Sources and distributions of terrigenous organic matter in a mangrove fringed small tropical estuary in South China

The sources and distributions of terrigenous organic matter (OM) were investigated in a small tropical estuary in the Hainan Island, South China. Plants, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and surface sediments samples in the estuary and coast were collected. Bulk properties [organic carbon (OC%), total nitrogen (TN%), stable carbon isotope (δ13C) and grain size] and lignin phenol concentrations were measured. OC% of mangrove plants was (43.4 ± 2.1)%, which is similar to the values reported for mangrove plants in other regions. OC% of sediment samples ranged from 0.07% to 1.42%, and they were related to the sediment texture. Lignin phenols in the sediment ranged from 5.16 mg/100 mg OC in the uppermost station to 0.51mg/100mg OC in the coast. The molar ratio of organic carbon to total nitrogen (C/N) (～7) and δ 13 C (～-31.1×10-3 ) of riverine SPM revealed that the major OM sources of riverine SPM were aquatic OM (phytoplankton and/or bacteria). Moreover, the lower lignin concentration (Λ8) and higher (Ad/Al)v of lignin phenols suggest that terrestrial OM in riverine SPM were mainly from soil. Furthermore, C/N ratio, δ13C and lignin phenols reveal that mangrove plants were the predominant OM sources of mangrove surface sediment. Based on the δ13C and lignin phenols, it can be concluded that the major OM sources in estuarine and coastal surface sediments were marine phytoplankton, riverine SPM and mangrove surface sediment. In addition, the higher (Ad/Al)v of lignin phenols in those coastal sediments indicate that seagrass might be a potential OM source in coastal sediments, however, the lower (Ad/Al)v in the estuarine sediments in turn suggests that seagrass could not be transported to the mangrove fringed region. A three-end-member model which is based on lignin concentrations and δ13C was applied to evaluate the contribution of mangroves to the organic matter preserved in the surface sediments. Around the mangrove fringed region, mangrove could contribute more than 50% to the sedimentary OM, and this value is much higher than riverine OM. Nevertheless, mangrove OM could not be efficiently transported to the coastal region. Our study suggests that mangrove forest is an important OM source in this small estuary.     

Variations in paleoproductivity and the environmental implications over the past six decades in the Changjiang Estuary

Total organic carbon and organic carbon stable isotope, biogenic silica, chlorin were measured from a high resolution sediment core to indicate the variation in paleoproductivity and the environmental implications over the past decades (1942 to 1997) in the Changjiang Estuary. Based on these biomarkers, the shift in the phytoplankton community structure in the past decades was discussed in response to the long-term variations in nutrient concentrations and nutrient ratios. The results showed that the δ 13 C values varied from –26.15‰ to –19.5‰, suggesting the combined organic carbon sources of riverine and marine organisms. Based on the biogenic proxies, paleoproductivity changes were categorized into three stages: low production before 1950; an increase in production with the dominance of diatoms during 1950 to 1980, consistent with increasing of nutrient concentrations; a decrease in production after 1980 when the diatom production decreased while the production of non-silicious phytoplankton increased due to high nutrient inputs, and high N/P and P/Si ratios in the Changjiang Estuary. The sedimentation records also indicated that the riverine organic carbon increased since 1980.     

Spatial and temporal variations of sedimented organic matter in Xiaohai Lagoon, Hainan Island

