U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NEW YORK BIGHT WATER QUALITY
SUMMER OF 1982
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIVISION
REGION 2
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10278
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NEW YORK BIGHT WATER QUALITY
SUMMER OF 1982
Report Prepared By: United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region II - Surveillance and Monitoring Branch
Edison, New Jersey 08837
Randy Braun, Physical Scientist
Surveillance Section
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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this report is to disseminate technical information
gathered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region II, during the
1982 New York Bight Water Quality Monitoring Program. The monitoring program
was conducted using an EPA helicopter for water quality sample collection.
During the summer period of May 26 to November 8, 1982, 149 stations were
sampled each week, weather permitting. The Bight sampling program was
conducted 5 days a week, 6 days a week in July and August, and consisted
of four separate sampling networks.
The beach station network gathered bacteriological water quality infor-
mation at 26 Long Island coast stations and 40 New Jersey coast stations.
The New York Bight station network gathered chemical and bacteriological
information at 20 stations in the inner New York Bight. The perpendicular
station network consisted of 12 transects extending from the New Jersey and
Long Island coasts. Three transects extended south from the Long Island
coast, with 4 stations in each transect and 9 transects extended east from
the New Jersey coast with 5 stations in each transect. The transects covered
the inner Bight from Jones Beach on Long Island to Strathmere, along the New
Jersey coast. Samples were collected for dissolved oxygen and temperature.
The New York Bight Contingency Network consisted of 24 stations which were
sampled twice weekly for dissolved oxygen and once a week for fecal
coliform densities. Samples for phytoplankton identification and nutrient
analysis were collected at 9 stations along the New Jersey coast and in
Raritan Bay.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. SAMPLE COLLECTION PROGRAM 3
III. DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLING STATIONS 8
Beach Stations 8
New York Bight Stations 8
Perpendicular Stations 16
New York Bight Contingency Plan Stations 16
Phytoplankton Stations 19
IV. DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 20
Normal Trends in the Ocean 20
Dissolved Oxygen Criteria 23
Surface Dissolved Oxygen, 1982 24
Bottom Dissolved Oxygen, 1982 24
Long Island Coast 24
New York Bight Apex 26
New Jersey Coast 28
Dissolved Oxygen Trends. 42
V. BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS 49
New Jersey 49
Long Island 52
New York Bight Apex 55
VI. NEW YORK BIGHT HEAVY METALS 56
BIBLIOGRAPHY 59
APPENDIX
APPENDIX A - Summary of Phytoplankton Dynamics and Bloom
Incidence in New Jersey Coastal Waters, 1982
APPENDIX B - Bacteriological Report - 1982 Beach Monitoring
New York Bight, January 12, 1983
11
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LIST OF TABLES
No. Title Page
1 Outline of 1982 sampling program 3
2 Parameters evaluated for each station group 4
3 Long Island coast station locations 9
4 New Jersey coast station locations 10
5 Dissolved oxygen concentrations less than 4 mg/1
found off the Long Island coast, summer, 1982 24
6 Dissolved oxygen concentrations less than 4 mg/1
in the New York Bight Apex, summer, 1982 26
7 Dissolved oxygen distribution (bottom values)
New Jersey coast perpendiculars 30
8 Dissolved oxygen concentrations less than 4 mg/1
found off the New Jersey coast, summer 1982 33
9 Summary of bacteriological data collected along the
Long Island coast June 3, 1982 through November
8, 1982 50
10 Summary of bacteriological data collected along the
Long Island coast June 3, 1982 through September
14, 1982 53
11 Heavy metal concentrations in the water column of
the New York Bight Apex stations 57
iii
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LIST OF FIGURES
NO. Title
1 Long Island coast station locations 12
2 New Jersey coast station locations - Sandy Hook
to Island Beach Park 13
3 New Jersey coast station locations - Barnegat
to Cape May Point 14
4 New York Bight station locations 15
5 long Island perpendicular stations and New Jersey
perpendicular stations from Sandy Hook to Seaside Heights 17
6 New Jersey perpendicular stations from Barnegat to
Strathmere 18
7 Generalized annual marine dissolved oxygen cycle off the
northeast U.S. (From NQAA) . 22
8 Long Island coast bottom dissolved oxygen, 1982
semi-monthly average of all Long Island perpendicular
stations 25
9 New York Bight bottom dissolved oxygen, 1982
semi-monthly average of all New York Bight stations 27
10 New Jersey coast bottom dissolved oxygen, 1982
semi-monthly averages of all northern (JC 14-JC 53)
perpendiculars and of all southern (JC 61-JC 85)
perpendicular stations 29
11 Dissolved oxygen concentration profiles, New Jersey
coast, July 1982 31
12 Dissolved oxygen concentration profiles, New Jersey
coast, August 1982 32
13 Shore to seaward distribution of bottom dissolved oxygen,
1982 semi-monthly averages of all northern New Jersey
perpendiculars JC 14-JC 53 at fixed distances from shore 35
14 Shore to seaward distribution of bottom dissolved oxygen,
1982 semi-monthly averages of all southern New Jersey
perpendiculars JC 61-JC 85 at fixed distances from shore 36
15 North-south bottom dissolved oxygen distribution for
northern New Jersey, 1982, semi-monthly averages along
perpendiculars JC 14-JC 53, compared to overall average 37
16 North-south bottom dissolved oxygen distribution for
southern New Jersey, 1982, semi-monthly averages along
perpendiculars JC 61-JC 85, compared to overall average 39
iv
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17 Dissolved oxygen concentrations below 4 mg/1, New
Jersey coast, August 1982 40
18 Dissolved oxygen concentrations below 4 mg/1, New
Jersey coast, September 1982 41
19 Northern New Jersey coast dissolved oxygen, 5 year
averge of the individual semi-monthly averages,
1978-1982 43
20 Southern New Jersey Coast Dissolved Oxygen, 5 Year
Average of the individual semi-monthly averages,
1978-1982 44
21 Northern New Jersey coast bottom dissolved oxygen,
1978-1982 comparison, semi-monthly averages of all
JC 14-JC 53 perpendicular stations 45
22 Southern New Jersey coast bottom dissolved oxygen,
1978-1982 comparison, semi-monthly averages of all
JC 61-JC 85 perpendicular stations 46
23 New York Bight bottom dissolved oxygen, 1978-1982
comparison, semi-monthly average of all New York
Bight stations 47
24 Geometric means of fecal coliform data collected
June 3, 1982 to November 8, 1982 along the coast
of New Jersey 51
25 Geometric means of fecal coliform data collected
June 3, 1982 through September 14, 1982 along the
coast of Long Island 54
v
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I. INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has prepared this report in an
effort to disseminate environmental data for the New York Bight Apex and
the shorelines of New York and New Jersey. This report is the ninth in a
series and reflects the monitoring period between May 26, 1982 and November
8, 1982. The New York Bight monitoring program is EPA's response to its
mandated responsibilities as defined under the Marine Protection, Research
and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 and the Water Pollution Control Act Amendments
of 1972 and 1977.
Since its initiation in 1974, the New York Bight ocean monitoring
program has been modified several times to be more responsive and to con-
centrate on specific areas of concern during the critical summer period.
Most of these changes occurred after the summer of 1976, when anoxic con-
ditions caused a fishkill in the Bight and an unusually heavy washup of
debris occurred on Long Island beaches. It was clear that summer conditions
in the Bight called for more intensive monitoring in order to predict
environmental crises, to investigate the origins of these crises, and to
use data gathered from New York Bight monitoring to guide and direct any
decisions regarding protection of the Bight water quality.
In recent years, monitoring has been expanded to include analyses of
Bight sediments for heavy metals and toxics, and analyses of water in the
sewage sludge dumping area for virus and pathogens. The sediment sampling
was conducted from EPA's ocean survey vessel "Antelope" and the data will be
presented in a separate report. Ongoing revisions to the program are
intended to improve the EPA's ability to track pollution sources and to
protect New York Bight water quality.
1
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Results indicate that New York Bight water quality was generally good
during the summer sampling period. Some stressful dissolved oxygen condi-
tions were found at the New Jersey perpendicular stations and New York
Bight Apex stations from mid to late summer during periods of low wind and
storm activity. These depressed levels occurred in specific isolated
areas and did not remain low for extended periods of time. The low DO in
certain areas of the Bight is attributed to the combined effects of the
respiration of organisms in organic-rich sediments/ the decomposition of
the alga blooms which occur in the nutrient-rich areas of the Bight, thermal
water column stratification, and no circulation due to a lack of storm
activity.
Bacteriological data indicated that fecal coliform densities at the
beaches along both the New Jersey and Long Island coasts were well below
the acceptable limits for water contact recreation.
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II. SAMPLE COLLECTION PROGRAM
During the period of May 1982 through November 1982, ambient water
quality monitoring was carried out using the EPA Huey helicopter 5 days
a week, except for July and August when sampling occurred 6 days a week.
Table 1 is an outline of the 1982 sampling program. Table 2 lists
the parameters analyzed for each group of stations.
Table 1
Outline of 1982 sampling program
Station Group
Long Island Beaches &
(Rockaway Pt. to Fire
Island Inlet)
North Jersey Beaches
(Sandy Hook to Barnegat)
Long Island Beaches
(Fire Island Inlet to
Shinnecock Inlet)
South Jersey Beaches
(Barnegat to Cape May)
Frequency
per Week
1
1
Parameter
Bacteriological
Bacteriological
Bimonthly Bacteriological
Bimonthly Bacteriological
Long Island Perpendiculars 1
North Jersey Perpendiculars 1
(Long Branch to Barnegat)
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved Oxygen
South Jersey Perpendiculars Bimonthly Dissolved Oxygen
(Barnegat to Strathmere)
Bight Contingency 2
Bight Contingency 1
Phytoplankton 1
Inner New York Bight 1
Dissolved Oxygen
Bacteriological
Phytoplankton,
Nutrients
Bacteriolog ical
Dissolved Oxygen
Metals
Sample Depth
Topi
Topi
Topl
Topl
Topi, Bottom2
Top1, Bottom2
Topi, Bottom2
Topi, Bottom2
Topi, Bottom2
Topi
Topi, Bottom2
1 One meter below the surface
2 One meter above the ocean floor
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Table 2
Parameters evaluated for each station group
L.I. &
N.J.
