Grantee Research Project Results
2004 Progress Report: The Hudson Riverscope Prototype: Real-Time Monitoring of Rivers and Estuaries for Research, Education and Science-Based Decision Support
EPA Grant Number: CR830976Title: The Hudson Riverscope Prototype: Real-Time Monitoring of Rivers and Estuaries for Research, Education and Science-Based Decision Support
Investigators: Cronin, John , Bell, R. , Nierzwicki-Bauer, S.
Institution: Pace University - New York , Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Columbia University in the City of New York
Current Institution: Pace University - New York , Columbia University in the City of New York , Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: August 14, 2003 through July 31, 2005
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 14, 2003 through July 31, 2004
Project Amount: $487,500
RFA: Targeted Research Grant (2002) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Targeted Research
Objective:
Riverscope’s aim is to provide improved management of rivers and estuaries through better scientific understanding of riverine processes. The specific objective of this research project is to understand the flow of water and its transport of organic and inorganic substances in real time along the approximately 300 miles of the Hudson estuary. Independently managed research monitoring sites will be established as the first steps to “wiring” the Hudson River and transforming it into a shared laboratory for higher education and postgraduate interdisciplinary research and education. Riverscope is integral to New York Governor Pataki’s plan for the Rivers and Estuaries Center.
Progress Summary:
To date, the fieldwork component of the research project has been completed and data analysis is ongoing. Two distinct events in the Hudson River and estuary were monitored during the spring of 2004. Data collection encompassed six sites along the Hudson River: Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory sites at Piermont and Stony Point; a U.S. Geological Survey site at Poughkeepsie; and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute sites at Albany, Cohoes (Mohawk), and Lock 2 (Champlain Canal). We are studying sediment transport mechanisms through acoustic monitoring complemented by a SF6 tracer release experiment. Both will inform management concerns related to the detection, remediation, and treatment of substances discharged into the river and the evaluation of the role of sediments in the transport of toxic substances through the system. In addition, the research project’s earliest pilots involve the study of Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel) dispersion, an exotic invasive species threatening many natural and industrial uses of the estuary.
Future Activities:
Sediment Transport
We will finalize the processing of both deployment periods and merge the data. To obtain real values for the suspended sediment load, the backscatter amplitudes will be calibrated using real water samples (autumn 2004). After the final processing and calibration of the raw data, we will compare the data from the individual sites with observations from the other sites. We expect detailed information on the effects on flow and sediment transport in the system.
Zebra Mussel Dispersion
We will focus on completing the analysis of samples to provide greater detail in specific areas. We also will focus on obtaining precise information on the relationship between veliger size and age. Finally, based on the SF6 tracer study, we intend to elucidate the distribution, abundance, and veliger size and use this information to predict the location of zebra mussel colonies that have spawned the observed veligers. We will ground-truth these predications and make modifications to the map of zebra mussel colonies as needed.
Tracer Release
We will continue a nalysis of the SF6 results. Publication of the results is anticipated in the spring of 2005.
Education
We will make multimedia visualization materials available on a public Web site for each of the three pilot experiments: sediment transport, zebra mussels, and tracer release. The user will be able to “visit” the location, tour the site in a three-dimensional virtual tour, and access the advanced sensory data by clicking on the appropriate location in the interactive world presented on the screen. Sensor data and images then can be accessed remotely by researchers, educators, and organizations to further study and control the Hudson River environment.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 9 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
sediments, estuary, chemical transport, indicators, aquatic, invasive species, ecology, hydrology, engineering, remote sensing, Mid-Atlantic, New York, EPA Region 2,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, State, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, aquatic ecosystem, sediment transport, modeling, estuarine ecoindicator, biological control model, river ecosystem, Hudson River, real-time monitoringProgress 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.