Aquatic Plant Control Research Program: Evaluation of Factors Influencing GasEvolution Beneath Benthic Barriers

摘要

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the role of temperature, sedimenttype, and organic matter source and content in controlling the rate of gas evolution beneath a benthic barrier. An initial study incorporated two sediments; Brown's Lake sediment (BLS), which is predominantly clay, and washed masonry sand containing 25 percent BLS (sand). The sediments (with and without organic matter amendment) were incubated at 15 and 30 C. A second study was conducted to compare gas evolution rated from BLS amended with organic matter from different sources (coontail, water hyacinth, cattail, oak leaves, and pine needles). A third study was conducted to examine the effect of organic matter on gas evolution rate. Results revealed pronounced differences in gas release rates from sediments related to organic matter source and content, and incubation temperature. When specific gas content was monitored, the composition of the releases proved remarkably similar for all of the treatment combinations. Implications of these studies for use of barriers for control of nuisance aquatic plants are discussed.