Low‑flow floods as overlooked drivers of estuarine hypoxia via enhanced labile organic carbon in a dam‑regulated monsoon river‑estuary system
ID:942
Oral Presentation
2027-01-15 09:15 (China Standard Time)
Session:Session 28 - Carbon Dynamics within the Land to Sea Continuum in a Changing World
Abstract
Floods mobilize dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from watersheds to estuaries, yet how flood magnitude regulates DOC bioavailability and estuarine oxygen dynamics remains poorly understood. Here we conducted in-situ monitoring, laboratory incubations, and hydrodynamic modeling in a dam-regulated subtropical monsoon estuary. Our results reveal two contrasting flood-oxygen response pathways. Low-flow floods (peak discharge 310~1030 m³/s) mobilize phytoplankton-derived DOC from upstream reservoirs. This DOC is highly biodegradable (bioavailable fraction up to 39%) and has low aromaticity, as indicated by low SUVA254 and high spectral slope ratio. These moderate events also trigger in-situ phytoplankton blooms (2.3- to 10.8-fold increase in Chl-a) through modest nutrient pulses, improved light availability, and extended water residence time. The senescing bloom provides additional labile carbon. Under nitrogen-replete, carbon-limited conditions (BDOC-to-DIN ratio ≤ 0.79), this combined bioavailable pool fuels rapid microbial respiration, driving a net DO decline of 3~12% (up to 17% in a typical event). In contrast, high-flow floods deliver predominantly terrestrial, aromatic, and refractory DOC, but no concurrent Chl-a peaks were observed following these events. Heavy turbidity suppresses bloom development, while shortened residence time and enhanced vertical mixing prevent oxygen depletion, yielding net DO replenishment. These findings reveal low-flow floods as overlooked drivers of hypoxia in regulated monsoon estuaries.
Speaker
Author
Important Dates
-
Jan 30
2026
Session / Event proposals open
-
Mar 31
2026
Session / Event proposals close
(Extended to April 7) -
Apr 30
2026
Session acceptance notifications
-
Apr 30
2026
Abstract submissions & registration open
-
Jun 30
2026
Abstract submissions close
(Extended to July 21) -
Aug 31
2026
Abstract acceptance notifications
-
Sep 15
2026
Scientific program released
-
Oct 15
2026
Early bird registration closes
-
Jan 12–15
2027
XMAS 2027
