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PNNL-13501 - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

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The first task was to establish five mesocosms (~0.1 m 2 )<br />

with the natural-vegetated community of a natural salt<br />

marsh. These mesocosms were maintained in ambient<br />

(atmospheric) conditions under a natural hydrologic<br />

regime. Plant growth rate, species abundance,<br />

aboveground biomass, soil moisture, and salinity and soil<br />

temperature were monitored and compared to<br />

measurements of plants and soil at a reference site.<br />

Site/Treatment<br />

Natural Marsh - Outside Bucket<br />

Natural Marsh - Outside Bucket<br />

Natural Marsh - Seawater (greenhouse)<br />

Natural Marsh - Seawater (greenhouse)<br />

Natural Marsh - Freshwater (greenhouse)<br />

Natural Marsh - Freshwater (greenhouse)<br />

Natural Marsh - Field Sample<br />

Natural Marsh - Field Sample<br />

Natural Marsh - Field Sample<br />

Natural Marsh - Field Sample<br />

Natural Marsh - Field Sample<br />

Natural Marsh - Field Sample<br />

Natural Marsh - Field Sample<br />

Altered Marsh - Seawater (greenhouse)<br />

Altered Marsh - Seawater (greenhouse)<br />

Altered Marsh - Freshwater (greenhouse)<br />

Altered Marsh - Freshwater (greenhouse)<br />

Altered Marsh - Field Sample<br />

Altered Marsh - Field Sample<br />

Altered Marsh - Field Sample<br />

Altered Marsh - Field Sample<br />

Altered Marsh - Field Sample<br />

0 5 10 15 20 25 30<br />

Total Organic Carbon (%)<br />

Figure 1. Total organic carbon measurements for natural<br />

and altered marsh treatments during the test period<br />

The second task established 20 mesocosms (~0.1 m 2 ) with<br />

natural-vegetated communities of natural and restored<br />

wetland soil/vegetation cores (Figure 2). These<br />

mesocosms were maintained in a greenhouse under<br />

natural and altered hydrologic regimes. Plant growth rate,<br />

species abundance, aboveground biomass, soil moisture,<br />

and salinity and soil temperature were monitored.<br />

Figure 2. Greenhouse mesocosms<br />

The third task involved collection and total organic<br />

carbon analysis of soil samples from several restored and<br />

natural tidal marshes, as well as eelgrass meadows of<br />

varying post-restoration age marshes in Sequim Bay and<br />

Grays Harbor estuary, Washington, and Coos Bay,<br />

Oregon.<br />

The fourth task explored the use of spectral radiance to<br />

detect changes in carbon sequestration by detecting<br />

204 FY 2000 <strong>Laboratory</strong> Directed Research and Development Annual Report<br />

differences in spectral signatures from the various<br />

treatments established in the second task. A spectral<br />

radiometer was used to determine spring and summer<br />

spectral signatures from all treatments, including the<br />

natural and hydrologically altered marshes.<br />

The fifth and last task initiated construction of an<br />

automated gas flux mesocosm. This 1.0-m 3 chamber with<br />

four partitioned compartments will be able to<br />

continuously monitor CO2 flux rates for mesocosms<br />

constructed in each section.<br />

Results and Accomplishments<br />

The following sections highlight the findings of our<br />

studies.<br />

Reference Sites and Greenhouse Mesocosms<br />

Total organic carbon measurements were constant for the<br />

natural salt marsh reference site and for the altered salt<br />

marsh (pasture) reference site based on winter and<br />

summer sampling.<br />

Aboveground biomass was similar for greenhouse<br />

mesocosms started with natural marsh plants and the<br />

natural salt marsh reference site. Less aboveground<br />

biomass was available in altered marsh mesocosms.<br />

Within the greenhouse mesocosms, the natural salt marsh<br />

mesocosms (mean total organic carbon = 22.3%)<br />

contained about 35% more total organic carbon on<br />

average than did the altered marsh mesocosms (mean total<br />

organic carbon = 14.6%). Total organic carbon did not<br />

increase in altered marsh mesocosm soils. In fact, all<br />

treatments in the mesocosms showed either a decrease or<br />

no change in total organic carbon over the 8-month period<br />

of the experiment, leading us to believe that maintaining<br />

the plants in pots confounded results for artificial<br />

manipulation of hydrology and resultant total organic<br />

carbon measurement.<br />

Total Organic Carbon and Marsh Age<br />

Samples from restored marshes in Grays Harbor estuary,<br />

Washington, and Coos Bay, Oregon, showed that<br />

restoration of tidal flooding resulted in a recovery of soil<br />

total organic carbon to natural levels after about 10 years<br />

following restoration (Figure 3).<br />

Total organic carbon was higher in the two natural salt<br />

marshes (12.4%) as compared to the tidal freshwater<br />

marsh (mean = 3.9%).

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