Scottish Salt Marsh Soil Biogeochemistry, 2018-2019

Environmental Information Data Centre provides biogeochemical measurements from 471 soil samples collected across 46 Scottish salt marshes in 2018-2019. The dataset quantifies dry bulk density, soil texture, organic matter via Loss on Ignition (LOI), and organic carbon content for surface soils up to 10 cm depth, supporting research on coastal carbon storage.

Use Cases

• Model organic carbon content using dry bulk density and LOI measurements to estimate carbon stocks across 46 marshes.
• Analyze correlations between soil texture and organic matter content (LOI) to understand sediment type influence on carbon storage.
• Compare biogeochemical profiles from 471 samples collected via syringe and corer methods to assess sampling method effects.
• Map spatial variation in dry bulk density and organic carbon across Scotland's intertidal habitats for coastal management.

Strengths

• 471 soil samples provide a substantial quantitative basis for analysis.
• Data spans 46 distinct salt marsh sites across Scotland, representing diverse habitats.
• Includes multiple key biogeochemical variables: dry bulk density, soil texture, LOI, and organic carbon.

Limitations

• Sample collection used two different methods (syringe and corer), which may introduce methodological bias.
• Limited to surface soils (up to 10 cm depth), excluding deeper soil carbon profiles.
• Geographic scope is restricted to Scotland, limiting generalizability to other regions.

Provenance

Source

Environmental Information Data Centre, under the NERC Carbon Storage in Intertidal Environments (C-SIDE) programme.

Collection Method

Field sampling using modified syringe samplers (citizen science) and soil corers, with lab analysis for bulk density, texture, LOI, and elemental carbon.

Time Range

2018-2019

Freshness

Data collected in 2018-2019; metadata last updated in 2026.

Geography

46 salt marsh sites across Scotland.