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Is peat accumulation in mangrove swamps influenced by the “enzymic latch” mechanism?

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Abstract

Mangrove swamps accumulate a significant amount (45–98 %) of organic carbon in sediments; however, there is a knowledge gap in explaining the mechanism behind this. Through the analysis of substrate samples from a red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) swamp in southwest Florida, USA, this study investigated whether the “enzymic latch”, which suppresses decomposition in northern peatlands, is prevalent in mangrove soils. Laboratory analyses were performed to investigate the four hypotheses of the “enzymic latch”. Results showed that under aerobic conditions mangroves soil samples have significantly higher phenol oxidase activity (two-fold, p < 0.05), but lower phosphatase activity (−33 %, p < 0.05), β-glucosidase activity (−14 %) and glucosaminidase activity (−11 %) compared to anaerobic conditions. Soil samples supplemented with phenol oxidase showed significantly lower phenolic concentration (−8.3 %, p < 0.01), but increased β-glucosidase (+79 %, p < 0.05), xylosidase (+99 %, p < 0.01) and glucosaminidase (+102 %, p < 0.01) activities. Supplementation of lignin-based solution significantly lowered β-glucosidase (−55 %, p < 0.001), sulphatase (−82 %, p < 0.001) and glucosaminidase (−45 %, p < 0.01) activities. Based on these findings, it is concluded that the “enzymic latch” is highly likely to play a key role in suppressing decomposition rates in red mangrove covered areas of mangrove swamps.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Dr. Rachel Gough and Dr. Timothy Jones from the School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University for proofreading the initial draft and laboratory analyses, respectively. Assistance from the staff at the Vester Marine and Environmental Science Research Field Station, and the Everglades Wetland Research Park, at Florida Gulf Coast University were essential for sample collection. Comments and suggestions from two anonymous reviewers were invaluable for making the final draft of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bangor Wetlands Group, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK

    Saraswati Saraswati, Christian Dunn & Chris Freeman

  2. Everglades Wetland Research Park, Kapnick Center, Florida Gulf Coast University, 4940 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL, 34112-7336, USA

    William J. Mitsch

  3. Department of Geography & Environmental Management, Waterloo University, Environment 1, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada

    Saraswati Saraswati

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  1. Saraswati Saraswati
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  2. Christian Dunn
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  3. William J. Mitsch
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  4. Chris Freeman
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Correspondence to Saraswati Saraswati.

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Saraswati, S., Dunn, C., Mitsch, W.J. et al. Is peat accumulation in mangrove swamps influenced by the “enzymic latch” mechanism?. Wetlands Ecol Manage 24, 641–650 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-016-9493-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-016-9493-z

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