PNNL-13501 - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
PNNL-13501 - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
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%).