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Using isotope labeling to partition sources of CO 2 efflux in newly established mangrove seedlings
Author(s) -
Ouyang Xiaoguang,
Lee Shing Yip,
Connolly Rod M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.1002/lno.10663
Subject(s) - avicennia marina , environmental chemistry , mangrove , sediment , organic matter , flux (metallurgy) , efflux , carbon dioxide , stable isotope ratio , carbon cycle , chemistry , mineralization (soil science) , plant litter , soil respiration , isotope , environmental science , ecosystem , ecology , biology , soil science , soil water , biochemistry , physics , paleontology , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) flux is a critical component of the global C budget. While CO 2 flux has been increasingly studied in mangroves, better partitioning of components contributing to the overall flux will be useful in constraining C budgets. Little information is available on how CO 2 flux may vary with forest age and conditions. We used a combination of 13 C stable isotope labeling and closed chambers to partition CO 2 efflux from the seedlings of the widespread mangrove Avicennia marina in laboratory microcosms, with a focus on sediment CO 2 efflux in establishing forests. We showed that (1) above‐ground part of plants were the chief component of overall CO 2 efflux; and (2) the degradation of sediment organic matter was the major component of sediment CO 2 efflux, followed by root respiration and litter decomposition, as determined using isotope mixing models. There was a significant relationship between C isotope values of CO 2 released at the sediment–air interface and both root respiration and sediment organic matter decomposition. These relative contributions of different components to overall and sediment CO 2 efflux can be used in partitioning of the sources of overall respiration and sediment C mineralization in establishing mangroves.