The influence of three mangrove species on the distribution of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in the Quanzhou Bay estuarine wetland soils

This study aims to investigate the effects of region and three regional dominated mangrove species(Avicennia marina, Aegiceras corniculatum and Kandelia candel) on the distribution of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus. Measurement of the inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus and enzymatic activities was carried out in soils covered by three mangrove species in the Quanzhou Bay estuarine wetlands, a typical coastal wetland in China.Species with a higher biomass in upstream and midstream absorb more nitrogen from soils, and the retention of the available phosphorus in the soils of different regions causes the regional variation of phosphorus. In areas dominated by A. marina, nitrate nitrogen is lower while available phosphorus is higher. Meanwhile, nitrate nitrogen and available phosphorus are higher in the soils covered by K. candel.Moreover, all three species affect the elemental and enzymic stoichiometry. The mangrove species influences the diversity of the elemental and enzymic stoichiometric relationship through differential microenvironments, which induce the biodiversity of wetland ecosystems. Thus, this study may facilitate a better understanding of the transformation ability of mangroves to nitrogen and phosphorus and will therefore be beneficial for providing a basis for the ecological restoration of estuarine wetlands.

Lateral detrital C transfer across a Spartina alternifora invaded estuarine wetland

Background:The lateral movements of mass and energy across the terrestrial-aquatic interface are being increasingly recognized for their importance in the carbon(C)balance of coastal/estuarine wetlands.We quantifed the lateral fux of detrital C in the Yangtze estuary where invasive Spartina alternifora has substantially and extensively altered the ecosystem structure and functions.Our overall objective was to close the C budget of estuarine wetlands through feld sampling,tower-based measurements,and modeling.Methods:A lateral detrital C exchange evaluation platform was established in a case study of the Yangtze River Estuary to investigate the efect of ecosystem structural changes on lateral detrital C transfer processes.This study estimated the lateral detrital C exchange based on the gross primary production(GPP)by performing coupled modeling and feld sampling.Tower-based measurements and MODIS time series and CH4 outgassing and biomass simultaneously measured the lateral detrital C fux to characterize the relative contributions of lateral(i.e.,detritus)C fuxes to the annual marsh C budget.Results:The C pools in the plants and soil of Spartina marshes were signifcantly higher than those of the native community dominated by Phragmites australis.The GPP based on MODIS(GPPMODIS)was 472.6 g C m^(−2) year^(−1) and accounted for 73.0%of the GPP estimated from eddy covariance towers(GPPEC)(646.9±70.7 g C m^(−2) year^(−1)).We also detected a higher GPPMODIS during the pre-growing season,which exhibited a similar lateral detrital C fux magnitude.On average,25.8%of the net primary production(NPP),which ranged from 0.21 to 0.30 kg C m^(−2) year^(−1),was exported during lateral exchange.The annual C loss as CH4 was estimated to be 17.9±3.7 g C m^(−2) year^(−1),accounting for 2.8%of the GPPEC.The net positive detrital C fux(i.e.,more detritus leaving the wetlands),which could exceed 0.16 kg C m^(−2) day^(-1),was related to daily tides.However,the observed lateral detrital C fux based on monthly sampling was 73.5%higher than that based on daily sampling(i.e.,the sum of daily sampling),particularly in March and October.In addition,spatiotemporal granularities were responsible for most of the uncertainty in the lateral detrital C exchange.Conclusion:This research demonstrated that an integrated framework incorporating modeling and feld sampling can quantitatively assess lateral detrital C transport processes across the terrestrial-aquatic interface in estuarine wetlands.However,we note some limitations in the application of the light-use efciency model to tidal wetlands.Spartina invasion can turn the lateral C balance from a C source(209.0 g C m^(−2) year^(−1))of Phragmites-dominated marshes into a small C sink(-31.0 g C m^(−2) year^(−1)).Sampling over a more extended period and continuous measurements are essential for determining the contribution of diferent lateral detrital C fux processes to closing the ecosystem C budgets.The sampling spatiotemporal granularities can be key to assessing lateral detrital C transfer.

Evaluation of the Bioavailability of Metals in Sediment from the Southern Coastal Wetland of the Qiantang Estuary by Using Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films Technique

Metal pollution has become an major issue governing the wetland ecosystem health.The southern coastal wetland of the Qiangtang Estuary are facing unusual perturbation due to rapid development along the embayment in recent decades.This study evaluated the bioavailability of metals(Cu,Pb,Cd,Cr and Zn)in the sediment of the southern coastal wetland of the Qiangtang Es-tuary using diffusive gradients in thin films(DGT)techniques and compared with several methods based on total metal content.The results showed that the contents of Cr,Pb,Cd and Cu in sediment,as detected using DGT,were considerably correlated with the exchangeable fraction and the content in Phragmites australis roots,while a weak correlation was observed for Zn.Therefore,DGT analysis could be used to evaluate the bioavailability and potential risk of Cr,Cd,Pb and Cu for P.australis.Quantitative indices,such as DGT concentration,bioaccumulation in P.australis,geoaccumulation index(Igeo)and potential ecological risk index(RI),revealed that Cd was a major potential ecological risk factor along the southern coast wetland of the Qiantang Estuary,especially in the upstream region,which is potentially more vulnerable to the anthropogenic pollution.