A RESEARCH ON THE DYNAMICS OF REFRACTORY ORGANIC CARBON IN THE SEDIMENT OF AN ARTIFICIAL SALT MARSH

Abstract

 Biodegradability tests were conducted and refractory organic carbon in the sediment of an artificial salt marsh was seasonally examined because of increasing demands for the knowledge of carbon storage at the salt marsh. The results revealed that 45.9 - 77.0% of the sedimentary organic carbon were refractory organic carbon at the intertidal area, while the refractory organic carbon increased up to 92.5 - 98.3% at the submerged area. A rough estimation of carbon storage at the upper 5 cm of the sediment was 9.5 ton C for intertidal area and 27.6 ton C for submerged area of the north salt marsh of Osaka Nanko bird sanctuary.