| Abstract: | Sediment samples have been collected during the Donghai 1 cruise in January 1986 in the Chang Jiang estuarine region for which solvent extractable sterols have been analysed by GC and GC/MS and the data examined using Correspondence Factorial Analysis (CFA). The main autochthonous sterols in these sediments were cholesterol, 24-methylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol and 24-methylcholesta-5,24(28)-dien-3β-ol, whereas 24-ethylcholesterol, 24-ethylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol and 24-methylcholesterol were principally allochthonous. Autochthonous sterols prevailed in regions of high primary production observed in summer, and allochthonous ones dominated the sterol distribution in the accumulation region of fine sediments just outside the river mouth and in the reaches of coastal currents. The cholesterol/cholesterol ratio values exhibited higher values close to the river mouth and in the region where the turbidity maximum extends. A comparison between sediment and suspended matter indicated a great difference in the sterol content in regions of high autochthonous production which suggested that sterols have been transformed in the course of sedimentation and at the sediment/water interface. In contrast, sedimentary and suspended sterol concentrations were comparable close to the mouth of the Chang Jiang River and in the region where the turbidity maximum extends, a feature that may be attributable to sediment resuspension episodes and lower production of autochthonous sterols. These results demonstrate the distinct impact of biogeochemical processes on the sediment sterol features in different zones of the estuary. |
