U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NEW YORJK BIGHT WATER QUALITY
SUMMER OF 1989
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIVISION
REGION 2
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10278
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NEW YORK BIGHT WATER QUALITY
SUMMER OF 1989
Prepared By: United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region II - Surveillance and Monitoring Branch
Edison, New Jersey 08837
Regiwia Mulcahy, Environmental Scientist
.
Helen Tayl^, Environmental Scientist
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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this report is to disseminate technical
information gathered by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Region 2, during the 1989 New York Bight
Water Quality Monitoring Program. The monitoring program
was conducted using the EPA helicopter for water quality
sample collection. During the period from May 18 to
September 25, 1989, approximately 160 stations were sampled
each week, weather permitting. The Bight sampling program
consisted of five separate sampling networks. Sampling was
conducted 5 days a week and extended to 6 days a week in
July and August.
Bacteriological data indicated that fecal coliform
densities at the beaches along both the New Jersey and Long
Island coasts were well within the acceptable Federal
guidelines and State limits for primary contact recreation
(a geometric mean of 200 fecal coliforms/lOOml). A total
of 353 samples were collected for fecal coliform and
enterococcus analysis along the New Jersey coast. Except
for two occasions, fecal coliform densities along the New
Jersey coast were all below the New Jersey bathing water
quality standard of 200 fecal coliforms/lOOml. A total of
131 samples were collected for fecal coliform and
enterococcus analysis1, along the Long Island coast. The
highest density recorded was 26 fecal coliforms/lOOml. The
recommended EPA criterion for enterococci in marine waters
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is a geometric mean of 35 enterococci/lOOml. Individual
enterococcus densities exceeded 35 enterococci/lOOml only
twice during the summer along the New Jersey coast, and
only three times along the Long Island coast. However, all
the geometric means were below the criterion.
Dissolved oxygen levels in 1989 were typical in
comparison to previous years. The average dissolved oxygen
concentrations along the New Jersey perpendiculars, the
Long Island perpendiculars and in the New York Bight Apex
remained above 4.5 mg/1, with the exception of the northern
New Jersey perpendiculars which had some lower values. The
northern perpendiculars declined steadily from early August
through mid September, but values remained in the
"borderline to healthy" range (4-5 mg/1) for aquatic
organisms. Averages for the Bight Apex and the northern
New Jersey coast were somewhat lower than preceding years.
However, values have remained higher than those of 1985
when, in mid to late summer, approximately 1600 square
miles of ocean bottom off New Jersey were plagued with
dissolved oxygen concentrations considered stressful for
aquatic life, over extended periods of time.
During the summer, phytoplanKton blooms were observed
over extensive areas. During the summer, most beaches
along New Jersey were affected by blooms of short duration.
Algal blooms of longer duration occurred in the
intercoastal bays of New Jersey and Long Island. Red algal
ii
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blooms were predominant in Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays. A
summary of bloom incidence is presented in Appendix A. The
green tide, which occurred along the southern New Jersey
coast in 1984 and 1985, did not recur in 1989. The 1984
and 1985 blooms were caused by the organism Gyrodiniom
aureolum.
Beach closures due to wash-ups of floatable debris
were less frequent in 1989 than in 1988. This was largely
due to the initiation of a short term action plan aimed at
addressing floatable debris in the New York Harbor Complex.
This was, and will continue to be, a cooperative monitoring
and response effort on the part of various federal, state
and local government agencies. Beaches in New Jersey were
closed only on two occasions due to floatable debris.
Appendix B presents a summary of the season's floatable
observations.
111
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. SAMPLE COLLECTION PROGRAM 6
III. DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLING STATIONS . 12
Beach Stations 12
New York Bight Stations 12
Perpendicular Stations 21
Phytoplankton Stations 24
V. DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 25
Normal Trends in the Ocean 25
Dissolved Oxygen Criteria 27
Surface Dissolved Oxygen, 1989 29
Bottom Dissolved Oxygen, 1989 29
Long Island Coast 29
New York Bight Apex 31
New Jersey Coast 34
Dissolved Oxygen Trends 41
V. BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS 55
FECAL COLIFORMS 55
New Jersey 55
Long I island 59
ENTEROCOCCI 62
New Jersey 62
Long I£>land 66
BIBLIOGRAPHY 69
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
APPENDIX B -
Summary of Phytoplankton Blooms and
Related Conditions in New Jersey
Coastal Waters
Summer of 1989
New York Harbor Complex Floatable Study
Summer of 1989
APPENDIX C - Microbiological Water Quality New York
Bight Summer 1989
iv
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LIST OF FIGURES
No. Title Page
1 The New York Bight 2
2 Bight Apex cind existing dump sites 3
3 Long Island coast station locations 14
4 New Jersey coast station locations - 18
Sandy Hook to Island Beach Park
5 New Jersey coast station locations - 19
Barnegat to Cape May Point
6 New York Bight station locations 20
7 Long Island perpendicular stations 22
and New Jersey perpendicular stations
from Sandy Hook to Seaside Heights
8 New Jersey perpendicular stations 23
from Barnegat to Strathmere
9 Generalized annual marine dissolved 28
oxygen cycle off the northeast U.S.
(From NOAA)
10 New York Bight bottom dissolved oxygen, 32
1989. Semimonthly average of all
New York Bight stations
11 New Jersey coast bottom dissolved oxygen, 35
1989. Semimonthly averages of all
northern (JC 14-JC 53) and southern
(JC 61-JC 85) perpendicular stations
12 Shore-to-seaward distribution of bottom 39
dissolved oxygen, 1989. Semimonthly
averages of all northern New Jersey
perpendicular stations (JC 14-JC 53),
at fixed distances from shore
13 Shore-to-seaward distribution of bottom 40
dissolved oxygen, 1989. Semimonthly
averages of all southern New Jersey
perpendicular stations (JC 61-JC 85),
at fixed distances from shore
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14 Dissolved oxygen concentrations below 42
4 mg/1, New Jersey coast, July 1989
15 Dissolved oxygen concentrations below 43
4 mg/1, New Jersey coast, August 1989
16 Dissolved oxygen concentrations below 44
4 mg/1, New Jersey coast, September 1989
17 Northern New Jersey coast bottom dissolved 45
oxygen, five year average of the individual
semimonthly averages, 1985 to 1989
18 Southern New Jersey coast bottom dissolved 46
oxygen, five; year average of the individual
semimonthly averages, 1985 to 1989
19 Northern New Jersey coast bottom dissolved 48
oxygen, 1985-1989 comparison. Semimonthly
averages of all JC14-JC53 perpendicular
stations
20 Southern New Jersey coast bottom dissolved 49
oxygen, 1985-1989 comparison. Semimonthly
averages of all JC61-JC85 perpendicular
stations
21 Percent of bottom dissolved oxygen values 51
below 4 mg/1 off the New Jersey coast over
the last five years
22 New York Bight bottom dissolved oxygen, 53
1985-1989 comparison. Semimonthly average
of all New York Bight stations
23 Geometric means of fecal coliform data 57
collected along the coast of New Jersey,
June 28, 1989 to September 6, 1989
24 Geometric means of fecal coliform data 61
collected along the coast of Long Island,
May 23, 1989 to September 5, 1989
25 Geometric means of enterococci data 65
collected along the coast of New Jersey,
June 28, 1989 to September 6, 1989
26 Geometric means of enterococci data 68
collected along the coast of Long Island,
May 23, 1989 to September 5, 1989
VI
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LIST OF TABLES
No. Title Page
1 Outline of 1989 sampling program 7
2 Parameters evaluated for each station group 8
3 Long Island coast station locations 13
4 New Jersey coast station locations 15
5 1989 New Jersey dissolved oxygen distribution 36
(bottom values)
6 Summary of fecal coliform data collected along 56
the New Jersey coast June 28, 1989 through
September 6, 1989
7 Summary of fecal coliform data collected along 60
the coast of Long Island May 23, 1989 through
September 5, 1989
8 Summary of enterococci data collected along 64
the New Jersey coast June 28,.1989 through
September 6, 1989
9 Summary of enterococci data collected along 67
the Long Island coast May 23, 1989 through
September 5, 1989
VII
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I. INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has prepared
this report to disseminate environmental data for the New
York Bight Apex and the shorelines of New York and New
Jersey. The New York Bight is an area of ocean bounded on
the northwest by Saindy Hook, the northeast by Montauk
Point, the southeast by the 2000 meter contour line, and
the southwest by Cape May. Figure 1 shows the limits of
the New York Bight. The New York Bight Apex, which
contains the inactive sewage sludge and acid waste disposal
sites, and the active dredged material and cellar dirt
disposal sites, is shown in Figure 2.
This report is the sixteenth in a series and reflects
the monitoring period between May 23, 1989 and September
25, 1989. The New York Bight Water Quality Monitoring
Program is EPA's response to its mandated responsibilities
as defined under the Marine Protection, Research and
Sanctuaries Act of 1972, the Water Pollution Control Act
Amendments of 1972 and 1977, and the Water Quality Act of
1987.
Since its initiation in 1974, the New York Bight Water
Quality Monitoring Program has been modified several times
to be more responsive to the needs of the general public,
the states, the counties, and EPA; and to concentrate on
specific areas of concern during the critical summer
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75'
74'
7J'
41
40''
BIGHT APEX LIMITS
CHEMICAL
WASTES
DUMP SITE
THE NEW YORK BIGHT
Figure 1
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OUTER HARBOR
' SANDY HOOK-
- ROCKAWAY POINT
TRANSECT
NEW JERSEY
DREDGED MATERIAL
CELLAR SEWAGE
DIRT SLUDGE
WRECK
o
LTi
O
O
-3-
o
i»0°20'
-ACID
WASTES
0.
<
V
<*0e10'
o
rf\
o
r<-»
P>.
Figure 2
BIGHT APEX AND EXISTING DUMP SITES
10
20
30
KILOMETERS
5 10
NAUTICAL MILES
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period. Most of these changes occurred after the summer of
1976, when anoxic conditions caused a fishkill in the Bight
and an unusually heavy wash-up 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, investigate the origins of
these crises, and direct any decisions regarding protection
of the Bight's water quality.
In 1986, the monitoring program was modified to
intensify sampling activities along the southern New Jersey
beaches. During mid to late summer in 1985, beaches along
the southern New Jersey coast were affected by algal
blooms, which caused "green tide", and high bacterial
counts which resulted in beach closings. To improve
monitoring coverage, four additional beach stations between
Long Beach Island and Wildwood were sampled weekly for
phytoplankton. In addition, bacteria samples were
collected weekly rcither than bimonthly along the southern
New Jersey beaches.
Since 1987, phytoplankton, chlorophyll a, and nutrient
samples have been collected at all Long Island beach
stations and Long Island perpendicular stations. During
1989, the nutrient samples were deleted.
In August 1987, a 50-mile slick of garbage washed
ashore along mid to southern New Jersey. This precipitated
the need for daily floatables observations to be recorded
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from the helicopter during 1988. This surveillance was
carried over into 1989 in response to the "Short Term
Action Plan for Addressing Floatables Debris in the New
York Bight" (USEPA, 1988). Essentially, a monitoring and
response network was established to locate and coordinate
cleanup operations for slicks found in the New York Harbor
Complex. The intent was to prevent slick materials from
escaping the harbor and potentially stranding on regional
beaches. Details can be found in the action plan.
Appendix B contains, a report summarizing the surveillance
observations.
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II. SAMPLE COLLECTION PROGRAM
During the period of May 1989 through September 1989,
water quality monitoring was carried out primarily using a
Bell Jet Ranger helicopter. Under the established
protocol, sampling normally occurred 5 days a week and was
extended to 6 days a week during July and August. Table 1
outlines the 1989 sampling program. Table 2 lists the
parameters analyzed for each group of stations.
The monitoring program was composed of four separate
sampling networks. The beach station network was sampled
to gather bacteriological water quality information at 26
Long Island coast stations and 46 New Jersey coast
stations. The New York Bight station network was sampled
to gather chemical 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 cocist, 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, on the New Jersey coast. Samples were
collected for dissolved oxygen and temperature. The
phytoplankton sampling network consisted of 53 stations.
Samples for phytoplankton identification were collected
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Table 1
Outline of 1989 Sampling Program
Station Group
Frequency
per Week
Parameter
Sample Depth
Long Island Beaches
(Rockaway Pt. to
Shinnecock Inlet)
Bacteriological
Phytoplankton
Chlorophyll
Top1
New Jersey Beaches
(Sandy Hook to Cape May)
Bacteriological
Top
Long Island Perpendiculars
Dissolved Oxygen
Phytoplankton
Chlorophyll
Temperature
Top1,
Bottom
North Jersey Perpendiculars 1
(Long Branch to Strathmere)
Dissolved Oxygen
Temperature
Top',
Bottom
New Jersey Phytoplankton
Station Network
Inner New York Bight
Phytoplankton Top
Chlorophyll
Temperature Top1,
Dissolved Oxygen Bottom2
One meter below the surface
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.
Parameters Beaches1 Perpendiculars2 Bight2 Phvtoplankton1
Fecal Coliform X X
Enterococcus X
Temperature X X
Dissolved X X
Oxygen (DO)
Plankton X4 X
Chlorophyll X3 X4 X
Sample Depth: 1 meter below the surface
2Sample Depth: l meter below the surface and 1 meter above the
ocean floor
3Long Island beacM. stations and select New Jersey beach stations
only
Long Island perpendiculars only
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along the New Jersey coast and in Raritan Bay, Barnegat Bay
and Delaware Bay at 15 stations, along the Long Island
coast at 26 stations, and at the 12 Long Island
perpendicular stations. The weekly sampling program
averaged approximately 160 stations.
Beach stations along New York and New Jersey were
sampled once a week for fecal coliform and enterococcus
bacteria densities. This portion of the sampling program
totaled 72 stations per week. At the beach stations,
samples were collected just offshore in the surf zone,
while the helicopter hovered approximately 3 meters from
the surface. Sampling was accomplished by lowering a
1-liter Kemmerer sampler approximately 1 meter below the
water surface. The sample was transferred to a sterile
plastic container, iced and subsequently transported
(within 6 hours) to the Edison Laboratory for fecal
coliform and enterococcus analyses.
The twenty stations in the Bight Apex were sampled
once a week. Depending upon sea conditions, the EPA
helicopter hovered or landed at the designated station and
a 1-liter Kemmerer sampler was used to obtain water
samples. Normally, samples are taken at 1 meter below the
surface and 1 meter above the ocean bottom. However, due
to the space and weight limitations of the Bell Jet Ranger,
only bottom samples were collected. After collection, the
water sample was transferred to a BOD bottle for dissolved
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oxygen 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 alkali-iodide-azide
reagent. The sample was shaken to facilitate floe
formation and then placed in a metal rack. The samples
were held for less than 6 hours before returning to the
laboratory, where 2 ml of sulfuric acid were added, and the
samples were titrated with 0.0375N sodium thiosulfate.
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 collected while hovering
or landing, at 1 meter above the ocean bottom.
The fourth routinely scheduled sampling component
involved the collection of water samples for phytoplankton
identification and quantification, and chlorophyll
analysis. Phytoplankton and chlorophyll samples collected
along the New Jersey coast were analyzed by the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
Phytoplankton and chlorophyll samples collected along the
Long Island coast were analyzed by the Nassau County Health
Department. The samples were collected as close to the
surface as possible, using 1-liter Kemmerer samplers. A
1-liter plastic cubitainer was filled for phytoplankton
analysis. The phytoplankton samples for NJDEP were cooled
to 4°C for preservation. The phytoplankton samples for the
10
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Nassau County Health Department were not preserved. The
NJDEP picked up their phytoplankton samples at our Edison
laboratory within 24 hours of collection. At the
laboratory, the NJDEP removed an aliquot of sample from the
cubitainer for chlorophyll analysis. Along the Long Island
beaches, a 500 ml dark brown plastic bottle was filled for
chlorophyll analysis. The Nassau County Health Department
samples were delivered to the Health Department's
laboratory within 4 hours of collection. The results of
NJDEP's analyses are contained in Appendix A. A report
from the Nassau County Health Department has not been
completed.
11
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III. DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLING STATIONS
Beach Stations
A total of 72 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 130
km eastward to Shirmecock Inlet for a total of 26 stations
(LIC Ol-LIC 28). Sample station locations, nomenclature,
and descriptions are given in Table 3 and Figure 3. There
are 46 New Jersey coast stations, beginning at Sandy Hook
extending south to Cape May Point (JC 01A-JC 99). These
stations are described and identified in Table 4 and in
Figures 4 and 5.
New York Bight Stations
The New York Bight stations, established as part of
the original ocean monitoring program, cover the inner
Bight area in approximately 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 6.
