Seagrass (Ruppia maritima) responses to oil exposure in mesocosms

Seagrass cores (6“ diameter, PVC, 10” long) of Ruppia maritima were collected in the Chandeleur Islands (Louisiana) and Estero Bay (Florida) to examine how the two populations responded to oil exposure (50% water accommodated fraction). Three cores from each site served as controls (no oil exposure), whereas three others served as treatment (50% WAF, diluted by half every day for 8 days). Seagrass response was measured via quantum yield (using a Dive PAM fluorometer) and seagrass blade color (using Munsell Plant Tissue color chips).