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Learn about aquatic plants and their role in the environment, nutrient cycles in wetlands, carbon cycle through photosynthesis and respiration, carbonate cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus and orthophosphate pathways, sulfur cycle, and managing wetland ecosystems. Explore the importance of hydric soils in maintaining wetland health.
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Aquatic Plants and the Environment(SWES, ECOL, WFSc 474/574) Nutrient Cycles in Wetlands Dr. Kevin Fitzsimmons Professor – University of Arizona
Carbon Cycle digestion and respiration + 3O2 Photosynthesis C6H12O6 6 H2O + 6 CO2 C6H12O6 + 3O2 sugars andother organics and oxygen sugars andother organics water and carbon dioxide anaerobes, fermentation, andmethanogens CH3CH2OCOOH (lactic acid)other acids (humic and tannic) CH4 + COx
Carbonate Cycle CO2 + H2O H2CO3 H+ + HCO3- H+ + CO32- carbon dioxidedissolved in water carbonic acid bicarbonateion carbonateion
Nitrogen cycle • Nitrogen is often a limiting element in freshwater aquatic system • Adding nitrogen will cause rapid increase in primary productivity • Nitrogen in anaerobic sediments- denitrification (reduction to NH3 or N2 gas)
Phosphorus and orthophosphate. Organic P decomposes and releases PO4, taken up by algae and plants or adsorbs to clay particles and precipitates. Anaerobic conditions can re-release P to water. Phosphorus cycle
Sulphur cycle Organic sulphur, digestedto sulphates, thenreduced to sulphur dioxide,elemental sulphuror hydrogen sulfide
Saturated Soils • Bacteria decompose organics, quickly use available DO • Anaerobic conditions, anaerobes scavenge O release H+ • Reducing conditions • Redox reactions in sediments / soils
Wetland Ecosystem Management Hydric Soils