12
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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 Hempstead 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 Smith Point County Park
LIC 23 Moriches Inlet West
LIC 24 Moriches Inlet East
LIC 25 West Hampton Beach
LIC 26 Tiana Beach
LIC 27 Shinnecock Inlet West
LIC 28 Shinnecock Inlet East
13
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FIGURE 3
LONG ISLAND COAST STATION LOCATIONS
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Table 4
New Jersey coast station locations
Station No. Location
JC 01A Sandy Hook, 1.2 km south of tip
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 13 Long Branch, Chelsea Avenue
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 26 Shark River Inlet
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 35 One block north of Manasquan Inlet
JC 36 Manasquan Inlet, off Third 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
15
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Table 4 (continued)
Station No. Location
JC 53 Seaside Heights, between the amusement
piers
JC 55 Island Beach State Park, off white
building north of Park Headquarters
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
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 74 Absecon Inlet
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
16
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Table 4 (continued)
Station No. Location
JC 91 stone Harbor, off large blue water tower
JC 92 Hereford Inlet
JC 93 Wildwood, off northern amusement pier
JC 95 Two mile beach, opposite radio tower
JC 96 cape May Inlet
JC 97 Cape May, off white house with red roof
on the beach
JC 99 Cape May Point, opposite lighthouse
17
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NEW JERSEY
LONG BRANCH
SEASIDE
HEIGHTS
FIGURE 4
NEW JERSEY COAST STATION LOCATIONS - SANDY HOOK TO
ISLAND BEACH PARK
18
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CAPE MAY
POINT ^ JC95
JC96
JC97
JC99 FIGURE 5
NEW JERSEY COAST STATION LOCATIONS - BARNEGAT TO CAPE MAY PO.NT
19
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SANDY HOOK
(42)
(43)
(20) (2j) (22) (23) (24) (g) (26) (27)
NYB
FIGURE 6
NEW YORK BIGHT STATION LOCATIONS
20
N
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Perpendicular Stations
Sampling stations perpendicular to the Long Island
coastline are 1.85 km, 5.55 Jon, 9.25 tan, and 12.95 Jon [1,
3, 5, and 7 nautical miles (run)] offshore. Sampling
stations perpendicular to the New Jersey coastline start at
1.85 tan and are spaced every 1.85 tan out to 18.5 tan (1 run,
with 1 nm increments, to 10 nm) offshore. These stations
are identified by suffixes E through M, with the exception
of the Manasquan (MAS) perpendicular stations which have
corresponding suffixes 1 through 9. Normally, only every
other New Jersey perpendicular station (3.7 tan intervals)
was sampled; the intermediate stations remained available
should dissolved oxygen conditions warrant more intensive
sampling.
The perpendicular stations were established to gather
surface and bottom dissolved oxygen values in the critical
areas of the New York Bight nearshore waters. Previous
agreements had been made with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide dissolved
oxygen profiles from stations further out in the Bight in
conjunction with their existing programs.
The perpendicular stations described above are plotted
in Figures 7 and 8. Tables 3 and 4 describe the shore
station locations from which the perpendicular stations
originate.
21
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LONG ISLAND
SANDY HOOK N
LONG BRANCH
NEW JERSEY
EG I KM
MANASQUAN INLET
BAY HEAD
EG II! KM M
SEASIDE HEIGHTS
FIGURE 7
LONG ISLAND PERPENDICULAR STATIONS AND NEW JERSEY
PERPENDICULAR STATIONS FROM SANDY HOOK TO SEASIDE HEIGHTS
22
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NEW JERSEY
JC61
JC69
N
JC75
STRATHMERE
JC85
FIGURE 8
NEW JERSEY PERPENDICULAR STATIONS FROM BARNEGAT TO STRATHMERE
23
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Phytoplankton Stations
Phytoplanktori samples were collected once a week along
the New Jersey coast and in Raritan Bay, Barnegat Bay,
Great Egg Harbor and Delaware Bay at the following
stations:
RB 32 JC 14 JC 65 BB 1
RB 24 JC 30 JC 75 GE 2
RB 15 JC 41 JC 83 DB 1
JC 08 JC 57 JC 91
A discussion of phytoplankton dynamics and bloom
incidence in New Jersey waters is presented in Appendix A.
Phytoplankton samples were collected at all Long
Island beach stations once a week. A report on these
samples has not been prepared.
24
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ESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Normal Trends in the Ocean
Two major processes act to replenish dissolved oxygen
in the water column of the New York Bight. These are: the
photosynthetic conversion 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
25
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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.
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 cooler bottom
water is effectively isolated from the upper layer
by a 10°C temperature 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 cause 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
26
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water column with concomitant reoxygenation of the
bottom waters. The annual cycle begins again.
Figure 9 depicts a representative history of
dissolved oxygen concentration in the general ocean
area off of New Jersey, New York, and New England.
Dissolved Oxygen Criteria
The dissolved oxygen levels necessary for survival
and/or reproduction vary among biological species.
Sufficient data have not been accumulated to assign
definitive limits or lower levels of tolerance for each
species at various growth stages. Rough guidelines are
available for aquatic species for purposes of surveillance
and monitoring. These are as follows:
5 mg/1 and greater - healthy
4-5 mg/1 - borderline to healthy
3-4 mg/1 - stressful if prolonged
2-3 mg/1 - 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
15-20 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 fishkills and benthic organism
mortality.
27
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10
X 5
o
m
Z 4
If
Q
I
J I
I I
I I
FEB MAR APR
MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV
MONTH
FIGURE 9
GENERALIZED ANNUAL MARINE DISSOLVED OXYGEN CYCLE OFF THE
NORTHEAST U.S. (FROM NOAA)
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Surface Dissolved Oxygen - 1989
During the 1989 sampling period, May 18 through
September 25, surface dissolved oxygen samples were not
taken. Space and weight limitations of the aircraft
precluded the collection of both surface and bottom
samples. In past years, the upper water column has
remained completely mixed with dissolved oxygen levels at
or near saturation during the entire sampling period. Due
to an above average amount of storms promoting reaeration,
there is no reason to suspect that 1989 was any different.
Bottom Dissolved Oxygen - 1989
Long Island Coast
Long Island perpendiculars LIC02, LIC09 and LIC14 were
sampled 3 times during the 1989 sampling period. A total
of 38 bottom samples were collected for dissolved oxygen.
None were below the 4 mg/1 "borderline to healthy"
guideline. Based on these data, dissolved oxygen remained
well above the concentrations considered stressful to
aquatic life. The dissolved oxygen concentrations, with
the exception of September, remained in the 5-10 mg/1
range. In September, two dissolved oxygen concentrations
were below 5 mg/1. These two values were:
Station Date Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l)
LIC02B 9/28/89 4.6
LIC14B 9/28/89 4.7
29
-------
These values are within the "borderline to healthy"
dissolved oxygen guideline, and are consistent with the
normal dissolved oxygen sag curve in the New York Bight
Apex. No samples were collected in July or August along
perpendiculars LIC02, LIC09 and LIC14. Therefore, it is
possible that dissolved oxygen concentrations may have been
lower than 5 mg/1 during this time. There were no reported
fishkills in the ocean off Long Island, and it is probable
that prolonged periods of very low dissolved oxygen
concentrations did not occur. Additionally, data from
previous years indicate that the dissolved oxygen averages
off Long Island generally remain well above 4 mg/l. There
is no reason to suspect that 1989 was any different.
30
-------
New York Bight Apex
Figure 10 illustrates the semimonthly dissolved oxygen
averages at the New York Bight Apex stations from June to
October, 1989. A "double minima" was observed. The
dissolved oxygen average decreased from 7.6 mg/1 in late
June to 5.1 mg/1 in mid July. It then increased to 5.8
mg/1 in mid August and subsequently declined to a second
minimum of 4.6 mg/1 in early September. Recovery likely
occurred after cessation of sampling sometime in October.
A total of 108 samples were collected in the New York
Bight Apex from June 1 to September 28 and measured for
dissolved oxygen. Twenty-one dissolved oxygen values, or
19.4 percent, were between 4-5 mg/1. Six samples, or 5.6
percent, were between the 3-4 mg/1 level considered
"stressful if prolonged" for aquatic life, and two
dissolved oxygen va.lues were in the 2-3 mg/1 level
considered "lethal if prolonged" for aquatic life. The
eight dissolved oxygen values below 4 mg/1 were:
Station Date Dissolved Oxygen (mg/1)
NYB 23 8/24/89 3.9
NYB 44 8/26/89 3.6
NYB 22 8/31/89 2.4
NYB 23 8/31/89 2.5
NYB 24 8/31/89 3.5
NYB 26 8/31/89 3.7
NYB 27 8/31/89 3.9
NYB 41 8/31/89 3.9
This is consistent with the normal dissolved oxygen sag
curve in the New York Bight Apex.
31
-------
10
8
O 4
l/>
1/1
O
MAY
Figure 10
(/) NUMBER OF SAMPLES
(20)
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
NEW YORK BIGHT BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN. 1989.
SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGE OF ALL NEW YORK BIGHT
STATIONS
32
-------
NOAA has reported significant improvement in the Bight
Apex since the cessation of sewage sludge disposal in 1987
at the 12-mile dumpsite. A recent report indicated that
dissolved oxygen values at station NY6, located 1.6 km
downslope of the area where heaviest dumping occurred,
"have not been less than 4 mg/1 since the reduction of
sludge volume" (NOAA, 1989). Prior to that time values of
< 0.5 mg/1 were reported. Generally, EPA data support this
finding.
33
-------
New Jersey Coast
Figure 11 illustrates the semimonthly dissolved oxygen
average off the New Jersey coast during the summer of 1989,
with separate lines for the northern (JC 14-JC 53)
perpendiculars and the southern (JC 61-JC 85)
perpendiculars. The dissolved oxygen average along the
northern perpendiculars exhibited a "double minima" effect.
In early June, the dissolved oxygen average was
approximately 8.0 mg/1 and decreased to 6.5 mg/1 in late
June and early July. The dissolved oxygen average then
reached the first low of 4.7 mg/1 in early August, followed
by an increase to 6.6 mg/1 in mid August. It subsequently
declined until the second low, of approximately 4.0 mg/1,
was reached in mid September. Recovery occurred in early
October. Along the southern New Jersey perpendiculars, the
dissolved oxygen average was between 6.0 and 7.0 mg/1 from
mid June to early September. The average decreased to a
low of 4.5 mg/1 in mid September. This was followed by a
strong dissolved oxygen recovery in early October.
Table 5 summarizes the bottom dissolved oxygen values
for the New Jersey coast perpendiculars. There were 347
samples collected along the New Jersey perpendiculars
between May 18 and September 25, 1989 and analyzed for
dissolved oxygen. Of these samples, 106 values (30.5
percent) were below 5 mg/1. Of the 106 samples, 60 values
(17.3 percent of all samples collected) were between
34
-------
10
3- 8
8
S 5
a
UJ
O 4
O
J
Figure 11
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NEW JERSEY COAST BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN, 1989.
SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES OF ALL NORTHERN (JCW-JC53)
AND SOUTHERN (JC61-JC85) PERPENDICULAR STATIONS
a « JC14-JC53
o = JC61-JC85
NOV
DEC
35
-------
Table 5
1989 NJ DO DISTRIBUTION (BOTTOM VALUES)
S
ls> S
JC85M
JC85K
JC85I
JC85G
JC85E
JC75M
JC75K
JC75I
JC75G
JC75E
JC69M
JC69K
JC69I
JC69G
JC69E
JC61M
JC61K
JC61I
JC61G
JC61E
JC53U
JC53K
JC53I
JC53G
JC53E
JC41M
JC41K
JC41I
JC41G
JC41E
MASS
MAS4
MAS3
MAS2
MAS1
JC27M
JC27K
JC27I
JC27G
JC27E
JC14M
JC14K
!/" ! 1
JC14I
i^ * 4 A
JC14G
.ir.ur
4
4
4
4
+
-
+
4>
*
*
*
>
>
>
>
4
4
4
#
»
#
0 »
>
>
>
A
A
A
A <
»
*
»
i
4
<
»
»'
i
k
»
4
»
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
*
A
» 4
4
A
>
>
KEY:
* - > 5 mg/L A - 4-5 mg/L - 2~i mg/L - Q-2 mg/L
36
-------
4-5 mg/l, and 42 values (12.1 percent) were between 2-4
mg/l. There were four values (1.2 percent) between 0-2
mg/l. In comparison, during the summer of 1988, 478
samples were collected. A total of 165 values (34.5
percent) were below 5 mg/l. Of these, 122 values (25.5
percent of all samples) were between 4-5 mg/l, 51 values
(10.7 percent) were between 2-4 mg/l, and two values (0.4
percent) were between 0-2 mg/l. Overall, dissolved oxygen
values in 1989 were slightly higher than those encountered
in 1988.
Figures 12 and 13 compare the shore to seaward
distribution of dissolved oxygen along the northern New
Jersey perpendiculars and the southern New Jersey
perpendiculars, respectively. Generally, along northern
New Jersey (Figure 12) the dissolved oxygen values
increased with distance offshore from June through late
July. This pattern has been observed over the past five
years. The lower values at the nearshore stations in
northern New Jersey are attributed to the influence of
river discharges, treatment plant effluents, stormwater
runoff, benthic oxygen demand from inlet dredged material
disposal sites, and the plume from the Hudson-Raritan River
Estuary system. A "double minima" occurred at all
distances from shore. The first minima at the 1 mile
station occurred in mid July. At the remainder of the
offshore stations, the first low occurred in early August.
This was followed by all values increasing 1-3 mg/l by mid
37
-------
August. The second low for 7 and 9 miles offshore occurred
in early September, and in mid September for 1, 3 and 5
miles offshore. All values increased in early October.
In 1989, dissolved oxygen averages along the southern
New Jersey coast generally decreased with increasing
distance offshore, Figure 13. This pattern has been
observed in 1985, 1986 and 1988. However, in those years
the trend initially followed a pattern similar to the
northern perpendiculars - dissolved oxygen increased with
increasing distance offshore. As summer progressed, this
trend reversed itself by late July, early August. All
dissolved oxygen values significantly increased by early
October. During the summers of 1985-1987 a pronounced
"double minima" occurred 1 mile offshore. This effect was
not evident in 1988 nor 1989, and may be due to the
decrease in sampling frequency for these two years.
38
-------
10
I 5
O 4
in
o
MAY
Figure 12
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
0 * 1 MILE
0=3 MILES
A = 5 MILES
»« 7 MILES
x = 9 MILES
NOV
DEC
SHORE-TO-SEAWARD DISTRIBUTION OF BOTTOM DISSOLVED
OXYGEN, 1989. SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES OF ALL
NORTHERN PERPENDICULAR STATIONS (JCW-JC53), AT
FIXED DISTANCES FROM SHORE
39
-------
to
S
o
O 4
00
MAY
Figure 13
o = 1 MILE
0=3 MILES
A = 5 MILES
* « 7 MILES
x = 9 MILES
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
SHORE-TO-SEAWARD DISTRIBUTION OF BOTTOM DISSOLVED
OXYGEN, 1989. SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES OF All
SOUTHERN PERPENDICULAR STATIONS (JC61-JC85), AT
FIXED DISTANCES FROM SHORE
40
-------
Dissolved Oxygen Trends
Figures 14, 1.5 and 16 display the number of dissolved
oxygen observations below 4 mg/1 during July, August and
September 1985-1989, for each perpendicular. Since 1985,
dissolved oxygen values have shown significant improvement
with few values below 4 mg/1. This improvement may be
partially attributed to the increased storm activity in
subsequent years, promoting reaeration; and, the absence of
a significant green tide event since 1985.
Figure 17 displays the five year dissolved oxygen
arithmetic mean of all semimonthly averages for the
northern New Jersey perpendicular stations. The average
dissolved oxygen in early May was 6.7 mg/1. From May to
June the dissolved oxygen increased to 7.8 mg/1, then
decreased gradually to 5.2 mg/1 in late July. The
dissolved oxygen remained at this level in early August and
then decreased to a low of 4.5 mg/1 in early September.
During September and October, there was a rapid dissolved
oxygen recovery.
Figure 18 displays the five year dissolved oxygen
arithmetic mean of all semimonthly averages for the
southern New Jersey perpendicular stations. In early May,
the dissolved oxygen average was 8.3 mg/1. From Ma'y to mid
June, the dissolved oxygen gradually decreased to 6.5 mg/l
and remained at that level during June. Values continued
to decline through July until a low of 4.6 mg/1 was reached
in mid August. During mid September and October, the
41
-------
Figure 14
DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS
BELOW 4 MG/L
NEW JERSEY COAST
JULY 1989
SS JC14
Bra JC27
B2 MAS
eza jC4i
BHB JC53
K9 JC69
JC85
ro
QL
UJ
(/)
CD
O
UJ
CO
1985
1
JS-
1
JD_
1986
1987
YFAR
1988
1989
-------
Figure 15
DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS
BELOW 4 MG/L
NEW JERSEY COAST
AUGUST 1989
BS JC14
EEB JC27
US MAS
EZ3 JC41
JC53
JC6!
