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Carpenter S, Stamoulis KA, Mateos-Molina D, Pittman SJ, Antonopoulou M, Das HS, Evans C. Interconnectivity can be as important as habitat type in explaining carbon stocks in the coastal lagoons of arid regions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175504. [PMID: 39147060 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Coastal blue carbon ecosystems, typically comprising interconnected habitat mosaics, are globally important pathways of carbon sequestration and play a significant role in climate change regulation and mitigation. Current coastal management strategies often rely on simplified regional carbon stock estimates, that overlook the geographical variability and intricate ecological dynamics within these ecosystems. This study adopts a seascape ecology approach to evaluate the role of multiple seascape characteristics on carbon storage in two arid region coastal lagoons. We show that seascape location is the most influential driver of carbon stocks. Additionally, carbon isotopic variability, a proxy for connectivity, can be as influential as habitat type, particularly in the UAQ lagoon. This challenges the conventional reliance on data from individual habitat types (e.g., seagrass, mangrove, or tidal marsh) and highlights the context-dependency of carbon stocks. Moreover, the specific characteristics driving carbon stocks vary between seascapes: in Khor Faridah, connectivity to seagrass and mangrove habitats is crucial, while in the UAQ lagoon, sheltered and elevated areas are more influential. Our findings suggest that the interconnectivity between different habitat types, such as mangroves and saltmarshes, significantly enhances carbon storage. This is especially pronounced in large, sheltered mangrove habitat types within upper intertidal zones. Notably, small patches of mangroves, up to 10 ha, are associated with an approximate 10 % increase in carbon stocks. These results underscore the need for a more holistic, context-specific approach to designing nature-based solutions for coastal management and ecosystem restoration. By considering the specific characteristics and connectivity of seascape mosaics, we can more effectively enhance carbon stock potential in coastal ecosystems. This study contributes to a deeper spatially explicit understanding of the complex factors influencing carbon stocks in blue carbon ecosystems, highlighting the importance of tailored management strategies that reflect the unique ecological patterns of each seascape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Carpenter
- Emirates Nature - World Wide Fund for Nature, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | | | | | - Simon J Pittman
- Oxford Seascape Ecology Lab, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, United Kingdom; Seascape Analytics Ltd, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Marina Antonopoulou
- Emirates Nature - World Wide Fund for Nature, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Himansu S Das
- Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Claire Evans
- National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, United Kingdom
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2
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Ren Y, Liu S, Luo H, Jiang Z, Liang J, Wu Y, Huang X, Macreadie PI. Seagrass decline weakens sediment organic carbon stability. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 937:173523. [PMID: 38797423 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are globally recognized as critical natural carbon sinks, commonly known as 'blue carbon'. However, seagrass decline attributed to escalating human activities and climate change, significantly influences their carbon sequestration capacity. A key aspect in comprehending the impact of seagrass decline on carbon sequestration is understanding how degradation affects the stored blue carbon, primarily consisting of sediment organic carbon (SOC). While it is widely acknowledged that seagrass decline affects the input of organic carbon, little is known about its impact on SOC pool stability. To address this knowledge, we examined variations in total SOC and recalcitrant SOC (RSOC) at a depth of 15 cm in nine seagrass meadows located on the coast of Southern China. Our findings revealed that the ratio of RSOC to SOC (RSOC/SOC) ranged from 27 % to 91 % in the seagrass meadows, and the RSOC/SOC increased slightly with depth. Comparing different seagrass species, we observed that SOC and RSOC stocks were 1.94 and 3.19-fold higher under Halophila beccarii and Halophila ovalis meadows compared to Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides meadows. Redundancy and correlation analyses indicated that SOC and RSOC content and stock, as well as the RSOC/SOC ratio, decreased with declining seagrass shoot density, biomass, and coverage. This implies that the loss of seagrass, caused by human activities and climate change, results in a reduction in carbon sequestration stability. Further, the RSOC decreased by 15 %, 29 %, and 40 % under unvegetated areas compared to adjacent Halophila spp., T. hemprichii and E. acoroides meadows, respectively. Given the anticipated acceleration of seagrass decline due to climate change and increasing coastal development, our study provides timely information for developing coastal carbon protection strategies. These strategies should focus on preserving seagrass and restoring damaged seagrass meadows, to maximize their carbon sequestration capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzheng Ren
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Songlin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China.
| | - Hongxue Luo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Zhijian Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Jiening Liang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Yunchao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Xiaoping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China.
| | - Peter I Macreadie
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia; Biosciences and Food Technology Discipline, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
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James K, Macreadie PI, Burdett HL, Davies I, Kamenos NA. It's time to broaden what we consider a 'blue carbon ecosystem'. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17261. [PMID: 38712641 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Photoautotrophic marine ecosystems can lock up organic carbon in their biomass and the associated organic sediments they trap over millennia and are thus regarded as blue carbon ecosystems. Because of the ability of marine ecosystems to lock up organic carbon for millennia, blue carbon is receiving much attention within the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a nature-based solution (NBS) to climate change, but classically still focuses on seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and tidal marshes. However, other coastal ecosystems could also be important for blue carbon storage, but remain largely neglected in both carbon cycling budgets and NBS strategic planning. Using a meta-analysis of 253 research publications, we identify other coastal ecosystems-including mud flats, fjords, coralline algal (rhodolith) beds, and some components or coral reef systems-with a strong capacity to act as blue carbon sinks in certain situations. Features that promote blue carbon burial within these 'non-classical' blue carbon ecosystems included: (1) balancing of carbon release by calcification via carbon uptake at the individual and ecosystem levels; (2) high rates of allochthonous organic carbon supply because of high particle trapping capacity; (3) high rates of carbon preservation and low remineralization rates; and (4) location in depositional environments. Some of these features are context-dependent, meaning that these ecosystems were blue carbon sinks in some locations, but not others. Therefore, we provide a universal framework that can evaluate the likelihood of a given ecosystem to behave as a blue carbon sink for a given context. Overall, this paper seeks to encourage consideration of non-classical blue carbon ecosystems within NBS strategies, allowing more complete blue carbon accounting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter I Macreadie
- Marine Research and Innovation Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Heidi L Burdett
- Umeå Marine Sciences Centre, Umeå University, Norrbyn, Sweden
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Nicholas A Kamenos
- Umeå Marine Sciences Centre, Umeå University, Norrbyn, Sweden
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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4
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Suwandhahannadi WK, Wickramasinghe D, Dahanayaka DDGL, Le De L. Blue carbon storage in a tropical coastal estuary: Insights for conservation priorities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167733. [PMID: 37820813 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass ecosystems have been determined as necessary sinks in the global carbon cycle and contribute towards climate change mitigations. In the recent past, there has been an increase of studies focused on blue carbon opportunities provided by seagrasses but large knowledge gaps and uncertainties remain, particularly in tropical seagrass meadows in the South Asian regions. Therefore, the current study aims to quantify the organic carbon stocks in the seagrass meadows on the tropical estuary in southern coast of Sri Lanka and highlights the need of conserving seagrasses specially in the context of effective management of lagoons to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. Landsat 9 (OLI/TIRS) images were used to develop seagrass distribution maps for 2022 and the data were verified with ground truthing. Vegetation and soil samples were taken from eight sampling locations representing the Rekawa Lagoon. Aboveground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB) were determined by multiplying the biomass with the carbon conversion factor whereas the loss-on-ignition (LOI) technique was applied to calculate the soil organic carbon. Results revealed that the soil core carbon content of the study site were ranged between 2.56 ± 0.29 to 3.04 ± 0.44 Mg C/ha. The calculated total carbon content of the 0.0324 km2 study area in Rekawa Lagoon was 10.21 Mg C, giving 87.06 % contribution from sediment organic carbon pool. This study provides insights for the conservation of these critical ecosystems and highlights the need of policy and action agendas for better management.