L.I. & N.J.
N.Y.
Bight
Parameters Beaches* Perpendiculars** Bight** Contingency** Phytoplankton*
Fecal Coliform
Salinity
Chlorinity
Temperature
Dissolved
Oxygen (DO)
Metals
Total
Phosphorus
(TP)
Phosphate
Phosphorus
(P04-P)
Ammonia
Nitrogen
Nitrite
Nitrogen
(N02-N)
Nitrate
Nitrogen
(N03-N)
Silica (Si02)
Plankton
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
*Sample Depth: 1 meter below the surface
**Sample Depth: 1 meter below the surface and 1 meter above the ocean floor.
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The weekly sampling program averaged approximately 150 stations.
Beach stations along New York and New Jersey were sampled once a week.
These stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria densities. This
portion of the sampling program totaled 66 stations one week and 34 stations
the following week. At the beach stations, samples were collected just
off shore in the surf zone while the helicopter hovered approximately 3
meters from the surface. Sampling was accomplished by dropping a 1-liter
Kemmerer sampler through a cut-out in the mid-section of the helicopter to
approximately 1 meter below the water surface. The sample was transferred
to a sterile plastic container and subsequently transported (within 6
hours) to the Edison Laboratory for fecal coliform analysis.
Twenty stations in the apex of the Bight were sampled once a week.
Depending upon sea condition, the EPA helicopter hovered or landed at the
designated station and two, 3-liter Kemmerer samplers were used to obtain
water samples at 1 meter below the surface and 1 meter above the ocean
bottom. After collection, portions of the sample water were transferred
to a BOD bottle for dissolved oxygen analysis, a sterile plastic cubitainer
for heavy metal analysis, and a sterile plastic bottle for fecal coliform
analysis. The dissolved oxygen sample was immediately fixed at the station
by the addition of 2 ml of manganous sulfate followed by 2 ml of alkaliiodide-
azide reagent. The sample was shaken to facilitate floe formation and
then placed in a metal rack and returned to the laboratory for analysis.
The samples were held for less than 6 hours before returning to the laboratory
for analysis. At the laboratory the heavy metal samples were preserved
with HN03.
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The third scheduled sampling portion of the program consisted of
sampling perpendicular stations once a week for dissolved oxygen and
temperature. Again, as with the inner Bight stations, samples were col-
lected while hovering or landing, at 1 meter below the surface and 1 meter
above the bottom.
As part of the final Environmental Impact Statement on Ocean
Dumping of Sewage Sludge in the New York Bight, a Bight Contingency Plan
was developed in which criteria were established for the relocation of the
sewage sludge dumpsite, if necessary. This called for the establishment of
a 24-station network to be sampled twice a week for dissolved oxygen and
once a week for fecal coliform densities. Part of the sampling requirements
for the New York Bight contingency plan were satisfied by the regularly
scheduled Bight and perpendicular sampling runs. Bacteriological samples
for LIC 09, LIC 14, JC 14, and JC 27 perpendiculars were taken on the DO
runs for those stations. The bacteriological requirements for NYB 20, 22,
24, and the NYB 40, 42 and 44 transects were met by the regular Bight
sampling since bacteriological assays were performed for all Bight stations.
Additional sampling of dissolved oxygen for the 24 stations was carried
out once a week.
The fifth routinely scheduled sampling component involved the collection of
water samples for phytoplankton identification and quantification and
nutrient analysis. The phytoplankton analyses were done by the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the nutrient analyses
were done by EPA. The samples were collected as close to the surface as
possible, using 1-liter Kemmerer samplers. A 1-liter plastic cubitainer
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was filled for phytoplankton analysis. The phytoplankton sample was pre-
served with Lugols solution and kept at 4°C. A 1-liter plastic cubitainer
was filled for nutrient analysis and kept at 4°C. The NJDEP picked the
phytoplankton samples up within 24 hours of collection. The results of
these analyses are contained in Appendix A.
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III. DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLING STATIONS
Beach Stations
A total of 66 bathing beach areas were sampled routinely for
bacteriological water quality along the Long Island and New Jersey coastlines,
The Long Island sampling stations extend from the western tip of Rockaway
Point to Shinnecock Inlet some 130 km eastward with a total of 26 stations
(LIC 01-LIC 28). Sample station location, nomenclature, and description
are given in Table 3 and Figure 1. Forty New Jersey coast stations, from
Sandy Hook at the north to Cape May Point at the south (JC OlA through JC
99), are described and identified in Table 4 and in Figures 2 and 3.
New York Bight Stations
The New York Bight stations established as part of the original ocean
monitoring program cover the inner Bight area in 3 km intervals via three
transects as follows: New Jersey Transect (NYB 20-NYB 27) extending from
Sandy Hook 20 km eastward to the sewage sludge dump site; Raritan Bay
Transect (NYB 32-NYB 35) projecting along the Ambrose Channel from the
mouth of Raritan Bay southeast to the sewage sludge dump site; and the
Long Island Transect (NYB 40-NYB 47) extending from Atlantic Beach, Long
Island southward to just beyond the sewage sludge dump site. The locations
of the New York Bight stations are shown in Figure 4.
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Table 3
Long Island coast station locations
Station No. Location
LIC 01 Rockaway Point, Breezy Point Surf Club
LIC 02 Rockaway, off foot of B169 Road
LIC 03 Rockaway, off foot of B129 Road
LIC 04 Rockaway, off foot of B92 Road
LIC 05 Far Rockaway, off foot of B41 Road
LIC 07 Atlantic Beach, Silver Point Beach Club
LIC 08 Long Beach, off foot of Grand Avenue
LIC 09 Long Beach, off foot of Pacific Boulevard
LIC 10 Point Lookout, off Henpstead public beach
LIC 12 Short Beach (Jones Beach), off "West End 2"
parking lot
LIC 13 Jones Beach
LIC 14 East Overlook
LIC 15 Gilgo Beach
LIC 16 Cedar Island Beach
LIC 17 Robert Moses State Park
LIC 18 Great South Beach
LIC 19 Cherry Grove
LIC 20 Water Island
LIC 21 Bellport Beach
LIC 22 Fire Island
LIC 23 Moriches Inlet West
LIC 24 Moriches Inlet East
LIC 25 West Hanpton Beach
LIC 26 Tiana Beach
LIC 27 Shinnecock Inlet West
LIC 28 Shinnecock Inlet East
9
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Table 4
New Jersey coast station locations
Station No. Location
JC 01A Sandy Hook, 1.2 Jon south of tip
JC 02 Sandy Hook, off large radome
JC 03 Sandy Hook, off Nature Center building
(tower)
JC 05 Sandy Hook, just north of Park entrance
JC 08 Sea Bright, at public beach
JC 11 Monmouth Beach Bath & Tennis Club
JC 14 Long Branch, off foot of S. Bath Avenue
JC 21 Asbury Park, off building north of
Convention Hall
JC 24 Bradley Beach, off foot of Cliff Avenue
JC 27 Belmar, off the "White House" near fishing
club pier
JC 30 Spring Lake, south of yellow brick building
on beach
JC 33 Sea Girt, off foot of Chicago Avenue
JC 37 Point Pleasant, south of Manasquan Inlet
JC 41 Bay Head, off foot of Johnson Street
JC 44 Mantoloking, off foot of Albertson Street
JC 47A Silver Beach, off foot of Colony Road
JC 49 Lavallette, off foot of Washington Avenue
JC 53 Seaside Park, off foot of 5th Avenue
JC 55 Island Beach State Park, off white building
north of Park Hq.
JC 57 Island Beach State Park, between two main
parking lots in center of park
JC 59 Island Beach State Park, off white house
next to the lookout tower
10
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Table 4 (Continued)
Station No. Location
JC 61 Barnegat, first rock jetty south of
Barnegat Inlet
JC 63 Harvey Cedars, opposite Harvey Cedars
standpipe
JC 65 Ship Bottom, opposite Ship Bottom water
tower
JC 67 Beach Haven Terrace, opposite standpipe
JC 69 Beach Haven Heights, opposite the most
southern water tower on Long Beach Island
JC 73 Brigantine, off large hotel on beach
JC 75 Atlantic City, off the Convention Center
JC 77 Ventnor City, just north of fishing pier
JC 79 Longport, off water tower
JC 81 Ocean City, opposite large apartment
building
JC 83 Peck Beach, opposite large blue water tower
JC 85 Strathmere, off blue standpipe
JC 87 Sea Isle City, opposite blue water tower
with bridge in the background
JC 89 Avalon, off beige building on the beach
JC 91 Stone Harbor, off large blue water tower
JC 93 Wildwood, off northern amusement pier
JC 95 Two mile beach, opposite radio tower
JC 97 Cape May, off white house with red roof on
the beach
JC 99 Cape May Point, opposite lighthouse
11
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NASSAU CO.
NEW JERSEY
/ SUFFOLK CO.
LONG ISLAND
LIC13-
LIC14
LIC15
LIC16
LIC17
LIC18-
LIC19-
- LIC28
- LIC27
- LIC26
- LIC25
- LIC24
LIC 23
-LIC22
FIGURE 1
LONG ISLAND COAST STATION LOCATIONS
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LONG ISLAND
JCO1A
JC02
JC03
SANDY HOOK
NEW JERSEY
LONG BRANCH
SEASIDE
HEIGHTS
FIGURE 2
NEW JERSEY COAST STATION LOCATIONS - SANDY HOOK TO
ISLAND BEACH PARK
13
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NEW JERSEY
BEACH
HAVEN
ATLANTIC Cl
STRATHMERE
CAPE MAY
POINT
JC97
JC99 FIGURES
NEW JERSEY COAST STATION LOCATIONS - BARNEGAT TO CAPE MAY POINT
14
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NYB
(30)
SANDY HOOK (32)
(42)
(4?)
