Dataset Information

Nitrogen enrichment increases greenhouse gas emissions from emerged intertidal sandflats.

ABSTRACT: Unvegetated, intertidal sandflats play a critical role in estuarine carbon and nutrient dynamics. However, these ecosystems are under increasing threat from anthropogenic stressors, especially nitrogen enrichment. While research in this area typically focuses on sediment-water exchanges of carbon and nutrients during tidal inundation, there remain significant gaps in our understanding of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) fluxes during tidal emergence. Here we use in situ benthic chambers to quantify GHG fluxes during tidal emergence and investigate the impact of nitrogen enrichment on these fluxes. Our results demonstrate significant differences in magnitude and direction of GHG fluxes between emerged and submerged flats, demonstrating the importance of considering tidal state when estimating GHG emissions from intertidal flats. These responses were related to differences in microphytobenthic and macrofaunal activity, illustrating the important role of ecology in mediating fluxes from intertidal flats. Our results further demonstrate that nitrogen enrichment of 600 gN m^-2 was associated with, on average, a 1.65x increase in CO₂ uptake under light (photosynthetically active) conditions and a 1.35x increase in CO₂ emission under dark conditions, a 3.8x increase in CH₄ emission and a 15x increase in N₂O emission overall. This is particularly significant given the large area intertidal flats cover globally, and their increasing exposure to anthropogenic stressors.

SUBMITTER: Hamilton DJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7174373 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Nitrogen enrichment increases greenhouse gas emissions from emerged intertidal sandflats.

Hamilton Dallas J DJ Bulmer Richard H RH Schwendenmann Luitgard L Lundquist Carolyn J CJ

Scientific reports 20200421 1

Unvegetated, intertidal sandflats play a critical role in estuarine carbon and nutrient dynamics. However, these ecosystems are under increasing threat from anthropogenic stressors, especially nitrogen enrichment. While research in this area typically focuses on sediment-water exchanges of carbon and nutrients during tidal inundation, there remain significant gaps in our understanding of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) fluxes during tidal emergence. Here we use in situ benthic chambers to quantify GHG flux ...[more]

PMID: 32317656

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundFood production accounts for 30% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Less environmentally sustainable diets are also often more processed, energy-dense and nutrient-poor. To date, the environmental impact of diets have mostly been based on a limited number of broad food groups.ObjectivesWe link GHG emissions to over 3000 foods, assessing associations between individuals' GHG emissions, their nutrient requirements and their demographic characteristics. We also identify additional information required in dietary assessment to generate more accurate environmental impact data for individual-level diets.MethodsGHG emissions of individual foods, including process stages prior to retail, were added to the UK Composition Of Foods Integrated Dataset (COFID) composition tables and linked to automated online dietary assessment for 212 adults over three 24-hour periods. Variations in GHG emissions were explored by dietary pattern, demographic characteristics and World Health Organization Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs).ResultsGHG emissions estimates were linked to 98% (n = 3233) of food items. Meat explained 32% of diet-related GHG emissions; 15% from drinks; 14% from dairy; and 8% from cakes, biscuits and confectionery. Non-vegetarian diets had GHG emissions 59% (95% CI 18%, 115%) higher than vegetarian. Men had 41% (20%, 64%) higher GHG emissions than women. Individuals meeting RNIs for saturated fats, carbohydrates and sodium had lower GHG emissions compared to those exceeding the RNI.DiscussionPolicies encouraging sustainable diets should focus on plant-based diets. Substituting tea, coffee and alcohol with more sustainable alternatives, whilst reducing less nutritious sweet snacks, presents further opportunities. Healthier diets had lower GHG emissions, demonstrating consistency between planetary and personal health. Further detail could be gained from incorporating brand, production methods, post-retail emissions, country of origin, and additional environmental impact indicators.

Dataset Information

Nitrogen enrichment increases greenhouse gas emissions from emerged intertidal sandflats.

Publications

Nitrogen enrichment increases greenhouse gas emissions from emerged intertidal sandflats.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets