Accelerated microbial organic matter mineralization following salt-water intrusion into tidal freshwater marsh soils

• Published in: Biogeochemistry 2011, Vol.102 (1-3), p.135-151
• Main Authors: Weston, Nathaniel B, Vile, Melanie A, Neubauer, Scott C, Velinsky, David J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biogeochemistry; Biogeosciences; Biological and medical sciences; carbon; Carbon dioxide; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecosystems; Environmental Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Fresh water; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Life Sciences; Marine and continental quaternary; Matter & antimatter; Methane; methane production; Methanogenesis; Mineralization; Mineralogy; Organic carbon; Organic chemicals; Organic matter; Organic matter mineralization; Organic soils; Pore water; Saline water intrusion; Salt; Salts; Sedimentary soils; Soil amendment; Soil depth; Soil microorganisms; Soil organic matter; Soil salinity; Soil salts; Soils; Sulfate reduction; Sulfates; Surficial geology; Synecology; Terrestrial ecosystems; Tidal freshwater marshes; Tidal marshes; Tides; Water; Wetlands
• ISSN: 0168-2563; 1573-515X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10533-010-9427-4

The impact of salt-water intrusion on microbial organic carbon (C) mineralization in tidal freshwater marsh (TFM) soils was investigated in a year-long laboratory experiment in which intact soils were exposed to a simulated tidal cycle of freshwater or dilute salt-water. Gas fluxes [carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄)], rates of microbial processes (sulfate reduction and methanogenesis), and porewater and solid phase biogeochemistry were measured throughout the experiment. Flux rates of CO₂ and, surprisingly, CH₄ increased significantly following salt-water intrusion, and remained elevated relative to freshwater cores for 6 and 5 months, respectively. Following salt-water intrusion, rates of sulfate reduction increased significantly and remained higher than rates in the freshwater controls throughout the experiment. Rates of acetoclastic methanogenesis were higher than rates of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, but the rates did not differ by salinity treatment. Soil organic C content decreased significantly in soils experiencing salt-water intrusion. Estimates of total organic C mineralized in freshwater and salt-water amended soils over the 1-year experiment using gas flux measurements (18.2 and 24.9 mol C m⁻², respectively) were similar to estimates obtained from microbial rates (37.8 and 56.2 mol C m⁻², respectively), and to losses in soil organic C content (0 and 44.1 mol C m⁻², respectively). These findings indicate that salt-water intrusion stimulates microbial decomposition, accelerates the loss of organic C from TFM soils, and may put TFMs at risk of permanent inundation.