Evaluation of the ecological status with benthic indices in the coastal system： the case of Bohai Bay （China）

Based on biologic and environmental materials collected from coastal areas of Bohai Bay （China） in April, 2008, three biotic indices （AZTI＇s Marine Biotic Index （AMBI）, Shannon-Wiener Index and W-statistic） were applied together to evaluate the ecological status of the sampling area. The results showed a clear spatial gradient from a worse ecological status in the near-shore areas （especially around Haihe and Jiyun River Estuaries） to a better status in the offshore areas. While all the three indices could assist decision makers in visualizing spatial changes of organic pollutants in Bohai Bay, two indices, i. e., AMBI and Shannon-Wiener index, were effective in distinguishing sites from Haihe River Estuary, Jiyun River Estuary and other area. However, W-statistic can＇t tell the differences between estuaries and other area. It would be explained that organic pollutants and/or other environ- mental stresses in Bohai Bay were not strong enough to reduce the size ofmacrozoobenthos, which may cause both of the abundance and biomass curves crossed. To our knowledge, this is the first time that several benthic indices were used to assess the benthic ecological status in Bohai Bay, which gave the similar results. Furthermore, there is indication that the ecological status is related to excess input of wastewater along main rivers and outlets. In a word, AMBI, Shannon-Wiener Index and W-statistic could be able to assess the benthic ecological status of Bohai Bay under the organic pollutants pressure.     

Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and organic matter characteristics as river sediment quality indices

Selected persistent organic pollutants – polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides – were determined in sediments, soils, and crops from the Asopos River area, Greece. The river has been receiving industrial effluents for the last 40 years and has been recently found to be polluted with metals. Sediments were collected in the dry (May) and wet (February) season. Agricultural soils and cultivated crops were sampled from adjacent fields. Polychlorinated biphenyls were below the limit of detection in all samples. In one tomato and two soil samples, DDT and DDE were found. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were observed in 5% of the sediments and in concentrations ranging from 4 to 57 μg kg^?1 dry weight, quite below sediment quality guidelines. Diagnostic ratios of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons indicated a strong influence of petrogenic point discharges. In the sediments, silicate minerals dominate over carbonates and the organic carbon content ranges from 0.4% to 3.5%, more than 70% being of natural origin. Compared to other rivers worldwide, the Asopos River was found to be not contaminated with persistent organic pollutants. Point loadings of organic pollutants were evident but continuous discharge is not occurring throughout the river basin.     

长江口及邻近海域富营养化趋势分析及与环境因子关系

依据2007-2009年春、夏季在长江口及邻近海域（包括长江口、杭州湾和舟山渔场）的调查监测资料,采用富营养指数法、潜在性富营养化法和有机污染指数法对该海域的富营养化状况、时空分布特征及与环境因子的关系进行了分析评价。富营养指数法计算结果表明：富营养化覆盖比例很高,达到70%以上;在春季,该海域的富营养化程度呈现上升趋势,所占比例从2007年的77.0%上升到2009年的89.8%,在夏季最低达到89.3%,最高到100.0%。3年来,富营养化在春、夏2季基本上处于逐年增加趋势,富营养化趋势越来越明显。在春季富营养指数平面分布呈由近岸向远海逐渐递减的趋势,梯度分布明显,其中,杭州湾富营养化情况较严重;夏季其平面分布与春季类似,但长江口和杭州湾两个水域的富营养指数的等值线都比较密集,夏季的富营养化情况较为严重。潜在性富营养化法计算结果表明：该海域富营养级主要集中在III级（富营养）和V P级（磷中等限制潜在性富营养）;春、夏2季时,长江口V P级所占比例均从0.0%增加到66.7%,受磷限制性富营养化程度越来越高。另外,营养盐结构显示,N/P比值从9.1到50.9,营养盐比例明显不平衡,势必影响浮游生物的生长。有机污染指数法计算结果表明：该海域有机污染指数主要处于5级（重污染）,水质污染严重;长江口春、夏2季5级的比例均从50.0%分别上升到83.3%和100.0%,杭州湾分别从60.0%和80.0%均上升到100.0%;舟山渔场分别从22.2%和66.7上升到66.7%和77.7%,说明受污染程度逐年上升。另外,3年来春、夏2季长江口有机污染指数达5级的占50%以上,杭州湾60%以上,舟山渔场20%以上,杭州湾受污染情况最为严重,其次是长江口,舟山渔场最小。在春、夏2季有机污染平面分布表现为污染程度从西向东、从北向南逐渐降低?     

