The Roles of Tidal Marshes in the Estuarine Biochemical Processes: A Numerical Modeling Study

Cai, Xun; Shen, Jian; Zhang, Yinglong J.; Qin, Qubin; Linker, Lewis C.

doi:10.1029/2022jg007066

Cited by 2 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…We use a fully coupled hydrodynamic, water quality, and marsh model (SCHISM‐ICM‐Marsh) for this study (Cai et al., 2020, 2023a; Cerco & Cole, 1994; Zhang et al., 2016). SCHISM is Semi‐implicit Cross‐scale Hydroscience Integrated System Model and Integrated Compartment Model (ICM) is ICM multi‐dimensional water quality model.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Base Scenario simulation uses the current mean sea level as a reference datum for model simulations, and the model has been developed and calibrated by Cai et al. (2023a) for the years 2010–2014 with a single non‐split time step of 150 s. The base simulation period for SLR scenarios is the year of 2010, which is regarded as an average flow year. The ocean boundary extends offshore to the shelf break to minimize the influence of open ocean conditions on the interior of the Bay and the York River Estuary.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The SCHISM model code and post-processing code are available at Cai (2023). The setup and parameter details can be found at Cai et al (2023aCai et al ( , 2023b. Metadata and data that are derived from raw model outputs and used for analysis are available in the Github repository at Cai et al (2023c).…”

Section: Data Availability Statementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The sensitivity tests conducted by Cai et al. (2023a) indicate that variations in marsh physiology, including growth rate, metabolism rate, and optimal growth temperature, have minimal effects on estuarine biogeochemical processes. Therefore, the neglected change in marsh physiology should not undermine the conclusions.…”

Section: Summary and Conceptual Diagram Of The Impacts Of Slr On The ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The comparisons of the Base and SLR Scenarios on the three limiting factors (inundation stress, light limitation, and salinity stress) of marsh leaf growth suggest the predicted decreases in marsh biomass and productivity under SLR are dominated by the increased inundation stress (Figure 3a). These limiting factors are dimensionless, ranging from 0 to 1 (Cai et al., 2023a). The change in the inundation stress is mainly driven by the change in tidal range and plant height.…”

Section: Response Of the Estuarine Biogeochemical Processes To Slrmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sea‐Level Rise Impacts on Tidal Marshes and Estuarine Biogeochemical Processes

Cai,

Shen,

Zhang

et al. 2023

JGR Biogeosciences

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We used a numerical model to investigate the effects of sea‐level rise (SLR) on the biogeochemical processes in the York River Estuary with extensive tidal marshes. The fully‐coupled hydrodynamic‐water quality‐marsh model accounts for the spatial and temporal variations of physical‐biogeochemical interactions between the tidal marshes and surrounding waters. This study focuses on an SLR scenario where the vertical accretion of tidal marshes keeps pace with the rising sea levels. Results show that SLR amplifies the tidal range and prolongs flooding duration, which results in enhanced porewater exchanges of materials between the tidal marshes and the surrounding waters. The increased availability of shallow‐water habitats and enhanced light utilization in the shallow areas under SLR promote phytoplankton production (PP) in the shallow‐water regions of the York River. Consequently, the organic carbon in the open water is fueled by the contributions from shallow waters and the enhanced export of organic carbon from the marshes. The change in the dissolved oxygen (DO) budget in the York River Estuary is attributed to changes in water column respiration, net metabolism of the benthic layer, reaeration, PP, and increased stratification under SLR. The net DO flux out of the York River increases at the York River mouth. Diel DO variation, especially in the marshes in the upper estuary, promotes phosphorus release from the sediment. The changes in dissolved nitrogen under SLR are relatively minimal.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Data Availability Statementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Summary and Conceptual Diagram Of The Impacts Of Slr On The ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Response Of the Estuarine Biogeochemical Processes To Slrmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sea‐Level Rise Impacts on Tidal Marshes and Estuarine Biogeochemical Processes

Cai,

Shen,

Zhang

et al. 2023

JGR Biogeosciences

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Influence of Rivers, Tides, and Tidal Wetlands on Estuarine Carbonate System Dynamics

Da,

Friedrichs,

St-Laurent

et al. 2024

Estuaries and Coasts

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Variations in estuarine carbonate chemistry can have critical impacts on marine calcifying organisms, yet the drivers of this variability are difficult to quantify from observations alone, due to the strong spatiotemporal variability of these systems. Terrestrial runoff and wetland processes vary year to year based on local precipitation, and estuarine processes are often strongly modulated by tides. In this study, a 3D-coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemical model is used to quantify the controls on the carbonate system of a coastal plain estuary, specifically the York River estuary. Experiments were conducted both with and without tidal wetlands. Results show that on average, wetlands account for 20–30% of total alkalinity (TA) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) fluxes into the estuary, and double-estuarine CO2 outgassing. Strong quasi-monthly variability is driven by the tides and causes fluctuations between net heterotrophy and net autotrophy. On longer time scales, model results show that in wetter years, lower light availability decreases primary production relative to biological respiration (i.e., greater net heterotrophy) resulting in substantial increases in CO2 outgassing. Additionally, in wetter years, advective exports of DIC and TA to the Chesapeake Bay increase by a factor of three to four, resulting in lower concentrations of DIC and TA within the estuary. Quantifying the impacts of these complex drivers is not only essential for a better understanding of coastal carbon and alkalinity cycling, but also leads to an improved assessment of the health and functioning of coastal ecosystems both in the present day and under future climate change.

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The Roles of Tidal Marshes in the Estuarine Biochemical Processes: A Numerical Modeling Study

Cited by 2 publications

References 62 publications

Sea‐Level Rise Impacts on Tidal Marshes and Estuarine Biogeochemical Processes

Sea‐Level Rise Impacts on Tidal Marshes and Estuarine Biogeochemical Processes

Influence of Rivers, Tides, and Tidal Wetlands on Estuarine Carbonate System Dynamics

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