The Distribution Characteristics of Fine Particles by flow cytometry in the Yangtze Estuary and the Adjacent East China Sea

摘要

The fine particles play a major role not only in complex processes of estuarine area but also in the distribution, transfer and transformation of pollutants in the estuarine environment. In this study, fine particles were detected and analyzed by flow cytometry in the Yangtze Estuary and the adjacent East China Sea. Two groups of organic autotrophic particles (Rl and R2) were detected by flow cytometry analysis. Another group of R3 was organic but nonliving, or inorganic particles. Particles of Rl and R2 only represent between 0.18% and 3.16% of total particles at the sampling stations. Particles of R3 dominated the estuarine stations. Their concentration had large fluctuations. We observed a seaward decrease in the number of organic nonliving particles and inorganic particles. Flow cytometry made it possible that study on the dynamics of fine particles. It is important in discovering the transfer mechanism and environmental behavior of fine particles in the estuarine area.