Environmental factors influencing macrodetritus flux in North Inlet estuary

Floating macrodetritus transport was determined on 72 tidal cycles over 18 months. Floating macrodetritus was exported from the marsh-estuarine ecosystem to the Atlantic Ocean, but export was low (less than 1% of Spartina net aerial primary production). Season and processes within the system seem to determine ebb flux, while flood flux is best explained by a semi-lunar cycle or high water. The extensive observations reported here indicate macrodetritus probably should not be considered a major source of organic carbon export from marsh-estuarine systems.