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Projected Impact of Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on U.S. Gulf Coast Wetlands
Author(s) -
DeLaune R. D.,
Wright Alan L.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj2011.0168
Subject(s) - wetland , marsh , environmental science , salt marsh , sediment , benthic zone , biogeochemical cycle , ecosystem , environmental remediation , oceanography , hydrology (agriculture) , ecology , geology , contamination , geotechnical engineering , biology , paleontology
The Deepwater Horizon spill oiled coastal wetland ecosystems along the northern Gulf of Mexico. We present data on probable impacts and recovery of these impacted wetlands. Based on numerous greenhouse and field studies conducted primarily in coastal Louisiana, we suggest that marsh vegetation will recover naturally without need for intensive remediation. Oiled marshes may reduce the availability of habitat for mobile fish species, resulting in their translocation to unimpacted areas. Impacts on benthic organisms may result in shifts in microbial community structure, but they will probably recover in lightly oil‐impacted areas. The degradation rate or length of time oil remains in impacted wetlands depends on environmental conditions. Oil‐impacted soils already contain adequate indigenous microorganisms capable of degradation under suitable environmental conditions. Nutrient addition, especially N, may increase the rate of oil biodegradation when sediment nutrient levels are low, but O 2 availability appears to be the most important variable controlling oil degradation in marsh soils. Oil impacts on sediment O 2 demand and restriction in O 2 exchange at the sediment–water interface can alter biogeochemical processes and gaseous exchange (CO 2 and CH 4 ) with the atmosphere. Even though there were harmful impacts resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, prior research has demonstrated that Gulf Coast marshes are resilient and can recover. This view is supported by field observations of new shoots appearing in heavily oiled marshes 1 yr following the spill. Even though this review shows that Gulf Coast marshes have a high natural recovery potential, many ecological processes have not been adequately quantified or identified.