Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of organic carbon in the river-estuary-coastal sea continuum： A case study of the Oujiang River

SHEN Siyuan; LU Shasha; LI Zhongqiao; ZHENG Jun; WANG Daoling

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1001-909X.2026.02.011

PDF(2331 KB)

Journal of Marine Sciences ›› 2026, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (2) : 103-112. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-909X.2026.02.011

Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of organic carbon in the river-estuary-coastal sea continuum： A case study of the Oujiang River

SHEN Siyuan ¹ ,
LU Shasha ¹^,²^,^* ,
LI Zhongqiao ¹^,³ ,
ZHENG Jun ⁴^,⁶ ,
WANG Daoling ⁵

Author information +

History +

Abstract

Organic carbon is one of the key variables in the carbon cycle of the river-estuary-coastal continuum （hereinafter referred to as the “continuum”）. Clarifying its spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and influencing factors is an important foundation for conducting carbon cycle research. Based on observational data in February 2023 （dry season） and July 2023 （wet season）， this study analyzed the mass concentrations， spatial distribution， and seasonal variation characteristics of particulate organic carbon （POC） and dissolved organic carbon （DOC） in the continuum of the Oujiang River. The results showed that both POC and DOC generally exhibited higher mass concentrations in the wet season than those in the dry season. Specifically， the range of POC mass concentration in the dry season was 0.43-20.56 mg/L， with an average of 3.91 mg/L； in the wet season， the range was 0.15-32.78 mg/L， with an average of 7.89 mg/L. For DOC， the range in the dry season was 0.82-2.17 mg/L， averaging 1.37 mg/L， while in the wet season， it ranged from 1.35 to 3.80 mg/L， with an average of 2.16 mg/L. Spatially， POC mass concentration was higher in the estuarine section but lower in the riverine and coastal sections， whereas DOC mass concentration was relatively higher in the riverine and estuarine sections and lower in the coastal section. Notably， both POC and DOC mass concentrations in the estuarine section displayed non-conservative behavior with respect to salinity. Through comprehensive analysis of factors such as salinity， total suspended matter （TSM） mass concentration， the maximum turbidity zone， and other environmental variables， it is concluded that the increased precipitation and runoff during the wet season enhanced fluvial erosion and lateral leaching， which were the main reasons for the higher organic carbon content in the wet season compared to the dry season. Meanwhile， the development of the maximum turbidity zone and the input of organic matter from human activities were key factors contributing to the enrichment of organic carbon in the estuarine section.

Key words

river-estuary-coastal ocean continuum / dissolved organic carbon / particulate organic carbon / Oujiang River / spatial distribution / seasonal variation / wet season / dry season

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

SHEN Siyuan , LU Shasha , LI Zhongqiao , et al . Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of organic carbon in the river-estuary-coastal sea continuum： A case study of the Oujiang River[J]. Journal of Marine Sciences. 2026, 44(2): 103-112 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-909X.2026.02.011

References

List( Publishing order | Descend order by publishing year | Descend order by cited within ) Chart analysis

[1]	BATTIN T J, LAUERWALD R, BERNHARDT E S, et al. River ecosystem metabolism and carbon biogeochemistry in a changing world[J]. Nature, 2023, 613(7944): 449-459. Cited in this article [1]

[2]	REGNIER P, RESPLANDY L, NAJJAR R G, et al. The land-to-ocean loops of the global carbon cycle[J]. Nature, 2022, 603(7901): 401-410. Cited in this article [1]

[3]	刘志媛. 黄河河口过程中碳的行为变化[D]. 青岛: 中国海洋大学, 2011. LIU Z Y. The changing behavior of carbon from estuarine dynamics in Yellow River estuary[D]. Qingdao: Ocean University of China, 2011. Cited in this article [1]

[4]	刘志媛. 黄河口碳的输运特征及通量[D]. 青岛: 中国海洋大学, 2014. LIU Z Y. Carbon transport and flux in the Yellow River estuary[D]. Qingdao: Ocean University of China, 2014. Cited in this article [1]

[5]	张向上. 黄河口碳输运过程及其对莱州湾的影响[D]. 青岛: 中国海洋大学, 2007. ZHANG X S. The transport of inorganic and organic carbon in the Yellow River estuary and its effect on Laizhou Bay[D]. Qingdao: Ocean University of China, 2007. Cited in this article [1]

[6]	朱先进, 于贵瑞, 高艳妮, 等. 中国河流入海颗粒态碳通量及其变化特征[J]. 地理科学进展, 2012, 31(1):118-122. ZHU X J, YU G R, GAO Y N, et al. Fluxes of particulate carbon from rivers to the ocean and their changing tendency in China[J]. Progress in Geography, 2012, 31(1): 118-122. Cited in this article [1]

