Carbon and mercury burial in mangrove soils across an anthropogenic gradient
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.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
7-15-2025
Volume
318
Funding Information
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
School
Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research / School of Science
Grant Number
ARC Number : LE170100219
Copyright
subscription content
Publisher
Elsevier
Identifier
Pere Masque: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1789-320X
Recommended Citation
Jatobá-Junior, A. A., Hatje, V., Masque, P., de Rezende, C., Cabral, A., Yau, Y. Y., Barreira, J., Reithmaier, G. M., & Santos, I. R. (2025). Carbon and mercury burial in mangrove soils across an anthropogenic gradient. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2025.109226
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