title: The effects of oil exposure and weathering on black-needle rush (Juncus roemerianus) marshes along the Gulf of Mexico.
abstract: Oil exposure has been shown to be detrimental to several salt marsh plants however little information is available for Juncus roemerianus. Thirty-two mesocosms were established with J. roemerianus sod and replicate marshes were exposed to Louisiana sweet crude oil to test oil dose (6, 12, and 24 L m⁻²) and weathering (oil weathered for 0 days, 3 days, and 3 weeks). Juncus were monitored following oil exposure for culm survival, photosynthetic rates, and C-assimilation rates. Oil dosage had a significant effect among wetlands with low-dose (6 L m⁻²) mesocosms having higher culm survival, photosynthetic rates, and C-assimilation rates than medium or high dose wetlands (12 or 24 L m⁻²). Oil weathering did not elicit significant differences between treated wetlands however full strength wetlands (un-weathered oil) consistently had the lowest culm survivorship, photosynthetic rates, and C-assimilation rates. From our results, J. roemerianus marshes may be very susceptible to oil exposure.
authors.affiliation: School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, AL 36849, USA. andercj@auburn.edu
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hess
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D060851:Gulf of America; D008145:Louisiana; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010578:Petroleum / Q000633:toxicity*; D059392:Petroleum Pollution; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D014887:Weather; D053833:Wetlands
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical