Ba/Ca in foraminifera shells as a proxy of submarine groundwater discharge

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) can have a profound influence on marine environments and elemental biogeochemical cycles in coastal waters. We explored the feasibility of using Ba/Ca ratios benthic foraminiferal shells as proxy SGD. Dissolved barium (DBa) displayed enrichment behavior bottom waters indicating that SGD is major DBa source Changjiang (Yangtze) Estuary. Foraminifera lived with elevated 222Rn activities (high SGD) showed larger range than those under low water (low SGD). Our findings support view could be treated qualitative propose areas where main DBa, applied for long-term historical records.