资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

NCCOS and the NOAA Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) are conducting a joint investigation to refine protocols for marsh grass replanting as an oil spill response tactic in coastal environments. Mesocosm experiments will test marsh plant responses to oil treatments and a variety of horticultural restoration techniques.

Mesososm facility at the NCCOS Charleston, SC, Laboratory. Credit Katy Chung, NOAA NCCOS.

The research team collected sediment and marsh grass from a local reference site and assembled 20 test systems at the NCCOS Charleston (SC) mesocosm facility. After a two month grow-in phase, the mesocosms will be dosed with No. 2 fuel oil (i.e., marine diesel fuel).

Remediation treatments will compare (1) leaving the marsh vegetation intact, (2) cutting and removing the marsh vegetation, (3) comparing nursery raised plants vs. wild transplants, and (4) bare-root plantings vs. containerized (plugs) plantings. While the marsh grass is growing, a College of Charleston graduate student and faculty member will test the utility of new imaging techniques for measuring plant growth.

The data from this study will be used to inform OR&R decisions on marsh restoration practices following oil spills.