The turbidity maximum zone(TMZ) is one of the most important regions in an estuary.However,the high concentration of suspended material makes it difficult to measure the partial pressure of CO_2(pCO_2) in these regions.Therefore,very little data is available on the pCO_2 levels in TMZs.To relatively accurately evaluate the CO_2 flux in an example estuary,we studied the TMZ and surrounding area in the Changjiang(Yangtze) River estuary.From seasonal cruises during February,August,November 2010,and May 2012,the pCO_2 in the TMZ and surrounding area was calculated from pH and total alkalinity(TA)measured in situ,from which the CO_2 flux was calculated.Overall,the TMZ and surrounding area acted as a source of atmosphere CO_2 in February and November,and as a sink in May and August.The average FCO_2was-9,-16,5,and 5 mmol/(m^2·d) in May,August,November,and February,respectively.The TMZ's role as a source or sink of atmosphere CO_2 was quite different to the outer estuary.In the TMZ and surrounding area,suspended matter,phytoplankton,and pH were the main factors controlling the FCO_2,but here the influence of temperature,salinity,and total alkalinity on the FCO_2 was weak.Organic carbon decomposition in suspended matter was the main reason for the region acting as a CO_2 source in winter,and phytoplankton production was the main reason the region was a CO_2 sink in summer.
