Carbon flow through oxygen and sulfate reduction pathways in salt marsh sediments

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1984.29.5.1037· OSTI ID:5486878

Howes, B L; Dacey, J W.H.; King, G M

Surface oxygen uptake, sulfate reduction and total sediment metabolism were measured in sediments (0-30 cm) supporting stands of short Spartina alterniflora in a New England salt marsh. Surface oxygen uptake varied seasonally and was highly correlated with total sediment metabolism. Rates of oxygen uptake ranged from about 75 to 121 mmol/sq m/day during winter to a maximum in August of 363. Total carbon dioxide production followed the same trend with a winter low of 65 mmol/sq m/day and a maximum in August of 415. The sulfate concentration in porewater from the 0-2 cm interval was about that expected from seawater at the salinity of the interstitial water. Below this depth sulfate decreased to values of about 21.6 mmol/liter. Time-course experiments using carbon dioxide production and sulfate reduction indicate that the aqua regia technique is not reliable for measuring sulfate reaction and that the rate of sulfate reduction is much less than previously reported for this marsh. Carbon mineralization is estimated to average about 180 mmol C/sq m/day, among the highest measured for marine sediments. Simultaneous measurements of oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production and sulfate reduction suggest that at least half of this decomposition occurs via sulfate reduction. 54 references, 7 figures.

• Research Organization: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MA
• OSTI ID: 5486878
• Journal Information: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States), Vol. 29:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
MARSHES
CARBON CYCLE
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CORRELATIONS
DECOMPOSITION
FEDERAL REGION I
MEASURING METHODS
METABOLISM
MINERALIZATION
OXYGEN
REDUCTION
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SEDIMENTS
SULFATES
UPTAKE
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
USA
VARIATIONS
WETLANDS
510100* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (-1989)
520100 - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)