Lasting Oil Spill Impacts in Coastal Wetland

Researchers reported that reduction potential of the wetland soil was not significantly different under flooded conditions, mimicking high-tide conditions. However, under drained conditions, similar to low tide, oil slowed the transport of oxygen into the root zone. This delay in oxygen availability caused by oil can increase stress on wetland plants unable to supply enough oxygen to their root system. This stress can contribute to accelerated loss of marsh area through erosion in a region where marshes are already rapidly disappearing, due to high relative sea level rise.