Macroalgae bloom decay decreases the sediment organic carbon sequestration potential in tropical seagrass meadows of the South China Sea

Abstract

Seagrass meadows are experiencing worldwide declines mainly because of nutrient enrichment, which always result in macroalgae bloom and consequently periodic collapse and decomposition. However, effects of macroalgae decay on the sediment organic carbon (SOC) sequestration capacity remain unknown. Depending on the macroalgae biomass in eutrophic seagrass meadows of South China Sea, we carried out a laboratory chamber experiment to investigate the sediment labile organic carbon (OC) compositions and the influencing SOC transformation enzyme activity variations of seagrass meadows in response to common macroalgae bloom species (Cladophora spp.) decomposition. Although the dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase activities were not affected by macroalgae decomposition, the macroalgae decomposition significantly elevated the salt-extractable carbon (SEC) content, SEC/SOC, levels of invertase and polyphenol oxidase activities, and the CO2 release. Overall, this study indicates that macroalgae decomposition stimulates the SOC transformation, and therefore, it is not benefit for SOC sequestration within seagrass meadows of the South China Sea.