Identification and quantification of diffuse fresh submarine groundwater discharge via airborne thermal infrared remote sensing

Airborne thermal infrared (TIR) overflights were combined with shoreline radionuclide surveys to investigate submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) along the north shore of Long Island, NY between June 2013 and September 2014. Regression equations developed for three distinct geomorphological environments suggest a positive linear relationship between the rate of diffuse SGD and the spatial extent of the observed coastal TIR anomalies; such a relationship provides quantitative evidence of the ability to use TIR remote sensing as a tool to remotely identify and measure SGD. Landsat TIR scenes were unable to resolve any of the 18 TIR anomalies identified during the various airborne overflights. Two locations were studied in greater detail via 222Rn time series and manual seepage meters in order to understand why specific shoreline segments did not exhibit a TIR anomaly. SGD at the first site, located within a large, diffuse TIR anomaly, was composed of a mixture of fresh groundwater and circulated seawater with elevated levels of nitrate. In contrast, SGD at the second site, where no coastal TIR anomaly was observed, was composed of circulated seawater with negligible nitrate. Despite the compositional differences in seepage, both sites were similar in discharge magnitude, with average time series 222Rn derived SGD rates equal to 18 and 8 cm d−1 for the TIR site and non-TIR site, respectively. Results suggest that TIR remote sensing has the ability to identify locations of a mixture between diffuse fresh and circulated seawater SGD. If TIR anomalies can be demonstrated to represent a mixture between fresh and circulated seawater SGD, then the cumulative area of the TIR anomalies may be used to estimate the fresh fraction of SGD relative to the cumulative area of the seepage face, and thus allows for improved SGD derived nutrient flux calculations on a regional scale

Inorganic carbon outwelling from mangroves and saltmarshes drives coastal acidification

Concentrations of alkalinity (TA) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in porewater as well as in surface water measured during timeseries (fixed location) and spatial surveys (fixed time period) were compiled from 38 mangrove- and 8 saltmarsh-dominated creeks and estuaries. We used data from creeks that were predominantly surrounded by mangrove or saltmarsh vegetation and with minimal confounding factors such as mixed vegetation or large catchments. These creeks were located in either pristine or anthropologically impacted estuaries or coastal areas. Anthropologically impacted areas were defined as areas that were affected by nearby urban or agricultural activities, potentially delivering pollutants, e.g., sewage or fertilizers, to creeks. We also included pristine mangrove- and saltmarsh dominated estuaries. When available, environmental parameters were also recorded, i.e., season, salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), water level, porewater tracer radon (222Rn), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), nitrate and nitrite (NOx), ammonium (NH4), total nitrogen (TN), phosphate (PO4), and total phosphorus (TP). Methods used to determine parameters are explained in each corresponding reference

Inorganic carbon outwelling from mangroves and saltmarshes drives coastal acidification

Concentrations of alkalinity (TA) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in porewater as well as in surface water measured during timeseries (fixed location) and spatial surveys (fixed time period) were compiled from 38 mangrove- and 8 saltmarsh-dominated creeks and estuaries. We used data from creeks that were predominantly surrounded by mangrove or saltmarsh vegetation and with minimal confounding factors such as mixed vegetation or large catchments. These creeks were located in either pristine or anthropologically impacted estuaries or coastal areas. Anthropologically impacted areas were defined as areas that were affected by nearby urban or agricultural activities, potentially delivering pollutants, e.g., sewage or fertilizers, to creeks. We also included pristine mangrove- and saltmarsh dominated estuaries. When available, environmental parameters were also recorded, i.e., season, salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), water level, porewater tracer radon (222Rn), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), nitrate and nitrite (NOx), ammonium (NH4), total nitrogen (TN), phosphate (PO4), and total phosphorus (TP). Methods used to determine parameters are explained in each corresponding reference

