Shoreline Surveys of Oil-Impacted Marsh in Southern 

Louisiana, July to August 2010

By Raymond F. Kokaly, David Heckman, JoAnn Holloway, Sarai Piazza, Brady Couvillion, Gregory D. Steyer, 

Christopher Mills, and Todd M. Hoefen

 

Open-File Report 2011–1022

 

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
ii

U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director 

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2011

For product and ordering information:

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Suggested citation:

Kokaly, R.F., Heckman, David, Holloway, JoAnn, Piazza, Sarai, Couvillion, Brady, Steyer, G.D., Mills, Christopher, and 

Hoefen, T.M., 2011, Shoreline surveys of oil-impacted marsh in southern Louisiana, July to August 2010: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011–1022, 124 p.

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual 

copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report.
iii

Contents

Abstract .......................................................................................................................................................................15

Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................16

Shoreline Survey Methods............................................................................................................................................18

Shoreline Observations and Measurements.................................................................................................................20

July 7-10, 2010 .........................................................................................................................................................20

Field Photos July 7-10, 2010.................................................................................................................................24

August 12-14, 2010...................................................................................................................................................48

Field Photos August 12-14, 2010 ..........................................................................................................................57

August 24-26, 2010...................................................................................................................................................93

Field Photos August 24-26, 2010 ..........................................................................................................................98

Discussion ..................................................................................................................................................................117

Next Steps..................................................................................................................................................................120

Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................................................121

References Cited........................................................................................................................................................122

Appendix A .................................................................................................................................................................124

 

Figures

Figure 1. Shoreline survey areas in the marshes of Louisiana. .................................................................................. 18

Figure 2. Barataria Bay survey points, July 7-10, 2010. ............................................................................................. 20

Figure 3. Bird’s Foot delta survey points, July 7-10, 2010. ......................................................................................... 21
iv

Figure 4. DWO-2-BAT-01 photo 1 taken on July 7, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina patens and Juncus 

roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. ........................................................................................................... 24

Figure 5. DWO-2-BAT-01 photo 2 taken on July 7, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina patens and Juncus 

roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. ........................................................................................................... 24

Figure 6. DWO-2-DEL-02 photo 1 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oil was not 

observed at this site..................................................................................................................................................... 25

Figure 7. DWO-2-DEL-02 photo 2 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oil was not 

observed at this site..................................................................................................................................................... 26

Figure 8. DWO-2-DEL-02 photo 3 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oil was not 

observed at this site..................................................................................................................................................... 27

Figure 9. DWO-2-DEL-03 photo 1 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis and 

Eicchornia crassipes. Oil was not observed at this site. .............................................................................................. 28

Figure 10. DWO-2-DEL-03 photo 2 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis and 

Eicchornia crassipes. Oil was not observed at this site. .............................................................................................. 29

Figure 11. DWO-2-DEL-04 photo 1 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oiled 

vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy........................................................................... 30

Figure 12. DWO-2-DEL-04 photo 2 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oiled 

vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy........................................................................... 31

Figure 13. DWO-2-DEL-05 photo 1 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oiled 

vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy........................................................................... 32

Figure 14. DWO-2-DEL-05 photo 2 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oiled 

vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy........................................................................... 32

Figure 15. DWO-2-DEL-06 photo 1 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oil was not 

observed at this site..................................................................................................................................................... 33
v

Figure 16. DWO-2-DEL-06 photo 2 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oil was not 

observed at this site..................................................................................................................................................... 33

Figure 17. DWO-2-BAT-08 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy................................. 34

Figure 18. DWO-2-BAT-08 photo 2 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy................................. 35

Figure 19. DWO-2-BAT-09 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and Juncus 

roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy............................................ 36

Figure 20. DWO-2-BAT-09 photo 2 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and Juncus 

roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy............................................ 37

Figure 21. DWO-2-BAT-09 photo 3 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and Juncus 

roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy............................................ 38

Figure 22. DWO-2-BAT-09 photo 4 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and Juncus 

roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy............................................ 39

Figure 23. DWO-2-BAT-10 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oil was not observed at this site. ................................................................................................ 40

Figure 24. DWO-2-BAT-10 photo 2 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oil was not observed at this site. ................................................................................................ 41

Figure 25. DWO-2-BAT-11 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and Juncus 

roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy............................................ 42

Figure 26. DWO-2-BAT-11 photo 2 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and Juncus 

roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy............................................ 42

Figure 27. DWO-2-BAT-11 photo 3 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and Juncus 

roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy............................................ 43
vi

Figure 28. DWO-2-BAT-12 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and Juncus 

roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. ........................................................................................................... 44

Figure 29. DWO-2-BAT-12 photo 2 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and Juncus 

roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. ........................................................................................................... 44

Figure 30. OBS-2-BAT-01 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. ........................................................................................................................................................ 45

Figure 31. OBS-2-BAT-02 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. ........................................................................................................................................................ 45

Figure 32. OBS-2-BAT-02 photo 2 taken on July 10, 2010. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. ........................................................................................................................................................ 46

Figure 33. OBS-2-BAT-03 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. ........................................................................................................................................................ 46

Figure 34. OBS-2-DEL-09 photo 1 taken on July 8, 2010. Vegetation included bulltongue. Oil was not observed at 

this site. ....................................................................................................................................................................... 47

Figure 35. OBS-2-DEL-09 photo 2 taken on July 8, 2010. Vegetation included bulltongue. Oil was not observed at 

this site. ....................................................................................................................................................................... 47

Figure 36. Barataria Bay survey points, August 12-14, 2010...................................................................................... 48

Figure 37. Bird’s Foot delta survey points, August 12-14, 2010.................................................................................. 49

Figure 38. DWO-3-BAT-01 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ....................................... 57

Figure 39. DWO-3-BAT-01 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ....................................... 58

Figure 40. DWO-3-BAT-01 photo 3 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ....................................... 59
vii

Figure 41. DWO-3-BAT-02 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site................................................................................................ 60

Figure 42. DWO-3-BAT-02 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site................................................................................................ 60

Figure 43. DWO-3-BAT-02 photo 3 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site................................................................................................ 61

Figure 44. DWO-3-BAT-03 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ...................................... 62

Figure 45. DWO-3-BAT-03 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ...................................... 63

Figure 46. DWO-3-BAT-03 photo 3 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ...................................... 63

Figure 47. DWO-3-BAT-05 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled stems were observed at this site. .............................................................. 64

Figure 48. DWO-3-BAT-05 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled stems were observed at this site. .............................................................. 64

Figure 49. DWO-3-BAT-06 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ....................................... 65

Figure 50. DWO-3-BAT-06 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ....................................... 65

Figure 51. DWO-3-BAT-07 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, Distichlis spicata, and Iva frutescens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this 

site............................................................................................................................................................................... 66
viii

Figure 52. DWO-3-BAT-07 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, Distichlis spicata, and Iva frutescens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this 

site............................................................................................................................................................................... 67

Figure 53. DWO-3-BAT-08 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site............................................. 67

Figure 54. DWO-3-BAT-08 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site............................................. 68

Figure 55. DWO-3-BAT-08 photo 3 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site............................................. 69

Figure 56. DWO-3-BAT-09 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ....................................... 70

Figure 57. DWO-3-BAT-09 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ....................................... 70

Figure 58. DWO-3-DEL-01 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oiled 

vegetation was observed at this site, including some oil-damaged canopy. ................................................................ 71

Figure 59. DWO-3-DEL-01 photo 2 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oiled 

vegetation was observed at this site, including some oil-damaged canopy. ................................................................ 72

Figure 60. OBS-3-BAT-01 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ...................................... 73

Figure 61. OBS-3-BAT-01 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ...................................... 73

Figure 62. OBS-3-BAT-02 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ...................................... 74
ix

Figure 63. OBS-3-BAT-02 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ...................................... 74

Figure 64. OBS-3-BAT-03 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ...................................... 75

Figure 65. OBS-3-BAT-04 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ....................................... 75

Figure 66. OBS-3-BAT-04 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ....................................... 76

Figure 67. OBS-3-BAT-05 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled stems were observed at this site. .............................................................. 76

Figure 68. OBS-3-BAT-05 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled stems were observed at this site. .............................................................. 77

Figure 69. OBS-3-BAT-06 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled stems were observed at this site. ..................................................................................... 78

Figure 70. OBS-3-BAT-06 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled stems were observed at this site. ..................................................................................... 78

Figure 71. OBS-3-BAT-08 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ....................................... 79

Figure 72. OBS-3-BAT-08 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ....................................... 79

Figure 73. OBS-3-BAT-09 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site................................................................................................ 80

Figure 74. OBS-3-BAT-09 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site................................................................................................ 81
x

Figure 75. OBS-3-BAT-10 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ............................................. 82

Figure 76. OBS-3-BAT-10 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ............................................. 82

Figure 77. OBS-3-BAT-11 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina patens. Oiled 

vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site................................................................................... 83

Figure 78. OBS-3-BAT-11 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina patens. Oiled 

vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site................................................................................... 83

Figure 79. OBS-3-BAT-12 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis and 

Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ............................................. 84

Figure 80. OBS-3-BAT-12 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis and 

Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ............................................. 85

Figure 81. OBS-3-BAT-15 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oiled 

vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site................................................................................... 86

Figure 82. OBS-3-BAT-19 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ............... 86

