Relationships between physico-chemical properties and organic carbon in mangrove soil of Xuan Thuy national park, northern Vietnam

Abstract

    Mangroves are unique environment in which soil usually exist in waterlogging condition. The substrate in mangrove received suspended matters from tidal flushing, the matters in turn provide a special environment for plant development. In this study, we determine the relationships between physico-chemical properties of soil and organic carbon contents. To reach our goal, plots were set up in mono-species mangrove of Kandelia obovata as well as in the adjacent bare land. All the samples of soils and roots were treated in situ and in laboratory by standard methods. Soil characteristics varied considerably among sites, and significant differences (P < 0.05) were detected in some soil properties between mangrove and bare land sites. The results showed significant positive and linear correlations between silt, clay and soil water contents with carbon contents at depth. And negative correlations between sand contents with all parameters (except bulk density) were found . The results confirmed that fine particles (clay and silt) can keep water as well as organic carbon in their structure much better than the larger one (sand), and the inundation may act as an essential role in the process of carbon storage in mangrove soil.