Kalpitiya Dutch Bay mangrove soil redox potential: anaerobic mud and stilt-root lenticels?

The intertidal sediments of Dutch Bay in Kalpitiya are severely anaerobic, characterized by negative redox potential (Eh below -200mV) and toxic hydrogen sulfide generated by sulfate-reducing bacteria. Mangroves survive using specialized root adaptations. Rhizophora mucronata develops looping stilt roots (prop roots) covered in hydrophobic lenticels (gas-exchange pores), while Avicennia marina sends up vertical pencil-like pneumatophores from horizontal roots. During morning low tide, lenticels open to absorb atmospheric oxygen, channeling it through internal sponge-like aerenchyma tissue down to root tips, creating an oxygenated buffer zone that neutralizes toxic sulfides.