Aggregation but not organo-metal complexes contributed to c storage in tidal freshwater wetland soils

Abstract

One of the many goals of wetland restoration is to promote the long-term storage of carbon (C) in the terrestrial biosphere. Unfortunately, soil C reservoirs in restored wetlands are slow to accumulate even after hydrology and plant communities are reestablished. Oftentimes wetland restoration changes the soil matrix and thus can dramatically alter how soil C is stored and processed. Our research investigated whether soil organic matter (SOM) preservation theories derived from studies in non-wetland soil systems can be extended to wetland soils. We examined C associated with water-stable soil aggregates, minerals, and metal oxides within habitats of one natu-ral and one restored tidal freshwater wetland. This study revealed that a majority of the soil C in the natural site was associated with large macroag-gregates (>2000um), and soils from the restored site stored more C in small macroaggregates (≥250 to <2000 um). Despite these different associations, the chemical composition of SOM followed similar patterns across each aggregate-size class. Results from the sequential extraction procedure suggest organo-metal oxide complexes do not contribute to C stabilization in these habitats. This research is one of the few studies that have examined C stabilization related to soil structure in wetland soils. Our results suggest soil aggregate formation may be an important mechanism driving C stabilization, and that disruption to macroaggregates may limit C accumulation in restored wetlands. Additional empirical research and long-term field monitoring are needed to confirm linkages between aggregate-C stabilization and accumulation in wetland soils.

Publication Type
Journal Article
Authors
Zachary A. Bernstein
Joshua R. Gaimaro
Jeffrey S. Buyer
Martin C. Rabenhorst
Victoria L. Monsaint-Queeney
Andrew H. Baldwin
Stephanie A. Yarwood
Date
Journal
Soil Science Society of America Journal
Share