Abstract. In order to assess the role of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and its impact on the carbonate system on the northern South China Sea (NSCS) shelf, we measured seawater concentrations of four radium isotopes 223,224,226,228Ra along with carbon dioxide parameters in June–July, 2008. Complementary groundwater sampling was conducted in coastal areas in December 2008 and October 2010 to constrain the groundwater end-members. The distribution of Ra isotopes in the NSCS was largely controlled by the Pearl River plume and coastal upwelling. Long-lived Ra isotopes (228Ra and 226Ra) were enriched in the river plume but low in the offshore surface water and subsurface water/upwelling zone. In contrast, short-lived Ra isotopes (224Ra and 223Ra) were elevated in the subsurface water/upwelling zone as well as the river plume but depleted in the offshore surface water. In order to quantify SGD, we adopted two independent mathematical approaches. Using a three end-member mixing model with total alkalinity (TAlk) and Ra isotopes, we derived a SGD flux into the NSCS shelf of 2.3–3.7 ×108 m3 d−1. Our second approach involved a simple mass balance of 228Ra and 226Ra and resulted in a first order but consistent SGD rate estimate of 2.8–4.5 × 108 m3 d−1. These fluxes were equivalent to 13–25 % of the Pearl River discharge, but the source of the SGD is mostly recirculated seawater. Despite the relatively small SGD volume flow compared to the river, the associated material fluxes were substantial given the elevated concentrations of dissolved inorganic solutes. In this case, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) flux through SGD was 266–520 × 109 mol yr−1, which was ~44–73 % of the riverine DIC export flux. Given our estimates of the groundwater-derived phosphate flux, SGD may be responsible for new production on the shelf up to 3–6 mmol C m−2 d−1. This rate of new production would at most consume 18 % of the DIC contribution delivered by SGD. Hence, SGD may play an important role in the carbon balance over the NSCS shelf.
How significant is submarine groundwater discharge and its associated dissolved inorganic carbon in a river-dominated shelf system-the northern South China Sea?