Organic carbon and nutrient (P, N) concentrations of water and sediment in several aquatic environment types of a Mediterranean coastal wetland (Empordà Wetlands, NE Iberian Peninsula)

Institute of Aquatic Ecology and Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, Facultat de Ciències, 17071 Girona, Spain.

Corresponding author: stephanie.gascon@udg.es

Abstract

Total sediment and water organic carbon and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) concentrations of different environment types of a Mediterranean coastal wetland (temporary and brackish, temporary and freshwater, semi-permanent and brackish, and permanent and brackish basins) were analysed during two hydroperiods. A nitrogen limitation was found for both sediment and water. The total organic carbon concentration of the water was significantly related to the water level, which varies throughout the hydroperiods. In contrast, the total organic carbon concentration of the sediment was not related to water level. However, significant differences in total organic carbon of the sediment were found between hydroperiods. On the other hand, total organic carbon of the sediment varied spatially, being higher in temporary brackish basins with lower sand content, and lower in permanent and semi-permanent brackish basins with higher sand content.