Short-term effects of salinity reduction and drainage on salt-marsh biogeochemical cycling and Spartina (cordgrass) production

Estuaries
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Abstract

To assess the biogeochemical effects of tidal restrictions on salt-marsh sulfur cycling and plant growth, cores of short-formSpartina alterniflora peat were desalinated and kept either waterlogged or drained in greenhouse microcosms. Changes in netSpartina production, and porewater and solid phase chemistry of treated cores were compared to natural conditions in the field collection site over a 21-mo period. Net production among treatments increased significantly in drained and waterlogged peat compared to field conditions during the first growing season. Constantly high sulfide in waterlogged cores accompanied reduced plant growth. Aeration invigorated growth in draimed cores but led to oxidization of sulfide minerals and to lowered pH. During the second growing season, growth declined in the drained treatment, probably because of acidification and decreased dissolved inorganic nitrogen. Results are pertinent to the success of current wetland protection and restoration activities in the coastal zone.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Short-term effects of salinity reduction and drainage on salt-marsh biogeochemical cycling and Spartina (cordgrass) production
Series title Estuaries
DOI 10.2307/1352615
Volume 20
Issue 3
Year Published 1997
Language English
Publisher Springer
Description 10 p.
First page 569
Last page 578
Country United States
State Massachusetts
Other Geospatial Cape Cod Bay, Sunken Meadow Salt Marsh
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