(20) @ @ (23) (24) (25) (26) (27)
NYB
FIQURE4
NEW YORK BIGHT STATION LOCATIONS
N
10
Kilometers
15
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Perpendicular Stations
Sampling stations perpendicular to the Long Island coastline are 5.4 km,
12.6 km, 19.8 km, and 27 km (3, 7, 11, and 15 nautical miles) offshore.
Sampling stations perpendicular to the New Jersey coastline start at 1.8
km and are spaced every 1.8 km out to 18 km (1 nautical mile with 1 nm
increments to 10 nm) offshore. These stations are identified by suffixes
E through N (MAS stations have corresponding suffixed 1 through 10).
Normally, only every other New Jersey perpendicular station (3.6 km intervals)
was sampled; the intermediate stations remained available should DO conditions
warrant more intensive sampling.
The perpendicular stations were established to gather near-surface and
near-bottom dissolved oxygen values in the critical areas of the New York
Bight nearshore waters. Previous agreements had been made with NOM to
provide dissolved oxygen profiles from stations further out in the Bight in
conjunction with their MESA project and Marine Fisheries Laboratory
activities.
The perpendicular stations described above are plotted in Figures 5
and 6. Tables 3 and 4 describe the shore station locations from which the
perpendicular stations originate.
New York Bight Contingency Plan Stations
The 24 stations sampled were;
NYB 20, 22, 24, 40, 42, 44,
Lie 09P, A, B, and C
LIC 14P, A, B, and C
JC 14E, G, I, K, and M
JC 27E, G, I, K, and M
16
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'FIGURES
LONG ISLAND PERPENDICULAR STATIONS AND NEW JERSEY
PERPENDICULAR STATIONS FROM SANDY HOOK TO SEASIDE HEIGHTS
17
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EG KM
NEW JERSEY
BEACH HAVEN
EG T KM
ATLANTIC CITY
STRATHMER
FIGURE6
NEW JERSEY PERPENDICULAR STATIONS FROM BARNEGAT TO STRATHMERE
IS
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Their locations are described in the preceding tables and figures.
Phytoplankton Stations
Phytoplankton samples were collected once a week along the New Jersey
coast at the following stations:
JC 05
JC 11
JC 21
JC 30
JC 37
JC 57
NYB 20
RB 32
RB 15
A discussion of phytoplankton dynamics and bloom incidence in New
Jersey waters is presented in Appendix A.
19
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IV. DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Normal Trends in the Ocean
Two major processes act to replenish dissolved oxygen in the water
column of the New York Bight area. These are the photosynthetic conver-
sion of carbon dioxide to molecular oxygen and the mechanical reaeration
of oxygen across the air-water interface. Subsequent turbulent diffusion
then distributes the dissolved oxygen throughout the water column or
into the upper warmer surface layer when stratified conditions prevail.
Concurrent oxygen utilization (depletion) processes such as bacterial
respiration and sediment oxygen demand act to influence the amount of
oxygen in the water column at any one time or location.
A general description of the oxygen cycle during a calendar year is
as follows:
In early January the waters of the Bight are completely
mixed throughout the water column with temperatures
ranging from 4°C to 10°C while dissolved oxygen values
are between 8 and 10 mg/1 with slightly depressed values
at the sediment-water interface. The warm spring air
temperatures and solar heating increase the temperature
of the upper water layer and, in the absence of high
energy input from local storms or tropical hurricanes,
a thermally stratified water column develops. This
stratification effectively blocks the free transport
of the oxygen-rich upper layer into the cool oxygen-poor
bottom waters.
20
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As hot summer weather conditions set in, the
warmer upper layer of water remains completely mixed
and rich in oxygen (7 to 9 mg/1). This upper layer
ranges from 20 to 60 meters in depth depending on
time and location. The bottom cooler water is effec-
tively isolated from the upper layer by a 10°C temper-
ature gradient. Respiration of bottom organisms,
bacterial action on algal remains and detritus, and
sediment oxygen demand depress the residual dissolved
oxygen values in the bottom waters. In a typical
year, the dissolved oxygen concentration in the
bottom waters of the Bight reaches a minimum in mid
to late summer of approximately 4 mg/1. At this time
cool evenings and reduced solar input causes the upper
waters to cool, decreasing the temperature gradient
between the two water masses. As the two masses become
closer and closer in temperature, the energy required
to break down the thermocline becomes less and less
until finally, in many instances after a local storm,
there is a complete mixing of the water column with
concomitant reoxygenation of the bottom waters. The
annual cycle begins again. Figure 7 depicts a repre-
sentative history of dissolved oxygen concentration in
the general ocean area off New Jersey, New York, and
New England.
21
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10
8
10
to
5
4
I | | | | I
FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG
MONTH
1 |
SEPT OCT NOV
FIGURE 7
GENERALIZED ANNUAL MARINE DISSOLVED OXYGEN CYCLE OFF THE
NORTHEAST U.S. (FROM NOAA)
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Dissolved Oxygen Criteria
The dissolved oxygen levels necessary for survival and/or reproduc-
tion vary among biological species. Insufficient data have been accumu-
lated to assign definitive limits or lower levels of tolerance for
each species at various growth states. Rough guidelines are available
for aquatic species for purposes of surveillance and monitoring. These
are as follows:
5 mg/1 DO and greater - healthy
4-5 mg/1 DO - borderline to healthy
3-4 mg/1 DO - stressful if prolonged
2-3 mg/1 DO - lethal if prolonged
less than 2 mg/1 - lethal in a relatively
short time.
These criteria are consistent with biological information recorded
in the New York Bight over the past several years. Most data concerning
the lower tolerance levels were recorded during the summer of 1976. In
1976, widespread and persistent dissolved oxygen levels between 0.0 and
2.0 mg/1 occurred over a large area of the Bight. This resulted in
extensive fish kills and bottom dwelling organism mortality.
23
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Surface Dissolved Oxygen - 1982
The completely mixed upper water layer had dissolved oxygen levels
at or near saturation during the entire sampling period, June 1, 1982
through November 8, 1982, therefore no further discussion of surface
dissolved oxygen will be presented in this report.
Bottom Dissolved Oxygen - 1982
Long Island Coast
As in previous years, the dissolved oxygen levels off the coast of
Long Island were, for the most part, well above the 4 mg/1 "borderline
to healthy" guideline for the entire sampling period. Figure 8 shows
semi-monthly averages of dissolved oxygen values found from June through
October, 1982. Out of 119 samples taken throughout the summer, only
7, or slightly less than 6 percent, were below the 4 mg/1 guideline.
These values were only slightly below the guideline with only one value
below 3.0 mg/1, and are consistent with temporarily depressed values
observed in this area in other years during the summer. Table 5 sum-
marizes the dissolved oxygen values below 4 mg/1 off the Long Island
Coast during the Summer 1982.
Table 5
Dissolved oxygen concentrations
found off the Long Island coast
Date
8/26
8/28
8/31
9/5
9/5
8/28
8/28
Station
LIC 09P
LIC 09P
LIC 09P
LIC 09P
LIC 14P
LIC 14A
LIC 14B
24
less than 4 mg/1
, summer 1982.
D.O. (mg/1)
3.4
2.8
3.8
3.4
3.6
3.0
3.9
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08
I,
d) NUMBER OF SAMPLES
M.
oor
LONG ISLAND COAST BOTTOM D6SOLVED OXYCO.1962
SQAIOHmLY AVERAGE OF ALL LONG BLAND PCRPDWCUU
iR STATIONS.
25
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New York Bight Apex
Figure 9 illustrates the semi-monthly dissolved oxygen values found in
the New York Bight stations from June through September, 1982. The double
minima which has been observed in the New York Bight during the summer months
in other years were not observed during 1982. The low point was observed in
late August. In early September the dissolved oxygen was beginning its
seasonal recovery.
Out of 193 samples collected in the New York Bight from June 4-September
8 and measured for dissolved oxygen, 18 samples, or 9.3 percent, were
below the 4 mg/1 level considered "borderline to healthy" for aquatic life.
Table 6 summarizes the dissolved oxygen values below 4 mg/1 in the New York
Bight during the Summer 1982.
Table 6 - Dissolved oxygen concentration less than 4 mg/1
in the New York Bight Apex, summer 1982
DATE
8/04
8/04
8/14
8/18
8/18
8/18
8/21
8/28
8/28
8/28
8/28
8/28
9/03
9/03
9/03
9/08
9/08
9/08
STATION
NYB 45
NYB 25
NYB 24
NYB 34
NYB 25
NYB 26
NYB 22
NYB 22
NYB 24
NYB 40
NYB 42
NYB 44
NYB 27
NYB 20
NYB 40
NYB 25
NYB 41
NYB 45
D.O. (mg/1)
3.9
3.0
3.8
3.8
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.0
3.8
3.5
3.6
3.9
3.3
3,8
3.8
1.9
3.3
3.7
26
-------
FMURE09
ft
(DNUMBEROFSAMRJES
CM)
(4*
JUL
MIO
oer
NV YORK BIGHT BOTTOM DSSOLVO) OXYGEN, 1982
SEV% OMTRY AVERAGE OF AU. NEW YORK BMHT STATIONS.
27
-------
New Jersey Coast
Figure 10 illustrates the semi-monthly dissolved oxygen values off
the New Jersey coast during the summer of 1982, with separate lines for
the northern (JC 14-JC 53) perpendiculars and the southern (JC 61-JC 85)
perpendiculars. The dissolved oxygen values show an average downward
trend throughout the summer.
Table 7 summarizes the dissolved oxygen values for all the New Jersey
coast perpendiculars. During August and September there were 60 values
between 4-5 mg/1, 54 values between 2-4 mg/1 and 0 values between 0-2 mg/1.
This compares with only 12 values between 4-5 mg/1 and 0 values below 4
mg/1 during June and July. Dissolved oxygen at the bottom reaches a minimum
in late August/September due to a lack of reaeration and sediment oxygen
demand. Values usually improve later in the season when storms and/or
increased winds aid reaeration.
Figures 11 and 12 show dissolved oxygen profiles along the coast for
July and August. The profiles show that, generally, DO increases with
distance offshore and that August values show a decrease from July values.