Figure 83. OBS-3-BAT-20 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ............... 87

Figure 84. OBS-3-DEL-01 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Eicchornia crassipes and

Nymphaea sp. Oil was not observed at this site. ......................................................................................................... 87

Figure 85. OBS-3-DEL-02 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Nymphaea sp. (foreground) 

and Eicchornia crassipes. Oil was not observed at this site. ....................................................................................... 88

Figure 86. OBS-3-DEL-04 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Sagittaria platyphylla

(foreground) and Phragmites australis. Oil was not observed at this site. ................................................................... 89
xi

Figure 87. OBS-3-DEL-04 photo 2 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Sagittaria platyphylla

(foreground) and Phragmites australis. Oil was not observed at this site. ................................................................... 90

Figure 88. OBS-3-DEL-06 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis and 

Eicchornia crassipes. Oil was not observed at this site. .............................................................................................. 91

Figure 89. OBS-3-DEL-07 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis and 

Eicchornia crassipes. Damage to the plant canopy, apparently from oil, was observed at this site............................. 92

Figure 90. OBS-3-DEL-09 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. Oil was 

not observed at this site............................................................................................................................................... 93

Figure 91. Barataria Bay survey points, August 24-26, 2010...................................................................................... 94

Figure 92. DWO-4-BAT-01 photo 1 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ................. 98

Figure 93. DWO-4-BAT-01 photo 2 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ................. 99

Figure 94. DWO-4-BAT-03 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ...................................... 99

Figure 95. DWO-4-BAT-03 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. .................................... 100

Figure 96. DWO-4-BAT-06 photo 1 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus, 

Distichlis spicata and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site.... 100

Figure 97. DWO-4-BAT-06 photo 2 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus, 

Distichlis spicata and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site.... 101

Figure 98. DWO-4-BAT-06 photo 3 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus, 

Distichlis spicata and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site.... 101
xii

Figure 99. DWO-4-BAT-09 photo 1 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus, Spartina 

patens, Spartina alterniflora, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this 

site............................................................................................................................................................................. 102

Figure 100. DWO-4-BAT-09 photo 2 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus, 

Spartina patens, Spartina alterniflora, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed 

at this site. ................................................................................................................................................................. 103

Figure 101. DWO-4-BAT-10 photo 1 taken on August 25, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oil was not observed at this site. .............................................................................................. 103

Figure 102. DWO-4-BAT-12 photo 1 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site.............................................................................................. 104

Figure 103. DWO-4-BAT-13 photo 1 taken on August 25, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ............. 104

Figure 104. DWO-4-BAT-13 photo 2 taken on August 25, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ............. 105

Figure 105. OBS-4-BAT-01 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora. Oiled 

vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site................................................................................. 105

Figure 106. OBS-4-BAT-02 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. .............. 106

Figure 107. OBS-4-BAT-02 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. .............. 106

Figure 108. OBS-4-BAT-03 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis, Iva 

frutescens, Spartina alterniflora, Solidage sp., and Distichlis spicata. Oil was not observed at this site.................... 107

Figure 109. OBS-4-BAT-03 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis, Iva 

frutescens, Spartina alterniflora, Solidage sp., and Distichlis spicata. Oil was not observed at this site.................... 107
xiii

Figure 110. OBS-4-BAT-04 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, Distichlis spicata, and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this 

site............................................................................................................................................................................. 108

Figure 111. OBS-4-BAT-04 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, Distichlis spicata, and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this 

site............................................................................................................................................................................. 109

Figure 112. OBS-4-BAT-05 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ..................................... 109

Figure 113. OBS-4-BAT-05 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ..................................... 110

Figure 114. OBS-4-BAT-06 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina sp. Oil was not observed at this site. ........................................................................................................... 110

Figure 115. OBS-4-BAT-06 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina sp. Oil was not observed at this site. ........................................................................................................... 111

Figure 116. OBS-4-BAT-07 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ..................................... 111

Figure 117. OBS-4-BAT-07 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ..................................... 112

Figure 118. OBS-4-BAT-08 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina sp. and Juncus 

roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. ......................................................................................................... 113

Figure 119. OBS-4-BAT-09 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina sp. Oiled vegetation 

and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site.................................................................................................. 113

Figure 120. OBS-4-BAT-10 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina sp. Oil was not observed at this site. ........................................................................................................... 114
xiv

Figure 121. OBS-4-BAT-10 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina sp. Oil was not observed at this site. ........................................................................................................... 114

Figure 122. OBS-4-BAT-11 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ..................................... 115

Figure 123. OBS-4-BAT-11 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. ..................................... 116

Figure 124. OBS-4-BAT-12 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina sp. Oil was not observed at this site. ........................................................................................................... 117

Figure 125. Survey points in Barataria Bay, oil damage indicated by color codes: green indicates that oil was not 

observed, yellow indicates oil was found on stems of plants, orange indicates that oil-damaged canopy was observed 

but the depth of penetration of the oil-damaged zone was not measured, and red indicates oil damaged canopy was 

observed and the adjacent number indicates the extent (in meters) that the oil damage extended into the marsh... 119

 

Tables

Table 1. Survey point locations, July 7-10, 2010. ....................................................................................................... 21

Table 2. Survey point locations, August 12-14, 2010.................................................................................................. 49

Table 3. Survey point locations, August 24-26, 2010.................................................................................................. 94
15

Shoreline Surveys of Oil-Impacted Marsh in Southern 

Louisiana, July to August 2010

By Raymond F. Kokaly,1 David Heckman,2

Abstract

JoAnn Holloway,1 Sarai Piazza,2 Brady Couvillion,2 

Gregory D. Steyer,2 Christopher Mills,

1 and Todd M. Hoefen1

This report describes shoreline surveys conducted in the marshes of Louisiana in areas 

impacted by oil spilled from the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil drilling platform in the Gulf of 

Mexico. Three field expeditions were conducted on July 7-10, August 12-14, and August 24-26, 

2010, in central Barataria Bay and the Bird’s Foot area at the terminus of the Mississippi River 

delta. This preliminary report includes locations of survey points, a photographic record of each 

site, field observations of vegetation cover and descriptions of oil coverage in the water and on 

plants, including measurements of the distance of oil penetration from the shoreline. Oiling in

Barataria Bay marshes ranged from lightly oiled sections of stems of the predominant species 

Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus to wide zones of oil-damaged canopies and broken 

stems penetrating as far as 19 m into the marsh. For the 34 survey points in Barataria Bay where 

 

1 USGS, Crustal Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center, Denver CO 80225, USA. 

Contact: raymond@usgs.gov. 2 USGS, National Wetlands Research Center, Coastal Restoration Field Station, Baton Rouge, 

LA. 
16

dimensions of oil damaged zones were measured, the depth of the oil-damaged zone extended, 

on average, 6.7 m into the marsh, with a standard deviation of 4.5 m. The median depth of 

penetration was 5.5 m. The extent to which the oil-damaged zone stretched along the shore 

varied with location but often extended more than 100 m parallel to the shoreline. Oil was 

observed on the marsh sediment at some sites in Barataria Bay. This oiled sediment was 

observed both above and a few centimeters below the water surface depending on the level of the 

tide. Phragmites australis was the dominant vegetation in oil-impacted zones in the Bird’s Foot 

area of the Mississippi River delta. Oiling of the leaves and portions of the thick stems of P. 

australis was observed during field surveys. In contrast to the marshes of Barataria Bay, fewer 

areas of oil-damaged canopy were documented in the Bird’s Foot area. In both areas, oil was 

observed to be persistent on the marsh plants from the earliest (July 7) to the latest (August 24) 

surveys. At sites repeatedly visited in Barataria Bay over this time period, oiled plant stems and 

leaves, laid over by the weight of the oil, broke and were removed from the vegetation canopy, 

likely due to tidal action. In these areas, a zone of 2-5 cm high plant stubble remained at the edge 

of the marsh. Signs of both further degradation and recovery were observed and varied with site. 

Oil damage to the marsh at some sites resulted in complete reduction of live vegetation cover and 

erosion of exposed sediments, while other damaged zones had signs of regrowth of vegetation in 

up to 10 percent of the areal coverage. 

Introduction

More than 500 km of Louisiana’s marsh shoreline has been oiled from the MC-252 

incident, including over 100 km of heavy to moderate oiling 

(http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/). The physical and chemical effects of oil spills can have 

both short- and long-term impacts on wetland function, including the interruption of benthic 
17

biogeochemical processes and decreased primary production (Lin and Mendelssohn, 1996; 

Pezeshki and others, 2000). The loss of habitat integrity could occur with these changes (Lin and 

Mendelssohn, 2009). Oil contamination can decrease primary production, leading to plant 

mortality, and increase susceptibility to marsh collapse (Ko and Day, 2004). 

The field surveys were intended to document the extent of oil coverage, inventory the 

plant species affected, assess the initial impact, and serve as validation data for remote sensing 

studies. They were a collaborative effort by the USGS-National Wetlands Research Center

Coastal Restoration Field Station (NWRC-CRFS, Baton Rouge, LA) and the USGS Crustal

Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center (Denver, CO). Three field expeditions were 

conducted, July 7-10, August 12-14, and August 24-26, 2010. Two areas were surveyed, in order 

to assess conditions over a range of vegetation types: central Barataria Bay and the Bird’s Foot 

area at the terminus of the Mississippi River delta, hereafter Bird’s Foot delta (fig. 1). Central 

Barataria Bay was visited during all three surveys but the Bird’s Foot delta was surveyed in only 

the first two. 
18

 

Figure 1. Shoreline survey areas in the marshes of Louisiana.