The characteristics of grain-size,total organic carbon(TOC) and total nitrogen(TN) contents,TOC/TN ratios,stable carbon isotope(δ13C) and 210 Pb dating were measured in six sediment cores from the Xiaohai Lagoon.The results show distinct spatial and temporal variations in sedimentation patterns.The sediments are dominated by clayey silt,sandy silt and by silty sand in the southern,middle lagoon and the northern lagoon,respectively.TOC and TN contents decline from south to north.Sedimentation rates,determined by 210 Pb dating,tend to decrease from south to middle.However,the determination of sedimentation rate in the north is difficult.These spatial variations are related to the variations in sediment sources and hydrodynamic conditions in the Xiaohai Lagoon.The variations of organic matter signatures can be divided into two stages in the cores from the southern and middle lagoon.Before 1988,the organic matter signatures are relatively stable.The contribution of terrestrial organic carbon sources varies between 60% and 85%.After 1988,the organic matter signatures demonstrate significant variations.TOC and TN contents increase rapidly,TOC/TN ratios decrease,δ13C values shift to higher and the contribution of terrestrial organic carbon sources decreases to 40%-50%.The contributions of phytoplankton organic matter have increased in the sediment since 1988.Increasing aquaculture activities have had a significant impact on organic matter signatures since 1988.The sedimentation rates have increased rapidly in the southern and middle lagoon since 1988 due to the anthropogenic activities which include aquaculture,mining and deforestation.These activities have caused eutrophication and increased siltation in the southern and middle lagoon.     

Characteristics of sediment transport in the Zhoushan Archipelago sea area

Based on the field data including tidal current,suspended sediment concentration,grain size of surface sediments,the transport mechanism and movement trend of sediments are analyzed using the method of flux decomposition and Grain Size Trend Analysis.The results show that the concentration and flux of suspended sediments decrease sharply from the Hangzhou Bay to the offshore area.The suspended sediment transport is mainly controlled by advection transport including average current transport and Stokes drift-induced transport and the gravitational circulation transport.The surface sediments are transported from the entrance of the Hangzhou Bay to the offshore area in general; meanwhile,the sediment transport has two obvious transport trends in the offshore area.The interaction of tidal currents,residual currents,the East China Sea coastal current,Taiwan Warm Current and wind waves appear to play important roles in the sediment transport.Furthermore,the sediment distribution and transport are significantly affected by the Zhoushan Archipelago.     

Distribution of organic carbon in sediments and its influences on adjacent sea area in the turbidity maximum of Changjiang Estuary in China

Distributions and sources of total organic carbon （TOC）in seabed sediments and their implications for hydrodynamics are analyzed, in the turbidity maximum of the Changjiang Estuary. Ecology ecoenvironmental effects of estuary water on the continuously increasing terrigenous organic carbon from the Changjiang River are also explored through variations of organic carbon content and water quality indicators. Results show that, hydrodynamics exert important influences on distributions of organic carbon in the tur- bidity maximum of Changjiang Estuary. For their redistribution effect of terrigenous organic carbon within the moving layer in the whole region, variations from land to sea are not indicated by surficial and vertical average values of TOC and total nitrogen （TN） contents in core sediment, as well as organic stable carbon isotopes in surface sediments. However, on the long-time scale, the trend of terrigenous organic carbon decreasing from land to sea is still displayed by variations of stable carbon isotopic average values becoming heavier from land to sea. Previous studies have shown that high content of Chl a cannot appear in the Changjiang Estuary in despite of adequate nourishment supply, because photosynthesis of phytoplankton is constrained by high suspended sediment concentration（SSC）. However, an area with a high content of Chl a occurs, which may be caused by resuspended benthic algae with bottom fine grain-size sediments. Tremendous pressures are imposed on the environment of Changjiang Estuary, because of uhrophication trends and special hydrodynamics. Phytoplankton bloom area tends to extend from the outer sea to the mouth of Changjiang River.     

Modern sedimentation rates in the intertidal zone on the west coast of the Bohai Gulf

On the basis of the measurement of ^210Pbcx and ^137Cs activities in the sediment cores taken from the intertidal zone on the west coast of the Bohai Gulf, the average sedimentation rates of modern sediments are calculated. The results indicate that in the sandy area of the intertidal zone (from Daogouzi to the Duliujian River), the sedimentation rate from 1955 to 1963 is 3.43～4.06 cm/a, and is within the range of 0.65～1.59 cm/a since 1963. The average sedimentation rate in the muddy area (around Qikou) is approximately 1.81 cm/a.The results above suggest that the sandy area of the intertidal zone has experienced rapid sedimentation from the 1950s to the 1960s,and the sedimentation slows down after the 1960s, and the sedimentation rates increase from north to south spatially. The rapid sedimentation from the 1950s to the 1960s in the sandy area is due to the fact that North China has plentiful precipitation during this period and the intertidal zone is supplied with abundant matter sources for sedimentation. After the 1960s, the weakened sedimentation may be a result of the reduction of sand transported to the intertidal zone, which is a consequence of diminished rainfall in North China and intensive human activities in the Haihe basin.     

