Abstract: Total load allocation in estuaries is akey problem because of computational complexities. Taking the Yangtze Estuary and adjacent sea as an example, the linear programming method based on response fields was studied and applied to the total load allocation calculation. The primary steps included: first, the response field of each pollution source was calculated through water hydraulics and quality modeling, and the response relationship between the pollutant emission and water quality was created; second, the optimization target function and water quality constraint equations were established, and the linear programming method was used to calculate the environmental capacity; third and finally, the total allowable emission load was allocated with consideration for fairness among the pollution sources. With the above method, the total load allocation was completed for COD_Mn, NH₃-N, inorganic nitrogen and active phosphate with the selected representative hydrology design conditions. The total allowable load emissions for the above items are 200.8×10⁴, 16.9×10⁴, 22.6×10⁴ and 1.8×10⁴ t respectively.