Merrymeeting Bay (MMB) is a freshwater, tidal estuary in MidCoast Maine that contains a sedimentary record of ecosystem dynamics, elemental cycling, and climate events. This project seeks to evaluate MMB sediments to construct a record of drought events in MidCoast Maine. We hypothesize that sulfate-rich ocean water intrusion into the lower estuary during drought periods will increase sedimentary sulfur concentrations. Total sedimentary sulfur and iron signatures analyzed for a down-estuary core showed that the concentration of sulfur was greater (4,000-6,000 ppm) in the top 20-80 cm than the bottom 100-170 cm (1,000-2,000 ppm), whereas Fe concentrations were relatively constants through out the profile (16,000-18,000 ppm). In order to confirm whether peak sulfur concentrations may indicate a drought period, analysis of total sulfur and iron signatures from an up-estuary core with limited potential for ocean water intrusion is currently in progress.

Sedimentary sulfur as an indicator of drought in MidCoast Maine

245th National Meeting (2013)

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