The Role of Suspended Matter in Assessing the Assimilative Capacity Case Study of Two Estuaries in the Adriatic Sea

Suspended particulate matter has been studied in two Adriatic river mouths to assess its role as a transport vehicle for waste disposal into the Adriatic sea.

The larger of the two, the Adige River (northwestern Adriatic coast, Italy), carries large quantities of solids and builds up a prodelta. the Krka River (eastern Adriatic coast, Croatia, Yugoslavia) is a typical karst river, and carries small quantities of suspended matter, since it drains carbonate terrains.

The resulting disposal of contaminants into the Adriatic sea is largely governed by the adsorption/desorption processes occurring in the estuarine mixing region. Surface adsorption properties, the specific surface area, and the nature and reactivity of the organic film coating determine the partitioning of pollutants between the dissolved and particulate state.

The observations reported point to the key role of particulates in transport of pollutants from land to sea. the concept of the assimilative capacity of the estuarine area requires detailed scientific knowledge on the geochemical behaviour of particulates.

In the Adige River mouth, lead, chromium, zinc, and nickel are accumulated in the prodelta sediments, and thus the loading of the sea with these metals is diminished, whereas in the Krka River estuary, desorption and mobilization of some trace metals occurs.     

Analyzing and quantitatively evaluating the organic matter source at different ecologic zones of tidal salt marsh, North Jiangsu Province, China

In order to explore the effect of different ecological zones and their above plants in the organic matter cycling of the whole tidal salt marsh, indicators such as total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), C/N ratio, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of surface, core sediments, and plants of tidal salt marshes in North Jiangsu Province are analyzed. Subsequently, distribution regularities of these measurement indicators are discussed, and the biogeochemistry processes between sediments and plants are also analyzed. Lastly, the organic matter sources of different ecologic zones in tidal salt marsh are evaluated, and the organic matter accumulations in different ecologic zones induced by their plants are also compared. These results indicate that TOC, TN, C/N ratio and δ¹³C showed obvious zonal distribution. The organic matter sources are dominated by marine input in the silt flat, artemisia schrenkiana flat, and the transition zone between silt and spartina alterniflora flat, and are controlled by terrigenous input in spartina alterniflora flat. Spartina alterniflora plays an important role in the accumulation of organic matter in the whole tidal salt marshes ecosystem. In the study area, the annually increased TOC, organic matter and TN in the spartina alterniflora, artemisia schrenkiana and reed flats reach 6,451, 12,043 and 536 t, respectively. The amount of TOC, organic matter and TN accumulated in the spartina alterniflora flat is more than that in other ecological zones, which shows that the spartina alterniflora flat exert a non-replaceable effect on the material cycle and exchange in the whole tidal salt marshes ecosystem.     

Distribution and behaviour of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in subtropical river estuary,Okinawa, Japan

Surface water samples were collected along the salinity gradient of Manko estuary in Okinawa, Japan, between January and November 2012, to examine spatial and temporal variability in the distribution, composition, behaviour, and sources of particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Concentrations of total particulate PAHs ranged from 169.7?ng?g^?1 at riverine station (N1) in November 2012 to 922?ng?g^?1 at another riverine station (K3) in May 2012. Based on observed environmental behaviour, particularly relationships to organic matter, the PAHs appear divisible into two groups: group I (low molecular weight) PAHs were characterised by low particles affinity and strong correlations with a pool of autochthonous organic matter (e.g. high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids), reflecting processes controlling their delivery to the estuary; and, in contrast, group II (high molecular weight) PAHs were characterised by high particles affinity and exhibited estuarine distribution primarily controlled by suspended solid load and inputs from terrigenous sources through river inflows. This relationship, coupled with isomer ratios indicative of combined mixed sources from petroleum and petroleum combustions, indicates that terrestrial run-off is the dominant mode of delivery of particulate PAHs in the estuary. The relationships between distinct groups of PAHs and lipid biomarkers demonstrated in this study suggest that very specific pools of particulate organic matter, as opposed to concentrations of particulate organic carbon alone, can be important in the transport and fate of hydrophobic contaminants.     

