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Coastal eutrophication in China: Trend, sources, and ecological effects
Yujue Wang1, Dongyan Liu1, Wupeng Xiao2
1State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, Institute of Eco-Chongming, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China.
Harmful Algae
|August 30, 2021
Summary
Coastal waters globally face eutrophication from excess nutrients. In China, this intensified after 2000 due to increased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs, leading to harmful algal blooms.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Environmental Science
- Oceanography
Background:
- Coastal eutrophication is a widespread global issue driven by excessive nutrient enrichment.
- Chinese coastal waters have undergone significant eutrophication over the past four decades, accelerating post-2000.
- Key nutrient sources include riverine inputs, atmospheric deposition, and submarine groundwater discharge (SGD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the trends and drivers of coastal eutrophication in China.
- To investigate changes in nutrient composition and stoichiometry.
- To assess the impacts on harmful algal blooms and future projections.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of historical data on nutrient inputs and coastal water quality.
- Examination of nutrient composition and N:P:Si ratios.
- Correlation of eutrophication trends with anthropogenic factors like population density, fertilizer use, and industrial emissions.
Main Results:
- Coastal eutrophication in China shows a two-phased development: slow from the 1970s-1990s, rapid after 2000.
- Increased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loads significantly altered nutrient stoichiometry.
- Elevated ammonium, bioavailable organic N and P, and imbalanced N:P:Si ratios were observed, linked to human activities.
- A distinct increase in harmful algal blooms (HABs) has been documented.
Conclusions:
- Rapid economic development and associated human activities have driven severe coastal eutrophication in China.
- Altered nutrient dynamics and increased HABs pose significant threats to marine ecosystems and economic sustainability.
- Future coastal eutrophication is expected to worsen due to climate change, necessitating targeted nitrogen reduction and adaptation strategies.
Keywords:
Atmospheric depositionHarmful algal bloomsNutrientsRiver inputStoichiometrySubmarine groundwater dischargeMore Related Videos
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