suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations and in almost all stations, 210Po and 210Pb were mainly in particulate form (51.7%–92.2% of the total for 210Po and from 44.3% to 90.3% for 210Pb). Due to the very high SPM concentration, enhanced scavenging of 210Po and 210Pb was observed in the maximum turbidity zone of Zhangjiang River, with a marked decrease of dissolved nuclides’ activities. We built a mass balance model and we found out that atmospheric inputs are the major source of these radionuclides comparing with other sources (e.g., river inputs or ingrowth production) in the study area. Residence times of 210Pb were calculated to be 2.2–9.8 and 0.5–8.9 days for dissolved and particulate 210Pb, respectively. And residence times of dissolved and particulate 210Po were 6.3–31.7 and 2.2–13.9 days, respectively. In the turbidity zone, we found an unexpected result that particulate 210Po and 210Pb had the longest residence times (about two weeks), suggesting that SPMs in the turbidity zone would not be easy to sink to the sea floor. We also found that different SPMs showed significantly different 210Po/210Pb activity ratios, which increased in the following order: atmospheric deposition in dry season < SPMs in river < SPMs in the Zhangjiang Eastuary-Dongshan Bay < biogenic particles (including detritus, fecal pellets, cells of phytoplankton and zooplankton). This phenomenon implied that 210Po/210Pb activity ratio in the particles has the potential application in distinguishing SPM sources in the coastal seas.

Reconstruction of historical suspended particulate matter contributions of Rhône River tributaries to the Mediterranean Sea

Total metal concentrations are usually used as geochemical tracers to identify sources of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediment deposits, but their non-conservative behaviour can lead to large uncertainties. This non-conservatism may be a significant issue when total metal concentrations of contemporary SPM are used to determine historical sediment sources, as diagenesis processes and/or past anthropogenic inputs modify metal concentrations in sediment core profiles. For the Rhône River, which is the main supplier of SPM to the Mediterranean Sea, there is no information on historical SPM source contributions from its main tributaries during major flooding events. The objective of this study was to highlight the relevance of using tracers in the non-reactive fraction to estimate the historical relative SPM contributions of the main tributaries of the Rhône River. These historical SPM contributions (1981–2017) were reconstructed based on a sediment core sampled at the outlet of the river basin and on sampling of contemporary SPM (2011–2019, Rhône Sediment Observatory monitoring network) from each main tributary. Fine stratigraphic resolution enabled us, using this original fingerprinting method, to reconstruct historical tributary contributions to sediment deposits at the scale of past flooding events over the last 37 years. When using tracers in the total fraction of SPM/sediments, the Isère and Ardèche rivers were the main contributors of SPM (32 % and 22 % on average, respectively) during the 1981–2017 period, whereas when using tracers in the non-reactive fraction, the main SPM source was the Durance River (52 %). The results obtained by this fingerprinting approach using the non-reactive fraction are fully consistent with literature data estimated using other methods (e.g. mean interannual SPM contribution of 53 % for the Durance River), and with documented historical flood events. This study showed that using tracers in the non-reactive fraction is more reliable than using tracers in the total fraction, especially for the deepest layers of the sediment core that are influenced by historical anthropogenic inputs.

Evaluation of the concentration of suspended particles in underground subway stations in Tehran and its comparison with ambient concentrations

Subway lines are responsible for 20% of the total passenger traffic in Tehran. Particulate matter is one of the most important major pollutants in subway stations and increasing their concentration leads to numerous health consequences for passengers and subway employees. This study aims to investigate the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 in four underground metro stations and compare them with the concentration of these particles in the open air. Seasonal sampling (April 2018 - April 2019) of particulate matters was conducted in the middle months of all four seasons for one week in the middle months of each season at peak traffic times from 8am to 12am, at three locations (entrance, middle, and exit in each station) and also at outside ambient of each station. The results are then compared with the relevant standards. The main sources of suspended particulate matter in the underground subway stations were due to passenger traffic, train piston pressure, floor cleaning, maintenance operations, wheel-rail wear and braking, and the performance of the ventilation system in the subway station. The results of the monitoring measurements in this study showed that the annual average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 in the four underground subway stations were 68 μg/m3 and 47 μg/m3 and in the outdoor ambient around these stations were 42 and 29 μg/m3, respectively. Also, this study showed that in the four underground subway stations, the annual average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were 1.5-1.7 times higher than those in the outdoor ambient, respectively.

