For each augured hole, the following sediment characteristics were measured in the field:
porewater salinity (with a handheld conductivity meter that was placed inside the hole containing
water), sediment redox potential (with a HANNA redox meter (HI 98120) which was placed in the
sediment within the plastic bags) and water table depth (cm). In the laboratory: sediment moisture
content was analyzed according to the method described by Black (1965). All visible organic matter
and debris were removed from the sediment samples.