How do wetlands store inorganic nutrients and atmospheric carbon?

Wetlands serve as vital ecosystem services by acting as natural sinks for both inorganic nutrients and atmospheric carbon. Their ability to store these materials is fundamentally linked to their unique hydrologic and soil conditions.1

Storage of Atmospheric Carbon

Wetlands sequester carbon primarily through the growth of plants and other vegetation, which remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere via photosynthesis. In many wetland environments, such as peatlands, the soil is frequently saturated or flooded, creating anaerobic (oxygen-depleted) conditions. These low-oxygen environments significantly slow or halt the decomposition of organic matter. Because decomposition is inhibited, the carbon captured by plants is not released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide but instead accumulates and is stored within the soil.234

Storage of Inorganic Nutrients

Wetlands are often described as the "kidneys of the landscape" because they play a critical role in nutrient cycling. They act as sinks for inorganic nutrients through several physical, chemical, and biological processes:1
* Sedimentation: Wetlands slow the flow of water, allowing suspended particles containing nutrients to settle out of the water column and be trapped in the soil.1
* Adsorption: Nutrients can bind to the surfaces of soil particles through chemical processes, effectively removing them from the water.5
* Biological Uptake: Wetland plants and microorganisms actively absorb inorganic nutrients from the water and soil to support their growth.12

By collecting, filtering, and storing these materials, wetlands help maintain water quality and support the integrity of the broader ecosystem.1