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2004 Progress Report: Wetland Restoration and Remediation in Southwest Louisiana Marshes: A Study of Soil Elevation, Vertical Accretion, Shallow Subsidence and Root Zone Influences in Marshes Restored Using a Variety of Techniques
EPA Grant Number: R829584C001Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829584
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Louisiana Environmental Research Center (McNeese State)
Center Director: Ford, Mark A.
Title: Wetland Restoration and Remediation in Southwest Louisiana Marshes: A Study of Soil Elevation, Vertical Accretion, Shallow Subsidence and Root Zone Influences in Marshes Restored Using a Variety of Techniques
Investigators: Ford, Mark A. , Stacy, Gus
Institution: McNeese State University
EPA Project Officer: Stelz, Bill
Project Period: October 31, 2001 through November 30, 2004
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 31, 2003 through November 30, 2004
RFA: Louisiana Environmental Research Center (McNeese State) (2001)
Research Category: Targeted Research
Description:
Objective:This is one of seven subprojects of the Louisiana Environmental Research Center (LERC). For information on the other subprojects conducted by LERC, see the individual reports for R829548C001 through R829548C007.
This research project involves the study of restoration using dedicated dredged materials. Our question is, “Can restored marshes function like natural marshes?” Marsh restoration will be assessed by studying five marshes restored using dedicated dredged material whose ages range from less than 1 year to 19 years. Variables of root zone tissue primary production (biomass and volume), soil surface relative elevation, and vertical soil accretion will be examined to determine influencing factors on the success and long-term survival of restored march elevations.
Progress Summary:This is one of seven subprojects of the Louisiana Environmental Research Center (LERC). For information on the other subprojects conducted by LERC, see the individual reports for R829548C002 through R829548C007.
The dedicated dredge material sites (Browns Lake, 1983, 1993, 1996, 1999) and Hog Island Gully reference marsh sites were sampled for Sediment-Erosion Table elevation changes, sediment accretion, and below ground root volume in February, May, August, and November of 2004. Results from the 2-year project currently are going through a quality control and analysis.
Preliminary results do not indicate that the root zone development of the reference marsh is influencing the change in elevation at the reference marsh site. Preliminary analysis on the restored sites indicates much of the same pattern as the reference marsh. Sediment accretion on the sites appears to be deficient to prevent shallow subsidence impacts to the restored and natural marshes of the area. Subsidence is defined as elevation change versus surface accretion. The 1999 restored marsh site varies in landscape, and thus, a large amount of surface erosion was noted during the course of the project. The potential erosion could lead to the increased elevation change and decreased accretion rate.
Future Activities:Results from the 2-year project currently are going through a quality control and analysis.
Journal Articles:No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 1 publications for this subproject
Supplemental Keywords:wetlands, wetland restoration, wetland remediation, marsh, Louisiana, restored marshes, sedimentation rate, vertical soil accretion, root zone influences,
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Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Scientific Discipline, Restoration, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Ecology, Ecology and Ecosystems, remediation, water quality, environmental rehabilitation, root zone influence, land use, ecological recovery, contaminated sediment, wetland restoration, coastal environments, oil spills, restoration strategies
Relevant Websites:
Progress and Final Reports:
2002 Progress Report
Original Abstract
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R829584 Louisiana Environmental Research Center (McNeese State)
Subprojects under this Center:
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R829584C001 Wetland Restoration and Remediation in Southwest Louisiana Marshes: A Study of Soil Elevation, Vertical Accretion, Shallow Subsidence and Root Zone Influences in Marshes Restored Using a Variety of Techniques
R829584C002 Developing Methods for Identifying Suitable Donors for Wetland Plant Restoration Through Transplantation
R829584C003 Effects of Salinity and Bottom Substrate Composition on the Growth and Proliferation of Widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima)
R829584C004 A Comparison of Health Parameters and Parasites in the Marsh Rice Rat Oryzomys palustris From Natural Freshwater, Saltwater, and Restored Marshes in the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge
R829584C005 Comparison of Metal Concentrations in Soils, Sediments, and Selected
Species From the Area Around Chevron Texaco No. 2 Bayou Tank Battery in
the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in Southwest Louisiana and
Preliminary Determination of Oxidation State
R829584C006 Use of The Prairie Garden and Plant Material Center To Collect, Propagate, and Maintain Breeder Blocks and Garden Specimens of Louisiana Prairie And Wetland Ecotypes
R829584C007 Density of Marsh Periwinkles and Fire Ant Mounds in Natural and Restored Marshes in the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge