U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NEW YORK BIGHT WATER QUALITY
SUMMER OF 1991
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIVISION
REGION 2
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10278
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NEW YORK BIGHT WATER QUALITY
SUMMER OF 1991
Prepared By: United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region 2 - Surveillance and Monitoring Branch
Edison, New Jersey 08837
Regfna M. Harrison, 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 1991 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 20 to
September 9, 1991, approximately 152 stations were sampled
each week, weather permitting. Additional samples for
dissolved oxygen were taken on September 27 and October 10,
1991 utilizing the survey vessel "Clean Waters". The Bight
sampling program consisted of four separate sampling
networks. Sampling was conducted 5 days a week.
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/10Oml).
Bacteriological data also indicated that the New Jersey and
Long Island coasts were well within the recommended EPA
criterion for enterococci in marine waters (a geometric
mean of 35 enterococci/lOOml). Based on fecal coliform
data and enterococci data, Long Island and New Jersey
coastal waters are of excellent quality.
Dissolved oxygen concentrations in 1991 were generally
good along the New Jersey perpendiculars, the Long Island
perpendiculars, and in the New York Bight Apex. In 1991,
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some depressed bottom dissolved oxygen levels occurred in
isolated areas of the Bight Apex and off the New Jersey
coast, however the low dissolved oxygen levels only
persisted a short time. The average dissolved oxygen
concentrations along the New Jersey perpendiculars, the
Long Island perpendiculars and in the New York Bight Apex
remained above 4.0 mg/1. Dissolved oxygen averages for the
Bight Apex and the New Jersey coast were 6 percent higher
than the 1990 averages, and ranged between 1 and 11 percent
lower than 1987-1989 averages. However, values over the
past 5 years 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. Most beaches along New Jersey were
affected by blooms of short duration during the sampling
period. Algal blooms of longer duration occurred in the
intercoastal bays of New Jersey and Long Island. Diatoms
predominated in New Jersey waters during the summer months.
This has been the trend for the past 3-4 years. Early in
the season Prorocentrum minimum was dominant in Raritan
Bay, Sandy Hook Bay and some coastal stations. This
species may cause respiratory irritation in swimmers and
has also been associated with red tide. Changing weather
and water conditions, as summer progressed, prevented this
ii
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species from becoming a problem.
Beach closures due to wash-ups of floatable debris
were less frequent in 1990 and 1991 than in previous years.
This was largely due to the initiation of the "Short Term
Action Plan for Addressing Floatable Debris in the New York
Bight" (USEPA, 1988). This was, and will continue to be, a
cooperative monitoring and response effort on the part of
various federal, state and local government agencies.
Operation Clean Shores, which was initiated by New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection and Energy (NJDEPE)
in 1989, has also played a significant role in removing
floatable debris from impacted shorelines. In 1989,
Operation Clean Shores removed 5.96 million pounds of
floatable debris from impacted shorelines. Continuing the
program with cooperation from the participating
municipalities and state and federal agencies, 9.55 million
pounds of floatables were removed in 1990 and 9.38 million
pounds in 1991. Removal of floatables from impacted
shorelines prevents the material from resuspending into the
water column and washing up on other shorelines or bathing
beaches. Only two beaches, Belmar in New Jersey and Riis
Park in New York, were closed due to floatable debris in
1991. Belmar was closed half a day and Riis Park was
closed one day.
iii
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. SAMPLE COLLECTION PROGRAM 6
III. DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLING STATIONS 10
Beach Stations 10
New York Bight Stations 10
Perpendicular Stations 19
Phytoplankton Stations 22
IV. DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 23
Normal Trends in the Ocean 23
Dissolved Oxygen Criteria 25
Surface Dissolved Oxygen, 1991 27
Bottom Dissolved Oxygen, 1991 27
Long Island Coast 27
New York Bight Apex 29
New Jersey Coast 31
Dissolved Oxygen Trends 35
BIBLIOGRAPHY 48
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A - Weekly Floatables Observations, Summer 1991
APPENDIX B - Microbiological Water Quality New York
Bight Summer 1991
APPENDIX C - Summary of Phytoplankton Blooms and
Related Conditions in New Jersey
Coastal Waters Summer of 1991
IV
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LIST OF FIGURES
No. Title Page
1 The New York Bight 2
2 Bight Apex and existing dump sites 3
3 Long Island Coast Stations 12
4 New Jersey coast station locations - Sandy Hook 16
to Island Beach State Park
5 New Jersey coast station locations - Barnegat 17
to Cape May Point
6 New York Bight station locations 18
7 Long Island perpendicular stations and New 20
Jersey perpendicular stations from Sandy Hook
to Seaside Heights
8 New Jersey perpendicular stations from Barnegat 21
to Strathmere
9 Generalized annual marine dissolved oxygen off 26
the northeast U.S. (NOAA)
10 Long Island coast bottom dissolved oxygen, 28
1991. Semimonthly averages of all Long Island
perpendicular stations
11 New York Bight bottom dissolved oxygen, 1991. 30
Semimonthly average of all New York Bight
stations
12 New Jersey coast bottom dissolved oxygen, 1991. 33
Semimonthly averages of all northern
(JC14-JC53) and southern (JC61-JC85)
perpendicular stations
13 Shore-to-seaward distribution of bottom 36
dissolved oxygen, 1991. Semimonthly averages
of all northern New Jersey perpendicular
stations (JC14-JC53), at fixed distances from
shore
14 Shore-to-seaward distribution of bottom 37
dissolved oxygen, 1991. Semimonthly averages
of all southern New Jersey perpendicular
stations (JC61-JC85), at fixed distances
offshore
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15 Northern New Jersey coast bottom dissolved 39
oxygen, 1987-1991 comparison. Semimonthly
averages of all JC14-JC53 perpendicular
stations
16 Southern New Jersey coast bottom dissolved 40
oxygen, 1987-1991 comparison. Semimonthly
averages of all JC61-JC85 perpendicular
stations
17 New York Bight bottom dissolved oxygen, 41
1987-1991 comparison. Semimonthly average of
all New Bight stations
18 Northern New Jersey coast bottom dissolved 43
oxygen, five year average of the individual
semimonthly averages, 1987 to 1991
19 Southern New Jersey coast bottom dissolved 44
oxygen, five year average of the individual
semimonthly averages, 1987 to 1991
20 New York Bight bottom dissolved oxygen, five 45
year average of the individual semimonthly
averages, 1987 to 1991
21 Percent bottom dissolved oxygen values below 46
4 mg/1 off the New Jersey coast over the last
eleven years
VI
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LIST OF TABLES
No. Title
1 Outline of 1991 sampling program 7
2 Long Island coast station locations 11
3 New Jersey coast station locations 13
4 1991 New Jersey dissolved oxygen distribution 34
(bottom values)
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 Sandy 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 and the
various disposal sites located within the Apex limits are
shown in Figure 2. Currently, only the dredged material
disposal site is active.
This report is the eighteenth in a series and reflects
the monitoring period between May 20, 1990 and October 21,
1991. 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
period. Most of these changes occurred after the summer of
1976, when anoxic conditions caused a fishkill in the Bight
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Tl
ROCKAWAY POINT
BIGHT APEX LIMITS
I GHT/> LIMITS/ °W
CHEMICAL
WASTES
DUMP SITE
THE NEW YORK BIGHT
Figure 1
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OUTER HARBOR
SANDY HOOK-
ROCKAWAY POINT
TRANSECT
i»0°30'
NEW JERSEY
DREDGED MATERIAL
D
CELLAR SEWAGE
DIRT SLUDGE
V
-~A
WRECK
\
„ ACID
WASTES
(INACTIVE)
x
UJ
CL
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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 rather than bimonthly along the southern
New Jersey beaches.
National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and
EPA have documented improvement of dissolved oxygen levels
near the inactive sewage sludge disposal site (NOAA, 1989).
The 12-mile disposal site has been inactive since 1987.
The New York Bight sampling stations have shown average
dissolved oxygen levels above 4 mg/1 since 1983, with the
exception of September 1985. In view of this improvement,
the New York Bight Apex sampling stations were modified in
1990 to exclude 8 of the 20 original stations.
A cooperative monitoring program between EPA and New
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York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(NYSDEC) was established in 1990 to assist NYSDEC's
Shellfish Sanitation Program. This effort was continued in
1991. Bacteriological samples were collected at all Long
Island Beach stations plus seven additional stations: three
at inlets; two at ocean outfalls; and one at Ocean Beach
and Quantuck Beach. NYSDEC is preparing a report on this
monitoring.*
In August 1987, a 50-mile slick of garbage washed
ashore along mid to southern New Jersey. During the summer
of 1988, there were numerous beach closings in both New
York and New Jersey due to floatable debris washing ashore.
In 1988, daily floatables observations were recorded from
the helicopter. In response to the "Short Term Action Plan
for Addressing Floatables Debris in the New York Bight"
(USEPA, 1988), floatables surveillance was incorporated as
a routine monitoring component in 1989. Essentially, the
short term action plan established a monitoring and
response network 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. Weekly floatables
observations for 1991 are included in Appendix A.
^/
* For futher information please contact Charlie de Ouillfeldt of New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, She11 fisheries Division, Building 40, SUNY, Stony Brook, NY 11790.
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II. SAMPLE COLLECTION PROGRAM
During the period of May 1991 through October 1991,
water quality monitoring was conducted utilizing
helicopters. A Bell Jet Ranger was used in May, June, and
the first two weeks of July. The EPA Huey Helicopter was
utilized for monitoring the remainder of July, August and
September. Under the established protocol sampling
occurred 5 days a week. Table 1 outlines the 1991 sampling
program and the parameters analyzed for each station group.
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 12 stations in the inner
New York Bight. The perpendicular station network
consisted of 12 transects extending from the New Jersey and
Long Island coasts. Three transects extended south from
the Long Island coast, with 4 stations in each transect,
and 9 transects extended east from the New Jersey coast,
with 5 stations in each transect. The transects covered
the inner Bight from Jones Beach on Long Island to
Strathmere, on the New Jersey coast. Samples were
collected for dissolved oxygen and temperature. The
phytoplankton sampling network consisted of 11 stations.
Samples for phytoplankton identification were collected
along the New Jersey coast and in Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook
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Table 1
Outline of 1991 Sampling Program
Station Group
Frequency
per Week
Parameter
Sample Depth
Long Island Beaches
(Rockaway Pt. to
Shinnecock Inlet)
Fecal Coliform
Enterococci
Top1
New Jersey Beaches
(Sandy Hook to Cape May)
Fecal Coliform Top1
Enterococci
Inner New York Bight
Temperature Top1,
Dissolved Oxygen Bottom2
Long Island Perpendiculars
Dissolved Oxygen Top1,
Temperature Bottom2
New Jersey Perpendiculars
(Long Branch to Strathmere)
New Jersey Phytoplankton
Station Network
Dissolved Oxygen Top1,
Temperature Bottom2
Phytoplankton Top1
Chlorophyll a
1 One meter below the surface
2 One meter above the ocean floor
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Bay, and Delaware Bay. The weekly sampling program
averaged approximately 152 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. Results of
bacteriological analyses are contained in Appendix B.
The twelve 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. Samples are taken at 1 meter below the surface
and 1 meter above the ocean bottom. After collection, the
water sample was transferred to a BOD bottle for dissolved
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
8
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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 off the New
Jersey and Long Island coasts 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 below the surface and 1 meter above the ocean
floor.