Table 8 is a summary of dissolved oxygen values below 4 mg/1 for the
period between June 10 and November 2, 1982. There were 414 samples col-
lected off the New Jersey coast and analyzed for dissolved oxygen. Of
these, 54 samples, or 13 percent, were below 4 mg/1. During the month of
August there were several values between 2-3 mg/1. There were no readings
below 2 mg/1, contrary to previous years when August had several values
below 2 mg/1.
28
-------
I
MAY
NEW JERSEY COAST BOTTOM D6SOLVED OXY6EN, IMS. SEMMONTHLY
AVERAflES OF ALL NORTHERN (JCM-JC53) MB SOUTHERN (JC8V-JOM)
PERPEMMCUIAR STATIONS.
OCT
29
-------
TABLE 07
Dissolved Oxygen Distribution (Bottom Values)
New Jersey Coast Perpendiculars
1982
JC85M
JC85K
JC85I
JC856
JC85E
JC75M
JC75K
JC75I
JC75G
JC75E
JC69M
JC69K
JC69I
JC69G
JC69E
JC61H
JC61K
JC61I
JC616
JC61E
JC53M
JC53K
JC53I
JC536
JC53E
JC41H
JC41K
JC41I
JC416
JC41E
A *%»**
JC27M
4t tffeMI^
JC27K
JC271
mf± 0%pM4%
JC27G
0^ J%WfV
JC27E
xi4n
JC14K
A 4 ,4 v
JC14I
ff% M A
JC146
A 4 Mt*
JC14E
co oeoin J^2f\
f?-)T?->")->~)->n
*
*
A * A A
A A A A A A A
W W V » W W A
*
*AAA A
* ^^
^^ CO ^^ Ol tO ^^ CO ^"^ CO ^^ CD ^^ tO CO
+
* *
*
+
A
A
A
A
+
A A
A
A
A
A
AA AAAA A AA
V V ^ » W 9 V ^"
A A AAAA A AA
AAAA* A A A » A
KEY 8 * " > 5 ng/L A - 4-5 mg/L - 2-4 mg/L - 0-2 mg/L
-------
FIGURE 11
Dissolved Oxygen Concentration Profiles
New Jersey Coast
July 1982
c
a>
CD
>N
X
o
o
CO
CO
O
E
o
ca
+ = Average DO Concentration per Station
x = Actual Location of each Station
-------
FIGURE 12 - Dissolved Oxygen Concentration Profiles
New Jersey Coast
August 1982
S3
cr
cu
x
O
o
CO
CO
O
E
o
-4->
-*->
o
CD
Average DO Concentration per Station
Actual Location of each Station
-------
TABLE 8
Dissolved oxygen concentrations less than 4 rog/1
found off the New Jersey coast, summer 1982
DATE
8/02
8/02
8/12
8/12
8/13
8/13
8/13
8/13
8/13
8/13
8/14
8/14
8/14
8/L4
8/16
8/16
8/16
8/16
8/16
8/16
8/16
8/16
8/16
8/16
8/16
8/21
8/21
8/21
8/26
8/27
8/27
8/27
8/27
8/27
8/27
8/28
8/28
8/28
8/28
8/28
8/31
8/31
8/31
8/31
8/31
9/06
9/13
9/13
9/13
9/13
9/13
9/13
9/13
9A3
STATION
JC 27E
JC 41E
JC 14K
JC 141
MAS 4
JC 41E
MAS 5
JC 41G
JC 41K
JC 53G
JC 27K
JC 27E
JC 27G
JC 14M
JC 27E
JC 53G
MAS 2
JC 41G
MAS 1
JC 4 IE
MAS 4
MAS 3
MAS 5
JC 53E
JC 41K
JC 141
JC 27E
JC 27G
JC 14K
JC 14G
JC 61E
JC 61G
JC 69E
JC 691
JC 69G
JC 14E
JC 141
JC 27E
JC 271
JC 27K
JC 14E
JC 27E
JC 27G
JC 27K
JC 41E
JC 27E
JC 14K
JC 27E
JC 27M
MAS 1
MAS 2
MAS 3
MAS 4
MAS 5
D.O. (rag/
3.1
3.2
3.5
3.4
3.1
3.3
3.6
3.8
3.8
3.4
3.7
2.9
3.8
3.7
2.2
3.8
2.8
3.9
3.8
3.3
2.8
3.5
3.8
3.4
3.7
3.3
3.1
3.1
3.6
3.5
3.1
3.4
3.5
3.4
3.3
3.6
3.8
3.3
3.8
3.5
3.5
3.8
3.8
3.8
2.7
3.2
3.7
3.3
3.4
2.6
3.6
2.7
2.9
2.7
33
-------
Figure 13 compares the shore to seaward distribution of dissolved
oxygen values along the northern New Jersey perpendiculars. These graph
shows the following:
0 In previous years a "double minima" occurred along the New Jersey coast.
Dissolved oxygen lows were recorded in early to mid July followed by an
improvement with a subsequent lower minima than in July occurring in
early September. This year the "double minima" was only observed 7
miles off the coast.
0 Throughout June and July the northern New Jersey perpendicular stations
that are 1 and 3 miles offshore had average dissolved oxygen values 1-3
mg/1 less than the stations 5, 7 and 9 miles offshore. In general, the
lower DO values found at the nearshore stations may be attributed to
the influence of river runoff, treatment plant effluent, inlet dredged
material disposal sites, and the Hudson Estuary system on the water
along the New Jersey coast.
Figure 14 compares the shore to seaward distribution of dissolved
oxygen values along the southern New Jersey perpendiculars. The stations
1, 3, and 5 miles off the coast exhibited the lowest dissolved oxygen in
late August followed by a recovery in early September. The stations 7 and
9 miles offshore showed a gradual decline in dissolved oxygen levels from
late July through early September with no evidence of commencement of the
recovery.
Figure 15 illustrates the DO values for the northern perpendiculars in
1982 as compared to an overall average. JC 41 and JC 53 clearly show the
"double minima" effect, however they occur two weeks apart, while JC 14,
JC 27 and MAS show a DO decline in June that continues until late August.
34
-------
w
1,
AY JM «
SHORE-TO-SCAWARD OBIMBUKON OF BOTTOM MSSOLVCD OXYGDt1982
Y AVERAGES (FAUNORTHOW^^
AT FKED OBTANCES FROM SHORE.
oer
35
-------
O 1W1LI
.R....9.I
MAY
JIM
SHORE-TO-SEAVARD OSTRnUTON OF BOTTOM 06SOLVED OXYOKWtt
SEMMOMILY AVERAGES OF ALL SOUTHERN POVOOWJIAR STATIONS
AT FIXED WSTAHCES FROM SHORE.
oer
-------
MAY
OCT
NORTH-SOUTH BOTTOM 06SOLVED OXYGEN DBTRBUTION IW NORTHERN NEW JERSEY, M2.
SEimmiV AVERAGES MOIIGKRKM)^^
37
-------
JC 14 and JC 27 show a recovery in September, while MAS continued to drop.
Figure 16 gives the same plot for the southern perpendiculars. JC 61
and JC 69 reached a low in late August and began a recovery in early Setpember.
JC 75 and JC 85 remained fairly constant in late July and August and rose
slightly in early Septmeber.
Figures 17 and 18 show the number of dissolved oxygen observations on
each perpendicular which, during August and September, were below a level
of 4 mg/1. The Manasquan perpendicular (MAS) is not represented in the
graphs. In August, 1982 all of the perpendiculars had at least one value
less than 4 mg/1, while in September only 3 out of the 8 perpendiculars
had values less than 4 mg/1. This shows the DO recovery in September.
The low DO values in August of 1982 were similar to those recorded in 1979
and 1981 but substantially lower than 1978 and 1980. In September of 1982
the DO values were significantly higher than in 1978 and 1979, slightly
higher than 1981, and similar to 1980.
38
-------
t
1,
!.
MAY
» OCT
FOR SOUTHERN HEW JERSEY. 1982.
OVERALL AVERAGE.
39
-------
FIGURE 17 -
80-
Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations
Befow4mg/l
New Jersey Coast
August
48-
40-
Chart Legend
JC14 BSTJC61
JC27 BB JC69
JC41 S3 JC75
JC53 ESS JC85
30-
10-
1978
1982
-------
FIGURE 18 -
Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations
Below 4 mg/l
New Jersey Coast
September
Chart Legend
JC14 HTJC61
JC27 BB JC69
JC41 CSS JC75
EZ3 JC53 ID JC85
-------
Dissolved Oxygen Trends
Figure 19 shews the five year average, made up of the average of all
semimonthly averages, for the northern New Jersey perpendicular stations.
The DO starts off at approximately 8 mg/1 in late May and drops at a fairly
constant rate to approximately 5 mg/1 in late July. It remains at 5 mg/1
until mid August when it drops to 4 mg/1 in early September. Throughout
the remainder of September and into October the DO begins a recovery, rising
quite rapidly in October.
Figure 20 shows the five year average, made up of average of all semi-
monthly averages, for the southern New Jersey perpendicular stations. The
DO starts off in June at approximately 8.5 mg/1 and drops fairly rapidly
to about 5.5 mg/1 in early July. It remains between 5.0 and 5.5 mg/1 until
early September when it begins rising fairly rapidly.
Figures 21, 22 and 23 illustrate the five year trends in dissolved
oxygen for Northern New Jersey perpendiculars, Southern New Jersey perpen-
diculars and New York Bight Stations, respectively.
Figure 21 shows a dissolved oxygen "double minima" occurring in 1978,
1979, and 1980, with an initial low occurring in late July followed by a
small recovery and then a second low in early to mid September. In 1981
and 1982 there was one low occurrence in early August, 1981 and early
September, 1982.
There was minimal DO data collected along the southern New Jersey
perpendiculars in 1982. Figure 22 shows no obvious trends.