Risk assessment of heavy metals in suspended particulate matter in a typical urban river.

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) is a major source of contamination in urban rivers as it serves as a carrier for pollutants, such as heavy metals. In this study, the Beiyun River, northern China, was used as a case study to determine the characteristics of SPM-associated heavy metal spatial distribution, to evaluate the potential ecological risks and identify heavy metal sources. The concentrations of seven heavy metals and other associated indicators (TC, TN, TP, and OM) were measured at 12 sites and analyzed by Pearson correlation (PC) and principal component analyses (PCA). The average concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were 70.72, 27.88, 31.35, 115.70, 27.77, 0.23, and 29.62mg/kg, respectively, with significant spatial differences occurring between some elements. Igeo values established the ranked order of heavy metal pollutant concentrations in SPM as As > Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni. [Formula: see text] analysis demonstrated that the ranked order of potential ecological risk from the seven metals was Cd > As > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Zn. Potential ecological risk index (RI) results confirmed the high potential ecological risk in the study area. Among the measured heavy metals, Cd represented the highest pollution risk, as shown by its highest [Formula: see text] value. Correlation analysis (CA) showed that Zn had a strong correlation with Cu and Pb. Significant positive correlations were found between TC, TN, TP, and Cu. Three element pairs, Zn-Cd, Cr-Cu, and Cr-Ni, were also found to have strong correlations. Zn, Cu, and Ni were mainly introduced by human activities including urban industrial sewage discharge (such as metallurgy and electroplating industrial wastewater), agricultural drainage, and landfill wastewater, while Cr mainly originated from natural processes like mineral weathering and atmospheric precipitation. This information on the concentration, risk, and sources of SPM in Beiyun River provides an important reference for the reduction of heavy metal pollution in SPM in a typical river in the Haihe River Basin (China).

Sources and dynamics of suspended particulate matter in a large-river dominated marine system: Contributions from terrestrial sediments, biological particles, and flocculation

Elucidating the sources and dynamics of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in large-river dominated estuarine and coastal areas is challenging, because these areas are characterized not only by high turbidity with complex terrestrial sediment transportation and deposition processes, but also by high primary production and plankton biomass. In addition, flocculation occurring near the river mouth can also markedly modify SPM dynamics, and its roles in affecting SPM concentrations, variations, and inherent properties remain inadequately addressed. In July 2016, an exceptional flood event occurred in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River basin, and a cruise on the Changjiang River Estuary and the adjacent shelf area was conducted. During this cruise, we deployed instrument of OBS (optical backscatter sensor) and LISST (laser in situ scattering and transmissometry) at 87 stations to study the SPM variations in 32 size classes (2.5–500 μm) and to elucidate the contributions of terrestrial sediments, biological particles, and flocculation to SPM sources and dynamics. The entire water columns at inner stations and the seawaters in the lower-depth waters at outer stations were found to be generally dominated by terrestrial SPM with smaller sizes. The waters in the upper depths at the outer stations were generally occupied by autochthonous and biological SPM with larger sizes, which mostly showed maximum values in the subsurface layers and were closely associated with fluorescence. In two stations near the river mouth and estuarine salinity front, the SPM, also with larger sizes, probably experienced flocculation. The findings from this study may greatly improve our understanding of SPM sources and dynamics under the multiple influences of physical and biogeochemical processes in large-river dominated estuarine and coastal areas.

Reactivity of particulate element concentrations: apportionment assessment of suspended particulate matter sources in the Upper Rhône River, France