CSS JC69
E53 JC85
50
40
30
o:
UJ
CO
CD
O
Od
UJ
CD
20
n 15
10
1 1
a T\
1985
1986
1987
YFAR
1988
1989
-------
50
40
>
<
^,
K
/
',
y
/
r
/
/
/
7
3
*
.
7
1985
Is?
^
s
\
1
ill ll
irffUt?fl
2
fT
3
BS JC14
ffffl JC27
ca MAS
eZ2 JC41
fTTl ij\^0 0
s^a JCGI
CSS JC69
fffffl JC75
BZ JC85
2 , ,22
pi 1 pTTI
6
rrj
s
7
S
\
\,
S
s
s
1986 1987 1988
YFAR
2
m
11
6
n
g
^
5,
i-«4
> flrvin
1989
-------
10
S 5
o
UJ
O 4
cn
MAY
Figure 17
O = FIVE YEAR AVERAGE
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY COAST BOTTOM DISSOLVED
OXYGEN. FIVE YEAR AVERAGE OF THE INDIVIDUAL
SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES, 1985 TO 1989
45
-------
Figure 18
10
o
S
O
1/1
o = FIVE YEAR AVERAGE
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY COAST BOTTOM DISSOLVED
OXYGEN. FIVE YEAR AVERAGE OF THE INDIVIDUAL
SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES, 1985 TO 1989
46
-------
dissolved oxygen increased gradually, and was followed by
rapid recovery after October. The five year average for
southern New Jersey generally follows the dissolved oxygen
cycle for the northeast United States (Figure 9).
Figures 19 and 20 illustrate the dissolved oxygen
trends over the past five years for the New Jersey
perpendicular stations. Figure 19 shows that in 1987 and
1989 a dissolved oxygen "double minima" occurred along the
northern New Jersey perpendiculars. During 1987, the first
low occurred in mid August, followed by a second low in mid
October. The "double minima" in 1989 was more pronounced
than in 1987, with the first low occurring in late July,
early August followed by a second low in mid September.
The summers of 1987 and 1988 have been the best in terms of
dissolved oxygen averages since 1985. Averages, with the
exception of mid June 1988, remained at or greater than 5
mg/1. During 1985, 1986 and 1989, the lowest values
occurred between late August and mid September. In late
August 1985, the average dissolved oxygen concentration
dropped to a low of 2.5 mg/1. Averages since then have not
dropped below 3.5 mg/1, even during the critical late
summer period. In 1989, dissolved oxygen averages
fluctuated more sharply than in previous years. The sharp
increase in mid August was probably due to storm activity.
Except in those instances when a "double minima" occurred,
dissolved oxygen along the northern New Jersey
perpendiculars declined steadily throughout the summer,
47
-------
10
o
S 5
o
UJ
O 4
MAY
Figure 19
o = 1985
o = 1986
A = 1987
* = 1988
x = 1989
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY COAST BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN
1985-1989 COMPARISON. SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES OF
ALL JC14-JC53 PERPENDICULAR STATIONS
DEC
48
-------
10
7 -
o
O 4
-------
reaching a low in late summer, followed by a rapid recovery
in October.
Figure 20 illustrates that, for the most part, the
lowest dissolved oxygen levels along the southern New
Jersey perpendicular stations during the last five years
occurred in 1985. The dissolved oxygen levels along the
southern New Jersey perpendiculars in 1989 were
approximately equal to or above the dissolved oxygen
averages of the previous four years. Based on the data
collected, the lowest value in 1989 was 4.5 mg/1 in mid
September. The remainder of the period averages were
greater than 5 mg/1.
Figure 21 displays the percentages of bottom dissolved
oxygen samples with concentrations below 4 mg/1 along the
New Jersey perpendiculars over the last five years. The
highest percentage of low dissolved oxygen values, 44.4
percent, occurred in 1985. Of the past 5 years, 1987 has
the smallest percentage of low dissolved oxygen values,
only 3.7 percent. The graph indicates that in 1989 there
was an increase in the percentage of low dissolved oxygen
values to 13.3 percent. In general, the percentage of
dissolved oxygen values below 4 mg/1 fluctuates from year
to year. In 1985, the percentage of dissolved oxygen
concentrations below 4 mg/1 was significantly greater than
in the other years. Since 1985 there have not been any
prolonged periods of low dissolved oxygen over an extensive
area. This may be partially attributed to the absence of a
50
-------
Figure 21
PERCENT OF BOTTOM DO VALUES BELOW 4mg/l
50
40 -
30 -
o
Q.
20 -
10 -
44.4
OFF THE NJ COAST OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS
9.4
1985
1986
3.7
1987
Year
11.1
13.3
1988
1989
-------
major green tide event in subsequent years.
Figure 22 shows a five year comparison of the
semimonthly averages for the New York Bight Apex stations
for the years 1985-1989. The average dissolved oxygen
concentrations remained above 4 mg/1 throughout the five
year period, except for early September in 1985 when the
dissolved oxygen average fell to 3.5 mg/1. A dissolved
oxygen "double minima" has been observed each year except
1986. In general, the New York Bight Apex dissolved oxygen
levels have improved since 1985. The highest dissolved
oxygen averages in the Apex occurred in 1987. Dissolved
oxygen concentrations in 1988 and 1989 were generally lower
than in 1987. The first and second low of the "double
minima" occurred earlier in 1989 as compared to 1987 and
1988. Except that the average values are higher in 1989,
the graphs for 1989 and 1985 follow a similar pattern. The
first low occurs in mid July followed by a second low in
early/mid September.
All of the dissolved oxygen trend graphs for the New
Jersey perpendicular stations show considerable improvement
in dissolved oxygen concentrations since 1985, when an
unusually large number of low concentrations were reported.
Dissolved oxygen concentrations were slightly lower in 1989
and 1988 than in 1986 and 1987, but considerably higher
than in 1985. The prolonged depressed dissolved oxygen
levels in 1985 were attributed to the decomposition of the
organisms responsible for the numerous algal blooms that
52
-------
10
o
i 5
o
s
O 4
i/3
o
MAY
Figure 22
K \ / v' \
^N \ / / \
. \ v / / . \
o = 1985
o = 1986
A = 1987
+ = 1988
x = 1989
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NEW YORK BIGHT BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN, 1985-1989
COMPARISON. SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGE OF ALL NEW YORK
BIGHT STATIONS
.o
NOY
DEC
53
-------
occurred, the lack of meteorological events favoring
reaeration, such as substantial winds and storm activity,
and the presence of. a strong thermocline. During the
summers of 1986 and 1987, fewer algal blooms were observed,
higher winds occurred, and there were numerous storms
promoting reaeration. Not as many storms occurred in 1988
and algal blooms wire observed throughout the summer. This
probably contributed to the lower dissolved oxygen
concentrations in 1988 compared to 1986 and 1987. While
storm activity was fairly frequent in 1989 wind activity
may not have been strong enough to have significantly
influenced reaeration.
54
-------
BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
FECAL COLIFORMS
New Jersey
Table 6 presents a summary of the fecal coliform data
collected along the coast of New Jersey between June 28,
1989 and September 6, 1989. The geometric mean for each
station is plotted in Figure 23. The overall State water
quality standard for New Jersey is 50 fecal coliforms/lOOml
for the protection of shellfish waters. The State standard
for primary contact recreation along the New Jersey coast
is a geometric mean of 200 fecal coliforms/lOOml based on
five or more samples analyzed within a 30 day period.
However, for the protection of public health, the State
will close the beaches if individual values exceed 200
fecal coliforms/lOOml for two consecutive days.
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, 15.2 fecal coliforms/lOOml, was at
station JC 13 at Long Branch City, off Chelsea Avenue. The
second highest geometric mean, 14.0 fecal coliforms/lOOml,
was at station JC 35 in Manasquan Inlet. All of the
geometric means are very low. Figure 23 shows that the New
Jersey coastal stations are well below the bacteriological
standard. Based on fecal coliform data, New Jersey coastal
waters have excellent water quality.
55
-------
Table 6
Summary of fecal coliform data collected
along the New Jersey coast
June 28. 1989 through September 6. 1989
Station
JC 01A
JC 03
JC 05
JC 08
JC 11
JC 13
JC 14
JC 21
JC 24
JC 26
JC 27
JC 30
JC 33
JC 35
JC 36
JC 37
JC 41
JC 44
JC 47A
JC 49
JC 53
JC 55
JC 57
JC 59
JC 61
JC 63
JC 65
JC 67
JC 69
JC 73
JC 74
JC 75
JC 77
JC 79
JC 81
JC 83
JC 85
JC 87
JC 89
JC 91
JC 92
JC 93
JC 95
JC 96
JC 97
JC 99
Number of Maximum Value
Samples (Fecal Coliform/lOOml)
9
10
10
10
10
10
9
9
8
8
7
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
67
7
4
73
63
80
26
27
11
112
16
5
6
3
212
29
9
3
3
8
6
4
4
9
12
4
6
5
2
3
84
15
5
8
96
4
17
10
4
2
284
55
80
50
24
16
Geometric Mean
(Fecal Coliform/lOOml)
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
15.
2.
2.
2.
6.
4.
2.
2.
1.
14.
2.
2.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
4.
3.
2.
2.
5.
1.
2.
2.
1.
2.
3.
5.
4.
2.
3.
3.
6
5
7
8
6
2
8
4
1
2
8
1
0
3
0
6
2
1
3
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
3
3
1
4
8
3
3
9
6
7
4
4
5
3
5
3
8
9
2
8
56
-------
200
Figure 23
STANDARD
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF FECAL COLIFORM DATA COLLECTED
ALONG THE COAST OF NEW JERSEY, JUNE 28,1989 TO
SEPTEMBER 6,1989.
(ACTUAL VALUES PRINTED ABOVE BARS)
57
-------
rnrougnout the summer sampling period, a total of 353
samples were collected for fecal coliform analysis along
the New Jersey Coaj;t. Of the 353 samples, 12 or 3.4
percent were above 50 fecal coliforms/lOOml. Only two
samples, 0.57 percent, were above 200 fecal
coliforms/lOOml. The two samples were collected on July
19, at Hereford Inlet (JC 92), and on August 16, at
Manasquan Inlet (JC 36). The densities were 284 and 212
fecal coliforms/lOOml, respectively. On July 20, beaches
were closed at Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood
due to elevated bacteria counts recorded for samples taken
by the local health department.
58
-------
Long Island
Table 7 presents a summary of the fecal coliform data
collected along the coast of Long Island from May 23, 1989
through September 5, 1989. The geometric mean for each
station is plotted! in Figure 24. The New York 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. 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 station over the
entire summer. The highest geometric mean was 5.5 fecal
coliforms/lOOml, which occurred at station LIC 05, Far
Rockaway Beach. The second highest geometric mean was 4.1
fecal coliforms/lOOml, which occurred at LIC 10, Hempstead
Beach. From Figure: 24, it is apparent that the standard
was not approached. Based on fecal coliform data, the New
York coastal waters along Long Island are of excellent
quality.
A total of 131 samples were collected during the
summer along the coast of Long Island and analyzed for
fecal coliform bacteria. None of the densities exceeded
200 fecal coliforms/lOOml. The highest density found all
summer, 26 fecal coil i forms/100 ml, was at station LIC 04,
Rockaway, off the foot of B92 Road, on July 18, 1989. This
value is well below the New York State standard.
59
-------
Table 7
Summary of fecal coliform data collected
along the coast of Long Island
May 23. 1989 through September 5. 1989
Station
LIC 01
LIC 02
LIC 03
LIC 04
LIC 05
LIC 07
LIC 08
LIC 09
LIC 10
LIC 12
LIC 13
LIC 14
LIC 15
LIC 16
LIC 17
LIC 18
LIC 19
LIC 20
LIC 21
LIC 22
LIC 23
LIC 24
LIC 25
LIC 26
LIC 27
LIC 28
Number of Maximum Value
Samples (Fecal Coliform/lOOml)
8
7
7
6
7
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
5
18
26
13
2
10
13
11
21
10
16
5
6
6
5
6
4
18
5
5
2
4
3
2
3
Geometric Mean
(Fecal Coliform/lOOml)
2
1
1
3
5
1
1
2
4
2
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
3
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
.0
.6
.5
.3
.5
.1
.8
.9
.1
.3
.6
.2
.5
.8
.2
.3
.4
.7
.3
.5
.7
.3
.6
.3
.6
.8
60
-------
Figure 24
STANDARD
200
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF FECAL COLIFORM DATA COLLECTED
ALONG THE COAST OF LONG ISLAND, MAY 23,1989 TO
SEPTEMBER 5.1939.
(ACTUAL VALUES PRINTED ABOVE BARS)
61
-------
ENTEROCOCCI
The 1989 sampling program marked the fifth year that
samples were collected for enterococci bacteria.
Enterococci bacteria are members of the fecal streptococci
group. The occurrence of fecal streptococci in bathing
waters indicates the presence of fecal contamination from
warm-blooded animals. The enterococcus group of bacteria
includes the following species: Streptococcus faecales; S.
faecalis. subsp. liquefaciens; S. faecalis. subsp.
zyogenes; and S. faecium. Past research (Cabelli 1982,
1983) has demonstrated that enterococci bacteria show a
better correlation than fecal coliforms, to gastroenteritis
caused by swimming in contaminated water. The EPA
criterion for marine waters, a geometric mean of 35
enterococci bacteria/lOOml, was published in the Federal
Register on March 7, 1986.
New Jersey
Table 8 presents a summary of the enterococci data
collected along the New Jersey coast from June 28 to
September 6, 1989. The State of New Jersey does not have a
water quality standard for enterococci bacteria. As
mentioned previously, the EPA criterion for enterococci in
marine waters is 35 enterococci bacteria/lOOml. This
criterion is based on a geometric mean of a statistically
sufficient number of samples - generally not less than five
samples equally spaced over a thirty day period. Due to
62
-------
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 geometric
mean for each station is plotted in Figure 25. Figure 25
shows that the geometric mean of enterococci densities at
each station is well below the EPA criterion. All the
geometric means are low. The highest mean, 4.2
enterococci/lOOml, occurred at station JC 13, Long Branch,
off Chelsea Avenue,,
A total of 353 samples were analyzed for enterococcus
bacteria along the New Jersey coast. Three individual
values were greater than 35 enterococci bacteria/lOOml.
These samples were:
Station Date Enterococci/lOOml
JC 95 6/28/89 160
JC 92 7/19/89 37
JC 96 7/19/89 77
The cause of these elevated values may be related to
runoff and/or discharges to inland waterways. Both JC 92
and JC 96 stations are located in inlets.
63
-------
Table 8
Summary of enterococci data collected
along the New Jersey coast
June 28. 1989 through September 6. 1989
Station
JC 01A
JC 03
JC 05
JC 08
JC 11
JC 13
JC 14
JC 21
JC 24
JC 26
JC 27
JC 30
JC 33
JC 35
JC 36
JC 37
JC 41
JC 44
JC 47A
JC 49
JC 53
JC 55
JC 57
JC 59
JC 61
JC 63
JC 65
JC 67
JC 69
JC 73
JC 74
JC 75
JC 77
JC 79
JC 81
JC 83
JC 85
JC 87
JC 89
JC 91
JC 92
JC 93
JC 95
JC 96
JC 97
JC 99
Number of
Samples
9
10
10
10
10
10
9
9
8
8
7
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
Maximum Value
(Enterococci/lOOml )
12
3
2
3
2
26
8
3
2
22
2
1
1
3
13
26
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
10
2
1
2
13
3
1
0
14
2
37
2
160
77
7
6
Geometric Mean
(Enterococci/lOOml )
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
4.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
3.
2.
1.
1.
5
1
1
1
1
2
4
3
1
3
2
0
0
1
9
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
2
3
3
0
0
6
1
8
3
0
8
7
8
64
-------
35
10
Figure 25
STANDARD
o
£ 6
o
CC 4
'l.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.CL.O.O.O.C
jrj->c^.j- -f^jjutncP^o *jais 0n>
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF ENTEROCOCCI DATA COLLECTED
ALONG THE COAST OF NEW JERSEY, JUNE 28,1989 TO
SEPTEMBER 6.1989.
(ACTUAL VALUES PRINTED ABOVE BARS)
65
-------
Long Island
Table 9 presents a summary of the enterococci data
collected along the Long Island coast from May 23, 1989 to
September 5, 1989. The geometric mean for each station is
plotted in Figure 26. New York State does not have a water
quality standard for enterococci bacteria. As with the New
Jersey data, the enterococci data along the Long Island
coast are compared to the EPA criterion of 35
enterococci/lOOml. Due to the low values found and the
relatively small number of samples collected per station,
only one geometric mean was calculated for each station
over the summer. The highest geometric mean, 2.7
enterococci/lOOml, occurred at three stations: Lie 05,
Far Rockaway Beach, LIC 10, Point Lookout off Hempstead
public beach, and LIC 21, Heliport Beach. Figure 26 shows
that all of the geometric means are well below the EPA
criterion.
