Origins of suspended particulate matter based on sterol distribution in low salinity water mass observed in the offshore East China Sea

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.04.049

Marine Pollution Bulletin

Volume 108, Issues 1–2, 15 July 2016, Pages 281-288

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.04.049 Get rights and content

Highlights

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Molecular signatures of terrestrial origin were visible at ~ 250 km offshore water.
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Relationship between the low salinity water mass and terrestrial sterols.
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CRDW was an effective carrier of land-derived material to offshore East China Sea.

Abstract

The molecular composition and distribution of sterols were investigated in the East China Sea to identify the origins of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in offshore waters influenced by Changjiang River Diluted Water (CRDW). Total sterol concentrations ranged from 3200 to 31,900 pg L^− 1 and 663 to 5690 pg L^− 1 in the particulate and dissolved phases, respectively. Marine sterols dominated representing 71% and 66% in the particulate and dissolved phases, respectively. Typical sewage markers, such as coprostanol, were usually absent at ~ 250 km offshore. However, sterols from allochthonous terrestrial plants were still detected at these sites. A negative relationship was observed between salinity and concentrations of terrestrial sterols in SPM, suggesting that significant amounts of terrestrial particulate matter traveled long distance offshore in the East China Sea, and the Changjiang River Diluted Water (CRDW) was an effective carrier of land-derived particulate organic matter to the offshore East China Sea.

Section snippets

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by projects titled “The Study of the Oceanographic Environmental Impact in the South Sea (East China Sea) due to the Three Gorges Dam (PM56340)” and “Oil Spill Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Restoration (PM59291)”, which were funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korea.

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BaselineOrigins of suspended particulate matter based on sterol distribution in low salinity water mass observed in the offshore East China Sea

Highlights

Abstract

Section snippets

Acknowledgments

Chemosphere

Chemosphere

Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci.

Mar. Environ. Res.

Water Res.

Mar. Chem.

Org. Geochem.

Chemosphere

Org. Geochem.

Chemosphere

Mar. Chem.

Org. Geochem.

Cont. Shelf Res.

J. Chromatogr. A

Chemosphere

Mar. Chem.

Org. Geochem.

Org. Geochem.

Chemosphere

Environ. Pollut.

Mar. Chem.

Org. Geochem.

J. Chromatogr. A

Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta

Mar. Pollut. Bull.

Mar. Chem.

Org. Geochem.

Mar. Chem.

Org. Geochem.

Mar. Chem.

Baseline
Origins of suspended particulate matter based on sterol distribution in low salinity water mass observed in the offshore East China Sea