Response of Spartina alterniflora Vegetation to Oiling and Burning of Applied Oil

A field study evaluated Spartina alterniflora sensitivity to oiling and to in situ burning of applied crude oil. Experimental plots (2.4 m × 2.4 m × 0.6 m) were constructed in the salt marsh for control, oiling (natural clean-up) and oiling/burning treatments. South Louisiana Crude was applied to oiling and oiling/burning treatment plots at 2 l m−2 and the burn conducted. S. alterniflora responses (height, live stem density, carbon fixation and biomass) were measured for 50 weeks after the August burn. Oiling and oiling/burning had short-term detrimental effects on the salt marsh. One year after the late summer burn, S. alterniflora responses measured in the oiled and oiled/burned plots were not significantly different compared to control values. Results suggest that, under our experimental conditions, intervention may not be required for marsh recovery. However, if spill conditions require a rapid response to control contaminant spread or protect other sensitive resources, burning may be a clean-up operation to consider.