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) transport through rivers is a major vector of nutrients and pollutants to continental shelf areas. To develop efficient sediment management strategies, there is a need to obtain quantitative information on SPM sources. For many years, the geochemical properties of SPM have been commonly used as tracers to identify sediment sources. In large watersheds, with numerous sources, the expected alteration of tracers during their transport requires that their reactivity be taken into account. To overcome this issue, we tested the use of major and trace element signatures in the residual fraction of SPM, using two different extraction methods. This original fingerprinting approach was applied to the Upper Rhône River basin (~20,000 km2) in order to assess the respective SPM contributions of its main five tributaries (Arve, Ain, Fier, Guiers, and Bourbre Rivers) for contrasted hydrological conditions (base flow periods, flood events and dam flushing). By incorporating element concentrations previously corrected from particle size distribution in a mixing model coupled to Monte Carlo simulations, we estimated the associated uncertainties of the SPM contributions from each tributary. The relative SPM contributions obtained using this fingerprinting approach were compared with those calculated with a 1-D hydro-sedimentary model. The use of element concentrations, such as Zn, P, Cu, Pb, Mn, or Sr, in the total fraction of SPM as conservative fingerprinting properties was not suitable, since they are mainly bound (> 50%) to reactive carrier phases. By using Ba, Ni, Fe, Mg, Cu, Sr, and V concentrations in the SPM residual fraction, the apportionment modeling of SPM sources was successfully assessed. The fingerprinting approach showed that, in base flow conditions, SPM originated mainly from the Arve River. During dam flushing event, the fingerprinting approach consistently estimated that re-suspended sediments came from the Arve River, while the 1-D hydro-sedimentary model estimated a proportion of re-suspended sediment originating within the Rhône River. This original fingerprinting approach highlighted the relevance of using geochemical properties in the non-reactive fraction of SPM in order to obtain reliable information on spatial sources of SPM in a large river basin. This methodology opens up promising perspectives to better track SPM sources in highly reactive environments such as estuaries/delta or in historical sediment archives.

Characterization of suspended PM2.5 and PM10 concentration and radioactivity around rembang steam power plant

Around Rembang Power Plant, ambient air samples of PM2.5 and PM10 has been taken. Result of this study can be useful as information for stakeholder and also people around Rembang power plant. Total characterization of average mass concentration in 6 locations for PM 2.5 and PM10 are 17.08 μg/m3 and 27.38 μg/m3 respectively. Those values are below air quality requirement by WHO. According to WHO, PM 2.5 should not exceed 25 μg/m3 and PM10 is not more than 50 μg/m3. Mass of PM 2.5 was around 63% from PM10 mass. This data shows that fossil fuel is main source of suspended particulate matter around Rembang power plant. Radioactivity analysis was done using gamma spectrometry, HPGe detector, radioactive sources (Eu-152 and Cs-137) and also Maestro 2 software. Radioactivity of Ra- 226 for PM2.5 and PM10, are 5.72 μBq/m3 and 7.30 μBq/m3 respectively. Radioactivity of Th-232 for PM2,5 and PM10 are 1.17 μBq/m3 and 2.59 μBq/m3 respectively, while radioactivity of K-40 for PM2.5 and PM10 are 17.68 μBq/m3 and 25.58 μBq/m3, respectively. Those values of radioactivity are below recommended values released by Regulation of Nuclear Regulatory Agency Head Number 7 Year of 2017 About Radioactivity Level in Air. According to this law, radioactivity of Ra-226 is below 1800 μBq/m3 and for Th-232 is below 2300 μBq/m3.

Spatial Difference and Causes Analysis of the δ15 N of Suspended Particulate Matter in the Lancang River Basin

The influence of cascade hydropower construction on the migration and transformation of raw material and ecological problems in the Lancang River Basin is of concern to scholars domestically and internationally. Based on stable isotope technology, this study analyzed the spatial distribution of nitrogen in the Lancang River Basin and explained the cause of this distribution. The results showed that the range of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was 0.28-0.60mg·L-1, and that of DIN in the downstream area of the Lancang River was 0.39-1.15mg·L-1. The range of suspended particulate matter δ15 N in the upstream area of this river was 4.52‰-6.72‰, and that in the downstream reservoir section was heavier than that in the upstream reservoir, which varied between 2.3‰ and 11.8‰. This study used Isosource to analyze the source of suspended particulate matter. The results showed that industrial wastewater and sewage, soil organic matter, atmospheric sedimentation, and agrochemicals are the main sources of suspended particulate matter, and their respective total contribution rates are 42.43%, 22.38%, 18.16%, and 17.03%. At the same time, the δ15 N of suspended particulate matter in Xiaowan, Manwan, and Dachaosan dams downstream of the Lancang River were influenced by algal assimilation, it leads to a reduction in the number of δ15 N of suspended particles.

