Tidal effects on carbon dioxide emission dynamics in intertidal wetland sediments

Jiang-Chen Gong; Bing-Han Li; Jing-Wen Hu; Xi-Ju Ding; Chun-Ying Liu; Gui-Peng Yang

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.117110

Tidal effects on carbon dioxide emission dynamics in intertidal wetland sediments

Environ Res. 2023 Dec 1;238(Pt 1):117110. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117110. Epub 2023 Sep 9.

Authors

Jiang-Chen Gong¹, Bing-Han Li², Jing-Wen Hu³, Xi-Ju Ding², Chun-Ying Liu⁴, Gui-Peng Yang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China. Electronic address: gongjiangchen@stu.ouc.edu.cn.
² Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China.
³ Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
⁴ Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China. Electronic address: roseliu@ouc.edu.cn.
⁵ Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China. Electronic address: gpyang@mail.ouc.edu.cn.

PMID: 37696322
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117110

Abstract

Understanding the control mechanisms of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in intertidal wetland sediments is beneficial for the concern of global carbon biogeochemistry and climate change. Nevertheless, multiple controls on CO₂ emissions from intertidal wetland sediments to the atmosphere still need to be clarified. This study investigated the effect of tidal action on CO₂ emissions from salt marsh sediments covered by Spartina alterniflora in the Jiaozhou Bay wetland using the static chamber method combined with an infrared CO₂ detector. The results showed that the CO₂ emission fluxes from the sediment during ebb tides were higher than those during flood tides. The whole wetland sediment acted as a weak source of atmospheric CO₂ (average flux: 24.44 ± 16.80 mg C m^-2 h^-1) compared to terrestrial soils and was affected by the cycle of seawater inundation and exposure. The tidal influence on vertical dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) transport in the sediment was also quantitated using a two-end member mixing model. The surface sediment layer (5-15 cm) with maximum DIC concentration during ebb tides became the one with minimum DIC concentration during flood tides, indicating the DIC transport from the surface sediment to seawater. Furthermore, aerobic respiration by microorganisms was the primary process of CO₂ production in the sediment according to 16 S rDNA sequencing analysis. This study revealed the strong impact of tidal action on CO₂ emissions from the wetland sediment and provided insights into the source-sink pattern of CO₂ and DIC at the land-ocean interface.

Keywords: Aerobic respiration; CO(2) emissions; Tides; Wetland sediments.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Carbon Dioxide* / analysis
Methane / analysis
Seawater
Soil / chemistry
Wetlands*

Substances

Carbon Dioxide
Methane
Soil