Sediment manganese and biogenic silica as geochemical indicators in estuarine salt marshes of coastal Georgia, USA

Salt-marsh estuarine sediments are not homogeneous. It is obvious that a steady state cannot be assumed if the depositional environments under which salt marshes accumulate change from subtidal through non-vegetated intertidal to vegetated intertidal state during their formation. In addition to these, the supply of sedimentary material depends on the tidal prism which changes as salt marshes are formed. Based on the study of cores collected in the estuarine region of Georgia, USA, it was found that the Mn/Al ratios in sediments of marsh cores change from subtidal through non-vegetated intertidal to vegetated intertidal. The relative variation of biogenic silica preserved in sediments of marsh core reflects the relative supply rate of organic carbon (phytoplankton) produced in the water column to the sediment surface at the time of deposition. In this paper it is proposed that sediment manganese and biogenic silica may be applied as geochemical indicators of changing depositional environments and organic carbon originating from phytoplankton in the estuarine salt marsh sediments.     

Methane Production in River and Lake Sediments in Taiwan

To investigate the relationship between methane production in the sediments and pollution of the river and lake, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the water sample, organic matter content and methane production of the sediment were measured. Experimental results indicated that BOD, COD and organic matter contents were low in Bei-tan Lake, the I-lan River and reservoirs; and methane production of these sediments ranged from 0.24 to 1.06 mg L- 1. However, BOD, COD and organic matter contents were high in the Hsin-dan River, Keelung River, drainage river of Taoyuan County, park pond and fishery pond. Methane production of these sediments was between 11.75 and 54.54 mg L-1. Sediments of drain river and fishery pond had high methane production, at 25.41 to 54.54 mg methane L. Methane production of sediments had a good correlation with BOD, COD and organic matter contents. Methane production was proportional to the increment in incubation temperature from 12 to 40C.     

Biochemical composition and early diagenesis of organic matter in coastal sediments of the NW Adriatic Sea influenced by riverine inputs

River inputs influence trophodynamic and biogeochemical processes of adjacent continental shelves. In order to provide new insights on the influence of continental inputs on the benthic trophic state and early diagenesis of sediment organic matter we collected surface sediments in the NW Adriatic Sea at three stations located at increasing distance from the Po River. Sediment samples were collected in four periods characterized by different river outflows and analysed for chloropigment content (chlorophyll-a and phaeopygments), protein, carbohydrate and lipid concentrations, prokaryote abundance and aminopeptidase activity. Sediments of the NW Adriatic Sea displayed high organic loads, tightly coupled with the outflow dynamics of the Po River. A major flooding event was responsible of an enhanced accumulation of organic material on the sea bottom. The resulting increased nutrient load in the sediment impaired organic matter degradation processes. The results of the present study suggest that the enhanced trophic state of marine coastal sediments subjected to riverine inputs are related not only to the increased nutrient inputs, but that they may be amplified by impaired degradation processes.     

Sources,spatial variation,and speciation of heavy metals in sediments of the Tamagawa River in Central Japan

Sediments of the Tamagawa River in central Japan were studied to explain the spatial variation, to identify the sources of heavy metals, and to evaluate the anthropogenic influence on these pollutants in the river. Sediment samples were collected from 20 sites along the river (five upstream, four midstream, and 11 downstream). Heavy metal concentrations, viz. chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, and molybdenum, in the samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. The chemical speciations of heavy metals in the sediments were identified by the widely used five-step Hall method. Lead isotopes were analyzed to identify what portion is contributed by anthropogenic sources. The total heavy metal concentrations were compared with global averages for continental crust (shale) and average values for Japanese river sediments. The mean heavy metal concentrations were higher in downstream sediments than in upstream and midstream samples, and the concentrations in the silt samples were higher than those in the sand samples. Speciation results demonstrate that, for chromium and nickel, the residual fractions were dominant. These findings imply that the influence of anthropogenic chromium and nickel contamination is negligible, while copper, zinc, and lead were mostly extracted in the non-residual fraction (metals in adsorbed/exchangeable/carbonate forms or bound to amorphous Fe oxyhydroxides, crystalline Fe oxides, or organic matter), indicating that these elements have high chemical mobility. The proportion of lead (Pb) isotopes in the downstream silt samples indicates that Pb accumulation is primarily derived from anthropogenic sources.     

