ABSTRACT
A major difficulty in the assessment of toxic chemical impact in aquatic/ marine environments is obtaining reproducible, valid field test information. This chapter presents cost-effective approaches for in situ analyses of related soil/sediment microenvironments to evaluate wastewater impact and effect in constructed wetlands. Related in situ investigations were conducted within the Barataria Bay drainage basin and the adjacent Terrebonne-Timbalier system. A second series of in situ measurements were taken within the Lac des Allemands site in the Barataria Bay basin – sites previously studied for salinity gradient characterization – following the spillage of commercial oil exploration drilling fluids within the impounded swamp area. This provided an opportunity to discern under in situ conditions the responsiveness of these field assay protocols. Variations in microbial diversity, enzyme activity, microbial ATP, and substrate uptake in ecologically diverse but related soil/sediment microenvironments in coastal wetland systems provide a vehicle for aquatic microenvironment parameter identification and assessment.
