Carbon and mercury burial in mangrove soils across an anthropogenic gradient

Author Identifier

Pere Masque: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1789-320X

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

Volume

318

Publisher

Elsevier

School

Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research / School of Science

Publication Unique Identifier

10.1016/j.ecss.2025.109226

Funders

CNPq (441264/2017-4, 407297/2018-9) / Swedish Research Council (2019–03930, 2020-00457) / FAPESB / FAPERJ (DCRT E-26/210.109/2022) / Australian Research Council

Grant Number

ARC Number : LE170100219

Comments

Jatobá-Junior, A. A., Hatje, V., Masque, P., de Rezende, C. E., Cabral, A., Yau, Y. Y., ... & Santos, I. R. (2025). Carbon and mercury burial in mangrove soils across an anthropogenic gradient. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 318, 109226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2025.109226

Abstract

Mangrove forests are important sinks for atmospheric CO2, resulting in organic-rich soils. However, increasing anthropogenic pressures may impact mangrove carbon sequestration. This study investigated organic carbon (OC) and mercury (Hg) stocks and accumulation rates in Brazilian mangroves under different degrees of anthropogenic influences. Organic carbon stocks and accumulation rates were 285 ± 33 Mg C ha−1 and 128 ± 96 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively. The OC stocks were not significantly (p > 0.05) different in the pristine and impacted mangroves. A high variability in OC accumulation rates across intertidal gradients underscores the importance of considering small-scale vertical variability when assessing blue carbon. The relationship between Hg and OC was stronger in impacted mangroves than the well-preserved sites. This study contributes to minimize uncertainties in South America OC stocks and accumulation rates and reveals links to Hg contamination. Understanding these dynamics enhances our comprehension of blue carbon ecosystems’ potential to store carbon and filter out pollution at the land-ocean interface.

DOI

10.1016/j.ecss.2025.109226

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