Group 03

SURFACE WATERLOGGED AND MARSH

ABANTE, KURT AZI

MACHANUM, JORDAN M.

PALAYPAYON KAELIN

PUGONG, COLEEN MAE

Environmental Science
10:30- 11:30 TThS
May 04, 2019
I. INTRODUCTIION

Waterlogged and marsh are both similar to each other. Waterlogged soil refers to the state of soil that is
saturated with water. It is a condition of the land where the soil profile is either temporarily or permanently
saturated with water. These often lead to soil pores in the top root zone saturated leading to the restriction of the
normal circulation of air (B.M. Mati, n.d.). The rate of oxygen diffusion into water and sediment is slow, and this
(coupled with microbial and animal respiration) leads to near-anaerobic sediments within many wetlands (Moss,
1998). Waterlogging is a drainage problem that results of high water inflow caused by rain, runoff, interflow, rise
in groundwater, over irrigation or flooding. Drainage problems can be caused by low water outflow due to low
infiltration rate, low hydraulic conductivity, flat terrain, lack of outlet or restricted outlet in the soil (B.M. Mati,
n.d.). While marshes are areas of low, wet land usually covered with tall grasses(Cambridge, n.d.).Waterlogging
occurs when there is too much water in a plant’s root zone, which decreases the oxygen available to roots.
Waterlogging can be a major constraint to plant growth and production and, under certain conditions, will cause
plant death. This constraint may not be apparent until the whole soil profile is saturated and water appears on the
surface (DPIRD, n.d).

Marsh, type of wetland ecosystem characterized by poorly drained mineral soils and by plant life
dominated by grasses. The latter characteristic distinguishes a marsh from a swamp, whose plant life is dominated
by trees. Marshes are common at the mouths of rivers, especially where extensive deltas have been built.
The river brings a steady supply of water. The gradient of the river approaches zero at the sea, where flow is
sluggish. Because the delta is deposited by sediment settling from the river water, the land that is built will be
poorly drained at its driest and will often be underwater. Sediment supplied by the river has often been eroded
from the surface soils of the drainage basin and is thus very rich. The combination of water supplied steadily at a
low rate over a waterlogged but rich soil creates a perfect environment for marsh grasses. Fibrous-rooted grasses
bind the muds together and further hinder water flow, thus encouraging the spread of both the delta and the marsh.
Marshes occur in the deltas of most of the world’s great rivers (Britannica Editors, 2016).

II. CHEMICAL-RELATED PROCESSES

The deeper sediments are generally oxygen deficient, however the thin layer of oxidized soil usually exists at
the soil-water interface. The said layer, permits the oxidized forms of prevailing ions to exist. This is in contrast
to the reduced forms occurring at deeper levels of soil.

Note: The state of reduction or oxidation of iron, manganese, nitrogen, and phosphorus ions determines their
role in nutrient availability and also toxicity.

-Presence of Ferric ion gives the overlying wetland soil a brown coloration whereas reduced sediments have
undergone glaying, a process by which ferrous iron (Fe2+) gives the sediment a blue-gray tint.
 According to Scholz (2016), Redox potentials are affected by pH and temperature, which influence the range
at which particular reactions occur. The following thresholds are therefore not definitive:

 Once wetland soils become anaerobic, the primary reaction is the reduction of
3− 2−
nitrate (NO ) to nitrite (NO ), and finally to nitrous oxide (N2O) or free nitrogen gas (N2).

 At about certain relatively high energy, manganese is reduced to manganous compounds. Under further
reduced conditions, ferric iron becomes ferrous iron, and sulfates become sulfides between.

Under the most reduced conditions the organic matter itself and/or carbon dioxide will become the terminal
electron acceptor. This results in the formation of low-molecular-weight organic compounds and methane gas
(CH4).

III. SPECIES DIVERSITY

According to Alappatt (2008), Mangrove plants live in hostile environmental conditions such as high salinity,
hypoxic (oxygen deficient) waterlogged soil strata. Mangroves are characterised by a number of adaptations for
thriving in a saline, water logged and anaerobic conditions. Supporting roots of different forms and shapes for
additional support and anchorage are seen in many mangrove trees.

The practice of irrigation results in consumptive uses of water through evapotranspiration, leaving behind
salts concentrated in a smaller volume of water. In irrigated agricultural land, waterlogging is often accompanied
by soil salinity as waterlogged soils prevent leaching of the salts imported by the irrigation water.

Besides the above adaptations, some other physiological adaptations for salt regulation (salt exclusion and
salt accumulation), photosynthesis (C4 type of carbon metabolism), transpiration (low transpiration rate) and salt
tolerance are also seen in some species.Species such as Avicennia marina and Lumnitzera racemosa are adapted
for thriving in high salinity while medium salinity is preferred by Sonneratia alba and S. apetala.

IV. NATURAL CAUSES (B.M. Mati, n.d.):

A. Physiography of a watershed

-Areas that lie in valley bottoms, depressions and other flat lowlands tend to become waterlogged naturally as
surface flows concentrate in these lowlands, causing natural swamps.

B. Geology

-Some areas have interpenetratable stratum below the top soil which obstructs the filtration of the rainfall.
 -Areas with shallow soils, high water tables or a hard pan close to the ground surface are likely get
waterlogged, particularly if subjected to high rainfall events.

