Spatial and temporal distribution of trace elements in Yangtze Estuary, China: Significance of diluted setting

The present study is to examine the spatial and temporal distribution of eight trace elements (Sr, Ba, B, Ga, Ni, V, Cu, and F) in various Holocene marine subfacies in the Yangtze Estuary, including its subaqueous delta by sediment borehole and vibrocore. Results demonstrate that grain size is the determinant factor in controlling the concentration of most trace elements discussed. Prodelta mud that occurs usually below the normal wave base can serve as a depository sink for trapping trace elements over the long-term time period. For example, copper concentration is 5-6 times higher than those found in the estuarine sediment. Boron, which is used to be a salinity indicator, shows a strong negative correlation with paleosalinity (using sediment phosphate method), implying desalinized water setting in the Yangtze Estuary, into which a large quantity of the Yangtze freshwater (924 × 10⁹ m³/a) has discharged. Trace element concentrations of the study area were compared with those collected from the middle and lower Yangtze River reaches, and from the east China continental shelf, including the Okinawa Trough. Result tends to show a terrigenous derivation of most geochemical components of the study area. Concentrations of strontium and barium are correlated with an increase in distance away from the estuary, rather than affected by grain size. Variation of trace elements in downcore Holocene sediment sections are fairly consistent with concentrations revealed by the modern vibrocore transect that extends from nearshore delta front, to offshore prodelta and to the delta-shelf transit zone. The overall distribution of geochemical elements discussed is capable of environmental implication to characterize the Yangtze estuarine transit between land and sea.