Geology topics

M.A. Charette

Publications and source records attributed to M.A. Charette.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2025

Evidence of mineral alteration in a salt marsh subterranean estuary: Implications for carbon and trace element cycling

Subterranean estuaries (STE) in salt marshes are biogeochemically active zones where interactions between terrestrial groundwater and seawater drive complex cycling of carbon and trace elements, influenced by mineral dissolution. These systems, characterized by fine-grained organic-rich peat overlying permeable coastal aquifers, play a crucial role as a blue carbon sink, yet their geochemical dynamics remain poorly understood. We investigated dissolved trace elements, carbon, silica, and radium isotopes in a salt marsh STE (Sage Lot Pond, Waquoit Bay, MA) over seasonal and annual cycles. Our results reveal that groundwater and estuarine water circulation through marsh peat and aquifer sediments leads to enrichments of dissolved organic and inorganic carbon (DOC and DIC), Si, Ba, and Mn, with variable source/sink behavior of Fe and net removal of U. Submarine groundwater discharge dominated Ba fluxes, whereas pore water drainage from marsh peat acted as the main sink for U and source of Si. Fe cycling was variable, with terrestrial Fe largely removed as groundwater passed through the STE, consistent with Fe-sulfide and amorphous phase formation. Radium isotope ratios identified two distinct subsurface flow pathways, influenced by metal-oxide cycling and organic matter breakdown. Si production was decoupled from DIC, suggesting Si originates from mineral alteration, whereas DIC results from both mineral weathering and microbial respiration. Silicate mineral alteration, coupled with marsh pore water drainage, accounts for up to 16% of annual DIC exports (66 g C m −2 y −1 ), highlighting the importance of STEs in coastal carbon and trace element cycling, especially as marshes face environmental change.

Massachusetts↗

USGS2008

Nitrogen biogeochemistry of submarine groundwater discharge

To investigate the role of the seepage zone in transport, chemical speciation, and attenuation of nitrogen loads carried by submarine groundwater discharge, we collected nearshore groundwater samples (n = 328) and examined the distribution and isotopic signature (δ 15 N) of nitrate and ammonium. In addition, we estimated nutrient fluxes from terrestrial and marine groundwater sources. We discuss our results in the context of three aquifer zones: a fresh groundwater zone, a shallow salinity transition zone (STZ), and a deep STZ. Groundwater plumes containing nitrate and ammonium occurred in the freshwater zone, whereas the deep STZ carried almost exclusively ammonium. The distributions of redox-cycled elements were consistent with theoretical thermodynamic stability of chemical species, with sharp interfaces between water masses of distinct oxidation : reduction potential, suggesting that microbial transformations of nitrogen were rapid relative to dispersive mixing. In limited locations in which overlap occurs between distribution of nitrate with that of ammonium and dissolved Fe 2+ , changes in concentration and in δ 15 N suggest loss of all species. Concurrent removal of NO 3 − and NH 4 + , both in freshwater and the deep STZ, might occur through a range of mechanisms, including heterotrophic or autotrophic denitrification, coupled nitrfication : denitrification, anammox, or Mn oxidation of NH 4 + . Loss of nitrogen was not apparent in the shallow STZ, perhaps because of short water residence time. Despite organic Cpoor conditions, the nearshore aquifer and subterranean estuary are biogeochemically active zones, where attenuation of N loads can occur. Extent of attenuation is controlled by the degree of mixing of biogeochemically dissimilar water masses, highlighting the critical role of hydrogeology in N biogeochemistry. Mixing is related in part to thinning of the freshwater lens before discharge and to dispersion at the fresh : saline groundwater interface, features common to all submarine groundwater discharge zones.

Limnology and Oceanography↗

USGS2005

Submarine groundwater discharge to a small estuary estimated from radon and salinity measurements and a box model

Submarine groundwater discharge was quantified by a variety of methods for a 4-day period during the early summer of 2004, in Salt Pond, adjacent to Nauset Marsh, on Cape Cod, USA. Discharge estimates based on radon and salinity took advantage of the presence of the narrow channel connecting Salt Pond to Nauset Marsh, which allowed constructing whole-pond mass balances as water flowed in and out due to tidal fluctuations. The data suggest that less than one quarter of the discharge in the vicinity of Salt Pond happened within the pond itself, while three quarters or more of the discharge occurred immediately seaward of the pond, either in the channel or in adjacent regions of Nauset Marsh. Much of this discharge, which maintains high radon activities and low salinity, is carried into the pond during each incoming tide. A box model was used as an aid to understand both the rates and the locations of discharge in the vicinity of Salt Pond. The model achieves a reasonable fit to both the salinity and radon data assuming submarine groundwater discharge is fresh and that most of it occurs either in the channel or in adjacent regions of Nauset Marsh. Salinity and radon data, together with seepage meter results, do not rule out discharge of saline groundwater, but suggest either that the saline discharge is at most comparable in volume to the fresh discharge or that it is depleted in radon. The estimated rate of fresh groundwater discharge in the vicinity of Salt Pond is 3000-7000 m 3 d -1 . This groundwater flux estimated from the radon and salinity data is comparable to a value of 3200-4500 m 3 d -1 predicted by a recent hydrologic model (Masterson, 2004; Colman and Masterson, 2004), although the model predicts this rate of discharge to the pond whereas our data suggest most of the groundwater bypasses the pond prior to discharge. Additional work is needed to determine if the measured rate of discharge is representative of the long-term average, and to better constrain the rate of groundwater discharge seaward of Salt Pond.

Biogeosciences Discussions↗