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Effects of Salinity and Bottom Substrate Composition on the Growth and Proliferation of Widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima)
EPA Grant Number: R829584C003Subproject: this is subproject number 003 , 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: Effects of Salinity and Bottom Substrate Composition on the Growth and Proliferation of Widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima)
Investigators: Ford, Mark A. , Stacy, Gus
Institution: McNeese State University
EPA Project Officer: Stelz, Bill
Project Period: February 1, 2002 through January 31, 2007
RFA: Targeted Research Center (2004)
Research Category: Targeted Research , Hazardous Waste/Remediation
Description:
Objective:The growth and proliferation of widgeongrass is affected by various factors such as sunlight, temperature, and salinity. In the sulfur-rich, organic bottom substrate of Gulf of Mexico tidal marshes, widgeongrass growth and proliferation is hindered severely at salinities of 12-15 ppt. In the sandy soils of the coastal bend of Gulf bays, however, widgeongrass thrives at salinities of 25 ppt. This salinity- and bottom substrate-dependent growth has not been characterized fully. The differences in salt-tolerance likely are dependent on the soil reduction-oxidation potential of the two different types of bottom substrate. The objectives of this project are to determine the effects that salinity and bottom substrate composition contribute to widgeongrass growth. Also, we are attempting to conduct genetic analyses using specific genomic markers to determine if genetic drift has occurred between R. maritima stands that grow in different environments and in different states across the Gulf Coast.
Supplemental Keywords:wetlands, wetland restoration, wetland remediation, marsh, Louisiana, restored marshes, sedimentation rate, vertical soil accretion, root zone influences,
,
Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Scientific Discipline, Restoration, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Ecological Risk Assessment, Ecology and Ecosystems, remediation, water quality, environmental rehabilitation, land use, ecological recovery, wetland restoration, coastal environments, salt water intrusion, wetland plant restoration
Progress and Final Reports:
2004 Progress Report
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