Journal article
Water cycle and salinity dynamics in the mangrove forests of Europa and Juan de Nova Islands, southwest Indian Ocean
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, Vol.30(2), pp.311-320
30/01/2016
PMID: 27071220
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Abstract
RATIONALE: The functioning of mangrove forests found on small coralline islands is characterized by limited freshwater inputs. Here, we present data on the water cycling of such systems located on Europa and Juan de Nova Islands, Mozambique Channel.
METHODS: In order to better understand the water cycle and mangrove growth conditions, we have analysed the hydrological and salinity dynamics of the systems by gauge pressure and isotopic tracing (delta O-18 and delta H-2 values).
RESULTS: Both islands have important seawater intrusion as measured by the water level change and the high salinities in the karstic ponds. Europa Island displays higher salinity stress, with its inner lagoon, but presents a pluri-specific mangrove species formation ranging from shrub to forest stands. No freshwater signal could be detected around the mangrove trees. On Juan de Nova Island, the presence of sand and detrital sediment allows the storage of some amount of rainfall to form a brackish groundwater. The mangrove surface area is very limited with only small mono-specific stands being present in karstic depression.
CONCLUSIONS: On the drier Europa Island, the salinity of all the water points is equal to or higher than that of the seawater, and on Juan de Nova the groundwater salinity is lower (5 to 20 PSU). This preliminary study shows that the karstic pothole mangroves exist due to the sea connection through the fractured coral and the high tidal dynamics.
Details
- Title
- Water cycle and salinity dynamics in the mangrove forests of Europa and Juan de Nova Islands, southwest Indian Ocean
- Creators
- Luc Lambs - University of ToulousePerrine Mangion - Southern Cross UniversityEric Mougin - University of ToulouseFrancois Fromard - University of Toulouse
- Publication Details
- Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, Vol.30(2), pp.311-320
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Number of pages
- 10
- Grant note
- CNRS-INEE
- Identifiers
- 991012925679202368
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Academic Unit
- Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry; Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article