Assessing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and sediment organic carbon density in Nova Scotia salt marshes

Abstract

This research examines the carbon accumulation potential of salt marshes in the Bay of Fundy by analyzing sediment organic carbon (OC) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) within the root zone of <i>Sporobolus</i> (<i>Spartina</i>) sp. at 11 salt marsh sites. Sediment was analyzed for organic matter (OM) by loss on ignition (LOI) and carbon was quantified using elemental analysis. AMF colonization rates were highly variable among sites and plant species, with high rates at restored marshes and in <i>Sporobolus michauxianus</i> roots (94%). Previously used LOI to OC conversion equation overestimated sediment OC densities. Regression analyses determined a quadratic equation that best described the relationship between OC and OM for most sites. Salt marshes are environmentally variable indicating that the relationship between OC and OM could differ geographically and should be measured independently. This study is the first to assess salt marsh AMF root colonization and sediment OC densities at multiple sites.