Determining the Degradation Rate Constants of the Hydrocarbons from the Macondo Well and Weathered Oil in Alabama Beaches and Marshes
Implementing Organization
University of Alabama
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$74,750
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI)
Funding Program
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative GoMRI Grant Program
Details
Project Category
Science
Project Actions
Chemical Aspects Research
Targeted Resources
Human and/or Institutional Capacity
Project Description
We hypothesized that hydrocarbon degradation rates in sandy sediments will be enhanced by increases in organic matter input. To investigate this hypothesis we took a three-prong approach: Determining the seasonal distribution of hydrocarbon degrading bacterial in Alabama coastal waters. The impact of inorganic nutrient additions on hydrocarbon degradation rates in sandy sediments. To do so we assessed the degradation of hydrocarbons in mesocosm experiments with differing fuel amounts (2,000 and 4,000 mg/kg) and with or without inorganic nutrient amendment.
Contact
Behzad Mortazavi251-861-2141 X 2189
bmortazavi@ua.edu
Project Website
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