Carbonate chemistry and carbon sequestration driven by inorganic carbon outwelling from mangroves and saltmarshes

peer reviewedMangroves and saltmarshes are biogeochemical hotspots storing carbon in sediments and in the ocean following lateral carbon export (outwelling). Coastal seawater pH is modified by both uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide and natural biogeochemical processes, e.g., wetland inputs. Here, we investigate how mangroves and saltmarshes influence coastal carbonate chemistry and quantify the contribution of alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) outwelling to blue carbon budgets. Observations from 45 mangroves and 16 saltmarshes worldwide revealed that >70% of intertidal wetlands export more DIC than alkalinity, potentially decreasing the pH of coastal waters. Porewater-derived DIC outwelling (81 ± 47 mmol m−2 d−1 in mangroves and 57 ± 104 mmol m−2 d−1 in saltmarshes) was the major term in blue carbon budgets. However, substantial amounts of fixed carbon remain unaccounted for. Concurrently, alkalinity outwelling was similar or higher than sediment carbon burial and is therefore a significant but often overlooked carbon sequestration mechanism

Global subterranean estuaries modify groundwater nutrient loading to the ocean

International audienceTerrestrial groundwater travels through subterranean estuaries before reaching the sea. Groundwater-derived nutrients drive coastal water quality, primary production, and eutrophication. We determined how dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) are transformed within subterranean estuaries and estimated submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) nutrient loads compiling > 10,000 groundwater samples from 216 sites worldwide. Nutrients exhibited complex, non- conservative behavior in subterranean estuaries. Fresh groundwater DIN and DIP are usually produced, and DON is consumed during transport. Median total SGD (saline and fresh) fluxes globally were 5.4, 2.6, and 0.18 Tmol yr1 for DIN, DON, and DIP, respectively. Despite large natural variability, total SGD fluxes likely exceed global riverine nutrient export. Fresh SGD is a small source of new nutrients, but saline SGD is an important source of mostly recycled nutrients. Nutrients exported via SGD via subterranean estuaries are critical to coastal biogeochemistry and a significant nutrient source to the oceans

Global subterranean estuaries modify groundwater nutrient loading to the ocean

Abstract: Terrestrial groundwater travels through subterranean estuaries before reaching the sea. Groundwater‐derived nutrients drive coastal water quality, primary production, and eutrophication. We determined how dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) are transformed within subterranean estuaries and estimated submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) nutrient loads compiling > 10,000 groundwater samples from 216 sites worldwide. Nutrients exhibited complex, nonconservative behavior in subterranean estuaries. Fresh groundwater DIN and DIP are usually produced, and DON is consumed during transport. Median total SGD (saline and fresh) fluxes globally were 5.4, 2.6, and 0.18 Tmol yr−1 for DIN, DON, and DIP, respectively. Despite large natural variability, total SGD fluxes likely exceed global riverine nutrient export. Fresh SGD is a small source of new nutrients, but saline SGD is an important source of mostly recycled nutrients. Nutrients exported via SGD via subterranean estuaries are critical to coastal biogeochemistry and a significant nutrient source to the oceans

Global Subterranean Estuaries Modify Groundwater Nutrient Loading to the Ocean

Abstract: Terrestrial groundwater travels through subterranean estuaries before reaching the sea. Groundwater‐derived nutrients drive coastal water quality, primary production, and eutrophication. We determined how dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) are transformed within subterranean estuaries and estimated submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) nutrient loads compiling > 10,000 groundwater samples from 216 sites worldwide. Nutrients exhibited complex, nonconservative behavior in subterranean estuaries. Fresh groundwater DIN and DIP are usually produced, and DON is consumed during transport. Median total SGD (saline and fresh) fluxes globally were 5.4, 2.6, and 0.18 Tmol yr−1 for DIN, DON, and DIP, respectively. Despite large natural variability, total SGD fluxes likely exceed global riverine nutrient export. Fresh SGD is a small source of new nutrients, but saline SGD is an important source of mostly recycled nutrients. Nutrients exported via SGD via subterranean estuaries are critical to coastal biogeochemistry and a significant nutrient source to the oceans