Water quality in Qinzhou Bay, China was studied in May 2012. The coast had good conditions for marine life, but had high levels of nitrogen and silicon, and low levels of phosphorus. Some areas showed pollution from organic matter, but overall, the region was just starting to be polluted. Eutrophication, a process where water becomes too rich in nutrients, was not widespread, but some areas showed signs of it. The main factor contributing to eutrophication was high levels of COD, a measure of organic pollutants.