Abstract
Sub-lethal effects of diesel fuel on N 2 fixing Spartina alterniflora stem microbial epiphytes from North Carolina salt marshes were examined to assess impacts of chronic petroleum pollution on the structure and function of this ecologically-important habitat in southeastern US estuaries. Changes in nitrogenase activity (NA), primary productivity, and chlorophyll a (Chi a ) were assessed following short-term (3 hour) and longterm (4 day) exposures to a range of diesel fuel concentrations (0.87–17,400 ppm). In short-term experiments no effect was observed on Chi a values and reductions in NA and primary productivity occurred only following exposure to high concentrations of diesel fuel (>5,000 ppm). Long-term incubations produced reductions in both NA and Chi a at diesel fuel concentrations of 87 and 435 ppm. Primary productivity was reduced at additions ≥ 8.7 ppm. Reduction in phototrophy and NA resulting from sublethal concentrations of petroleum pollution may affect biogeochemical cycling and trophodynamics in salt marshes.
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