Saltwater intrusion potentially weakens soil organic carbon stability in coastal marshes: Evidence from Phragmites australis marshes across six estuaries in China

Abstract

Sea-level rise is salinizing estuarine wetlands, yet its impact on Fe-bound organic carbon (Fe-OC) persistence remains unclear. Here, we analyzed topsoil (0–10 cm) and subsoil (40–50 cm) samples from paired Phragmites australis-dominated saltwater and freshwater marshes at six Chinese estuaries spanning 18° of latitude, to determine how saltwater intrusion modulates Fe-OC sequestration and soil organic carbon (OC) degradation. Freshwater marshes stored 18.7% of OC as Fe-OC, significantly more than 16.3% in saltwater marshes. The Fe-OC pool declined markedly with soil depth. Salinity stress can reduce the pools of OC and Fe-OC by suppressing plant biomass accumulation. Concurrently, higher salinity stimulates soil hydrolase activity and enhances potential Fe(III)-reduction rates (FeRRs). Both Fe-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) and Fe-reducing bacteria (FeRB) were more enriched in freshwater marshes than in saltwater marshes. Structural equation modelling revealed that salinity and soil depth negatively influenced the Fe-OC pool by shifting OC composition and by enhancing enzyme activity. The abundances of poorly crystalline Fe (Feo) and root Fe(III) plaque were the strongest predictors of the Fe-OC pool in coastal marshes. Thus, saltwater intrusion destabilizes Fe-OC, so evaluations of OC stabilization in estuarine marshes must explicitly include Fe-OC dynamics under salinization.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

coastal marshes / salinity / Fe-bound organic carbon / mineralization / microbial Fe(III) reduction rates

Highlight

	● Soil Fe-bound OC pool was lower in high-salinity parts of coastal marshes.
	● Salinity stimulated hydrolase enzyme activity and accelerated potential microbial Fe(III) reduction rates.
	● Salinity and soil depth negatively affected Fe-bound OC by regulating OC fractions and enzyme activity.
	● Poorly crystalline Fe and root Fe(III) plaque were strongest predictors of Fe-bound OC.

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