Shoreline Survey Methods

Initial survey points in Barataria Bay and Bird’s Foot delta were selected based on 

heavily oiled areas indicated in Deepwater Horizon Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Team 

(SCAT) maps in early July (SCAT maps are available from http://www.data.gov/restorethegulf/

and http://gomex.erma.noaa.gov/erma.html). Site locations in Barataria Bay were limited to gaps 

in the protective boom that were large enough to allow boat access to the shore. Shallow water 

depths prevented boat access to portions of the shoreline in both areas. In the early July survey, 
19

photographs and field notes describing the locations of survey points (latitude and longitude 

using WGS-84 datum); the presence, nature and extent of oil, impacts on plant cover, and 

vegetation species composition were noted at survey points. Visual estimates of the depth of oil 

penetration into the marsh were made. The field sites fell into two categories: 1) sites at which 

detailed survey observations and measurements were made, including observations of oil on the 

marsh surface, these were labeled with a “DWO-2-” identifier tag at the start of the site name, 

and 2) sites at which only basic visual surveys were taken. Sites with detailed observations and 

measurements were labeled with a “DWO-2-” identifier tag at the start of the site name and sites 

with visual surveys only begin with “OBS-2-”. The second part of the site name indicates the 

area of the site: Barataria Bay (BAT) or Bird’s Foot Delta (DEL). For example, the site name 

“DWO-2-BAT-01” indicates a field survey location in Barataria Bay, visited during the July 7-

10, 2010 survey, at which detailed observations were made. 

The later surveys conducted in August were performed to expand the spatial coverage of 

the survey area and to obtain more detailed information on the depth of oil penetration into the 

marsh vegetation from the shoreline. The survey sites were guided by areas of extensive oil 

occurrences found in preliminary analyses (Kokaly, -unpub. data, 2011) of imaging spectrometer 

data from the Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS; Green and others, 

1998) collected July 31, 2010. A field data sheet for sites was used to gather information (see 

Appendix A) and measurements of the depth of oil penetration into the marsh and linear extent 

along the shore were made using a tape measure (meter scale) or a laser rangefinder (Nikon 

ProStaff). Site locations were again limited to gaps in the protective boom and sufficient water 

depth for boat access. The field sites were labeled as previously described except that a “3” or 

“4” was used to indicate the August 12-14, 2010 or August 24-26, 2010 survey, respectively. 
20

Shoreline Observations and Measurements

July 7-10, 2010

In this section, the site locations of a field campaign conducted from July 7-10, 2010, are 

reported. Figures 2 and 3 show the distribution of the survey sites in Barataria Bay and the Bird’s 

Foot delta, respectively. The geographic coordinates and survey dates are given in table 1, along 

with observations of vegetation, indication of the presence/absence of oil and characterizations 

of its physical state (for example, as a coating on plants or as a sheen in the water), and 

descriptions of oil impacts on vegetation. 

 

Figure 2. Barataria Bay survey points, July 7-10, 2010.
21

 

Figure 3. Bird’s Foot delta survey points, July 7-10, 2010.

Table 1. Survey point locations, July 7-10, 2010.

Survey point Latitude 

(deg. N)

Longitude 

(deg. W) Date surveyed Field observations and measurements

DWO-2-BAT-01 29.47053 89.82187 July 7, 2010 No visible oil on plants, boardwalk or in water. 

Water level high. Spartina patens and Juncus 

roemerianus. Photos of the site are shown in 

figures 4 and 5.

DWO-2-DEL-02 29.16225 89.16990 July 8, 2010 No visible oil on plants or water. Phragmites 

australis. Photos of the site are shown in 

figures 6-8.

DWO-2-DEL-03 29.11413 89.13436 July 8, 2010 No visible oil on plants or in water. Phragmites 

australis. Nearby, water hyacinth (Eicchornia 

crassipes) was present. The boat was moved to 

the opposite bank to measure water hyacinth at 

29.11428 deg. N, 89.13380 deg. W. Photos of 
22

the site are shown in figures 9 and 10.

DWO-2-DEL-04 29.10971 89.11301 July 8, 2010 Thick oil coating on leaves and stems of 

Phragmites australis from the water level to 

60 cm above the water. Oil is viscous, brown, 

and has a paint-like odor. The oil coating looks 

like peanut butter. Vegetation is still green 

beneath the oil coating. Photos of the site are 

shown in figures 11 and 12.

DWO-2-DEL-05 29.11139 89.08627 July 8, 2010 Oil coating on leaves and stems of Phragmites 

australis. Appears less heavily oiled than 

DWO-2-DEL-04. Leaves near the water line 

appear to have been stripped off, possibly due 

to the weight of the oil and/or water movement 

by tides or storms. Photos of the site are shown 

in figures 13 and 14.

DWO-2-DEL-06 29.09761 89.07430 July 8, 2010 No visible oil, but Phragmites australis laid over 

in some areas. Photos of the site are shown in 

figures 15 and 16.

DWO-2-BAT-08 29.45243 89.87058 July 10, 2010 Oil coating on leaves and stems of Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Plants 

in oil-impacted zone are brown in color with 

broken and bent stems. The zone of laid over 

vegetation extends up to 2.1 m (estimated) 

from the water’s edge. Some green leaves on 

upright stems are scattered through the oiled 

zone. Photos of the site are shown in figures 

17 and 18.

DWO-2-BAT-09 29.47919 89.90727 July 10, 2010 Oil coating on leaves and stems of Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Plants in 

oil-impacted zone have broken and bent stems 

and submerged portions of oil-coated plants 

are light to medium brown in color but dark 

brown/black in color on portions above the 

water. The zone of oiled and laid over 

vegetation extends up to 4.6 m (estimated) 

from the water’s edge. The stems and leaves of 

the plants beyond that zone appear oiled at 

their base for another 1.5 m (estimated) but 

their stems do not appear broken. Silver sheen 

was seen in the water within the oiled marsh 

and at the marsh edge. Live mud crabs 

(Sesarma reticulatum) were observed to be 

coated with oil. Photos of the site are shown in 

figures 19-22.

DWO-2-BAT-10 29.48729 89.91235 July 10, 2010 No visible oil on plants or in water. Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Near 

subsequent survey point DWO-4-BAT-10. 

Photos of the site are shown in figures 23 and 

24.

DWO-2-BAT-11 29.44825 89.92104 July 10, 2010 Heavily oiled marsh vegetation and sediment.

Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. 

A dark red oil residue, slimy in texture, was 

found on the marsh bottom, below the water. 

Plants in oil-impacted zone have broken and 

bent stems which are dark brown/black in 

color. The zone of oiled and laid over 
23

vegetation extends up to 7 m (estimated) from 

the water’s edge. Near subsequent survey 

points DWO-3-BAT-01 and DWO-4-BAT-01.

Photos of the site are shown in figures 25-27.

DWO-2-BAT-12 29.45734 89.86714 July 10, 2010 No visible oil on plants or in water. Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Plants 

appear very healthy. Near subsequent survey 

points DWO-3-BAT-02 and DWO-4-BAT-12. 

Photos of the site are shown in figures 28 and 

29.

OBS-2-BAT-01 29.43735 89.91075 July 10, 2010 Oiled coastline observed from off-shore 

coordinates. Oil-impacted plants appear 

black/dark brown and have bent/broken stems.

A photo of the site is shown in figure 30.

OBS-2-BAT-02 29.43989 89.91163 July 10, 2010 Oiled coastline observed from off-shore 

coordinates. Oil-impacted plants appear 

black/dark brown and have bent/broken stems.

Photos of the site are shown in figures 31 and 

32.

OBS-2-BAT-03 29.43974 89.90292 July 10, 2010 Oiled coastline observed to the north from offshore coordinates. Oil-impacted plants appear 

black/dark brown and have bent/broken stems.

A photo of the site is shown in figure 33.

OBS-2-BAT-04 29.44211 89.90037 July 10, 2010 Heavily oiled coastline observed to the north and 

west from off-shore coordinates. Oil-impacted 

plants appear black/dark brown and have 

bent/broken stems. The zone of oiled and laid 

over vegetation is estimated to extend 6.1 m 

on average, with some zones of deeper oil 

penetration, estimated at 9.1 to 15.2 m. No 

photos of this survey point were taken.

OBS-2-BAT-05 29.45377 89.87701 July 10, 2010 Oiled coastline observed to the north from offshore coordinates. Oil-impacted plants appear 

black/dark brown and have bent/broken stems.

No photos of this survey point were taken.

OBS-2-BAT-06 29.45272 89.87004 July 10, 2010 Lightly oiled coastline. Oil-impacted plants have 

black/dark brown oil residue on portions of 

their stems. No photos of this survey point 

were taken.

OBS-2-BAT-07 29.45344 89.86660 July 10, 2010 Oiled coastline observed to the north and west 

from off-shore coordinates. Oil-impacted 

plants appear black/dark brown and have 

bent/broken stems. No photos of this survey 

point were taken.

OBS-2-BAT-08 29.45506 89.81328 July 10, 2010 No visible oil in the water. No photos of this 

survey point were taken.

