Seasonal response of nitrogen exchange fluxes to crab disturbance at sediment–water interface in coastal tidal wetlands

• DOI: 10.1016/j.wse.2023.11.007
• Publication Date: 2023-12-01T07:58:51Z
• Authors: Guo-fen Hua; Shang-qing Liu; Xiang-dong Liu; Jin-li Li; Yue Fang; Wen-ting Xie; Xiang Xu
• Keywords: Sediment–water interface; Seasonality

Coastal wetlands are hotspots for nitrogen (N) cycling, and crab burrowing is known to transform N in intertidal marsh soils. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study conducted field experiments used indoor control test devices investigate seasonal response of disturbance at sediment–water interface coastal tidal flat wetlands. The results showed that exhibited significant seasonality with large differences cave density depth. Due disturbance, fluxes were much greater box crabs than without crabs. In summer, NH4+−N a positive flux from sediment overlying water, but NO2−−N NO3−−N water only early stages. winter, both negative fluxes. These indicated presence burrows can cause aerobic layer move downward by approximately 8 15 cm summer directly promote nitrification surface.