Cache is placed with special permission from Marshy Point Nature Center
Marshy Point is one of several wetlands that are part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Wetlands mark a transitional environment for the flow of water (discharge) and the transport of sediments (erosion). Note erosion and weathering are not the same thing, despite a common misconception. Erosion describes the transport of sediments while weathering is the act of breaking larger rocks into smaller pieces.
Wetlands typically form under certain conditions and have the following qualities:
1) flat land with little topographic and geomorphological differences along local distances
2) stream gradients (elevation change) near their terminus in the wetland shall be low so that the discharge is also low
3) silt and clay sized particles settle out, with sand sized particles only settling during seldom high discharge events
4) little to no difference between high and low tides
5) Flow is not stagnate and is continuous to prevent salt water infiltration
Since colonial times, the Chesapeake Bay has lost a lot of its natural wetlands. So it is important to preserve and protect them as well as educate to the public about their importance. Marshy Point Wetlands are mostly fed by the Dundee and Saltpeter Creeks. Wetlands are important geologically speaking in that they filter out sediments before flowing into the ocean (in this case the Chesapeake Bay before the Atlantic).
Wetlands are an important driver in the nitrogen and carbon cycles, helping to lock and store nutrients in the rock record. Aditionally, wetlands contribute to nearly 70% of global atmospheric methane emissions. They allow runoff and nutrients to naturally filter through before entering the ocean. This does effect what types of sediments can be deposited. In more recent times, they help filter out polutants. As sand sized particles are not able to pass through the wetlands, the rock record of a wetland would show silt and clay deposits interbedded with organic material (coal) millions of years later.
Works Cited
https://abbottmarshlands.org/wildlife-plants-and-habitats-2/geology/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/477874210441524668/
https://serc.carleton.edu/mel/teaching_resources/wetlands_mel.html
TO LOG A FIND ON THIS CACHE YOU MUST ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS BELOW. YOU CAN CONTACT ME THROUGH MY EMAIL OR THE GEOCACHING MESSAGE CENTER TO SEND YOUR ANSWERS. ANY INCORRECT ANSWERS MAY RESULT IN A CLARIFICATION RESPONSE FROM ME.
1. "Marshy Point Wetlands" on the first line of your email AND list all geocaching names of your party so I can match your answers to them. If you all want to learn something, I would prefer each cacher send me individual emails in the spirt of earthcaching.
2. Take a photo of you (or your signature item if you don't want to show your face) at the "Marshy Point's Wetlands" informational sign at the posted coordinates. This photo MUST be uploaded to your found it log. I do not accept photos through the message center as geocaching compresses images.
3. The Chesapeake Bay has lost about how much of its natural wetlands since colonial times?
4. Look at the shoreline directly behind the two interpretive signs. Is the shoreline made of sand, silt, or clay or a combination of these? Can you see an abrupt shoreline or is it more gradual and submerged underwater? Explain your observations.
5. Walk down to the end of the pier and look in the water as you do so. Has the flow of water changed from the shore? What about the sediments in the water? Is the water more clear or murky or is it about the same transparency? Explain your observations.
