Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-98-2019 (submitted: 05/06/2019, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
Characterizing the role of filter feeders in influencing nitrogen removal in coastal marshes
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Christine Angelini | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Florida | ||
| Award Information: | Christine Angelini - NSF Career Grant | ||
| Mailing Address: | Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences | Phone Number: | |
| University of Florida | E-mail Address: | christine.angelini@essie.ufl.edu | |
| Gainesville, Florida 32611 | |||
| Co-investigators: | Collin Ortals (University of Florida), Sinead M. Crotty (University of Florida), Sydney Laine Williams (University of Florida) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
Two opposing processes, nitrogen fixation and denitrification, help regulate availability of nitrogen in estuarine systems. Ribbed mussels facilitate nitrogen processing through multiple pathways due to their filter-feeding behavior. The overall objective of this project is to characterize mussel-facilitated nitrogen removal in coastal marshes at a landscape scale. Previously, mussel mounds at two creek sheds have been manipulated by removing all mussel mounds at one creek shed and transporting them to another. These manipulated sites, along with control and procedural control sites, allow for a landscape-scale study (See GCE-86-2017). Collections of porewater, sediment, and cordgrass samples at various mussel mounds around the creek heads will be performed. Creek water samples will also be collected at the mouth of these creeks at different points during a tidal cycle. To characterize the hydrological regime of these sites, flow meters and pressure sensors will be strategically positioned. Drone surveys will also be performed to collect LiDAR data and aerial imagery.
Where will the project be located?
Landscape-scale Sites: Site 1: 31.457657, -81.301103 Site 2: 31.451141, -81.317550 Site 3: 31.440697, -81.309139 Site 4: 31.417900, -81.321888 Mesocosm Sites:
How will you provide GPS coordinates for study sites?
GPS coordinates are listed in the project location field
What are the expected start and end dates of the project?
Start Date: 06/03/2019 End Date: 06/30/2020
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
2 people will participate in sampling at the landscape scale sites. No more than a week's time will be required to sample porewater, sediment, vegetation, and creek water at the creek sheds. Collections may occur seasonally after initial summer experiment.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
Equipment will be deployed until the experiment is closed unless otherwise stated
Landscape-scale:
3 PVC stakes (1.5 m tall)
30 PVC ground control points and pyramids
60 stake flags
10 flow meters - several tidal cycles
10 pressure sensors - 1-2 days of deployment
10 turf mats - 1-2 days of employment
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
300 spartina leaf clippings
300 spartina root samples
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
Removal of soils:
-using cut-off 60 mL syringe, soil samples will be collected on and off mussel mounds (x300)
Placement of equipment:
-see equipment deployment field above
Clipping of vegetation:
-see plant collection field above
Trampling:
-Experiment will require researchers to trample spartina marsh to reach deployment site
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
This project will not induce boardwalks since local water flow rates and patters will be important in this projects objective. Due to the low frequency of site visits and low impact of deployment/collection, human impact will be minimal.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
All equipment will be removed and trampling effects will likely not persist beyond one growing season
