Contributions of Organic and Mineral Matter to Vertical Accretion in Tidal Wetlands across a Chesapeake Bay Subestuary

Persistence of tidal wetlands under conditions sea level rise depends on vertical accretion organic and inorganic matter, which vary in their relative abundance across estuarine gradients. We examined the contribution matter to soil using lead-210 (210Pb) dating cores collected spanning a freshwater brackish gradient Chesapeake Bay subestuary. Only 8 out 15 subsites had rates higher than for area, with lowest found oligohaline marshes middle The mass accumulation was similar related (R2 = 0.37). However, owing its lower density, contributed 1.5–3 times more toward matter. Furthermore, water/porespace associated accounted 82%–94% total accretion. These findings demonstrate key role persistence coastal low mineral sediment supply, particularly mid-estuary marshes.