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Very low salinity regions of estuaries: important sites for chemical and biological reactions
Morris, A.W.; Mantoura, R.F.C.; Bale, A.J.; Howland, R.J.M. (1978). Very low salinity regions of estuaries: important sites for chemical and biological reactions. Nature (Lond.) 274(5672): 678-680
In: Nature: International Weekly Journal of Science. Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 0028-0836; e-ISSN 1476-4687, more
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
Keywords
    Chemical elements > Nonmetals > Atmospheric gases > Oxygen > Dissolved gases > Dissolved oxygen
    Chemical reactions
    Chemistry > Geochemistry
    Cycles > Chemical cycles > Biochemical cycles
    Ecosystems
    Environmental effects > Salinity effects
    Microorganisms > Bacteria
    Organic matter
    Properties > Chemical properties > Salinity
    Properties > Physicochemical properties
    Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries
    Water mixing
    British Isles, England, Tamar R. [Marine Regions]
    Brackish water
Authors  Top 
  • Morris, A.W.
  • Mantoura, R.F.C.
  • Bale, A.J.
  • Howland, R.J.M.
Abstract
    Data derived from detailed investigations of the immediate mixing of the fresh and brackish water in the Tamar Estuary, SW England, are presented for 11 determinands which point to the freshwater-seawater interphase (FSI) as being an important site for chemical and biological processes in estuaries. Estuarine profiles (plotted against log10 salinity) have been constructed for dissolved oxygen, pH, relative chlorophyll fluorescence, temperature and the concentrations of dissolves organic carbon (DOC), conservative DOC profile, nitrate NO3- , nitrite NO2- , manganese, zinc and copper. Examination of these parameters at the FSI leads to the following conclusions: (1) the drop in oxygen appears to be triggered by seasonal biological activity; (2) the DOC peak and chlorophyll minimum point to a common mechanism at the FSI; possibly a sequence of mass mortality of freshwater halophobes, leading to plasmolysis and a localised proliferation of oxygen-utilising bacteria. Other data support this 'osmotic hypothesis'. (3) Anomalies in chemical parameters derive variously from perturbations in pH, salinity, redox and adsorption equilibria, and kinetic barriers at the FSI.
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