Dissolved nutrients (NO3- , PO4 3- , SiO32- ) and oxygen , chlorophyll- a , pH and Eh were measured on board during a cruise in August 1988 in the Changjiang Estuary region . Heavy metals , organic matter and carbonate contents were analyzed in laboratory. The results show that geochemical processes in the Changjiang Estuary have dual filtration effect: on the one hand geochemical filtration effect, reflected by ferromanganese oxide flocculation and sedimentation , occurs near the turbidity maximum, and leads to enrichment of heavy metals in suspended matter and sedi -ments; on the other hand biogeochemical filtration , reflected by nutrients consumption , organic matter and carbonate sedimentation and enrichment of trace elements in suspended matter. occurs outside the plume water front. The biogeochemical filtration affects the environmental conditions ; the dissolved oxygen and pH increase in surface water and decrease in bottom water. The biogeochemical filtration effect outside the plume front is m
