Peat Formation Processes Through the Millennia in Tidal Marshes of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, California, USA

Drexler, Judith Z.

doi:10.1007/s12237-011-9393-7

Cited by 43 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…pacifica and that the soils had limited OM by weight (<5.45 %) for marshes. Other marshes have been shown to have OM percentages that ranged from~30 % in Louisiana (Wilson and Allison 2008), 47-80 % on the East Coast of North America (Twohig and Stolt 2011) and an average of> 50 % in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Delta (Drexler 2011). Drying of the upper marsh may lead to decomposition of OM and may have led to lowering of the marsh surface elevation at our study site.…”

Section: Biogeomorphic and Soil Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 72%

Importance of Biogeomorphic and Spatial Properties in Assessing a Tidal Salt Marsh Vulnerability to Sea-level Rise

Thorne

Elliott‐Fisk

Wylie

et al. 2013

Estuaries and Coasts

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We evaluated the biogeomorphic processes of a large (309 ha) tidal salt marsh and examined factors that influence its ability to keep pace with relative sea-level rise (SLR). Detailed elevation data from 1995 and 2008 were compared with digital elevation models (DEMs) to assess marsh surface elevation change during this time. Overall, 37 % (113 ha) of the marsh increased in elevation at a rate that exceeded SLR, whereas 63 % (196 ha) of the area did not keep pace with SLR. Of the total area, 55 % (169 ha) subsided during the study period, but subsidence varied spatially across the marsh surface. To determine which biogeomorphic and spatial factors contributed to measured elevation change, we collected soil cores and determined percent and origin of organic matter (OM), particle size, bulk density (BD), and distance to nearest bay edge, levee, and channel. We then used Akaike Information Criterion (AICc) model selection to assess those variables most important to determine measured elevation change. Soil stable isotope compositions were evaluated to assess the source of the OM. The samples had limited percent OM by weight (<5.5 %), with mean bulk densities of 0.58 g cm -3 , indicating that the soils had high mineral content with a relatively low proportion of pore space. The most parsimonious model with the highest AICc weight (0.53) included distance from bay's edge (i.e., lower intertidal) and distance from levee (i.e., upper intertidal). Close proximity to sediment source was the greatest factor in determining whether an area increased in elevation, whereas areas near landward levees experienced subsidence. Our study indicated that the ability of a marsh to keep pace with SLR varied across the surface, and assessing changes in elevation over time provides an alternative method to long-term accretion monitoring. SLR models that do not consider spatial variability of biogeomorphic and accretion processes may not correctly forecast marsh drowning rates, which may be especially true in modified and urbanized estuaries. In light of SLR, improving our understanding of elevation change in these dynamic marsh systems will play a crucial role in forecasting potential impacts to their sustainability and the survival of these ecosystems.

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Section: Biogeomorphic and Soil Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 72%

Importance of Biogeomorphic and Spatial Properties in Assessing a Tidal Salt Marsh Vulnerability to Sea-level Rise

Thorne

Elliott‐Fisk

Wylie

et al. 2013

Estuaries and Coasts

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“…Over the past 40 years, significant progress has occurred in advancing capability to quantify sediment carbon in a diverse range of ecosystems, enhancing understanding of this value (Allen et al, 1974;Heiri et al, 2001;Craft et al, 1991;Drexler, 2011). The objective of this study was to compare and contrast three common methodologies used to quantify carbon in salt marsh soil, and each was found to have a useful application in carbon science, including the broad scale use of the quadratic equation and the accuracy of the elemental analysis method.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A common method used to quantify carbon stores in sediment is a conversion variable, used to convert organic matter content data into organic carbon values (Allen, Grimshaw, Parkinson & Quarmby, 1974;Craft et al, 1991;Chmura et al, 2003;Pribyl, 2010;Yu & Chmura, 2010;Drexler, 2011). The Loss on Ignition (LOI) method is a simple and relatively inexpensive method used to estimate organic matter, though the temperature and length of time for best estimation of organic matter loss varies (Mook & Hoskin, 1982;Pribyl, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Three Methods for the Quantification of Sediment Organic Carbon in Salt Marshes of the Rubicon Estuary, Tasmania, Australia

Beasy¹,

Ellison²

2013

IJB

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With the increasing need to accurately quantify carbon sinks of coastal wetlands, this study compares three methods in use. Sediment cores (n = 4) were collected from three salt marsh sites of the Rubicon Estuary, Tasmania Australia and analysed for organic carbon using three methods for measuring soil C concentration. The first method of elemental analysis quantified carbon using a Thermo Finnigan EA 1112 Series Flash Elemental Analyser. The second method used the loss on ignition technique at 550°C for 4 hours and applied a standard carbon conversion. The third method used loss on ignition technique at 450°C for 8 hours and applied a standard carbon conversion. Results from each method found significantly different quantities of carbon in replicate samples, however each method differentiated similar carbon trends within datasets. Each methodology investigated was found to have a useful application in carbon science, including the broad scale use of the standard carbon conversion and the accuracy of the elemental analysis method. The application of the standard carbon conversion in this study showed an underestimate of carbon stores in salt marsh sediment. Wetlands are well known to be among the most carbon rich ecosystems of the world, however this study highlights that in some cases those carbon stores may have been underestimated, and verification may further increase the value of wetlands as carbon sinks.

