Organic matter fluxes and marsh stability in a rapidly submerging estuarine marsh

Abstract

We studied organic matter cycling in two Gulf Coast tidal, nonsaline marsh sites where subsidence causes marine intrusion and rapid submergence, which mimics increased sea-level rise. The sites experienced equally rapid submergence but different degrees of marine intrusion. Vegetation was hummocked and much of the marsh lacked rooted vegetation. Aboveground standing crop and production, as measured by sequential harvesting, were low relative to other Gulf CoastSpartina patens marshes. Soil bulk density was lower than reported for healthyS. alterniflora growth but that may be unimportant at the current, moderate sulfate levels. Belowground production, as measured by sequential harvesting, was extremely fast within hummocks, but much of the marsh received little or no belowground inputs. Aboveground production was slower at the more saline site (681 g m⁻² yr⁻¹) than at the less saline site (1,252 g m⁻² yr⁻¹). Belowground production over the entire marsh surface averaged 1,401 g m⁻² yr⁻¹ at the less saline site and 585 g m⁻² yr⁻¹ at the more saline site. Respiration, as measured by CO₂ emissions in the field and corrected for CH₄ emissions, was slower at the less saline site (956 g m⁻² yr⁻¹) than at the more saline site (1,438 g m⁻² yr⁻¹), reflecting greater contributions byS. alterniflora at the more saline site which is known to decompose more rapidly thanS. patens. Burial of organic matter was faster at the less saline site (796 g m⁻² yr⁻¹) than at the more saline site (434 g m⁻², yr⁻¹), likely in response to faster production and slower decomposition at the less saline site. Thus vertical accretion was faster at the less saline site (1.3 cm yr⁻¹) than at the more saline site (0.85 cm yr⁻¹); slower vertical accretion increased flooding at the more saline site. More organic matter was available for export at the less saline site (1,377 g m⁻² yr⁻¹) than at the more saline site (98 g m⁻² yr⁻¹). These data indicated that organic matter production decreased and burial increased in response to greenhouse-like conditions brought on by subsidence. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY069 00016