Nutrient distribution and nitrate processing in a mangrove tidal creek affected by submarine groundwater discharge (SGD).

Investigations of the spatial-temporal variations of nutrients within mangrove coastal zones are essential for assessing the environmental status of an aquatic ecosystems. However, major processes controlling nitrate cycle along the submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) pathway from the mangrove areas to adjacent tidal creek remain underexplored. A time series measurement over a 25 h tidal cycle was conducted in Qinglan Bay tidal creek (Hainan Island, China).