Variability in carbon availability and eelgrass (Zostera marina) biometrics along an estuarine gradient in Willapa Bay, WA, USA ...

• Main Authors: Ruesink, Jennifer L, Yang, Sylvia, Trimble, Alan C
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA 2015
• Subjects: Benthos; Biomass/Abundance/Elemental composition; Brackish waters; Estuary; Field observation; Growth/Morphology; North Pacific; Plantae; Seagrass; Single species; Temperate; Tracheophyta; Zostera marina; Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre OA-ICC; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.869866; https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.869866

Because photosynthesis requires CO2, carbon limitation in aquatic environments could restrict primary production and provide signals in tissue chemistry. We took advantage of spatial variability of aqueous [CO2] in estuaries to examine within-estuary variation in biometrics of intertidal eelgrass (Zostera marina) during peak summer production. As expected from the sensitivity of carbonate equilibria to pH, aqueous [CO2] increased along an ocean-to-river gradient in Willapa Bay, WA, USA. The scale of pH variability also changed, reflecting weather-driven upwelling near the ocean, tidal advection near rivers, and reduced diel fluctuation up-estuary. Z. marina studied at eight sites in the bay integrated across these different temporal fluctuations in water chemistry to exhibit increased tissue carbon and depleted delta 13C up-estuary. However, seagrass production did not change as expected from aqueous [CO2]. Instead, small standing biomass occurred at sites with organic-rich sediments or high wave energy, ... : Supplement to: Ruesink, Jennifer L; Yang, Sylvia; Trimble, Alan C (2015): Variability in carbon availability and eelgrass (Zostera marina) biometrics along an estuarine gradient in Willapa Bay, WA, USA. Estuaries and Coasts, 38(6), 1908-1917 ...