Oxidation of Rhizosphere sediments by Alternanthera philoxeroides: Roots to quicker petroleum degradation?
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Geochemical studies performed at the San Jacinto Wetland Research Facility (SJWRF) in Texas suggested that the dominant flora in this region, Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligator weed) is one such plant that provides oxygen to the sediments. Densely vegetated areas typically exhibit redox potentials from 100 to 350 mv and are more oxidized than less densely vegetated areas, where redox potentials are frequently < 0 mv. Measured oxygen concentrations were higher in the rhizosphere. Prolonged differences in redox conditions resulted in contrasting mineralogies between these two areas with a predominance of iron oxides in the former while most of the iron in the taller was pyritic. This is an abstract presented at the 25th Arctic and Marine OilSpill Program Technical Seminar (Calgary, Alberta, 6/11-13/2002).