A total of 131 enterococci samples were collected
along the coast of Long Island during the summer. The
highest density found during the summer season, 20
enterococci/lOOml, was at Bellport Beach on September 5.
Based on the enterococci densities, the water quality off
the Long Island coast is excellent.
A further discussion of the bacteriological data
prepared by the EPA Regional laboratory, which includes a
discussion of the standards, indicator bacteria, materials,
methods, and results, is presented in Appendix c.
66
-------
Table 9
Summary of enterococci data collected
along the Long Island coast
Mav 23. 1989 through September 5. 1989
Station
LIC 01
LIC 02
LIC 03
LIC 04
LIC 05
LIC 07
LIC 08
LIC 09
LIC 10
LIC 12
LIC 13
LIC 14
LIC 15
LIC 16
LIC 17
LIC 18
LIC 19
LIC 20
LIC 21
LIC 22
LIC 23
LIC 24
LIC 25
LIC 26
LIC 27
LIC 28
Number of
Samples
8
7
7
6
7
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Maximum Value
(Enterococci /I 00ml)
2
4
8
7
11
1
10
6
8
5
1
2
1
5
3
4
4
4
20
3
2
2
1
3
2
2
Geometric Mean
(Enterococci/lOOml )
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
2.
2.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
2
6
3
6
7
0
1
4
7
5
0
4
0
3
2
6
4
7
7
1
3
3
0
4
3
6
67
-------
Figure 26
STANDARD
35
10
o
SE
O
O
O
o
CE
2.7
\v\vis
2.1
2.4
2.7
1
/
/
X
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF ENTEROCOCCl DATA COLLECTED
ALONG THE COAST OF LONG ISLAND, MAY 23,1989 TO
SEPTEMBER 5.1989.
(ACTUAL VALUES PRINTED ABOVE BARS)
68
-------
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Cabelli, V. J., A. P. Dufour, L. J. McCabe, M. A.
Levin, "A Marine Recreational Water Quality Criterion
Consistent with Indicator Concepts and Risk
Analysis", Journal WPCF, Volume 55, November 10,
1983.
2. Cabelli, V. J., A. P. Dufour, L. J. McCabe, M. A.
Levin, "Swimming-Associated Gastroenteritis and Water
Quality", American Journal of Epidemiology, Volume
115, No. 4, 1982.
3. National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere,
"The Role of the Ocean in a Waste Management
Strategy", Washington, D.C., January 1981.
4. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), "Response of the
Habitat and Biota of the Inner New York Bight to
Abatement of Sewage Sludge Dumping", 2nd Annual
Progress Report1988, NOAA Technical Memorandum
NMFS-F/NEC-67, July 1989.
5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1984", Environmental Services
Division, Region 2, Edison, New Jersey, August 1985.
6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1985", Environmental Services
Division, Region 2, Edison, New Jersey, August 1986.
7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1986", Environmental Services
Division, Region 2, Edison, New Jersey, July 1987.
8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1987", Environmental Services
Division, Region 2, Edison, New Jersey, July 1988.
9. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; "Short-term
Action Plan for Addressing Floatable Debris in the
New York Bight", prepared by Batelle Ocean Sciences,
Contract No. 68-03-3319, Work Assignment No. 2-147,
March 1989.
69
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APPENDIX A
Summary of Phytoplankton Blooms and Related Conditions
in New Jersey Coastal Waters
Summer of 1989
-------
ANNUAL SUMMARY OF PHYTOPLANKTON BLOOMS
AND RELATED CONDITIONS IN NEW JERSEY
COASTAL WATERS, SUMMER OF 1989
New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection
Division of Water Resources
Geological Survey
-------
Annual Summary of Phytoplankton Blooms and Related
Conditions in New Jersey Coastal Waters, Summer of 1989
SYNOPSIS
Phytoplankton/water-guality data for the New Jersey coastal
region, as part of the USEPA New York Bight Water Quality Survey,
are summarized for 19139. The earliest blooms causing concern
were red tides dominated by the dinoflagellate, Katodinium
rotundatum in the Hudson-Raritan estuary, with cell counts
exceeding 50,000/ml, in late June - early July. Unlike the few
previous years when they recurred through out the summer in the
Raritan - Sandy Hook Bay sector, the 1989 bloom persisted only a
week but it extended throughout the entire estuary. It was
dissipated prior to July 4 by changing weather conditions;
consequently, diatoms of several species (especially Skeletonema
costatum) dominated the phytoplankton in the entire survey region
for the balance of summer. Maximum chlorophyll a levels (>100
mg/irP) were from Raritan-Sandy Hook Bay, thus reflecting
hypertrophic conditions in this portion of the estuary. High
chlorophyll a values were also attained from an isolated
flagellate bloom in Delaware Bay. As in previous years lowest
chlorophyll a values were obtained from the central N.J. (Ocean
County) coast reflecting the cleaner water quality in this
sector. The intense bloom of Nannochloris atomus in Barnegat
Bay, which has recurred at least since 1985, persisted again in
1989 with maximum cell counts approaching 1.5 million/ml and
chlorophyll a levels consistently over 20 mg/m^). A significant
phytoflagellate red tide, covering a coastal area from at least
from Asbury Park to Barnegat Inlet and to five miles offshore,
was observed in late October following substantial rains and
abnormally warm weather. No significant fauna kills attributable
to hypoxia were reported in 1989.
INTRODUCTION
Chronic summer algal blooms in the Hudson - Raritan estuary and
adjacent New Jersey coastal waters have been observed at least
since the early 1960's (Mahoney and Mclaughlin, 1977). Several
phytoflagellate species, primarily Katodinium rotundatum,
Olisthodiscus luteus and Prorocentrum spp. have been responsible
-------
for most of these red tides. Cell counts sometimes exceeding
100,000/ml reflected excessive nutrient concentrations with
dramatically intense primary production. Hydrography in the
region was such that most of the phytoplankton accumulated along
the south side of the estuary (e.g. in Raritan and Sandy Hook
Bays) and often washed out with tidal action around Sandy Hook
southward to Sea Bright or beyond {Ketchum et al 1951; Jeffries,
1961). Higher runoff from the Hudson River could augment this
and, coupled with local drainage, the blooms could be sustained
even farther southward. Adverse effects were usually aesthetic
in nature with suspended masses or shoreline deposits of
flocculent, stringy or foamy material from decomposition being
the most common problem; there were also occasional fish kills
due to anoxia when blooms collapsed (Ogren and Chess, 1969).
Historical perspective of New Jersey phytoplankton blooms, given
in Figure 1, was taken from Olsen (1989). Fortunately, none of
these blooms were of the acutely toxic varieties; however, in
1968 an extensive and persistent red tide of Prorocentrum micans
along the Monmouth County coast was associated with complaints of
irritation or discomfort by bathers.
Following the 1968 event, the Interagency Committee on Marine
Phytoplankton Blooms was formed to respond to such problems. A
subsequent study and an intensive survey were conducted
cooperatively by the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection and the National Marine Fisheries Service, Sandy Hook
Lab. From these studies respectively, the red tides were
associated with hypertrophication (Mahoney and McLaughlin, 1977)
and a comprehensive phytoplankton species inventory of the region
was compiled (Olsen and Cohn, 1979). In 1976, the first massive
offshore bloom recorded for the New York Bight (that of Ceratium
tripos) occurred resulting in widespread anoxia and consequent
fish kills (Mahoney and Steimle, 1979; Swanson and Sindermann,
1979). This event also prompted interagency response, and
seasonal helicopter surveillance of the N.Y. Bight was instituted
by the USEPA Region II. In 1977, phytoplankton sampling of the
N.J. northern estuarine and coastal region, south to Island
Beach, was added to the routine schedule (see USEPA 1978 - 89,
inc.). In 1984 and 1985, the first major phytoplankton blooms
causing concern in southern N.J. coastal waters occurred
resulting in brilliant green water discoloration, especially in
the greater Atlantic City area. The causative species was
identified as Gyrodinium aureolum (Mahoney et al, 1990).
Following these events, in 1986, routine phytoplankton sampling
was expanded to include the New Jersey coast from Long Beach
Island to Cape May (see Fig. 2).
-------
Recent Trends
Although major red or green tides have not occurred in the
coastal waters since about 1985, chronic blooms have persisted in
the bays and estuaries. Red tides have occurred primarily in the
Hudson-Raritan estuary; these have been dominated by the
dinoflagellate, Katodinium rotundatum, while species formerly
dominant such as Olisthodiscus and Prorocentrum spp; have been
subdominant. Some localized fauna kills, probably due to anoxia
from collapse of these blooms, have been seen along the south
shore of the estuary.
While the red tides were composed mainly of phytoflagellates (see
USEPA, 1978-1989, inc,,), considerably smaller (primarily
chlorophycean) forms were found to be dominant in the region and
responsible for greenish water discoloration (Patten, 1962;
McCarthy, 1965). The major species was identified as Nannochloris
atomus. These blooms occurred primarily in the Hudson - Raritan
estuary and adjacent coastal waters, but in 1985-86 they were
prevalent in the N.Y. Bight both offshore and along the entire
N.J. coast. Also in 1985, conspicuous yellow-brown water
discoloration caused apparently by N. atomus was first noted from
Barnegat Bay (see Mourtford, 1971; Olsen, 1989); this was
concurrent with the "brown tides" which devastated shellfisheries
in Rhode Island and eastern Long Island, N.Y. embayments (Cosper
et al, 1987). The causative species in the brown tides was
identified as Aureococcus anophagefferens (Sieburth et al, 1988);
its presence was detected in 1988 as a relatively small component
of the phytoplankton biomass in the Barnegat Bay blooms (Anderson
et al, 1989) which have persisted since 1985. Adverse effects on
New Jersey resources thus far have not been documented.
The past few summers have also seen substantial blooms of diatoms
(the normal plankton flora during the cooler months); these have
apparently been responsible for incidence of brown water and
consequent flocculent masses and shoreline foam deposits in
Raritan - Sandy Hook Bay and adjacent N.Y. Bight
areas. Occasionally these conditions were seen intermittently
along the entire New Jersey coast indicating that blooms were of
neritic or offshore, rather than estuarine, origin. This has
been most obvious during the month of May due to blooms of
Cerataulina pelagica, but the condition has also resulted from
the abundance of other species such as Skeletonema costatum and
Thalassiosira spp.
The present report documents and chronologizes the
phytoplankton-related phenomena of the region for the 1989
season.
-------
METHODS
The basic sampling scheme includes at least twelve New Jersey
coastal and estuarine sites from the USEPA New York Bight
helicopter station network, plus supplementary sites in Barnegat
Bay, Great Egg Harbor and Delaware Bay (Figure 2). In 1989,
station RB24 (off Keansburg) was added and station JC53 was
deleted. Frequency o:E collection is usually weekly from mid-May
to September or early October. Exceptions occur when the
helicopter is detained because of weather, logistics or other
reasons. During 1989,, the helicopter logistical situation
prevented sampling before late June and caused sampling to cease
prematurely in September. Collections are made from the
helicopter using a Kernmerer sampler; because these waters are
generally shallow and well-mixed, surface samples taken at 1m
depth are considered representative. Clear plastic cubitainers,
holding approximately one liter, are employed for chlorophyll a_
and phytoplankton samples. Field collections are made by members
of the USEPA Region II Surveillance Unit in accordance with
NJDEP, Division of Water Resources (DWR) standard methods (NJDEP,
1987). Analyses are performed by personnel of the NJDEP, DWR
Biomonitoring Unit. Samples are transported and analyzed in
accordance with Standard Operating Procedures of the DWR
Biomonitoring Laboratory (NJDEP, unpublished document). A
comprehensive reference collection for marine phytoplankton
identification is maintained in the Biomonitoring Laboratory;
reference lists are given in Olsen and Cohn (1979) and Marshall
(1986) .
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Species Composition - 1989 Highlights
A list of dominant species in the major segments of the survey
region, showing seasonal succession and bloom incidence is given
in Table 1. Summer of 1989, as in other recent years, was
highlighted by the occurrence of dense phytoflagellate red tides
in the major estuarine complex at the northern extreme of the New
Jersey coast. These were again dominated by K. rotundatum with
Eutreptia lanowii (a euglenoid) subdominant. Olisthodiscus luteus
and Prorocentrum spp., species subdominant in recent years, were
less abundant in 1989. During the previous year (1988) a red
tide dominated by all four species continued intermittently from
June through early August in the southern portion of the estuary
(e.g. in Raritan-Sandy Hook Bay). The 1989 bloom(s), however,
persisted only about a week in early summer but extended
throughout the entire Hudson-Raritan estuary and, to a lesser
degree, along the adjacent oceanfront southward to Manasguan
-------
Inlet. The red tide was most intense June 26-28 in Sandy Hook
Bay, with maximum observed cell counts of the dominant species
exceeding 50,000/ml. It was dispersed just prior to July 4
apparently by changing weather conditions. Diatoms, especially
Skeletonema costatum, dominated the phytoplankton for the balance
of summer in the estuary and along the coastline.
Other than that of §_._ costatum, noteworthy diatom blooms in the
vicinity during 1989 Included those of Cylindrotheca closterium,
Thalassiosira spp. and Hemiauluas sinensis (see Table 1.)
Maximum observed cell counts (of S. costatum and C_._ closterium)
approached 50,000/ml in Raritan - Sandy Hook Bay. S. costatum
subsequently became abundant along the entire N.J. coast
southward to Cape May indicating that the bloom was of neritic or
offshore, rather than estuarine origin. Delaware Bay, at the
southern extreme, experienced early-to- midsummer blooms of S.
costatum (exceeding 50,000 cells/ml) as well as some red tides.
The red-water blooms were dominated by Gyrodinium estuariale and
O. luteus ; these, however, occurred within the context of a rich
and diverse flora, and thus were isolated and apparently benign.
The coccoid chlorophytes, primarily Nannochloris atomus, which
are unusually numerically preponderant in the survey region,
again became dominant throughout from mid to late summer. The
intense Nannochloris blooms in the Barnegat Bay system, ongoing
each summer at least since 1985, persisted again in 1989; maximum
observed cell counts were about 1,500,000/ml, well exceeding N.
atomus concentrations in the other estuarine as well as coastal
areas.
Notable blooms occurred within the survey region before and after
the routine sampling period (see Tables 1 and 2). The earliest
confirmed were observed May 20-22 by personnel of the Monmouth
County Health Department. These were apparently localized in
Sandy Hook Bay, and were dominated by a chlorophyte (Chlorella
sp.) and a phytoflagellate (Cryptomonas sp); several diatom
species and the dinoflagellate, Prorocentrum minimum, were
abundant. Conversely, the last event of the season occurred near
the end of October, considerably later than routine sampling is
normally carried on. This late bloom produced an extensive red
tide over the N.J. shore north from at least Asbury Park, south
to Island Beach ( a distance of over 25 miles), and from the
beach to at least five mile offshore between Manasguan and
Barnegat Inlets; dominant species were phytoflagellates including
K. rotundatum, E. lanowii, G. estuariale and Chroomonas
ajnphioxiea. The bloom occurred during an abnormally warm period
preceded by a coastal storm with heavy rains; this, plus the
presumed occurrence of the autumn turnover, probably served to
replenish the nutrient supply in the nearshore photic zone.
-------
Outside of our survey region, in March-April 1989, a developing
bloom of the dinoflagellate Ceratiujn tripos was reported offshore
of Ocean City, Maryland. The presence of the species, however,
was not detected in water-column samples subsequently taken
nearshore off New Jersey in mid-May. In 1976, C_._ tripos had
bloomed over a vast area of the New York Bight causing widespread
anoxia and consequent fish kills (Mahoney and Steimle, 1979;
Swanson and Sindermann, 1979).
Chlorophyll a
Results of phytoplankton chlorophyll a analysis for routine
samples are given in Table 3. Seasonal fluctuations for the
major geographical segments of the survey region are presented in
Figure 3. As expected, the estuarine areas exhibit substantially
higher values over the sampling period than do the coastal areas.
