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Science 8 June 1984:
Vol. 224. no. 4653, pp. 1093 - 1095
DOI: 10.1126/science.224.4653.1093
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Articles

Mississippi Deltaic Wetland Survival: Sedimentation Versus Coastal Submergence

ROBERT H. BAUMANN 1, JOHN W. DAY JR. 2, and CAROLYN A. MILLER 2

1 Center for Energy Studies, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803
2 Coastal Ecology and Fisheries Institute, Center for Wetland Resources, Louisiana State University

Seasonal sedimentation, measured with the aid of artificial marker horizons, was markedly different in deteriorating as compared with stable marshes in the Mississippi River deltaic plain. Deteriorating marshes receive most sediment during storm events, whereas stable marshes receive substantial amounts of sediments during the spring river flood. The deteriorating marshes are accreting at a faster rate (1.5 centimeters per year at streamside, 0.9 centimeter per year at inland areas) than the stable marshes (1.3 centimeters per year at streamside, 0.6 centimeter per year at inland areas). However, relative to local apparent sea-level rise as measured by tide gauges in each area, the deteriorating marshes are not maintaining their intertidal elevation as well as the stable marshes. These results indicate the importance of considering accretion relative to submergence.

Submitted on November 17, 1983
Accepted on March 23, 1984


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Restoration of the Mississippi Delta: Lessons from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
J. W. Day Jr., D. F. Boesch, E. J. Clairain, G. P. Kemp, S. B. Laska, W. J. Mitsch, K. Orth, H. Mashriqui, D. J. Reed, L. Shabman, et al. (2007)
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The impact of sea-level rise on coastal salt marshes.
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