Distribution and sources of organic carbon, nitrogen and their isotopes in surface sediments from the largest mariculture zone of the eastern Guangdong coast, South China

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2017-07, Vol.120 (1-2), p.286-291
• Main Authors: Gu, Yang-Guang, Ouyang, Jun, Ning, Jia-Jia, Wang, Zeng-Huan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Carbon Isotopes; China; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments; Isotopes; Nitrogen; Nitrogen Isotopes; Organic matter; Sediment; South China Sea; Stable isotopes; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Zhelin Bay
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.05.013

China is the world's largest mariculture producer. However, there is limited detailed information on organic matter distribution generated by mariculture in China. This study assessed the total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and isotopic composition (δ13C and δ15N) in surface sediments from Zhelin Bay in South China. TOC, TN, δ13C and δ15N ranged from 0.46–1.23%, 0.08–0.20%, −22.07 to −21.13‰ and 5.28–7.14‰, respectively, and followed similar spatial patterns. The C/N ratio coupled with isotopic composition (δ13C and δ15N), indicates that the TOC originated from both terrestrial and marine sources. In general, surface sediments of Zhelin Bay were dominated by marine derived organic carbon; this form of carbon was separately calculated based on δ13C-based two end-member mixing and C/N ratio models. [Display omitted] •Total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), δ13C and δ15N in sediments of Zhelin Bay were measured.•The spatial patterns of TOC TN, δ13C and δ15N were similar.•Surface sediments were dominated by marine derived organic carbon.