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Salinization of coastal freshwater wetlands; effects of constant versus fluctuating salinity on sediment biogeochemistry

Biogeochemistry volume 126, pages 71–84 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Globally, coastal lowlands are becoming more saline by the combined effects of sea level rise, land subsidence and altered hydrological and climatic conditions. Although salinization is known to have a great influence on biogeochemical processes, literature shows contrasting effects that challenge the prediction of future effects. In addition, the effects of fluctuating salinity levels, a more realistic scenario than constant levels, on nutrient cycling in coastal wetland sediments have hardly been examined. A better understanding is therefore crucial for the prediction of future effects and the definition of effective management. To test the effects of constantly brackish water (50 mmol Cl l−1, 3.2 psu) or fluctuating salinity (5–50 mmol Cl l−1), versus constantly low salinity (5 mmol Cl l−1, 0.32 psu) on nutrient biogeochemistry, we conducted a controlled laboratory experiment with either peat or clay sediments from coastal wetlands. Increased salinity showed to have a fast and large effect. Sediment cation exchange appeared to be the key process explaining both a decrease in phosphorus availability (through calcium mobilization) and an increase in nitrogen availability, their extent being strongly dependent on sediment type. Supply of brackish water decreased surface water turbidity and inhibited sediment methane production but did not affect CO2 production. Constant and fluctuating salinity levels showed similar longer term effects on nutrient and carbon cycling. The contrasting effects of salinization found for nitrogen and phosphorus, and its effects on water turbidity indicate major ecological consequences for coastal wetlands and have important implications for water management and nature restoration.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank P. J. Westendorp and M. Klinge for their help with the set-up of this study. We would also like to acknowledge P. van der Ven, J. Eijgensteijn, J. Graafland, R. Kuiperij and A. Pol for their help processing and analyzing samples, and Landschap Noord-Holland for field assistance and providing relevant additional information. We thank Landschap Noord-Holland and the State Forestry Service for their kind permission to collect sediments. This research was funded by the national research programme O + BN of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation.

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  1. Astrid Bout

    Present address: , Rijkswaterstaat, P.O. Box 9070, 6800 ED, Arnhem, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. B-WARE Research Centre, Radboud University, P.O. Box 6558, 6503 GB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Gijs van Dijk, Alfons J. P. Smolders, Roos Loeb, Jan G. M. Roelofs & Leon P. M. Lamers

  2. Institute of Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Gijs van Dijk, Alfons J. P. Smolders, Astrid Bout, Jan G. M. Roelofs & Leon P. M. Lamers

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  1. Gijs van Dijk
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  2. Alfons J. P. Smolders
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Correspondence to Gijs van Dijk.

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van Dijk, G., Smolders, A.J.P., Loeb, R. et al. Salinization of coastal freshwater wetlands; effects of constant versus fluctuating salinity on sediment biogeochemistry. Biogeochemistry 126, 71–84 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-015-0140-1

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