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Phosphorus is a limiting element for the productivity of mangroves, which in turn are important ecosystems in regulating nutrients cycle and climate change by sequestering carbon (C). Despite this, there is an intense process of degradation in these environments. In addition to providing socio-environmental services, mangrove replanting can also alter the dynamics of nutrients in soils. Therefore, this study aims to understand the changes in soil phosphorus (P) fractions after a mangrove restoration. Soil samples from an unvegetated area (NV), a mature mangrove (R) and 7 and 9 year old replanted mangroves at SE-Brazil (APA Guapi-mirim, Rio de Janeiro state) were collected and analyzed to characterize the redox conditions (Eh), pH, and iron (Fe) fractionation, Total Organic Carbon (TOC) contents and P fractionation (exchangeable P; P associated with reducible Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides; associated with Al silicates and hydroxides; associated with humic acids; associated with Ca and Mg; associated with humin). The results indicate an increase in TOC as the age of the mangrove restoration increases (from 8.6 to 17.9%). The pH values were significantly lower, reaching very acidic values, associated with an increase in Eh. Both parameters also showed strong seasonal variation, with a drop in Eh during the wet period (from 165% to -46%) and an increase in pH in the same period (from 6.0 to 6.7). Regarding P fractionation, the main P pool was organic P forms, which showed the highest concentrations in all studied sites. Unvegetated areas showed higher organic P forms (NV: 108.8 µg g-1) than vegetated areas (M7: 55.7 µg g-1, M9: 83.6 µg g-1, R: 87.3 µg g-1). Vegetated sites also showed lower levels of the PEx, PFeMn and Papatite fractions (total forest mean: 2.4 µg g-1, 5.8 µg g-1, 3.0 µg g-1, respectively). Besides no clear trend on P fractionation through seasons and forest age, pseudo-total P increased following the forest recovery (e.g. M7

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This study investigates the impact of seasonality on estuarine soil geochemistry, focusing on redox-sensitive elements, particularly Fe, in a tropical estuary affected by Fe-rich mine tailings. We analyzed soil samples for variations in particle size, pH, redox potential (Eh), and the content of Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb. Additionally, sequential extraction was employed to understand the fate of these elements. Results revealed dynamic changes in the soil geochemical environment, transitioning between near-neutral and suboxic/anoxic conditions in the wet season and slightly acidic to suboxic/oxic conditions in the dry season. During the wet season, fine particle deposition (83%) rich in Fe (50 g kg-1), primarily comprising crystalline Fe oxides, occurred significantly. Conversely, short-range ordered Fe oxides dominated during the dry season. Over consecutive wet/dry seasons, substantial losses of Fe (-55%), Mn (-41%), and other potentially toxic elements (Cr: -44%, Cu: -31%, Ni: -25%, Pb: -9%) were observed. Despite lower pseudo-total PTE contents, exchangeable PTEs associated with carbonate content increased over time (Cu: +188%, Ni: +557%, Pb: +99%). Modeling indicated climatic variables and short-range oxides substantially influenced PTE bioavailability, emphasizing the ephemeral Fe oxide control during the wet season and heightened ecological and health risks during the dry seasons.

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Brazil hosts an extensive coastal area, marked by a great diversity of geoenvironments. The present study evaluated the role of geoclimatic factors in the geochemistry of mangrove soils by using wet extractions and several physical and chemical parameters. Soil samples were collected in 11 mangrove forests from NE (n = 94) and SE Brazil (n = 230). Our results show an important effect of the surrounding geology and climate on the geochemistry of the mangrove soils. NE mangroves are dominated by suboxic soils (mean: Eh of +150 ± 174 mV and pH 7.1 ± 0.5, respectively) while anoxic conditions prevail in the SE mangrove soils (mean: Eh -46 ± 251 mV and pH 6.5 ± 0.5). In the NE region, a period of several months without rainfall and high temperatures leads to soil suboxic conditions. Conversely, at the SE coast, the surrounding mountain range contributes to well-distributed rain favoring anoxic conditions. The contrasting geochemical environment caused differences in the geochemistry of elements such as C, Fe, and S. Significantly higher Fe (193 ± 24 µmol g-1) and organic carbon contents (6.9 ± 7.1%) were recorded in the SE coast. The higher organic carbon contents are possibly related to Fe organo-mineral associations. These differences are ultimately associated with the contrasting geological surroundings (crystalline massifs at the SE and the iron poor sedimentary formations at the NE). The higher contents of reactive Fe and organic carbon also triggered more intense pyritization in the SE mangroves (pyritic Fe: 93 ± 63 µmol g-1). Our results demonstrate that climate and geological surroundings create identifiable patterns at a regional level and, thus, studies should take these factors into account on future global modelling approaches.

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Forest fires incorporate pyrogenic organic matter into the soil, affecting the characteristics of soil organic matter (SOM) due to its high aromaticity, increasing its renewal time. However, the factors that control the concentration of pyrogenic organic matter and its chemical composition and structure are still little known. Forest fragments dispersed in a savanna matrix of the northern Brazilian Amazon are frequently impacted by fires, which can affect the composition of SOM within the fragments. The aim of this study was to analyse the chemical composition of SOM in the border and interior of six forest fragments in the Roraima savanna, in the northern Brazilian Amazon. Soil samples were collected at 10-cm intervals up to 1 m in depth at the border and in the interior of each fragment. Soil organic material concentration was determined with 10% HF solution and its elemental composition, thermogravimetric index, and 13C CPMAS NMR spectroscopic analysis were determined. There was no significant difference in the aromaticity index between border and interior. The concentration of alkyl C structures between border (22 to 25%) and interior (19 to 29%) indicated the occurrence of medium-intensity fires in the study area. The thermogravimetric analysis showed no significant difference in the thermal stability of SOM between border and interior. Our results showed no pronounced difference in SOM quality up to 1 m depth between the border and the interior of the evaluated forest fragments, indicating that this compartment is stable throughout the fragments.(AU)

Incêndios florestais incorporam matéria orgânica pirogênica ao solo, afetando as características da matéria orgânica do solo (MOS), devido a sua alta aromaticidade. Porém, os fatores que controlam a composição química e a estrutura da matéria orgânica pirogência ainda são pouco conhecidos. Fragmentos florestais dispersos em uma matriz de savana na Amazônia setentrional brasileira são freqüentemente impactados por incêndios, que podem afetar a composição da MOS nos fragmentos. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a composição química da MOS na borda e no interior de seis fragmentos florestais situados na savana de Roraima, norte da Amazônia brasileira. Amostras de solo foram coletadas em intervalos de 10 cm até 1 m de profundidade na borda e no interior de cada fragmento. A concentração da MOS foi determinada com solução de HF a 10% e sua composição elementar, índice termogravimétrico e análise espectroscópica de 13C CPMAS RMN foram determinados. Não houve diferença significativa no índice de aromaticidade entre borda e interior. A concentração de estruturas alquil C entre a borda (22 a 25%) e o interior (19 a 29%) indicou a ocorrência de incêndios de média intensidade na área de estudo. A análise termogravimétrica não mostrou diferença significativa na estabilidade térmica da matéria orgânica do solo entre a borda e o interior. Nossos resultados não mostraram diferença pronunciada na qualidade da MOS até 1 m de profundidade entre a borda e o interior dos fragmentos florestais avaliados, indicando que este compartimento é estável ao longo dos fragmentos.(AU)

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Mangroves are among the most relevant ecosystems in providing ecosystem services because of their capacity to act as sinks for atmospheric carbon. Thus, restoring mangroves is a strategic pathway for mitigating global climate change. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the organic matter dynamics in mangrove soils during restoration processes. Four mangrove soils under different developmental stages along the northeastern Brazilian coast were studied, including a degraded mangrove (DM); recovering mangroves after 3 years (3Y) and 7 years (7Y) of planting; and a mature mangrove (MM). The soil total organic carbon (CT) and soil carbon stocks (SCSs) were determined for each area. Additionally, a demineralization procedure was conducted to assess the most complex humidified and recalcitrant fractions of soil organic matter and the fraction participating in organomineral interactions. The particle size distribution was also analyzed. Our results revealed significant differences in the SCS and CT values between the DM, 3Y and 7Y, and the MM, for which there was a tendency to increase in carbon content with increasing vegetative development. However, based on the metrics used to evaluate organic matter interactions with inorganic fractions, such as low rates of carbon enrichment, C recovery, and low C content after hydrofluoric acid (HF) treatment being similar for the DM and the 3Y and 7Y-this indicated that high carbon losses were coinciding with mineral dissolution. These results indicate that the organic carbon dynamics in degraded and newly planted sites depend more on organomineral interactions, both to maintain their previous SCS and increase it, than mature mangroves. Conversely, the MM appeared to have most of the soil organic carbon, as the stabilized organic matter had a complex structure with a high molecular weight and contributed less in the organomineral interactions to the SCS. These results demonstrate the role of initial mangrove vegetation development in trapping fine mineral particles and favoring organomineral interactions. These findings will help elucidate organic accumulation in different replanted mangrove restoration scenarios.

