Abstract:
With the rapid development of offshore wind power, the ecological impacts of sediment disturbance during construction have attracted growing attention. This study detected the concentrations of PO
43−, petroleum hydrocarbons, and heavy metals in the waters of the nearshore area and offshore wind farm in Yangjiang, the levels of heavy metals in sediments, and the quality of organisms across three phases: pre-construction, pile foundation construction, and submarine cable laying. The results are as follows: 1) Construction activities significantly altered local water quality and benthic characteristics, with PO
43− concentrations increasing by 82.12% after cable installation; 2) Sediment disturbance exacerbated the reducing conditions in the marine environment, where S
2− combined with Pb
2+ to form PbS precipitates, which were later re-released under oxidizing conditions. Meanwhile, As was preferentially reduced to toxic As
3+, posing increased ecological risks to phytoplankton and benthic communities; 3) Distinct patterns of heavy metal accumulation emerged between fish and crustaceans, while the bioaccumulation of total petroleum hydrocarbons revealed construction-induced shifts in trophic pathways. Notably, these disturbances disproportionately affected the early life stages of fish (Eggs and larvae), impairing population resilience and forming spatiotemporally heterogeneous ecological risk networks. By clarifying the cascade mechanism of sediment disturbance-pollutant migration-ecological response, this work highlights the ecological risks arising from habitat reconstruction, food web decoupling, and pollutant reactivation. The results establish critical benchmarks for environmental risk assessment and provide actionable insights for pollution control strategies during the development of offshore wind farms.