OBS-2-DEL-09 29.13313 89.12869 July 8, 2010 No oil observed on the plants or in the water. The 

water on the edge of the marsh, near this 

coordinate, is covered by an extensive area of

bulltongue. Photos of the site are shown in 

figures 34 and 35.
24

Field Photos July 7-10, 2010

 

Figure 4. DWO-2-BAT-01 photo 1 taken on July 7, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina patens and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site.

 

Figure 5. DWO-2-BAT-01 photo 2 taken on July 7, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina patens and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. 
25

Figure 6. DWO-2-DEL-02 photo 1 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. 

Oil was not observed at this site. 
26

 

Figure 7. DWO-2-DEL-02 photo 2 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. 

Oil was not observed at this site. 
27

 

Figure 8. DWO-2-DEL-02 photo 3 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis. 

Oil was not observed at this site. 
28

Figure 9. DWO-2-DEL-03 photo 1 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites australis

and Eicchornia crassipes. Oil was not observed at this site. 
29

 

Figure 10. DWO-2-DEL-03 photo 2 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis and Eicchornia crassipes. Oil was not observed at this site. 
30

 

Figure 11. DWO-2-DEL-04 photo 1 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy. 
31

 

Figure 12. DWO-2-DEL-04 photo 2 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy. 
32

 

Figure 13. DWO-2-DEL-05 photo 1 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy. 

 

Figure 14. DWO-2-DEL-05 photo 2 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oil-damaged canopy. 
33

 

Figure 15. DWO-2-DEL-06 photo 1 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis. Oil was not observed at this site. 

 

Figure 16. DWO-2-DEL-06 photo 2 taken on July 8, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis. Oil was not observed at this site. 
34

 

Figure 17. DWO-2-BAT-08 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. 
35

 

Figure 18. DWO-2-BAT-08 photo 2 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. 
36

 

Figure 19. DWO-2-BAT-09 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. 
37

 

Figure 20. DWO-2-BAT-09 photo 2 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. 
38

 

Figure 21. DWO-2-BAT-09 photo 3 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. 
39

 

Figure 22. DWO-2-BAT-09 photo 4 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. 
40

 

Figure 23. DWO-2-BAT-10 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oil was not observed at this site. 
41

 

Figure 24. DWO-2-BAT-10 photo 2 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oil was not observed at this site. 
42

 

Figure 25. DWO-2-BAT-11 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. 

 

Figure 26. DWO-2-BAT-11 photo 2 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. 
43

 

Figure 27. DWO-2-BAT-11 photo 3 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including oildamaged canopy. 
44

 

Figure 28. DWO-2-BAT-12 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. 

 

Figure 29. DWO-2-BAT-12 photo 2 taken on July 10, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. 
45

Figure 30. OBS-2-BAT-01 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, 

including oil-damaged canopy. 

Figure 31. OBS-2-BAT-02 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, 

including oil-damaged canopy. 
46

Figure 32. OBS-2-BAT-02 photo 2 taken on July 10, 2010. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, 

including oil-damaged canopy. 

Figure 33. OBS-2-BAT-03 photo 1 taken on July 10, 2010. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, 

including oil-damaged canopy. 
47

Figure 34. OBS-2-DEL-09 photo 1 taken on July 8, 2010. Vegetation included bulltongue. Oil was not 

observed at this site. 

 

Figure 35. OBS-2-DEL-09 photo 2 taken on July 8, 2010. Vegetation included bulltongue. Oil was not 

observed at this site. 
48

August 12-14, 2010

Figures 36 and 37 show the distribution of the survey points visited during the August 

12-14, 2010 field campaign in Barataria Bay and the Bird’s Foot delta, respectively. The 

geographic coordinates and survey dates are given in Table 2, along with observations of 

vegetation, indication of the presence/absence of oil and characterizations of its physical state 

(for example, as a coating on plants or as a sheen in the water), and descriptions of oil impacts on 

vegetation. 

 

Figure 36. Barataria Bay survey points, August 12-14, 2010.
49

Figure 37. Bird’s Foot delta survey points, August 12-14, 2010.

Table 2. Survey point locations, August 12-14, 2010.

Survey Point Latitude 

(deg. N)

Longitude 

(deg. W) Date Surveyed Field Observations and Measurements

DWO-3-BAT-01 29.44824 89.92121 Aug. 12, 2010 Oil-impacted zone contains oil residue on the 

stems of Juncus roemerianus and Spartina 

alterniflora. The majority of the surface in oilimpacted zone is covered by dead, broken and 

bent plant stems which are dark brown/black 

in color with a thin oily coating. The oiling 

observed along this east-west shoreline 

extends 13.5 m to the east and 36 m to the 

west of the survey point. From the water’s 

edge, the first 1.5 m of the oiled zone is 

primarily exposed marsh bottom and plant 

stubble (dead stems) of 2.5 cm height. The 

zone of oiled and laid over vegetation extends 

9.5 m into the marsh from the water’s edge; 

beyond this zone the stems appear oiled (dark 
50

brown/black) at the base of the green plants. In 

the first 5.3 m of the oiled zone, cover is 

predominantly brown/black laid over stems. 

Beyond 5.3 m, green S. alterniflora is growing 

within the brown, oiled stems. The brown 

stems appear to be primarily (90 percent) J.

roemerianus in contrast to the greater 

proportion of S. alterniflora in the living 

canopy beyond the oiled zone. This survey 

point is near previously surveyed point DWO2-BAT-11 and subsequently surveyed point 

DWO-4-BAT-01. Photos of the site are shown 

in figures 38-40.

DWO-3-BAT-02 29.45733 89.86718 Aug. 12, 2010 No oil was observed on plants or in the water.

Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus.

Plants appear healthy. This survey point is 

near previously surveyed point DWO-2-BAT12 and subsequently surveyed point DWO-4-

BAT-12. Photos of the site are shown in 

figures 41-43.

DWO-3-BAT-03 29.44113 89.90277 Aug. 12, 2010 Heavily oiled marsh vegetation, Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Plants in 

oil-impacted zone have a heavy oil coating on 

broken and bent stems which are dark 

brown/black in color. Thick red emulsion is 

visible at the base of plant stems and floating 

in the water near stems along with a silver 

sheen of oil. The oiling observed extends 60 m 

to the east and 55 m to the west of the survey 

point, throughout the small cove in which the 

survey point is located. The zone of oiled and 

laid over vegetation extends up to 14 m into 

the marsh from the water’s edge; at the edge of 

this zone, the bottom 30 cm of the green plant 

stems appear oiled (dark brown/black). This 

survey point is near previously surveyed point 

OBS-2-BAT-03 and subsequent survey point 

DWO-4-BAT-03. Photos of the site are shown 

in figures 44-46.

DWO-3-BAT-04 29.44083 89.90429 Aug. 12, 2010 Oil-impacted zone contains oil residue on the 

stems of Juncus roemerianus and Spartina 

alterniflora. The oiling observed along this 

east-west shoreline extends 4.6 m to the east 

and 6.1 m to the west of the survey point. The 

oil coating appears to be lighter than that 

observed at DWO-3-BAT-03. The 

brown/black, oiled zone of laid over 

vegetation extends 3.7 m into the marsh from 

the water’s edge. No oil sheen observed in the 

water. No photos of this survey point were 

taken.

DWO-3-BAT-05 29.46075 89.88996 Aug. 12, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora, 

Juncus roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. 

This survey point is within a narrow channel 

of slow moving water, approximately 8 m in 

width. Oil is present on the first 20 cm of the 
51

stem above the water line; however, the thick 

vegetation cover (greater than 95 percent) 

prevents observation of how deep the oiling 

goes below the water level. The canopy is 

intact and plants are not laid over. The zone of 

oiled stems extends less than 1 m into the 

marsh from the water’s edge, in which some of 

the S. alterniflora plants are standing dead, dry 

stems and leaves. Red oil emulsion was 

observed in the water around the oiled plant 

stems. Photos of the site are shown in figures 

47 and 48.

DWO-3-BAT-06 29.45121 89.87007 Aug. 13, 2010 Oil-impacted zone contains oil residue on the 

stems of Juncus roemerianus and Spartina 

alterniflora. The oil-damaged canopy zone 

consisted of plants with a heavy oil coating on 

broken and bent stems which are dark 

brown/black in color. The oiling observed 

along this portion of shoreline extends 10 m to 

the east and 20 m to the west of the survey 

point. A thick brown-red oil emulsion was 

found at the base of the stems. The oildamaged canopy extended from the water’s 

edge to 7 m into the marsh, where green plants 

of S. alterniflora were growing between the 

oiled stems. These green plants growing 

between the broken stems were coated with oil 

along the base of their stems. The depth of 

penetration of oil on the stems extended to 14 

m into the marsh from the water’s edge.

Within the oiled stem zone, oil is present on 

the marsh bottom and the S. alterniflora

appeared to be a darker green compared to the 

S. alterniflora deeper in the marsh. A 15 cm 

zone of dead, broken stems (stubble) was 

found at the water’s edge of the marsh. This 

survey point is near subsequently surveyed 

point DWO-4-BAT-06. Photos of the site are 

shown in figures 49 and 50.

DWO-3-BAT-07 29.44544 89.88926 Aug. 13, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora, 

Juncus roemerianus, Distichlis spicata, and

Iva frutescens. Very light oiling of stems was 

observed in the form of a dry viscous residue. 

The oiled zone extended 1 m into the marsh 

from the water’s edge. The oiling observed 

along this portion of shoreline extends 10 m to 

the east and 10 m to the west of the survey 

point. The canopy was mostly intact except for 

two 1-2 m2 plots that contained brown, laid 

over plants. Photos of the site are shown in 

figures 51 and 52.

DWO-3-BAT-08 29.45816 89.93988 Aug. 13, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora and

Distichlis spicata. A band of green and dry, 

brown stems was observed to extend 1.5 m 

into the marsh from the water’s edge, beyond 

which heavily oiled dark brown/black stems of 
52

laid over vegetation extended for another 5 m. 

The heavily oiled patch extended 10 m to the 

east and 10 m to the west of the survey point. 

A 15 cm zone of dead, broken stems (stubble) 

was found at the water’s edge of the marsh.

Photos of the site are shown in figures 53-55.

DWO-3-BAT-09 29.48593 89.91492 Aug. 13, 2010 Heavily oiled marsh vegetation: Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Plants 

in oil-impacted zone have a thick red-brown 

oil coating on broken and bent stems. Clumps 

of red emulsion are visible at the base of plant 

stems and floating in the water near stems 

along with rainbow sheen of oil. The oiling 

appears to be more recent compared to other 

survey points as evidenced by the wet, thick, 

shiny coating of oil on plants, a strong 

chemical odor, and pancake-like globules of 

oil in the water at the marsh edge 

approximately 1 mm thick. The oiling 

observed extends 87 m along the shore, 

centered on the survey point. The zone of oiled 

and laid over vegetation extends 5 m into the 

marsh from the water’s edge; at the edge of 

this zone, the bottom 30 cm of the green plant 

stems appear oiled (dark brown/black). Photos 

of the site are shown in figures 56 and 57.

DWO-3-DEL-01 29.10932 89.11302 Aug. 14, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Phragmites australis. 

This survey point is on the edge of a small 

island. A brown/black oil residue is present on 

the interval of stems/leaves between 60 - 160 

cm above the water line. Above that interval, 

the leaves and stems appear similar to nonoiled P. australis. Mostly, the canopy is intact 

and plants are not laid over. The zone of oiled 

stems extends throughout the small island, 

covering an area of 20,000 m2

. No oil was 

observed in the water. Photos of the site are 

shown in figures 58 and 59.

OBS-3-BAT-01 29.44276 89.90034 Aug. 12, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Heavily oiled zone of 

brown/black laid over vegetation with dead 

plant stubble extends 11 m into the marsh from 

the water’s edge. Photos of the site are shown 

in figures 60 and 61.

OBS-3-BAT-02 29.45041 89.89697 Aug. 12, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Oiled zone of 

brown/black laid over vegetation extends 13 m 

into the marsh from the water’s edge. In the 

oiled zone there is some dead stubble, but not 

as much as observed at OBS-3-BAT-01, and 

green shoots appearing on the inshore edge.

Photos of the site are shown in figures 62 and 

63.

OBS-3-BAT-03 29.45601 89.88791 Aug. 12, 2010 Heavily oiled coastline observed to the north from 

off-shore coordinates, intact boom prevented 

access to the shoreline. Red oil emulsion was 
53

observed behind the boom (on the shoreward 

side). Oil-impacted plants, Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus, appear 

black/dark brown and have bent/broken stems 

and extend 13 m into the marsh from the 

water’s edge. Plants beyond the oil-damaged 

canopy are coated with oil on the first 30 cm 

of their stems, but they are not laid over. A 

photo of the site is shown in figure 64. 

OBS-3-BAT-04 29.46123 89.88347 Aug. 12, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Juncus roemerianus 

more prevalent than Spartina alterniflora. 

Oiled zone of brown/black laid over vegetation 

extends 2.4 m into the marsh from the water’s 

edge, and appears to be comprised of mostly 

of J. roemerianus. Green plants of S. 

alterniflora of 30-60 cm height occur within 

the oiled zone, even at the water’s edge. The 

darker oil coating dotted the browned and 

broken stems but appeared to be less uniform 

in its coverage on the dead, dry vegetation as 

compared to OBS-3-4-BAT-01 to 03. Photos 

of the site are shown in figures 65 and 66. 

OBS-3-BAT-05 29.46070 89.88642 Aug. 12, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora, 

Juncus roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata.

Oil is present on the first 30 cm of stems, 

above the water level, but the canopy is 

relatively intact and plants are not laid over.

The zone of oiled stems extends 1.2 m into the 

marsh from the water’s edge. Silver and dull 

sheen was observed in the water around the 

oiled plant stems. Photos of the site are shown 

in figures 67 and 68.

OBS-3-BAT-06 29.46119 89.88796 Aug. 12, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. This survey point is 

within a narrow channel, approximately 8 m in 

width. Oil is present on the first 20 cm of 

stems, above the water level, but the canopy is 

relatively intact and plants are not laid over.

Above the oiled portion of stems, the S. 

alterniflora appears brown, yellow or light 

green in color. The zone of oiled stems 

extends 2.4 m into the marsh from the water’s 

edge and is nearly all S. alterniflora. Some 

scattered J. roemerianus occurs in the oiled 

zone, but is mostly present deeper in the 

marsh. Silver and heavy dull sheen was 

observed in the water around the oiled plant 

stems. Photos of the site are shown in figures 

69 and 70.

OBS-3-BAT-08 29.46251 89.88849 Aug. 12, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Juncus roemerianus 

more prevalent than Spartina alterniflora.

Very light amount of oil coating on stems of 

plants, primarily in the form of a dried, brown 

residue on plant stems in the interval between 

30 cm and 60 cm above the marsh bottom. The 

canopy is mostly intact, but there are a few 
54

small areas of laid over plants. No dark 

brown/black residue was observed. No oil 

sheen was observed in the water. Photos of the 

site are shown in figures 71 and 72.

OBS-3-BAT-09 29.45964 89.89536 Aug. 12, 2010 No oil was observed on the plants, Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus, or in the 

water. From the previous survey point OBS-3-

BAT-08 to this point, the amount of oiling 

varied from the light coating on a portion of 

stems to no observed oil. In addition, no oildamaged canopies were observed between 

these points. Photos of the site are shown in 

figures 73 and 74.

OBS-3-BAT-10 29.47639 89.84872 Aug. 13, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora and 

Spartina patens. A band of green and dry, 

brown stems was observed to extend 4 m into 

the marsh from the water’s edge. The dead, 

brown plants were predominantly S. patens, 

while the green plants in the oiled zone are S. 

alterniflora. A 1 m zone of dead, broken stems 

(stubble) was found at the water’s edge of the 

marsh. Photos of the site are shown in figures 

75 and 76.

OBS-3-BAT-11 29.47626 89.84681 Aug. 13, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina patens. This 

survey point is at a patch of heavily oiled 

plants covered with black/brown oil residue.

This patch measures 3 m (perpendicular to the 

shoreline) by 7 m (parallel to the shoreline).

This patch of laid over vegetation is set back 3

m from the marsh edge and separated from the 

water by an area of exposed shell-rich marsh 

bottom containing scattered oiled and dried 

plants. Photos of the site are shown in figures 

77 and 78.

OBS-3-BAT-12 29.47636 89.84371 Aug. 13, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Phragmites australis and

Spartina patens. Oiled zone of brown/black 

laid over vegetation extends 4 m into the 

marsh from the water’s edge. The heavily 

oiled patch extended 14 m along the shoreline, 

centered on the survey point. A 30 cm zone of 

dead, broken stems (stubble) and exposed 

marsh sediment was found at the water’s edge 

of the marsh. Behind the oiled zone is a patch 

of P. australis that stretches 10 m deep into the 

marsh and 30 m in length parallel to the shore.

Another patch of P. australis with 

approximately the same dimensions lies 10 m 

to the east of the patch behind the oiled zone.

To the east of the oiled zone at this survey 

point, only a few patches of oiled and laid over 

vegetation were observed, much smaller in 

size than the oiled zone at this survey point.
55

OBS-3-BAT-13 29.46878 89.82607 Aug. 13, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora, 

Juncus roemerianus. Narrow, less than 1 m, 

zone of oil-impacted plants with an oil coating 

on broken and bent stems which are brown in 

color. No photos of this survey point were 

taken.

OBS-3-BAT-14 29.44436 89.89001 Aug. 13, 2010 Oiled coastline observed to the north from offshore coordinates, intact boom prevented 

access to the shoreline. Oiled marsh 

vegetation: Spartina alterniflora, Juncus 

roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Plants in 

oil-impacted zone have a heavy oil coating on 

broken and bent stems which are dark 

brown/black in color. The oil-damaged canopy 

extended 10 m into the marsh from the water’s 

edge. No photos of this survey point were 

taken.

OBS-3-BAT-15 29.44454 89.89134 Aug. 13, 2010 Oiled coastline observed to the north from offshore coordinates, intact boom prevented 

access to the shoreline. Oiled marsh 

vegetation: Phragmites australis. Plants in oilimpacted zone have a heavy oil coating on 

broken and bent stems which are dark 

brown/black in color. The width of the zone of 

oil-damaged plants was not determined. A 

photo of the site is shown in figure 81.