Sources, spatial variation, and speciation of heavy metals in sediments of the Tamagawa River in Central Japan

Sediments of the Tamagawa River in central Japan were studied to explain the spatial variation, to identify the sources of heavy metals, and to evaluate the anthropogenic influence on these pollutants in the river. Sediment samples were collected from 20 sites along the river (five upstream, four midstream, and 11 downstream). Heavy metal concentrations, viz. chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, and molybdenum, in the samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. The chemical speciations of heavy metals in the sediments were identified by the widely used five-step Hall method. Lead isotopes were analyzed to identify what portion is contributed by anthropogenic sources. The total heavy metal concentrations were compared with global averages for continental crust (shale) and average values for Japanese river sediments. The mean heavy metal concentrations were higher in downstream sediments than in upstream and midstream samples, and the concentrations in the silt samples were higher than those in the sand samples. Speciation results demonstrate that, for chromium and nickel, the residual fractions were dominant. These findings imply that the influence of anthropogenic chromium and nickel contamination is negligible, while copper, zinc, and lead were mostly extracted in the non-residual fraction (metals in adsorbed/exchangeable/carbonate forms or bound to amorphous Fe oxyhydroxides, crystalline Fe oxides, or organic matter), indicating that these elements have high chemical mobility. The proportion of lead (Pb) isotopes in the downstream silt samples indicates that Pb accumulation is primarily derived from anthropogenic sources.     

Measuring terrestrial subsidies to aquatic food webs using stable isotopes of hydrogen

Understanding river food webs requires distinguishing energy derived from primary production in the river itself (autochthonous) from that produced externally (allochthonous), yet there are no universally applicable and reliable techniques for doing so. We compared the natural abundance stable isotope ratios of hydrogen (deltaD) of allochthonous and autochthonous energy sources in four different aquatic ecosystems. We found that autochthonous organic matter is uniformly far more depleted in deuterium (lower deltaD values) than allochthonous: an average difference of approximately 100% per hundred. We also found that organisms at higher trophic levels, including both aquatic invertebrates and fish, have deltaD values intermediate between aquatic algae and terrestrial plants. The consistent differences between leaves and algae in deltaD among these four watersheds, along with the intermediate values in higher trophic levels, indicate that natural abundance hydrogen isotope signatures are a powerful tool for partitioning energy flow in aquatic ecosystems.     

Current knowledge in tidal bores and their environmental,ecological and cultural impacts

A tidal bore is a series of waves propagating upstream as the tidal flow turns to rising. It forms during the spring tide conditions when the tidal range exceeds 5–6 m and the flood tide is confined to a narrow funnelled estuary with low freshwater levels. A tidal bore is associated with a massive mixing of the estuarine waters that stirs the organic matter and creates some rich fishing grounds. Its occurrence is essential to many ecological processes and the survival of unique eco-systems. The tidal bore is also an integral part of the cultural heritage in many regions: the Qiantang River bore in China, the Severn River bore in UK, the Dordogne River in France. In this contribution, the environmental, ecological and cultural impacts of tidal bores are reviewed, explained and discussed.     

沣河水系脱氮微生物群落结构研究

河流水体氮素的超负荷不仅破坏了水体生态环境,也严重威胁着人类的生存和发展.水体中有机氮、无机氮（氨氮、亚硝氮、硝氮）和分子氮之间的转化（氮循环）有赖于水体中大量的氮循环微生物（固氮细菌、硝化细菌和反硝化细菌）,然而这些氮循环微生物的生长繁殖也受到包括氮素的形态和浓度在内的多种环境因子的影响,这些因素也通过影响氮循环微生物的生长繁殖进而使得水体中氮素的转化速率发生变化,对水体氮污染的防治有不可忽视的作用.本研究通过在沣河设置不同的研究断面,采集水体样品,进行水质分析,并通过现代分子生物学技术（PCR-DGGE）方法对研究断面水体中氮循环微生物（固氮细菌、硝化细菌和反硝化细菌）的群落结构进行分析.再通过统计学软件对所得分子生物学信息与水质环境因子的相关性进行统计学分析,发现沣河水体中氮循环微生物群落结构受到多种环境因子共同影响,且在枯水期和丰水期表现出不同的特征.在丰水期沣河水体中,硝化细菌群落在中游表现出较高的多样性和丰富性,这与沣河中上游农业COD（化学需氧量）、BOD（生化需氧量）氨氮及有机氮污染物排放量较大,沣河水体DO（溶解氧）高有关.水体中的氨氮、亚硝氮、温度的增加是促进水体中硝化细菌的均匀性和丰富度的增高的主要因子,而pH 值的升高,使得水体中硝化细菌的均匀性和丰富度降低.反硝化微生物在中游和下游的多样性和丰富度较高,与有机物及硝酸盐含量相关.水体中的BOD、COD、TP（总磷）、硝氮的增加是促进水体中反硝化细菌的均匀性和丰富度的增高主要相关因子,而DO 的增多则会对部分反硝化细菌产生不利影响,使得水体中反硝化细菌的均匀性和丰富度降低.本研究结果为沣河以及其他河流的污染控制以及基于微生物的生态修复提供了科?     