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Affiliation(s)
- W K Suwandhahannadi
- Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, PO Box 1490, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka; National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Crow Island, Mattakkuliya, Sri Lanka.
| | - D Wickramasinghe
- Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, PO Box 1490, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka
| | - D D G L Dahanayaka
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Loic Le De
- School of Public Health and Interdisciplinary Studies, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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Murugan R, Balachandar K, Boopathy NS, Nagarajan R, Ramasubramanian R. Assessment of blue carbon in seagrass meadows in Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh, India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 198:115868. [PMID: 38043204 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems such as seagrass, mangroves and saltmarshes sequester and store large quantities of carbon in the soil. Carbon sequestration potential of four seagrass species Halophila ovalis, Halodule pinifolia, Syringodium isoetifolium and Halodule uninervis in Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh, India was assessed. The mean seagrass biomass within the seagrass beds in the lake ranged from 1.43 ± 0.06 to 2.01 ± 0.12 Mg/ ha and the total blue carbon storage in the seagrass meadows ranged from 0.49 ± 0.15 to 9.52 ± 0.15 Mg C ha-1 while stored carbon in the sediment ranged from 1.29 ± 0.04 to 11.94 ± 0.15 Mg C ha-1. Regression analysis showed a considerable correlation between seagrass carbon and sediment carbon. Among the environmental parameters analyzed, pH showed significant correlation with seagrass biomass and sediment carbon (P < 0.05). The present study demonstrates the carbon sequestration potential of seagrass ecosystem in the Pulicat Lake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajaram Murugan
- M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), 3rd Cross Road, Taramani Institutional Area, Chennai 600113, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kumar Balachandar
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Anna University Campus, Chennai 600025, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Natarajan Sithranga Boopathy
- M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), 3rd Cross Road, Taramani Institutional Area, Chennai 600113, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rajendiran Nagarajan
- M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), 3rd Cross Road, Taramani Institutional Area, Chennai 600113, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ramasamy Ramasubramanian
- M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), 3rd Cross Road, Taramani Institutional Area, Chennai 600113, Tamil Nadu, India.
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6
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Yang Y, Li Y, Huang C, Chen F, Chen C, Zhang H, Deng W, Ye F. Anthropogenic influences on the sources and distribution of organic carbon, black carbon, and heavy metals in Daya Bay's surface sediments. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 196:115571. [PMID: 37783163 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), black carbon (BC), δ13CTOC, δ15N, δ13CBC, grain size, and heavy metals of surface sediments collected from Daya Bay were determined to investigate the spatial distributions of these parameters and to evaluate the influences of human activities. Marine organic matter was found to constitute approximately 84.41 ± 7.70 % of these sediments on average. The western and northern regions of Daya Bay exhibited relatively fine grain sizes, weak hydrodynamic conditions, and high sedimentation rates, which favored the burial and preservation of organic matter. The high concentration of organic matter could be attributed to the influence of petroleum and aquaculture industries. Fossil fuels were the main source of BC. The enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) were used to evaluate the sources and pollution levels of heavy metals. The results revealed that the source and distribution of heavy metals were strongly influenced by human activities, resulting in moderate pollution levels across most regions of Daya Bay. A strong correlation was observed between the Igeo values of heavy metals and BC, TOC, TN, and mean particle grain size (Mz). This suggests that the ability of sediments in Daya Bay to enrich and adsorb heavy metals depends on the sediment grain size, the content and type of organic matter. Importantly, sediments in the inner bay of Daya Bay exhibited a greater capacity to impede the migration of heavy metals compared to those in the outer bay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Yang
- Laboratory for Coastal Ocean Variation and Disaster Prediction, College of Ocean and Meteorology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524088, China
| | - Yilan Li
- Laboratory for Coastal Ocean Variation and Disaster Prediction, College of Ocean and Meteorology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524088, China
| | - Chao Huang
- Laboratory for Coastal Ocean Variation and Disaster Prediction, College of Ocean and Meteorology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524088, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources, Ministry of Natural and Resources, Guangzhou 511458, China; Key Laboratory of Climate, Resources and Environment in Continental Shelf Sea and Deep Sea of Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China; Key Laboratory of Space Ocean Remote Sensing and Application, Ministry of Natural Resources, China.
| | - Fajin Chen
- Laboratory for Coastal Ocean Variation and Disaster Prediction, College of Ocean and Meteorology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524088, China; Key Laboratory of Climate, Resources and Environment in Continental Shelf Sea and Deep Sea of Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China; Key Laboratory of Space Ocean Remote Sensing and Application, Ministry of Natural Resources, China.
| | - Chunqing Chen
- Laboratory for Coastal Ocean Variation and Disaster Prediction, College of Ocean and Meteorology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524088, China
| | - Huiling Zhang
- College of Ocean Engineering and Energy, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Wenfeng Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Feng Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
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Lyimo LD, Hamisi MI. The influence of seagrass and its associated sediment on organic carbon storage: A case of Halodule uninervis and Syringodium isoetifolium meadows of Western India Ocean, Tanzania. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 183:105836. [PMID: 36459754 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are considered crucial natural carbon stocks. However, in Tanzania, few species have been assessed for their potential carbon stocks and variability in percentage organic carbon (%Corg) stocks. The study reports the contributions of seagrasses Halodule uninervis and Syringodium isoetifolium in carbon storage in WIO region. Findings revealed a significantly higher %Corg in seagrass meadows compared to unvegetated, confirming that seagrass heightens organic carbon storage. The seagrass carbon storage varied significantly among sites ranging from 4.05 ± 0.7% in Kaole to 0.62 ± 0.05% in Kunduchi. Syringodium isoetifolium meadows had higher organic carbon (p = 0.002) than H. uninervis. The partial least square analysis showed that below- and aboveground biomass and canopy height were positively correlated to %Corg. Sediment density and porosity were the vital predictor but negatively correlated with %Corg. The study showed a higher %Corg in the marine protected area, which could be linked to seagrass structural complexities and sediment porosity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liberatus Dominick Lyimo
- Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3005, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - Mariam Issa Hamisi
- Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3005, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Gözel F, Belivermiş M, Sezer N, Kurt MA, Sıkdokur E, Kılıç Ö. Chronology of trace elements and radionuclides using sediment cores in Golden Horn Estuary, Sea of Marmara. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120359. [PMID: 36216182 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Trace elements and radionuclides are substantial pollutants in marine environment since they are non-biodegradable and can be harmful even in minute concentrations. The Golden Horn estuary, where is an inlet of Bosphorus and two creeks, has been seriously polluted by untreated municipal and industrial dischargers for several decades. Since 1998, a large restoration and rehabilitation efforts have been undertaken in the estuary to mitigate the pollution. In the present study, four sediment cores were taken from the Golden Horn estuary to assess the historical accumulation of trace elements and radionuclides. Radiometric dating was implemented by 210Pb and 137Cs radionuclides and CRS model. Sedimentation rates were calculated in the range of 0.92-0.97 cm yr-1 in the estuary. The distribution of radionuclides (40K, 226Ra, and 228Ra) indicated some slight variations which ascribes to the geological characteristics of sediment along the cores. The concentrations of the anthropogenic elements were relatively higher in the intensive industrialization period. Their concentrations reduced in the latest 15-20 years thanks to the large-scale rehabilitation project in the estuary. The pollution indices, namely EF, Igeo, CF, and PLI showed that the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Sn were above the world averages. Our results provide an insight on the long-term accumulation trends of trace element in the Golden Horn, which revealed that the estuary remains moderately polluted. We suggest that preventive countermeasures are much more important than post pollution remediation in the case of metallic pollution in the estuaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Furkan Gözel
- Vocational School of Health Services, Bahçeşehir University, Beşiktaş, 34353, Istanbul, Türkiye; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Vezneciler, 34134, Istanbul, Türkiye.
