Abstract
The redox potential (Eh) of three common marsh communities, tall-formSpartina, short-formSpartina, andJuncus roemerianus, was measured during all seasons at depths down to 30 cm. Paired plots were measured in each community type—one in which vegetation was undisturbed and one in which plants had been clipped and killed by surface heating. Redox potential was measured with platinum electrodes following procedures tested in the laboratory that showed electrode equilibrium attained after 15 minutes in wet soils. In general, Eh of marsh soils varied with respect to 1) marsh types (short-formSpartina <Juncus<tall-formSpartina), 2) between vegetated and clipped plots (clipped < vegetated), 3) with season (dormant < growing season), and 4) depth (deep < surface). Spatial variations in Eh were related to the presence or absence of living roots and rhizomes and temporal variations were due to the activity or dormancy of plant root tissues. Even roots of species such asJ. roemerianus, which are not known to oxidize the rhizosphere, raised Eh levels in the soil.
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de la Cruz, A.A., Hackney, C.T. & Bhardwaj, N. Temporal and spatial patterns of redox potential (Eh) in three tidal marsh communities. Wetlands 9, 181–190 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03160743
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03160743