Higher Fine Particle Fraction in Sediment Increased Phosphorus Flux to Estuary in Restored Yellow River Basin

River delta-front estuaries (DEs) are vital interfaces for fluxes between terrestrial and marine environments. However, deep uncertainty exists in estimating the sedimentary pollutant flux from terrestrial environments in DEs due, in part, to a lack of direct measurements in these dynamic and complicated regions and uncertainty in the calculation method. Due to its high sediment content, the Yellow River (YR) has a strong ability to adsorb phosphorus; therefore, it reliably reflects estuarine sedimentary processes. Here, through the comprehensive analysis of field samples, monitoring data and remote sensing images, we conclude that riverine fine particles control the deltaic estuary pollution status and that particle size is the key factor. Based on the stable relationships between phosphorus and heavy metals, with r(2) values of 0.990, 0.992, and 0.639 for As, Cd, and Cr, respectively, we estimated that the P flux reached 22.68 g/m(2) yr in 2017. Analysis of the YR high-silt sediment load, which has a strong phosphorus adsorption ability and constitutes a substantial fraction of global fluvial sediment transport, revealed a negative correlation between the riverine sediment load and the estuarine phosphorus flux.

Automated summary

The study reveals deep uncertainty in estimating sediment pollutant flux in river delta-front estuaries, with fine particles in rivers controlling pollution status in estuaries. The Yellow River's high-silt sediment load, significant in global fluvial sediment transport, shows a negative correlation with estuarine phosphorus flux.