Spatiotemporal changes in the concentration and composition of suspended particulate matter in front of Hansbreen, a tidewater glacier in Svalbard

Summary Tidewater glaciers supply large amounts of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and freshwater to fjords and affect oceanographic, sedimentological and biological processes. Our understanding of these processes, is usually limited to the short summer season. Here, we present the results of a one-year-long monitoring of the spatial variability in SPM characteristics in a context of oceanographic and meteorological conditions of a glacial bay next to Hansbreen, a tidewater glacier in Hornsund (southern Spitsbergen). The observed range of SPM concentrations was similar to ranges measured in other sub-polar glaciated fjords, especially in Svalbard. The major source of SPM is the meltwater discharge from the glacier. The maximum water column-averaged SPM concentrations did not correlate with peaks in freshwater discharge and were observed at the beginning of the autumn season, when the fjord water transitioned from stratified to fully mixed. The observed spatiotemporal variations in the total SPM, particulate organic matter (POM) and particulate inorganic matter (PIM) are likely controlled by a combination of factors including freshwater supply, water stratification and circulation, bathymetry, the presence of sea ice, biological productivity and sediment resuspension. During the ablation season, the SPM maximum concentrations were located within the upper water layer, whereas during the winter and spring, the greatest amounts of SPM were concentrated in deeper part. Thus, typical remote sensing-based studies that focus on SPM distributions may not reflect the real SPM levels. POM and PIM concentrations were correlated with each other, during most of the time suggesting that they may have a common source.

Chemical composition and possible sources of suspended particulate matter in the peripheral environments of Batticaloa lagoon, Sri Lanka

Since coastal lagoons are mixing zones of fresh and saline water, suspended particulate matter (SPM) in different environments within a lagoon exhibits unique properties. Biogeochemical processes of different environments within a coastal lagoon are critically reviewed. In this study, the peripheral environment of Batticaloa lagoon which is a large, semi-enclosed, micro-tidal lagoon in the tectonically inactive tropical climatic zone of Sri Lanka was evaluated for its chemical composition of SPM in the post winter monsoonal season 2016. Further, it was compared with physical conditions of water and general surface sediment geochemistry. Overall physical parameters of the lagoon peripheral indicate low oxygenated brackish water with neutral pH. The concentration of SPM shows a weak correlation with the physical parameters of water. The peripheral environment of the lagoon has higher concentrations of Zn, Cu, Ni, MnO and P2O5 in SPM compared to the surface sediments. Previous studies have shown that these elements are rich in marine micro-organisms. Further, with respect to the statistical correlations, no evidence was found to prove the sorbing nature of iron and manganese coatings as described in other studies. Hence the results suggest that the tropical climates and allied organisms at the peripheral environment of the lagoon have improved the chemical composition of SPM with respect to that of lagoon surface. Environmental concerning elements indicate minor to moderate enrichments compared to upper continental crust with iron as the reference element in the Enrichment Factor calculation. Despite the size and micro-tidal effect of Batticaloa lagoon environment, the concentration of SPM does not vary throughout the entire study area except at the river discharging points.

Distribution and geochemical composition of suspended particulate material in the shallow embayment of northern Thermaikos Gulf, Greece

The distribution and the chemical composition of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), in the northern Thermaikos Gulf, were studied during an annual experiment, carried out from June 2004 to June 2005. Water samples were collected at three depths (1m below surface, 10m depth, and 2m above bottom) and filtered to obtain SPM, particulate organic carbon (POC), total particulate nitrogen (PNtot) and particulate phosphorus (PP) concentrations. SPM and POC concentrations exhibited strong spatial and temporal variations, related to the different environmental characteristics in the study area such as river network, biological productivity, anthropogenic interferences, wind regime, and resuspension of the bottom sediments. The highest SPM concentrations were recorded at the surface (mean = 1.45 ± 0.75mg/l, maximum value = 11.60mg/l) and close to the bottom (mean = 1.49 ± 0.67mg/l, maximum value = 11.72mg/l), creating surface and bottom nepheloid layers (SNL and BNL), respectively. The maximum values were recorded close to the river mouths; the rivers are identified as the major sources of SPM. The Axios and Aliakmon rivers supplied the gulf with particulate matter, during the entire sampling period.Chemical analysis has revealed the significant correlation among the elements Al, Si, Fe, Ti, K, V, Mg and Ba suggesting the presence of terrigenous aluminosilicate minerals. Silica and Ca have terrigenous origin, but also come from autochthonous biogenic fraction. Chromium, Ni and Co, are of natural origin and derived from mafic and ultramafic rocks of the Axios and Aliakmon watersheds. Copper and Zn are correlated with each other and their distributions follow that of POC; these two metals are derived from partially treated domestic and industrial effluents. The vertical distribution of organic matter implies increased primary production within the upper layer of the water column. Phosphorus is present mainly in an organic form.During the sampling period, the water column was well-oxygenated. Early diagenesis only affected the concentrations of Mn and to a lesser extent Fe in the recently deposited seabed sediment.