近140年来广西红树林演变及其对人类活动的响应:有机碳和孢粉联合示踪

Mangrove degradation must reduce carbon sequestration in recent years, thereby aggravating global warming.Thus, short-term impacts of human activity on mangrove ecosystems are cause for concern from local governments and scientists. Mangroves sediments can provide detailed records of mangrove species variation in the last one hundred years, based on detailed 210 Pb data. The study traced the history of mangrove development and its response to environmental change over the last 140 years in two mangrove swamps of Guangxi, Southwest China. Average sedimentation rates were calculated to be 0.48 cm/a and 0.56 cm/a in the Yingluo Bay and the Maowei Sea, respectively. Chemical indicators(δ13Corg and C:N) were utilized to trace the contribution of mangrove-derived organic matter(MOM) using a ternary mixing model. Simultaneous use of mangrove pollen can help to supplement some of these limitations in diagenetic/overlap of isotopic signatures. We found that vertical distribution of MOM was consistent with mangrove pollen, which could provide similar information for tracing mangrove ecosystems. Therefore, mangrove development was reconstructed and divided into three stages: flourishing, degradation and re-flourishing/re-degradation period. The significant degradation, found in the period of 1968–1998 and 1907–2007 in the Yingluo Bay and the Maowei Sea, respectively, corresponding to a rapid increase of reclamation area and seawall length, rather than climate change as recorded in the region.     

Distribution characteristics of lipids in hadal sediment in the Yap Trench

In this study,cored sediment samples collected by the Jiaolong Submersible at 6779 m depth from the hadal zone of the Yap Trench in May 2016 were sliced in 1-cm interval from top to bottom,and lipids in each sediment layer were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed.The vertical distribution profiles of the lipids in the sediment sample,their main existing forms,and their possible sources were investigated.The results show that the concentration of lipid in the surface sediment was the highest with the carbon number from 12 to 27,dominated by medium and short-chain lipids.The total concentration of fatty acids in surface sediment was much higher than those in the offshore and deep-sea areas,being up to 325.77μg/g due to the funnel effect caused by the“V”terrain of the trench.Fatty acid 18:0 was the most abundant lipids in the sediment sample.Abnormal high concentrations of fatty acid 18:1ω7 and alkanes indicated the existence of hydrothermal fluids in the study area.In addition,saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids existed mainly in free form,and polyunsaturated fatty acids existed mainly in bound form.Most of the alkanes were in bound form,and their major source was autochthounous input.The carbon number of alcohols in the sediment sample ranged from 12 to 20,mainly existed in bound form.The source of fatty acids was mainly autochthonous input,and the neutral lipids had both marine and terrestrial origin.This is the first study of lipids in hadal sediment of the Yap Trench.The results will promote deeper understanding of organic carbon cycle in marine environment.     

Cross-shore suspended sediment flux in the salt marsh pioneer zone of Chongming eastern beach in the Changjiang Estuary in China

Between April 2002 and April 2003, in situ measurements of water depth, current velocity and suspended sediment content were carried out in edge region of East Chongming salt marsh and neighboring bald flat in the Changjiang (Yangtze) Estuary under different weather conditions. Cross-shore suspended sediment flux was calculated and analyzed. The results show that under calm weather conditions, the current velocity process in bald field and salt marsh area varied differently during semidiurnal tidal cycles. Owing to current velocity asymmetry, mean SSC during flood tide phase was 1.8 times higher than that of ebb tide phase. As a result, net onshore sediment flux controlled cross-shore suspended sediment transport process and salt marsh pioneer zone was generally accreting. There was significant positive correlation between total sediment flux and quartic power of maximum water depth. It indicates that tidal ranges dominate suspended sediment transport and sedimentation process in the salt marsh pioneer zone under the calm weather condition. The sedimentation rate on the adjacent mudflat was higher than the salt marsh, which induced stable accreting of salt marsh towards the sea. The wind events enhanced SSC and current velocity during the semidiurnal tides. And the remarkable onshore net sediment flux could occur on the high marsh and mudflat close to the marsh fringe during the short period under the rough weather condition.     

