Author: Dr. Rayan Das
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/PP/020400003
Abstract: Coastal peatlands are among the world’s most dense carbon sinks, yet they are increasingly threatened by sea-level rise and the resulting salinity intrusion. This review synthesizes current research on how saltwater exposure alters carbon mineralization—the process by which organic carbon is converted into greenhouse gases like CO2 and CH4. We examine the dual roles of ionic stress on microbial communities and the introduction of sulfate (SO2- 4) as an alternative terminal electron acceptor. While short-term salinity pulses often inhibit microbial respiration due to osmotic stress, long-term exposure can facilitate more efficient anaerobic mineralization pathways. This paper identifies critical “tipping points” in salinity levels and highlights the shifting balance between carbon storage and emission in transitional “ghost forests” and marshes.
Keywords: Blue Carbon, Coastal Peatlands, Salinity Intrusion, Carbon Mineralization, Greenhouse Gas Flux, Sea-Level Rise.
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