Seasonal transportation and deposition of the suspended sediments in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea and the related mechanisms

The Yellow River is well known for high concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM), which is one of the most important SPM sources in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea, China. The mechanisms of long-distance transport and deposition of the Yellow River sediment discharges are hot topics. Based on field observations in four different seasons of 2010–2011 and 15 numerical experiments, this work studied the seasonal sediment transportation and deposition in the Bohai and Yellow Seas. Results show that the horizontal distribution of suspended sediment concentration in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea is neither closely related to the Yellow River discharge in flood and dry seasons nor to the temperature and salinity distributions in winter and summer because most of the Yellow River-discharged sediments deposited near the river mouth. However, the winter northerly wind events, especially the winter storm events with high waves, are the major factors inducing the long-distance transport of the sediments from the Bohai Sea to the Yellow Sea. The net SPMs are transported to the Yellow Sea from the Bohai Sea in both winter and summer. The net SPM flux at the Bohai Strait is 14.0 Mt/year by the combined effects of tides, wind, and waves. The SPM is transported to the Shandong Peninsula in the Yellow Sea for the generation of the mud wedge off the peninsula. The northern part of the mud wedge is related to the southerly wind in summer, and the southeastern part resulted from the winter northerly wind, especially the strong wind.

Spatiotemporal patterns of surface-suspended particulate matter in the Three Gorges Reservoir.

An investigation was conducted in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) seasonally from September 2010 to June 2011 to screen the distribution pattern of suspended particulate matter (SPM). Concentration of SPM, particulate nitrogen (PN), particulate phosphorus (PP), bioavailable particulate phosphorus (BAPP), and chlorophyll a (Chl a) were determined synchronously. Concentration of SPM was higher in the flood season than in the dry season and higher in the mainstream than in the tributaries. Chl a, PN, PP, and BAPP showed similar temporal pattern with SPM distribution. Particulate elements were significantly correlated with concentrations of SPM (p < 0.05). The proportion of algae-derived SPM in total SPM was higher in the tributaries than that in the mainstream. The results revealed that the spatiotemporal heterogeneity determined by hydrodynamics was the characteristic of SPM distribution. The source of SPM was mostly allochthonous. It could be deduced that SPM was an important factor affecting the water quality and algal growth in TGR by releasing or absorbing particulate nutrient.

Nature and source of suspended particulate matter and detritus along an austral temperate river–estuary continuum, assessed using stable isotope analysis

Ecologists are interested in the factors that control, and the variability in, the contributions of different sources to mixed organic materials travelling through lotic systems. We hypothesized that the source matter fuelling mixed organic pools in a river–estuary continuum varies over space and time. Samples of the mixed organic pools were collected along a small temperate river (Kowie River) in southern Africa during early and late spring, summer and winter. The C:N ratios of suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected during summer and winter indicated that the lower reaches of the system had similar organic matter contributions. Stable isotope analysis in R revealed that aquatic macrophytes were significant contributors to SPM in the upper reaches. Bulk detritus had large allochthonous matter components in the lower reaches, and contributions of aquatic macrophytes and benthic algae were high (>50%) in the upper to middle reaches. The evaluation of organic matter contributions to SPM and detritus along the river–estuary continuum provided a baseline assessment of the nature and sources of potential food for consumers inhabiting different locations during different seasons. Incorporating SPM and detritus spatio-temporal variations in food web studies will improve our understanding of carbon flow in aquatic systems.

Distribution and sources of suspended particulate matter in the Kara Sea

Abstract. The distribution of suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration in the Kara Sea was analysed based on ship and satellite data during the lowest ice cover periods in the Arctic (2007 and 2011). The distance of the river runoff with terrigenous SPM was recognized up to at least 76–76.5° N on the basis of isotope data and SPM concentrations and composition. The complex studies of SPM in the water column and in the benthic boundary layer provided new information about the supply and transformation of particles in the marine ecosystem.

