On the wisdom of calculating annual material budgets in tidal wetlands

Al, Murray; Spencer, T.

doi:10.3354/meps150207

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the net flux of material onto or off a wetland is the relatively small difference between much larger gross fluxes associated with the incoming and outgoing waters of the flood and ebb tides (Murray and Spencer 1997;Ganju et al 2005). Studies seeking to quantify tidal fluxes commonly sample discretely over a small number of tidal cycles and then extrapolate over longer time periods (Murray and Spencer 1997). This approach, however, can lead to large errors in the final flux estimates (Ganju et al 2005), and it may miss or obscure important interactions between physical and biogeochemical processes (Bergamaschi et al 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mercury Dynamics in a San Francisco Estuary Tidal Wetland: Assessing Dynamics Using In Situ Measurements

Bergamaschi

Fleck

Downing

et al. 2012

Estuaries and Coasts

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We used high-resolution in situ measurements of turbidity and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) to quantitatively estimate the tidally driven exchange of mercury (Hg) between the waters of the San Francisco estuary and Browns Island, a tidal wetland. Turbidity and FDOM-representative of particle-associated and filterpassing Hg, respectively-together predicted 94 % of the observed variability in measured total mercury concentration in unfiltered water samples (UTHg) collected during a single tidal cycle in spring, fall, and winter, [2005][2006]. Continuous in situ turbidity and FDOM data spanning at least a full spring-neap period were used to generate UTHg concentration time series using this relationship, and then combined with water discharge measurements to calculate Hg fluxes in each season. Wetlands are generally considered to be sinks for sediment and associated mercury. However, during the three periods of monitoring, Browns Island wetland did not appreciably accumulate Hg. Instead, gradual tidally driven export of UTHg from the wetland offset the large episodic on-island fluxes associated with high wind events. Exports were highest during large spring tides, when ebbing waters relatively enriched in FDOM, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and filter-passing mercury drained from the marsh into the open waters of the estuary. On-island flux of UTHg, which was largely particleassociated, was highest during strong winds coincident with flood tides. Our results demonstrate that processes driving UTHg fluxes in tidal wetlands encompass both the dissolved and particulate phases and multiple timescales, necessitating longer term monitoring to adequately quantify fluxes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Dynamics in a San Francisco Estuary Tidal Wetland: Assessing Dynamics Using In Situ Measurements

Bergamaschi

Fleck

Downing

et al. 2012

Estuaries and Coasts

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“…Because of these multiple timescales of sediment transport, tidal fluxes must be measured at high-temporal resolution (<15 min) with autonomous sensors over seasonal-to-annual timeframes to constrain variability and cover dominant conditions. Many landmark studies highlighted the importance and implications of sediment flux measurements1718, but few have applied the aforementioned modern techniques over a range of external forcings to reduce errors arising from infrequent temporal sampling19.…”

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confidence: 99%

Spatially integrative metrics reveal hidden vulnerability of microtidal salt marshes

et al. 2017

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Salt marshes are valued for their ecosystem services, and their vulnerability is typically assessed through biotic and abiotic measurements at individual points on the landscape. However, lateral erosion can lead to rapid marsh loss as marshes build vertically. Marsh sediment budgets represent a spatially integrated measure of competing constructive and destructive forces: a sediment surplus may result in vertical growth and/or lateral expansion, while a sediment deficit may result in drowning and/or lateral contraction. Here we show that sediment budgets of eight microtidal marsh complexes consistently scale with areal unvegetated/vegetated marsh ratios (UVVR) suggesting these metrics are broadly applicable indicators of microtidal marsh vulnerability. All sites are exhibiting a sediment deficit, with half the sites having projected lifespans of less than 350 years at current rates of sea-level rise and sediment availability. These results demonstrate that open-water conversion and sediment deficits are holistic and sensitive indicators of salt marsh vulnerability.

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“…Consideration should be given to processes such as atmospheric deposition and denitrification, which are often overlooked or omitted due to financial constraints. Murray and Spencer (1997) provide a good overview of the use of material budgets in describing material movement (particularly for tidal wetlands) and caution about the use of limited measurements to extrapolate to annual values.…”

Section: Q=a*v (Avg)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Water Quality Functions of Wetlands

Ashby¹

2002

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PU RPOSE:This technical note provides an overview of the current understanding of water quality functions of wetlands and describes methods useful for assessing water quality functions. This technical note is specifically oriented to provide direct assistance in the assessment of water quality functions of wetlands. There is an abundance of literature on the nature and function of wetlands for additional information (e.g., Mitsch and Gosselink 1993;Lugo, Brinson, and Brown 1990;Kadlec and Knight 1996;Hammer 1989). Both qualitative and quantitative assessment methods are discussed and the need for good hydrology information is emphasized for quantitative assessment methods. Two case studies are summarized in a generic format to offer ideas on methods to assess water quality functions. BACKGROUND: Water quality processes and water quality functions of wetlands are not easily defined terms. Water quality processes are often described by measurements of physicochemical constituents that are usually of interest to a particular group or are determined to be relevant to a particular site. These particular constituents have temporal and spatial components, are directly linked to the watershed and activities within the watershed, and linked to hydrology, geology, and biology (e.g., microbial and vegetative processes). Water quality functions are often considered as an accumulation or summation of various water quality processes. For example, the water quality process of denitrification can be considered as a water quality function of nutrient (nitrogen) removal. General water quality functions, effects, social values, and indicators, as summarized by the National Research Council (1995), are presented in Table 1.

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On the wisdom of calculating annual material budgets in tidal wetlands

Cited by 10 publications

References 11 publications

Mercury Dynamics in a San Francisco Estuary Tidal Wetland: Assessing Dynamics Using In Situ Measurements

Mercury Dynamics in a San Francisco Estuary Tidal Wetland: Assessing Dynamics Using In Situ Measurements

Spatially integrative metrics reveal hidden vulnerability of microtidal salt marshes

Assessing Water Quality Functions of Wetlands

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