42
-------
FIOUREtt
n
w
I'
HAY
9 -O^
a
JUN
AIM
OCT
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY COAST BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN, FIVE YEAR
AVERAGE OF THE NXVDUAL SEMMONTHLY AVERAGES, «78 T01962
MOV
43
-------
FIGURE 20
II
«
t
JUN JUL MM » OW
SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY COAST BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN, FIVE YEAR
AVERAGE OF THE MDMDUAL SEIAIONTHLY AVERAGES. «78 T01962
44
-------
**
i
MAY
JIM
OCT
MOV
NORTHED NEW JERSEY COAST BOnOMDBSOLVED OXYGEN, W78-1982
COMPARISON. SEMWC)KmLYAVaU(0()FAaJCM-JC53Pa»WDICULAR
STATES.
45
-------
FIGURE 22
KP OCT
SOUTHERN NW JERSEY COAST BOTTOM DBSOLVED OXYGEN. W8-1W2
COMPARISON. SEMW()NTHLY AVENGES OF AaJC61->K«PEI?PEW)KaJU«
STATIONS.
HOV
46
-------
FIGURE 23
MAY
AOO
OCT
MOV
HEW YORK mCHTBOnOMDISSOLVn) OXYGEN. W78-1W2COMPAWSOR
SEMWONTHLY AVERAGE OF AIL NEW YORK BWHT STATIONS.
47
-------
In Figure 23 a comparison of all New York Bight stations is shown for
the years 1978-1982. The 1982 average dissolved oxygen values were lower
in the second half of August than they had been for any August in the
previous four years. The early September average was the second lowest
September average for the five year period. The usual fall decline and
recovery of dissolved oxygen values appears to have started earlier in
1982 than in previous years.
48
-------
V. BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
New Jersey
Table 9 presents a summary of the fecal coliform data collected along
the coast of New Jersey between June 3, 1982 and November 8, 1982. The
geometric mean for each station is plotted in Figure 24. The state
standard for primary contact recreation along the New Jersey Coast is a
geometric mean of 50 fecal coliforms/100 ml based on five or more samples
analyzed within a 30 day period. Due to the low values found and the
relatively small number of samples collected, only one geometric mean was
calculated for each station over the entire summer. The highest geometric
mean, 8.5, is at station JC 75. JC 93 and 95 had geometric means of 6.9.
JC 93 had the highest geometric mean during the last three years. JC 75
is located at Atlantic City and near a sewage treatment effluent which
may account for the elevated geometric mean. Figure 24 clearly shows
that the New Jersey coastal stations are well below the bacteriological
standard. Based on this limited fecal coliform data, New Jersey coastal
waters have excellent water quality.
Throughout the summer sampling period, a total of 260 samples were
collected for fecal coliform analyses along the New Jersey Coast. Of the
320 samples, six or approximately two percent were above 50 fecal coli-
forms/ 100 ml. These samples were:
Station Date Sampled Fecal Coliform/lOOml
JC 11 8/03/82 1,200
JC 21 6/03/82 68
JC 37 6/30/82 56
JC 57 8/17/82 73
JC 75 11/05/82 51
JC 93 11/05/82 54
The causes for the elevated densities at stations JC 11, JC 21, JC 37
and JC 57 are unknown. The cause of the high value at JC 75 is probably
poorly treated sewage from the Atlantic City Sewage Treatment Plant. The
cause of the elevated value at JC 93 is probably storm sewer discharge.
49
-------
TABLE 9
Summary of bacteriological data
collected along the New Jersey coast
June 3, 1982 through November 8, 1982
Station
JC01A
JC02
JC03
JC05
JC08
JC11
JC14
JC21
JC24
JC27
JC30
JC33
JC37
JC41
JC44
JC47A
JC49
JC53
JC55
JC57
JC59
JC61
JC63
JC65
JC67
JC69
JC73
JC75
JC77
JC79
JC81
JC83
JC85
JC87
JC89
JC91
JC93
JC95
JC97
JC99
Number of
Samples Collected
14
14
14
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
12
13
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
Maximum Value
Fecal Coliform/100 ml
11
27
2
1
1
1,200
14
68
11
12
20
14
56
11
12
6
6
18
9
73
3
1
4
1
8
0
4
51
4
27
8
1
12
1
1
0
54
36
14
3
Geometric Mean
Fecal Coliform/100 ml
1.5
1.4
1.1
1.0
1.0
2.1
1.4
3.9
1.2
1.6
1.3
1.2
2.4
1.3
1.3
1.2
1.2
1.9
1.2
1.5
1.4
1.0
1.6
1.0
2.0
1.0
2.0
8.5
1.6
4.8
2.0
1.0
2.3
1.0
1.0
1.0
6.9
6.9
4.4
1.4
50
-------
FIGURE 24
M
STANDARD
NEW JERSEY COAST STA;
_ ___^_ FECAL OOUFORM DATA I
OF NEW JERSEY. JUN 3L1982 TQ NOV &
' VALUES PRNr
ALONG THE
51
-------
Long Island
Table 10 presents a summary of the fecal coliform data collected
along the coast of Long Island from June 3, 1982 through September 14,
1982. The geometric mean for each station is plotted in Figure 25. The
state standard for primary contact recreation along the Long Island coast
is 200 fecal coliforms/100 ml. This value is a monthly geometric mean of
five or more samples. Figure 25 is generated by a computer. Only two
samples were collected all summer at stations LIC 17-24 and only one sample
i
at stations LIC 25-28, therefore this portion of the graph represents a
geometric mean of only one or two data points. As with the New Jersey
data, due to the low values found and the relatively small number of samples
collected, only one geometric mean was calculated for each staion over the
entire summer. The highest geometric mean, excluding LIC 17-28, is 3.4 at
station LIC 10 and is probably the result of the influence of Jones Inlet.
Station LIC 10 also had the highest geometric mean in 1980 and 1981. From
Figure 25, it is apparent that the standard is not approached. Based on
bacteriological data, the New York coastal waters along Long Island are
of excellent quality.
A total of 160 samples were collected during the summer along the
coast of Long Island and analyzed for fecal coliform bacteria. The highest
density found all summer, 68 fecal coliforms/100 ml, was at station LIC 04.
This value is well below the state standard.
52
-------
TABLE 10
Summary of bacteriological data collected
along the coast of Long Island
June 3, 1982 through September 14, 1982
Station
LIC01
LIC02
LIC03
LIC04
LIC05
LIC07
LIC08
LIC09
LICIO
LIC12
LIC13
LIC14
LIC15
LIC16
LIC17
LIC18
LIC19
LIC20
LIC21
LIC22
LIC23
LIC24
LIC25
LIC26
LIC27
LIC28
Number of
Samples Collected
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
Maximum Value
Fecal Coliform/100 ml
5
18
4
68
6
25
8
8
46
1
8
3
4
4
1
16
12
16
3
8
4
1
1
1
4
4
Geometric Mean
Fecal Coliform/100 ml
1.3
2.1
1.4
1.5
1.4
2.0
1.6
1.8
2.8
1.0
1.3
1.1
1.1
1.5
1.0
4.0
3.5
4.0
1.7
2.8
2.0
1.0
53
-------
'
\-
FIGURE 25
STANDARD
1
8 i
I
1!
<
<
I
4.0 4.0
ip ,
g « ! ^iHii?
^liilifcteMlll ll
nttUmttQmwMUt
0102030405070809 10 "E 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22232
LONG BLAND COAST STATIONS
SEOMETRC MEANS OF FECAL COUFORM DATA COLLECTION ALB
X)AST OF LONG BLAND. JUN 31 1982 TP SEP 14. 1982.
ACTUAL VALUES PRWTED ABOVE BARS)
4.04,(
fifi
flurt
WA
i
^P
31.01.0 ^v;
iMa§
425262728
IGTHE
54
-------
New York Bight Apex
During the summer of 1982 a total of 190 samples were collected in
the inner New York Bight for fecal coliform analysis. The stations
sampled were the 20 inner NYB series stations, the LIC 09 and LIC 14
perpendicular stations, and the JC 14 and JC 27 perpendicular stations.
Of the 190 samples collected, four had fecal coliform densities in excess
of 50 fecal coliforms/100 ml. This represents 2.1 percent of the samples.
There is no fecal coliform standard for the New York Bight Apex waters.
The value of 50 fecal coliforms/100 ml was chosen for use in comparison
with previous years. In 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981 the percentage of
samples having counts above 50/100 ml was 3.3, 2.3, 0.4 and 0.7
respectively. The four high values found this past summer were:
Fecal Coliform
100ml of sample
75
88
59
56
The elevated values at stations NYB 26 and NYB 45 maybe due to recent
disposal of sewage sludge in the sewage sludge dump site. Station NYB-32
is under the direct influence of flow from the N.Y. Harbor and Raritan
Bay estuary, both of which frequently exhibit elevated fecal coliform
densities.
A further discussion of the bacteriological data prepared by the EPA
Regional laboratory which includes a discussion of the standards, indicator
bacteria, materials and methods, and results is presented in Appendix B.
Station
NYB 26
NYB 32
NYB 32
NYB 45
Date
Collected
7/21/82
7/21/82
7/21/82
8/04/82
Sample
Depth (feet)
076
002
043
088
55
-------
VI. NEW YORK BIGHT HEAVY METALS
Heavy metals data for the New York Bight Apex stations sampled
during the summer of 1982 are summarized in Table 11. The two values
listed for each station are the maximum and minimum values obtained
from deep samples of the water column. The samples were collected from
the EPA helicopter during the Sample Collection Program for New York
Bight Apex stations. The sampling method is described in that section.
Results of heavy metal analysis showed small variations of
concentrations within perpendiculars. However, statistical analysis
(ANOVA) showed no significant patterns of variations between perpendiculars
and specific locations such as dump sites.