| | - Murat Belivermiş
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Vezneciler, 34134, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Narin Sezer
- Medical Services and Techniques Department, Istanbul Arel University, 34295, Sefaköy, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Ali Kurt
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, 33343, Mersin University, Mersin, Türkiye
| | - Ercan Sıkdokur
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koç University, 34450, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Önder Kılıç
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Vezneciler, 34134, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Casal-Porras I, de Los Santos CB, Martins M, Santos R, Pérez-Lloréns JL, Brun FG. Sedimentary organic carbon and nitrogen stocks of intertidal seagrass meadows in a dynamic and impacted wetland: Effects of coastal infrastructure constructions and meadow establishment time. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 322:115841. [PMID: 36049302 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows, through their large capacity to sequester and store organic carbon in their sediments, contribute to mitigate climatic change. However, these ecosystems have experienced large losses and degradation worldwide due to anthropogenic and natural impacts and they are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. When a meadow is impacted, the vegetation is partial- or completely lost, and the sediment is exposed to the atmosphere or water column, resulting in the erosion and remineralisation of the carbon stored. This paper addresses the effects of the construction of coastal infrastructures on sediment properties, organic carbon, and total nitrogen stocks of intertidal seagrass meadows, as well as the size of such stocks in relation to meadow establishing time (recently and old established meadows). Three intertidal seagrass meadows impacted by coastal constructions (with 0% seagrass cover at present) and three adjacent non-impacted old-established meadows (with 100% seagrass cover at present) were studied along with an area of bare sediment and two recent-established seagrass meadows. We observed that the non-impacted areas presented 3-fold higher percentage of mud and 1.5 times higher sedimentary organic carbon stock than impacted areas. Although the impacted area was relatively small (0.05-0.07 ha), coastal infrastructures caused a significant reduction of the sedimentary carbon stock, between 1.1 and 2.2 Mg OC, and a total loss of the carbon sequestration capacity of the impacted meadow. We also found that the organic carbon stock and total nitrogen stock of the recent-established meadow were 30% lower than those of the old-established ones, indicating that OC and TN accumulation within the meadows is a continuous process, which has important consequences for conservation and restoration actions. These results contribute to understanding the spatial variability of blue carbon and nitrogen stocks in coastal systems highly impacted by urban development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Casal-Porras
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
| | | | - Márcio Martins
- Centre of Marine Sciences of Algarve (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Rui Santos
- Centre of Marine Sciences of Algarve (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - J Lucas Pérez-Lloréns
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Fernando G Brun
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
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A Blueprint for the Estimation of Seagrass Carbon Stock Using Remote Sensing-Enabled Proxies. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14153572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass ecosystems sequester carbon at disproportionately high rates compared to terrestrial ecosystems and represent a powerful potential contributor to climate change mitigation and adaptation projects. However, at a local scale, rich heterogeneity in seagrass ecosystems may lead to variability in carbon sequestration. Differences in carbon sequestration rates, both within and between seagrass meadows, are related to a wide range of interrelated biophysical and environmental variables that are difficult to measure holistically using traditional field surveys. Improved methods for producing robust, spatially explicit estimates of seagrass carbon storage across large areas would be highly valuable, but must capture complex biophysical heterogeneity and variability to be accurate and useful. Here, we review the current and emerging literature on biophysical processes which shape carbon storage in seagrass beds, alongside studies that map seagrass characteristics using satellite remote sensing data, to create a blueprint for the development of remote sensing-enabled proxies for seagrass carbon stock and sequestration. Applications of satellite remote sensing included measuring seagrass meadow extent, estimating above-ground biomass, mapping species composition, quantifying patchiness and patch connectivity, determining broader landscape environmental contexts, and characterising seagrass life cycles. All of these characteristics may contribute to variability in seagrass carbon storage. As such, remote sensing methods are uniquely placed to enable proxy-based estimates of seagrass carbon stock by capturing their biophysical characteristics, in addition to the spatiotemporal heterogeneity and variability of these characteristics. Though the outlined approach is complex, it is suitable for accurately and efficiently producing a full picture of seagrass carbon stock. This review has drawn links between the processes of seagrass carbon sequestration and the capabilities of remote sensing to detect and characterise these processes. These links will facilitate the development of remote sensing-enabled proxies and support spatially explicit estimates of carbon stock, ensuring climate change mitigation and adaptation projects involving seagrass are accounted for with increased accuracy and reliability.
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11
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Dahl M, Ismail R, Braun S, Masqué P, Lavery PS, Gullström M, Arias-Ortiz A, Asplund ME, Garbaras A, Lyimo LD, Mtolera MSP, Serrano O, Webster C, Björk M. Impacts of land-use change and urban development on carbon sequestration in tropical seagrass meadow sediments. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 176:105608. [PMID: 35358909 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows store significant carbon stocks at a global scale, but land-use change and other anthropogenic activities can alter the natural process of organic carbon (Corg) accumulation. Here, we assessed the carbon accumulation history of two seagrass meadows in Zanzibar (Tanzania) that have experienced different degrees of disturbance. The meadow at Stone Town has been highly exposed to urban development during the 20th century, while the Mbweni meadow is located in an area with relatively low impacts but historical clearing of adjacent mangroves. The results showed that the two sites had similar sedimentary Corg accumulation rates (22-25 g m-2 yr-1) since the 1940s, while during the last two decades (∼1998 until 2018) they exhibited 24-30% higher accumulation of Corg, which was linked to shifts in Corg sources. The increase in the δ13C isotopic signature of sedimentary Corg (towards a higher seagrass contribution) at the Stone Town site since 1998 points to improved seagrass meadow conditions and Corg accumulation capacity of the meadow after the relocation of a major sewage outlet in the mid-1990s. In contrast, the decrease in the δ13C signatures of sedimentary Corg in the Mbweni meadow since the early 2010s was likely linked to increased Corg run-off of mangrove/terrestrial material following mangrove deforestation. This study exemplifies two different pathways by which land-based human activities can alter the carbon storage capacity of seagrass meadows (i.e. sewage waste management and mangrove deforestation) and showcases opportunities for management of vegetated coastal Corg sinks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Dahl
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Rashid Ismail
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS), University of Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Sara Braun
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pere Masqué
- School of Science and Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia; International Atomic Energy, Principality of Monaco, Monaco
| | - Paul S Lavery
- School of Science and Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Martin Gullström
- School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Ariane Arias-Ortiz
- Ecosystem Science Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, California, USA
| | - Maria E Asplund
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden
| | | | - Liberatus D Lyimo
- Department of Crop Science and Horticulture. Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Matern S P Mtolera
- Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS), University of Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Oscar Serrano
- School of Science and Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia; Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes, Spain
| | - Chanelle Webster
- School of Science and Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mats Björk
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Kim SH, Suonan Z, Qin LZ, Kim H, Park JI, Kim YK, Lee S, Kim SG, Kang CK, Lee KS. Variability in blue carbon storage related to biogeochemical factors in seagrass meadows off the coast of the Korean peninsula. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 813:152680. [PMID: 34971692 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coastal vegetated habitats such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses, referred to as blue carbon ecosystems, play an important role in climate change mitigation by an effective CO2 capture from atmosphere and water columns and long-term organic carbon (Corg) storage in sediments. Although seagrass meadows are considered intense carbon sinks, information on regional variability in seagrass blue carbon stock and factors influencing its capacity still remain sparse. In the present study, seagrass blue carbon storage by measuring Corg stocks in sediments and living seagrass biomass, and carbon accumulation rates (CARs) in seagrass meadows were estimated along the Korean coast. Factors affecting variability in Corg stocks were also analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) regression and principal component analysis (PCA). Projected Corg stocks in sediment, extrapolated to a depth 1 m, exhibited substantial variability among sites, ranging from 49.91 to 125.71 Mg C ha-1. The majority of Corg (96-99%) was stored in sediments, whereas the contribution of living biomass was minor. PLS regression and PCA indicated that Corg stocks in seagrass meadows are strongly associated with sediment characteristics such as dry bulk density and water and mud content. Among seagrass traits, above- to below-ground biomass ratio was significantly related to the quantity of Corg stocks in seagrass meadows. Because of the high spatial variability in Corg stocks and CARs, local and regional differences in seagrass blue carbon storage should be considered to accurately assess the climate change mitigation potential of seagrass ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Hyeon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhaxi Suonan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Le-Zheng Qin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Hyegwang Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Im Park
