title: Behavior of suspended particles in the Changjiang Estuary: Size distribution and trace metal contamination.
abstract: Suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples were collected along a salinity gradient in the Changjiang Estuary in June 2011. A custom-built water elutriation apparatus was used to separate the suspended sediments into five size fractions. The results indicated that Cr and Pb originated from natural weathering processes, whereas Cu, Zn, and Cd originated from other sources. The distribution of most trace metals in different particle sizes increased with decreasing particle size. The contents of Fe/Mn and organic matter were confirmed to play an important role in increasing the level of heavy metal contents. The Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd contents varied significantly with increasing salinity in the medium-low salinity region, thus indicating the release of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd particles. Thus, the transfer of polluted fine particles into the open sea is probably accompanied by release of pollutants into the dissolved compartment, thereby amplifying the potential harmful effects to marine organisms.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China. Electronic address: qzhyao@ouc.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Qingzhen
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
authors.forename: Xiaojing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
authors.forename: Huimin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jian
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
authors.forename: Hongtao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China.
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D063366:Estuaries; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010316:Particle Size; D054712:Salinity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Changjiang Estuary; Mixing behavior; Particle size; Suspended particulate matter; Trace metals