Evaluation of the carbon storage in the sediments in the mangrove ecosystem growing on abandoned salt pan in Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the size of the sedimentary carbon sink in the coupling with environmental conditions in a mangrove planted in an abandoned salt pan in Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. Sediment samples were collected at four sites chosen based on their dominant plant species. Sediment temperature, pH, salinity, humidity and wet bulk density were measured in field, while the nutrients (NH4+, PO43-) and organic carbon (Corg) concentrations were determined in the laboratory. The results showed that humidity, salinity and bulk density were strongly correlated with Corg concentrations. The amounts of organic carbon stored in the sediments in the dry and wet season were 380 MgC.ha-1 and 552 MgC.ha-1 respectively. Sediment humidity and salinity were the primary factors governing the size of the sedimentary carbon sink. The concentrations of organic carbon and ammonium were influenced by an allochthonous source entering the study area via the tidal creek network.