Spatial distribution characteristics of organic matter and total nitrogen of marsh soils in river marginal wetlands

Abstract

Contents of soil organic matter (SOM) and total nitrogen (TN) in the surface soils and subsurface soils were measured in five types of floodplains classified with different flood frequencies in river marginal wetlands of Erbaifangzi, China, in 1999. Contour maps and profile maps were constructed to describe the spatial distribution of SOM and TN in order to identify the influences of flood frequency on them. Results showed that spatial distributions of both SOM and TN were very similar in soil profiles (0–120 cm) of the five areas, decreasing gradually with depth except an accumulation peak in the flooded floodplain (B area). Also, the accumulation peak in the soil profile of B area was relevant to water table, nitrogen leaching, denitrification and mineralization. However, their horizontal distributions in surface soils (0–10 cm) were different in the five areas. Although the flood could bring the deposit of nutrients and sands, the highest content of SOM or TN did not appear in B area but in the floodplain with certain flood frequency. For example, SOM content (6.76%) in 5-year floodplain wetland was highest, and the highest content of TN (3666.4 mg/kg) appeared in 1-year floodplain wetland. However, SOM and TN contents in soils of B area were 4.08% and 2605.4 mg/kg, respectively. Soil clay content, wetland plant ( Phragmites australis) litter inputs, soil moisture and water table greatly affected the spatial distribution of SOM and TN in floodplain wetlands. The ratios of carbon to nitrogen of wetland soils in this region were relatively lower than those in paddy soils. SOM and TN contents were significantly correlated with total phosphorus (TP) contents in floodplain wetlands except the 100-year floodplain wetland, but they were significantly influenced by soil pH values only in B area. Denitrification and ammonia volatilization were the main mechanisms resulting in nitrogen loss of surface soils in B area. Flood frequency significantly influenced the ecological functions such as nutrient retention and water quality maintenance of floodplains.