16 - Particulate Transport during Marshland Tidal Cycles
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Marshlands have been identified as crucial ecosystems for sequestering atmospheric carbon through peat formation. Peat accumulates when sediments and partially decayed organic material are deposited, and these ecosystems bury more carbon per unit area than rainforests. However, marshes also transport dissolved carbon. The tidal processes in the marsh act as a conveyor belt for transporting water, sediment, and carbon into and out of the coastal zone. 90% of the terrestrial carbon entering the ocean is sorbed to fine-grained sediment particles. Our hypothesis is that during times of increased turbidity, more particulate matter (and carbon) will be in flux.
This study was conducted in three marsh locations in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Each location had time-series instrumentation that measured water velocity, water level, and turbidity in five minute intervals. Water samples were collected hourly to evaluate the carbon export potential of these environments and to calibrate the turbidity sensors. We can calculate the suspended sediment concentration by drawing these samples through pre-weighed glass-fiber filters. Our goal is to see how much particulate material is being moved during the tidal cycle. This will be accomplished by developing a rating curve from the calculated suspended sediment concentration. Combustion of the filters will also be done to remove organic carbon and estimate the particulate carbon flux.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Rip Hale
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Ocean & Earth Sciences
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Climate | Sedimentology
16 - Particulate Transport during Marshland Tidal Cycles
Marshlands have been identified as crucial ecosystems for sequestering atmospheric carbon through peat formation. Peat accumulates when sediments and partially decayed organic material are deposited, and these ecosystems bury more carbon per unit area than rainforests. However, marshes also transport dissolved carbon. The tidal processes in the marsh act as a conveyor belt for transporting water, sediment, and carbon into and out of the coastal zone. 90% of the terrestrial carbon entering the ocean is sorbed to fine-grained sediment particles. Our hypothesis is that during times of increased turbidity, more particulate matter (and carbon) will be in flux.
This study was conducted in three marsh locations in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Each location had time-series instrumentation that measured water velocity, water level, and turbidity in five minute intervals. Water samples were collected hourly to evaluate the carbon export potential of these environments and to calibrate the turbidity sensors. We can calculate the suspended sediment concentration by drawing these samples through pre-weighed glass-fiber filters. Our goal is to see how much particulate material is being moved during the tidal cycle. This will be accomplished by developing a rating curve from the calculated suspended sediment concentration. Combustion of the filters will also be done to remove organic carbon and estimate the particulate carbon flux.