Accretion rates and carbon sequestration in Oregon salt marshes

We quantified the carbon sequestration and accretion rates in salt marsh habitat in eight Oregon estuaries. Carbon sequestration rates were quantified using Cs-137 radioisotope, combined with bulk density and carbon content. This EPA dataset will be incorporated into products of the PNW Blue Carbon Working group, including the “Pacific Northwest Blue Carbon Database” and synthesis reports and manuscripts.

Impact/Purpose

"Blue Carbon" is the carbon captured and stored in coastal ecosystems, such as seagrass meadows, and salt marsh habitat. There is increasing interest at the State, National, and International level to develop estimates of the carbon sequestered by these habitats and to develop market-based incentives to conserve and restore these important habitats. The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Blue Carbon Working Group (https://www.pnwbluecarbon.org/) is compiling information on carbon sequestration rates and carbon stocks in tidal wetlands from Puget Sound (WA) to Cape Mendocino (CA).. As part of an EPA-study focused on ecosystem services of tidal wetlands, we quantified the carbon sequestration and accretion rates in salt marsh habitat in eight Oregon estuaries. This EPA dataset will be incorporated into products of the PNW Blue Carbon Working group, including the “Pacific Northwest Blue Carbon Database” and synthesis reports and manuscripts.

Citation

Brown, Cheryl A., TChris MochonCollura, AND Ted DeWitt. Accretion rates and carbon sequestration in Oregon salt marshes. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 2020.