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Nitrogen (N) inputs originated from shrimp farming effluents were evaluated for potential changes in the net N mineralization for mangrove soils from Northeastern Brazil. Our study provides notable information and assessment for the potential enhancement of N mineralization in preserved and shrimp-impacted semi-arid mangrove soils of the Jaguaribe River estuary, which is one of the largest shrimp producers of Brazil, using an analytical and daily tidal variation experimental approach. Nitrogen-rich effluents promoted a significant (p value < 0.001) increase of the total soil N content (1998 ± 201 mg kg-1 on average) compared with the preserved sites (average: 1446 ± 295 mg kg-1). The effluents also increased the N mineralization in the shrimp-impacted sites (N-min: 86.6 ± 37.5 mg kg-1), when compared with preserved mangroves (N-min: 56.5 ± 23.8 mg kg-1). Over a daily tidal variation experiment, we found that just 30% (36.2 ± 20.6 mg kg-1) of mineralized N remains stored in the soil, whereas 70% (102.9 ± 38.8 mg kg-1) was solubilized in tidal waters. Therefore, the N mineralization process may trigger eutrophication by increasing N inorganic bioavailability in mangrove soils receiving N-rich effluents from shrimp ponds, which in turn might increase primary producers' activity. This approach has not been studied so far in semi-arid mangroves, where the shrimp farming activity is one of the most important economic activities.

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Discharge of effluents loaded with phosphorus (P) from anthropogenic activities constitutes serious eutrophication risks in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, including mangroves. Three mangroves in NE-Brazil were studied to evaluate the impact of P-rich-effluents from shrimp farming and domestic sewage, in relation to a control area (natural mangrove). Soil phosphorus fractionation and water chemical analysis were performed to assess potential pollution. We observed the most labile P forms increased gradually and significantly from control to sewage to shrimp farm impacted mangroves as observed by increasingly dissolved orthophosphate (PO43-) content in water and the exchangeable/soluble P (Exch-P) extracted from soils, which is supported by the discriminant analysis. Exch-P results were correlated to Humic-Acid-P, which can release more labile P forms when mineralized. Our results demonstrate a substantial impact of aquiculture and sewage effluents in mangroves at both organic and inorganic P fractions, raising important concerns regarding pollution for these marine ecosystems.

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Mangroves have a relevant ecosystem function due to their efficiency in blue carbon sequestration. Autotrophic carbon conservation in mangroves remains controversial. In this sense, autotrophic nutrient assimilation by crabs can highlight their ecosystem function. This study aims to identify the relationship between quality sources and food partitioning in two leaf-eating crabs, Ucides cordatus and Goniopsis cruentata. Quantification of the litterfall biomass, analysis of the soil, the C/N ratio and stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) were used to evaluate food sources and crab tissues in two mangrove forests. The litterfall and soil C contents and C/N ratios of the Pacoti River (PR) were higher than those of the Jaguaribe River. The higher C/N ratios of the litterfall of the PR led to higher nitrogen ingestion from complementary food sources (soil and omnivorous invertebrates). The nutritional requirements and food partitioning behavior of both species emphasize the ecosystem functions of leaf-eating crabs concerning the assimilation and conservation of autotrophic carbon and nitrogen in mangroves.

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Mangroves of the semiarid Caatinga region of northeastern Brazil are being rapidly converted to shrimp pond aquaculture. To determine ecosystem carbon stocks and potential greenhouse gas emissions from this widespread land use, we measured carbon stocks of eight mangrove forests and three shrimp ponds in the Acaraú and Jaguaribe watersheds in Ceará state, Brazil. The shrimp ponds were paired with adjacent intact mangroves to ascertain carbon losses and potential emissions from land conversion. The mean total ecosystem carbon stock of mangroves in this semiarid tropical landscape was 413 ± 94 Mg C/ha. There were highly significant differences in the ecosystem carbon stocks between the two sampled estuaries suggesting caution when extrapolating carbon stock across different estuaries even in the same landscape. Conversion of mangroves to shrimp ponds resulted in losses of 58%-82% of the ecosystem carbon stocks. The mean potential emissions arising from mangrove conversion to shrimp ponds was 1,390 Mg CO2e/ha. Carbon losses were largely from soils which accounted for 81% of the total emission. Losses from soils >100 cm in depth accounted for 33% of the total ecosystem carbon loss. Soil carbon losses from shrimp pond conversion are equivalent to about 182 years of soil carbon accumulation. Losses from mangrove conversion are about 10-fold greater than emissions from conversion of upland tropical dry forest in the Brazilian Caatinga underscoring the potential value for their inclusion in climate change mitigation activities.

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Acid-volatile sulfides (AVS) formation and its role on trace metals bioavailability were studied in semi-arid mangroves. The semi-arid climatic conditions at the studied sites, marked by low rainfall and high evapotranspiration rates, clearly limited the AVS formation (AVS contents varied from 0.10 to 2.34µmolg-1) by favoring oxic conditions (Eh>+350mV). The AVS contents were strongly correlated with reactive iron and organic carbon (r=0.84; r=0.83 respectively), evidencing their dominant role for AVS formation under semi-arid conditions. On the other hand, the recorded ΣSEM/AVS values remained >1 evidencing a little control of AVS over the bioavailability of trace metals and, thus, its minor role as a sink for toxic metals.

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