Dataset Available

Marsh surface sediment marsh plant coverage in Barataria Bay, oiled and reference sites, LA, Oct. 2010 - Jan. 2012

Authors: Zimmerman, Andrew, and Brian Silliman
Published On: Oct 16 2015 18:39 UTC
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7266/N7GM858N
UDI: Y1.x057.000:0002
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Project Information

Funded By:
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative

Funding Cycle:
Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO)

Research Group:
Biodegradation of the Deepwater Horizon Oil in Florida Marsh Ecosystems and Exploration of Novel Passive Remediation Strategies

Point of Contact

Andrew Zimmerman
University of Florida / Department of Geological Sciences
azimmer@ufl.edu

Data Collection Period
2010-10-18
to
2012-01-10
Theme keywords

plant coverage

ISO 19115-2 Metadata
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Abstract:

Data set contains area of marsh plant coverage in a number of oil-impacted (showing plant die-off) and non-impacted (no plant die-off) reference sites in Barataria Bay, Louisiana over the first 20 months after the spill. Comparison between average percentage of plants alive at four times at impacted and reference sites from 0 to 15 m from the shoreline (n = 3). There was a significant effect of the presence of oil, the distance from shoreline, and time (P < 0.0001), with much lower plant coverage near shore for impacted sites than for reference sites during October 2010 and April 2011 but with similar levels of coverage near shore during October 2011 and January 2012 at these sites. Plant coverage was similar for all sites and times at greater distances from the shoreline beyond 10 m from the marsh edge.

Suggested Citation:

Zimmerman, Andrew, and Brian Silliman. 2015. Marsh surface sediment marsh plant coverage in Barataria Bay, oiled and reference sites, LA, Oct. 2010 - Jan. 2012. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7GM858N

Purpose:

This was a survey of oil coverage and its ecological effects in Barataria Bay, LA, following oiling from the Deepwater Horizon Spill April of 2010,

Data Parameters and Units:

Plant coverage (% area)

Methods:

Five transects were surveyed at each site, and the percentage of live plant cover and the percentage of oil cover at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 m along a line perpendicular to the marsh edge were recorded. Transects were spaced ∼2 m apart. Belowground samples of ∼20 cm depth and 15 cm diameter were also collected at each site at 3 m and 15 m distances from the marsh edge to quantify differences in proportion of live rhizomes. Samples were rinsed in a sieve, and rhizomes were sorted from debris. Rhizomes were then categorized as alive if white and turgid or dead if dark and flaccid by using established protocols.

Instruments:

None

Error Analysis:

All data are averages of at least two replicate analyses.

Individual Files: