In:
SOIL, Copernicus GmbH, Vol. 9, No. 1 ( 2023-03-16), p. 189-208
Abstract:
Abstract. Seagrass meadows are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth. However, in tropical countries, there is a substantial knowledge gap in “seagrass science”. To address this gap, seagrass soils from three
Brazilian coastal regions were investigated (the northeastern, southeastern, and southern coasts). Soil profiles from different geological and bioclimatic settings were sampled,
described, and analyzed. Thus, detailed macromorphological descriptions, soil classification, physicochemical analysis (soil particle size, soil pH,
pHoxidation, Eh, total organic carbon: TOC), Fe partitioning, and X-ray diffractometry were performed. Additionally, water samples were analyzed for
pH, salinity, and ion concentrations. Different environmental settings in
the coastal compartments produced contrasting geochemical conditions, which
caused different intensities of pedogenetic processes. On the northeastern coast, the denser plant coverage favored higher TOC contents (2.5 ± 0.1 %) and
an anaerobic environment (Eh = +134 ± 142 mV) prone to an intense sulfidization (i.e., pyrite formation: Py-Fe). Py-Fe contents in northeastern soils were 6- and 2-fold higher than in southeastern and southern coastal soils, respectively.
Conversely, lower TOC contents (0.35 ± 0.15 %) and a suboxic
environment (Eh + 203 ± 55 mV) in the southeastern soils, along with the Fe-rich geological surroundings, decreased the intensity of gleization. The
contrasting intensities in the soil processes, related to the (seemingly
subtle) differences in the geochemistry of each environment, ultimately
caused relevant pedodiversity among the studied sites. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the general functioning of tropical
seagrass meadows but also have significant environmental implications for
studies focused on carbon sequestration in these ecosystems.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2199-398X
DOI:
10.5194/soil-9-189-2023
DOI:
10.5194/soil-9-189-2023-supplement
Language:
English
Publisher:
Copernicus GmbH
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2834892-8
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