Influence of Watershed Runoff on Nutrient Dynamics in a Southern California Salt Marsh

The effect of freshwater runoff on nutrient loading and dynamics was studied in Carpinteria Salt Marsh, a typically small (93 ha) southern California, U.S.A., estuary adjoining a watershed supporting extensive agricultural and urban development. Concentrations of dissolved nitrate, but not ammonium or phosphate, were elevated in stream flow and perched groundwater in the watershed, relative to marsh surface waters. Loading of nitrate and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) from the watershed, but not ammonium or phosphate, increased as a function of stream discharge. Estimates of net nutrient exchange over selected tidal cycles suggested that the marsh exported nitrate, ammonium and PON to the Santa Barbara Channel. Nitrate and PON were advected from the watershed through the marsh while ammonium was produced within the marsh and exported. The availability of imported nitrogen for primary production may be limited by marsh tidal elevation as most nitrogen inputs are throughput to the Santa Barbara Channel.