Main Key Biogeochemical Processes in China Marginal Seas

2 Main Key Biogeochemical Processes in China Marginal Seas 

The continental fluxes of nutrients and organic matter have an important impact on marine ecosystems. In combination with freshwater discharge and the resulting stratification they can be crucial determinants of the productivity in coastal areas, especially in the estuaries of large rivers. Furthermore, continent-ocean fluxes are a principal source of nutrients to the world s oceans, whose productivity is controlled by the availability of a few elements. A major fraction of terrigenous nutrients is bound in organic molecules and available to most primary producers only after bacterial mineralization. 

Rivers serve as a major source of buoyancy and dissolved and particulate materials. They contribute significantly to the freshwater flow and terrestrial 

The annual discharge of rivers in China contributes 7% of the total global riverine discharge. They play a significant role in biogeochemical processes in China marginal seas (Song, 1997 2004). 

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Abstract In this chapter the main key biogeochemical processes in China marginal seas, the methods, concepts, and focus on marine biogeochemical process research in China are presented. Then we put forward the prospects for biogeochemistry in China marginal seas. 

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