56
-------
TABLE 11 - Heavy metal concentrations in the water column at the New York Bight
Apex stations, all samples were collected 1 meter from the bottom
New York Bight Stations
Parameter
Arsenic
Beryllium
Cadmium
Chrcmium
Copper
Lead
Thallium
Nickel
Silver
Zinc
Antimony
Selenium
Mercury
20
33-
1K
3K-
0.4K
13-
2K
10K-
3K
56-
22
475-
10K
98-
3.2K
10K-
8K
3K-
2K
200-
38
20-
10K
28-
0.7K
0.73-
0.35
21
47-
2K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
52-
19
500-
10K
20-
2K
20-
8K
4K-
2K
145-
38
11-
10K
57-
1K
0.82
0.2K
22
59-
0.9K
4K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
45-
21
110-
10K
18-
3.3
10K-
7K
4K-
2K
120-
40
10-
6.9
29-
1K
0.35-
0.2K
23
24-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
40-
17
110-
10K
21-
3.4
10K-
7K
4K-
2K
120-
33
10-
4.0
32-
0.9K
0.52-
0.2K
24
23-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
2K
10K-
3K
49-
13
110-
10K
23-
4.3
10K-
7K
4K-
2K
94-
36
10-
10
18-
1K
0.30-
0.2K
25
25-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
8-
1K
42-
3K
164-
18
130-
10K
23-
4.0
10 K-
8K
4K-
2K
350-
37
10-
6.0
51-
1K
0.73-
0.2K
26
28-
1K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
51-
16
110-
10K
22-
3.8
10K-
8K
4K-
2K
70-
37
10-
9.6
47-
0.7K
0.59-
0.2K
27
26-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
4K
65-
16
110-
10K
28-
4.2
10 K-
8K
4K-
2K
95-
25
10-
5.6
52-
0.7K
0.51-
0.2K
32
36-
0.9K
4K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
46-
16
480-
10K
66-
1K
10K-
8K
3K-
2K
68-
45
20-
7.0
51-
3.7
0.47-
0.2K
33
39-
0.9K
6-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
29-
11
510-
10K
52-
0.4K
10K-
8K
3K-
2K
58-
40
20-
9.7
54-
3.3
0.59-
0.2K
K = less than
-------
TABLE 11 - Heavy metal concentrations in the water column at the New York Bight
Apex stations, all samples were collected 1 meter from the bottom
New York Bight Stations
Parameter
Arsenic
Beryllium
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Thallium
Nickel
Silver
Zinc
Antimony
Selenium
Mercury
34
51-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10 K-
3K
16-
12
490-
10K
40-
0.4K
10K-
8K
3K-
2K
52-
20
10-
5.2
68-
0.7K
0.59-
0.30
35
34-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
16-
14
520-
10K
51-
1K
10K-
8K
3K-
2K
70-
32
20-
6.3
28-
0.7K
0.34-
0.2K
40
2-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
53-
14
82-
10K
31-
0.4K
10K-
7K
4K-
2K
270-
29
12-
10.0
24-
0.7K
1.30-
0.2K
41
3-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
26-
7.9
97-
10K
24-
0.4K
10K-
7K
4K-
2K
95-
26
20-
6.4
23-
0.7K
0.57-
0.2K
42
5-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
27-
2
94-
10K
34-
0.4K
10K-
7K
4K-
2K
160-
21
10-
3.0
29-
1K
0.64-
0.2K
43
2-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
2K
10K-
3K
28-
12
92-
10K
15-
0.4K
10K-
9K
4K-
2K
150-
25
10-
0.9
16-
1K
0.90-
0.2K
44
5.4-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
24-
5.8
88-
10K
33-
0.4K
10 K-
8K
4K-
2K
95-
34
10-
0.8
11-
1K
0.90-
0.2K
45
6.3-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
23-
7.9
92-
10K
43-
0.4K
10K-
7K
5.0-
2K
82-
20
10-
2.0
19-
1K
0.62-
0.2K
46
7.3-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
8-
2K
10K-
3K
27-
5.8
96-
10K
46-
0.4K
10K-
7K
26-
2K
100-
37
150-
1.0
16-
1K
2.00-
0.2K
47
15-
0.9K
3K-
0.4K
3K-
1K
10K-
3K
23-
7.9
99-
10K
31-
0.8K
10K-
7K
4K-
2K
88-
44
10-
3.0
19-
1K
0.45-
0.2K
K = less than
-------
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere; "The Role of
the Ocean in a Waste Management Strategy, "Washington, D.C., January
1981.
2. Reid, Robert and Zdanowicz, Vincent, National Oceanic and Atmosphere
Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service; "Metals in Surface
Sediments of the New York Bight and Hudson Canyon, August, 1981 -
Preliminary Data Report," Highlands, N.J., May 14, 1981.
3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "Ocean Dumping in the New
York Bight - Facts and Figures", Surveillance and Analysis Division,
Region II, Edison, New Jersey, July 1973.
4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "Briefing Report - Ocean
Dumping in the New York Bight Since 1973", Surveillance and Analysis
Division, Region II, Edison, New Jersey, April 1974.
5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "Ocean Disposal in the New
York Bight: Technical Briefing Report, No. 1", Surveillance and
Analysis Division, Region II, New Jersey, July 1974.
6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "Ocean Disposal in the New
York Bight: Technical Briefing Report, No. 2", Surveillance and
Analysis Division, Region II, Edison, New Jersey, April 1975.
-------
7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "New York Bight Water Quality
Summer of 1977", Surveillance and Analysis Division, Region II,
Edison, New Jersey, January 1979.
8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "New York Bight Water Quality
Summer of 1978", Surveillance and Analysis Division, Region II,
Edison, New Jersey, January 1980.
9. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "New York Bight Water Quality
Summer of 1979", Surveillance and Analysis Division, Region II,
Edison, New Jersey, January 1981.
10. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "New York Bight Water Quality
Summer of 1980", Environmental Services Division, Region II, Edison,
New Jersey, January 1982.
11. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "New York Bight Water Quality
Summer of 1981", Environmental Services Division, Region II, Edison,
New Jersey, January 1983.
-------
APPENDIX A
Summary of
Phytoplankton Dynamics
and Bloom Incidence
In New Jersey Coastal Waters
1982
New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection
Division of Water Resources
Bureau of Monitoring & Data Mgt,
Biological Services Unit
-------
Introduction
This report summarizes the results of the red tide
monitoring program for the summer of 1982. This program
is conducted in cooperation with the USEPA, Region II,
Surveillance and Analysis Division as part of the New York
Bight Water Quality Monitoring program,. We monitor the
development of blooms and similar events, with the common
goal to assess the effects on our valuable fishery and
recreational resources. Weekly news releases regarding beach
conditions are given to the DEP press office.
The history of this program is given in detail, in previous
reports. The National Marine Fisheries Service (Sandy Hook
unit), formerly in an active role, presently cooperates in an
advisory capacity. An Interagency Committee on Phytoplankton
Blooms in..New York/New Jersey Waters maintains a protocol of
communication in the event of serious blooms. This includes
the Long Island and New Jersey county health departments as
well as the State and Federal agencies. Although our red tides
are not the poisonous varieties such as in New England or
Florida, they are occasionally toxic to humans or lethal to
fish..
Field collections are made by members of the B&S Division
helicopter unit as part of their routine monitoring. Weekly
phytoplankton al'iqu&t samples are taken along the New Jersey
northern estuarine and coastal sector, where red tides tend to
recur., Sampling locations correspond with the nine EPA stations
marked with an asterisk in Figure-1, Supplemental samples may
be taken wherever blooms are sighted. No routine sampling is
done south of Island Beach, since major blooms rarely occur in
this sector of the N.J. coast. During periods when the
helicopter is in maintenance, we continue surveillance in
critical areas with the help of the other cooperating agencies.
Phytoplankton analysis is performed in the DEP lab. Methods
are based on those used in the original DEP/NMFS study. Nutrient
analysis is done by the EPA (Edison, N.J.) laboratory..
A-l
-------
Results
Phytoplankton species succession and relative abundance
(Table 1) display a pattern typical of that seen in recent
yearso Certain differences are noted over the previous year.
The diatom, Asterionella glacialisy is not seen in the
same levels of abundance it attained in 1981. It is possible
that spring diatom flowerings were missed, since sampling
did not commence until June in 1982,
Abundance of Olisthodiacus lutgus',. the phytof lagellate
responsible for most of our recent red tides, peaked in July
where it had peaked in June the previous year* An exception
here is the Raritan Bay station (RB32) where blooms occurred
in June and in August of 1982 (see Table 1)* Excessive
phytoplankton activity was observed in the vicinity of the
Monmouth Beach station (JCll), possibly enhanced by a broken
sewerage outfall there. These blooms occurred in July and
included other sub-dominant species such as Prorocentrum spp.
and Katodinium rotundatum (both responsible for some red tides)
as well as 0.. lute us.
The minute but ubiquitous chlorophytes bloomed somewhat
earlier than in previous years, occurring simultaneously with
the phytoflagellate blooms in the estuary and at JCll. Diatoms
regained prominence earlier than in previous years; a late
summer bloom including Chaetoceros sp. and Skeletonema costatum
occurred in August simultaneously with a secondary peak of
Nannochloris atomus (Table !)
Cell densities as well as numbers of species generally
decreased south from JCll. This is the normal situation, as
proximity to the New York Bight apex decreases.
Nutrient parameters include dissolved inorganic forms of
nitrogen (Table II) which is generally considered limiting for
algal growth in marine environments.. Values for 1982 are
highest in June in Raritan Bay, with some secondary peaks in the
general Sandy Hook vicinity (bay and ocean stations}. Other
secondary peaks are seen in July, while bay stations had
substantial concentrations through summer. Decomposition in
the samples prior to analysis may have elevated the NHg+NH^
levels over the respective values at the times of sampling.
A-2
-------
Discussion
Background information and references on methodologies,
species abundance and succession are given in previous reports.
Following spring diatom flowerings, phytoflagellate
abundance usually peaks initially (in June) in the Raritan/
Sandy Hook estuary. This also follows spring nutrient maxima
from the Raritan River effluent. In conformance with area
hydrography, blooms which originate in the bay wash out to a
mile or three off Sandy Hook; then, due to Goriolis forces,
curl to the right, inward toward the beach between Sea Bright
and Long Branch.
The Hudson River normally attains peak discharge somewhat
later in the spring than the Raritan, its plume extending
southward along the New Jersey shore to about northern Ocean
County. This enhances bloom development in the ocean following
that in Raritan/Sandy Hook Bay. Red tides tend to concentrate
in patches near the beach, especially in northern Mpnmouth
Co,unty. Localized outfalls such as from inlets, storm drains
and sewage treatment plants probably serve to sustain the blooms
in this section.
