Mangroves significantly contribute to mitigating estuarine acidification through physical, chemical, and biological processes. But the exact mechanism is poorly understood. Protecting and restoring mangroves can thus be an essential strategy for maintaining the health and pH balance of estuarine ecosystems.
Yes, mangroves can play a role in controlling the process of estuarine acidification through several mechanisms, thanks to their unique ecological functions and the chemical processes they mediate in estuarine environments. Here's how:
1. Carbon Sequestration and Alkalinity Generation
- Carbon Dioxide Uptake: Mangroves absorb atmospheric CO₂ through photosynthesis, reducing the amount of CO₂ available to dissolve in estuarine waters and form carbonic acid, a primary driver of acidification.
- Alkalinity Production: Decomposition of organic matter and anaerobic processes in mangrove sediments can generate bicarbonates and alkalinity, which buffer pH changes and mitigate acidification.
2. Nutrient Cycling and Sediment Stabilization
- Organic Matter Breakdown: Mangrove root systems trap organic matter and nutrients, where microbial activity mediates processes like denitrification. This can reduce nutrient-driven acidification in the estuary.
- Sediment Stabilization: By stabilizing sediments, mangroves reduce resuspension of acidic particles (e.g., sulfides or heavy metals) that might lower pH when reintroduced to the water column.
3. Sulfur Cycle Regulation
- Mangrove ecosystems often host sulfate-reducing bacteria, which convert sulfate into sulfides. When sulfides are sequestered in sediments, they prevent the formation of sulfuric acid, a contributor to acidification.
- Additionally, mangrove sediments promote the precipitation of iron sulfides, removing these from the water and preventing acidification.
4. Buffering Seasonal and Anthropogenic Variations
- Estuarine acidification can be exacerbated by seasonal freshwater inflows or anthropogenic activities that introduce acidic runoff. Mangroves can absorb and buffer such changes by regulating the mixing of freshwater and seawater, maintaining a more stable estuarine pH.
5. Biological Contribution to Water Quality
- The dense root systems of mangroves act as natural biofilters, trapping and processing pollutants and nutrients that could otherwise lead to eutrophication and subsequent acidification.
- Enhanced primary production by mangrove-associated algae also contributes to local CO₂ uptake, mitigating acidification.
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