Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuri Taddia, Alberto Pellegrinelli, Corinne Corbau, Giulia Franchi, Lorie W. Staver, John Court Stevenson, William Nardin
Summary: Tidal processes play a crucial role in salt marsh evolution, and maintaining a balance between erosion and deposition is key for analyzing restoration strategies within a natural context. Monitoring and assessing geomorphological changes in micro-tidal systems is essential for restoration interventions.
Article
Ecology
Christopher Craft
Summary: Restoration of tidal marshes has shown positive effects on vertical accretion, organic carbon sequestration, and nitrogen burial. This study compared a natural tidal salt marsh with a hydrologically restored salt marsh in Sapelo Island, Georgia, and found that the restored marsh had higher rates of accretion, carbon sequestration, and nitrogen burial. The restored marsh has been able to compensate for subsidence caused by dike construction, and current sea level rise and accretion rates support the ecosystem functions. However, the ability of the marshes to sequester carbon and bury nitrogen may be challenged with accelerated sea level rise.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Lorie W. Staver, Jeffrey C. Cornwell, Nicholas J. Nidzieko, Kenneth W. Staver, J. Court Stevenson, Michael Owens, Walter Boynton, Leysa Lopez-Gonzalez
Summary: Tidal marsh restoration using dredged material can replace lost habitat and ecosystem services. The study found that denitrification and nitrogen accumulation in Spartina organic matter are major sinks for nitrogen fluxes, and internal cycling helps retain nitrogen within the marsh.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Faming Wang, Meagan Eagle, Kevin D. Kroeger, Amanda C. Spivak, Jianwu Tang
Summary: The study found that restored salt marshes had lower elevation but greater plant biomass, ecosystem production, respiration, and CO2 exchange compared to natural references. Respiration rates in aboveground biomass and soil were also higher in restored marshes. This suggests that well-restored salt marshes may enhance carbon sequestration rates and extend marsh survival.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Anna E. Gamblin, Abigail J. Darrah, Mark S. Woodrey, Raymond B. Iglay
Summary: This study documents the changes in relative abundance of various coastal bird species after the construction of New Round Island in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The breeding bird numbers were dominated by colonial nesting species initially, but declined as vegetation cover increased. Solitary nesting species increased over time, and nonbreeding shorebird counts peaked in the first two years. The U-shaped island design showed short-term benefits to early-succession breeding species and nonbreeding shorebirds, with longer-term benefits to breeding Wilson's Plover and marsh birds as vegetation fills in.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Kelly McKeon, Jonathan D. Woodruff, Brian Yellen, Sarah H. Fernald, Mary Chase Sheehan
Summary: This study investigates the impact of sedimentary and hydrologic conditions on wetland development, utilizing anthropogenically created tidal wetlands within the Hudson River Estuary. By examining sediment budgets and trapping processes in two protected bays, the research identifies potential mechanisms driving divergent accumulation regimes in these wetlands. The results highlight the role of invasive aquatic vegetation, such as water chestnut, in inhibiting sediment trapping and promoting erosion, ultimately impacting the geomorphology of tidal wetlands.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Brian Yellen, Jonathan Woodruff, Caroline Ladlow, David K. Ralston, Sarah Fernald, Waverly Lau
Summary: Human activities in urban estuaries have inadvertently created tidal freshwater wetlands that develop rapidly with the availability of sediment, showcasing the potential for quick establishment of extensive vegetation in sheltered settings.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Brian O. Williamshen, Teejay A. O'Rear, Melissa K. Riley, Peter B. Moyle, John R. Durand
Summary: Research indicates that restoring tidal action to managed wetlands alone may worsen conditions for at-risk and native fishes, rather than improve them.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yvonne Milker, Tina Dura, Benjamin P. Horton
Summary: This study examines the response of foraminifera to rapid changes in relative sea-level (RSL) using observations from the tidal restoration of Ni-les'tun marsh over a six-year period. The findings suggest that foraminifera show a delayed colonization of new habitats following RSL changes, potentially due to their reproductive cycle and limited food availability. However, postdepositional taphonomic processes have minimal influence on the similarity between modern and fossil assemblages.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kieren P. Beaumont, Sabine Dittmann
Summary: This study investigated the changes in ground cover, seed banks, and seed rain in a pond after tidal reconnection. The results showed that seed densities varied over time and were influenced by the abundance of reproductive plants. Seed dispersal and reestablishment of vegetation may be maximized by conducting tidal reconnection when seed densities are highest.
APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chunwu Zhu, J. Adam Langley, Lewis H. Ziska, Donald R. Cahoon, J. Patrick Megonigal
Summary: Accelerating relative sea-level rise (RSLR) is threatening coastal wetlands, but rising CO2 concentrations may counterbalance this by stimulating carbon sequestration and vertical accretion. However, a study found that gradually rising ambient CO2 concentration did not increase plant production, and elevated CO2 only stimulated production for the first two decades. The decline in stimulation coincided with increases in relative sea level above a threshold that hindered root productivity. While elevated CO2 can moderate the negative impacts of RSLR on tidal wetland productivity, its benefits for coastal wetland resilience will diminish as RSLR rates accelerate.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xun Cai, Jian Shen, Yinglong J. Zhang, Qubin Qin, Lewis Linker
Summary: Observations suggest that tidal marshes can impact the oxygen and nutrient dynamics in adjacent water bodies, but assessing these impacts is challenging. This study uses a modeling approach to investigate the roles of tidal marshes on estuarine biochemical processes, and the results suggest that they have substantial impacts on these processes. The developed tidal marsh model enhances understanding of the feedback effects between marsh biogeochemistry and estuarine eutrophication processes.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Shruti Bhairappanavar, Rui Liu, Abdul Shakoor
Summary: Growing concerns about natural-resource depletion and environmental degradation have driven the development of green products and sustainable manufacturing processes. This study examines the potential of using dredged material to create eco-friendly bricks, demonstrating the material's durability and low environmental impact compared to conventional materials.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li-Shan Tan, Zhen-Ming Ge, Shi-Hua Li, Ya-Lei Li, Li-Na Xie, Jian-Wu Tang
Summary: Reclaimed creeks showed significantly increased concentrations of dissolved carbon and nitrogen species, with slightly decreased N2O and NO3--N. They also exhibited higher global warming potential, making them hotspots for greenhouse gas effects compared to natural tidal creeks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Niels Van Putte, Patrick Meire, Piet Seuntjens, Ingeborg Joris, Goedele Verreydt, Lorenz Hambsch, Stijn Temmerman
Summary: Groundwater fluxes play a crucial role in controlling key ecosystem functions and services in tidal marshes. However, historical agricultural soil compaction often limits groundwater fluxes in restored marshes. This study uses groundwater modeling to demonstrate that restoration practices such as soil amendments and creek excavation can optimize soil-groundwater interactions, thereby improving water processing and nutrient cycling in marsh ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Limnology
Nicholas E. Ray, Boze Hancock, Mark J. Brush, Allison Colden, Jeffrey Cornwell, Micheline S. Labrie, Timothy J. Maguire, Tashena Maxwell, Daniel Rogers, Rebecca J. Stevick, Amber Unruh, Mary Lisa Kellogg, Ashley R. Smyth, Robinson W. Fulweiler
Summary: Excess nitrogen loading and resulting eutrophication are global challenges for coastal ecosystems. Novel techniques using oysters and their habitats to remove nitrogen within coastal ecosystems are being explored, but the expensive and time-consuming nature of measuring denitrification requires a unified approach to create accurate predictive models across ecosystems.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY-METHODS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Lorie W. Staver, Jeffrey C. Cornwell, Nicholas J. Nidzieko, Kenneth W. Staver, J. Court Stevenson, Michael Owens, Walter Boynton, Leysa Lopez-Gonzalez
Summary: Tidal marsh restoration using dredged material can replace lost habitat and ecosystem services. The study found that denitrification and nitrogen accumulation in Spartina organic matter are major sinks for nitrogen fluxes, and internal cycling helps retain nitrogen within the marsh.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Michael S. Owens, Stephen P. Kelly, Thomas A. Frankovich, David T. Rudnick, James W. Fourqurean, Jeffrey C. Cornwell
Summary: The study estimated the net exchange of nitrogen and phosphorus species in estuarine lakes, revealing high efflux of NH4+ in dark conditions and significantly decreased efflux in light conditions. The presence of Chara hornemannii Wallman was found to have a large impact on NH4+ efflux, and it is expected that increased freshwater flow from the Everglades will influence NH4+ release in lakes.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Jenny R. Allen, Jeffrey C. Cornwell, Andrew H. Baldwin
Summary: The study reveals the crucial role of organic matter in the persistence of tidal wetlands under conditions of sea level rise, especially in marshes with low mineral sediment supply.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jeffrey C. Cornwell, Michael S. Owens, Lorie W. Staver