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 and Energy (NJDEPE).
The samples were collected as close to the surface as
possible, using 1-liter Kemmerer samplers. A 500-ml,
brown, plastic bottle was filled for phytoplankton
analysis, and cooled to 4°C for preservation. The NJDEPE
picked up their phytoplankton samples at our Edison
laboratory within 24 hours of collection. At the NJDEPE
laboratory, a sample aliquot was removed from the bottle
for chlorophyll analysis. The results of NJDEPE's analyses
are contained in Appendix C.
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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 Shinnecock Inlet for a total of 26 stations
(LIC 01-LIC 28). Sample station locations, nomenclature,
and descriptions are given in Table 2 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 3 and in
Figures 4 and 5.
New York Biaht stations
The New York Bight stations, established as part of
the original ocean monitoring program, cover the east and
south boundary of the inner Bight area in approximately 3
km intervals via two transects as follows: New Jersey
Transect (NYB 20-NYB 25), extending from Sandy Hook 15 km
eastward to the sewage sludge dump site; and the Long
Island Transect (NYB 41-NYB 45), extending from Atlantic
Beach, Long Island, southward to the northwest corner of
the 12-mile inactive sewage sludge dump site. In addition,
station NYB 35 is sampled for coverage of the Christiansen
Basin. The locations of the New York Bight stations are
shown in Figure 6.
10
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Table 2
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
11
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NASSAU CO.
NEW JERSEY
/ SUFFOLK CO.
LIC01-
LIC02 —
LONG ISLAND
- LIC28
- LIC27
- LIC26
- LIC25
- I.IC24
— LIC 23
— LIC22
FIGURE 3
LONG ISLAND COAST STATION LOCATIONS
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Table 3
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
13
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Table 3 (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
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Table 3 (continued)
Station No. Location
JC 89 Avalon, off beige building on the beach
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
15
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LONG ISLAND
FIGURE 4
NEW JERSEY COAST STATION LOCATIONS - SANDY HOOK TO
ISLAND BEACH PARK (* = phytoplankton stations)
16
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NEW JERSEY
BEACH
HAVEN
ATLANTIC CITY
GE2 *
STRATHMERE
CAPE MAY
PO,NT
JC97
JC99 FIGURE 5
NEW JERSEY COAST STATION LOCATIONS - BARNEGAT TO CAPE MAY POINT
* = phytoplankton stations
17
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SANDY HOOK
(42)
(43)
2V (44)
(20) Qj) (22) (23> (24) (25) (26) (2?)
NYB
N
FIGURE 6
NEW YORK BIGHT STATION LOCATIONS
10
Kilometers
18
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Perpendicular stations
The perpendicular stations were established to gather
surface and bottom dissolved oxygen values in the critical
areas of the New York Bight nearshore waters. Sampling
stations perpendicular to the Long Island coastline are
1.85 km, 5.55 km, 9.25 km, and 12.95 km [1, 3, 5, and 7
nautical miles (nm)] offshore. Sampling stations
perpendicular to the New Jersey coastline start at 1.85 km
and are spaced every 1.85 km out to 18.5 km (1 nm, 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 5. Normally, only every
other New Jersey perpendicular station (3.7 km intervals)
was sampled; the intermediate stations remained available
should dissolved oxygen conditions warrant more intensive
sampling.
The perpendicular stations described above are plotted
in Figures 7 and 8. Tables 2 and 3 describe the shore
station locations from which the perpendicular stations
originate.
19
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MANASQUAN INLET
BAY HEAD
JC53
N
10
'FIGURE 7
LONG ISLAND PERPENDICULAR STATIONS AND NEW JERSEY
PERPENDICULAR STATIONS FROM SANDY HOOK TO SEASIDE HEIGHTS
20
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NEW JERSEY
JC61
JC69
N
JC75
10
STRATHMERE
V
1?
