Controlling factors of long-term carbon sequestration in the coastal wetland sediments of the Modern Yellow River Delta Area, China: Links to land management

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-15-2021

Abstract

Five 20-30 m long boreholes recovered from the modern Yellow River Delta (MYRD) were analyzed for sedimentary characteristics, grain sizes, foraminiferal species, and ages determined by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C, bulk density, and carbon content to document the variation of carbon sequestration in several distinct wetlands and aquatic units of the MYRD during the Holocene. Eight units have been identified since the early Holocene, namely, riverine wetland, ancient tidal wetland, neritic-sea aquatic system, pro-delta aquatic system, interdistributary bay wetland, delta-front wetland, modern tidal wetland, and upper delta plain wetland. Our results revealed that the highest apparent sedimentation rate (ASR) was in the delta-front wetland (up to 85 cm/yr) in the MYRD, while the lowest value range (only 0.04~0.05 cm/yr) occurred in the neritic-sea aquatic system. Accordingly, the average carbon accumulation rates (CAR) were up to 1020.35 g C/m2/yr for organic carbon, and 5202.24 g C/m2/yr for inorganic carbon in the delta-front wetland, nearly 350 times and 640 times higher than those in the neritic-sea system, respectively. The ASRs dominated the variations of CARs in the various wetlands and aquatic environments. Therefore, the MYRD is likely a highly significant carbon sink during the past 2000 years, even under the condition of very low carbon contents due to dilution processes. Management activities including coastline protection and wetland restoration, freshwater and sand discharge to deltaic wetlands, and reducing and limiting human activities, which may all be effective ways of managing for carbon sequestration and storage in the MYRD.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Wetland Carbon and Environmental Management

First Page

191

Last Page

212

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS