Grantee Research Project Results
2002 Progress Report: Trophic Indicators of Ecosystem Health in Chesapeake Bay
EPA Grant Number: R828677C002Subproject: this is subproject number 002 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R828677
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: EAGLES - Atlantic Coast Environmental Indicators Consortium
Center Director: Paerl, Hans
Title: Trophic Indicators of Ecosystem Health in Chesapeake Bay
Investigators: Houde, Edward D. , Boicourt, William C. , Miller, W. David , Kimmel, David G. , Gallegos, Charles L. , Roman, Michael R. , Harding Jr., Lawrence W. , Magnuson, Andrea , Rakocinski, Chet , Jordan, Christy , Adolf, Jason , Jung, Sukgeun , Connelly, W.
Institution: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science , University of Mississippi
Current Institution: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science , University of Maryland - College Park , University of Mississippi
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: March 1, 2001 through February 28, 2003
Project Period Covered by this Report: March 1, 2001 through February 28, 2002
RFA: Environmental Indicators in the Estuarine Environment Research Program (2000) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Water , Aquatic Ecosystems
Objective:
The objectives of this research project are to: (1) develop indicators capable of determining plankton and fish community structure and function (i.e., indices of trophic transfer); and (2) couple these indicators to physical-chemical and remote-sensing assessments of ecosystem condition.
Progress Summary:
Remote Sensing and Bio-Optics
SeaWiFS Simulator Aircraft (SAS) III flights were conducted on a total of six occasions in Albemarle-Pamlico Sound from spring through fall in conjunction with the Chesapeake Bay flight series to measure chlorophyll (chl-a) and temperature distributions. The Chesapeake Bay Remote Sensing Program (CBRSP) is the more intensive part of this comparative effort, consisting of less than 20 flights per year on the main stem Bay and 8-12 flights per year on 2 tributaries of focus, the Choptank and Patuxent Rivers. The former is linked to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) efforts and falls under the auspice of CBRSP that now spans 1989-2002; the latter continued a time series from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/NASA Choptank Coastal Intensive Site Network (CISNet) program that focused on the Choptank River.
Shipboard bio-optical measurements were conducted on two sets of cruises as part of the Chesapeake Bay component of Atlantic Coast Environmental Indicators Consortium (ACE INC). The first set gave coverage of the main stem Bay and adjacent coastal waters in collaboration with Bess Ward's Biocomplexity project; the second set gave coverage of the Choptank and Patuxent Rivers concurrent with surveys of physical properties (Boicourt), zooplankton sampling (Roman), and fish trawls (Houde). Bio-optical measurements on both sets of cruises supported the remote sensing efforts and included: (1) chl-a; (2) particulate absorption; (3) colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) absorption and fluorescence; (4) seston; (5) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pigment determinations; (6) inwater profiles of downwelling irradiance and upwelling radiance from a suite of instruments to recover remote-sensing reflectance; and (7) sun-photometer measurements for atmospheric turbidity. The optical instruments for profiles included a Satlantic hyperspectral tethered radiometer buoy (TSRB) and two profilers, a Biospherical Instruments MER-2040, and a Satlantic MicroPro. Deployment of these instruments is supporting quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) of radiometry for ACE INC and comparisons with satellite and aircraft recoveries of key ecosystem properties.
Figure 1. Chlorophyll-a (chl-a, mg m-3) Distributions in the Chesapeake Bay From Aircraft Remote Sensing of Ocean Color Using SAS III for Six Dates in Spring-Summer 2000
The Chesapeake Bay group has applied recently published models of primary productivity (PP) to the complete time series of remote-sensing data to generate spatially explicit outputs of PP for the main Bay. These data are now being analyzed to develop predictive capabilities for this integrative indicator of ecosystem function for the Bay. The specific approach combines data on freshwater input and nutrient loading to the estuary with the less than 400 time-point data set developed from the remotely sensed data and models applied thereto. We reported on progress at an international symposium on primary productivity in the oceans in Bangor, Wales, in March 2002. Measurements of primary productivity on the main stem Bay and tributary cruises were conducted throughout 2002 to obtain validation data for model outputs, and the data now are being processed and analyzed.
Oxygen and Residence Time Component Indicators
Both field and analytical modeling efforts are being employed in the attempt to incorporate dissolved oxygen and residence time in meaningful indicators of estuarine health. For the field effort, we are focusing on the exchange dynamics and short-term oxygen variability of the Choptank and Patuxent River estuaries, using shipboard axial surveys and moored sensors. These field measurements, while undertaking a comparative approach, also extend the time-series program in the Choptank that was initiated with our CISNet study. In addition to employing standard conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) surveys, a rapid sampling towed vehicle, the ACROBAT, was used to delineate the fine structure in the physical field, and the fine structure of oxygen, chl-a, and zooplankton distributions. The Stephens-Greenspan oxygen sensor was deployed in a variety of environments in the Choptank River and main stem Chesapeake Bay to test its ability to handle the deleterious effects of biofouling and hypoxia. This sensor maintained accuracy considerably longer (>1 month) than other probes under biofouling and hypoxic conditions. The performance was sufficiently stable so we acquired two units for deployment in Spring 2003. We also acquired the new Aanderaa/PerSens Optode oxygen sensor for similar evaluation.
The field measurements generally were successful, although we encountered some difficulty in achieving stable flight performance with the ACROBAT with our heavy payload of sensors. This problem is common with this vehicle, but we now have acquired a new, more efficient control wing and have refined the trim settings and established reliable communications with the global positioning system (GPS) and echo sounder. We expect to be fully operational for our spring 2003 cruise.
Analytical efforts have moved forward with the assembly and processing of historical oxygen data and the spinup of a simple advection-diffusion model for the tributary estuaries. Background geometrical data were developed for the model, and then the 3-year CISNet time-series data were processed for the evaluation of the exchange coefficients. The longitudinal structure of these coefficients included a marked maximum in midestuary, where the peak values were a factor of five greater than in adjacent regions. Further analysis revealed a confined region of elevated gravitational circulation located between the one-layer circulation in the upper reaches and the pulsed, wind-driven circulation in the lower reaches. A similar structure has been discovered in the Pocomoke River estuary.
The advection-diffusion model was coded, debugged, and successfully run for the Choptank River. A strong advantage of this modeling approach is that it can provide an accounting of salt storage (and residence time) within the tributary estuary and significantly improved estimates of exchange between the tributary and the main stem estuary. A Sea Grant Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) student, Kelley Kearney, participated in the construction of this model. Her contributions were recognized by an award from Sea Grant, who sponsored travel and a presentation at the Spring Meeting of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Integrated Physical and Biological Studies
Three research cruises (April, June, and July), each of 4 days duration, were conducted during 2002 in the Patuxent and Choptank Rivers, tributaries of Chesapeake Bay, to compare and characterize biological productivity and community structure. We have hypothesized that the overall quality of habitat and productivity will differ between the two rivers, with healthier communities in the Patuxent, in response to reduced nutrient loading and improved water quality in that tributary in recent years. On these cruises, we sampled phytoplankton (see above), zooplankton, and fish using a variety of methods. Phytoplankton sampling centers on characterizing the distribution and abundance of chl-a as a measure of biomass, primary productivity using simulated in situ sunlight incubations and 14C tracer techniques, pigment composition using HPLC, bio-optical measurements (inherent optical properties), and ancillary measurements of dissolved inorganic nutrients and suspended particulate matter. Zooplankton sampling includes optical plankton counter (OPC) and acoustic measurements, and traditional tow and pump sampling techniques. Optical and acoustic data are used to assess the size range and biomass of zooplankton in both systems for use in biomass size spectra. Tow and pump samples are used to examine the differences in species composition and abundance between the Choptank and Patuxent Rivers. Species composition may be affected by food availability, anoxia, freshwater input, etc. Fish data on abundances, sizes, feeding habits, and age/size structure are being analyzed.
A 1-day cruise specifically conducted to compare day and night variability in fish catches was conducted in August to allow adjustment of daytime trawl data for escapement and to improve the fish biomass size spectra that are being generated as part of ACE INC. The vulnerability of some species (e.g., weakfish, Atlantic croaker, menhaden) increased at night, while other species (e.g., bay anchovy, harvestfish) were equally vulnerable by day or night. Sizes of fish were similar in the day and night catches.
Biomass size spectra of fishes collected in calendar year (CY) 2003 research cruises and from earlier cruises that were part of the U.S. Technology for International Environmental Solutions (US-TIES) Program are being developed and analyzed. The spectra are multimodal, with two major modes that represent: (1) small forage fishes (e.g., bay anchovy) that primarily feed on zooplankton; and (2) larger carnivorous fishes (e.g., Atlantic croaker and white perch). The structure and variability in modal elevations and the slopes of the normalized spectra are being analyzed to evaluate these parameters as indicators of fish community structure. Spectra for the 6-year period, 1995-2000, now are developed. A follow-up step is to link the fish biomass size spectra to those for zooplankton, and eventually to phytoplankton to produce integrated spectra that may be indicators of ecosystem status or health.
Jason Adolf, a recent Ph.D. from Horn Point Laboratory (HPL), joined the Harding research group on December 1, 2002. He is focusing on pigment reconstructions of taxonomic composition coupled with physiological and productivity measurements on phytoplankton. William Connelly, a Ph.D. candidate at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL), joined the Houde research group in July 2002. He will conduct dissertation research on biomass size spectra (including overall spectra developed from primary producers, zooplankton, and fish) as integrative indicators of estuarine health. Postdoc Sukgeun Jung is synthesizing available data on fish biomass size spectra, especially elements related to ecological scaling that distort spectra and produce multispectral peaks, making it difficult to interpret trophic relationships in the fish community.
Figure 2. Regional (Upper, Middle, and Lower Bay) Biomass Size Spectra for Fish in Chesapeake Bay, Based on Averaged Regional Estimates of Trawlable Biomass for the 6-Year Period, 1995-2000
Zooplankton as Indicators of Climate Change and Trophic Change in Estuaries
Spatial and temporal changes in zooplankton community composition and abundance have been observed in response to freshwater input in the Chesapeake Bay. To determine how freshwater flow directly impacts zooplankton species in the Chesapeake Bay, statistical models were constructed from long-term monitoring data. The purpose of the models was to identify how changing estuarine conditions that accompanied increases or decreases in freshwater input impacted zooplankton dynamics. Significant deviations from the models were found for particular time periods and correlated with water quality conditions. Time periods showing the strongest deviations from the model typically were "wet" or "dry" years. Therefore, we believe that zooplankton may be used as indicators of changes in estuarine condition that relate to freshwater discharge.
Chesapeake Bay zooplankton covaried with regional weather patterns calculated from data on sea-level pressure. Particular weather patterns impacted the Chesapeake Bay region differently, causing variations in temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, etc. Weather pattern anomalies were calculated and correlated with shifts in mesozooplankton abundance and community composition. Winter-spring weather conditions appeared to influence the distribution of zooplankton in the spring and summer. Weather events, such as hurricanes and nor'easters, were found to significantly impact zooplankton dynamics. Depending on the magnitude of such events, zooplankton dynamics may be altered for significant time periods. Such events were often accompanied by strong freshwater input, allowing our statistical models to predict their effects.
Zooplankton may be used as indicators of trophic and climate change in estuaries. Shifts in zooplankton abundance and species composition may indicate potential changes in the abundance and distribution of higher and lower trophic-level organisms. Anadromous fish rely on abundant zooplankton prey in the spring as food for larvae. Shifts in the abundance or species of zooplankton prey may impact these fish negatively or positively. Zooplankton can be used to indicate whether the spring "trophic condition" is favorable or unfavorable for anadromous fish recruitment. It also may be possible to predict the spring zooplankton species composition and abundance in advance based on winter-spring weather patterns and abundance models. Zooplankton also may be used as indicators of climate change. Regional climate models based on CO2 increases in the atmosphere can predict shifts in weather patterns. As shown above, these weather patterns are related to zooplankton dynamics in the estuary. A shift in distribution or abundance of particular species can be predicted from a change in weather and therefore be a useful indicator of climate change in estuaries.
Future Activities:
Future activities include the: (1) continuation of the objectives and research schedule of Project Year 2, with an increased emphasis on applying indicators to other estuarine systems, including the Neuse-Pamlico Sound systems; and (2) comparison and cross-calibration of pigment-based indicators of phytoplankton functional groups as well as zooplankton and higher trophic-level indicators between the Chesapeake and these systems.
We also will tune the coefficients, test the accuracy of the model on the ACE INC surveys, and apply the model to the Patuxent River and Pocomoke River estuaries. Although residence time formulations are being developed for this model, we will expand our modeling activity to explore the utility of a two-dimensional model, which is expected to directly capture the gravitational circulation in key reaches of these tributaries.
