Biogeochemistry of Mangrove Soil Organic Matter: a Comparison BetweenRhizophoraandAvicenniaSoils in South-eastern Brazil

Soil core samples fromRhizophora mangleL. andAvicennia schauerianaStapf & Leech forests from south-eastern Brazil were analysed for their total organic matter content and their sugars, amino acid and amino sugars composition. Organic carbon and nitrogen contents were higher inAvicenniathan inRhizophorasoils. The contribution of sugars and amino acids to the total organic carbon pool was constant with depth inRhizophorasoils whereas inAvicenniasoils it increased. Spectral distribution of sugars and amino acids showed a dominance of Ca-affine monomers, particularly acidic amino acids, and the sugar arabinose. Biogeochemical indicators derived from ratios of individual sugar and amino acid monomers confirm previous studies which showed that organic matter in both soils is mainly of mangrove origin. The results further suggest accumulation of organic matter inRhizophorasoils and a continuing degradation of organic matter inAvicenniasoils. The latter may thus release more nutrients to adjacent ecosystems thanRhizophorasoils.