title: Environmental implications of the use of sulfidic back-bay sediments for dune reconstruction - Lessons learned post Hurricane Sandy.
abstract: Some barrier-island dunes damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy's storm surges in October 2012 have been reconstructed using sediments dredged from back bays. These sand-, clay-, and iron sulfide-rich sediments were used to make berm-like cores for the reconstructed dunes, which were then covered by beach sand. In November 2013, we sampled and analyzed partially weathered materials collected from the cores of reconstructed dunes. There are generally low levels of metal toxicants in the reconstructed dune materials. However oxidation of reactive iron sulfides by percolating rainwater produces acid-sulfate pore waters, which evaporate during dry periods to produce efflorescent gypsum and sodium jarosite salts. The results suggest use of sulfidic sediments in dune reconstruction has both drawbacks (e.g., potential to generate acid runoff from dune cores following rainfall, enhanced corrosion of steel bulwarks) and possible benefits (e.g., efflorescent salts may enhance structural integrity).
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, MS964 Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, USA. Electronic address: gplumlee@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Geoffrey S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Plumlee
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, MS973 Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, USA. Electronic address: wbenzel@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Benzel
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, MS964D Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, USA. Electronic address: thoefen@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Todd M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Hoefen
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, MS964D Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, USA. Electronic address: phageman@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Philip L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Hageman
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, MS964D Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, USA. Electronic address: smorman@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Suzette A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Morman
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, 3450 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA. Electronic address: tjreilly@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, MS964D Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, USA. Electronic address: madams@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, MS964D Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, USA. Electronic address: cjberry@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Cyrus J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, 3450 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA. Electronic address: fischer@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, 2045 Route 112, Coram, NY 11727, USA. Electronic address: ifisher@usgs.gov.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D061006:Bays / Q000737:chemistry; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D062312:Islands; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D009515:New Jersey; D009518:New York; D013440:Sulfides / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D013440:Sulfides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Dune restoration; Environmental health; Hurricane Sandy; Sulfide oxidation