ISSN:
1573-515X
Keywords:
nitrogen budget
;
denitrification
;
nitrogen fixation
;
wetlands
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Geosciences
Notes:
Abstract Nitrogen flux data was synthesized in developing a nitrogen flow budget for a Louisiana Barataria BasinSpartina alterniflora salt marsh. Results demonstrate the importance of spatial consideration in developing a nitrogen budget for coastal marshes. Using a mass balance approach nitrogen inputs balanced nitrogen sinks or losses from a marsh soil-plant system with a specific rooting depth. However, per unit areas on a local scale, marshes serve as a large sink for nitrogen due to rapid accretion which removes 17.O g N m−2yr−1 through subsidence below the root zone. On a larger spatial scale (regional) it is shown that the marshes do not serve as a large nitrogen sink. The rapid marsh deterioration currently occurring in the rapidly subsiding marshes of the Mississippi River deltaic plain account for a net regional loss of 12.5 g N m−2yr−1. Thus, regionally the net sink is equivalent to only 5 g N m−2yr−1 as compared to 17.0 g N m−2yr−1 on a local scale.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02180165
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