Determination of Carbon Sequestration Rates in Salt and Freshwater Marshes in the Schoodic Section of Acadia National Park
Tanner BR. 2010. Determination of Carbon Sequestration Rates in Salt and Freshwater Marshes in the Schoodic Section of Acadia National Park. Western Carolina University, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources. Cullowhee, NC
Abstract: 'Salt marshes are potential carbon sinks but marsh zones can transgress of relative sea level rise exceeds critical thresholds. This research was undertaken in the Schoodic Section of Acadia National Park, Maine, in order to determine which marsh zones have the highest carbon sequestration potential. Nine 60cm cores were taken from the Schoodic Marsh, three each from high, low, and freshwater marsh area, to use for calculation of carbon sequestration rates. Percent organic carbon was determined using an elemental analyzer. Solid bulk density was also determined and sedimentation rates were calculated based on bulk radiocarbon dates of basal core sediments. The low marsh core had the lowest percentage of organic carbon but the sequestration rate was highest due to a high sedimentation rate. The high marsh cores and the freshwater marsh cores showed similar carbon sequestration rates. The data for this marsh show that carbon storage potential is higher when low marsh overtakes high marsh, and does not change significantly when a high marsh overtakes freshwater marsh. Release of methane in freshwater marsh zones could offset the additional carbon storage potential, but our Eh/pH data suggest that this process was not occurring to a significant degree in the solid that we tested.' /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ /SCHOODIC PENINSULA/ GIS CATEGORY 2 = coordinates are provided for the nin sampling sites in the Schoodic marsh.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Tanner, Benjamin
- Date of Issue
- 2010-03-19
- Publisher
- Western Carolina University, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources
- Units
- ACAD
- Keywords
- Abundance, Biomass, Carbon, Carbon (C), Density, Marshes, Salt Marshes, Schoodic Peninsula, Sea Level, Vascular Plants, Wetland, Wetlands