Planktonic trophic interactions in a human-impacted estuary of Argentina: a fatty acid marker approach

Few studies have been made on planktonic food webs of temperate ecosystems, especially those from the Southern Atlantic Ocean, using molecular biomarkers. The fatty acid compositions of suspended particulate matter (SPM), microplankton and mesozooplankton were studied during summer and winter at a sewage-impacted and a control site in the Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina). The aim was to identify trophic relationships on a spatial and seasonal scale and to detect allochthonous inputs to the food web. Fatty acid trends were consistent with the seasonal succession of the plankton community structure supporting our underlying hypothesis that regional seasonality is mostly responsible for changes in fatty acid composition. Sewage had no clear impact on the fatty acids and may not be a significant source of SPM in the estuary. However, at the sewage site the composition of the SPM was more related to terrestrially derived compounds, diatoms and bacteria, and mesozooplankton fatty acids suggested grazing on terrestrial components and on diatoms over flagellates. Saltmarshes likely have a crucial role as the main contributors to the organic fraction of SPM followed by plankton. The seasonal fatty acid pattern of the mesozooplankton indicated different feeding strategies suggesting an active feeding mode during summer and a more terrestrially associated diet in winter. The fatty acid trophic marker approach provided relevant information to clarify planktonic trophic interactions and to trace the origin of organic matter in this highly dynamic temperate coastal system.

Geochemistry of the suspended sediment in the estuaries of the Mandovi and Zuari rivers, central west coast of India

The geochemistry of the suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected during the monsoon was determined to identify the sources of SPM and to understand the physicochemical processes in the Mandovi and Zuari river estuaries. The concentrations of SPM decrease seaward in both estuaries, but are relatively high at bay stations. Kaolinite is the most dominant clay mineral in the upstream of both rivers. Smectite increases seaward in both estuaries and is abundant in the bay. Upstream stations of Mandovi, where ore deposits are stored on the shore, exhibit high Fe, Mn, total rare earth elements (∑REE), and middle REE- and heavy REE-enriched patterns. Channel stations of both estuaries exhibit middle REE- and light REE-enriched patterns, which gradually changed seaward to middle REE- and heavy REE-enriched patterns. Canal stations exhibit the highest concentrations of major and trace metals. High metal/Al ratios occur at stations in the upstream of Zuari and at the confluence of canals in the Mandovi estuary. Enrichment factors of metals indicate that Mn is significantly polluted while other metals are moderately polluted. The δ(13)C and δ(15)N of organic matter indicate that the terrigenous organic matter at the upstream is diluted seaward by marine organic matter. Organic matter at bay stations is largely marine and altered-type. The compositions of SPM are controlled by the particulates from ore dust, the geology of the drainage basins, and the physicochemical processes in the estuaries. Particulates resuspended from the bay are dominated by ore dust, which are advected into the channels of both estuaries during the lull periods of the monsoon.

Distributions of trace metals Co, Cu and Cd in northern Sagami Bay, Japan and their relationship to estuarine variables

Concentrations of the trace metals Co, Cu and Cd in dissolved (<0.2μm) and particulate (>0.2μm) phases in surface waters were determined to test whether DOC, which is an indicator of dissolved organic matter (DOM), and organic matter (OM) in suspended particulate matter (SPM) act as important estuarine variables controlling the distributions of these metals in the estuarine zone. Although the dissolved metals in the surface waters from the Sagami River to northern Sagami Bay had different behaviors in June, August, and November, 2008, concentrations of dissolved Co and Cu linearly correlated with DOC concentration, but with different slopes for fresh (salinity of ≤0.1) and estuarine (salinity of >0.1) waters. This difference in the water regime between those two metals and the DOC in Sagami Bay indicates that there are differences in composition between riverine and estuarine DOM, due to change of the composition by biogeochemical processes and the presence of additional sources, or that seawater cations are competing for binding sites of DOM during the estuarine mixing. As for particulate phase, there was no relationship between the concentrations of particulate metals and that of OM in SPM at low river flows (i.e., June and November surveys). It is thought that change of the OM composition by the additional SPM sources (anthropogenic discharge and resuspension from the seabed) contributes to the affinity of trace metals for sorption sites on the surfaces of the SPM, thereby making the evaluation of importance of OM in SPM difficult. On the other hand, at high river flow (August survey), riverine SPM significantly contributed to the estuarine SPM and it entered northern Sagami Bay with negligible composition change; however, there were weak correlation coefficients of particulate Co and Cd to OM in SPM, and there was no linear relationship between particulate Cu and OM in SPM. This can be attributed to the imbalanced competition between particle sorption and organic/inorganic complexation for Co and Cd, and prevention of particle sorption by binding Cu more strongly to dissolved organic ligands.