Publications by Emily Benson

IAN is committed to producing practical, user-centered communications that foster a better understanding of science and enable readers to pursue new opportunities in research, education, and environmental problem-solving. Our publications synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques.

Nitrogen in the Chesapeake Bay: A Retrospective (Page 1)

Nitrogen in the Chesapeake Bay: A Retrospective

Emily Benson, Heath Kelsey, Jane Hawkey ·
18 August 2010

Nitrogen pollution has been a primary cause of a degraded Chesapeake Bay ecosystem for over a century. Since the Clean Water Act of 1972, Bay monitoring programs have measured the amount of nitrogen coming from human activities and on land (urban, suburban, rural, and industrial) and from natural cycling in the water column. This information is used to evaluate management actions for nutrient reduction.

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Using the aquatic macrophyte Vallisneria americana (wild celery) as a nutrient bioindicator (Page 1)

Using the aquatic macrophyte Vallisneria americana (wild celery) as a nutrient bioindicator

Benson ER, O'Neil JM, and Dennison WC ·
2008

Human sewage and septic waste are significant sources of nutrient loading to many aquatic ecosystems. Ecologically relevant nitrogen sources can be traced by analyzing nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ15N signatures) in aquatic plants. Elevated δ15N signatures can suggest increased uptake of nitrogen derived from human and/or animal waste. In the current study, Vallisneria americana, a freshwater angiosperm, was collected from several locations in Upper Saranac Lake, NY, USA.

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Beneficial use of dredged material to restore Chesapeake Bay wetlands (Page 1)

Beneficial use of dredged material to restore Chesapeake Bay wetlands

Emily Benson, Heather Lane, Jane Thomas ·
23 February 2007

A Mid-Chesapeake Bay Marshlands Restoration project is being developed by the Integration and Application Network, the US Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Port Administration, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources. This newsletter discusses the ecological, economic, and engineering issues associated with using dredged material to restore the eroding marshes of the mid-Chesapeake Bay.

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