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Environmental Geochemistry

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By Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center November 8, 2018

Hydrologic Restoration in Coastal Wetlands Enhances Climate Change Mitigation Benefits

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Coastal Environmental Geochemistry research at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center spans multiple ecosystems and topics, including coastal wetlands, aquifers, and estuaries, with the goal of providing data and guidance to federal, state, local, and private land owners and managers on these vital ecosystems.

Journal Article

small hole in the ground surrounded by grass

Soil carbon consequences of historic hydrologic impairment and recent restoration in coastal wetlands

Read article

Data Release

Photograph of a tidally restricted wetland in the Herring River Estuary, Cape Cod

Nearshore groundwater seepage and geochemical data measured in 2015 at Guinea Creek, Rehoboth Bay, Delaware

Download Data

Research Themes

Coastal Environmental Geochemistry research at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center spans multiple ecosystems and topics, including coastal wetlands, aquifers, and estuaries.

Media
a woman scientist in a baseball hat standing in a marsh holding a long piece of equipment
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Meagan Eagle, Research Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey, collects an elevation point along the edge of Quivett Creek in Brewster, MA. This salt marsh was restored in 2005 by replacing a narrow culvert to allow full tidal flow once again. Elevation is an important measurement in tidal wetlands, allowing scientists to understand where the wetland platform is in relation to sea level. Here elevation combined with soil core data was used to determine how the restored marsh grew over the past century. Along with enhanced soil accretion, more carbon is stored in this restored marsh today than while it was disconnected from the sea. 

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

Meagan Gonneea checks on instruments at a tidal creek in Great Pond, Falmouth, MA

Environmental Geochemistry- Wetland Resilience

Tidal wetlands are key ecosystems because they are unique ecological systems that provide essential habitat for fish, shellfish, birds and other fauna and flora, many of which have great economic importance. At the same time, tidal wetlands provide critical services to society by serving as a physical barrier between our cities, roads and homes and the rising sea. If healthy and properly managed...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Environmental Geochemistry- Wetland Resilience

Environmental Geochemistry- Wetland Resilience

Tidal wetlands are key ecosystems because they are unique ecological systems that provide essential habitat for fish, shellfish, birds and other fauna and flora, many of which have great economic importance. At the same time, tidal wetlands provide critical services to society by serving as a physical barrier between our cities, roads and homes and the rising sea. If healthy and properly managed...
Learn More

Data releases associated with the Environmental Geochemistry Project.

Filter Total Items: 18
No Result Found

Environmental Geochemistry Project mulitmedia objects

Filter Total Items: 22
No results found.

Environmental Geochemistry Project publications

Filter Total Items: 71

Use of pharmaceuticals and pesticides to constrain nutrient sources in coastal groundwater of northwestern Long Island, New York, USA Use of pharmaceuticals and pesticides to constrain nutrient sources in coastal groundwater of northwestern Long Island, New York, USA

In developed, non-agricultural, unsewered areas, septic systems and fertilizer application to lawns and gardens represent two major sources of nitrogen to coastal groundwater, in addition to atmospheric input. This study was designed to distinguish between these two possible nitrogen sources by analyzing groundwater samples for pharmaceutical residuals, because fertilizers do not contain...
Authors
S. Zhao, P. Zhang, John Crusius, K.D. Kroeger, J.F. Bratton
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Nitrogen biogeochemistry of submarine groundwater discharge Nitrogen biogeochemistry of submarine groundwater discharge

To investigate the role of the seepage zone in transport, chemical speciation, and attenuation of nitrogen loads carried by submarine groundwater discharge, we collected nearshore groundwater samples (n = 328) and examined the distribution and isotopic signature (δ15N) of nitrate and ammonium. In addition, we estimated nutrient fluxes from terrestrial and marine groundwater sources. We...
Authors
K.D. Kroeger, M.A. Charette
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Identifying nutrient sources to three lagoons at Ofu and Olosega, American Samoa using δ15N of benthic macroalgae Identifying nutrient sources to three lagoons at Ofu and Olosega, American Samoa using δ15N of benthic macroalgae

Degradation of nearshore habitats is a serious problem in some areas of American Samoa, such as in Pago Pago Harbor on Tutuila Island, and is a smaller but chronic problem in other areas. Sedimentation, pollution, nutrient enrichment from surface runoff or groundwater, and trampling are the major factors causing the changes (Peshut and Brooks, 2005). On the outer islands of Ofu and...
Authors
Virginia Garrison, Kevin Kroeger, Douglas Fenner, Peter Craig
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Submarine groundwater discharge to Tampa Bay: Nutrient fluxes and biogeochemistry of the coastal aquifer Submarine groundwater discharge to Tampa Bay: Nutrient fluxes and biogeochemistry of the coastal aquifer

To separately quantify the roles of fresh and saline submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), relative to that of rivers, in transporting nutrients to Tampa Bay, Florida, we used three approaches (Darcy's Law calculations, a watershed water budget, and a 222Rn mass-balance) to estimate rate of SGD from the Pinellas peninsula. Groundwater samples were collected in 69 locations in the...
Authors
Kevin Kroeger, Peter Swarzenski, Jason Greenwood, Christopher Reich
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Ra and Rn isotopes as natural tracers of submarine groundwater discharge in Tampa Bay, Florida Ra and Rn isotopes as natural tracers of submarine groundwater discharge in Tampa Bay, Florida

A suite of naturally occurring radionuclides in the U/Th decay series (222Rn, 223,224,226,228Ra) were studied during wet and dry conditions in Tampa Bay, Florida, to evaluate their utility as groundwater discharge tracers, both within the bay proper and within the Alafia River/estuary — a prominent free-flowing river that empties into the bay. In Tampa Bay, almost 30% of the combined...
Authors
P.W. Swarzenski, C. Reich, K.D. Kroeger, M. Baskaran
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Submarine ground-water discharge: nutrient loading and nitrogen transformations Submarine ground-water discharge: nutrient loading and nitrogen transformations

Eutrophication of coastal waters due to nonpoint source land-derived nitrogen (N) loads is a worldwide phenomenon and perhaps the greatest agent of change altering coastal ecology (National Research Council, 2000; Howarth and others, 2000). Within the United States, a majority of estuaries have been determined to be moderately to severely impaired by eutrophication associated with...
Authors
Kevin Kroeger, Peter Swarzenski, John Crusius, John Bratton, Matthew Charette
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program

Effects of watershed land use on nitrogen concentrations and δ15 nitrogen in groundwater Effects of watershed land use on nitrogen concentrations and δ15 nitrogen in groundwater

Eutrophication is a major agent of change affecting freshwater, estuarine, and marine systems. It is largely driven by transportation of nitrogen from natural and anthropogenic sources. Research is needed to quantify this nitrogen delivery and to link the delivery to specific land-derived sources. In this study we measured nitrogen concentrations and δ 15N values in seepage water...
Authors
Marci Cole, Kevin Kroeger, J.W. McClelland, I. Valiela

Nitrogen loads to estuaries from waste water plumes: Modeling and isotopic approaches Nitrogen loads to estuaries from waste water plumes: Modeling and isotopic approaches

We developed, and applied in two sites, novel methods to measure ground water-borne nitrogen loads to receiving estuaries from plumes resulting from land disposal of waste water treatment plant (WWTP) effluent. In addition, we quantified nitrogen losses from WWTP effluent during transport through watersheds. WWTP load to receiving water was estimated as the difference between total...
Authors
K.D. Kroeger, Marci Cole, J.K. York, I. Valiela

Groundwater-transported dissolved organic nitrogen exports from coastal watersheds Groundwater-transported dissolved organic nitrogen exports from coastal watersheds

We analyzed groundwater-transported nitrogen (N) exports from 41 watershed segments that comprised 10 Cape Cod, Massachusetts watersheds to test the hypotheses that chemical form of N exports is related to land use and to length of flow paths through watersheds. In the absence of human habitation, these glacial outwash-plain watersheds exported largely dissolved organic N (DON) but at...
Authors
K.D. Kroeger, Marci Cole, I. Valiela
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Submarine groundwater discharge to a small estuary estimated from radon and salinity measurements and a box model Submarine groundwater discharge to a small estuary estimated from radon and salinity measurements and a box model

Submarine groundwater discharge was quantified by a variety of methods for a 4-day period during the early summer of 2004, in Salt Pond, adjacent to Nauset Marsh, on Cape Cod, USA. Discharge estimates based on radon and salinity took advantage of the presence of the narrow channel connecting Salt Pond to Nauset Marsh, which allowed constructing whole-pond mass balances as water flowed in...
Authors
John Crusius, D. Koopmans, John Bratton, M.A. Charette, K.D. Kroeger, P. Henderson, L. Ryckman, K. Halloran, John Colman
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Bacteriophage adsorption during transport through porous media: Chemical perturbations and reversibility Bacteriophage adsorption during transport through porous media: Chemical perturbations and reversibility

No abstract available.
Authors
R.C. Bales, S.R. Hinkle, T.W. Kroeger, K. Stocking, C.P. Gerba

Coastal Environmental Geochemistry research at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center spans multiple ecosystems and topics, including coastal wetlands, aquifers, and estuaries, with the goal of providing data and guidance to federal, state, local, and private land owners and managers on these vital ecosystems.

Journal Article

small hole in the ground surrounded by grass

Soil carbon consequences of historic hydrologic impairment and recent restoration in coastal wetlands

Read article

Data Release

Photograph of a tidally restricted wetland in the Herring River Estuary, Cape Cod

Nearshore groundwater seepage and geochemical data measured in 2015 at Guinea Creek, Rehoboth Bay, Delaware

Download Data

Research Themes

Coastal Environmental Geochemistry research at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center spans multiple ecosystems and topics, including coastal wetlands, aquifers, and estuaries.

Media
a woman scientist in a baseball hat standing in a marsh holding a long piece of equipment
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Meagan Eagle, Research Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey, collects an elevation point along the edge of Quivett Creek in Brewster, MA. This salt marsh was restored in 2005 by replacing a narrow culvert to allow full tidal flow once again. Elevation is an important measurement in tidal wetlands, allowing scientists to understand where the wetland platform is in relation to sea level. Here elevation combined with soil core data was used to determine how the restored marsh grew over the past century. Along with enhanced soil accretion, more carbon is stored in this restored marsh today than while it was disconnected from the sea. 

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

Meagan Gonneea checks on instruments at a tidal creek in Great Pond, Falmouth, MA

Environmental Geochemistry- Wetland Resilience

Tidal wetlands are key ecosystems because they are unique ecological systems that provide essential habitat for fish, shellfish, birds and other fauna and flora, many of which have great economic importance. At the same time, tidal wetlands provide critical services to society by serving as a physical barrier between our cities, roads and homes and the rising sea. If healthy and properly managed...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Environmental Geochemistry- Wetland Resilience

Environmental Geochemistry- Wetland Resilience

Tidal wetlands are key ecosystems because they are unique ecological systems that provide essential habitat for fish, shellfish, birds and other fauna and flora, many of which have great economic importance. At the same time, tidal wetlands provide critical services to society by serving as a physical barrier between our cities, roads and homes and the rising sea. If healthy and properly managed...
Learn More

Data releases associated with the Environmental Geochemistry Project.

Filter Total Items: 18
No Result Found

Environmental Geochemistry Project mulitmedia objects

Filter Total Items: 22
No results found.

Environmental Geochemistry Project publications

Filter Total Items: 71

Use of pharmaceuticals and pesticides to constrain nutrient sources in coastal groundwater of northwestern Long Island, New York, USA Use of pharmaceuticals and pesticides to constrain nutrient sources in coastal groundwater of northwestern Long Island, New York, USA

In developed, non-agricultural, unsewered areas, septic systems and fertilizer application to lawns and gardens represent two major sources of nitrogen to coastal groundwater, in addition to atmospheric input. This study was designed to distinguish between these two possible nitrogen sources by analyzing groundwater samples for pharmaceutical residuals, because fertilizers do not contain...
Authors
S. Zhao, P. Zhang, John Crusius, K.D. Kroeger, J.F. Bratton
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Nitrogen biogeochemistry of submarine groundwater discharge Nitrogen biogeochemistry of submarine groundwater discharge

To investigate the role of the seepage zone in transport, chemical speciation, and attenuation of nitrogen loads carried by submarine groundwater discharge, we collected nearshore groundwater samples (n = 328) and examined the distribution and isotopic signature (δ15N) of nitrate and ammonium. In addition, we estimated nutrient fluxes from terrestrial and marine groundwater sources. We...
Authors
K.D. Kroeger, M.A. Charette
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Identifying nutrient sources to three lagoons at Ofu and Olosega, American Samoa using δ15N of benthic macroalgae Identifying nutrient sources to three lagoons at Ofu and Olosega, American Samoa using δ15N of benthic macroalgae

Degradation of nearshore habitats is a serious problem in some areas of American Samoa, such as in Pago Pago Harbor on Tutuila Island, and is a smaller but chronic problem in other areas. Sedimentation, pollution, nutrient enrichment from surface runoff or groundwater, and trampling are the major factors causing the changes (Peshut and Brooks, 2005). On the outer islands of Ofu and...
Authors
Virginia Garrison, Kevin Kroeger, Douglas Fenner, Peter Craig
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Submarine groundwater discharge to Tampa Bay: Nutrient fluxes and biogeochemistry of the coastal aquifer Submarine groundwater discharge to Tampa Bay: Nutrient fluxes and biogeochemistry of the coastal aquifer

To separately quantify the roles of fresh and saline submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), relative to that of rivers, in transporting nutrients to Tampa Bay, Florida, we used three approaches (Darcy's Law calculations, a watershed water budget, and a 222Rn mass-balance) to estimate rate of SGD from the Pinellas peninsula. Groundwater samples were collected in 69 locations in the...
Authors
Kevin Kroeger, Peter Swarzenski, Jason Greenwood, Christopher Reich
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Ra and Rn isotopes as natural tracers of submarine groundwater discharge in Tampa Bay, Florida Ra and Rn isotopes as natural tracers of submarine groundwater discharge in Tampa Bay, Florida

A suite of naturally occurring radionuclides in the U/Th decay series (222Rn, 223,224,226,228Ra) were studied during wet and dry conditions in Tampa Bay, Florida, to evaluate their utility as groundwater discharge tracers, both within the bay proper and within the Alafia River/estuary — a prominent free-flowing river that empties into the bay. In Tampa Bay, almost 30% of the combined...
Authors
P.W. Swarzenski, C. Reich, K.D. Kroeger, M. Baskaran
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Submarine ground-water discharge: nutrient loading and nitrogen transformations Submarine ground-water discharge: nutrient loading and nitrogen transformations

Eutrophication of coastal waters due to nonpoint source land-derived nitrogen (N) loads is a worldwide phenomenon and perhaps the greatest agent of change altering coastal ecology (National Research Council, 2000; Howarth and others, 2000). Within the United States, a majority of estuaries have been determined to be moderately to severely impaired by eutrophication associated with...
Authors
Kevin Kroeger, Peter Swarzenski, John Crusius, John Bratton, Matthew Charette
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program

Effects of watershed land use on nitrogen concentrations and δ15 nitrogen in groundwater Effects of watershed land use on nitrogen concentrations and δ15 nitrogen in groundwater

Eutrophication is a major agent of change affecting freshwater, estuarine, and marine systems. It is largely driven by transportation of nitrogen from natural and anthropogenic sources. Research is needed to quantify this nitrogen delivery and to link the delivery to specific land-derived sources. In this study we measured nitrogen concentrations and δ 15N values in seepage water...
Authors
Marci Cole, Kevin Kroeger, J.W. McClelland, I. Valiela

Nitrogen loads to estuaries from waste water plumes: Modeling and isotopic approaches Nitrogen loads to estuaries from waste water plumes: Modeling and isotopic approaches

We developed, and applied in two sites, novel methods to measure ground water-borne nitrogen loads to receiving estuaries from plumes resulting from land disposal of waste water treatment plant (WWTP) effluent. In addition, we quantified nitrogen losses from WWTP effluent during transport through watersheds. WWTP load to receiving water was estimated as the difference between total...
Authors
K.D. Kroeger, Marci Cole, J.K. York, I. Valiela

Groundwater-transported dissolved organic nitrogen exports from coastal watersheds Groundwater-transported dissolved organic nitrogen exports from coastal watersheds

We analyzed groundwater-transported nitrogen (N) exports from 41 watershed segments that comprised 10 Cape Cod, Massachusetts watersheds to test the hypotheses that chemical form of N exports is related to land use and to length of flow paths through watersheds. In the absence of human habitation, these glacial outwash-plain watersheds exported largely dissolved organic N (DON) but at...
Authors
K.D. Kroeger, Marci Cole, I. Valiela
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Submarine groundwater discharge to a small estuary estimated from radon and salinity measurements and a box model Submarine groundwater discharge to a small estuary estimated from radon and salinity measurements and a box model

Submarine groundwater discharge was quantified by a variety of methods for a 4-day period during the early summer of 2004, in Salt Pond, adjacent to Nauset Marsh, on Cape Cod, USA. Discharge estimates based on radon and salinity took advantage of the presence of the narrow channel connecting Salt Pond to Nauset Marsh, which allowed constructing whole-pond mass balances as water flowed in...
Authors
John Crusius, D. Koopmans, John Bratton, M.A. Charette, K.D. Kroeger, P. Henderson, L. Ryckman, K. Halloran, John Colman
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Bacteriophage adsorption during transport through porous media: Chemical perturbations and reversibility Bacteriophage adsorption during transport through porous media: Chemical perturbations and reversibility

No abstract available.
Authors
R.C. Bales, S.R. Hinkle, T.W. Kroeger, K. Stocking, C.P. Gerba
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