You are here:
Mass-balance approach for assessing nitrate flux intidal wetlands -- lessons learned
Citation:
STECHER, III, H. A., C. A. BROWN, J. E. KALDY, III, T. H. DEWITT, AND C. L. White. Mass-balance approach for assessing nitrate flux intidal wetlands -- lessons learned. Presented at Pacific Estuarine Research Society 2012 meeting, Anacortes, WA, April 12 - 14, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
Field experiments were carried out in 2010 and 2011 to assess the nitrate balance in a small tidal slough located in the Yaquina Estuary, Oregon.
Description:
Field experiments were carried out in 2010 and 2011 to assess the nitrate balance in a small tidal slough located in the Yaquina Estuary, Oregon. In 2010 we used a whole-slough, mass-balance approach, while a smaller scale, flume-like experiment in a tidal channel with a dense Zostera marina bed was conducted in July 2011. Alhough experimental and environmental issues prevented calculation of unambiguous nitrate fluxes, this work yielded valuable insights into the complexity of such field studies and provided qualitative information on nutrient flow. For example, greater removal of nitrate, along with a significant rise in dissolved oxygen and pH, was observed during the day compared to night time during periods of similar flow. The relative merits of each approach are discussed, and this Pacific Northwest tidal wetland system is compared with East Coast marshes.