Considerable variation between sampling dates is noted in
Raritan-Sandy Hook Bay and Delaware Bay; this probably reflects
tidal differences as well as the incidence of intense blooms in
these estuaries. Barnegat Bay exhibits relatively high
chlorophyll a levels with visibly less variation, probably due to
the lack of flushing in this barrier island embayment. Although
phytoplankton cell counts are much higher in Barnegat Bay, the
minute cell size of the dominant species there (Nannochloris
atomus)) represents considerably less biomass than the flagellate
and diatom blooms in the other estuaries. Mean chlorophyll a
values for each station are shown in Figure 4. The highest value
(>50 mg/m-3) is derived from station RB24 at the confluence of
Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays; this reflects the extreme
hypertrophication characteristic of those waters. Coastal areas,
especially Ocean County, have substantially lower chlorophyll
levels than the estuarine areas. Somewhat higher values at
station JC08 in Monmouth County, and also the stations in the
Atlantic-Cape May County region, reflect estuarine contribution
in these coastal segments which are proximate to the major
estuaries or smaller coastal inlets.
Environmental Factors
The profound effects of meteorological conditions (e.g.
temperature, light, precipitation, wind direction and velocity)
on phytoplankton dynamics are evident in our monitoring results;
this can be seen particularly in the year-to-year variations in
species composition. Although apparently little change in the
variety of species present has occurred over the past decade or
more, a few shifts in species dominance have been observed (Olsen
& Conn, 1979; USEPA 1978-89, inc.). This has been more pronounced
in the coastal waters of the New York Bight than in the
relatively sheltered confines of the estuaries. Macronutrients
to support phytoplankton growth are usually available in the
region, especially in the bays and estuaries. Phytoflagellate
blooms are normally associated with periods of quiescence,
-------
especially in offshore and coastal regions (see USEPA, 1986).
Table 5 shows surf and nearshore temperature differences between
1988 and 1989. Both summers were characterized by relatively
turbulent conditions (NOAA, 1988, 1989). Upwelling of cooler
bottom water along the N.J. coast in 1988 was probably caused by
the persistent southwesterly winds during that summer (see Ingham
and Eberwine, 1984); coincidentally, phytoflagellate blooms were
persistent in Raritan - Sandy Hook Bay but diatoms were
prevalent in the coastal waters. The summer of 1989 saw greater
incidence of onshore breezes and coastal storms; concomitantly,
surf temperatures for most of the season were above the 70°F
criteria for comfortable bathing (Table 5). In 1989, diatoms
dominated the phytoplankton both in the coastal waters and in the
Hudson -Raritan estuary, while phytoflagellate blooms occurred in
the estuary primarily in early summer. Complaints of seaweed and
floating debris along the New Jersey surfline were less frequent
in 1989 than in 1988. Small invertebrates were not abundant in
the surf zone in 1989 (nor in 1988) as they were in 1987 when
clear, warm Gulfstream-like water was adjacent to our coast for
a period in summer (USEPA, 1978-89, inc.).
-------
REFERENCES
Anderson, D.M., D.M. Kulis, C.M. Cetta and E.M. Cosper. 1989
immunoflourescent detection of the brown tide organism,
Aureococcus anophagefferens. In: Novel phyhtoplankton blooms:
causes and impacts of recurrent brown tides and other unusual
blooms, pp. 213-228. E.M. Cosper, E.J. Carpenter and V.M.
Bricelj, eds. Coastal and estuarine studies. Springer-Verlag,
Berlin.
Cosper, E.M., W. C. Dennison, E.J. Carpenter, V.M. Bricelj,
J.G. Mitchell, S.H. Kuenstner, D. Culflesh and M. Dewey.
1987. Recurrent and persistent brown tide blooms perturb
coastal marine ecosystem. Estuaries 10(4):284-290.
Ingham, M.C. and J. Eberwine. 1984. Evidence of nearhshore
summer upwelling off Atlantic City, New Jersey. NOAA Tech.
Memo. NMFS-F/NEC-31. U.S. Dept. of Comm., 10 pp.
Jeffries, H.P. 1962. Environmental charactistics of Raritan
Bay, a polluted estuary. Limnol. and Oceanogr. 7:21-30.
Ketchum, B.K., A.C. Redfield and J.'C. Ayers, 1951.
The Oceanography of the New York Bight.
Pap. Phys. Oceanogr. Meteor. 12(l):l-46.
Mahoney, J.B. and J.J.A. McLaughlin, 1977. The Association of
phytoflagellate blooms in Lower New York Bay with
hypertrophication. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 28:53-65.
Mahoney, J.B. and F.W. steimle, Jr. 1979. A mass mortality
of marine animals associated with a bloom of Ceratium tripos
in the New York Bight. In: Toxic dinoflagellate blooms, pp.
225-230. D.L. Taylor and H.H. Seliger, eds. Elsevier, N Y.
Mahoney, J.B., Olsen, P. and M. Cohn 1990. Blooms of a
dinoflagellate Gyrodinium cf aureolum in New Jersey coastal
waters and their occurrence and effects worldwide. J. Coastal
Res. 6:121-135.
Marshall, H.G. 1986.. Identification manual for phytoplankton
of the United States; Atlantic coast. EPA-600/4-86-003. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, O. 132 pp.
McCarthy, A.J. 1965. An ecological study of phytoplankton of
Raritan Bay. Fordham Univ. Ph.D. Thesis, 96 pp.
-------
Mountford, K. 1971. Plankton studies in Barnegat Bay. Rutgers
Univ. Ph.D. Thesis, 147 pp.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 1988
and 1989. Weather data, monthly summaries. Nat Weather
Service, Atlantic City, NJ.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
1987. Field procedures manual for water data acguistion.
Div. of Water Res., Trenton, 106 pp. and appendices.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
unpublished report. Standard operating procedures for the
biomonitoring laboratory. Division of Water Resources
Trenton, 23 pp.
Ogren, L. and J. Chess. 1969. A marine kill on New Jersey
wrecks. Underwater Natur. 6:4-12.
Olsen, P. and M. S. Cohn. 1979. Phytoplankton in Lower New
York Bay and adjacent New Jersey estuarine and coastal areas.
Bull. N.J. Acad. Sci. 24:59-70.
Olsen, P.S. 1989. Development and distribution of a
brown-water algal bloom in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, with
perspective on resources and other red tides in the region.
In: Novel phytoplankton blooms: causes and impacts of
recurrent brown tides and other unusual blooms, pp 189-212.
E.M. Cosper, E.J. Carpenter and V. M. Bricelj, eds. Coastal
and estuarine studies. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Patten, B.C. 1962. Species diversity in net phytoplankton of
Raritan Bay. J. Mar. Res. 20:57-75.
Sieburth, J. McN., P.W. Johnson and P.E. Hargraves. 1988.
Charcterization of Aurecoccus anophagefferens. gen. et. sp.
nov. (Chrysophyceae): The Bloom in Narragansett Bay, Rhode
Island. J. Phycol. 24:416-425.
Swanson, R. L. and C. J. Sindermann (eds.). 1979. Oxygen
depletion and associated benthic mortalities in the New York
Bight, 1976. NOAA Prof. Pap No. 11. Rockville, MD., 345 pp.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1978-1989
(inclusive). New york Bight Water Quality, annual reports,
summers of 1977-1988 (inc.). Region II, Surveillance and
Monitoring Branch, Edison, NJ.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1986. An
Environmental inventory of the New Jersey coast/New York Bight
relevant to green tide occurrence. Prepared by Science
Applications International Corp. for USEPA, Region II, New
York, NY, 156 pp.
-------
$^w*
<^<>v ., *
gs^C'
Figure 1. Historical perspective of major phytoplankton blooms causing red tides in the New
York Bighi and adjacent New Jersey coastal region.
-------
I Figure 2 . New Jersey coast station
1 Sandy Hook to Cape May.
-------
Figure 3. Seasonal changes of chlorophyll a concentrations (ng/m3) for the 1989 New Jersey coastal
and estuarine phytoplankton survey. Bars represent composite values for the major segments of the
survey region.
108
ee
48
E3
6/28
El
7/19
13
7/26
8/2
n
8/9
8/16
El
8/23
n
9/6
Area 1 - Raritan - Sandy Hook Bay
Area 2 - Monmouth County coast
Area 3 - Barnegat Bay
Area 4 - Ocean County coast
Area 5 - Atlantic - Cape May County coast
Area 6 - Delaware Bay
-------
Figure 4. Mean Chlorophyll a values for New Jersey coastal and estuarine stations, north to south, for the
1969 summer season.
Oil
CO
£.0
50
30
20 -
RB32 RB24 RBI5 JC08 JC14 JC36 JC41 JCS7 JC6S BB3 JC7S G£l JC83>JC91 PB1
i o
state*
oligotrophic
mesotrophic
eutrophic
hypertrophic
chl a Bg/o3
0 - 3.3
3.4 - 6.6
6.7 - 10
* Criteria are based on levels normally found in coastal and offshore waters.
-------
Figure 5. Seasonal changes in surf and nearshore bottom temperatures (°F) for 1966 and 1989. Surf
temperatures from Island Beach State Park (Bean for three-day intervals from June 24 through
September 24. Bottom temperatures froo USEPA transect off Seaside Park, JC53E (1 mile offshore) and
JC53M (9 Biles offshore).
1BSPCB9)
JC53EC89)
JC53MC89)
4
IBSPC88)
JC53EC88)
JC53MC88)
75-
65
68-
55-
56-
\
-------
Table 1. Succession of dominant species undergoing blooms at one or more saopling stations an the regional segments
of the 19S9 survey of Sew Jersey coastal-estuarine waters. Dominant (saall letters) = >10^ cells/ml; bloom icapital
letters) = > 10"* cells/ml, which can cause visible water coloration or red tides. No designation indicates that the
iip^c^eb ».aL either present in low numbers or was not observed. Seasonal designations are as follows: A/a - early
summer i June 23 to July 14); B/b - midsummer (July 19 to August 10); C/c - late summer (August 16 to September 6).
North
Location
South
Raritan-Sandy Monmouth
Hook Bay
RB15-RB32
County
JCOS-JC30
Ocean
County
JC41-65
Barnegat Atlantic-Cape Delaware
Bay
BB2
May County
JC75-91
Bay
DB1
£loo~ Species
diatocs
leptocyijndrus sp. C
SKeletonema costatua BC
Cyclotella sp. BC
Thalassiosira gravida bC
7. nordenskioldij aB
i
7. rotula be
1 tieciauluE sinensis C
C'tiaetuceros sp. Be
Chae'. oceres sociale be
| Asterionella aJaciaiis e
Nitzschia sp.
, C-.'lindrotheca clos*. eriua aBc
aBc
BC
bC
AB
bC
be
::n.-f Jagel Ja t es
Gyrodinjum
Katodiniuc rctundatuic
j'.her phvtoflagellates
Olitthodiseus luteus
j Eutrep'.ia lanovii1
ChrooDonas sp. ( aitphioxiei ^ '
lonmotile coccoids
' thlorella sp.2
Sannochloris atomus
Abe
ab
A C
ab
a
AbC
c
Abe
ab
be
re)
abC
c
b
be
(C)
bC
ABC
bC
b
BC
'ootnotes: 1 - dominant in extensive red tide along the Monmouth - Ocean County coast in late October after
termination of routine surveillance
2 -'dominant in red tide in Sardy Hook Bay in late May before commencement of routine surveillance
-------
T/iUt? :. Common or abundant phvtoplant; ton speciei, listed bv class, at seJe:ted san.planc locations in the
1H-9 survey of the Nev Jersev coasi and estuaries. Numbers denote frequency of occurrence in saaples during
the period June 2* to September 6. Letters indicate tines of dominance as follows I see Table 1): a - eariy
sursme: (June 2? - July l-l), b = midsummer (July 19 . August 10), c = late summer (August 16 - September 6).
KB15 RB24
BACULARIOPHYCEAE
Leptocylindrui minimus
SkeJeto:iei»a costatuic
CycJotella sp.
Thalasbiosira sp.
T. gravida
T. nordenskicldii
T. rotula
T. subtil is
Detonula confervacea
HemiauJus sinensis
Chaetoceros sp.
C. decipiens
C. sociale
Rhizosolerua deiicatuJa
Djtyliure brightweliii
Asteriont* lla glacialis
Thalassiothri.x sp.
7halassion«ma ni tzschioides
Nitzschja sp.
C\'linurolheca clus'.er.uc
CHEYSOPHYCEAE
Cal vroir.ena:. o'. aJjs
6 be
2c
7 a be
HAPTOPHYCEAE
C!ir\ sochromuiind sp.
CHLOROPHYCEAE
Chlorellj sp.
Nannochlorii a'.omus
PRASIVOPHYCEAE
7etraselxis sp.
EUCLENOPHYCEAE
Euti-eptu lanowii1
D1KOPHYCEAE
Prorocentruir minimu-T.'
F. tnestinLic crecfieldi)
Cvrodiniun dooinans
C. estuariale1
C, pellucidum
Katodiniuo rotundatuffl^
Heterocapsa triquetra
CRYPIOPHYCEAE
Cliroomoiiai. ajnpliioxiea'
C. minuta
C. vectens;s
CHLOROMONADOPHYCEAE
Oiisthodiscus luteus-
2a
5bc
2 be
2ab
Tota^
Frequeno lnde.\-
la
:r r:r = tr;trrt:
4~ 42
4.21 4.C:
2bc
lc
JC30
3abc
JC57
JC75
3abc
2bc
6abc
Ib
3bc
Ib
3c
3bc
la
Ib
Ib
2 be
Ib
lc
3c lc
lc
2bc 2b
la
Ib
lc
1C
la
la
Ib
Ib
3ab
Ib
la
2bc
3bc
lc
lc
Ja
llabc
l,= c
2a
Sabc
Ib
la
lc
lc
»»
A. a
2ac
lc
lc
lac
lc
lc
lc
Zee
4 be
lc
lc
lc
la
lc
lc
lc
2ac
5abc
3a bo-
le
-?bc
lc
lc
lc
lc
Ib lab
7 a be Cabc
la la
lac
2a
lc
lc
Ib
la
la
:r:rrrri=r=r==r=c==:r=rs=srrr;rrs
21 20 20 27
3.00 2.S-6 3.33 5.40
ootnotes: * - r.ixr.uey of occui rences/nurobe.! of samples
- di-ai.'iant n. eMensi\e red tide alon? Moiuaouth - Ocean County coast in la'.e October, after routine sampling
-'ob-jncjji!'. ji: it".! i.ri-' ;:: Si;nri> Hoot: B^>' ;LH late .'lay, befoie routine sampling
-------
TcbJe 3. ChJoroph\n a data ag/ni3 for the 19S9 New Jersey estua:ine and coastal phytoplankton survey.
Location 6/16 6/28 6/30' 7/6 7/19 7/26 8/2
Hudson/Karl tan estuarv
FB4 47.35
RB7 4!). 05
EB15 55.95 615.33 29.59 35.74 13.61 25.91
KE1C 5". 73
RBJGA 57.54
EB24 45.15 24.51 33.51 55.62
EB25 9!>.S3
RB25A 103.54
R£3: 32.91 16.51 22.20 23.42
EB3-! S.52
SB4C 6!l.50
F.£46.«. 73.79
KE50A 96.24
leo.-.arrio" 16C.1C 77.12
Ideol Bch/' 54.60 1C3.77
Arab: ose Ch. ' 64 . GS
Pi.'lA 112.56
Kt:r ico. 96
Ft;9 . 50.37
-ion.ioL". h Count \ coest
JC03 9.50
JCC: 52.10 14.02 5.33 11.02
Kll 7.57
JC14 12.39 3.42 12.34
JC:£ 10.57
JC3C 11.29 5.11 10.63
Or ear. Count v coast
JC4J 5.05 4.54 11.65
JC" 9.55 6.24 7.17
JCC; 5.26 3.32 5.15
.','. Ja;:t ;c .'Case '1av counts
JC75 20.55 15.55
C£} 16.56
JCS3 11.43 2.35
;C9i 11.63 7.42
Birnesat Ba\
Efc2 23.52 25.32 33.74
]}
-------
APPENDIX B
New York Harbor Complex
Floatable Study
Summer of 1989
-------
New York Harbor Complex
Floatable Study
INTRODUCTION
During the summer of 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) conducted overflights of the New YorK Harbor Complex in
response to the Short Term Action Plan for Addressing Floatable
Debris. This Action Plan, which is part of the New York Bight
Restoration Plan, was developed by an interagency Floatable Task
Force in an effort to prevent the occurrence of beach closures due
to floating debris, as occurred in previous years. This report
specifically relates to the aerial surveillance of floatables and/or
slick lines in the New York Harbor Complex.
PROCEDURES
During the period of May 15 through September 15, 1989, the NY
Harbor Complex was surveyed for floatables debris via the EPA
helicopter. Each day, the following information on significant
floatables and/or slick lines was recorded: location, approximate
dimension, relative density, time sighted, contents of slick, and
condition of tide. The information was reported to a central
communication response network, specifically established to
coordinate cleanup efforts.
Surveillance was conducted 6 days a week, including the 4th of July.
Due to bad weather conditions and/or mechanical problems with the
helicopter, 73 overflights, out of a possible 104, were completed.
