Journal
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
Volume 67, Issue 2, Pages 75-82Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2008.11.004
Keywords
Halophytes; Metals; Detritus; Salt marshes; Metal-containing litter
Funding
- Programa Operacional Ciencia, Tecnologia, Inovacao do Quadro Comunitario de Apoio III
- [POCTI/PNAT/BIA/15035/99]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Pools of Zn, Cu, Cd and Co in the leaf, stem and root tissues of Sarcocornia fruticosa, Sarcocornia perennis, Halimione portulacoides and Spartina maritima were analysed for a Tagus estuary (Portugal) salt marsh. Pools of Cu and Cd in the salt marsh were higher in spring/summer, indicating a net uptake of these metals during the growing season. Standing stocks of Zn, Cu, Cd and Co in the leaf and stem biomass of S. fruticosa, S. perennis and H. portulacoides showed a strong seasonal variation, with higher values recorded in autumn. The metal-containing leaves and stems that shed in the autumn become metal-containing detritus. The amount of this material washed out from the total marsh area (200 ha) was estimated as 68 kg of Zn, 8.2 kg of Cu, 13 kg of Co and 0.35 kg of Cd. The high tidal amplitude, a branched system of channels and semi-diurnal tidal cycle greatly favour the export of the organic detritus to adjoining marsh areas. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available