OBS-3-BAT-16 29.45853 89.95261 Aug. 13, 2010 No oiled plants were observed from this off-shore 

survey point. No laid over vegetation or 

black/brown oil residue at the base of stems 

was observed. No photos of this survey point 

were taken.

OBS-3-BAT-17 29.48758 89.92726 Aug. 13, 2010 No oiled plants were observed from this off-shore 

survey point. No laid over vegetation or 

black/brown oil residue at the base of stems 

was observed. No photos of this survey point 

were taken.

OBS-3-BAT-18 29.44553 89.88928 Aug. 13, 2010 A small, 1 m by 1 m, patch of oiled vegetation, 

brown and laid over stems, was observed at 

this survey point. No photos of this survey 

point were taken.

OBS-3-BAT-19 29.44206 89.88648 Aug. 13, 2010 Oiled coastline observed to the north from offshore coordinates, intact boom prevented 

access to the shoreline. Oiled marsh 

vegetation: predominantly Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, and

Distichlis spicata. Plants in oil-impacted zone 

have a heavy oil coating on broken and bent 

stems which are dark brown/black in color.

From this survey point to OBS-3-BAT-20, the 

oil-damaged canopy extended from 2 to 10 m 

into the marsh from the water’s edge, typically 

measured as 8 m using laser rangefinder. A 

photo of the site is shown in figure 82.

OBS-3-BAT-20 29.44461 89.89213 Aug. 13, 2010 Oiled coastline observed to the north from offshore coordinates, intact boom prevented 
56

access to the shoreline. Oiled marsh 

vegetation: predominantly Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, and

Distichlis spicata. Plants in oil-impacted zone 

have a heavy oil coating on broken and bent 

stems which are dark brown/black in color.

From survey point OBS-3-BAT-19 to this 

point, the oil-damaged canopy extended from 

2 to 10 m into the marsh from the water’s 

edge, typically measured as 8 m using laser 

rangefinder. A photo of the site is shown in 

figure 83.

OBS-3-DEL-01 29.15681 89.19048 Aug. 14, 2010 No oil was observed at this survey point. The 

coordinates are to the east of a large area, 20 

by 20 m, covered by water hyacinth

(Eicchornia crassipes). On the edge of the 

water hyacinth is another aquatic plant water 

lily (Nymphaea sp.) that lies flat on the water 

surface with a lobed leaf. A photo of the site is 

shown in figure 84.

OBS-3-DEL-02 29.15964 89.18626 Aug. 14, 2010 No oil was observed at this survey point. The 

coordinates are within a large area, 20 by 20 

m, covered by water lily (Nymphaea sp.). A 

photo of the site is shown in figure 85.

OBS-3-DEL-03 29.14866 89.15174 Aug. 14, 2010 No oil was observed at this survey point. The 

marsh on either side of this off-shore 

coordinate is covered by marsh covered by 

Phragmites australis. No photos of this survey 

point were taken.

OBS-3-DEL-04 29.13699 89.14441 Aug. 14, 2010 No oil was observed at this survey point. The 

coordinates are within a large area, 14 by 20 

m, covered by Sagittaria platyphylla. The 

aquatic plant lies at the edge of the marsh 

covered by Phragmites australis. Photos of the 

site are shown in figures 86 and 87.

OBS-3-DEL-05 29.13337 89.14020 Aug. 14, 2010 No oil was observed at this survey point. The 

marsh to the north side of this off-shore 

coordinate was covered by Phragmites 

australis. No photos of this survey point were 

taken.

OBS-3-DEL-06 29.09711 89.07356 Aug. 14, 2010 No oil was observed at this survey point on a 20 

m by 10 m area of exposed sand beach. Dead 

cane from Phragmites australis was observed 

over a quarter of the beach. Water hyacinth

(Eicchornia crassipes) plants were growing at 

the water’s edge. The beach was surrounded 

by dense P. australis. A photo of the site is 

shown in figure 88.

OBS-3-DEL-07 29.09582 89.07335 Aug. 14, 2010 The area just north of these off-shore coordinates 

may have been impacted by oil. A 14 m deep 

zone of stubble from Phragmites australis

stretches for 80m along the water’s edge. Due 

to the shallowness of the water near shore and 

the water conditions, the shoreline could not 

be accessed. At the edge of the marsh, both 

dead, brown and live, green P. australis was 
57

observed, along with green water hyacinth

(Eicchornia crassipes) growing sparsely.

Many of the P. australis at the edge of the 

marsh were laid over and brown and dry. No 

oil was observed in the water. A photo of the 

site is shown in figure 89.

OBS-3-DEL-08 29.09615 89.07251 Aug. 14, 2010 This area looked similar to OBS-3-DEL-07, 

however, the stubble zone showed less 

evidence of oil. Abundant dry cane from 

Phragmites australis was observed. Due to the 

shallowness of the water near shore and the 

water conditions, the shoreline could not be 

accessed. No oil was observed in the water. No 

photos of this survey point were taken.

OBS-3-DEL-09 29.09904 89.07007 Aug. 14, 2010 No oil was observed at this survey point. The 

shoreline to the north side of this off-shore 

coordinate is a deep (23 m) beach that 

stretches more than 50 m to the east and west 

along the shore. No oil was observed in the 

water. A photo of the site is shown in figure 

90.

Field Photos August 12-14, 2010

 

Figure 38. DWO-3-BAT-01 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
58

 

Figure 39. DWO-3-BAT-01 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
59

 

Figure 40. DWO-3-BAT-01 photo 3 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
60

 

Figure 41. DWO-3-BAT-02 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. 

 

Figure 42. DWO-3-BAT-02 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. 
61

 

Figure 43. DWO-3-BAT-02 photo 3 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. 
62

Figure 44. DWO-3-BAT-03 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
63

 

Figure 45. DWO-3-BAT-03 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 

Figure 46. DWO-3-BAT-03 photo 3 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
64

Figure 47. DWO-3-BAT-05 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled stems were observed at this site. 

 

Figure 48. DWO-3-BAT-05 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled stems were observed at this site. 
65

 

Figure 49. DWO-3-BAT-06 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 

 

Figure 50. DWO-3-BAT-06 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
66

 

Figure 51. DWO-3-BAT-07 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, Distichlis spicata, and Iva frutescens. Oiled vegetation and oildamaged canopy were observed at this site. 
67

 

Figure 52. DWO-3-BAT-07 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, Distichlis spicata, and Iva frutescens. Oiled vegetation and oildamaged canopy were observed at this site. 

Figure 53. DWO-3-BAT-08 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this 

site. 
68

 

Figure 54. DWO-3-BAT-08 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this 

site. 
69

Figure 55. DWO-3-BAT-08 photo 3 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this 

site. 
70

Figure 56. DWO-3-BAT-09 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 

Figure 57. DWO-3-BAT-09 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
71

Figure 58. DWO-3-DEL-01 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including some oil-damaged canopy. 
72

 

Figure 59. DWO-3-DEL-01 photo 2 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis. Oiled vegetation was observed at this site, including some oil-damaged canopy. 
73

Figure 60. OBS-3-BAT-01 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 

Figure 61. OBS-3-BAT-01 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
74

Figure 62. OBS-3-BAT-02 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 

Figure 63. OBS-3-BAT-02 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
75

Figure 64. OBS-3-BAT-03 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 

Figure 65. OBS-3-BAT-04 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
76

Figure 66. OBS-3-BAT-04 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 

Figure 67. OBS-3-BAT-05 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled stems were observed at this site. 
77

Figure 68. OBS-3-BAT-05 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled stems were observed at this site. 
78

Figure 69. OBS-3-BAT-06 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled stems were observed at this site. 

Figure 70. OBS-3-BAT-06 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled stems were observed at this site. 
79

Figure 71. OBS-3-BAT-08 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 

Figure 72. OBS-3-BAT-08 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
80

Figure 73. OBS-3-BAT-09 photo 1 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. 
81

Figure 74. OBS-3-BAT-09 photo 2 taken on August 12, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. 
82

Figure 75. OBS-3-BAT-10 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this 

site. 

Figure 76. OBS-3-BAT-10 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this 

site. 
83

Figure 77. OBS-3-BAT-11 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina patens. 

Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. 

Figure 78. OBS-3-BAT-11 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina patens. 

Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. 
84

Figure 79. OBS-3-BAT-12 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. 
85

 

Figure 80. OBS-3-BAT-12 photo 2 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. 
86

 

Figure 81. OBS-3-BAT-15 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. 

 

Figure 82. OBS-3-BAT-19 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy 

were observed at this site. 
87

 

Figure 83. OBS-3-BAT-20 photo 1 taken on August 13, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy 

were observed at this site. 

 

Figure 84. OBS-3-DEL-01 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Eicchornia 

crassipes and Nymphaea sp. Oil was not observed at this site. 
88

 

Figure 85. OBS-3-DEL-02 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Nymphaea sp. 