Summary: The loss of coastal wetlands not only results in the loss of ongoing nutrient retention ecosystem services but also contributes to water quality degradation. However, the low lability of wetland organic matter mitigates the potential impact of erosion on nutrient cycling.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Elka T. Porter, Sara Blickenstaff, Jeffrey C. Cornwell, Melanie Jackson, Sabrina N. Tolbert
Summary: In this 30-day experiment, we investigated the effect of biodeposit resuspension on nutrient and oxygen dynamics. By comparing tanks with resuspension and tanks without resuspension, we found that resuspended biodeposits resulted in higher nitrate and nitrite concentrations in the water column, as well as increased dissolved oxygen demand. Water column dissolved oxygen concentrations were lower in tanks with resuspension, while sediment dissolved oxygen uptake was higher in tanks without resuspension. Overall, biodeposit resuspension plays a significant role in controlling nutrient and oxygen balances in the water column and seabed.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Leanne C. Powers, Laura L. Lapham, Sairah Y. Malkin, Andrew Heyes, Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin, Michael Gonsior
Summary: This study conducted a detailed analysis of porewater chemical properties and dissolved organic matter composition in Chesapeake Bay using various analytical methods. Results indicated differences in molecular composition between sites, with varying levels of molecular oxygenation and aromaticity in PDOM profiles.
ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Sairah Y. Malkin, Pinky Liau, Carol Kim, Kalev G. Hantsoo, Maya L. Gomes, Bongkeun Song
Summary: This study investigated the distribution and growth constraints of marine cable bacteria and large colorless sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in surface sediments of Chesapeake Bay. The results demonstrated that cable bacteria thrived during winter and spring at a central channel site with summer anoxia, while large sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were more abundant at an adjacent shoal site. Complex interactions between benthic thiotroph populations, bioturbation, and seasonal fluctuations in environmental factors were found to play important roles in shaping their distribution.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Marine
Tracy Elsey-Quirk, Jeffrey C. Cornwell
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Pinky Liau, Carol Kim, Matthew A. Saxton, Sairah Y. Malkin
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between cable bacteria and other microbes, revealing the associations between cable bacteria activity and different microbial taxa. The results suggest that cable bacteria may be preyed upon by abundant predatory bacteria in the oxic zone and function as ecosystem engineers in modifying the local biogeochemical environment in suboxic depths. Additionally, the study finds competition and potential syntrophy or facilitation between cable bacteria and chemoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizing Gammaproteobacteria at different oxygen levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Carol Kim, Lorie W. Staver, Xuan Chen, Ashley Bulseco, Jeffrey C. Cornwell, Sairah Y. Malkin
Summary: We investigated the succession of soil microbial communities in newly constructed salt marshes using 16S rRNA amplicon sequences. The alpha diversity of subsurface horizons recovered to reference levels within 3 years, while alpha diversity in surface soils remained unchanged. Microbial community succession was faster in surface soils and slower in subsurface horizons. We found important taxa driving the trajectories towards reference conditions and observed co-development of sulfide and methane removal metabolisms in marsh soils.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kalev Hantsoo, Maya Gomes, Sairah Malkin, Dana Brenner, William F. Kenney
Summary: This study investigates the impact of seasonal oxygen stress on surficial pyrite formation and finds that net pyrite precipitation is restricted to summer and early autumn. There are differences in pyrite concentration and precursor compound concentration between the two study sites. However, the similar pyrite d(34)S values at these sites suggest limited effects of changes in SOM communities on surficial pyrite d(34)S values. Additionally, the study finds that pyrite d(34)S values are lower than coeval precursor compounds, indicating potential imprint of equilibrium position-specific isotope fractionation (PSIF) effects in the polysulfide pool on pyrite isotope records.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elizabeth Mckay, Sergei Katsev, Sairah Malkin, Ted Ozersky
Summary: This study investigated the freshwater Thioploca in the Great Lakes and found that, even in low-sulfate environments, Thioploca can attain biomass comparable to marine sediments. The study also indicates that the distribution and abundance of Thioploca in freshwater sediments are influenced by environmental conditions.
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2023)
