RAPID: Manipulating plant and microbial resource environment to optimize oil degradation in coastal marshes

鉴于墨西哥湾深水地平线石油泄漏事件，美国国家科学基金会（NSF）强调了快速反应研究（RAPID）机制（亲爱的同事信NSF 10-060），作为对自然或人为灾害和类似意外事件的快速反应研究。在这个快速项目中，PI将研究盐沼植物和氮输入在与墨西哥湾深水地平线石油泄漏有关的简单碳与难分解碳形式的分解中的作用。 最近的研究表明，与预期相反，氮（N）的输入不会刺激盐沼泽泥炭土中储存的柠檬酸碳的分解，而且它们实际上可能会减少它。然而，对于糖和其他更简单形式的碳来说，情况并非如此。 考虑到潜在的输入大量的复杂的碳氢化合物从石油泄漏到沿海盐沼栖息地在海湾，这将是重要的是能够预测植物和N输入的石油碳氢化合物分解率和生态系统功能在这些脆弱的栖息地的影响。 考虑到海湾地区湿地面临的紧急情况和增加沼泽暴露于营养丰富的沃茨的能力，这项研究的结果可能是至关重要的，以探索石油泄漏缓解方案迅速。如果对沿海湿地的氮添加物增加了原油的加工，这种管理技术可能会更迅速和更精确地实施。 为了在科学家和管理人员中传播研究结果，PI将在湿地科学家协会（SWS）年会上组织一次研讨会，并在SWS网站上提供数据。此外，PI将通过研究基金和现有的全球变化生态学课程，让本科研究人员和学生参与维拉诺瓦大学的温室研究。

In light of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Science Foundation (NSF) highlighted the Rapid Response Research (RAPID) mechanism (Dear Colleague Letter NSF 10-060) as quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events. In this RAPID project, the PIs will study the role of salt marsh plants and nitrogen inputs in the decomposition of simple vs. recalcitrant forms of carbon in association with the Deepwater Horizon oil-spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Recent studies have demonstrated that, contrary to expectations, nitrogen (N) inputs will not stimulate decomposition of recalcitrant carbon stored in salt marsh peat soil, and they may actually reduce it. However, the same is not true for sugars and other more simple forms of carbon. Given the potential input of a significant amount of complex hydrocarbons from the oil-spill into coastal salt marsh habitat in the Gulf, it will be important to be able to predict the effects of plants and of N inputs on rates of oil hydrocarbon decomposition and ecosystem function in these fragile habitats. Given the urgent situation facing Gulf area wetlands and the capacity to increase marsh exposure to nutrient-rich waters, results of this study could be critical for exploring oil spill mitigation options expeditiously. If nitrogen amendments to coastal wetlands increase the processing of crude oil, such management techniques may be implemented more rapidly and with greater precision. To disseminate findings among scientists and managers, the PIs will organize a workshop at the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) annual meeting, as well as make data available on the SWS website. Further, the PIs will involve undergraduate researchers and students in the greenhouse study at Villanova University through research funds and an existing Global Change Ecology course.