Keywords

Zinc; gabions; restoration; Indian River Lagoon; galvanized wire

Abstract

Zinc is an essential nutrient, but can be toxic at high concentrations, negatively affecting various biological functions. Gabions are galvanized metals coated in zinc that are used for many human purposes, including coastal restoration efforts attempting to avoid using plastic materials. However, gabions can degrade in marine environments, potentially leaching metal into the water and soil. There is a knowledge gap regarding the occurrence and impacts of zinc pollution in the areas where these gabions are deployed, including the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). To address this, sediment samples were collected from the IRL and analyzed for their physical and chemical properties. Metal extractions were performed on the soil and samples were analyzed on an ICP-MS. Sediment adjacent to the gabion structures had significantly higher levels of zinc than the control sediments (p < 0.05) at two of three sites. However, these concentrations were below levels that may inhibit growth of plants in the area, specifically mangroves and seagrass. Site sediments were moderately alkaline (pH 8.2 - 8.9) and low in organic content (0.5 - 4%), while the sites varied in calcium carbonate concentration. These soil properties suggest the zinc would be more likely to leach into the water than be adsorbed to the sediment. This study demonstrates the importance of testing materials to fully understand their chemical impact before employing them for restoration.

Thesis Completion Year

2025

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Chambers, Lisa

College

College of Sciences

Department

Biology

Thesis Discipline

Biology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright