The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Role of resuspension in affecting the cycling of particulate carbon in the Northern South China Sea
ID:602 Poster Presentation

2027-01-15 17:00 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 49 - Biological Carbon Pump: New Insights from Field Observations and Model Constraints

Abstract
The benthic boundary layer (BNL) largely regulates the source and fate of some elements in the ocean. However, the processes occurred in BNL have been poorly understood due to the very dynamic environments. Here, radioactive 210Po and 210Pb were analyzed, together with the total particulate matter (TPM), particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (POC and PN), and particulate black carbon (PBC), to examine the sediment resuspension and its influence on the cycling of particulate carbon in the northern South China Sea. A line of evidence, including the elevated TPM content, lower POC/TPM signals, and higher 210Po/210Pb ratios in the bottom water, evidenced the prevalent sediment resuspension on the northern shelf. The deficits of 210Po in the water column overall balanced the excess of 210Po in sediments, indicating the locally resuspension and supporting the application of the non-physical mass balance model of 210Po-210Pb. Based on a proposed resuspension-including model, the resuspension flux of 210Po varied from 4 dpm m-2 d-1 to 30 dpm m-2 d-1 with an average of 13 ±7 dpm m-2 d-1 (mean ± SD), accounting for 25% to 70% of the total 210Po sinking fluxes (avg.: 43 ± 6%). This magnitude indicated that resuspension plays an important role in regulating the sinking and fate of particulate matter in the shelf region. Combing particulate components, the estimated resuspension fluxes of POC and PBC varied from 0.9 to 12.7 mmol m-2 d-1 and from 0.10 to 1.61 mmol m-2 d-1, averaging 3.8 ± 1.8 and 0.44 ± 0.26 mmol m-2 d-1, respectively. The resuspended PN flux averaged 0.4 ± 0.8 mmol m-2 d-1. The preliminary study highlighted the overlooked recycling of organic matter in the BNL in the South China Sea. To learn the capacity of the South China Sea in sequestering carbon dioxide, the processes in the BNL are crucial to constrain carbon cycling and other trace elements.
Speaker
Weifeng Yang Xiamen University

Author
Weifeng Yang Xiamen University

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

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    • Apr 30

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    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

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    • Sep 15

      2026

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    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027