PROBING PIERMONT MARSH DEPTHS FOR CARBON STORAGE, LOWER HUDSON ESTUARY

Wetlands are important terrestrial carbon sinks that store significant amounts of organic matter representing potential greenhouse gases such as CO₂ and methane, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Vegetation type and increasing temperatures have an effect on marsh function, influencing the carbon levels stored belowground. Organic content, with regard to spatial variability and depth at various locations in Piermont Marsh (73°54’W, 41°02’N), Hudson River Estuary, were investigated through Loss-On-Ignition (LOI) of surface and downcore samples and depth probes. Three new transects were created, two extending from Tallman Mountain State Park (TMSP), west of Piermont Marsh, towards the Hudson River and a third transect extending from Eel Creek, south of Piermont, northwards. LOI of surface sediment samples and downcore data showed patterns that were consistent with findings from previous years that the interior of the marsh is higher in organic content than the edges, closer to stream banks. Downcore LOI data was consistent with the findings of Pederson et al. (2005) showing higher inorganic content with settlement. Probing data shows that the depth of the marsh is shallower closer to Tallman Mountain, ranging from 5 m in depth to as great as 14m at the Hudson margin. Similarly, there was a direct relationship between distance from Eel Creek and peat depth. Downcore data from three Crumkill Creek cores taken in 2012 showed greater organic content in the two cores taken in the interior of the marsh in comparison to the core closest to the stream bank. These findings reveal patterns of the marsh’s depth and organic content, which will help in estimating a carbon sequestration budget for Piermont Marsh.