Dataset for: The effects of oil exposure and weathering on black-needle rush (Juncus roemerianus) marshes along the Gulf of Mexico.

We sought to assess the effects that oil exposure would have on the growth and survival of Juncus roemerianus, the dominant species in Alabama coastal salt marshes. J. roemerianus sod was collected from salt marshes in Mobile Bay, and mesocosms were established at Auburn University. Louisiana sweet crude oil was weathered for 0 days, 3 days, and 3 weeks, and applied in high, medium, or low concentrations to each of the mesocosms, resulting in three mesocosms with each treatment. J. roemerianus was assessed after two, four, and ten weeks for culm heights and counts, photosynthesis, and carbon assimilation. We found the low dose mesocosms had highest culm survivorship and photosynthetic activity. Although differences observed between oil weathering treatments were not significant, those treated with unweathered oil consistently had the lowest culm survivorship and photosynthetic activity. Publication citation: Anderson, C.J. and T.A. Hess. 2012. The effects of oil exposure and weathering on black-needle rush (Juncus roemerianus) marshes along the Gulf of Mexico. Marine Pollution Bulletin 64(12):2749-2755