USGS geologists study sediment exchange in estuary and marshes

Sediments in estuarine and marsh environments contain organic peat, or material derived from life, that plays an important role in ecosystem health. Here, USGS geologist Chris Smith of the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center uses a peat auger, a type of coring apparatus, to extract peat cores from the mud during field work in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

Learn more about the Estuarine and MaRsh Geology (EMRG) Project.