You are here:
Quantification of carbon accumulation in eleven New England eelgrass meadows
Citation:
Pelletier, Peg, P. Colarusso, A. Novak, J. Simpson, M. Gutierrez, A. Arias Ortiz, AND P. Masque. Quantification of carbon accumulation in eleven New England eelgrass meadows. Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) 24th Biennial Conference, Providence, Rhode Island, November 05 - 09, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
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. This study was conducted to provide information for New England seagrass meadows, as there is little information in this area. We chose eight seagrass meadows located between New Hampshire and Rhode Island with varying levels of organic enrichment and water movement. At each site we deployed sediment traps, collected sediment cores, and measured various eelgrass and water quality parameters. We also deployed sediment traps and sediment cores in nearby unvegetated areas for use as a reference. Our results showed that almost two times as much carbon was stored in eelgrass meadows relative to the unvegetated areas, and our results were with the range of carbon storage seen in worldwide studies. We also determined that most of the carbon originated from outside of the meadow.
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. 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.