C. Weather

-Areas that receive heavy rainfall for prolonged duration can get waterlogged temporarily or permanently

D. Soil type

-Heavy clay soils such as black cotton soils are prone to waterlogging, as they hold moisture for long periods.
Also, soils prone to surface sealing cause temporary waterlogging

V. CAUSES OF SURFACE WATERLOGGED AND MARSHES

Soils may be permanently or temporarily waterlogged. The main cause of surface waterlogged is when soil is
underlain by impervious material and incoming water from adjoining areas, rains or irrigation is greater than the
draining water. The inadequate drainage of over-land run-off increases the rate of percolation and in turn helps in
raising the water table. Situations such as infiltration of river waters in the soil, seepage of water from earthen
canals adds the quantity of water to the underground reservoir continuously, subsoil does not permit free flow of
subsoil water and water irrigation in flooding the fields may accentuate the process of raising the water table
leading to surface waterlogged. Also, when the soil is so wet there will be insufficient oxygen in the pore space
for plant roots to adequately respire. On the other hand, marshes are caused by the permanent waterlogged.
Another marsh lands are formed due to the flooding and draining of bodies of water such as salt water that is
brought by the tides.

VI. EFFECTS OF SURFACE WATERLOGGED AND MARSHES

AFFECTS PLANT GROWTH

Low levels of oxygen in the root zone trigger the adverse effects of waterlogging on plant growth.
Waterlogging of the seedbed mostly affects germinating seeds and young seedlings. Established plants are most
affected when they are growing rapidly. When plants are growing actively, root tips begin to die within a few
days of waterlogging. The shallow root systems that then develop limit the uptake of nutrients (particularly
nitrogen) and water, particularly when the soil profile starts to dry in spring. As a result, plants may ripen early
and grains may not fill properly. Nitrogen is lost from waterlogged soils by leaching and denitrification
(degassing). Denitrification leads to the gaseous loss of nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere, which is a major
greenhouse gas. These losses, together with the lowered ability of plants to absorb nutrients from waterlogged
soil, cause the older leaves to yellow. Waterlogging also directly reduces nitrogen fixation by the nodules of
legume crops and pastures.
The waterlogging affects the land in various ways. The various after effects are the following:

1. Creation of Anaerobic Condition in the Crop Root-Zone:

When the aeration of the soil is satisfactory bacteriological activities produce the required nitrates from the
nitrogenous compounds present in the soil. It helps the crop growth. Excessive moisture content creates anaerobic
condition in the soil. The plant roots do not get the required nourishing food or nutrients. As a result, crop growth
is badly affected.

2. Growth of Water Loving Wild Plants:

When the soil is waterlogged water loving wild plant life grows abundantly. The growth of wild plants totally
prevents the growth of useful crops. Water-loving wild plants grow profusely and have competition with the
crops, thereby affecting the growth of useful crops weed removal also entails extra investments and in extreme
waterlogged conditions, only wild grow is there.

3. Impossibility of Tillage Operations:

Waterlogged fields cannot be tilled properly. The reason is that the soil contains excessive moisture content and it
does not give proper tilt. Difficulty in carrying out normal cultivation in waterlogged soil.

4. Accumulation of Harmful Salts

The upward water movement brings the toxic salts in the crop root-zone. Excess accumulation of these salts may
turn the soil alkaline. It may hamper the crop growth. Salinity build up is increased when water from lower soil
layers which may contain salts is brought up to the soil surface by capillary action. Thus, high salinization and
deposits of sodium salts in the soil at or near the ground surface are created which may be toxic or lead to the
formation of alkaline conditions.

5. Lowering of Soil Temperature:

The presence of excessive moisture content lowers the temperature of the soil. In low temperature the
bacteriological activities are retarded which affects the crop growth badly. waterlogged soil is slow to warm up.
Lower soil temperature, restricts root development, depresses biotic activity in the soil resulting in lowered rate of
production of available nitrogen hampering seed germination and seedling growth. Reduction of soil
temperatures; results in stunted growth and reduced production of nitrogen.
6. Reduction in Time of Maturity:

Untimely maturity of the crops is the characteristic of waterlogged lands. Due to this shortening of crop period the
crop yield is reduced considerably. Maturity period of crops is reduced resulting in low yields. The yield of crops
is adversely affected if the water table is within 90 cm (sugarcane), 60 cm (rice), 90 cm (gram and barley), 90-125
(wheat), 120 cm (fodder), 125 cm (maize and cotton), and 210-240 cm (lucerne).

7. Inhibiting activity of soil bacteria:

when soil structure is affected and tillage and cultivation of wet soil takes place, bacteria tend to reduce normal
biotic activity and this affects root development.

8. Denitrification:
Denitrification occurs because of the competition for nitrogen by the soil micro-organisms that thrive in saturated
soil and reduction in numbers of nitrifying organisms due to lack of aeration. There is reduction of nitrogen in the
soil which in affects plant nutrients uptake.

9. Oxygen depletion:
In saturated soil, plant roots are denied normal circulation of air; the level of oxygen declines and that of carbon
dioxide increase resulting in wilting and ultimately death of plants. The rotting of the plant roots under conditions
of reduced supply of oxygen, causes yellow color to leaves. The lack of air in the soil causes precipitation of
Manganese that is toxic to plants.

Reference:

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/waterlog

http://www.jkuat.ac.ke/departments/warrec/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/What-you-need-to-know-about-
Waterlogging1.pdf

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/waterlogged-soils

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/marsh

DPIRD. (n.d). Retrieved from https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/climate-land-water/soils/managing-soils/waterlogging

Britannica Editors.(2016). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/marsh