Sedimentary records of eutrophication in the Changjiang Estuary upwelling area over last 100 a

The upwelling area in the Changjiang Estuary was selected to collect the core, where the red tide occurred frequently and hypoxic existed. The total organic carbon （TOC）, total nitrogen （TN）, biogenic silica （BSi） and stable organic carbon isotopic ratios（δ13 Corg） were determined on the 210pb-dated sediment core. The concentrations of TOC, TN, BSi as well as their sedimentation fluxes have in- creased to some extent since the 1970s. TOC and TN fluxes increased about 45%, 36% respectively. The average δ13 Coorg value in the core was -23.67 ×10^-3 which remained nearly constant before the 20 century. The δ13 Corg values increased after the 1900s, two marked increases were observed from the 1950s and the 1970s. A simple δ13 Cors model was used to estimate the contribution of terrigenous and marine organic matter inputs for the sediment, which indicated the increase in accumulation since the 1970s has been almost exclusively marine. The increasing of marine organic matter accumulation （TOC, TN and BSi） was corresponding with the increasing of fertilizer consumption and the NO3-N budgets from the Changjiang River. The riverine runoff of fertilizers and nutrients stimulated the algae blooming. Enhanced primary production resulted in an enrichment of organic matter in the sediment. These data support the hypothesis that anthropogenic nutrient loading has been a significant factor on the eutrophication in the Changjiang Estuary.     

A cross-system analysis of sedimentary organic carbon in the mangrove ecosystems of Xuan Thuy National Park, Vietnam

A cross-system analysis of bulk sediment composition, total organic carbon (TOC), atomic C/N ratio, and carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) in 82 surface sediment samples from natural and planted mangrove forests, bank and bottom of tidal creeks, tidal flat, and the subtidal habitat was conducted to examine the roles of mangroves in sedimentation and organic carbon (OC) accumulation processes, and to characterize sources of sedimentary OC of the mangrove ecosystem of Xuan Thuy National Park, Vietnam. Sediment grain sizes varied widely from 5.4 to 170.2 μm (mean 71.5 μm), with the fine sediment grain size fraction (< 63 μm) ranging from 11 to 99.3% (mean 72.5%). Bulk sediment composition suggested that mangroves play an important role in trapping fine sediments from river outflows and tidal water by the mechanisms of tidal current attenuation by vegetation and the ability of fine roots to bind sediments. The TOC content ranged from 0.08 to 2.18% (mean 0.78%), and was higher within mangrove forests compared to those of banks and bottoms of tidal creeks, tidal flat, and subtidal sediments. The sedimentary δ¹³C ranged from − 27.7 to − 20.4‰ (mean − 24.1‰), and mirrored the trend observed in TOC variation. The TOC and δ¹³C relationship showed that the factors of microbial remineralization and OC sources controlled the TOC pool of mangrove sediments. The comparison of δ¹³C and C/N ratio of sedimentary OC with those of mangrove and marine phytoplankton sources indicated that the sedimentary OC within mangrove forests and the subtidal habitat was mainly composed of mangrove and marine phytoplankton sources, respectively. The application of a simple mixing model showed that the mangrove contribution to sedimentary OC decreased as follows: natural mangrove forest > planted mangrove forest > tidal flat > creek bank > creek bottom > subtidal habitat.     

