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Flax Pond ecosystem study: Exchanges of phosphorus between a salt marsh and the coastal waters of Long Island Sound

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Abstract

The exchanges of phosphorus between the Flax Pond, a tidal Spartina alterniflora marsh on the north shore of Long Island (USA) and Long Island Sound were measured over 18 months. Phosphate was exported from the marsh from May through December and imported during the remainder of the year. Organic phosphorus appears to be accumulated in all seasons, but the yearly phosphorus budget of the marsh is approximately balanced despite the accumulation of about 6 mm of sediment annually.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Biological Laboratory, Ecosystems Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA

    G. M. Woodwell

  2. Marine Institute, University of Georgia, Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA

    D. E. Whitney

Authors
  1. G. M. Woodwell
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  2. D. E. Whitney
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Additional information

Communicated by M.R. Tripp, Newark National Laboratory, with financial support from the Energy, Research and Development Administration, the National Science Foundation, through Grant No. AG-375, and The Ecosystems Center, M.B.L., Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

Communicated by M.R. Tripp, Newark

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Woodwell, G.M., Whitney, D.E. Flax Pond ecosystem study: Exchanges of phosphorus between a salt marsh and the coastal waters of Long Island Sound. Marine Biology 41, 1–6 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390575

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390575

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