Impact of soil legacy on soil organic carbon partitioning in mangrove wetlands: a density-based fractionation and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study

Iroshaka Gregory Cooray; Gareth Chalmers; David Chittleborough

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2026.124729

$Impact of soil legacy on soil organic carbon partitioning in mangrove wetlands: a density-based fractionation and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study$

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Impact of soil legacy on soil organic carbon partitioning in mangrove wetlands: a density-based fractionation and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study

Iroshaka Gregory Cooray, Gareth Chalmers and David Chittleborough

Environmental Research, Vol.303(Part 1), pp.1-13

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2026.124729

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Abstract

blue carbon

mangroves

climate change

x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

soil

restoration

Mangroves store a large proportion of their ecosystem C belowground in the form of soil organic carbon (SOC). Understanding the partitioning of mangrove SOC pool is important in order to explain the mechanistic responses to different environmental conditions and stressors. We separated the different SOC fractions from soils in a pristine mature mangrove forest, and an immature mangrove stand (described as young mangrove site in this study) under rehabilitation (previously degraded agricultural land) in Queensland, Australia, using density-based fractionation. Density-based separation resulted in three different SOC fractions: particulate organic carbon in a free-light fraction (POCf-LF), particulate organic carbon in an occluded-light fraction (POCo-LF), and mineral-associated organic carbon in a heavy fraction (MAOCHF). Mature mangroves had the highest C concentration per unit mass of soil in each fraction. MAOCHF dominated the SOC pool in both mature and young mangroves. However, a significantly higher POC:MAOC ratio in mature mangroves indicated that favourable conditions facilitated litter accumulation and burial. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses provided evidence for Al- and clay-mediated (aluminosilicates) stabilization of SOC at the mineral-soil solution interface. In addition, mineral surface area occupied by organo-carbon species (MSA-OCS) obtained from XPS serves as an indicator to understand SOC dynamics in restoring coastal wetlands. Surface elemental compositions estimated using XPS also revealed that the aggerate stability improves as mangrove restoration continues. Therefore, XPS can be a useful tool to provide insights into soil carbon sequestration and stabilization processes in coastal wetlands.

Details

Title: Impact of soil legacy on soil organic carbon partitioning in mangrove wetlands: a density-based fractionation and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study
Authors: Iroshaka Gregory Cooray (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Gareth Chalmers - University of the Sunshine Coast
David Chittleborough - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Environmental Research, Vol.303(Part 1), pp.1-13
Publisher: Academic Press
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.124729
ISSN: 1096-0953
Data Availability: Data will be made available on request.
Grant note: This project was supported by the Regional Partnership Agreement between the University of the Sunshine Coast and The Sunshine Coast Council.
Organisation Unit: K'gari Research Cluster; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991229307002621
Output Type: Journal article

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