Premium
Modeling of Sulfur Sequestration in Coastal Marsh Soils
Author(s) -
Hussein A. H.,
Rabenhorst M. C.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1999.6361954x
Subject(s) - pyrite , sulfate , marsh , transect , environmental science , carbon sequestration , weathering , soil water , environmental chemistry , pedogenesis , geology , sediment , total organic carbon , soil science , mineralogy , geochemistry , oceanography , chemistry , ecology , geomorphology , wetland , organic chemistry , carbon dioxide , biology
In transgressive coastal areas, marshes form in response to sea‐level rise and they generally represent an ideal environment for the sequestration of S species. Various predictions in rates of sea‐level rise associated with global warming and concern for potential environmental problems from acid‐sulfate weathering have prompted interest in modeling rates of S sequestration during coastal marsh pedogenesis. In this study, predictive models were derived for organic and pyrite S using data from pedons along two marsh transects in Dorchester County, MD. Organic S accumulates mainly in the organic horizons, and the rate is mainly driven by sea‐level rise. Rates of organic S accumulation for the last 150 yr averaged 4.3 ± 1.19 g m −2 yr −1 ; before this, long‐term rates ranged between 0.95 and 2.05 g m −2 yr −1 Pyrite S sequestration reflects accumulations both in organic horizons and in the submerged mineral soil. The rate of pyrite sequestration in organic horizons is generally driven by sea‐level rise and the availability of reactive Fe. During the last 150 yr, the rates of pyrite accumulation averaged 7.2 ± 1.6 g m −2 yr −1 ; before this, long‐term rates ranged between 0.53 and 1.14 g m −2 yr −1 Modeled predictions of pyrite and organic S accumulations in newly forming marshes during the next century were 15 ± 4.3 g m −2 yr −1 and 19 ± 8.2 g m −2 yr −1 , respectively.