Grantee Research Project Results
2001 Progress Report: CISNet for the Neuse River Estuary, NC: A Program for Evaluating Nitrogen Driven Eutrophication Associated with Changing Land Use in a Coastal Watershed
EPA Grant Number: R826938Title: CISNet for the Neuse River Estuary, NC: A Program for Evaluating Nitrogen Driven Eutrophication Associated with Changing Land Use in a Coastal Watershed
Investigators: Luettich Jr., Richard A. , Paerl, Hans , Pinckney, Jay
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: October 1, 1998 through September 30, 2001
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2001
Project Amount: $555,300
RFA: Ecological Effects of Environmental Stressors Using Coastal Intensive Sites (1998) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Environmental Statistics , Water Quality , Aquatic Ecosystems , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration
Objective:
The overall objective of the UNC-CH CISNet project is to build on the historical water quality data set in the Neuse River Estuary (NRE), and to enhance and expand the ongoing monitoring and process-based research being conducted there. Major components of this research include: (1) monitoring of water quality, (2) continuous monitoring of circulation, and (3) data management, archival, and integration.
Progress Summary:
Monitoring of Water Quality Parameters Along the Length of the NRE
The water quality monitoring program initiated in 1994 has been continued through this reporting period. We (IMS) visited 19 mid-estuary stations along the NRE at biweekly intervals. Water column profiles of temperature, salinity, irradiance, pH, and dissolved oxygen were determined at each station. Water samples were collected at 11 mid-channel stations between Streets Ferry Bridge (SFB) and Pamlico Sound (PS), the South River station (component 3), and two near-shore sampling stations. Dissolved nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, silicate, orthophosphate), particulate carbon and nitrogen, photopigments, and primary productivity were measured in near surface and near bottom samples.
We have processed, analyzed, and distributed the biweekly hydrographic data since the inception of this project (http://www.marine.unc.edu/neuse/modmon). Additionally, we have assessed the concentrations of nutrients and chlorophyll a through August 2001. In the 8 year context (dating back to 1994), 2001 was a low discharge year with low dissolved inorganic N loading. Owing to the low discharge, salinities in the NRE were relatively high. Occurrences of low dissolved oxygen were comparable to previous years and perhaps most closely resembled the low discharge year of 1997. The low discharge and consequently low flushing rates allowed NOx concentrations to drop substantially (due to extended time for biological uptake) as water traveled over the 20 km stretch immediately downstream from Streets Ferry Bridge. Chlorophyll a levels were less in 2001 than in 2000. In general, the longitudinal positions of maximum chlorophyll a concentrations seem to correspond roughly to the 200 mg/L NOx concentration in the estuary.
Continuous Monitoring of Circulation and Flushing of the NRE
Data collected during the 1999-2000 field seasons of this project clearly show the process of wind driven upwelling across the upper portion of the NRE (upstream of the bend at Cherry Point). Winds blowing toward the north cause downwelling of oxygenated surface water near the north shore and upwelling of low oxygen bottom water near the south shore. Southward directed winds cause the opposite effect. This upwelling brings low oxygen water up into the water column and hence into potential contact with pelagic fish that would otherwise avoid such waters. We believe that this is a causal mechanism for fishkills that frequently occur in this section of the NRE.
Systematic Management, Archival, and Integration of Data From All Ongoing NRE Research
All mid-estuary water quality data are stored in spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel) that are available for other NRE researchers. The data sets also include water quality information gathered by our companion groups at the North Carolina Department of Water Quality (NCDWQ) and Weyerhauser, Inc. The integration of IMS data with NCDWQ and Weyerhauser provides a weekly snapshot of water quality in the NRE. Data from 1994-2001 are available electronically and on compact disc (CD) from IMS, and graphical summaries of the hydrographic data can be accessed at the Web site.
The integrated water quality data set has become the backbone of water quality modeling efforts in support of the State of North Carolina's effort to set a total maximum daily load (TMDL) on nitrogen for the NRE. Three coordinated but independent studies reached consistent conclusions about the nitrogen loading reduction required for the NRE to meet established chlorophyll a based water quality standards. These results were used to set a draft TMDL for nitrogen during 2001.
Future Activities:
We will continue the water quality monitoring programs described above. Our laboratory will continue to analyze samples, and the data will be processed, stored, and distributed as we have done in the past. Furthermore, we are continuing with data analyses to look for relationships among driving factors (e.g., freshwater discharge) and patterns in water column hydrography, nutrients, and oxygen concentrations.
Journal Articles on this Report : 4 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 82 publications | 21 publications in selected types | All 19 journal articles |
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Borsuk ME, Stow CA, Luettich Jr. RA, Paerl HW, Pinckney JL. Modelling oxygen dynamics in an intermittently stratified estuary: estimation of process rates using field data. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 2001;52(1):33-49. |
R826938 (2001) R826938 (Final) R825243 (1999) R825243 (Final) R827957 (Final) |
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Luettich RA, Carr SD, Reynolds-Fleming JV, Fulcher CW, McNinch JE. Semi-diurnal seiching in a shallow, micro-tidal lagoonal estuary. Continental Shelf Research 2002;22(11-13):1669-1681. |
R826938 (2000) R826938 (2001) R826938 (Final) R828677C001 (2002) R828677C001 (2003) |
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Paerl HW, Bales JD, Ausley LW, Buzzelli CP, Crowder LB, Eby LA, Fear JM, Go M, Peierls BL, Richardson TL and Ramus JS. Ecosystem impacts of three sequential hurricanes (Dennis, Floyd and Irene) on the US's largest lagoonal estuary, Pamlico Sound, NC. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 2001;98(10):5655-5660. |
R826938 (2001) R826938 (Final) |
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Paerl HW, Dennis RL, Whitall DR. Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen: implications for nutrient over-enrichment of coastal waters. Estuaries and Coasts 2002;25(4):677-693. |
R826938 (2001) R826938 (Final) R828677C001 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
watersheds, estuary, precipitation, nitrogen, ecosystem, aquatic, ecology, monitoring, Atlantic coast, North Carolina, NC., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water & Watershed, Nutrients, Ecology, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, Chemistry, State, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Monitoring/Modeling, Air Deposition, Southeast, Biology, Watersheds, aquatic ecosystem, coastal ecosystem, environmental monitoring, eutrophication, hydrological stability, ecological exposure, risk assessment, fish kills, estuaries, coastal watershed, meteorology, bioavailability, coastal zone, esturarine eutrophication, algal growth, coastal environments, hypoxia, CISNet Program, anoxia/hypoxia, estuarine ecosystems, algal blooms, aquatic ecosystems, Neuse River Estuary, water quality, North Carolina (NC), stress responses, atmospheric deposition, land use, nitrogen, ecological responseRelevant Websites:
http://www.marine.unc.edu/ Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.