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Soil Phosphorus Dynamics and Saltwater Intrusion in a Florida Estuary

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Abstract

Soils in riparian wetlands are thought to stifle eutrophication in coastal water bodies by entraining and transforming nutrients. Altered hydrology and sea level rise underscore the need to evaluate the role of salinity in nutrient cycling within these settings. We studied three intertidal wetlands along the St. Johns River estuary, Florida in order to relate soil phosphorus composition with the distribution of saltwater. Sites represented a tidal freshwater forest, a brackish marsh, and a saltmarsh. Total phosphorus and organic composition decreased along the axis of the estuary as ambient salinity increased. At upstream wetlands, porewater revealed an inverse correlation between PO4 3− and the presence of saltwater (Cl− and SO4 2−) suggesting soil efflux. During experiments, aerobic soils did not liberate PO4 3− when exposed to seawater. During anaerobic experiments, SO4 2− amended soils from a saltmarsh mobilized substantial amounts of PO4 3− but the same effect was not observed in low-salinity wetland soils. Results indicate that P availability is shaped by saltwater access in the estuary and that SO4 2− reduction may regenerate PO4 3− in the saltmarsh. We suggest this is relevant to the St. John’s river in light of ongoing eutrophication and planned surfacewater withdrawals, which may draw saline water farther upstream.

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Acknowledgments

The St. Johns River Water Management District funded this project. Gratitude is owed to Dan Moon for assistance with statistics. Brooks Avery and Todd Osborne refined analytical and experimental approaches. The University of Indiana Wetlands Laboratory provided total soil phosphorus data. Melissa Bush graciously offered access to the atomic absorption unit. Several parts for the chromatography system were loaned to the authors from Stuart Chalk. Carl Voth and Kris Amatuli are acknowledged for irreplaceable support during this effort. Anonymous reviewers greatly aided the structure of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Asher A. Williams

  2. Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G2E3, Canada

    Nathan T. Lauer

  3. Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA

    Courtney T. Hackney

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  1. Asher A. Williams
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  2. Nathan T. Lauer
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  3. Courtney T. Hackney
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Correspondence to Asher A. Williams.

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Williams, A.A., Lauer, N.T. & Hackney, C.T. Soil Phosphorus Dynamics and Saltwater Intrusion in a Florida Estuary. Wetlands 34, 535–544 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-014-0520-7

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