Changes in material fluxes from the Changjiang River and their implications on the adjoining continental shelf ecosystem

This study aims to examine the changing patterns of Changjiang material fluxes, which are influenced by anthropogenic activities, and the resultant modifications to the coastal and shelf oceanographic conditions, and to propose future research about the effect of these changes on the estuarine and shelf ecosystem. Within the catchment basin of the Changjiang River, the construction of more than 48,000 dams has caused significant sediment discharge reduction, together with modifications to the timing of seasonal freshwater discharge. In the future, the mean freshwater discharge will decrease following the completion of the water-diverting project for water supply to northern China. At the same time, the riverine nutrient loadings (N and P) have increased due to the extensive use of chemical fertilizers and the large discharge of industrial wastewater and domestic sewage. These changes are modifying the oceanographic conditions of the estuarine and shelf waters. The flushing time for the river water becomes longer in wet seasons but shorter in dry seasons. An increase in salinity can be expected after the completion of the water-diverting project. Nutrient concentrations will be enhanced in the shelf waters. In contrast to the decrease in the suspended sediment concentration of the river water, field measurements have not shown well-defined patterns of changes within the estuary; nevertheless, net sediment accumulation and carbon burial rates would be reduced in the deltaic areas because of the reduced sediment discharge. Finally, increase in the nutrient input appears to enhance the primary production in the East China Sea region, which, in turn, may enhance the fishery catch.