Distribution,enrichment, accumulation and potential ecological risks of mercury in the sediments of Kaohsiung Harbor,Taiwan

The distribution, enrichment, accumulation and potential ecological risks of mercury (Hg) in the surface sediments of Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan, were investigated. Sediment samples from 20 locations throughout Kaohsiung Harbor were collected quarterly from 2006 to 2011, and characterised for mercury, aluminium, water content, organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorous, total grease and grain size. The results showed that Hg concentrations varied from 0.06–6.73 mg kg^?1 with an average of 0.54±0.71 mg kg^?1. The spatial distribution of Hg reveals that the Hg concentration is relatively higher in the river mouth regions, especially at the Love River and Canon River mouths from where it gradually diminishes toward the harbour entrance region. The results from the enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index analyses reveal that the sediments near the Love River and Canon River mouths experience severe enrichment and strong accumulation of Hg that originates from upstream sources of pollution. The assessment of biological effects indicates that concentrations of 92.5% Hg found in the sediment are higher than effects range low, implying that the harbour sediments may cause an adverse impact on aquatic lives. The results of a potential ecological risk index indicate that the sediment has higher to serious levels of ecological potential risks.     

汾河太原段有色可溶性有机物吸收特性及来源分析

加强城市河流水体有色可溶性有机物吸收特性及来源方面的研究,对认识和理解人类活动影响下河流有机污染物的行为特征具有重要意义。以汾河太原段为研究对象,探讨了CDOM吸收系数与总悬浮物(TSM)、有机悬浮物(OSM)、无机悬浮物(ISM)、叶绿素(Chla)、总氮(TN)和总磷(TP)等水质指标之间的关系,同时对CDOM的特征指标M值和指数函数曲线斜率S值进行研究。结果表明,(1)不同采样点CDOM吸收系数差异明显,a(440)的变化范围为0.40-1.20m^-1,且越到短波处差异越显著。(2)CDOM吸收与水体营养盐状况相关,CDOM吸收系数与水体TP和TN存在显著正相关;CDOM吸收与水体颗粒物浓度相关,CDOM吸收系数与TSM、ISM和OSM呈显著正相关;但CDOM吸收与Chla不存在显著相关性。(3)汾河太原段夏季水体CDOM主要来源于陆源性有机污染物质的输入,浮游植物新陈代谢及腐烂降解对CDOM的贡献很小。(4)a(440)与M值呈显著负相关,M值与S值呈显著正相关,表明汾河太原段水体腐殖酸的相对含量高于富里酸,相对分子质量较大。(5)增加背景项的指数函数拟合模型精度优于常规指数函数模型,且拟合得到的S值较大,这对分析CDOM的组成和来源具有重要影响。该文对城市河流水体CDOM固有光学特性、组成和来源方面的研究可以提供重要参考,同时也可为城市水体CDOM的遥感估算提供理论依据和数据支撑。     

Effects of tidally mediated litter moisture content on decomposition of Spartina alterniflora and S. patens

Relationships between flooding frequency, flooding duration, litter moisture levels, and litter decay rates were investigated across the natural hydrologic gradient common to intertidal salt marshes. The effects on litter decay of natural and experimental alterations of litter moisture content were assessed in both field litterbag experiments (conducted in a southern New Jersey salt marsh from 1989 to 1990) and laboratory incubations (1990). Overall, tidally mediated litter moisture content was the dominant factor controlling litter decay throughout the vegetated marsh. Rates of carbon loss were most closely related to litter moisture levels (r=0.84), which were directly related to flooding frequency (r=0.66) and duration (r=0.63). Litter moisture levels were related to elevation within the tidal range due to increasing surface levation from creekbank to high marsh (ca. 54 cm) and height of litter above the sediment surface. Carbon losses from litter of short and tall form Spartina alterniflora Loisel. and S. patens (Aiton) Muhl. along the marsh elevation gradient indicate that while some of the variations in decay rates may be due to litter type, litter moisture accounted for most of the observed variation between marsh zones and within each litter type. Mousture levels are also affected by the water retention capacity of each litter type, which may also secondarily influence decay rates. Short-term incubations of litter indicated that CO₂ evolution was positively related to moisture content with negligible respiration at moisture levels below 15% (fresh mass), increasing to a maximum between 65 and 75% depending upon litter type. Since most Spartina spp. litter remains above the marsh surface where it maintains a lower moisture content than surface litter, the use of surface litterbags may overestimate rates of carbon loss in some systems. In addition, since changes in elevation of only a few centimeters had significant effects on both litter moisture levels and decay rates, slight changes in tidal regime may have important consequences for organic matter cycling in salt marshes by affecting litter decomposition processes.     

盐沼植物群落研究进展：分布、演替及影响因子

盐沼是全球温带及亚热带地区的主要滨海湿地类型之一,在我国分布广泛。盐沼湿地生态系统敏感、脆弱且具有重要的生态系统服务功能。理解盐沼植物群落时空分布动态的一般规律与生态学机制,是开展盐沼生态系统研究的基础与关键。海陆交界的特殊环境特征是影响盐沼湿地植物群落的空间分布及演替过程的主要因素。在海洋潮汐作用下,盐沼湿地中的盐度、水淹强度、氧化还原电位等非生物因子往往呈梯度分布,这也导致了生物群落中种内、种间关系的变化。在非生物及生物因子的共同作用下,盐沼植物群落也往往沿高程梯度呈带状分布。环境变化是盐沼植物群落演替的驱动因素,在海岸线相对较为稳定的盐沼,植物群落的演替多属自发演替,而在靠近的大型河口的一些持续淤涨的盐沼,植物群落演替通常属于异发演替。沿海地区的水产业、流域上游及沿海地区的工程、污染及生物入侵等直接或间接的人类活动已对盐沼湿地植物群落的产生了深刻影响。经过数十年发展,国际上盐沼植物群落学研究的热点领域主要包括盐沼植物群落与其他生物群落的相互关系、植物群落在盐沼生态系统过程中的作用等。在全球变化背景下,盐沼植物群落对气候变化与海平面升高也日益成为盐沼植物群落学相关的热点。     

Copper,lead and zinc in salt marsh sediments of the Severn Estuary,UK: The potential for their early diagnetic mobility

A detailed lithostratigraphic analysis already exists for salt marsh sediments of the Severn Estuary, which provides an ideal background for an investigation of phase associations of trace elements within sediment depth profiles. The first stages of a detailed investigation are reported in which phase associations of Cu, Pb and Zn are related to early diagenetic processes.Reading University PRIS Contribution No. 044.     

Use of computed tomography imaging for quantifying coarse roots, rhizomes, peat, and particle densities in marsh soils

Computed tomography (CT) imaging has been used to describe and quantify subtidal, benthic animals such as polychaetes, amphipods, and shrimp. Here, for the first time, CT imaging is used to quantify wet mass of coarse roots, rhizomes, and peat in cores collected from organic-rich (Jamaica Bay, New York) and mineral (North Inlet, South Carolina) Spartina alterniflora soils. Image analysis software was coupled with the CT images to measure abundance and diameter of the coarse roots and rhizomes in marsh soils. Previously, examination of marsh roots and rhizomes was limited to various hand-sieving methods that were often time-consuming, tedious, and error prone. CT imaging can discern the coarse roots, rhizomes, and peat based on their varying particle densities. Calibration rods composed of materials with standard densities (i.e., air, water, colloidal silica, and glass) were used to operationally define the specific x-ray attenuations of the coarse roots, rhizomes, and peat in the marsh cores. Significant regression relationships were found between the CT-determined wet mass of the coarse roots and rhizomes and the hand-sieved dry mass of the coarse roots and rhizomes in both the organic-rich and mineral marsh soils. There was also a significant relationship between the soil percentage organic matter and the CT-determined peat particle density among organic-rich and mineral soils. In only the mineral soils, there was a significant relationship between the soil percentage organic matter and the CT-determined peat wet mass. Using CT imaging, significant positive nitrogen fertilization effects on the wet masses of the coarse roots, rhizomes, and peat, and the abundance and diameter of rhizomes were measured in the mineral soils. In contrast, a deteriorating salt marsh island in Jamaica Bay had significantly less mass of coarse roots and rhizomes at depth (10-20 cm), and a significantly lower abundance of roots and rhizomes compared with a stable marsh. However, the diameters of the rhizomes in the deteriorating marsh were significantly greater than in the stable marsh. CT imaging is a rapid approach to quantify coarse roots, rhizomes, peat, and soil particle densities in coastal wetlands, but the method is unable at this time to quantify fine roots.