- Marine Eco-Technology Institute, Busan 48520, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Kyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; School of Earth Sciences & Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Sukhui Lee
- Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, Seoul 05718, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Gil Kim
- Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, Seoul 05718, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Keun Kang
- School of Earth Sciences & Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Kun-Seop Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Román M, de Los Santos CB, Román S, Santos R, Troncoso JS, Vázquez E, Olabarria C. Loss of surficial sedimentary carbon stocks in seagrass meadows subjected to intensive clam harvesting. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 175:105570. [PMID: 35121492 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass carbon stocks are vulnerable to physical disturbance. We assessed the effect of clam harvesting on the organic carbon (Corg) stocks in surface sediments in four intertidal Zostera noltei meadows on the Iberian Atlantic coast (Spain and Portugal), by comparing undisturbed and harvested areas. We also monitored the spatial cover of the meadows throughout the growing season. Sedimentary Corg content and Corg stocks were about four times lower in intensively harvested areas than in control areas, but there were not differences between areas with low harvesting pressure and control areas. Reductions of 53-85% in sedimentary Corg stocks of Z. noltei meadows were caused by intensive clam harvesting. The effect of intensive clam harvesting on Corg stocks increased throughout the growing season, but the area covered by the seagrass increased from 21 to 37%, suggesting rapid recovery of seagrass canopies and potential recovery of sedimentary Corg stocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Román
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, EcoCost, Facultade de Ciencias del Mar, Edificio CC Experimentais, Campus de Vigo, As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310, Vigo, Spain.
| | - Carmen B de Los Santos
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Salvador Román
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, EcoCost, Facultade de Ciencias del Mar, Edificio CC Experimentais, Campus de Vigo, As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310, Vigo, Spain
| | - Rui Santos
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Jesús S Troncoso
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, EcoCost, Facultade de Ciencias del Mar, Edificio CC Experimentais, Campus de Vigo, As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310, Vigo, Spain
| | - Elsa Vázquez
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, EcoCost, Facultade de Ciencias del Mar, Edificio CC Experimentais, Campus de Vigo, As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310, Vigo, Spain
| | - Celia Olabarria
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, EcoCost, Facultade de Ciencias del Mar, Edificio CC Experimentais, Campus de Vigo, As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310, Vigo, Spain
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14
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Singh S, Lal MM, Southgate PC, Wairiu M, Singh A. Blue carbon storage in Fijian seagrass meadows: First insights into carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus content from a tropical southwest Pacific Island. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 176:113432. [PMID: 35217418 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Seagrasses provide vital ecosystem services which include the accumulation and storage of carbon and nutrients in sediments and biomass. Despite their importance in climate change mitigation and adaptation, seagrass ecosystems have been poorly studied, particularly in the Pacific. Therefore, the present study assessed variability in sedimentary and vegetative C, N and P storage in three monospecific seagrass meadows (Halophila ovalis, Halodule pinifolia and Halodule uninervis), reporting baseline data for the first time. Sediment Corg stocks ranged from 31 to 47 Mg C ha-1 and varied (p < 0.001) between seagrass meadows, unvegetated areas and locations. Comparison of N and P storage between vegetated meadows and unvegetated areas revealed differences (p < 0.05); implying seagrass meadows function as C, N and P sinks. Differences in species composition and environmental conditions, may play a key role in estimating C, N and P stocks, which are valuable data for conservation and monitoring of seagrass ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Singh
- Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development, The University of the South Pacific, Lower Laucala Campus, Laucala Bay Road, Suva, Fiji; College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Fiji National University, Koronivia, Nausori, Fiji.
| | - Monal M Lal
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research and School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland 4558, Australia; Discipline of Marine Studies, School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Lower Laucala Campus, Laucala Bay Road, Suva, Fiji
| | - Paul C Southgate
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research and School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland 4558, Australia
| | - Morgan Wairiu
- Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development, The University of the South Pacific, Lower Laucala Campus, Laucala Bay Road, Suva, Fiji
| | - Awnesh Singh
- Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development, The University of the South Pacific, Lower Laucala Campus, Laucala Bay Road, Suva, Fiji
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15
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Zhang X, Liu S, Jiang Z, Wu Y, Huang X. Gradient of microbial communities around seagrass roots was mediated by sediment grain size. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio‐resources and Ecology South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory Guangzhou China
| | - Songlin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio‐resources and Ecology South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory Guangzhou China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology of Hainan Province Sanya Institute of Oceanology, SCSIO Sanya China
| | - Zhijian Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio‐resources and Ecology South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory Guangzhou China
| | - Yunchao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio‐resources and Ecology South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory Guangzhou China
| | - Xiaoping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio‐resources and Ecology South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory Guangzhou China
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16
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Berov D, Klayn S, Deyanova D, Karamfilov V. Current distribution of Zostera seagrass meadows along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast (SW Black Sea, Bulgaria) (2010-2020). Biodivers Data J 2022; 10:e78942. [PMID: 35210918 PMCID: PMC8850367 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.10.e78942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current distribution of Zostera spp. seagrass meadows along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast was studied. We used a combination of historical and recent observations of the habitat along the studied coastline. Remote sensing data (satellite images, sonar side-scans) was groundtruthed with georeferenced drop camera observations, scuba diving sampling and georeferenced scuba diving photo and video transects. NEW INFORMATION Тhe total area of the habitat type 'MB548 - Black Sea seagrass meadows on lower infralittoral sands' (EUNIS habitat type list 2019) in the study area is 916.9 ha, of which only 17.9 ha are in man-made sheltered environments (harbours). All seagrass meadows identified in 1978-79 were also located during the current survey, despite the increased eutrophication pressure and overall degradation of benthic habitats in the western Black Sea during the 1980s and early 1990s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitar Berov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, BulgariaInstitute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of SciencesSofiaBulgaria
| | - Stefania Klayn
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, BulgariaInstitute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of SciencesSofiaBulgaria
| | - Diana Deyanova
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg, Fiskebäckskil, SwedenDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of GothenburgKristineberg, FiskebäckskilSweden
| | - Ventzislav Karamfilov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, BulgariaInstitute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of SciencesSofiaBulgaria
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17
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Zabarte-Maeztu I, Matheson FE, Manley-Harris M, Davies-Colley RJ, Hawes I. Fine sediment effects on seagrasses: A global review, quantitative synthesis and multi-stressor model. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 171:105480. [PMID: 34547500 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This review collates research into fine sediment as a stressor of seagrass and emphasizes the multiple modes of action of this contaminant. The article is based on a bibliographic database search that identified 201 articles describing sediment impacts on seagrasses. Articles were classified by one of three non-exclusive modes of action: 1) light reduction; 2) smothering (burial), and 3) effects via rhizosphere physico-chemistry. Most citations (104) investigated multi-mode impacts of sediments, but the most frequently investigated single mode was light reduction (57 citations), followed by substrate rhizosphere chemistry (31) then smothering effects (6). Mud with high organic content is particularly problematic and smaller seagrasses are particularly vulnerable. Research gaps include polyphasic approaches, and studies of interactions between smothering, rhizosphere biogeochemistry and light climate. Identifying the thresholds of seagrass health indicators under mud stress should benefit coastal resource management, enabling improved decision-making and implementation of protective actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Zabarte-Maeztu
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, 3216, New Zealand; School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand.
