Motivation for Research and ObjectivesLouisiana contains approximately 40 percent of the coastal wetlands in the lower forty-eight states. Louisiana has lost up to forty square miles of marsh per year for several decades (accounting for 80% of the nation's annual coastal wetland loss) (lacoast.gov). Hydrologically, wetlands replenish aquifers, retain excess floodwaters from intense rainfall, and provide protection against storm surges. The nation also benefits from Louisiana's coastal lands. Louisiana is responsible for much of our nation's oil and gas production, maritime commerce, fishing industry, fur harvesting and oyster production, accounting for more than 55,000 jobs and billions of dollars in revenue. Additionally, wetlands are wonderful recreational resources and part of Louisiana's growing ecotourism activity (http://www.lacoast.gov/new/About/Default.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter). The effects of erosion and marsh loss in the southern United States have devastating consequences on all of these benefits, both local and national. Land loss can be mainly attributed to subsidence, erosion and severe weather events. The USGS reports that a total of 118 square miles of land have been transformed into new water areas in a 9,742 square mile area from the Chandeleur Islands to the Atchafalaya River. This land loss occurred between fall 2004 and fall 2005, after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (USGS, February 2006). Today, thanks to our understanding of the fragility of coastal areas, numerous study and restoration projects are underway. Since the implementation of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) in 1990, there have been 151 coastal restorations...... middle of paper ...... caused resuspension in certain tests. This does not detract from the understanding of the resuspension characteristics of the sample or the ability to use this data for stress plots. However, it would be preferable to have stresses below observable resuspension levels. Differences between Lick's shaker experiments and these experiments: A sampling port for measuring sediment concentration was located 5 in (12.7 cm) from the bottom of the cylinder. In an effort to reduce biological activity, Lick covered the sample cores and stored them in a dark room. Before performing the test, the depth of the superimposed water inside each core was adjusted to 12.7 cm (5 inches). The grid was also adjusted so that the bottom surface was 5.08 cm (2 in) above the sediment surface (the grid oscillated between 5.08 and 7.62 cm above the interface).