A complete overflight of the NY Harbor Complex, included the Arthur
Kill, from the Island of Meadows - north; Newark Bay, as far north
as the NJ Turnpike Bridge;; the Kill Van Kull; the Upper NY Harbor;
the Narrows, two miles north and one mile south of the Verrazano
Narrows Bridge; and the Lower Harbor, see Figure 1.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this report are to present a summary of the data
collected, and to correlate the occurrence of a slick with the
condition of the tide.
All data collected from May 15 through September 15, were summarized
on a spread sheet with each page representing one week of
monitoring, from Saturday to Friday, Appendix A. The summary
contains the relative location, the size category of the slick, a
description of contents, the time the slick was sighted, and the
time of the closest condition of the tide - high or low.
-------
so*-
i«/w.» u-, ..:...-.-. %*%
a it ., !.>.... : v^l,
"fe^P'V
.; STATEN !SLAHD-:-:
Rockaway Point
Sandy Hook
Upper HArbor
30*
25*
FIGURE 1. KAP OF MEW YORK HARBOR COMPLEX
-------
In order to summarize the data collected, an understanding of the
size of each slick is necessary. Therefore, each slick has been
placed into a size category according to the slick's approximate
dimensions, relative dens;ity and other recorded observations, see
Appendix B for a list of approximate dimensions. For cleanup
purposes, the Short Term Action Plan defined a "slick" as an
aggregation of floating debris of indefinite width and a minimum
length of approximately 400 meters. Using this as a guideline, all
slicks have been divided into the following five categories (from
largest to smallest):
Major: any slick over one mile in length;
Heavy: 800 meters to 1600 meters (or 1/2 of a mile to one mile);
Moderate: 400 meters to 800 meters;
Light: any slick undir 400 meters;
Dispersed: any area that contains a significant amount of
floatables, but no defined slick.
A slick under the categories of Light or Dispersed, is usually
difficult to detect and maintain a sighting, for purposes of an
efficient cleanup.
The categories of slicks are subjective. Any slick that has a
relatively heavy density or extensive width, can be moved up a
category; as any slick with a relative light density or is broken in
places, can be moved down a category.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Size Category
From May 15 through September 15, a total of 139 slicks were
reported in the NY Harbor Complex, Figure 2. The highest number of
slicks reported, 39 slicks, occurred in the Upper NY Harbor, and the
second highest number, 34 slicks, occurred in the Newark Bay.
Figures 3 and 4 depict the number of slicks in each size category,
corresponding to one of the six divisions of the NY Harbor Complex.
Figure 3 shows that 20 of the 39 slicks reported in the Upper NY
Harbor, were in the Light or Dispersed category. Likewise, 22 of
the 34 slicks in Newark Bay, were also in these categories. Figure
4 shows slicks that meet the cleanup requirements - Major, Heavy,
and Moderate - for each location. Whereas the Upper NY Harbor and
the Newark Bay had the highest number of slicks, the Upper NY Harbor
and the Narrows had the highest number of slicks occurring in the
cleanup range, 19 and 18 slicks, respectively. Newark Bay had 12
slicks in the cleanup range.
-------
Figure 2
NY Harbor - Total Slfck Distribution
May 15 - Sept 15. 1989
Arthur Kill (7.2*) . IQ slicks
Upper NY Harbor (28.1%)
39 Slicks
Newark Bay (24.5%)
34 Slicks
Lower NY Harbor (7.9%)
It r t
IL J\
Kill Van Kull (13.7%)
19 Slicks
Narrows (18.7%)
26 Slicks
-------
a
^y
"5
q>
JQ
E
D
2
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
' 7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Figure 3
Total Number of Slicks Observed
May 15 - Sept 15. 1989
Arthur Kill
Newark Bay Kill Van Kull Upper NY
New York Harbor Complex
Lower NY Harbor Narrows
Major
Heavy
Moderate
Light
Dispersed
-------
Figure 4
09
JjJ
"5
*-
o
k.
q>
E
3
Z
10
9 -
8 -
7 -
6 -
5 -
4 -
3
2
1
0
Slicks Meeting Cleanup Requirements
Arthur Kill
May 15 - Sept 15, 1989
Newark Bay Kill Van Kull Upper NY Lower NY Harbor Narrows
[771 Major
ew York Harbor Complex
Heavy £522 Moderate
-------
Condition of Tide
Most of the slicks observed were the result of resuspension from
impacted shorelines. A slick line formed by resuspension is the
result of an unusually high tide, caused by a new or full moon
and/or a heavy rainfall. Therefore, the relationship between the
condition of the tide and. the sighting of a slick is significant.
Slick lines can also be formed by other factors such as, combined
sewer overflow resulting from heavy rainfall, stormwater runoff, or
illegal dumping.
For each area of the NY Harbor Complex, excluding the Kill Van Kull,
the time of the closest condition of the tide, high/low, during the
survey, has been determined. Table 1 summarizes by location, the
tidal conditions when slicks were observed, and those days which
were clear of significant slicks. Newark Bay had the highest
percentage of slicks, 84.8%, found during high tides, and the
Narrows had the lowest percentage of slicks, 61.5%. Greater than
two-thirds, 71.3%, of all slicks reported were sighted during high
tides, and 62.5% of non-slick days were during low tides.
The Four Heaviest Days
The heaviest amount of reported floatables, with the indicated
conditions, occurred on the following four days:
June 5 - Heavy slicks were reported in the Upper NY Harbor, the
Lower NY Harbor, and the Narrows; Moderate slicks were reported
in the Newark Bay and the Arthur Kill. Surveillance occurred
shortly after high tide, and two days after a full moon. On
June 4, New York had approximately 0.1 of an inch of rain, and
New Jersey had approximately 1.0 inch.
July 19 - Heavy slicks were reported in the Newark Bay, the
Kill Van Kull, and the Narrows; Light slicks in the Upper NY
Harbor and the Lower NY Harbor, and a Moderate slick in the
Arthur Kill. Surveillance occurred shortly after high tide,
and one day after a full moon. On July 16 and 17, New York had
approximately 0.9 and 0.2 of an inch of rain respectively, and
New Jersey had approximately 0.9 and 0.1 of an inch,
respectively.
August 14 - A Major slick was reported in the Upper NY Harbor,
a Heavy slick in the Arthur Kill, a Moderate slick in the Lower
NY Harbor, and two Moderate slicks in the Narrows.
Surveillance occurred shortly after high tide, and two days
before a full moon. On August 11, 12, and 13, New York had
approximately 1.6, 2.6, and 0.2 of an inch of rain
respectively, and New Jersey had approximately 1.4, 2.0, and
1.3 inches, respectively.
-------
Table 1
NY Harbor Complex - Floatable Survey
Hay 23 - Sept 15, 1989*
Total Number of Slicks by Location - According to the Closest
Condition of the Tide - High/Low
Arthur Kill
Newark Bay
Upper NY Harbor
Lower NY Harbor
Narrows
Total
Percentages
High
5
28
26
7
16
82
71.3
Low
3
5
11
4
10
33
28.7
% - Hiqh/Total
62.5
84.8
70.3
63.6
61.5
Total Days Clear of Significant Slicks Throughout the NY
Harbor Complex - Occurring Closest to High/Low Tide
High Low
Clear Days 6 10
Percentages 37.5 62.5
The time of survey is not available for May 15 - 23, therefore the closest condition of the tide can not be
determined.
The tota) days clear of significant slicks is 18. The time of survey is not available for two of these
days, and therefore the closest condition of the tide can not be determined.
-------
August 17 - Two Major slicks occurred in the Upper NY Harbor,
one of which extended south through the Narrows into and beyond
the Lower NY Harbor; three Light slicks were observed in the
Newark Bay. Surveillance occurred one to two hours after high
tide, and one day after a full moon. On August 15, New York
had approximately 1.5 inches of rain, and New Jersey had
approximately 0.05 of an inch.
CONCLUSIONS
The number of reported slicks in the Harbor Complex was
significantly greater during periods of high tide. Newark Bay
showed the highest percentage, 82.4%, of slicks found during high
tides. Greater than two thirds, 71.3%, of all slicks were reported
at high tides, and 62.5% of days when no slicks were reported
occurred during low tides.
The Upper NY Harbor and the Narrows had the greatest number of
slicks meeting the cleanup requirement. Therefore, the cleanup
activities and should continue to be primarily focused in these
areas.
The four heaviest days occurred shortly after high tide and close to
a full moon. Although or.e of the days, August 14, occurred two days
before a full moon, there: was a significant amount of rainfall to
account for the increased height of the high tide.
To determine the extent of floatable debris present in the NY Harbor
Complex, and direct cleanup activities, further surveillance should
occur during high tides, new or full moons, and after heavy
rainfalls, all year round. This surveillance should include flights
over the Passaic River, the Hackensack River, the Hudson River, the
East River, the remainder of the Arthur Kill, the Raritan Bay, the
Sandy Hook Bay, and the Lower NY Harbor extending to the Rockaway-
Sandy Hook transect.
-------
Appendix A
Summary of Floatables Surveillance
of the NY Harbor Complex
May 15 - Sept 15, 1989
-------
Key for abbreviation and codes:
Location: N - north
S - south
E - east
W - west
B - bridge
SI - Staten Island
SH - Sandy Hook
STP - sewage treatment plant
KVK - Kill Van Kull
LIC - Long Island beach stations
MAS 3 - approximately 6 miles off Manasquan Inlet
Gov Is; - Governors Island
Verr Br - Verrazano Bridge
Size Category: Major
Heavy
Moderate
Light
Dispersed
greater than 1 mile
800 - 1600 meters
400 - 800 meters
less than 400 meters
no defined slick
Slick Contents:
RD - Recreational debris (paper, plastics)
HD - Household debris
WD - Wood debris
SR - Sewage related (tampon applicators, condoms)
Re - Reeds
Mg - Marsh grass
P - Plant material
T - Tires
Tide H/L: H@ - High tide
L@ - Low tide
Notes: 1. An empty box denotes an area where no significant
slicks were reported.
2. NA denotes that the information is not available.
3. The number preceding size category indicates the
number of slicks observed.
-------
WEEK ONE:
Date: 5/16/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 5/17/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 5/18/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
May 16 -
Moderate
NA
L@ 12: 38pm
Newark
Bay
19
North end
Light
NA
L(? 12:31piu
Kill Van
Kull
Light
NA
Upper NY
Bay
South of
Gov Is
Heavy
NA
L0 11: 26am
West of
Gov Is
Light
NA
L
-------
WEEK TWO:
Date: 5/20/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
May 20 -
North of
Pralls Is
Light
NA
H<§ 8:32am
Newark
Bay
26
Kill Van
Kull
Upper NY
Bay
Lower NY
Bay
The
Narrows
Comments
(Misc. slicks)
** Full Moon 5/20/89 **
Date: 5/23/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 5/25/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 5/26/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
South end
Heavy
RD, WD
10: 30am
H@ 11: 11am
North S,
South end
Heavy
HD,WD
9: 30am
H@ 12: 53pm
South end
Heavy
HD,WD
9: 45am
H@ 12: 39pm
West end
Moderate
RD,WD
10: 40am
East end
2-Light
HD,WD
9: 45am
Liberty Is
Ellis Is
2-Light
HD,WD
9: 50am
H@ 11: 48am
S & N of
Verr Br
2-Light
RD, WD
11 :00am
H@ 10: 06am
LIC 02-07
Dispersed
plastics
11 : 30am
-------
WEEK THREE:
Date: 5/31/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 6/1/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 6/2/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
May 27 -
Newark
Bay
June 2
South of
Turnpike B
Moderate
HD,WD,T
11: 20am
H@ 7: 50am
Kill Van
Kull
West end
Heavy
HD,WD,T
11: 20am
Upper NY
Bay
NW & S of
Gov Is
2-Light
RD,HD
1 : 0 6 pm
L<§ 11: 03am
Lower NY
Bay
The
Narrows
5 of Verr
Moderate
RD,HD,WD
1: 20pm
L@ 11: 03am
N of Verr
Moderate
HD,WD,T
9: 47am
L@ ll:56am
N of Verr
Major
HD,WD,R,T
12: 00pm
L@ ll:32am
Comments
(Misc. slicks)
-------
WEEK FOUR
Date: 6/3/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tirie H/L
Date: 6/5/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
June 3 -
** New Moor
South of
Goethals B
Moderate
WD,HD
9: 40am
H<§ 9: 56am
Newark
Bay
9
l 6/3/89 **
South end
Moderate
WD,HD
9: 42am
H@ 10: 31am
Kill Van
Kull
East of
Bayonne B
Moderate
HD,WD,T
8 : 4 9 am
Upper NY
Bay
Moderate
HD,WD
9: 00am
Ht° 6 : 11 am
Liberty Is
to Gov Is
Heavy
HD,WD
10:00am
H@ 9: 26am
Lower NY
Bay
East of
Hoffman
Heavy
WD,HD
10: 20am
H@ 9: 26am
The
Narrows
S of Verr
Dispersed
HD,WD
9 : 0 6 am
H@ 6: 11am
N of Verr
Heavy
WD,HD
10: 10am
H@ 9: 26am
Comments
(Misc. slicks)
-------
WEEK FIVE
Date: 6/13/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 6/14/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 6/16/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
June 10 -
Newark
Bay
16
South end
Light
HD,WD
1 : 30pm
L@ 11: 49am
Kill Van
Kull
Upper NY
Bay
South of
Gov Is
Heavy
HD,RD
2: 20pm
H£ 4: 12pm
South of
Gov Is
Light
HD,WD
1 : 50pm
L@ 10: 44am
West of
Gov Is
Light
HD,WD
10:25am
L@ 12: 14am
Lower NY
Bay
Gravesend
Bay
Light
HD,WD
1: 55pm
L@ 10: 44am
The
Narrows
N of Verr
Light
HD,WD
10:30
L@ 12: 14am
Comments
(Misc. slicks)
Rockaway-Sandy Hook
transect - Dispersed
HD,WD - 10: 35am
L
-------
Arthur
Kill
Newark
Bay
Kill Van
Ku 1 1
Upper NY
Bny
Lower NY
Bay
The
Narrows
Comments
(Misc. slicks)
WEEK SIX: June 17 -23
==--====_-==-= j -__===_=-_ | __-.____=_ = | = = = = = = = = = = | = = = = rr = = = = = | = = = = = ==__= | _--_==__=_ | ==_====_==:===r
Date: 6/17/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 8:15-8:45am. H@ 6:56am
Date: 6/19/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
South end
Dispersed
HD-WD
9: 29am
H@ 9: 25am
Dispersed
HD,WD
9: 42am
South of
Ellis Is
Dispersed
MD ,WD
9: 49am
H@ 8: 20am
N of Verr
Moderate
HD,Mg,T
9: 49am
H@ 8: 20am
** Full Moon 6/19/89 **
Date: 6/20/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Owls Head
STP
Moderate
HD,WD
10: 50am
HO 9: 05am
Date: 6/22/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 2:03-2:32pm. L@ 4:23pm
-------
WEEK SEVEN:
Date: 6/24/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
nae n/jj
Date: 6/26/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 6/28/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
June 24 -
Newark
Bay
- 30
Light
HD,WD,oil
10: 08am
U2 b:57am
East shore
Heavy
RD,WD
11: 10am
L@ 8: 49am
Kill Van
Kull
Upper NY
Bay
Buttermilk
Channel
Heavy
HD
10: 20am
H@ 12: 21pm
Liberty Is
South of
Gov Is
2-Moderate
RD,WD
11: 22am
H@ 2: 05pm
North of
Gov Is
Light
HD,WD,Re
10: 45am
L@ 9: 46am
Lower NY
Bay
The
Narrows
Major
HD,WD
10: 30am
H@ 12: 21pm
Comments
(Misc. slicks)
Date: 6/29/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 9: 20-9: 37am. L@ 10: 41am
Date: 6/30/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Northern
Light
HD,WD,Re
11: 00am
L@ 12: 07pm
-------
WEEK EIGHT:
Date: 7/1/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
TimeSighted
Tide H/L
Date: 7/4/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 7/7/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
July 1 -
** New Moor
Newark
Bay
7
North end
Heavy
RD,HD,WD
9: 00am
H@ 7: 38am
l 7/3/89 **
Mouth of
KVK
dispersed
HD,WD
9 : 54am
H@ 10: 14am
Throughout
1-Light
2-Moderate
HD,WD,reed
9: 45am
H@ 12: 41am
Kill Van
Kull
East end
Light
HD,WD,T,Re
9: 10am
Upper NY
Bay
Moderate
HD,WD
10: 13am
H
-------
WEEK NINE:
Date: 7/8/89
Date: 7/11/89
Location:
Size Category
contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 7/12/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 7/13/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
July 8 -
Newark
Bay
14
No significant slicks
Mouth
Light
HD,wood
2: 45pm
H@ 4: 21pm
Kill Van
Kull
Upper NY
Bay
were reported. Time c
South of
Gov is
Light
HD, leaves
9: 40am
L@ 8: 14am
North of
Gov Is
Moderate
HD , garbage
3: 00pm
H@ 3: 16pm
West of
Gov Is
Moderate
HD , wood
3: 40pm
H
-------
WEEK TEN
Date: 7/17/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 7/18/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
July 15 -
Dispersed
HD,WD
9: 49am
H@ 7: 45am
N Goethals
throughout
Dispersed
HD,WD
8: 45am
H@ 8: 28am
Newark
Bay
- 21
Throughout
Dispersed
HD,WD,Mg
8 : 56am
H
-------
WEEK ELEVEN
Date: 7/24/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
July 22 -
Newark
Bay
-28
Kill Van
Kull
Upper NY
Bay
Lower NY
Bay
off Coney
Island
Dispersed
WD,HD
1 :05pm
H0 12: 50pm
The
Narrows
Comments
(Misc. slicks)
Raritan Bay - Heavy
scum.Dlant - l:22pm
H<§ 12: 25pm
Date: 7/25/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Raritan Bay - Heavy
HD,WD - 9:45am
L@ 6:49am
Date: 7/26/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
S of Verr
Moderate
HD, oil
9:28am
L@ 8:22am
-------
WEEK TWELVE
Date: 7/29/89
Date: 7/31/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 8/1/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
July 29 -
Newark
Bay
- August 4
Kill Van
Kull
Upper NY
Bay
No significant slicks were reported. Time
Bayonne B
Light
HD,WD,Re,T
11: 50am
Bayonne B
Light
HD,WD,Re
9: 35am
Lower NY
Bay
of survey:
The
Narrows
Comments
(Misc. slicks)
9:30-9:47am. L@ ll:26am
** New Moon 8/1/89 **
Date: 8/2/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 8/3/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
South and
central
1-Moderate
1-Light
HD,WD,T,Re
8: 55am
H@ 9: 52am
S and
central
2-Light
WD,HD
9: 15am
H<§ 10: 36am
West
Light
HD,WD,T,Re
9: 10am
West
Light
WD, Timber
9: 17am
Green Buoy
# 21 SI
Heavy
HD,WD,T
9: 50am
H
-------
Arthur Newark Kill Van Upper NY Lower NY The Comments
Kill Bay Kull Bay Bay Narrows (Misc. slicks)
WEEK THIRTEEN: August 5-11
I I I I I I I
I I I I I I I
Date: 8/5/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 10:00-10:30am. H@ 10:56am
Date: 8/7/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 9:50-10:10am. H@ 12:14pm
Date: 8/8/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 8:45-9:15am. L@ 6:02am
Date: 8/10/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey not given. L@ 7:45am
-------
WEEK FOURTEEN:
Date: 8/12/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 8/14/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 8/15/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
August 12
North end
Light
HD,Re
12: 00pm
L@ 10: 44am
Goethals B
Heavy
WD,Re,P
11: 40am
L@ 12: 30pm
Newark
Bay
! - 18
Kill Van
Kull
Upper NY
Bay
South of
Gov Is
2-Light
HD.Re
12: 15pm
L£ 10:14air.
