Sources and chemical stability of soil organic carbon in natural and created coastal marshes of Louisiana.

Coastal marshes are globally important for sequestering carbon, yet sea-level rise and anthropogenic stressors can reduce their capacity as carbon sinks. Marsh restoration can offset a portion of carbon loss through the degradation of natural marshes, but potential differences in the sources and stability of soil organic carbon (SOC) between created and natural marshes may affect their function as a long-term carbon sink. Here, we examine the sources and chemical stability of SOC in natural and created marshes across the Gulf coast of Louisiana, USA.

What Role do Hurricanes Play in Sediment Delivery to Subsiding River Deltas?

The Mississippi River Delta (MRD) has undergone tremendous land loss over the past century due to natural and anthropogenic influences, a fate shared by many river deltas globally. A globally unprecedented effort to restore and sustain the remaining subaerial portions of the delta is now underway, an endeavor that is expected to cost $50-100B over the next 50 yr. Success of this effort requires a thorough understanding of natural and anthropogenic controls on sediment supply and delta geomorphology.