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“…The actual cause of the measured changes with depth was deposition of relatively highly dense mineral material moving in the Delta during the latter half of the 19th century. Deposition of Gold Rush sediments has been reported in marshes throughout the San Francisco Estuary (May 1999;Goman and Wells 2000;Reed 2002;Drexler et al 2009aDrexler et al , 2009bDrexler et al , 2011. As indicated by the relatively high lead/titanium ratio at an elevation of about -65 cm (Alpers et al 2008), there was likely downward movement of mineral material into the profile.…”

Section: Franks Wetlandmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Therefore, the primary objectives of the study described here were to: (1) simulate accretion rates and better understand processes affecting vertical accretion and carbon accumulation in impounded marshes and; (2) quantify the potential benefits to levee stability. The work and data described here were part of the larger study designed to evaluate marsh accretion in the Delta (Drexler et al 2009a(Drexler et al , 2009bDrexler 2011). …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Impounded Marshes on Subsided Islands: Simulated Vertical Accretion, Processes, and Effects, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, CA USA

Deverel¹,

Ingrum²,

Lucero³

et al. 2014

SFEWS

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There is substantial interest in stopping and reversing the effects of subsidence in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) where organic soils predominate. Also, the passage of California Assembly Bill 32 in 2006 created the potential to trade credits for carbon sequestered in wetlands on subsided Delta islands. The primary purpose of the work described here was to estimate future vertical accretion and understand processes that affect vertical accretion and carbon sequestration in impounded marshes on subsided Delta islands. Using a cohort-accounting model, we simulated vertical accretion from 4,700 calibrated years before present (BP) at a wetland area located within Franks Tract State Recreation Area (lat 38.059, long −121.611, hereafter, "Franks Wetland")-a small, relatively undisturbed marsh island-and at the Twitchell Island subsidencereversal demonstration project since 1997. We used physical and chemical data collected during the study as well as literature values for model inputs. Model results compared favorably with measured rates of vertical accretion, mass of carbon sequestered, bulk density and organic matter content.From 4,700 to model-estimated 350 years BP, the simulated rate of vertical accretion at Franks Wetland averaged about 0.12 cm yr -1 , which is within the range of rates in tidal wetlands worldwide. Our model results indicate that large sediment inputs during the last 150 to 200 years resulted in a higher accretion rate of 0.3 cm yr -1 . On Twitchell Island, greater organic inputs resulted in average vertical accretion rates as high as 9.2 cm yr -1 . Future simulations indicate that the managed impounded marsh will accrete highly organic material at rates of about 3 cm yr -1 . Model results coupled with GIS analysis indicate that large areas of the periphery of the Delta, if impounded and converted to freshwater marsh, could be restored to tidal elevations within 50 to 100 years. Most of the central Delta would require 50 to 250 years to be restored to projected mean sea level. A large portion of the western Delta could be restored to mean sea level within 50 to 150 years (large areas on Sherman, Jersey, and Bethel islands, and small areas on Bradford, Twitchell, and Brannan islands, and Webb Tract). We estimated that long-term carbon sequestration rates for impounded marshes such as the Twitchell Island demonstration ponds will range from 12 to 15 metric tons carbon ha -1 yr -1 . Creation of impounded marshes on Delta islands can substantially benefit levee stability as demonstrated by cumulative force and hydraulic gradient calculations.1 HydroFocus, Inc., Davis, CA USA 2 U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center Sacramento, CA USA * Corresponding author: sdeverel@hydrofocus.com SAN FRANCISCO ESTUARY & WATERSHED SCIENCE 2 INTRODUCTIONThe 300,000-ha Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a critical natural resource, important agricultural region and the hub for California's water supply. Within an area of about 81,000 ha in the central Delta, an estimated 4.5 billion ...

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Peat Formation Processes Through the Millennia in Tidal Marshes of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, California, USA

Cited by 43 publications

References 37 publications

Importance of Biogeomorphic and Spatial Properties in Assessing a Tidal Salt Marsh Vulnerability to Sea-level Rise

Importance of Biogeomorphic and Spatial Properties in Assessing a Tidal Salt Marsh Vulnerability to Sea-level Rise

Comparison of Three Methods for the Quantification of Sediment Organic Carbon in Salt Marshes of the Rubicon Estuary, Tasmania, Australia

Impounded Marshes on Subsided Islands: Simulated Vertical Accretion, Processes, and Effects, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, CA USA

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