[7]	陈鑫. 长江口及其邻近海域碳的迁移特征[D]. 青岛: 中国科学院研究生院(海洋研究所), 2014. CHEN X. The carbon migration in the Changjiang estuary and adjacent sea[D]. Qingdao: Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2014. Cited in this article [1]

[8]	陈建芳, 翟惟东, 王斌, 等. 河流-河口-近海连续体碳循环研究进展[J]. 海洋学研究, 2021, 39(4):11-21. CHEN J F, ZHAI W D, WANG B, et al. A review of the carbon cycle in river-estuary-coastal ocean continuum[J]. Journal of Marine Sciences, 2021, 39(4): 11-21. Cited in this article [1]

[9]

孙英, 蔡体录, 柴加龙, 等. 闽浙山溪性河口的径流特性及其对河口的冲淤影响[J]. 东海海洋, 1983, 1(2):29-35.

SUN

, CAI

T L

, CHAI

J L

, et al. Runoff characteristics of mountain estuaries in Fujian and Zhejiang and its influence on erosion and deposition of estuaries[J]. Donghai Marine Science, 1983, 1(2): 29-35.

Cited in this article [1]

[10]	宋乐, 夏小明, 刘毅飞, 等. 瓯江河口入海水沙通量的变化规律[J]. 泥沙研究, 2012, 37(1):46-52. SONG L, XIA X M, LIU Y F, et al. Variations in water and sediment fluxes from Oujiang River to estuary[J]. Journal of Sediment Research, 2012, 37(1): 46-52. Cited in this article [2]

[11]	林伟波, 王义刚. 瓯江口海域悬浮泥沙输运特性研究[J]. 水力发电学报, 2013, 32(2):119-128. LIN W B, WANG Y G. Study on characteristics of suspended sediment transport in Oujiang river estuary[J]. Journal of Hydroelectric Engineering, 2013, 32(2): 119-128. Cited in this article [1]

[12]	张婉莹, 陆莎莎, 夏小明, 等. 瓯江汛期和非汛期水沙通量变化规律[J]. 海洋学研究, 2023, 41(2):61-70. ZHANG W Y, LU S S, XIA X M, et al. Variations in water and sediment fluxes in Oujiang River during flooding and non-flooding seasons[J]. Journal of Marine Sciences, 2023, 41(2): 61-70. Cited in this article [2]

[13]	李玲, 薛峰, 张伯虎. 瓯江河口近期冲淤演变分析[J]. 浙江水利科技, 2020, 48(2):5-8. LI L, XUE F, ZHANG B H. Analysis on recent erosion and deposition evolution of Oujiang River Estuary[J]. Zhejiang Hydrotechnics, 2020, 48(2): 5-8. Cited in this article [2]

[14]	王雨航, 李尚清, 叶深, 等. 瓯江口海域浮游动物群落结构与环境因子的相关性分析[J]. 海洋学报, 2024, 46(3):98-110. WANG Y H, LI S Q, YE S, et al. Correlation analysis of zooplankton community structure and environmental factors in the Oujiang River Estuary[J]. Haiyang Xuebao, 2024, 46(3): 98-110. Cited in this article [4]

[15]	张能. 浙江省温州市瓯江及鳌江流域底栖动物群落结构与水生态质量评价[D]. 南京: 南京农业大学, 2022. ZHANG N. Community structure of benthic macroinvertebrate and water ecological quality evaluation in Oujiang and Aojiang watershed of Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province[D]. Nanjing: Nanjing Agricultural University, 2022. Cited in this article [2]

[16]	高少波, 池仕运, 李嗣新, 等. 楠溪江鱼类资源调查及物种多样性分析[J]. 水生态学杂志, 2017, 38(6):72-81. GAO S B, CHI S Y, LI S X, et al. Fish resource investigation and species diversity analysis of Nanxi River in Zhejiang Province[J]. Journal of Hydroecology, 2017, 38(6): 72-81. Cited in this article [1]

[17]

中华人民共和国生态环境部. 近岸海域环境监测技术规范第三部分近岸海域水质监测: HJ 442.3—2020[S]. 北京: 中国环境科学出版社, 2020.

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China. Technical specification for offshore environmental monitoring Part 3 offshore seawater quality monitoring: HJ 442.3—2020[S]. Beijing: China Environ-mental Science Press, 2020.

Cited in this article [1]

[18]

尚毅威. 南海北部海盆浮游植物和浮游动物的时空变化及其与颗粒有机碳输出的关系[D]. 厦门: 厦门大学, 2020.

SHANG

Y W

. Temporal-spatial variation of phytoplankton and zooplankton community and its relationship with the particulate organic carbon export in the northern South China Sea basin[D]. Xiamen: Xiamen University, 2020.

Cited in this article [1]

[19]	李宁, 李学刚, 宋金明. 海洋碳循环研究的关键生物地球化学过程[J]. 海洋环境科学, 2005, 24(2):75-80. LI N, LI X G, SONG J M. Key biogeochemistry processes of marine carbon cycle[J]. Marine Environmental Science, 2005, 24(2): 75-80. Cited in this article [1]

[20]	林晶. 长江口及其毗邻海区溶解有机碳和颗粒有机碳的分布[D]. 上海: 华东师范大学, 2007. LIN J. Distributions of dissolved organic carbon and particulate organic carbon in the Changjiang estuary and its adjacent area[D]. Shanghai: East China Normal University, 2007. Cited in this article [1]

[21]	张新周, 陈星, 窦希萍, 等. 山溪性强潮河口最大浑浊带形成机制及其模拟[J]. 水科学进展, 2019, 30(1):84-92. ZHANG X Z, CHEN X, DOU X P, et al. Study on formation mechanism of turbidity maximum zone and numerical simulations in the macro tidal estuaries[J]. Advances in Water Science, 2019, 30(1): 84-92. Cited in this article [1]

[22]

高成成. 山溪性河流河口有机碳来源、分布特征及其影响因素:以九龙江和漳江河口为例[D]. 厦门: 厦门大学, 2021.

GAO

C C

. Sources, distribution characteristics, and influencing factors of organic carbon in mountainous stream-type river estuaries: A case study of the Jiulong River and Zhangjiang River estuaries[D]. Xiamen: Xiamen University, 2021.

Cited in this article [1]

[23]	ZHANG S, GAN W B, ITTEKKOT V. Organic matter in large turbid rivers: The Huanghe and its estuary[J]. Marine Chemistry, 1992, 38(1/2): 53-68. Cited in this article [1]

[24]	陶贞. 草原土壤有机碳动力学同位素示踪研究[D]. 广州: 中国科学院研究生院(广州地球化学研究所), 2005. TAO Z. Isotope tracing of soil organic carbon dynamics in the grassland[D]. Guangzhou: Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2005. Cited in this article [1]

[25]	郭威, 叶丰, 连忠廉, 等. 珠江口水体有机碳的季节性变化[J]. 热带海洋学报, 2016, 35(4):40-50. GUO W, YE F, LIAN Z L, et al. Seasonal changes of organic carbon in the Pearl River estuary[J]. Journal of Tropical Oceanography, 2016, 35(4): 40-50. Cited in this article [1]

[26]

包孝涵, 毕蓉, 朋鹏, 等. 2021年夏季珠江口颗粒有机碳空间分布特征及其影响因素[J]. 中国海洋大学学报:自然科学版, 2023, 53(12):71-84.

BAO

X H

, BI

, PENG

, et al. Spatial distributions and controlling factors of particulate organic carbon in the Pearl River Estuary in the summer of 2021[J]. Periodical of Ocean University of China, 2023, 53(12): 71-84.

Cited in this article [1]

[27]	LI Z, BAO X W, WANG Y Z, et al. Seasonal distribution and relationship of water mass and suspended load in North Yellow Sea[J]. Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, 2009, 27(4): 907-918. Cited in this article [1]

[28]	张永领. 河流有机碳的输送特征对区域气候的响应[J]. 地球与环境, 2008, 36(4):348-355. ZHANG Y L. The response of transport characteristics of riverine organic carbon to regional climate[J]. Earth and Environment, 2008, 36(4): 348-355. Cited in this article [1]

[29]	刘诚刚, 宁修仁, 郝锵, 等. 海洋浮游植物溶解有机碳释放研究进展[J]. 地球科学进展, 2010, 25(2):123-132. LIU C G, NING X R, HAO Q, et al. Advances in the study of photosynthetically produced dissolved organic carbon released of marine phytoplankton[J]. Advances in Earth Science, 2010, 25(2): 123-132. Cited in this article [1]

[30]	刘金科, 韩贵琳, 阳昆桦, 等. 九龙江流域河水溶解态碳的时空变化[J]. 长江流域资源与环境, 2018, 27(11):2578-2587. LIU J K, HAN G L, YANG K H, et al. Temporal and spatial variations of dissolved carbon in the Jiulongjiang River Basin[J]. Resources and Environment in the Yangtze Basin, 2018, 27(11): 2578-2587. Cited in this article [1]

[31]	谭丽菊, 王江涛, 付强. 溶解有机碳在混合水中的行为研究[J]. 中国海洋大学学报:自然科学版, 2007, 37(5):811-814. TAN L J, WANG J T, FU Q. The behavior of dissolved organic carbon(DOC) in mixtures of freshwater and seawater[J]. Periodical of Ocean University of China, 2007, 37(5): 811-814. Cited in this article [1]