throughout
the NE end
Major
RD,WD
ll:55am
L@ 12: 00pm
7 miles
long
Major
WD , HD , P
2: 15pm
L
-------
WEEK FOURTEEN:
Date: 8/16/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
Continuec
Dispersed
HD, Re, scum
8: 39am
H<§ 9:03air.
Newark
Bay
1
throughout
Dispersed
HD,WD,Re
8: 53am
tio a . -> a
«IVT U . J UCIIII
Kill Van
Kull
Bayonne
Bridge
Light
HD
Upper NY
Bay
2-Light
HD,Re ,scum
9: 10am
Tt/a i, -i-i
n\« / i J Odill
Lower NY
Bay
Heavy
HD,Re,WD
9: 30am
H(9 7:33 a jii
The
Narrows
Comments
(Misc. slicks)
** Lunar Eclipse 8/16/89 **
Date: 8/17/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 8/18/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
South end
3-Light
HD,WD,Re,T
1 0 : 2 5 am
HO 9: 20am
Light
HD,WD,Re
9 : 3 6 am
HO 10: 00am
West of
Bayonne Br
Light
HD,WD.Re
9: 36am
8 miles
Statue to
Verr Br
2-Major
garbage
10: 40am
HO 8: 15am
Center
1-Light
1-Heavy
HD,WD,Re,T
9:45 am
HO 9: Olam
continued
from upper
Major
garbage
10: 40am
HO 8: 15am
continued
from upper
Major
garbage
10: 40am
HO 8: 15am
S of Verr
Around CI
Heavy
HD,WD,Re,T
9: 45am
H@ 9: Olam
* 4pm flight - Major
slick moved from
Sandy Hook-Roc kaway
to Ambrose Light *
Raritan Bay 3-Light
HD,WD,Re - 9:05am
HO 7: 50am
-------
WEEK FIFTEEN
Date: 8/22/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Date: 8/23/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
August lc
Newark
Bay
? -25
Mouth
Light
HD,scum
11: 00am
L<§ 7: 52am
Kill Van
Kull
North
Dispersed
HD,Re,WD
9: 10am
Upper NY
Bay
Lower NY
Bay
The
Narrows
Comments
(Misc. slicks)
Date: 8/24/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 9: 25-9: 40am. L@ 8:03am
Date: 8/25/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 9:02-9:24am. L@ 9:15 am
-------
Arthur
Kill
Newark
Bay
Kill Van
Kull
Upper NY
Bay
Lower NY
Bay
The
Narrows
Comments
(Misc. slicks)
WEEK SIXTEEN: August 26 - September 1
Date: 8/26/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 8:41-9:08am. L@ 10:19am
Date: 8/30/89
Location: N of Verr
Size Category Major
Contents HD,WD,Re
Time Sighted 11:10am
Tide H/L L@ 1:45 pm
Date: 8/31/89
Location: N of Verr
Size Category Light
Contents scum,WD
Time Sighted 12:30pm
Tide H/L L@ 2:27pm
** New Moon 8/31/89 **
Date: 9/1/89
Location: Southeast off Owls
Head STP Passaic River
Size Category Light Moderate Heavy
Contents HD,WD,Re HD,Re,WD HD,WD,Re
Time Sighted 9:30am 9:30am 9:10am
Tide H/L H@ 10: 02am H<§ 8: 57am
-------
Arthur Newark Kill Van Upper NY Lower NY The Comments
Kill Bay Kull Bay Bay Narrows (Misc. slicks)
WEEK SEVENTEEN: September 2-8
Date: 9/2/89
Location: Northeast North
Size Category Dispersed Light
Contents HD,Re HD,WD,Re
Time Sighted 9:Olam 9:12am
Tide H/L H@ 10:40am H@ 9:35am
Date: 9/3/89
Location: N of Verr
Size Category Light
Contents HD,WD,Re
Time Sighted 8:35am
Tide H/L H<§ I0:llam
Date: 9/4/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 9:00-9:30am. H@ 10:45am
Date: 9/5/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey not given. H<§ 11:20am
Date: 9/7/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 10:20-10:45am. H@ 12:37pm
Date: 9/8/89
Location: South of
Gov Is
Size Category Heavy
Contents WD,HD,Re
Time Sighted 10:03am
Tide H/L H@ l:27pm
-------
WEEK EIGHTEEN:
Date: 9/9/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Arthur
Kill
Newark
Bay
Kill Van
Kull
September 9-15
Upper NY
Bay
Lower NY
Bay
Gravesend
Bay
Light
scum,WD,HD
10: 05am
L@ 7 : 4 8 am
The
Narrows
Comments
(Misc. slicks)
Date: 9/11/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 10 : 50-11 : 10am. L@ 10: 44am
Date: 9/13/89 No significant slicks were reported. Time of survey: 11: 25-11: 45am. L@ 12: 27pm
Date: 9/15/89
Location:
Size Category
Contents
Time Sighted
Tide H/L
Southern
Dispersed
HD,WD,T
12: 30am
L<§ 3: llpm
West end
Light
HD,WD,T
12: 30am
N of Ellis
Island
Moderate
HD,WD,T
12: 25pm
L@ 2: 06pm
SI side
Major
HD,WD,T
12: 25pm
L@ 2: 06pm
-------
Appendix B
List of Approximate Dimensions
NY Harbor - Floatable Survey
May 15 - Sept 15, 1989
-------
New York Harbor
Floatable Survey
1989
Manor Slicks
Date Approximate Dimensions
June 2
June 24
July 1
July 21
August 12
August 14
August 15
August 17
August 30
Sept 15
1/2 - 1 mile by 10-50 ft
one mile by 20-30 ft
1/2 mile by 10-50 ft
1 1/2 miles by 5-20 feet
Location
Narrows
Narrows
Narrows
Newark Bay
Length of Coney Is by 1-5 ft Coney Is
500 yds by 500 yds-throughout NE end Upper NY
7 miles narrow & dense Upper NY
8 miles by 2-100 ft Upper - Narrows - Lower
2 miles by 2-10 ft Upper NY
3-5 miles by 1-5 ft not very dense Narrows
4 miles by 5-20 ft
Narrows
-------
Heavy Slicks
Date
May 16
May 23
May 25
May 26
June 2
June 5
June 13
June 24
June 26
July 1
July 4
July 7
July 19
July 24
July 25
August 2
August 3
August 14
August 16
August 18
Sept 1
Sept 8
Approximate Dimensions
1 1/2 miles
heavy concentration
1-2 miles cone, throughout
1/2 - 3/4 mile
1-2 miles by 10 ft
statue to Gov Is
Coney Is to Hoffman by 20 ft
quater acre patches
1/2 mile by 15-50 ft
one mile by 15 ft
3/4 mile by 3 ft
500 yds by 10-30 ft
1 1/2 mile by 2 ft
a half mile by 10-30 ft
1-2 miles; by 2-5 ft
throughout dense
1-2 miles; by 2-3 ft
1/2 mile by 2-4 ft
1 1/2 miles by 10 ft
1/2 mile by 5-10 ft
one mile by 10-20 ft
one mile by 5-10 ft
500 yds by 10 ft
one mile by 1-3 ft light density
2 miles by 20-30 ft
1/2 mile
one mile by l-10ft
one mile by 2-5 ft
Location
Upper NY
Newark Bay
Newark Bay
Newark Bay
Kill Van Kull
Upper NY
Lower NY
Narrows
Upper NY
Upper NY
Newark Bay
Newark Bay
Raritan Bay
Narrows
Newark Bay
Kill Van Kull
Narrows
Raritan Bay
Raritan Bay
Lower NY
Narrows
Narrows
Arthur Kill
Lower NY
Narrows
Upper NY
Passaic River
Upper NY
-------
Moderate Slicks
Nay 17
May 23
May 31
June 1
June 2
June 3
June 5
June 19
June 20
June 26
July 4
July 7
July 12
July 13
July 19
July 26
August 2
August 14
Approximate Dimensions
moderate
Moderate
4 acres light
300 ft by 400 ft
1/2 mile
1/4 mile by 2-20 ft
500 ft by 1000 ft
moderate
medium density
1/4 - 1/2 mile by 2-5 ft
1/2 mile - light density
one mile broken light density
1/4 mile
1/2 mile
1/2 mile by 2 ft
1/4 mile by 5-30 ft
1/4 mile by 5-10 ft
1-2 acres
1-2 acres
length of Arthur Kill by 2-3 ft
1/2 mile by 20 ft
1/2 mile by 5-10 ft
500 yds by 100 yds light density
500 yds by 10 ft
600 yds by 10 ft
Location
Aruthur Kill
Kill Van Kull
Narrows
Narrows
Newark Bay
Upper NY
Kill Van Kull
Newark Bay
Arthur Kill
Narrows
Upper NY
Upper NY
Upper NY
Upper NY
Narrows
Newark Bay
Newark Bay
Upper NY
Upper NY
Arthur Kill
Narrows
Newark Bay
Lower NY
Narrows
Narrows
Sept
Sept
1
15
1/4 - 1/2 mile
1/2 mile by 5-15 ft
Upper NY
Upper NY
-------
Light Slicks
Date
May 16
May 17
May 20
May 23
May 25
May 31
June 14
June 16
June 24
June 28
June 30
July 1
July 7
July 11
July 12
July 18
July 19
July 31
August 1
August 2
August 3
August 12
Approximate Dimensions
200 ft
light
light patches
200 yds
light
200-300 yds
200 yds
300 ft by 1-5 ft
400 ft by 10 ft
1/4 mile by 1-5 ft broken
200 yds by 3-5 ft
1/2 not dense broken
200 yds by 1-2 ft
200-300 yds by 1-3 ft
100 yds
200 yds by 5 ft
150 yds by 2-3 ft
200-300 yds by 2-5 ft
200 yds by 0-10 ft
300 yds by 5-10 ft
100 yds by 1-5 ft
300 yds by 5-10 ft
200 yds by 5 ft
200 yds by 2-3 ft
200 yds by 5-10 ft
500 ft by 5 ft
200 ft by 5 ft
500 ft by 3-5 ft
100 ft by 2-5 ft
200 ft by 1-3 ft
200-300 yds by 2-5 ft
200 yds by 2-5 ft
150 yds by 10 ft
100 yds
100 yds by 5 ft
200 yds by 10 ft
200 yds by 2-3 ft
200 - 300 yds
100 yds by 2-5 ft
Location
Newark Bay
Kill Van Kull
Upper NY
Aruthur KilJ
Narrows - 2
Upper NY - 2
Kill Van Kull-2
Upper NY
Upper NY
Lower NY
Newark Bay
Upper NY
Upper NY
Narrows
Newark Bay
Upper NY
Arthur Kill
Kill Van Kull
Upper NY
Narrows
Newark Bay
Upper NY
Upper NY
Lower NY
Newark Bay
Lower NY
Kill Van Kull
Newark Bay - 2
Upper NY
Lower NY
Kill Van Kull
Kill Van Kull
Newark Bay
Kill Van Kull
Newark Bay
Newark Bay
Kill Van Kull
Upper NY - 2
Arthur Kill
* Numbers proceeding location indicate the number of slicks with
the same approximate dimensions in that area.
-------
Light Slicks (continued)
Date Approximate Dimensions
Location
August 16
August 17
August 18
August 23
August 31
Sept 1
Sept 2
Sept 3
Sept 9
Sept 15
50-100 ft by 300-500 ft
50 ft by 100 ft
100,200,300 ft by 5 ft
200 yds by 1-5 ft each
400-500 ft by 3-10 ft
100 yds by 3-10 ft
100-200 ft by 2-3 ft
100 yds by 20 yds
200 yds by 5 ft
200 yds ;by 5-10 ft
40 ft by 2-3 ft
100 yds by 5 ft
100 yds by 3-3 ft
200 yds by 5-15 ft
Kill Van Kull
Upper NY - 2
Newark Bay - 3
Raritan Bay - 3
Upper NY
Newark Bay
Kill Van Kull
Newark Bay
Narrows
Newark Bay
Upper NY
Narrows
Lower NY
Kill Van Kull
-------
June 3
June 16
June 19
July 4
July 11
July 17
July 18
July 24
August 16
August 22
Sept 2
Sept 15
Approximate Dimensions
lightly dispersed
1000ft by 1000ft moderate density
3-5 acres Rockaway-Sandy Hook
length of KVK
throughout
not very dense
dispersed
patches
North end
throughout
throughout
large guanity
500 ft by 500 ft
1000 ft by 100 ft
light density
moderate
quarter-half a mile
50 ft by 30 ft
above average concentration
Location
LIC 02-07
Narrows
Transect
Kill Van Kull
Newark Bay
Upper NY
Newark Bay
Jamacia Bay
Arthur Kill
Newark Bay
Kill Van Kull
Arthur Kill
Upper NY
Lower NY
Arthur Kill
Newark Bay
Kill Van Kull
Newark Bay
Newark Bay
-------
APPENDIX C
I>jicrobiological Water Quality
New York Bight
Summer 1989
-------
IROBIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY
NEW YORK BIGHT
SUMMER 1989
-------
Introduction
A study of the density* of fecal coliform and enterococcus
organisms was conducted in 1989 as part of the continuing annual
monitoring of the nearshore waters off the Long Island and New
Jersey coasts.
By determining the bacteriological water quality, one can
estimate potential health risks associated with the presence of
sewage pollution. Epidemiological studies have attempted to
assess 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 (1).
Investigations have shown that agents of bacterial disease,
enteropathogenic/toxigenic Escherichia coli. Pseudomonas
aeruginosa. Klebsiella. Salmonella, and Shigella are excreted in
large numbers in the feces of infected individuals, and are thus
potentially present in sewage. It is common practice to use an
indicator organism to detect fecal contamination because of the
ease of isolating and quantitating certain microorganisms on
membrane filters. Elaborate procedures are usually required for
the detection of most, pathogens in mixed populations. When
numerous indicator organisms are present, the likelihood of
pathogens being found is far greater.
