SREL Reprint #2180

Differential sensitivity of Nyssa aquatica and Taxodium distichum seedlings grown in fly ash amended sand

Kenneth W. McLeod and Thomas G. Ciravolo

Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802

Abstract: Nyssa aquatica and Taxodium distichum seedlings were grown for four months in sand amended with 0, 2.5, 5, and 10% fly ash (by weight). Leaf boron concentrations were linearly related to fly ash addition up to the 5% treatment but did not increase in the 10% treatment. Taxodium distichum growth was not adversely affected by fly ash addition. However, N. aquatica biomass, basal diameter, and height were reduced 75, 50, and 50%, respectively, at the two highest fly ash rates. By differentially affecting the growth and vigor of seedlings of these two dominant woody species, regeneration of N. aquatica would be much less successful than T. distichum in wetlands containing fly ash.

Keywords: fly ash, boron, swamp, Taxodium distichum, Nyssa aquatica, baldcypress, water tupelo

SREL Reprint #2180

McLeod, K.W. and T.G. Ciravolo. 1997. Differential sensitivity of Nyssa aquatica and Taxodium distichum seedlings grown in fly ash amended sand. Wetlands 17:330-335.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).