In Situ Burning Restores the Ecological Function and Structure of an Oil-Impacted Coastal Marsh

Authors:
Baustian, J., I. Mendelssohn, Q. Lin and J. Rapp

Publication Date:
2010

Abstract/Summary:
As the use of in situ burning for oil spill remediation in coastal wetlands accelerates, the capacity of this procedure to restore the ecological structure and function of oil-impacted wetlands becomes increasingly important. Thus, our research focused on evaluating the functional and structural recovery of a coastal marsh in South Louisiana to an in situ burn following a Hurricane Katrina-induced oil spill. We conclude that in situ burning is an effective way to remove oil and allow ecosystem recovery in coastal marshes.

Resource Type:
Peer-reviewed Article

Source:
Environmental Management

Link:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00267-010-9549-4