(foreground) and Eicchornia crassipes. Oil was not observed at this site. 
89

 

Figure 86. OBS-3-DEL-04 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Sagittaria 

platyphylla (foreground) and Phragmites australis. Oil was not observed at this site. 
90

 

Figure 87. OBS-3-DEL-04 photo 2 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Sagittaria 

platyphylla (foreground) and Phragmites australis. Oil was not observed at this site. 
91

 

Figure 88. OBS-3-DEL-06 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis and Eicchornia crassipes. Oil was not observed at this site. 
92

 

Figure 89. OBS-3-DEL-07 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis and Eicchornia crassipes. Damage to the plant canopy, apparently from oil, was observed 

at this site. 
93

 

Figure 90. OBS-3-DEL-09 photo 1 taken on August 14, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis. Oil was not observed at this site. 

August 24-26, 2010

Figure 91 shows the distribution of the survey points visited during the August 24-26, 

2010, field campaign in Barataria Bay. Because the previous two surveys indicated more 

extensive oiling in Barataria Bay relative to the Bird’s Foot Delta, the Bird’s Foot Delta was not 

surveyed in late August. This allowed a greater number of oiled sites to be visited with the 

limited resources available to conduct the survey. The geographic coordinates and survey dates 

are given in table 3, along with observations of vegetation, indication of the presence/absence of 

oil and characterizations of its physical state (for example, as a coating on plants or as a sheen in 

the water), and descriptions of oil impacts on vegetation. 
94

 

Figure 91. Barataria Bay survey points, August 24-26, 2010.

Table 3. Survey point locations, August 24-26, 2010.

Survey Point Latitude 

(deg. N)

Longitude 

(deg. W) Date Surveyed Field Observations and Measurements

DWO-4-BAT-01 29.44831 89.92112 Aug. 24, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora, 

Juncus roemerianus, and Spartina patens; 12

m heavily oiled zone containing dead, broken 

and bent stems and stubbled grass.

Approximately 10 percent S. alterniflora

regrowth was observed. Erosion of coastline 

was evident. This survey point is near previous 

survey points DWO-2-BAT-11 and DWO-3-

BAT-01. Photos of the site are shown in 

figures 92 and 93.

DWO-4-BAT-03 29.44109 89.90274 Aug. 26, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Heavily oiled grasses 

along 19 m deep zone with negligible

regrowth, containing broken and bent stems, 

and visible oil sheen. Dispersant appears to 

have been used at this site. Shoreline has been 

eroded. Near previous survey point DWO-3-

BAT-03. Photos of the site are shown in 
95

figures 94 and 95.

DWO-4-BAT-06 29.45116 89.86999 Aug. 24, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Juncus roemerianus, 

Distichlis spicata, and Spartina alterniflora; 9 

m oiled zone, containing stubbled grass, 

broken and bent stems, and patches of oil in 

sediment. Algae were not observed. Regrowth 

of D. spicata was observed; shoreline erosion. 

Near previous survey point DWO-3-BAT-06.

Photos of the site are shown in figures 96-99.

DWO-4-BAT-09 29.48598 89.91483 Aug. 24, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Juncus roemerianus, 

Spartina patens, Spartina alterniflora, and 

trace amounts of Distichlis spicata; 4-5 m 

oiled zone, heavily oiled, brownish black 

coating on bent grasses, minimal regrowth 

near edge of non-oiled vegetation; oil sheen in 

water. Near previous survey point DWO-3-

BAT-09. Photos of the site are shown in 

figures 99 and 100.

DWO-4-BAT-10 29.48723 89.91228 Aug. 25, 2010 No oil was observed on the plants, Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora; 

unimpacted site. Near previous survey point 

DWO-2-BAT-10. A photo of the site is shown 

in figure 101.

DWO-4-BAT-12 29.45748 89.86707 Aug. 24, 2010 No oil was observed on the plants, Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus; 

unimpacted site. Near previous survey point 

DWO-2-BAT-12 and DWO-3-BAT-02. A 

photo of the site is shown in figure 102.

DWO-4-BAT-13 29.47919 89.90720 Aug. 25, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora, 

Juncus roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata; 7 

m oiled zone with 4-5 m of oil-stained and 

bent grasses, grasses with intact stems oiled at 

their base extend an additional 1-2 m inland. 

Regrowth covering 10 percent of the oiled 

zone was observed. Photos of the site are 

shown in figures 103 and 104.

OBS-4-BAT-01 29.42089 89.83468 Aug. 26, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora; 11

m oiled zone; 4 m from water edge sparsely 

populated, remainder heavily oiled, laid over 

with stubble. Minor S. alterniflora

regeneration, deeper green regrowth relative to 

unaffected vegetation; oil sheen in water. A 

photo of the site is shown in figure 105.

OBS-4-BAT-02 29.42191 89.83297 Aug. 26, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora, 

Juncus roemerianus, and Spartina patens; 

heavily oiled and dead 12 m zone, stubbled 

grass with approximately 10 percent S.

alterniflora regrowth; oil sheen in water; 

erosion of coastline evident. Photos of the site 

are shown in figures 106 and 107.

OBS-4-BAT-03 29.42450 89.84051 Aug. 26, 2010 No oil was observed from this off-shore survey 

point. Vegetation included Phragmites 

australis, Iva frutescens, Spartina alterniflora, 

Solidage sp., and Distichlis spicata. Shoreline 

could not be accessed due to intact boom. In 

front of the marsh vegetation was a zone of 
96

dark brown sediment reworked by wave/tidal 

activity. No visual evidence of oil impact. 

Photos of the site are shown in figures 108 and 

109.

OBS-4-BAT-04 29.49129 89.90100 Aug. 26, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus; 8 m oil-impacted zone 

containing oil-coated plants with bent stems. 

Regrowth of S. patens and D. spicata was 

observed. Oil sheen was observed in the water. 

Photos of the site are shown in figures 110 and 

111.

OBS-4-BAT-05 29.45898 89.90786 Aug. 26, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Juncus roemerianus and

Spartina patens, and trace Phragmites

australis; 3-6 m zone of oiled, laid over

vegetation extending for ~20m along shore 

where boom has broken. Regrowth of S.

patens over ~10 percent of oiled area was 

observed; regrowth is a darker green color 

relative to less-impacted grass. Oyster shells 

sporadically deposited along oiled shoreline. 

Photos of the site are shown in figures 112 and 

113.

OBS-4-BAT-06 29.46134 89.90941 Aug. 26, 2010 No visible oiling. Dominant plants: Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina sp. along water's 

edge. Photos of the site are shown in figures 

114 and 115.

OBS-4-BAT-07 29.47507 89.91019 Aug. 26, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Juncus roemerianus and

Spartina alterniflora; 3-5 m wide zone across 

>60 m of shoreline. The oiled zone is patchy 

with sporadic areas of oiled and laid over 

plants rather than a continuous oil coating. 

Regrowth of Spartina alterniflora, having a 

brighter green color relative to less-impacted 

grasses, was observed. Photos of the site are 

shown in figures 116 and 117.

OBS-4-BAT-08 29.47607 89.90960 Aug. 26, 2010 No visible oiling. Off-shore survey point. Unable 

to access site due to intact boom. Shoreline 

vegetation dominated by Spartina sp. and

Juncus roemerianus. A photo of the site is 

shown in figure 118.

OBS-4-BAT-09 29.44618 89.90702 Aug. 26, 2010 Off-shore survey point. Site access was restricted 

by intact boom. Heavy oiling was observed. 

The oiled zone is bounded by regrowth of

Spartina sp. A photo of the site is shown in 

figure 119.

OBS-4-BAT-10 29.44975 89.90336 Aug. 26, 2010 No visible oiling. Site access restricted by intact 

boom. Dominant vegetation: Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina sp. Photos of the 

site are shown in figures 120 and 121.

OBS-4-BAT-11 29.44450 89.87408 Aug. 26, 2010 Oiled marsh vegetation: Juncus roemerianus and 

Spartina alterniflora; ~10 percent cover by 

bent grasses with a heavy oil coating; regrowth 

throughout the oiled zone was darker green in 

color compared to adjacent unimpacted zone. 

In the oiled zone, ~60 percent of the area of

regrowing grasses was submerged at the time 
97

of the survey. Photos of the site are shown in 

figures 122 and 123.

OBS-4-BAT-12 29.44618 89.87867 Aug. 26, 2010 No visible oiling. Dominant plants: Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina sp. with stands of 

Phragmites australis. A photo of the site is 

shown in figure 124.
98

Field Photos August 24-26, 2010

Figure 92. DWO-4-BAT-01 photo 1 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy 

were observed at this site. 
99

Figure 93. DWO-4-BAT-01 photo 2 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy 

were observed at this site. 

Figure 94. DWO-4-BAT-03 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
100

Figure 95. DWO-4-BAT-03 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 

Figure 96. DWO-4-BAT-06 photo 1 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus, Distichlis spicata and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy 

were observed at this site. 
101

Figure 97. DWO-4-BAT-06 photo 2 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus, Distichlis spicata and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy 

were observed at this site. 

Figure 98. DWO-4-BAT-06 photo 3 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus, Distichlis spicata and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy 

were observed at this site. 
102

Figure 99. DWO-4-BAT-09 photo 1 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus, Spartina patens, Spartina alterniflora, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oildamaged canopy were observed at this site. 
103

Figure 100. DWO-4-BAT-09 photo 2 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus, Spartina patens, Spartina alterniflora, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oildamaged canopy were observed at this site. 

Figure 101. DWO-4-BAT-10 photo 1 taken on August 25, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oil was not observed at this site. 
104

 

Figure 102. DWO-4-BAT-12 photo 1 taken on August 24, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. 

