Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands
Published on: January 31, 2025
Influence of rain, tidal wetting and relative humidity on release of carbon dioxide by standing-dead salt-marsh
S Y Newell1, R D Fallon1, R M Cal Rodriguez2
1University of Georgia Marine Institute, 31327, Sapelo Island, GA, USA.
Abstract:
Dead parts of salt-marsh plants form a considerable fraction of their annual average standing crop. A microbial assemblage living on and in the standing-dead leaves and stems of Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus responds to saltwater, freshwater or water-vapor wetting by immediately beginning to release CO2. Water-saturated, standing-dead leaves and culms of S. alterniflora release CO2 at steady rates of as much as about 200 and 140 μg CO2-C·g-1 dry·h-1, respectively, at temperatures of 25-30°C, after an initial burst of higher rates. These CO2-release rates are within the range of maximal rates reported for decaying terrestrial litter, and are as high as most rates reported for S. alterniflora decaying under continuously wetted or submerged conditions.
More Related Videos
08:43Aerobic Biodegradation Testing of Materials Using a Natural Marine Seawater Inoculum and Closed Loop Respirometer
Published on: October 24, 2025
10:19A CO2 Concentration Gradient Facility for Testing CO2 Enrichment and Soil Effects on Grassland Ecosystem Function
Published on: November 21, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Responses to Salt Stress
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
The Calvin Benson Cycle
C4 Pathway and CAM
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...