Decomposition of Salicornia subterminalis in Caimanero Lagoon, Mexico

Abstract

Together with other halophytes, Salicornia subterminalis is one of the most important sources of organic matter and nutrients in the Huizache-Caimanero lagoon system. This study evaluates (1) the proximal chemical composition, which provided the following results: 27.1% C, 2.95% N and 0.15% P, corresponding to an atomic ratio of C455:N43:P1, and (2) the decomposition process of this halophyte, by which 60% of the nitrogen was leached in the first three days, 39.6% of the phosphorus was leached in 24 h and 46.8% after three days, and the rest remained as particulate matter. The C:N and C:P ratios increased from 10.7 and 49.4 to 455 and 1531, respectively, and after 17 days decreased to 38.4 and 952, respectively, as a result of ionic immobilization.

Keywords

• decomposition-leaching
• halophyte vegetation