Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Fangzhou Chen, Xiu Pei Koh, Mandy Lok Yi Tang, Jianping Gan, Stanley C. K. Lau
Summary: This study used a microbial community-based index to assess the ecological status of the Pearl River estuary in China, showing poor overall status. The index values decreased from the upper estuary to offshore areas and were positively correlated with nutrients and fecal indicator bacteria, representing eutrophication and fecal pollution levels. Machine learning analysis identified several bio-indicators at the genus level to supplement the index and improve assessment accuracy.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lixia Niu, Huayang Cai, Liangwen Jia, Xiangxin Luo, Wei Tao, Yanhong Dong, Qingshu Yang
Summary: This study comprehensively analyzed the behaviors of seven metals in the Pearl River Estuary, revealing moderate pollution levels overall, with occasional severe perturbations. The eastern estuary was more heavily polluted by metals, and riverine inputs and estuarine mixing significantly influenced the distribution and movement of trace metals in the estuary.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaomei Shen, Yanpeng Cai, Meirong Su, Hang Wan, Yongming Shen, Zhifeng Yang
Summary: This study analysed the influence mechanism of hydrological variations on net ecosystem productivity (NEP) in the Pearl River Estuary, China. The results showed that the inhibitory effect of increased discharge on metabolic rate exceeded the stimulation provided by seasonal factors, resulting in low NEP, hypoxia, and acidification.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peng Zhang, Shujun Ou, Junxiao Zhang, Lirong Zhao, Jibiao Zhang
Summary: Establishing numeric nutrient criteria for coastal waters has been exceedingly complex, but this study successfully established criteria for the Pearl River Estuary and adjacent waters using frequency statistical analysis and cluster analysis. The results provide an important reference for future water quality assessment and coastal eutrophication control.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hongzhou Xu, Jian Shen, Dongxiao Wang, Lin Luo, Bo Hong
Summary: The Pearl River Estuary exhibits unique dynamics of subtidal estuarine circulation, with significant nonlinear advection effects observed, especially during spring tide. Overall, nonlinear advections play an important role in driving the circulation in the Pearl River Estuary, particularly during ebb tide.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xufei Liu, Nan Wang, Xiaopu Lyu, Yangzong Zeren, Fei Jiang, Xinming Wang, Shichun Zou, Zhenhao Ling, Hai Guo
Summary: The photochemical O3 pollution over the Pearl River Estuary is mainly affected by VOC and NOx, with different O3 formation mechanisms in two patterns.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Theresa Wing Ling Lam, Lincoln Fok, Anson Tsz Hin Ma, Heng-Xiang Li, Xiang-Rong Xu, Lewis Ting On Cheung, Ming Hung Wong
Summary: This study examined the abundance of microplastics in the stomach and intestine of marine-cultured hybrid groupers in the Pearl River Estuary. Microplastics were found in all fish samples, with a higher concentration in the intestine than in the stomach, and predominantly in the form of fiber-shaped particles.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jia-Ling Li, Li Duan, Ying Wu, Manzoor Ahmad, Ling-Zi Yin, Xiao-Qing Luo, Xin Wang, Bao-Zhu Fang, Shan-Hui Li, Li-Nan Huang, Jia-Xue Wu, Xiao-Zhen Mou, Pandeng Wang, Wen-Jun Li
Summary: Estuaries play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle by transforming and burying terrestrial organic carbon (TerrOC). However, the specific taxa and degradation processes involved in TerrOC transformation and degradation in estuaries are largely unknown. In this study, sediment samples from the Pearl River Estuary in China were analyzed using analytical chemistry, metagenomics, and bioinformatics methods. The study identified diverse bacterial and archaeal taxa, including previously unknown lignin degraders, and determined the spatial distribution patterns of lignin degradation pathways genes. The study also found significant correlations between abundance of certain metabolic pathways genes and degree of lignin oxidation and vegetation source. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the microbial ecology of TerrOC degradation in estuaries.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Wenlong Chen, Fang Guo, Weijie Huang, Jianguo Wang, Min Zhang, Qian Wu