Previous studies have shown that algae can utilize nutrient
concentrations as low as 0.05ppm NO, and O.Olppm 3SE_ therefore,
our results show substantial amounts , especially ^y in
Raritan Bay.
In 1982, the initial bloom was sighted in early June in
Raritan Bay and southward one-quarter mile off the beach to
Seaside Park. Our analysis confirmed 0_._ luteus as the dominant
species. In mid-July, another red tide was sighted in Raritan
Bay and simultaneously in the vicinity of Monmouth Beach. Our
analysis confirmed several species prevalent in this case (see
Table 1) with 0.luteus again dominant in moderate bloom
densities. A" late summer outbreak was reported in Raritan Bay
in August, consisting of two patches of different colors. Our
results indicated Peridinium trochoideum (.a potential red tide
species) in one and Ghaetoceros sp.and Skeletonema costatum
(diatoms) in the other.A few sporadic outbreaks in various
locales (not all confirmed) were reported independently of the
routine monitoring-
Events other than red tides were reported as far south as
Cape May. Dirty water containing decomposing organic material
or algae (possibly an upwelling effect of spring tides) was
reported during early summer at Sandy Hook to Raritan Bay, Avon
to Lavallette, Little Egg Harbor bay, Longport and Cape May.
Around the same time localized fishkills occurred in Sandy Hook
Bay and at Toms River, and oil-like slicks(possibly from bunker)
A-3
-------
Discussion (cont.)
were observed at Sea Bright and in Little Egg and Great Egg
Harbor Inlets. Isolated algae blooms were reported in late
summer in Shark River, Barnegat Bay, and the Atlantic City
and Ocean City surf. The latter, coloring the water green,
appeared to be a dinoflagellate (Gymnodinium splendens)previously
recorded from the area. Earlier, at North Long Branch, three
lifeguards were reportedly on antibiotics because of sewage
washing onto the beach from a nearby outfall.
We are fortunate in that our red tides, per se, are not
the toxic variety such as found in New England waters. Although
Gonyaulax tamarensis (causative agent of paralytic shellfish
poisoning) has been found as close as western Long Island, PSP
is thus far not significant in Long Island or New Jersey
waters. In the course of our red tide study (since 1975)
G^ tamarensis has not been detected, even in low numbers, in
New. Jersey waters. We are conducting a separate ongoing survey,
however, to detect its possible presence in N.J. estuarine
waters, either as vegetative cells or benthic cysts, with
negative results to date.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Red tides have continued to occur in New Jersey northern
estuarine and coastal waters, where nutrients for their
development are in ample supply. Although there have been no
extensive blooms such as affected the Monmouth County shore
in 1968-72, or the New York Bight in 1976, several more sporadic
events have taken place in recent summers. In 1982, while the
main bloom pattern normally conformed to the hydrography of the
area, more phytoplankton activity than in recent years occurred
in certain segments of the northern Monmouth County-coastline.
Sewerage outfalls in those vicinities appeared to have a
sustaining effect on the blooms. Other events, which occurred
at several locales between Cape May and Sandy Hook, appeared
to be more closely related to phenomena other than red tides.
Continuation of the ongoing monitoring efforts is needed
with more sampling in early season to monitor nutrients and
bloom development. More intensive sampling in the vicinity of
certain outfalls, especially in Monmouth County, may emphasize
that these discharges should not be in such close proximity to.
public beach bathing areas.
A-4
-------
LONG ISLAND
JC05* NYB20*
FIGURE!
NEW JERSEY COAST STATION LOCATIONS SANDY HOOK TO
ISLAND BEACH PARK
Asterisks (*) designate the stations where phytoplanktoh samples:
are collected.
A-5
-------
TABLE I.
Major phytoplankton species found in the 1982 survey. Those
seasonally dominant (+) often attained cell densities of
1000/ml (10,000 for chlorophytes) or greater. Those abundant
(-) appeared frequently but in lower numbers. Visibility of
a bloom is related to cell size and density. Blooms (*)
occurred where concentrations at some observed point
approached 10,000 cells/ml (100,000 for chlorophytes).
A-6
-------
SEASON
Winter
Spring
Spring
Summer
Summer
,
Summer
\utumn
SPECIES
diatoms
Asterionella glacialis
Skeletonema costatum
A. glacialis
S. costatum
Thalassiosira sp.
dinoflagellates
Prorocentrum minimum
Peridinium trochoideum
Katodinium rotundatum
other phytoflagellates
Calycomonas sp.
Olisthodiscus lutetis
Pyramimonas sp.
Euglena/Eutreptia sp.
Chroomonas sp.
chlorophytes
Nannochloris atomus
Chi orel la sp.
N. atomus
dinoflagellates
Prorocentrum micans
P» minimum
Eeridiniusi frochoideum
Gymnodinium sp.
)ther phytoflagellates
Calycomonas. sp.
Olisthodiscus luteus
Pyramimonas sp,
Euglena/Eutreptia sp.
Cryptomonas acuta
Chrysochromulina sp.
Ji atoms
Asterionella glacialis
Leptocylindrus sp.
A. glacialis
Leptocylindrus sp.
Thalassiosira sp. '
Chaetoceros sp.
S. coatatum
Sampling Location
RB 15
+
4-
1
-f
.
+
+
-
+
*
+
_-
_
-
_.
+
*
*
RB 32
+
*
+
*
*
+
_
*
+
+
_
*
*
A- 7
JC 05
t
. +
+
-H
+
+
+
+
+
*
+
+
_
.^.
. +
*
* i
NYB 20
+
+
+
+
-t-
_ .
_"
-i-
+ .
JC 11
+
.
_L.
T^
+
*
+
+
*
Hh
.
+
_-
4-
_
-
_
_
*
*
JC 21
4-
r^
+
f
+ .
_
_
JC 30
+
+
-
JC 37
*
+ :
_
-------
TABLE
Nutrient Data for the 1982 Phytoplankton Survey,
' + 'NO
Date
June
3
7
17
22
30
July 8
15
17
21
27
August
10
24
Sampling Location
RB32
»77/.62
.647.63
-
.477.43
.657.35
..337*30
.467.59
.16/.05
.627.28
.757.31
SB15
.237.08
.277.17
.317.16
.097.18
..157.11
.077.16
.667.19
.857.32
.16/.20
.80/.28
.207.23
.207.27
NIB20
.107.14
-
.067.02
.11/.03
.097.10
.067.05
.64/.15
.767.16
.717.20
.737.26
.627.16
.08/0 07
JC05
.107.19
.247.26
.08/.04
.107.13
.087.11
.06/.13
.797.23
.74/.18
.657*19
.68/.16
.68/.19
1.8/. 14
JC11
.15/.-14
.257.22
.077.03
.14/.03
.10/.11
.04/.12
.807.19
".677.17
.92/.18
.597.14
.757*17
J07/.08
JC21
.08/.14
.177.17
.087.02
..12 A 02
.087.05
.097.08
.777.17
.807.17
.707.14
.887.17
.717.16
.23/.11
JC30
«.02/<.02
. 14/0 16
.077.03
.14 A 02
/06/.06
.097*06
.917.18
.71/.15
.S2/.19
.717*17
.787.19
.057.07
JC37
<.02/.03
.137*15
.06/.04
.117.03
.107.08
.077.04
.857.18
.497.10
.877.19
.757.17
.657.16
.117.11
JC57
.027.03
.06/.~5
.08/.05
,i2/.r?
.077.06
.067. ( '>
.917.19
.52/.~5
.76/.21
.74/..~»
.757. W
-------
APPENDIX B
Bacteriological Report - 1982
Beach Monitoring - N.Y. Bight
1/12/83
-------
Introduction
A study of the density* of fecal coliform (FC) organisms was
conducted in 1982 as part of the continuing annual monitoring
of the nearshore waters off the Long Island and New Jersey
Coast. Monitoring at selected stations in the New York Bight
was also conducted.
By using specific fecal indicators in water, one can make risk
assessments related to swimming. Epidemiological studies have
investigated the incidence of illness with bathing in water
containing fecal contamination. Evidence exists that there is
a relationship between bacterial water quality and transmission
of certain infectious diseases (Cabelli, 1980).
A fecal coliform bacterial guideline for primary contact
recreational waters was recommended by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA) in 1976 and subsequently adopted by
most of the states. The EPA standard stated that fecal coliforms
should be used as the indicators to evaluate the suitability
of recreational waters, and recommended that fecal coliforms,
as determined by MPN or MF procedure and based on a minimum of
not less than five samples taken over not more than a 30 day
period, shall not exceed a log mean of 200/100 ml, nor shall
more than 10% of the total samples during any 30 day period
exceed 400/100 ml. Rationale for the limits was developed
using data collected from studies at the Great Lakes, Michigan
and the Inland River, Ohio which showed an epidemiological
detectable health effect at levels of 2300-2400 coliforms/100
ml. Later work done on the Ohio River suggested that fecal
coliforms represent 18% of the total coliforms. This would
indicate that detectable health effects may occur at a fecal
coliform level of approx. 400/100 ml. A safety factor was
included which established the 200/100 ml limit, providing for
a quality of water which should be better than that which
would cause a health effect.
New York State, for its primary contact recreational coastal
waters, has adopted the log mean of 200 fecal coliforms/100 ml.
New Jersey, however, chose to adopt more stringent limits.
For their coastal primary contact recreational waters, a log
mean of 50 fecal coliforms/100 ml was established. By 1978,
most of the states adopted the fecal coliform indicator with
geometric mean limits at 200/100 ml or thereabout.
B-l
-------
-2-
Fecal Coliform Indicator Bacteria
Fecal coliforms comprise all of the coliform bacteria that ferment
lactose at 44.5 + 2°C. This group according to traditional thinking,
more accurately reflects the presence of fecal discharges from
warm-blooded animals. As indicators, the bacteria have the advantage
of being less subject to regrowth in polluted waters. Their
increased specificity to fecal sources made them the choice over
other coliform organisms.