Spatiotemporal variations in the organic carbon accumulation rate in mangrove sediments from the Yingluo Bay,China, since 1900

Mangroves can not only provide multiple ecosystem service functions, but are also efficient carbon producers,capturers, and sinks. The estimation of the organic carbon accumulation rate(OCAR) in mangrove sediments is fundamental for elucidating the role of mangroves in the global carbon budget. In particular, understanding the past changes in the OCAR in mangrove sediments is vital for predicting the future role of mangroves in the rapidly changing environment. In this study, three dated sediment cores from interior and fringe of mangroves in the Yingluo Bay, China, were used to reconstruct the spatiotemporal variations of the calculated OCAR since 1900 in this area. The increasing OCAR in the mangrove interior was attributed to mangrove flourishment induced by climate change characterized by the rising temperature. However, in the mangrove fringe, the strengthening hydrodynamic conditions under the sea level rise were responsible for the decreasing OCAR, particularly after the1940 s. Furthermore, the duration of inundation by seawater was the primary factors controlling the spatial variability of the OCAR from the mangrove fringe to interior, while the strengthened hydrodynamic conditions after the 1940 s broke this original pattern.     

Wave attenuation in mangroves: A quantitative approach to field observations

Coastal mangroves, dwelling at the interface between land and sea, provide an important contribution to reducing risk from coastal hazards by attenuating incident waves and by trapping and stabilizing sediments. This paper focusses on relations between vegetation densities, wave attenuation rates, sediment characteristics and sedimentation rates in mangroves. These processes were studied along two cross-shore transects through mangroves fringing estuaries in the southern Andaman region of Thailand. Volumetric vegetation densities in these mangroves were ranging up to 32‰, depending on the water depth. Generalized total wave attenuation rates increased from 0.002 m^− 1 in the sparsely vegetated forest fringes with Avicennia and Sonneratia species, up to 0.012 m^− 1 in the dense Rhizophora vegetation in the back of the forests. The total wave attenuation rates integrate effects of shoaling and energy losses due to various bio-physical interactions within the mangrove ecosystem. Wave attenuation in the mangroves is presumably dominated by energy losses due to vegetation drag, since wave attenuation due to bottom friction and viscous dissipation on the bare mudflats is significantly lower than those inside the mangrove vegetation.Additionally, wave attenuation in the mangroves was found to facilitate enhanced net sediment deposition and a gradual fining of the bed material. These findings corroborate the coastal defence function of mangroves by quantifying their contribution to wave attenuation and sediment trapping. The explicit linking of these properties to vegetation composition and structure facilitates modelling studies investigating the mechanisms determining the coastal defence capacities of mangroves.     

雷州半岛红树林边缘效应及其对海岸有机碳库的影响

作为滨海湿地与邻近海区之间物质循环、能量和物种流动及其相互作用的重要界面,红树林的边缘效应对研究海陆生态系统相互作用,滨海湿地生物地貌形成过程以及海岸带有机碳库分布格局等方面的具有重要意义。文章以雷州半岛东岸红树林4种典型地貌分布区为重点,通过调查红树林前缘光滩,林缘及林内植被及土壤理化特征的变化,探讨红树林边缘效应的表现及其对土壤有机碳库的影响。结果表明,不同地貌类型红树林边界区的群落结构及土壤理化因子分布特征有所不同。边界区群落特征表现为林缘的冠层低于林内,叶面积指数低于林内,物种丰富度林内高于林缘(除河口区外),且林缘的植被盖度受风浪影响显著,表现出河口区>内湾区>岛屿区>前沿浪击区。土壤理化性质边缘效应表现为林缘的pH值、粒度低于光滩,氧化还原电位、盐度高于光滩(除内湾区外),而林内的土壤理化性质波动较大,可能受林缘植被演替及地貌双重影响。不同地貌单元红树林边界区的土壤表层有机碳含量,有机碳密度均表现为林内>林缘>光滩。综合影响表层土壤有机碳的主要生物及非生物因子进行主成分分析和相关分析,结果显示土壤表层有机碳密度与环境第一主成分呈显著负相关,即受植被盖度,叶面积指数和土壤pH因子影响密切。红树林土壤有机碳沉积虽然受到不同水文地貌的影响,但总体而言,红树林初级生产输入和土壤酸性环境对红树林林下土壤有机碳库的富存贡献显著。     

