Abstract
Marsh grasses have been used as efficient tools for phytoremediation and are known to play key roles in maintaining ecosystem functions by reducing the contamination of coastlines. This study was initiated to understand how human activities in wetlands can impact ion-heavy metal concentrations in relation to native and invasive marsh grasses. The study site, Blackbird Creek (BBC) is a tidal wetland that experiences agricultural, fishing, recreational, residential and other anthropogenic activities throughout the year. Heavy metals cadmium, arsenic, and lead in the soils and marsh grasses were monitored along with the ion compositions of soils. The main objective of this study was to understand if the marsh soils containing monotypic stands of native (Spartina) and non-native (Phragmites) vegetation display similar levels of heavy metals. Differences were observed in the concentrations of heavy metals at study sites with varying marsh vegetation types, and in soils containing vegetation and no vegetation. The soils with dense Spartina and Phragmites stands were anaerobic whereas soil at the boat ramp site was comparatively less anaerobic and also had increased levels of cadmium. Heavy metal concentrations in soil and Phragmites leaves were inversely correlated whereas they were positively correlated in Spartina sites. Electrical conductivity and pH levels in soil also showed increased cadmium and arsenic concentrations. These findings collectively infer that human activities and seasonal changes can increase soil complexities affecting the bioavailability of metals.
Highlights
Mid-Atlantic estuarine wetlands are vital habitats for numerous aquatic organisms including plants, fishes, birds, and mammals
These results indicate that there are significant differences in the concentration of heavy metals present at Spartina and Phragmites grass sites (R = 0.64; P < 0.05) whereas, there is no significant difference in the heavy metal concentrations within their soils (R = −0.02 and P > 0.05)
The type of metal up taken by the plants or insoluble metal complexes formed in the soil are all governed by the nature of the study site, soil characteristics, type of the vegetation at the site, weather conditions and human activities occurring within the ecosystem
Summary
Mid-Atlantic estuarine wetlands are vital habitats for numerous aquatic organisms including plants, fishes, birds, and mammals. It has been reported that anthropogenic activities exacerbate the spread of common reed, and while invasive species are generally considered to have negative impacts on the ecosystems they inhabit. In contrast some studies indicate that the common reed has illustrated the ability to play a key role in ecosystem functions with regards to heavy metal mitigation [6]. Reports indicate that aquatic plants are regularly exposed to pollutants thereby their roots, rhizomes, and other organs could uptake higher concentrations of pollutants and heavy metals [7].
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