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 indicator 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 fecal coliform per 100 ml, nor
shall more than 10% of the total samples during any 30-day period
exceed 400 fecal coliforms per 100 ml. The 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. Subsequent investigations conducted 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 approximately
400/100 ml. A limit of 200 fecal coliforms per 100 ml would
therefore provide a quality of water which should exceed that
which would cause a detectable health effect (10).
* Bacterial density in this study is referred to as the number of
fecal coliforms and enterococci per 100 ml of water.
-------
-2-
New York State, for its primary contact recreational coastal
waters, adopted the standard of 200 fecal coliforms/100 ml,
provided that the log mean is not exceeded during 5 successive
sets of samples. New Jersey also has the standard of 200 fecal
coliforms/100 ml. By 1978, most of the states adopted the fecal
coliform indicator with geometric mean limits at 200 fecal
coliforms/100 ml.
Fecal Coliform Indicator Bacteria
Fecal coliforms comprise all of the coliform bacteria that
ferment lactose at 44.5 ±0.2°C. This group, according to
traditional theory, more accurately reflects the presence of
fecal discharges from warm-blooded animals. As an indicator,
fecal coliforms 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.
Enterococcus Group; Indicator Bacteria
Enterococci are a subgroup of the fecal streptococci. The
occurrence of fecal streptococci in water indicates fecal
contamination from warm-blooded animals. One is able to pinpoint
the source of fecal contamination (such as human, equine, bovine,
avian) by identifying the species utilizing biochemical tests.
The enterococcus group includes the following species:
Streptococcus faecalis; Streptococcus faecalis. subspecies
liquefaciens; Streptococcus faecalis. subspecies zymoqenes; and
Streptococcus faecium. Streptococcus faecalis. one of the group
D streptoccal species, grows in broth containing 6.5% NaCl,
hydrolyzes arginine and utilizes pyruvate (2-4). Streptococcus
faecium grows in 6.5% NaCL broth, hydrolyzes arginine, but does
not utilize pyruvate. Streptococcus bovis does not grow in 6.5%
NaCl broth, does not hydrolyze arginine, and does not utilize
pyruvate. These are the three most common species of group D
streptococci found as pathogens in human infection.
Streptococcus durans is located occasionally, and Streptococcus
equinus is found rarely (5).
EPA has recently published the results of two research projects
which compared the relationship between illnesses associated with
bathing in recreational waters and ambient densities of several
indicator organisms (6). One study was performed on marine
bathing beaches and one on freshwater beaches. Studies at marine
and fresh water bathing beaches indicated that gastroenteritis is
directly related to the quality of the bathing water and that
enterococci is a better indicator of water quality than fecal
coliforms (1, 10).
-------
-3-
EPA has issued a criteria guidance document recommending
enterococci and Escherichia coli for inclusion into state water
quality standards for the protection of primary contact
recreational uses in lieu of fecal coliforms. The EPA (1986)
recommended criterion for enterococci for marine waters is 35/100
ml. This information was published in the Federal Register on
March 7, 1986.
Materials and Methods
Marine water samples were collected by helicopter from May to
September 1989. The samples were collected using a Kemmerer
sampler and transferred to 500 ml sterile, wide-mouthed plastic
containers, and then transported in an ice chest to the Region II
Edison laboratory for analysis.
Fecal coliform determinations were conducted according to the
membrane filtration (MF) procedures described in Standard
Methods. 17th edition, 1989 and Microbiological Methods for
Monitoring the Environment. Water and Wastewater. EPA-600/8-78-
017, 1978. Enterococci determinations were conducted according
to the MF procedure described by Levin (8), and DuFour (9), using
the modified mE media. Confirmation of enterococci colonies were
conducted following procedures outlined in Microbiological
Methods for Monitoring the Environment. Water and Wastewater.
EPA-600/8-78-017, 1978.
Results and Discussion
Fecal Coliform - NJ
Along the New Jersey Coast, fecal coliform densities equal to or
greater than 50/100 nil occurred on 12 occasions at 11 different
stations (Tables 1 & 2 and Figure 1). The observations were made
at stations JC-01A (Sandy Hook, 1.2 km south of the tip), JC-08
(Sea Bright, at the public beach), JC-11 (Monmouth Beach Bath &
Tennis Club), JC-13 (Chelsea Ave., 1st street South of the Burnt
Fisher Pier, Long Brainch), JC-26 (Shark River Inlet), JC-36
(Manasquan Inlet off of Third Avenue), JC-74 (Absecon Inlet), JC-
81 (Ocean City, opposite the large apartment building), JC-92
(Hereford Inlet), JC-93 (Wildwood, off of the northern amusement
pier), and JC-96 (Cape May Inlet).
-------
-4-
Fecal Coliform - Long Island
Fecal colifonn densities greater than 50/100 ml did not occur
(Table 5 and Figures 3, 6 and 7). The highest fecal colifonn
count occurred at LIC-04 (Rockaway, off the foot of B92 Road)
which had a maximum of 26 per 100 ml.
Enterococci - New Jersey
Enterococci densities exceeding the standard of 35/100 ml (10)
(Tables 3 & 4 and Figure 2) were observed on two occasions at
station JC-92 and JC-96.
Enterococci - Long Island
The standard enterococci density of 35/100 ml were not exceeded.
The maximum density of 20/100 ml occurred at station LIC-21
(Bellport Beach) (Table 6 and Figures 4 and 6).
For the majority of New Jersey and Long Island Coastal Stations
low fecal coliform geometric mean densities per 100 ml were
observed. This profile is visually presented in the geometric
mean value of FC densities in Figures 1 and 3.
Geometric mean densities for enterococci along the New Jersey and
Long Island Coastal Stations were even lower. These profiles are
visually evident in Figures 2 and 4.
-------
REFERENCES
1. Cabelli, V.J. et al. 1979. Relationship of Microbial
Indicators to Health at Marine Bathing Beaches. American
Journal of Public Health. 69:690.
2. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater. 1989,. 17th ed., American Public Health
Association. Washington, DC.
3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1978. Microbiological
Methods for Monitoring the Environment - Water and
Wastewater. EPA-600/8-78-017.
4. Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. 1984. Volume I.
Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD.
5. Facklam, R.R. 1980. Isolation and Identification of
Streptococci. Department of Health, Education & Welfare,
CDC, Rev. 1.
6. DuFour, A.P. 1984. Health Effects Criteria for Fresh
Recreational Waters. EPA-600/1-84-004.
7. Ringen, L.M. & C.H. Drake. 1952. J. Bact. 64:841.
8. Levin, M.A., J.K. Fisher & V.J. Cabelli. 1975. Membrane
Filter Technique for Enumeration of Enterococci in Marine
Waters. Appl. Microbiol. 30:66-71.
9. DuFour, A.P. 1980. Abstracts Annual Meeting American Society
for Microbiology,, Q69.
10. Cabelli, V.J. 1983. Health Effects Criteria for Marine
Recreational Waters, EPA-600/1-80-031.
-------
TABLE 1
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF FECAL COLIFORM DENSITIES
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1989
Number of Maximum Value Geometric Mean
Station Samples (Fecal Coliform/lOOml) (Fecal Coliform/lOOml)
JC 01A
JC 03
JC 05
JC 08
JC 11
JC 13
JC 14
JC 21
JC 24
JC 26
JC 27
JC 30
JC 33
JC 35
JC 36
JC 37
JC 41
JC 44
JC 47A
JC 49
JC 53
JC 55
JC 57
JC 59
JC 61
JC 63
JC 65
JC 67
JC 69
JC 73
JC 74
JC 75
JC 77
JC 79
JC 81
JC 83
JC 85
JC 87
JC 89
JC 91
JC 92
JC 93
JC 95
JC 96
JC 97
JC 99
9
10
10
10
10
10
9
9
8
8
7
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
67
7
4
73
63
80
26
27
11
112
16
5
6
3
212
29
9
3
3
8
6
4
4
9
12
4
6
5
2
3
84
15
5
8
96
4
17
10
4
2
284
55
80
50
24
16
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
15.
2.
2.
2.
6.
4.
2.
2.
1.
14.
2.
2.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
4.
3.
2.
2.
5.
1.
2.
2.
1.
2.
3.
5.
4.
2.
3.
3.
6
5
7
8
6
2
8
4
1
2
8
1
0
3
0
6
2
1
3
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
3
3
1
4
8
3
3
9
6
7
4
4
5
3
5
3
8
9
2
8
-------
TABLE 2
FECAL COL1FORM DENSITIES > 50 PER 10GML
NErt JERSEY COAST STATIOh4S
SUMMER 1989
OdS STATION UATE VALUE
1 JC01A 070t>89 67
2
3
-------
TABLE 3
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF ENTEROCOCCUS DENSITIES
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1989
Station
JC 01A
JC 03
JC 05
JC 08
JC 11
JC 13
JC 14
JC 21
JC 24
JC 26
JC 27
JC 30
JC 33
JC 35
JC 36
JC 37
JC 41
JC 44
JC 47A
JC 49
JC 53
JC 55
JC 57
JC 59
JC 61
JC 63
JC 65
JC 67
JC 69
JC 73
JC 74
JC 75
JC 77
JC 79
JC 81
JC 83
JC 85
JC 87
JC 89
JC 91
JC 92
JC 93
JC 95
JC 96
JC 97
JC 99
Number of
Samples
9
10
10
10
10
10
9
9
8
8
7
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
Maximum Value
(Enterococci/lOOml)
12
3
2
3
2
26
8
3
2
22
2
1
1
3
13
26
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
10
2
1
2
13
3
1
0
14
2
37
2
160
77
7
6
Geometric Mean
( Enterococc i /lOQmll
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
4.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
3.
2.
1.
1.
5
1
1
1
1-
2
4
3
1
3
2
0
0
1
9
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
2
3
3
0
0
6
1
8
3
0
8
7
8
-------
TAdLE ^
E.NTEROCOCCUS DENSITIES > 35 PER lOOf.L
New JERSEY COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1989
OeS STATION DATE VALUE
1 JC92 071959 37
2 JC96 071989 77
-------
TABLE 5
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF FECAL COLIFORM DENSITIES
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1989
Number of Maximum Value Geometric Mean
Station Sampjies (Fecal Coliform/lOOml) (Fecal Coliform/lOOml)
LIC 01
LIC 02
LIC 03
LIC 04
LIC 05
LIC 07
LIC 08
LIC 09
LIC 10
LIC 12
LIC 13
LIC 14
LIC 15
LIC 16
LIC 17
LIC 18
LIC 19
LIC 20
LIC 21
LIC 22
LIC 23
LIC 24
LIC 25
LIC 26
LIC 27
LIC 28
8
7
7
6
7
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
5
18
26
13
2
10
13
11
21
10
16
5
6
6
5
6
4
18
5
5
2
4
3
2
3
2.
1.
1.
3.
5.
1.
1.
2.
4.
2.
1.
2.
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
1.
3.
2.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
1.
0
6
5
3
5
1
8
9
1
3
6
2
5
8
2
3
4
7
3
5
7
3
6
3
6
8
-------
TABLE 6
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF ENTEROCOCCUS DENSITIES
LONG ISLAND COAST
SUMMER 1989
Station
LIC 01
LIC 02
LIC 03
LIC 04
LIC 05
LIC 07
LIC 08
LIC 09
LIC 10
LIC 12
LIC 13
LIC 14
LIC 15
LIC 16
LIC 17
LIC 18
LIC 19
LIC 20
LIC 21
LIC 22
LIC 23
LIC 24
LIC 25
LIC 26
LIC 27
LIC 28
Number of
Samples
8
7
7
6
7
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Maximum Value
(Enterococci/lOOml j
2
4
8
7
11
1
10
6
8
5
1
2
1
5
3
4
4
4
20
3
2
2
1
3
2
2
Geometric Mean
(Enterococci/lOOml )
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
I.
2.
2.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
2
6
3
6
7-
0
1
4
7
5
0
4
0
3
2
6
4
7
7
1
3
3
0
4
3
6
-------
Figure 1
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF FECAL COLIFORM DENSITIES
new jesser coasT srflrrons
sunnER i93 9
30Q -
s rar tons
nBxrnun
neon
-------
Figure 2
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF ENTEROCOCCUS DENSITIES
Lons
COflST STflTianS
SUnnER 1989
c
o
1
1 -
c
a
s
o a
3 »
u
a
5
I i
0 O
? s
1
a
9
! L
1 1
a a
T
I
3
1 T
1 1
t 5
L
1
6
1
l_
1
T
i.
1
S
1 1
L L
i . ' a
9 a
1
L
a
i
i
L
a
s
i
L
a
3
L L
a a
* 5
L
a
6
L L.
a s
7 3
ucscno
STfl r tofig
Q D D nflxrnun
-------
Figure 3
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF FECAL COLIFORM DENSITIES
LOflG LSUflflD COflST S T H T I O M S
sunnCR 1989
a
E
o
n
E
T
R
I
c
n
E
H
n
s
o
E
n
s
I
T
r
/
i
e
a
n
L
s TO T rons
nnxinun
-------
Figure 4
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF ENTEROCOCCUS DENSITIES
n E u JERSEY' coflsr STRtrons
sunriER 1989
I 50 -
I SO
Oi
E
Q
n ' > «
E
r
R
t I OQ -
C
sa -
70 -
so -
-1 1 T"
J J J
c c c
BOB
3 S 8
a a a H H a Q ta-^Q-g H a
t
j j
c c
1 1
233
783
S 8
J J
C C
9 9
S 3
J J
C C
9 9
S 6
J J
C C
9 9
7 9
LEQEhO
s rnrions
O O D nflxrnuri
-------
FIGURE 5
200
STANDARD
17.5
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF FECAL COUFORM DATA COLLECTED
ALONG THE COAST OF NEW JERSEY. JUNE 28,1989 TO .
SEPTEMBER 6.1939.
(ACTUAL VALUES PRINTED ABOVE BARS)
-------
FIGURE 6
STANDARD
35
iu
o
a
o
CJ
o
o
o
2.7
/
/
2.7
1.6
/
/
/
/
I.Q
1
2.4
T
1.0
J41-2
1.6
/
/
1.31.3
1.4
7
1.3
o a o o
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF EWEROCOCCI DATA COLLECTED
ALONG THE COAST OF LONG ISLAND. MAY 23.1989 TO
SEPTEMBER 5.1989.
(ACTUAL VALUES PRINTED ABOVE BARS)
-------
FIGURE 7
STANDARD
200
o
o
a*
o
o
o
/
4.1
3.3
2.9
2.2
2.3
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
CN rO *$- U"> *& r-» CO
CS CS *>* <>4 Cvj C-J CS
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF FECAL COUFORM DATA COLLECTED
ALONG THE COAST OF LONG ISLAND, MAY 23,1989 TO
SEPTEMBER 5,1989.
(ACTUAL VALUES PRINTED ABOVE BARS)
-------
DATE:
SUBJECT:
FROM:
TO:
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION II
JAN 0 2 1991
New York Bight Report 1989
Constantine Sidamon-Eristo
Regional Administrator
Regina Mulcahy
Helen Taylor
I finally got around to carefully reading yrfur report of last
August entitled "New York Bight Water Quality, Summer 1989", and
just wanted to thank you both for all of your good work. Keep it
up.
cc: W. Muszynski
B. Metzger
R. Hemmett
REGION II FORM 132O-1 (9/85)
-------
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION II
DATE:
September 25, 1990
SUBJECT:
New York Bight Report 1989
FROM: Regina Mulcahy, Environmental Scientist j
Environmental Services; Division
TO. Ambient Monitoring Section
See Addressees Below
Enclosed for your information is a copy of our most recent New
York Bight report entitled "New York Bight Water Quality, Summer
1989".
Enclosure
Addressees
. Sidamon-Eristoff , 2RA
W. Muszynski, 2DRA
M. Torrusio, 2ARA
B. Metzger, 2ESD
J. Marshall, 20EP
M. Randol, 20EP
K. Bricke, 2WMD
T. Davies, WH-556F
C. Vogt, WH-556F
K. Klima, WH-556F
cc: w/enclosure
R. Hemmett, 2ESD-SMB
G. McKenna, 2ESD-TSB
L. Bevilacgua, 2ESD-MMB
M. DelVicario, 2WMD-MWPB
H. Phillips, 20EP (6 copies)
D. Adams, 2ESD-SMEI
H. Taylor, 2ESD-SMB
R. Braun, 2ESD-SMB
I. Katz, 2ESD-TSB
M. Simkovich, 2ESD-TSB
REGION II FORM 132O-1 (9/85)
------- |