JC85
FIGURE 8
NEW JERSEY PERPENDICULAR STATIONS FROM BARNEGAT TO STRATHMERE
21
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Phytoplankton Stations
Phytoplankton samples were collected once a week along
the New Jersey coast and in Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook Bay,
and Delaware Bay at the following stations:
RB 15 JC 13 JC 75 DB 2
RB 24 JC 33 JC 81 GE 2
RB 57 JC 57 JC 92
RB 51A JC 67 DB 1
A discussion of phytoplankton dynamics and bloom
incidence in New Jersey waters is presented in Appendix C.
22
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IV. DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Normal Trends in the ocean
Two major processes act to replenish dissolved oxygen
in the water column of the New York Bight. 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
absence of high energy input from local storms or
23
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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 water
24
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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.
25
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10
X 5
tr>
m
z 4
I
I
1
J I
J 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 - 1991
During the 1991 sampling period, May 20 through
October 21, surface dissolved oxygen samples were collected
during the months of July, August, September and October.
The completely mixed upper water column had dissolved
oxygen levels at or near saturation during the four months
of sampling. Data from previous years indicate that,
during May and June the upper water column remained
completely mixed, there is no reason to suspect 1991 was
any different, therefore no further discussion of surface
dissolved oxygen will be presented in this report.
Bottom Dissolved Oxygen - 1991
Long Island Coast
Figure 10 depicts the semimonthly dissolved oxygen
average of all the Long Island stations. Averages remained
above 5.0 mg/1 dissolved oxygen during most of the sampling
period. The only exception occurred in early September
when the average dipped slightly below 5.0 mg/1 to 4.8
mg/1. Generally, as indicated by past and present data,
average dissolved oxygen values off the Long Island coast
tend to remain above the 4 mg/1 "borderline to healthy"
guideline.
A total of 124 bottom samples were collected along the
Long Island perpendicular network. Only 8 samples (6.4
percent) were less than 4 mg/1. Nine values were between
27
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to
i.
o
MAY
FIGURE 10
(I) NUMBER OF SAMPLES
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
LONG ISLAND COAST BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN, 1991.
SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGE OF ALL LONG ISLAND PERPENDICULAR
STATIONS.
28
-------
4-5 mg/1, the "borderline to healthy" range. Most of these
values were observed during the period of August 16 -
September 9. The lowest dissolved oxygen value, 3.1 mg/1,
occurred on August 16 at LIC02A. The eight values less
than 4 mg/1 were:
Station Date Dissolved Oxygen(mq/1)
LIC02A 8/16/91 3.3
LIC02B 8/16/91 3.8
LIC02C 8/16/91 3.1
LIC02A 8/29/91 3.3
LIC02C 8/29/91 3.4
LIC02C 9/09/91 3.9
LIC14A 9/09/91 3.9
LIC14P 9/09/91 3.6
The occurrence of temporarily depressed dissolved oxygen
levels is consistent with what has been observed over the
past ten years for this area.
New York Bight Apex
Figure 11 illustrates the semimonthly dissolved oxygen
averages at the New York Bight Apex stations from May to
October, 1991. The dissolved oxygen average in late May
was approximately 7.5 mg/1. It gradually declined to a low
of 4.5 mg/1 in late August. It then increased to 5.4 mg/1
in early September, and decreased slightly in late
September. Recovery occurred after the cessation of
sampling.
A total of 151 samples were collected in the New York
Bight Apex from May 23 to September 29, 1991 and measured
for dissolved oxygen. Twenty-seven dissolved oxygen
values, or 17.9 percent, were between 4-5 mg/1. Nine
29
-------
10
S 5
o
MAY
FIGURE .11
(I) NUMBER OF SAMPLES
(23)
(12)
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
NEW YORK BIGHT BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN, 1991.
SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGE OF ALL NEW YORK BIGHT STATIONS.
