Journal article
Contrasting Radium-Derived Groundwater Exchange and Nutrient Lateral Fluxes in a Natural Mangrove Versus an Artificial Canal
Estuaries and Coasts, Vol.44, pp.123-136
2021
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Abstract
Artificial canals may function differently than the natural coastal wetlands, floodplains, and estuaries they often replace. Here, we assess the impact of canal estate development on saline groundwater exchange (tidal pumping) and associated nutrient fluxes. Time series observations of short-lived radium isotopes and dissolved nutrients were performed in a canal estate and a nearby mangrove creek in subtropical Australia. A mass balance model based on 223 Ra (1.3 ± 0.4 and 3.4 ± 0.9 cm day −1 in the mangrove and canal, respectively) and 224 Ra (2.8 ± 3.0 and 5.4 ± 4.6 cm day −1) revealed tidally driven groundwater exchange rates were ~ 2-fold greater in the canal. Lateral fluxes of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) from the nearby estuary into the canal estate were comparable with the mangrove creek (8.4 and 9.1 mmol m −2 day −1 in the mangrove and canal, respectively). Groundwater flows into the canal released ~ 5-fold more TDN than the mangrove. As expected, mangroves appear to be more efficient at retaining groundwater-derived nitrogen than vegetation-stripped, sandy canals. Overall, this study demonstrates that land reclamation for canal estate development not only drives losses of ecosystem services, but also modifies groundwater and related nutrient exchange with coastal surface waters.
Details
- Title
- Contrasting Radium-Derived Groundwater Exchange and Nutrient Lateral Fluxes in a Natural Mangrove Versus an Artificial Canal
- Creators
- Praktan D Wadnerkar (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityBayartungalag Batsaikhan (Author) - Mongolian Academy of SciencesStephen R Conrad (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityKay Davis (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityRogger E Correa (Author) - Southern Cross University, National Marine Science CentreCeylena Holloway (Author) - Southern Cross University, National Marine Science CentreShane A White (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityChristian J Sanders (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityIsaac R Santos (Author) - Southern Cross University, National Marine Science Centre
- Publication Details
- Estuaries and Coasts, Vol.44, pp.123-136
- Publisher
- Springer New York LLC
- Grants
- Unravelling the legacy of groundwater pollution to coastal waters, FT170100327, Australian Research Council
- Identifiers
- 991012964600502368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; National Marine Science Centre; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article