| | - Fleur E Matheson
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, 3216, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Ian Hawes
- Coastal Marine Field Station, University of Waikato, Tauranga, 3110, New Zealand
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18
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Moksnes P, Röhr ME, Holmer M, Eklöf JS, Eriander L, Infantes E, Boström C. Major impacts and societal costs of seagrass loss on sediment carbon and nitrogen stocks. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Per‐Olav Moksnes
- Department of Marine Sciences University of Gothenburg Gothenburg S‐40530 Sweden
| | - Maria Emilia Röhr
- Environmental and Marine Biology Åbo Akademi University Tykistökatu 6 Turku 20520 Finland
| | - Marianne Holmer
- Department of Biology University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55 Odense M DK 5230 Denmark
| | - Johan S. Eklöf
- Department of Ecology Environment and Plant Sciences Stockholm University Svante Arrhenius väg 20A, S‐106 91 Stockholm Sweden
| | - Louise Eriander
- Department of Marine Sciences University of Gothenburg Gothenburg S‐40530 Sweden
| | - Eduardo Infantes
- Department of Marine Sciences University of Gothenburg Kristineberg S‐45178 Sweden
| | - Christoffer Boström
- Environmental and Marine Biology Åbo Akademi University Tykistökatu 6 Turku 20520 Finland
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19
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Martins M, de los Santos CB, Masqué P, Carrasco AR, Veiga-Pires C, Santos R. Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks and Burial Rates in Intertidal Vegetated Habitats of a Mesotidal Coastal Lagoon. Ecosystems 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-021-00660-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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20
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Da Ros Z, Corinaldesi C, Dell'Anno A, Gambi C, Torsani F, Danovaro R. Restoration of
Cymodocea nodosa
seagrass meadows: efficiency and ecological implications. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zaira Da Ros
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente Università Politecnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche Ancona Italy
| | - Cinzia Corinaldesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Ingegneria della Materia, dell'Ambiente ed Urbanistica Università Politecnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche Ancona Italy
| | - Antonio Dell'Anno
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente Università Politecnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche Ancona Italy
| | - Cristina Gambi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente Università Politecnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche Ancona Italy
| | - Fabrizio Torsani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente Università Politecnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche Ancona Italy
| | - Roberto Danovaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente Università Politecnica delle Marche Via Brecce Bianche Ancona Italy
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Villa Comunale Naples Italy
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21
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Novak AB, Pelletier MC, Colarusso P, Simpson J, Gutierrez MN, Arias-Ortiz A, Charpentier M, Masque P, Vella P. Factors Influencing Carbon Stocks and Accumulation Rates in Eelgrass Meadows Across New England, USA. ESTUARIES AND COASTS : JOURNAL OF THE ESTUARINE RESEARCH FEDERATION 2020; 43:2076-2091. [PMID: 33364916 PMCID: PMC7751660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Increasing the protection of coastal vegetated ecosystems has been suggested as one strategy to compensate for increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere as the capacity of these habitats to sequester and store carbon exceeds that of terrestrial habitats. Seagrasses are a group of foundation species that grow in shallow coastal and estuarine systems and have an exceptional ability to sequester and store large quantities of carbon in biomass and, particularly, in sediments. However, carbon stocks (Corg stocks) and carbon accumulation rates (Corg accumulation) in seagrass meadows are highly variable both spatially and temporally, making it difficult to extrapolate this strategy to areas where information is lacking. In this study, Corg stocks and Corg accumulation were determined at 11 eelgrass meadows across New England, representing a range of eutrophication and exposure conditions. In addition, the environmental factors and structural characteristics of meadows related to variation in Corg stocks were identified. The objectives were accomplished by assessing stable isotopes of δ13C and δ15N as well as %C and %N in plant tissues and sediments, measuring grain size and 210Pb of sediment cores, and through assessing site exposure. Variability in Corg stocks in seagrass meadows is well predicted using commonly measured environmental variables such as grain size distribution. This study allows incorporation of data and insights for the northwest Atlantic, where few studies on carbon sequestration by seagrasses have been conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. B. Novak
- Earth and Environment, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M. C. Pelletier
- Atlantic Ecology Division, US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, Narragansett, RI, USA
| | | | | | - M. N. Gutierrez
- Atlantic Ecology Division, US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, Narragansett, RI, USA
| | - A. Arias-Ortiz
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Ecosystem Science Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - P. Masque
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- School of Science and Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia 6027, Australia
- Departament de Física, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- International Atomic Energy, 4a Quai Antoine 1er, 98000 Principality of Monaco, Monaco
| | - P. Vella
- Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management, Boston, MA, USA
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22
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Dahl M, Asplund ME, Björk M, Deyanova D, Infantes E, Isaeus M, Nyström Sandman A, Gullström M. The influence of hydrodynamic exposure on carbon storage and nutrient retention in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) meadows on the Swedish Skagerrak coast. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13666. [PMID: 32788660 PMCID: PMC7423977 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70403-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cold-temperate seagrass (Zostera marina) meadows provide several important ecosystem services, including trapping and storage of sedimentary organic carbon and nutrients. However, seagrass meadows are rapidly decreasing worldwide and there is a pressing need for protective management of the meadows and the organic matter sinks they create. Their carbon and nutrient storage potential must be properly evaluated, both at present situation and under future climate change impacts. In this study, we assessed the effect of wave exposure on sedimentary carbon and nitrogen accumulation using existing data from 53 Z. marina meadows at the Swedish west coast. We found that meadows with higher hydrodynamic exposure had larger absolute organic carbon and nitrogen stocks (at 0-25 cm depth). This can be explained by a hydrodynamically induced sediment compaction in more exposed sites, resulting in increased sediment density and higher accumulation (per unit volume) of sedimentary organic carbon and nitrogen. With higher sediment density, the erosion threshold is assumed to increase, and as climate change-induced storms are predicted to be more common, we suggest that wave exposed meadows can be more resilient toward storms and might therefore be even more important as carbon- and nutrient sinks in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Dahl
- Seagrass Ecology & Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Maria E Asplund
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg, Fiskebäckskil, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mats Björk
- Seagrass Ecology & Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Diana Deyanova
- Seagrass Ecology & Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg, Fiskebäckskil, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eduardo Infantes
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg, Fiskebäckskil, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Martin Gullström
- Seagrass Ecology & Physiology Research Group, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg, Fiskebäckskil, Gothenburg, Sweden
- School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
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Hillmann ER, Rivera-Monroy VH, Nyman JA, La Peyre MK. Estuarine submerged aquatic vegetation habitat provides organic carbon storage across a shifting landscape. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 717:137217. [PMID: 32070897 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) thrives across the estuarine salinity gradient providing valuable ecosystem services. Within the saline portion of estuaries, seagrass areas are frequently cited as hotspots for their role in capturing and retaining organic carbon (Corg). Non-seagrass SAV, located in the fresh to brackish estuarine areas, may also retain significant soil Corg, yet their role remains unquantified. Given rapidly occurring landscape and salinity changes due to human and natural disturbances, landscape level carbon pool estimates from estuarine SAV habitat blue carbon estimates are needed. We assessed Corg stocks in SAV habitat soils from estuarine freshwater to saline habitats (interior deltaic) to saline barrier islands (Chandeleur Island) within the Mississippi River Delta Plain (MRDP), Louisiana, USA. SAV habitats contain Corg stocks equivalent to those reported for other estuarine vegetation types (seagrass, salt marsh, mangrove). Interior deltaic SAV Corg stocks (231.6 ± 19.5 Mg Corg ha-1) were similar across the salinity gradient, and significantly higher than at barrier island sites (56.6 ± 10.4 Mg Corg ha-1). Within the MRDP, shallow water SAV habitat covers up to an estimated 28,000 ha, indicating that soil Corg storage is potentially 6.4 ± 0.1 Tg representing an unaccounted Corg pool. Extrapolated across Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico, this represents a major unaccounted pool of soil Corg. As marshes continue to erode, the ability of coastal SAV habitat to offset some of the lost carbon sequestration may be valuable. Our estimates of Corg sequestration rates indicated that conversion of eroding marsh to potential SAV habitat may help to offset the reduction of Corg sequestration rates. Across Louisiana, we estimated SAV to offset this loss by as much as 79,000 Mg C yr-1 between the 1960s and 2000s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva R Hillmann
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States of America
| | - Victor H Rivera-Monroy
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, College of the Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States of America
| | - J Andrew Nyman
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States of America
| | - Megan K La Peyre
- U.S. Geological Survey, Louisiana Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States of America.
