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Methane in pristine and impaired mangrove soils and its possible effect on establishment of mangrove seedlings

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Abstract

Pristine and impaired mangrove soils (from road construction, aquaculture, and sewage) in Baja California Sur, Mexico were investigated for methane dynamics, related soil properties, and their impact on initial establishment of black mangrove propagules. All soils (Salic Fluvisols and Histosols) had neutral to alkaline pH, were saline, and had variable organic carbon content, and redox potentials. Most pristine mangrove soils showed low methane concentration, low methane production rates, and no methane emission. Impaired mangrove soil (from aquaculture) and mangrove soil affected by sewage water showed high methane concentration, high methane production rates, and high methane emission, thus acting as a methane source. Elevated methane concentrations, similar to levels detected in the impaired mangrove soil, reduce the growth of seedlings under closed chamber conditions. Addition of sulfate to the soil reversed the trend. These results indicate that impaired mangrove soils in dry climatic regions produce and emit methane and that elevated methane concentration in the vicinity of propagules may affect establishment of mangrove seedlings in impaired mangrove soils.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Alejandro Amador and Monika Noormann for helping with field sampling and Ariel Cruz and Gunda Sängerlaub for technical assistance. This study was partially supported by the Bashan Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Science, Institute of Biology and Environmental Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Postal Box 2503, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany

    Antje Strangmann & Luise Giani

  2. Environmental Microbiology Group, Northwestern Center for Biological Research (CIBNOR), Mar Bermejo 195, Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, La Paz, 23090, Mexico

    Yoav Bashan

  3. Department of Soil, Water, and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Yoav Bashan

Authors
  1. Antje Strangmann
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  2. Yoav Bashan
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  3. Luise Giani
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Correspondence to Yoav Bashan.

Additional information

This paper is in memory of the late mangrove researcher Dr. Gina Holguin of Mexico.

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Strangmann, A., Bashan, Y. & Giani, L. Methane in pristine and impaired mangrove soils and its possible effect on establishment of mangrove seedlings. Biol Fertil Soils 44, 511–519 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-007-0233-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-007-0233-7

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