We convened an all-day meeting of Chesapeake Bay ACE INC participants at HPL in January to discuss progress during the initial year of field sampling and coordinate our efforts for FCY 2003. The meeting consisted of presentations on each of the major themes of our component, detailing progress toward developing integrative indicators from several perspectives. Assignments were made at the meeting to develop "theme area" statement for each of four themes, including: (1) phytoplankton composition/physiology (Adolf and Harding); (2) biomass size spectra (Houde, Kimmel); (3) dissolved oxygen (Jung, Boicourt); and (4) influences of climate (Kimmel, Miller, Harding). These two-page summaries are being used to define products, including individual manuscripts in each of the theme areas, and to identify collaborative products within the Chesapeake Bay ACE INC component and with other members of ACE INC proper. We intend to expand the summaries by early summer and follow through on assignments for specific analyses and products.
Essentially, Project Year 3 objectives will remain the same as Project Year 2. We will continue to analyze short-and long-term zooplankton data sets to identify and potentially distinguish climatic from other drivers of community structure and function. In addition, efforts will be made to establish a comparative zooplankton community data set for the Neuse-Pamlico system in collaboration with H. Paerl and colleagues at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) Institute of Marine Sciences. A UNC-CH (Marine Science) graduate student (Amy Waggener) has been trained to initiate routine zooplankton data collection and analysis for the Neuse River Estuary. This will form part of her Master's thesis.
Journal Articles on this Report : 3 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other subproject views: | All 83 publications | 18 publications in selected types | All 18 journal articles |
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Other center views: | All 385 publications | 101 publications in selected types | All 90 journal articles |
Type | Citation | ||
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Adolf JE, Yeager CL, Miller WD, Mallonee ME, Harding Jr. LW. Environmental forcing of phytoplankton floral composition, biomass, and primary productivity in Chesapeake Bay, USA. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 2006;67(1-2):108-122. |
R828677C002 (2002) |
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Harding Jr. LW, Mallonee ME, Perry ES. Toward a predictive understanding of primary productivity in a temperate, partially stratified estuary. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 2002;55(3):437-463. |
R828677 (2001) R828677 (Final) R828677C002 (2002) R828677C002 (Final) R826941 (Final) |
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Jung S, Houde ED. Fish biomass size spectra in Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries and Coasts 2005;28(2):226-240. |
R828677 (Final) R828677C002 (2002) R828677C002 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, trophodynamics, size spectrum, bio-optics, remote sensing, primary production, high-performance liquid chromatography, HPLC, photopigments, dissolved oxygen, circulation, estuarine management, nutrients, regional-scale indicators, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, RESEARCH, particulate matter, Air Quality, exploratory research environmental biology, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, Air Pollutants, Chemistry, climate change, Air Pollution Effects, Monitoring/Modeling, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Monitoring, Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Atmosphere, Ecological Indicators, anthropogenic stress, aerosol formation, ambient aerosol, atmospheric particulate matter, atmospheric dispersion models, aquatic ecosystem, climate change effects, ecoindicator, fish habitats, remote sensing, environmental monitoring, environmental measurement, assessment models, meteorology, climatic influence, global change, ozone, air quality models, climate, Choptank River, trophic effects, climate models, greenhouse gases, airborne aerosols, atmospheric aerosol particles, atmospheric transport, estuarine ecoindicator, estuarine ecosystems, environmental stress, water quality, ecological models, climate model, greenhouse gas, aerosols, atmospheric models, Global Climate Change, atmospheric chemistry, ambient air pollution, climate variabilityRelevant Websites:
Chesapeake Bay Remote Sensing Program (CBRSP) Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractMain Center Abstract and Reports:
R828677 EAGLES - Atlantic Coast Environmental Indicators Consortium Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R828677C001 Phytoplankton Community Structure as an Indicator of Coastal Ecosystem
Health
R828677C002 Trophic Indicators of Ecosystem Health in Chesapeake Bay
R828677C003 Coastal Wetland Indicators
R828677C004 Environmental Indicators in the Estuarine Environment: Seagrass Photosynthetic Efficiency as an Indicator of Coastal Ecosystem Health
The 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.
Project Research Results
18 journal articles for this subproject
Main Center: R828677
385 publications for this center
90 journal articles for this center