The biogeochemistry of a restoring macrotidal salt marsh : Cheverie Creek, Nova Scotia

Abstract

Vegetation, hydrology, sediment characteristics, and soil chemistry were studied at Cheverie Creek Salt Marsh Restoration Site, NS. Sampling was conducted during the spring and summer months of 2014 to determine how hypertidal minerogenic salt marshes influence aboveground biomass production over the growing season. Aboveground biomass, sulfide concentration, salinity, and redox potential measurements were taken at each sampling location approximately every 2 weeks throughout the growing season. Sediment cores were taken once at each location to determine bulk density, organic matter, water content and grain size. Inundation frequency and duration were determined throughout the sampling period. Hydrology measured by water level recorders was found to influence salinity and redox potential, whereas sulfide concentration increased throughout the growing season. Sediment characteristics and soil chemistry were found to influence aboveground biomass production throughout the growing season. Areas surrounding pannes were associated with low aboveground biomass, highest salinity, high sulfide and low redox potential.