Human activity has greatly increased the natural availability of nutrients in coastal ecosystems, yet there is uncertainty about the effects of increased nutrient pollution on coastal areas.  This research examined primary productivity, below ground decomposition, and sediment-surface CO2 flux in three salt marshes on the Connecticut coast, enabling comparisons along a hydrologic gradient (drowning, reference, and restoring marshes) and between different nutrient treatments at the reference marsh.  Analysis of variance revealed no significant differences between groups n decomposition of micro-organic matter (<1 mm) or CO2 flux.  Decomposition of macro-organic matter (³1 mm) was significantly lower at the drowning marsh than the reference marsh, though in-growth into the litter bags presented problems in interpretation of decomposition rates.  Data regarding primary production, along with a more complete understanding of patterns of CO2 flux, will be continue to be studied to provide a clearer view of nutrient impacts on carbon dynamics.