红树林潮滩沉积动力研究进展与展望

红树林是全球极为重要的生态与环境资源, 在储存有机碳、增加滩面高程及防御海洋灾害等方面富有成效。然而, 因高强度人类活动与海面上升作用, 世界沿海红树林潮滩出现大规模损失。基于此, 本文从红树林消能及泥沙捕集、红树林潮滩生物地貌行为, 以及红树林潮滩对风暴潮与海面上升的响应三个方面, 对红树林潮滩沉积动力研究进行分析与回顾, 提出红树林潮滩沉积动力研究的关键问题应着重于红树林潮滩波流联合动力的衰减与潮滩动力、沉积、地貌及植被的耦合过程。此外, 针对全球沿海红树林生境的差异, 还应从区域尺度加强红树林潮滩沉积过程与驱动机制的研究。     

Impact of dynamic feedbacks between sedimentation,sea-level rise,and biomass production on near-surface marsh stratigraphy and carbon accumulation

Salt marshes accrete both organic and inorganic sediments. Here we present analytical and numerical models of salt marsh sedimentation that, in addition to capturing inorganic processes, explicitly account for above- and belowground organic processes including root growth and decay of organic carbon. The analytical model is used to examine the bias introduced by organic processes into proxy records of sedimentation, namely ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb. We find that accretion rates estimated using ²¹⁰Pb will be less than accretion rates estimated using the ¹³⁷Cs peak in steadily accreting marshes if (1) carbon decay is significant and (2) data for ²¹⁰Pb extend below the ¹³⁷Cs peak. The numerical model expands upon the analytical model by including belowground processes such as compaction and root growth, and by explicitly tracking the evolution of aboveground biomass and its effect on sedimentation rates. Using the numerical model we explore how marsh stratigraphy responds to sediment supply and the rate of sea-level rise. It is calibrated and tested using an extensive data set of both marsh stratigraphy and measurements of vegetation dynamics in a Spartina alterniflora marsh in South Carolina, USA. We find that carbon accumulation in marshes is nonlinearly related to both the supply of inorganic sediment and the rate of sea-level rise; carbon accumulation increases with sea-level rise until sea-level rise reaches a critical rate that drowns the marsh vegetation and halts carbon accumulation. The model predicts that changes in carbon storage resulting from changing sediment supply or sea-level rise are strongly dependent on the background sediment supply: if inorganic sediment supply is reduced in an already sediment poor marsh the storage of organic carbon will increase to a far greater extent than in a sediment-rich marsh, provided that the rate of sea-level rise does not exceed a threshold. These results imply that altering sediment supply to estuaries (e.g., by damming upstream rivers or altering littoral sediment transport) could lead to significant changes in the carbon budgets of coastal salt marshes.     

Paleoclimatic changes in southern Africa during the intensification of Northern Hemisphere glaciation: evidence from ODP Leg 175 Site 1085

Pliocene age sediments from Ocean Drilling Program Leg 175, Site 1085-A and B in the Cape Basin were analyzed to investigate the impact of the intensification of Northern Hemisphere glaciation (INHG) on the South Atlantic Benguela Current system from 4 to 2 Ma. Proxies for productivity (concentrations and mass accumulation rates of total organic carbon, carbon to nitrogen ratios, percent calcium carbonate, and percent biogenic silica) as well as weight percent sand (a proxy for preservation or winnowing) peak at 3.2, 3.0, 2.4, and 2.25 Ma. Normative calculations of allied trace and major elemental determinations indicate synchronous increases in productivity peaks, as well as high concentrations and accumulations of terrigenous sediments. Coeval increases in hemipelagic sedimentation and productivity indicators could be the result of enhanced eolian sedimentation resulting from strengthened winds, leading to elevated rates of upwelling and enhanced productivity. However, rapid burial, as indicated by high sedimentation rates, could also enhance preservation. The very high concentrations (>30%) and accumulations (up to 60 g/cm²/kyr) limit the likelihood that eolian sedimentation was the only transport mechanism, invoking an additional fluvial source. Rapid burial by either eolian or fluvial transport links these intervals of enhanced preservation and productivity with continental climate changes resulting from (1) increased winds and/or dust availability due to higher aridity in the Namibia/northern South Africa region; (2) lowered sea-level related to increased ice volume; (3) increased sediment load due to wetter conditions in the continental interior; or (4) some combination. Peaks at 3.2, 2.4 and 2.25 Ma are coincident with maximum precession, suggesting a link between hemipelagic sedimentation and enhanced monsoonal circulation over southern Africa. The Site 1085 sedimentary record during the INHG seems to be controlled by low-latitude processes linked to precession rather than hig-latitude processes.     

