Effects of contaminated dredge spoils on wetland plant communities: A literature review

By: , and 
Edited by: Thomas P. Simon

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Abstract

Contaminated dredge spoil is a national concern due to its scope and effects on biota, water quality, and the physical environment. This literature review discusses the effects of contaminated dredge spoils on wetland plant communities. Plant communities naturally shift over time with changing environmental conditions. Addition of toxins and nutrients and changes in hydrology may influence plant community structure. The storage and disposal of nutrient and metal contaminated dredge spoils may cause shifts in nearby plant communities. Shifts in species composition and diversity may not be observed for decades after nutrient enrichment, causing any disturbance to remain undetected. Plant community shifts often have great amounts of inertia and are difficult to reverse.

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Effects of contaminated dredge spoils on wetland plant communities: A literature review
Chapter 5
DOI 10.1201/9781420041453.ch5
Year Published 2003
Language English
Publisher CRC Press
Publisher location Boca Raton, FL
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description 14 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Monograph
Larger Work Title Biological response signatures: Indicator patterns using aquatic communities
First page 99
Last page 112
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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