Summary: Phytoplankton plays a crucial role in the estuarine ecosystem, but the Pearl River estuary (PRE) has experienced complex changes in phytoplankton community structure due to human activities. This review analyzes the variation characteristics of phytoplankton species, species diversity, and abundance in the PRE from the 1980s to 2020s. The results show a significant decrease in phytoplankton species, no significant difference in abundance, and a downward trend in species diversity. Human activities also greatly influence phytoplankton composition, with higher abundance in nearshore waters.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Zongbao Liu, Qiaoyan Wei, Dayu Zou, Siyu Zhang, Chuanlun Zhang, Zhexue Quan, Meng Li
Summary: This study investigates the community composition of complete ammonia oxidizers (comammox) along a salinity gradient in the Pearl River Estuary. The results show that the comammox microorganisms in the sediments are diverse and display distinct distribution patterns. Deterministic processes and factors such as salinity and total nitrogen play a significant role in shaping the comammox community assembly.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yanyan Zhou, Dongxia Yue, Shuangying Li, Geng Liang, Zengzu Chao, Yan Zhao, Xingmin Meng
Summary: EHA is critically important for effective ecosystem management and evaluation of global environmental changes. In this study, the spatiotemporal patterns of EH in the Bailong River Basin were explored using the VORS model. The findings indicate an increasing trend in the ecological health index (EHI) throughout most areas of the basin, with significant global and local spatial correlations.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Dongliang Wang, Lijun Yao, Jing Yu, Pimao Chen, Ruirui Hu
Summary: Spawning grounds are crucial for fish survival and reproduction, with the Pearl River Estuary being influenced by environmental factors such as sea surface temperature. The movement of the spawning ground from the outlet of the estuary to the east occurs from spring to summer.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jia-Yong Lao, Rongben Wu, Yongsheng Cui, Shiwen Zhou, Yuefei Ruan, Kenneth M. Y. Leung, Jiaxue Wu, Eddy Y. Zeng, Paul K. S. Lam
Summary: The study highlights the importance of atmospheric deposition and surface runoff as pathways for OPEs to enter and migrate in the Pearl River Estuary; the particle-mediated transport of OPEs is influenced by various factors, including physicochemical properties, environmental factors, and marine microbial activities; there is a need for increased attention to the input and environmental fate of OPEs in the estuary.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Min Shi, Qun Xie, Zhen-Liang Li, Yun-Feng Pan, Zhen Yuan, Lang Lin, Xiang-Rong Xu, Heng-Xiang Li
Summary: In recent years, there has been increasing worldwide attention on the adsorption of heavy metals on microplastics (MPs), which are emerging carriers for environmental pollutants. However, the understanding of heavy metal adsorption on biodegradable MPs in estuarine environments is still limited. This study investigated the aging of biodegradable and conventional MPs in the Pearl River Estuary after long-term exposure and their impacts on heavy metal adsorption from seawater. The results showed that both types of MPs could adsorb heavy metals, with fluctuating adsorption capacities on different MPs and exposure times. The aging characteristics of MPs played a significant role in heavy metal adsorption, accounting for 51.0% of the contribution, while environmental factors only contributed to 13.2%.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wei Lin, Fuqiang Fan, Guangming Xu, Kaiyuan Gong, Xiang Cheng, Xingyu Yuan, Cheng Zhang, Yuan Gao, Shengrui Wang, How Yong Ng, Yue Dong
Summary: With rapid urbanization and human activities, PAH pollution in the Pearl River Estuary and its impact on the microbial community have received much attention. This study used environmental DNA-based approaches to comprehensively analyze the structure, function, assembly process, and cooccurrence patterns of the estuarine microbial community affected by PAHs. The distribution of PAHs was influenced by both human activities and natural factors. Certain key taxa were identified as PAH-degrading bacteria or biomarkers significantly correlated with PAH levels. Deterministic and stochastic processes played important roles in the distribution and transport of pollutants, as well as in the aggregation and interspecies interaction within microbial communities.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)