DISTRIBUTION OF NUTRIENTS IN THE SUMMER OF LAIZHOU BAY AND INFLUENCE FACTORS

Based on the 199 samples collected from the Laizhou Bay in July, 2012, the distribution pattern of nutrients and influence factors are studied in this paper. The results show that the concentration of most nutrients is slightly higher in the surface water than that in the bottom water. The high-value area of nutrients is distributed near the estuary of the Yellow River and the eastern aquacultural areas, depending upon the effect of river and aquaculture input, superimposed wave-tide effect, and water diffusion and dilution. In general, the concentrations of nutrient gradually decrease from southwest to northeast. The distribution pattern of nutrients in bottom water is similar to that in surface water. However, the nutrients input from the river are reduced and the wave-tide effect is weakened due to the influence of water depth, and thus the horizontal gradient of the nutrients in bottom water is decreased in the estuary and aquacultural regions.