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Greenhouse gas fluxes associated with eelgrass beds and nearby oyster farms in coastal lagoons in RI
Citation:
Wigand, C., S. Ayvazian, Philip Colarusso, D. Cobb, A. Beardwood, S. Miller, AND N. Schafer. Greenhouse gas fluxes associated with eelgrass beds and nearby oyster farms in coastal lagoons in RI. New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) Spring Meeting, Freeport, ME, April 18 - 20, 2024.
Impact/Purpose:
Region 1 partners (Phil Colarusso and others) are interested in the possible benefits or adverse effects of co-location of oyster aquaculture and eelgrass in coastal systems. Results suggest that the coastal lagoons which support eelgrass and aquaculture in RI are presently having net emissions of greenhouse gases (the sum of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane). However, eelgrass accumulation of organic carbon in the sediments can offset some of these greenhouse gas emissions. The research is ongoing and will determine how much of the greenhouse gas emissions can be offset by carbon stored in the sediments.
Description:
Seagrass meadows and oyster beds are important coastal systems that provide many benefits. When these habitats are located near each other, benefits may include improved water quality and increased carbon storage. In two RI salt ponds, habitat zones sampled included eelgrass beds located near oyster aquaculture, eelgrass beds distal to oysters, bare sediments, and inside the oyster farm. Greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes of CO2, CH4, and N2O at the air-water interface were measured monthly (April ¿ October) and sediment carbon in the fall. Monthly gas flux means indicated that the different zones are net heterotrophic, with CO2 emissions dominating the total emissions. In most months, the GHG emissions associated with the eelgrass zones were significantly greater than the bare or oyster zones. Preliminary results indicate carbon accumulation in eelgrass sediments may offset 30 ¿ 55% of the net GHG emissions. This study emphasizes how eelgrass organic carbon is an important offset of GHG emissions associated with heterotrophic coastal lagoons.