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High variability of Blue Carbon storage in seagrass meadows at the estuary scale. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5865. [PMID: 32246009 PMCID: PMC7125166 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62639-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are considered important natural carbon sinks due to their capacity to store organic carbon (Corg) in sediments. However, the spatial heterogeneity of carbon storage in seagrass sediments needs to be better understood to improve accuracy of Blue Carbon assessments, particularly when strong gradients are present. We performed an intensive coring study within a sub-tropical estuary to assess the spatial variability in sedimentary Corg associated with seagrasses, and to identify the key factors promoting this variability. We found a strong spatial pattern within the estuary, from 52.16 mg Corg cm-3 in seagrass meadows in the upper parts, declining to 1.06 mg Corg cm-3 in seagrass meadows at the estuary mouth, despite a general gradient of increasing seagrass cover and seagrass habitat extent in the opposite direction. The sedimentary Corg underneath seagrass meadows came principally from allochthonous (non-seagrass) sources (~70-90 %), while the contribution of seagrasses was low (~10-30 %) throughout the entire estuary. Our results showed that Corg stored in sediments of seagrass meadows can be highly variable within an estuary, attributed largely to accumulation of fine sediments and inputs of allochthonous sources. Local features and the existence of spatial gradients must be considered in Blue Carbon estimates in coastal ecosystems.
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25
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Cuellar-Martinez T, Ruiz-Fernández AC, Sanchez-Cabeza JA, Pérez-Bernal LH, Sandoval-Gil J. Relevance of carbon burial and storage in two contrasting blue carbon ecosystems of a north-east Pacific coastal lagoon. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 675:581-593. [PMID: 31030163 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Coastal vegetated ecosystems constitute very productive habitats, characterized by efficient Corg sequestration and long-term preservation in sediments, so they play an important role in climate change mitigation. The temporal evolution of Corg content, stocks and burial rates were evaluated in seagrass and salt marsh habitats in San Quintin Bay (northeast Pacific, Mexico) by using 210Pb-dated sediment cores. Salt marsh cores were characterized by fine-grained sediments, higher salinities, lower terrigenous input and lower mass accumulation rates (MAR: 0.01-0.03 g cm-2 yr-1) than seagrass cores (MAR: 0.02-3.21 g cm-2 yr-1). Accumulation rates in both habitats steadily increased throughout the past century most likely because of soil erosion promoted by land use changes in the surroundings. The Corg stocks were highest in salt marsh cores (12.2-53.6 Mg ha-1 at 10 cm depth; 259-320 Mg ha-1 at 1 m depth) than in seagrass cores (5.7-14.4 Mg ha-1, and 80-98, Mg ha-1, respectively), whereas Corg burial rates were considerably lower in salt marsh (13-60 g m-2 yr-1) than in seagrass (9-144 g m-2 yr-1) habitats, and the temporal variations observed in Corg burial rates were mostly driven by changes in the accumulation rates. The overall Corg stock (485 ± 51 Gg C) for both habitats together was comparable to the carbon emissions of a major city nearby. Our results highlight the need to protect these environments as relevant carbon reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasa Cuellar-Martinez
- Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 82040 Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Ana Carolina Ruiz-Fernández
- Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 82040 Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
| | - Joan-Albert Sanchez-Cabeza
- Unidad Académica Procesos Oceánicos y Costeros, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Libia-Hascibe Pérez-Bernal
- Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 82040 Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Jose Sandoval-Gil
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Carretera Transpeninsular Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3917, Frac. Playitas, 22860 Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
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26
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Kindeberg T, Röhr E, Moksnes PO, Boström C, Holmer M. Variation of carbon contents in eelgrass ( Zostera marina) sediments implied from depth profiles. Biol Lett 2019; 15:20180831. [PMID: 31238855 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are able to store significant amounts of organic carbon in their underlying sediment, but global estimates are uncertain partly owing to spatio-temporal heterogeneity between and within areas and species. In order to provide robust estimates, there is a need to better understand the fate of, and mechanisms behind, organic carbon storage. In this observational study, we analyse a suite of biotic and abiotic parameters in sediment cores from 47 different eelgrass ( Zostera marina) beds spanning the distributional range of the Northern Hemisphere. Depth profiles of particulate organic carbon (POC) revealed three patterns of vertical distribution where POC either increased, decreased or showed no pattern with sediment depth. These categories exhibited distinct profiles of δ13C and C:N ratios, where high POC profiles had a proportionally larger storage of eelgrass-derived material whereas low POC profiles were dominated by phytoplanktonic and macroalgal material. However, high POC did not always translate into high carbon density. Nevertheless, this large-scale dataset provides evidence that the variability in organic matter source in response to natural and anthropogenic environmental changes affects the potential role of eelgrass beds as POC sinks, particularly where eelgrass decline is observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodor Kindeberg
- 1 Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark , Odense , Denmark
| | - Emilia Röhr
- 1 Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark , Odense , Denmark.,2 Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University , Åbo , Finland
| | - Per-Olav Moksnes
- 3 Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden
| | | | - Marianne Holmer
- 1 Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark , Odense , Denmark
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Vizzini S, Apostolaki ET, Ricevuto E, Polymenakou P, Mazzola A. Plant and sediment properties in seagrass meadows from two Mediterranean CO 2 vents: Implications for carbon storage capacity of acidified oceans. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 146:101-108. [PMID: 30929836 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the status of important carbon sinks such as seagrass meadows is of primary importance when dealing with potential climate change mitigation strategies. This study examined plant and sediment properties in seagrass meadows (Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Asch.) from two high pCO2-low pH Mediterranean vent systems, located at Milos (Greece) and Vulcano (Italy) Islands, providing insights on carbon storage potential in future acidified oceans. Contrary to what has been suggested, carbon content (both inorganic and organic) and its surficial accumulation decreased at high pCO2-low pH in comparison with controls. The decrease in inorganic carbon may result from the higher solubility of carbonates due to the more acidic conditions. At Vulcano, the seagrass properties (e.g., leaf area, biomass) appeared negatively affected by environmental conditions at high pCO2-low pH conditions and this may have had a detrimental effect on the organic carbon content and accumulation. At Milos, organic carbon decreased at high pCO2-low pH conditions, despite the increase in seagrass aboveground biomass, leaf length and area, probably as a consequence of site-specific features, which need further investigation and may include both biotic and abiotic factors (e.g., oligotrophic conditions, decreased sedimentation rate and input of allochthonous material). Results suggest that, in contrast to previous predictions based exclusively on the expected positive response of seagrasses to ocean acidification, carbon storage capacity of the seagrass C. nodosa may not increase at high pCO2-low pH conditions. This study emphasizes the need to investigate further the potential alteration in the climate mitigation service delivered by seagrass meadows in acidified oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatrice Vizzini
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123, Palermo, Italy; National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy.
