Occurrence of Meloidogyne spartinae on Spartina alterniflora in Connecticut and Massachusetts

Meloidogyne spartinae (Rau & Fassuliotis, 1965) was described from roots of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel) in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, New Jersey, and New York (1,2). Affected plants were sampled in declining saltwater marshes at the Cape Cod National Seashore in Wellfleet, MA in May 2006 and Hammonassett State Park in Madison, CT in August 2006. Plants in adjacent, healthy stands were also sampled. Females, males, juveniles, and eggs of nematodes identified as M. spartinae were visible in roots stained with acid fuschin or were dissected from terminal galls at the root apex and from pockets in the root cortex where no galling was evident. The circular to ovoid terminal galls typically stopped root elongation. Morphological characteristics were used to identify this nematode as M. spartinae. Mature females in the root cortex were visible under a discolored lesion that appeared to result from a split in the cortex, probably from female expansion during development. Females were oval to lemon shaped with the neck protruding markedly to one side. Females also exhibited protruding perineal regions. In terminal galls, females were oriented toward the root tip; however, in the root cortex they were oriented either toward the root tip or toward the crown, with no obvious pattern. Egg masses were not observed and the eggs were deposited freely inside the gall or root cortex. Second-stage juveniles were long (730.3 μm, n = 60) with an elongate tail terminus. Males (2,203 μm, n = 40) were present in galls containing females. No morphological differences were observed between nematodes from the terminal galls or root cortex. M. spartinae was widespread in declining and adjacent healthy S. alterniflora. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. spartinae from Connecticut and Massachusetts and the first report of M. spartinae development within root cortical tissues without gall formation. The role of this nematode in the sudden wetland dieback phenomenon (3) is being investigated. References: (1) J. D. Eisenback and H. Hirschmann. Nematology 3:303, 2001. (2) G. J. Rau and G. Fassuliotis. Proc. Helminthol. Soc. Wash. 32:159, 1965. (3) E. C. Webb and I. A Mendelssohn. Am. J. Bot. 83:1429, 1996.

RESPONSE TO THE APRIL 1988 OIL SPILL AT MARTINEZ, CALIFORNIA

ABSTRACT A spill of approximately 9,400 bbl of San Joaquin Valley crude oil (13.5 API gravity) occurred on April 23, 1988, from the Shell Oil Company Martinez Manufacturing Complex. Part of the high-viscosity oil eventually reached Carquinez Strait and Suisun Bay. Areas initially affected by the spill included a 103-acre freshwater marsh, the shorelines of Carquinez Strait and Suisun Bay, saltwater marshes associated with both the strait and the bay, three marinas, two local parks, and waterfront properties in Benicia. To aid in the cleanup, Shell used the facilities of the local oil spill cooperative, Clean Bay, Inc., four oil spill contractors, and U.S. Navy skimmers. Two local organizations were actively involved in caring for birds and other widlife oiled by the spill. Within four weeks, over 90 percent of the spilled oil was judged by the federal On-Scene Coordinator to have been recovered. Cleanup of floating oil involved use of skimmers and vacuum trucks. Sorbent materials were used extensively for shoreline cleanup, and a substantial amount of vegetation was removed to reduce the risk of wildlife contamination. High-pressure hot water was used to clean some rocky shorelines.

FRICTION IN HURRICANE-INDUCED SURGES

With the increasing development of coastal areas, it is necessary to have a sound method for predicting hurricane-induced flooding in these areas, especially for studies such as the coastal construction set-back line, flood insurance rate-making and county land use planning. The objective of this study is to develop the capability of describing the friction factor in coastal areas for improved representation in numerical models of storm surges. Five types of areas are considered: A, ocean bottom with bed forms and some vegetation; B, mangrove fringes and areas; C, forested areas and cypress swamps; D, grassy areas and saltwater marshes; and E, developed residential and commercial areas. The friction factors, which incorporate both the bottom friction coefficient and drag coefficient due to the submerged parts of obstructions were verified by conducting laboratory experiments for mangrove and developed areas, using the typical distribution found in each of these coastal areas. The formulas of the friction factor for the ocean bottom, forested areas and grassy areas are determined by adopting results from previous investigations and discussed with the results of the current study.