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FACTORS AFFECTING CARBON ACCUMULATION IN NEW ENGLAND EELGRASS MEADOWS
Citation:
Colarusso, P., M. Pelletier, A. Novak, J. Simpson, M. Gutierrez, A. Arias, P. Masque, AND P. Vella. FACTORS AFFECTING CARBON ACCUMULATION IN NEW ENGLAND EELGRASS MEADOWS. New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) Spring Meeting, Groton, CT, March 16 - 18, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
Quantifying the carbon storage potential of seagrass meadows and improving the understanding of the factors controlling carbon sequestration in seagrass meadows is essential information for decision-makers. This study looks at eight seagrass meadows in NH, MA and RI. Carbon and stable isotopes were measures to measure the amount of carbon sequestered as well as to begin to tease apart the factors influencing carbon sequestration.
Description:
As atmospheric and oceanic concentrations of carbon dioxide continue to increase, quantifying the carbon storage potential of seagrass meadows and improving the understanding of the factors controlling carbon sequestration in seagrass meadows is essential information for decision-makers. In 8 seagrass meadows from New Hampshire to Rhode Island, we deployed sediment traps, collected sediment cores, and measured various eelgrass and water quality parameters. The sites were chosen to represent a range of exposure to nitrogen and water movement. Sediment traps and sediment cores were also deployed in nearby unvegetated areas for use as a reference. Carbon and nitrogen content and stable isotopes were measured in the plant tissue, sections of the sediment cores and from the material collected in the sediment traps. Lead-210 concentrations were measured to establish sediment chronologies and estimate sediment and carbon accumulation rates. We analyzed the relative importance of various plant parameters and site exposure to deposition rates in the sediment traps and carbon accumulation rates in the meadows. Based on preliminary results, carbon content of sediment cores from within the eelgrass meadows exceeded carbon content of reference areas in 7 out of 8 locations. Stable isotopes indicated that a large percentage of the carbon in seagrass meadows originated from sources outside of the meadow. In 7 out of 8 locations, the quantity of material collected in the sediment traps was greater in the reference area than in the meadows, likely due to sediment resuspension. The implications of the results of this study will be discussed.