| | - Eugenia T Apostolaki
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, GR-71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Elena Ricevuto
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paraskevi Polymenakou
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, PO Box 2214, GR-71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Antonio Mazzola
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123, Palermo, Italy; National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Roma, Italy
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28
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Mochida K, Hano T, Onduka T, Ito K, Yoshida G. Physiological responses of eelgrass (Zostera marina) to ambient stresses such as herbicide, insufficient light, and high water temperature. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 208:20-28. [PMID: 30597291 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to elucidate the biological responses of eelgrass (Zostera marina) to artificially induced stresses such as herbicide (Irgarol 1051, Irg) exposure, insufficient light, and high water temperature (27 ± 1.0 °C) by evaluating growth inhibition, photosynthetic activity, and metabolomic profiles. After 14 days, all treatments inhibited growth, but photosynthetic activity was only reduced in the Irg-exposed group. In the Irg-exposed and insufficient light groups, the metabolomic profiles were characterized by decreased levels of sugar (sucrose) and increased levels of amino acids such as glutamine, glycine, and leucine. Biochemical and ultrastructural analyses revealed that the loss of sugar-derived metabolic energy was compensated for by energy generated during autophagic protein degradation. Furthermore, the level of myo-inositol, which has various biological roles and participates in several cellular processes such as cell wall synthesis, stress response, and mineral nutrient storage, was markedly increased in the Irg-exposed and insufficient light groups. A combination of metabolomic analysis with other analyses such as measurement of photosynthetic activity might further elucidate the response of eelgrass to ambient stresses in the natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiko Mochida
- National Research Institute of Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea, Fisheries Research and Education Agency, 2-17-5 Maruishi, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0452, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Hano
- National Research Institute of Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea, Fisheries Research and Education Agency, 2-17-5 Maruishi, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0452, Japan
| | - Toshimitsu Onduka
- National Research Institute of Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea, Fisheries Research and Education Agency, 2-17-5 Maruishi, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0452, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Ito
- National Research Institute of Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea, Fisheries Research and Education Agency, 2-17-5 Maruishi, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0452, Japan
| | - Goro Yoshida
- National Research Institute of Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea, Fisheries Research and Education Agency, 2-17-5 Maruishi, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0452, Japan
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29
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Superficial sedimentary stocks and sources of carbon and nitrogen in coastal vegetated assemblages along a flow gradient. Sci Rep 2019; 9:610. [PMID: 30679706 PMCID: PMC6345834 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37031-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coastal vegetated ecosystems are major organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) sinks, but the mechanisms that regulate their spatial variability need to be better understood. Here we assessed how superficial sedimentary OC and TN within intertidal vegetated assemblages (saltmarsh and seagrass) vary along a flow gradient, which is a major driver of sediment grain size, and thus of organic matter (OM) content. A significant relationship between flow current velocity and OC and TN stocks in the seagrass was found, but not in the saltmarsh. OC and TN stocks of the saltmarsh were larger than the seagrass, even though that habitat experiences shorter hydroperiods. Mixing models revealed that OM sources also varied along the flow gradient within the seagrass, but not in the saltmarsh, showing increasing contributions of microphytobenthos (17–32%) and decreasing contributions of POM (45–35%). As well, OM sources varied vertically as microphytobenthos contribution was highest at the higher intertidal saltmarsh (48%), but not POM (39%). Macroalgae, seagrass and saltmarsh showed low contributions. Local trade-offs between flow current velocities, hydroperiod and structural complexity of vegetation must be considered, at both horizontal and vertical (elevation) spatial dimensions, for better estimates of blue carbon and nitrogen in coastal ecosystems.
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30
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Carbon stocks and accumulation rates in Red Sea seagrass meadows. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15037. [PMID: 30302026 PMCID: PMC6177483 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33182-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Seagrasses play an important role in climate change mitigation and adaptation, acting as natural CO2 sinks and buffering the impacts of rising sea level. However, global estimates of organic carbon (Corg) stocks, accumulation rates and seafloor elevation rates in seagrasses are limited to a few regions, thus potentially biasing global estimates. Here we assessed the extent of soil Corg stocks and accumulation rates in seagrass meadows (Thalassia hemprichii, Enhalus acoroides, Halophila stipulacea, Thalassodendrum ciliatum and Halodule uninervis) from Saudi Arabia. We estimated that seagrasses store 3.4 ± 0.3 kg Corg m−2 in 1 m-thick soil deposits, accumulated at 6.8 ± 1.7 g Corg m−2 yr−1 over the last 500 to 2,000 years. The extreme conditions in the Red Sea, such as nutrient limitation reducing seagrass growth rates and high temperature increasing soil respiration rates, may explain their relative low Corg storage compared to temperate meadows. Differences in soil Corg storage among habitats (i.e. location and species composition) are mainly related to the contribution of seagrass detritus to the soil Corg pool, fluxes of Corg from adjacent mangrove and tidal marsh ecosystems into seagrass meadows, and the amount of fine sediment particles. Seagrasses sequester annually around 0.8% of CO2 emissions from fossil-fuels by Saudi Arabia, while buffering the impacts of sea level rise. This study contributes data from understudied regions to a growing dataset on seagrass carbon stocks and sequestration rates and further evidences that even small seagrass species store Corg in coastal areas.
