Dataset: Long-Term Sediment, Carbon, and Nitrogen Accumulation Rates in Coastal Wetlands Impacted by Sea Level Rise

This dataset accompanies the paper Gundersen et al. 2021. This study examines how coastal wetlands are affected by rising sea level over an extended period of time. The study uses different methods such as radiocarbon dating, isotopic analysis and organic matter assessment to measure carbon levels. These methods helped provide an understanding of the capacity of carbon sequestration in the area. Carbon accumulation was measured in four transects along the northern part of the Albemarle- Pamlico Peninsula of North Carolina. Cores were extracted from four different wetland states (forested wetland, transition wetland, marsh and open water) along small tributaries during the summer of 2016. Cores were sliced at 2 cm intervals and analyzed for bulk density, organic matter, carbon and 210Pb activity. The findings reveal the significance of preserving and restoring coastal wetlands as carbon sinks amidst ongoing climate change challenges.

本数据集配套Gundersen等人2021年发表的研究论文。该研究聚焦长期尺度下海平面上升对海岸湿地的影响，采用放射性碳定年法（radiocarbon dating）、同位素分析与有机质评估等多种手段测定碳含量，以此明晰该区域的碳封存（carbon sequestration）能力。研究在北卡罗来纳州阿尔伯马尔-帕姆利科半岛北部的四条样带中开展碳积累量测定工作：2016年夏季，研究人员沿小型支流从四类不同湿地生境（森林湿地、过渡湿地、沼泽与开阔水域）中采集岩芯样品，随后以2厘米为间隔对岩芯进行切片，并分别检测其容重、有机质、碳含量与铅-210（210Pb）活度。本研究结果凸显了在当前气候变化挑战下，保护与修复海岸湿地以作为碳汇的重要意义。