28. EDWARDS, R.R.C., "Ecology of a Coastal Lagoon Complex in Mexico," Estua- 

 vine and Coastal Marine Saienae, Vol. 6, No. 1, Jan. 1978, pp. 75-92. 



Primary production, oxygen consumption of the substrate, and biomass of 

 invertebrates and fish were measured in a Mexican coastal lagoon. Net produc- 

 tion in the water column was sufficient for the metabolic requirements of the 

 infauna in the wet season; production by macrophytes, e.g., Ruppia mavitima, 

 covered the increased input necessary for the epifauna and for deposition in 

 the substrate. Bacterial respiration accounted for an estimated 61 percent, 

 meiobenthos and macrobenthos for 27 percent, and inorganic uptake for 12 per- 

 cent of substrate respiration on the lagoon flats. Differences in oxygen 

 uptake by the substrate were related to differences in organic contents. 

 Practical applications for the lagoon shrimp fishery are discussed. 



29. ELEUTERIUS, L.N., "A Study of Plant Establishment on Spoil Areas in 

 Mississippi Sound and Adjacent Waters," U.S. Army Engineer District, 

 Mobile, 1974 (unpublished. Contract No. DACW01-72-C-0001) . 



Techniques were developed for transplantation of seagrasses and emergent 

 vascular plants of both marshes and dunes on respective areas of barren sea 

 bottom and dredge material. Anchors were developed for holding the trans- 

 plants of three species of seagrass. Eatodute heaudettei (shoalgrass) trans- 

 plants had the greatest survival rate and demonstrated the most rapid rate of 

 vegetative growth. Unsuccessful transplants were attributed to biological 

 characteristics of the species, especially related to vegetative morphology, 

 sediment deposition, and erosion. 



Ten marsh and dune species were transplanted to random plots to determine 

 the best species, season, method, and location for transplanting. Biological 

 information on the species and ecological information on the dredged-material 

 disposal areas were obtained. Hypersalinity of soil water of certain spoil 

 areas was detrimental to transplants. Paniaum amavum var. amxrulim and 

 Paniaum vepens were extremely successful; however, DistiaKlis epiaata, Spav- 

 tina altemiftova, and Spavtina patens demonstrated superior performance under 

 certain conditions. 



30. ELEUTERIUS, L.N. "Submergent Vegetation for Bottom Stabilization," Estu- 

 avine Research, Vol. 2, Academic Press, New York, 1975, pp. 439-456. 



Thalassia testudinum, Cymodoaea wanatorim, and Diplanthera wrightii were 

 transplanted from natural stands to barren submerged spoil areas and control 

 areas adjacent to undisturbed seagrass beds. Anchoring devices were developed 

 to hold the transplants in place regardless of water depth. Diplanthera 

 wrightii had the highest survival, and its growth rate exceeded that of 

 T. testudinum; C. manatorum did not survive at all. Some characteristics of 

 the morphology and growth rate of the grasses were compared under varying 

 conditions of sediment deposition and erosion. In view of its distribution, 

 growth, tolerance to sediment deposition, D. wrightii is the best candidate 

 for further transplant studies. Successful transplants were established in 

 control areas whereas no successful transplants were established on dredged 

 material. Low temperatures and prolonged exposure to low salinity apparently 

 affect seagrass beds and transplants adversely. Available plant nutrient 

 levels of bottom (substrate) samples did not vary appreciably between vege- 

 tated and barren areas. 



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