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31
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Green A, Chadwick MA, Jones PJS. Variability of UK seagrass sediment carbon: Implications for blue carbon estimates and marine conservation management. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204431. [PMID: 30248130 PMCID: PMC6152962 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Seagrass meadows provide a multitude of ecosystem services, including a capacity to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) within their sediments. Seagrass research in the UK is lacking and there is no published data on sediment carbon (C) within UK seagrass meadows. We sampled 13 Zostera marina meadows along the southwest coast of the UK to assess the variability in their sedimentary organic carbon (OC) stocks. The study sites were considered representative of sub-tidal Z. marina meadows in the UK, spanning a gradient of sheltered to exposed sites, varying in formation, size and density, but found along the same latitudinal gradient. OC stocks (Cstocks) integrated across 100cm depth profiles were similar among all sites (98.01 ± 2.15 to 140.24 ± 10.27 Mg C ha-1), apart from at Drakes Island, which recorded an unusually high Cstock (380.07 ± 17.51 Mg C ha-1) compared to the rest of the region. The total standing stock of C in the top 100cm of the surveyed seagrass meadows was 66,337 t C, or the equivalent of 10,512 individual UK people’s CO2 emissions per year. This figure is particularly significant relative to the seagrass area, which totalled 549.79 ha. Using estimates of seagrass cover throughout the UK and recent UK C trading values we approximate that the monetary value of the UK’s seagrass standing C stock is between £2.6 million and £5.3 million. The C stock of the UK’s seagrass meadows represent one of the largest documented C stocks within Europe and are, therefore, of important ecosystem service value. The research raises questions concerning the reliability of using global or regional data as a proxy for local seagrass C stock estimates and adds to a growing body of literature that is looking to understand the mechanisms of seagrass C storage. When taken with the fact that seagrass meadows are an important habitat for commercially important and endangered species in the UK, along with their declining health and cover, this research supports the need for more robust conservation strategies for UK seagrass habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix Green
- Department of Geography, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Peter J. S. Jones
- Department of Geography, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
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Mazarrasa I, Samper-Villarreal J, Serrano O, Lavery PS, Lovelock CE, Marbà N, Duarte CM, Cortés J. Habitat characteristics provide insights of carbon storage in seagrass meadows. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 134:106-117. [PMID: 29459167 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.01.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2017] [Revised: 01/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass meadows provide multiple ecosystem services, yet they are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth. Because of their role as carbon sinks, protection and restoration of seagrass meadows contribute to climate change mitigation. Blue Carbon strategies aim to enhance CO2 sequestration and avoid greenhouse gasses emissions through the management of coastal vegetated ecosystems, including seagrass meadows. The implementation of Blue Carbon strategies requires a good understanding of the habitat characteristics that influence Corg sequestration. Here, we review the existing knowledge on Blue Carbon research in seagrass meadows to identify the key habitat characteristics that influence Corg sequestration in seagrass meadows, those factors that threaten this function and those with unclear effects. We demonstrate that not all seagrass habitats have the same potential, identify research priorities and describe the implications of the results found for the implementation and development of efficient Blue Carbon strategies based on seagrass meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Mazarrasa
- Department of Global Change Research, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB) Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, C/ Miguel Marqués 21, 07190 Esporles, Mallorca, Spain; Environmental Hydraulics Institute "IH Cantabria", Universidad de Cantabria, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain.
| | - Jimena Samper-Villarreal
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, 11501-2060 San José, Costa Rica
| | - Oscar Serrano
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - Paul S Lavery
- Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia; Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Calle de Acceso a la Cala Sant Francesc, 14, 17300 Blanes, Girona, Spain
| | - Catherine E Lovelock
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Núria Marbà
- Department of Global Change Research, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB) Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, C/ Miguel Marqués 21, 07190 Esporles, Mallorca, Spain
| | - Carlos M Duarte
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Red Sea Research Center, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jorge Cortés
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, 11501-2060 San José, Costa Rica; Escuela de Biología y Museo de Zoología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, 11501-2060 San José, Costa Rica
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Park D, Goh CJ, Kim H, Hahn Y. Identification of Two Novel Amalgaviruses in the Common Eelgrass ( Zostera marina) and in Silico Analysis of the Amalgavirus +1 Programmed Ribosomal Frameshifting Sites. THE PLANT PATHOLOGY JOURNAL 2018; 34:150-156. [PMID: 29628822 PMCID: PMC5880360 DOI: 10.5423/ppj.nt.11.2017.0243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The genome sequences of two novel monopartite RNA viruses were identified in a common eelgrass (Zostera marina) transcriptome dataset. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analyses revealed that these two novel viruses belong to the genus Amalgavirus in the family Amalgaviridae. They were named Zostera marina amalgavirus 1 (ZmAV1) and Zostera marina amalgavirus 2 (ZmAV2). Genomes of both ZmAV1 and ZmAV2 contain two overlapping open reading frames (ORFs). ORF1 encodes a putative replication factory matrix-like protein, while ORF2 encodes a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain. The fusion protein (ORF1+2) of ORF1 and ORF2, which mediates RNA replication, was produced using the +1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) mechanism. The +1 PRF motif sequence, UUU_CGN, which is highly conserved among known amalgaviruses, was also found in ZmAV1 and ZmAV2. Multiple sequence alignment of the ORF1+2 fusion proteins from 24 amalgaviruses revealed that +1 PRF occurred only at three different positions within the 13-amino acid-long segment, which was surrounded by highly conserved regions on both sides. This suggested that the +1 PRF may be constrained by the structure of fusion proteins. Genome sequences of ZmAV1 and ZmAV2, which are the first viruses to be identified in common eelgrass, will serve as useful resources for studying evolution and diversity of amalgaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yoonsoo Hahn
- Corresponding author. Phone) +82-2-820-5812, FAX) +82-2-825-5206, E-mail)
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34
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Hayes MA, Jesse A, Hawke B, Baldock J, Tabet B, Lockington D, Lovelock CE. Dynamics of sediment carbon stocks across intertidal wetland habitats of Moreton Bay, Australia. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:4222-4234. [PMID: 28407457 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Coastal wetlands are known for high carbon storage within their sediments, but our understanding of the variation in carbon storage among intertidal habitats, particularly over geomorphological settings and along elevation gradients, is limited. Here, we collected 352 cores from 18 sites across Moreton Bay, Australia. We assessed variation in sediment organic carbon (OC) stocks among different geomorphological settings (wetlands within riverine settings along with those with reduced riverine influence located on tide-dominated sand islands), across elevation gradients, with distance from shore and among habitat and vegetation types. We used mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy combined with analytical data and partial least squares regression to quantify the carbon content of ~2500 sediment samples and provide fine-scale spatial coverage of sediment OC stocks to 150 cm depth. We found sites in river deltas had larger OC stocks (175-504 Mg/ha) than those in nonriverine settings (44-271 Mg/ha). Variation in OC stocks among nonriverine sites was high in comparison with riverine and mixed geomorphic settings, with sites closer to riverine outflow from the east and south of Moreton Bay having higher stocks than those located on the sand islands in the northwest of the bay. Sediment OC stocks increased with elevation within nonriverine settings, but not in riverine geomorphic settings. Sediment OC stocks did not differ between mangrove and saltmarsh habitats. OC stocks did, however, differ between dominant species across the research area and within geomorphic settings. At the landscape scale, the coastal wetlands of the South East Queensland catchments (17,792 ha) are comprised of approximately 4,100,000-5,200,000 Mg of sediment OC. Comparatively high variation in OC storage between riverine and nonriverine geomorphic settings indicates that the availability of mineral sediments and terrestrial derived OC may exert a strong influence over OC storage potential across intertidal wetland systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Hayes
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Smithsonian Institution, Edgewater, MD, USA
| | - Amber Jesse
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Bruce Hawke
- CSIRO Land and Water/Sustainable Agriculture Flagship, Glen Osmond, SA, Australia
| | - Jeff Baldock
- CSIRO Land and Water/Sustainable Agriculture Flagship, Glen Osmond, SA, Australia
| | - Basam Tabet
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - David Lockington
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Catherine E Lovelock
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
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Gullström M, Lyimo LD, Dahl M, Samuelsson GS, Eggertsen M, Anderberg E, Rasmusson LM, Linderholm HW, Knudby A, Bandeira S, Nordlund LM, Björk M. Blue Carbon Storage in Tropical Seagrass Meadows Relates to Carbonate Stock Dynamics, Plant–Sediment Processes, and Landscape Context: Insights from the Western Indian Ocean. Ecosystems 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-017-0170-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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