For more detailed information about this bacterial group, please
refer to the following:
1. Standard Methods 15th ed., 909C (F.C.)
2. Microbiological Methods Manual EPA-600/8-78-017, Sect. C.
p. 124.
3. Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, 8th Ed.,
1974, p. 290, members of the Enterobacteriaceae, p. 295
Escherichla coli.
Materials and Methods
Marine water samples were collected by helicopter on a weekly
sampling schedule from June to September 1982. Samples were collected
using a Kemmerer sampler, transferred to a 500 ml sterile wide-mouth
plastic container, and then returned to the Region II Edison
laboratory for analysis.
Fecal coliform determinations were conducted according to membrane
filter (MF) methodology in Standard Methods, 15th edition, 1980
and Microbiological Methods for Monitoring the Environment, EPA
600/8-78-017.
Results and Discussion
Along the New Jersey Coast, fecal coliform (FC) densities greater
than 50/100 ml were only observed at four stations (Table 1). The
observations were made at JC-11 (Monmouth Beach), JC-21 (Asbury Park),
JC-37 (Point Pleasant) and JC-57 (Island Beach State Park). For the
majority of New Jersey control stations, low FC geometric means (GM) were
observed (see Table 2). This profile is visually presented in
the geometric mean values of FC densities in Figure 1. Fecal coliform
densities along the Long Island coast were even more dilute.
Fecal coliform densities greater than 50/100 ml occurred only
once at station LlC-04 (Rockaway, B92 Road) (Table 3). Geometric
mean F.C. densities were all less than five. (See Table 4 and
Figure 2).
*Bacterial density in this study is referred to as the number of
bacteria belonging to a specific indicator group per 100/ml of water,
B-2
-------
-3-
The New York State standard for primary contact recreation
waters states that the monthly geometric mean of 5 or more
samples shall not exceed 200 fecal coliform/100 ml. Geometric
mean values for all stations were two orders of magnitude less
than this standard.
New York Bight
The distribution of fecal coliform densities >50/100 ml in the
New York Bight is shown in (Table 5). The geometric mean densities
of fecal coliforms found in the Bight are presented in (Table 6)
Station NYB-26 is located in the center of the sewage sludge disposal
site. Samples at this site were taken at a depth of 76 feet and
had a fecal coliform count of 75. Station NYB-45 which is
approximately 1 mile northwest from the sewage sludge site had a
fecal coliform count of 56. Samples at this site were taken at
a depth of 74 feet (Tables 5 & 6). The fecal coliform counts
obtained at these stations are a likely result of deposition of
sewage sludge at the sewage sludge dump site. Fecal coliform
indicator organisms are sometimes more numerous in the sediments
and off the bottom suggesting greater survival after sedimentation.
(Van Donsel, et al, 1971.; Rittenburg et al, 1958). The high
counts observed at Station NYD-45, outside the dump site proper,
may be attributed to movement of sewage sludge into the Christiensen
Basin. Such movement has been suggested by Cabelli (1980) to
explain the distribution of Clostridial species in the New York
Bight apex.
NYB-32, which is close to the Ambrose Channel in the lower bay
portion of N.Y. Harbor had fecal coliform counts of 88 and 59
at the shallow and deep depths, respectively (Table 5). The
high density of coliforms in the sample taken at a shallow depth,
two feet from the surface, further supports previous fecal coliform
data collected along Coney Island and Staten Island which Indicates
patterns of sewage coming from the Upper N.Y. Harbor flowing in a
southeasterly direction.
Data presented in this report affirms what we have consistently
pointed out regarding flow patterns and fecal wastes coming
from the Upper New York Harbor. Previous studies by the FWPCA also
support these flow patterns (FWPCA, 1967).
B-3
-------
References
1. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 15th Ed.,
American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C. (1981).
2. Microbiological Methods for Monitoring the Environment, Water and Wastes,
EPA-600/8-78-017 (1978).
3. Sergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, 8th Ed. (1974).
4. Geldreich, E. et al. (1965). Fecal Coliform Organism Medium for the
Membrance Filter Technique, J.A.W.W.A. _57:208-214.
5. Rittenberg, S.C. et al. (1958). Coliform Bacteria in Sediments Around Three
Marine Sewage Outfalls. Limnol. Oceanogr. 3^:101-108.
6. Van Donsel, D.J. et al. (1971). Relationship of Salmonellae to Fecal Coliforms
in Bottom sediments. Water Research ^5:1079-1087.
7. Cabelli, V.J. (1980). Health Effects Criteria for Marine Recreational
Waters, EPA-600/1-80-031.
8. FWPCA. 1967. Report on the Quality of the Interstate Waters of the Lower
Passaic River and Upper and Lower Bays of N.Y. Harbor. FWPCA, Nov. 1969.
B-4
-------
Table 1
BACTERIAL DENSITIES > 50/100ML
JERSEY BEACHES
OBS
1
?
STATION
JC-11
JC-21
JC-37
JC-57
BACTERIA
FECAL
FKCAL
FECAL
FECAL
COLI(M-FC)
COLI(M-FC)
COLI(M-FC)
COLI(M-FC)
fMTE
08/03
06/U3
06/30
fift/17
DENSITY
1200
(S8
56
73
B-5
-------
Table 2
GEOMETRIC MEAN OF dACTErtlAL
Nt.w JERSEY PEACHES
OBS STATION vfcAN MINIMUM MAXIMUM
1
2
3
4
5
>3
7
d
s
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1*
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
2fe
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
3S
JC-01
JC-U2
JC-03
JC-05
JC-OH
JC-11
JC-14
JC-21
JC-24
JC-27
JC-30
JC-33
JC-37
JC-.41
JC-44
JC-47A
JC-A9
JC-53
JC-55
JC-57
JC-61
JC-63
JC-65
JC-67
JC-69
JC-73
JC-75
JC-77
JC-79
JC-81
JC-83
JC-85
JC-87
JC-89
JC-Q1
JC-93
JC-95
JC-97
JC-99
U. 45497
0.32007
0. 0*587
0.05946
U. IH921
1.29739
0.34fl01
3.32556
0.30322
0.91913
U. 36543
0.25316
2.23492
0.75675
0.35703
0.44663
0. 28880
1.24002
d.21153
0.60672
0.00000
1.23607
U . 0 0 0 0 0
0.00000
0.00000
0.00000
2.60555
2.16228
1.23607
2.00QOO
i). 41421
2.60555
0.41421
u. 41421
0.00000
1.64575
b. 08276
2.74166
u. 00000
0
0
n
(i
0
0
0
0
n
0
0
0
. 0
0
n
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
fc 12
2 12
I 12
1 12
1200 1?
'i 12
ft* 12
11 it
12 12
?«' 12
14 1«»
-*> 12
11 12-
I'd 12
ft 12
o 12
1« 12
v, 12
73 12
o 2
* 2
(> ?.
0 d
<) tf.
0 ?
\d d
4 2
H ?
« 2
1 2
12 2
1 2
1 2
» 2
ft ?
36 2
o 2
0 2
B-6
-------
Table 3
HACTEKIAL UE.NSIT.IES > 50/100M|_
LONG ISLAND Pfc'AChF.S
06S STATION BACTERIA 0*Tt "E'MS
1 LIC-04 K^CAL COLI(M-FC) 07/^0 68
-------
Table 4
KEOMETHIC MEANS OF H
-------
Table 5
BACTEHIAL DENSITIES > 50/100ML
NEW YORK BIGHT STATIONS
SUMMER 1Q82
08S STATION DEPTi BACTERIA DATE DENSITY
1 NY8-26 D FECAL COLI(M-FC) 07/21 75
2 NYFJ-32 S FECAL COLI(M-FC) 07/^1 88
3 NY8-3? 0 FECAL COLI(M-FC) 07/^1 59
4 NYH-45 0 FECAL COLI(M-FC) OH/04 56
B-9
-------
Table 6
GEOMETRIC MEAN OF BACTERIAL DENSITIES
NEW YORK BIGHT STATIONS
SUMMER 1982
OBS STATION fJEPTH MEAN MINIMUM MAXIMUM N
1 NYH-20 0 0.00000 0 06
2 NYfi-20 S 0.66100 0 20 6
3 MY8-21 D 0.12246 0 1 6
4 NYB-21 S 0.12246 0 1 6
5 NYB-22 D 0.20094 0 26
6 N'YH-?2 S 0.30766 0 4 6
7 NYri-?3 D 0.20094 0 £ 6
d NYH-23 S 0.12246 u 1 6
S NYrt-24 D 0.467«0 0 46
10 NY«-24 S 0.12246 0 1 6
11 NYfl-25 0 0.467RO U 46
12 NYH-2* S 0.00000 0 U 6
13 NYH-26 D 5.35900 0 7b 6
14 NY8-26 S 0.00000 0 0 6
15 NYB-27 0 0.20094 0 26
16 NYfl-27 S 0.00000 0 06
17 NYB-32 D 1,60517 0 S9 5
1« rxYS-32 S l«b!493 0 rt8 5
19 NYfi-33 D 0.319S1 0 1 5
20 NY^-33 S 0.14870 0 15
21 NYH-34 0 0.14870 0 1 t>
22 NYH-34 S 0.00000 U u b
23 NYB-35 0 0.47577 0 65
24 NYH-35 S 0.00000 0 05
25 NYB-40 0 0.00000 0 06
20 NYri-40 S 0.00000 U 0 6
27 NYfi-41 0 0.00000 0 0 6
2d NrS-41 S 0.00000 0 0 t>
29 NY9-42 0 0.12246 0 16
30 NY6-42 S 0.00000 . 0 06
31 NYFH-43 D 0.259^2 i) 1 6
32 NY6-43 S 0.00000 0 06
33 NYfi-44 0 0.51309 0 S 6
34 NY«-44 S 0.00000 0 06
35 -NYri-45 D 1.87947 0 56 6
36 NYH-45 S 0.00000 0 06
21 NYB-46 D 0.25992 0 36
36 NYB-46 S 0.00000 0 0 6
39 NYB-47 D 0.00000 0 06
*0 NYB-47 S 0.00000 0 06
B-10
-------
Figure 1
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-------
Figure 2
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------- |