Seasonal Variability of Extracellular Enzymes Involved in Carbon Mineralization in Sediment of a Subtropical Mangrove Wetland

This study investigated seasonal variations of extracellular enzymatic activity in coastal mangrove sediment of the Mai Po Nature Reserve in Hong Kong, China. The results showed that enzyme activities varied widely with the two distinctive seasons, and negative relationship was found between oxidative and hydrolytic enzymes (p < 0.05). Moreover, pH, temperature, soluble phenolics, total organic carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen significantly influenced enzyme activities. The seasonal variability of enzymes can be explained by the variations of environmental factors caused by the anthropogenic and terrestrial inputs, and provide information for a better understanding on the dynamics of sediment organic carbon in this ecosystem.