Biotic and abiotic controls on sediment aggregation and consolidation: implications for geochemical fluxes and coastal restoration.

This study examined the influence of particle size and organic matter on aggregation and compaction of 3 hydraulically dredged sediments from coastal Louisiana (clay, silt loam, sandy loam) saturated under a range of salinity regimes (1 and 5 PSU, 5 and 10 PSU, and 15 and 25 PSU) for 4 time periods (1, 8, 16, and 26 weeks). Particle sizes were determined using a laser diffraction particle size analyzer, which allowed us to develop high-resolution results indicating changes in aggregate size across a spectrum of experimental conditions. The sediments with greater organic matter content exhibited approximately 60% aggregation, as indicated by fewer aggregates in the clay size fraction, and subsequently more aggregates in the sand size fraction, when organic matter remained in the sediment.

Effects of salinity on the microbial removal of nitrate under varying nitrogen inputs within the marshland upwelling system.

The marshland upwelling system (MUS) utilizes the natural properties of wetland soils to treat domestic wastewater injected into the marsh subsurface as the wastewater moves upwards and outwards from the injection site. The system is different from coarse media based wetland treatment systems common in Europe, though it relies on the same principles. A laboratory study was designed to simulate field conditions in order to investigate and quantify the removal of nitrogen from the wastewater by pumping wastewater into the bottom of cores and observing the changes as the wastewater moved upward to the surface.

Mercury uptake by biogenic silica modified with L-cysteine.

Contaminated sediments provide the main source of mercury for methylation by bacteria in lakes and waterways. In situ capping has been used to remediate these sediments, but traditional reactive materials have very low affinity for Hg(II). This study investigated the mercury uptake by biogenic silica modified with L-cysteine, as a potential material to be used for in situ remediation technologies.

Mercury concentrations in oligohaline wetland vegetation and associated soil biogeochemistry.

Concentrations of mercury were determined in above- and below-ground tissues of dominant plant species, as well as soils, in the wetlands of Lake Maurepas, Louisiana. Indicators of wetland soil biogeochemical status, such as soil redox potential, pore-water nutrient concentrations, and pore-water total sulfides, were also determined. Total mercury concentrations in plant tissues were within the typical range for vegetation not exposed to mercury contamination.

Growth response and tissue accumulation trends of herbaceous wetland plant species exposed to elevated aqueous mercury levels.

The impacts of elevated aqueous mercury levels (0, 2, and 4 ppm) on the growth status and mercury tissue concentrations of Eleocharis parvula, Saururus cernuus, Juncus effuses, Typha latifolia, and Panicum hemitomon were determined. Both short-term (net CO2 assimilation) and long-term (biomass) indicators of plant growth status suggest that Eleocharis parvula, Saururus cernuus, and Juncus effuses were relatively unimpacted by elevated mercury levels, whereas Typha latifolia and Panicum hemitomon were somewhat impacted at elevated mercury levels. Eleocharis parvula, Panicum hemitomon, and Typha latifolia generally had the greatest overall belowground tissue concentrations of mercury (2 ppm treatment: 7.

Peptide targeting of platinum anti-cancer drugs.

Besides various side effects caused by platinum anticancer drugs, they are not efficiently absorbed by the tumor cells. Two Pt-peptide conjugates; cyclic mPeg-CNGRC-Pt (7) and cyclic mPeg-CNGRC-Pten (8) bearing the Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) targeting sequence, a malonoyl linker, and low molecular weight miniPEG groups have been synthesized. The platinum ligand was attached to the peptide via the carboxylic end of the malonate group at the end of the peptide.

Total Hg and methyl Hg distribution in sediments of selected Louisiana water bodies.

Sediment samples (543) collected from selected Louisiana streams and lakes were analyzed for total Hg and methyl Hg content. The average total Hg content among 543 samples was 92.3 +/- 95.

Effects of ferric iron reduction and regeneration on nitrous oxide and methane emissions in a rice soil.

A laboratory soil slurry experiment and an outdoor pot experiment were conducted to study effects of ferric iron (Fe(III)) reduction and regeneration on nitrous oxide (N(2)O) and methane (CH(4)) emissions in a rice (Oryza sativa L.) soil. The anoxic slurry experiment showed that enhancing microbial Fe(III) reduction by ferrihydrite amendment (40 mol Fe g(-1)) transitionally stimulated N(2)O production and lowered CH(4) production by 16% during an initial 33-day incubation.

Pathogen indicator microbes and heavy metals in Lake Pontchartrain following Hurricane Katrina.

Storm surge and several breaches of the New Orleans, Louisiana levee system caused flooding of more than 80% of the city following Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Most of the floodwaters pumped out of the city were discharged to Lake Pontchartrain. Lake water and sediment samples were collected during September 19 to October 9, 2005 to determine the possible impact of the dewatering operation on Lake Pontchartrain.

Comparing methods and sediment contaminant indicators for determining produced water fate in a Louisiana estuary.

Produced water is a high salinity by-product resulting from oil and gas production. Disposal methods include surface water discharge. The current field method used to determine its fate in estuarine systems involves extending a compass oriented transect (COT) from the point source discharge--a method designed for a uniformly dispersing effluent discharged into a uniform offshore environment that may be inappropriate for the hydrologic and geomorphologic complexities found in estuarine systems.