 

Figure 103. DWO-4-BAT-13 photo 1 taken on August 25, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy 

were observed at this site. 
105

 

Figure 104. DWO-4-BAT-13 photo 2 taken on August 25, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy 

were observed at this site. 

 

Figure 105. OBS-4-BAT-01 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. 
106

 

Figure 106. OBS-4-BAT-02 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy 

were observed at this site. 

 

Figure 107. OBS-4-BAT-02 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy 

were observed at this site. 
107

 

Figure 108. OBS-4-BAT-03 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis, Iva frutescens, Spartina alterniflora, Solidage sp., and Distichlis spicata. Oil was not 

observed at this site. 

 

Figure 109. OBS-4-BAT-03 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Phragmites 

australis, Iva frutescens, Spartina alterniflora, Solidage sp., and Distichlis spicata. Oil was not 

observed at this site. 
108

 

Figure 110. OBS-4-BAT-04 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, Distichlis spicata, and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oildamaged canopy were observed at this site. 
109

 

Figure 111. OBS-4-BAT-04 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina 

alterniflora, Juncus roemerianus, Distichlis spicata, and Spartina patens. Oiled vegetation and oildamaged canopy were observed at this site. 

 

Figure 112. OBS-4-BAT-05 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
110

 

Figure 113. OBS-4-BAT-05 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 

 

Figure 114. OBS-4-BAT-06 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina sp. Oil was not observed at this site. 
111

 

Figure 115. OBS-4-BAT-06 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina sp. Oil was not observed at this site. 

 

Figure 116. OBS-4-BAT-07 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
112

 

Figure 117. OBS-4-BAT-07 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
113

 

Figure 118. OBS-4-BAT-08 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina sp. 

and Juncus roemerianus. Oil was not observed at this site. 

 

Figure 119. OBS-4-BAT-09 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Spartina sp. 

Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at this site. 
114

 

Figure 120. OBS-4-BAT-10 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina sp. Oil was not observed at this site. 

 

Figure 121. OBS-4-BAT-10 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina sp. Oil was not observed at this site. 
115

 

Figure 122. OBS-4-BAT-11 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
116

 

Figure 123. OBS-4-BAT-11 photo 2 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora. Oiled vegetation and oil-damaged canopy were observed at 

this site. 
117

 

Figure 124. OBS-4-BAT-12 photo 1 taken on August 26, 2010. Site vegetation included Juncus 

roemerianus and Spartina sp. Oil was not observed at this site. 

Summary of Results and Discussion

The study area for identifying oil impacts was confined to small areas within Barataria 

Bay and the Bird’s Foot delta, although the area of oil impact in coastal Louisiana was much 

larger. The Barataria sites were dominated by the grass-like perennials Spartina alterniflora and 

Juncus roemerianus. Both of these species are adapted to saline environments and are typically 

less than 2 m tall at maturity (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation 

Service, 2010). In contrast, the dominant vegetation at the Bird’s Foot delta sites was Phragmites 

australis, a reed that grows best in environments with fresher water (less than 10 ppt salinity) 

and can get up to 4 m tall (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation 

Service, 2010). 

All of the Bird’s Foot delta sites were within a small eastern portion of the delta. Only 

two of the 14 sites surveyed showed obvious signs of oiling. The oil that was present was 
118

considered heavy with a consistency of peanut butter. Oiling was observed above the waterline 

(for example, from 60 to 160 cm) illustrating the effects of water level fluctuation. Because oil 

can stay on the water surface for long periods of time, water level fluctuations enable oil to be 

transported deeper into the vegetated zone. Thus, oil can potentially influence not only the 

marshes adjacent to the shoreline, but also more interior marshes that are connected to larger 

water bodies through canals and trenasses. 

In Barataria Bay, observed impact to the marsh ranged from no visible oil to heavy oil 

coatings on plants and broken, damaged canopies. At some heavily oiled sites, red oil: water 

emulsions were observed both on top of and below the water surface. In successive sampling 

trips, an oil layer (up to 1 mm thick) was observed submerged and on the surface of the marsh 

sediment in several locations indicating that oil may have settled out of the water column or been 

left on the surface when the tide went out. Laid over, broken, and fractured aboveground 

vegetation were observed throughout the oiled sites within Barataria Bay. The different growth 

structure of the grasses compared to the reed (for example, height and robustness of stems) make 

the grasses more likely to break under the added weight of a thick oil coating. 

Oil-damaged canopy extended to a maximum of 19 m inland (the widest oil damaged 

zone was at survey point DWO-4-BAT-03). For the Barataria Bay survey areas, figure 125 

shows the magnitude of observed oil impacts in four classes, indicated by colors: green indicates 

that oil was not observed, yellow indicates oil was found on stems of upright and intact plants, 

orange indicates that oil-damaged canopy was observed but the depth of penetration of the oildamaged zone was not measured, and red indicates oil-damaged canopy was observed and its 

extent measured, with the adjacent number indicating the depth (in meters) that the oil damage 

extended into the marsh. 
119

 

Figure 125. Survey points in Barataria Bay, oil damage indicated by color codes: green indicates that 

oil was not observed, yellow indicates oil was found on stems of plants, orange indicates that oildamaged canopy was observed but the depth of penetration of the oil-damaged zone was not 

measured, and red indicates oil- damaged canopy was observed and the adjacent number indicates 

the extent (in meters) that the oil damage extended into the marsh. 

Oil was not observed at 15 of the 61 survey points in Barataria Bay. The presence of oil 

on plant stems, but not oil-damaged canopy, was observed at four survey points. Oil-coated 

vegetation with accompanying damaged canopy in the form of broken and laid over vegetation, 

was observed at a total of 42 survey points. For the 34 survey points with measurements of oildamaged canopies, the mean depth of penetration of the oil-damaged zone was 6.7 m, with a 
120

standard deviation of 4.5 m. The median depth of penetration was 5.5 m. The greatest oil 

damage to plant canopies occurred on small islands in the southern portion of the surveyed area. 

By comparison, the oil damage to plant canopies was reduced at survey points on the northern 

sides of these islands. Many of the survey points that lacked visible observation of oil occurred 

on the northern sides of islands or in protected coves. Survey points at which oil impacts were 

limited to oiling of stems were similarly situated. On the island with the widest oil impact zones, 

survey points in a narrow interior waterway (DWO-3-BAT-05 and OBS-3-BAT-06) were also 

found to contain plants with oiled stems and water contaminated with oil sheen and red-brown 

oil water emulsions.

The extent to which the oil-damaged zone stretched along the shore varied with location 

but often extended more than 100 m parallel to the shoreline. Although the distance of oil 

inundation inland seems relatively narrow, many hectares of coastal marshes were directly 

impacted by the initial oil inundation due to the vast lengths of shoreline that were oiled. Initial 

observations indicate that oiling intensity generally decreased with increasing distance inland 

from the shoreline, thereby supporting a possible hypothesis that the first 10 to 12 m of marsh are 

potentially at greatest risk for loss. Oil sheen was also observed in the water at many sites, 

suggesting oil constituents may be available for further transport into the marsh by tides and 

wind, which may cause future impacts. 

Next Steps

A subsequent research study has been initiated to track above and belowground 

vegetation characteristics within central Barataria Bay. Specific information about above and 

belowground biomass and aboveground species composition will identify whether the initial 

dieback of oiled vegetation influences longer term health and sustainability of oiled marshes. 
121

Coastal Louisiana marshes typically experience high subsidence rates; thus, organic matter 

production and mineral sedimentation are important in maintaining marsh elevation and 

sustainability (Kennish, 2001, DeLaune and others, 2003). If the initial dieback of aboveground 

vegetation reported in this study leads to successive decreases in belowground biomass, the 

marsh may not be able to maintain sufficient elevation to prevent excessive inundation, and 

marsh loss could occur (Hartman, 1988, Nyman and others, 1993, DeLaune and others, 1994, 

Turner and others, 2004, Spalding and Hester 2007). Conversely, if vegetation recolonization 

occurs quickly, the belowground component should respond positively, and the marsh may

maintain sufficient elevation to avoid loss. In this scenario, the oil spill may function as a 

temporary disturbance from which the marsh may quickly recover. At this point, it is difficult to 

predict the long term impact of a sudden dieback of large swaths of shoreline vegetation, but 

through continued research and monitoring of marsh health, recovery in oiled areas can be 

assessed. 

The field data collected as part of the long term study will also serve as ground-truth data 

for existing and future remotely sensed data collections including two AVIRIS flights which will 

occur in spring and summer 2011. The observations presented in the current study are helping to

validate and calibrate oil impacts observed from the AVIRIS flights that occurred in summer 

2010. In the future, field observations and AVIRIS data will be used to track changes in marsh 

condition and composition as well as wetland loss in oil-impacted areas.

Acknowledgments

In response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the NASA AVIRIS team, including Rob 

Green, Mike Eastwood, Sarah Lundeen, Scott Nolte, and Charles Sarture, has shown outstanding 

dedication to applying science and technology in the public interest. Thanks to Ellington Field, 
122

NASA Ames, NASA Johnson Space Center and Dryden Flight Research Center, for their 

support of airborne remote sensing over oil-impacted areas of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

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Appendix A