Sedimentation within and among mangrove forests along a gradient of geomorphological settings

Coastal wetlands provide important ecological services to the coastal zone, one of which is sediment retention. In this study we investigated sediment retention across a range of geomorphological settings and across vegetation zones comprising coastal wetlands. We selected six coastal wetlands dominated by mangroves over a gradient from riverine to tidal settings in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Each site was comprised of three distinct vegetation communities distributed as parallel zones to the coast line: seaward fringe mangroves, landward scrub mangroves and saltmarsh/ cyanobacteria mat of the high intertidal zone. We measured suspended sediment retention and sedimentation rates. Additionally, in order to assess the origin of sediment transported and deposited in the mangroves, glomalin, a novel terrestrial soil carbon tracer, was used. Our results show a mean average sedimentation of 0.64 ± 0.01 mg cm⁻² spring tide⁻¹, which was variable within sites, regardless of geomorphological setting. However, geomorphological setting influenced spatial patterns of sediment deposition. Riverine mangroves had a more homogeneous distribution of sediments across the intertidal zone than tidal mangroves, where most sedimentation occurred in the fringe zone. Overall, the fringe zone retained the majority of sediment entering the coastal wetland during a tidal cycle with 0.90 ± 0.22 mg cm⁻² spring tide⁻¹, accounting for 52.5 ± 12.5% of the total sedimentation. The presence of glomalin in suspended sediments, and thus the relative importance of terrigenous sediment, was strongly influenced by geomorphological setting, with riverine mangroves receiving more glomalin in suspended solids than tidal mangroves. Glomalin was also differentially deposited within the vegetation zones at different geomorphological settings: primarily at the fringe zone of tidal mangroves and within the scrub zone of riverine mangroves. The differences we observed in the spatial distribution of sedimentation and the difference in the origin of the sediment deposited in riverine and tidal mangroves are likely to have an impact on ecological processes.     

Sulfate reduction in deep coastal marine sediments

Sulfate reduction rates in sediments of four deep stations in the Saguenay Fjord and the Laurentian Trough, Gulf of St. Lawrence, are among the lowest reported for the coastal environment. Maximum rates were 0.4–7.0 nmol cm⁻³ day⁻¹. The low rates are due to relatively low sedimentation rates and continuously low temperatures. Regional differences in both integrated and maximum sulfate reduction rates in the sediment correlate with sediment trap measurements of sedimentation rate and organic carbon flux.Sulfate reduction accounts for the degradation of 5–26% of the estimated downward flux of organic matter to these sediments. Unlike the absolute rate of sulfate reduction, the relative proportion of the carbon flux that is degraded via sulfate reduction is not directly correlated with the sedimentation rate but is a function of organic matter composition, intensity of bioturbation, and the abundance of sub-oxic electron acceptors. Thus, the lowest proportion of carbon degradation via sulfate reduction occurred at a Gulf site, where a combination of low sedimentation and bioturbation rates allowed a long residence time for organic matter near the sediment surface and, in consequence, a low flux of labile carbon into the sulfate reduction zone. The highest proportion was observed at a station with a similar organic carbon flux but with higher rates of sedimentation and bioturbation. At a third site, with the highest rates of sulfate reduction as well as the highest rates of sedimentation and bioturbation, the contribution of sulfate reduction to organic matter degradation was only intermediate. This is attributable to the exhaustion of the supply of porewater sulfate. In deep coastal environments the proportion of organic matter degraded via sulfate reduction can be highly variable both spatially and temporally.