30
-------
samples, or 6.0 percent, were between the 3-4 mg/1 level
considered "stressful if prolonged" for aquatic life. The
nine dissolved oxygen values below 4 mg/1 were:
Station Date Dissolved Oxygen fma/1)
NYB 20 8/12/91 3.5
NYB 21 8/12/91 3.0
NYB 42 8/12/91 3.9
NYB 43 8/12/91 3.6
NYB 44 8/12/91 3.5
NYB 45 8/12/91 3.8
NYB 21 8/29/91 3.7
NYB 22 8/29/91 3.7
NYB 21 9/27/91 3.4
This is consistent with the normal dissolved oxygen sag
curve in the New York Bight Apex.
New Jersey Coast
Figure 12 illustrates the semimonthly dissolved oxygen
average off the New Jersey coast during the summer of 1991,
with separate lines for the northern (JC14-JC53)
perpendiculars and the southern (JC61-JC85) perpendiculars.
The dissolved oxygen average along the southern
perpendiculars exhibited a pattern similar to the general
pattern for the Northeast U.S., as shown in Figure 9. In
late May the dissolved oxygen level was 8.0 mg/1. It
progressively decreased through the summer, reaching a low
of 4.3 mg/1 in mid August. Dissolved oxygen recoverd
steadily and averaged 5.6 mg/1 in mid September. Along the
northern New Jersey perpendiculars, the dissolved oxygen
average displayed a "double minima" effect. In late May
31
-------
the average was approximately 7.2 mg/1. It decreased to
5.8 mg/1 in mid June, and subsequently increased to 7.3
mg/1 in late June. The second low, 4.3 mg/1, was recorded
in mid August. During late August and September the
dissolved oxygen began to gradually recover. The average
had increased to 5.7 mg/1 as of October 10, 1991. Full
recovery probably occurred in late October or November.
Table 4 summarizes the bottom dissolved oxygen values
for the New Jersey coast perpendiculars. There were 525
samples collected along the New Jersey perpendiculars
between May 20 and October 10, 1991 and analyzed for
dissolved oxygen. Of these samples, 187 values (35.6
percent) were below 5 mg/1. Of the 187 samples below 5
mg/1, 103 values occurred in August. There were 110 values
(20.9 percent of all samples collected) between 4-5 mg/1,
75 values (14.3 percent) were between 2-4 mg/1, and 2
values (0.4 percent) were between 0-2 mg/1. The two values
below 2 mg/1 occurred on August 16. In comparison, during
the summer of 1990, 406 samples were collected. A total of
189 values (46.6 percent) were below 5 mg/1. Of these, 104
values (25.6 percent of all samples) were between 4-5 mg/1,
71 values (17.5 percent) were between 2-4 mg/1, and 14
values (3.4 percent) were between 0-2 mg/1. Overall,
dissolved oxygen values in 1991 were higher than those
encountered in 1990.
Historically, dissolved oxygen at the bottom reaches a
minimum in late August/early September due to a lack of
32
-------
10
8 5
o
CO
<£
O
MAY
FIGURE 12
"G.
.JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
o = JC14-JC53
o = JC61-JC85
NOV
DEC
NEW JERSEY COAST BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN, 1991.
SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES OF ALL NORTHERN (JC14-JC53) AND
SOUTHERN (JC61-JC85) PERPENDICULAR STATIONS.
33
-------
Table 4
1991 NJ DO DISTRIBUTION (BOTTOM VALUES)
JC14E
JC14G
JC14I
JC14K
JC14M
JC27E
JC27G
JC27I
JC27K
JC27M
MAS1
HAS 2
MAS 3
MAS 4
MASS
JC41E
JC41G
JC41I
JC41K
JC41M
JC53E
JC53G
JC53I
JC53K
JC53M
JC61E
JC61G
JC61I
JC61K
JC61M
JC69E
JC69G
JC69I
JC69K
JC69M
JC75E
JC75G
JC75I
JC75K
JC75M
JC85E
JC85G
JC85I
JC85K
JC85M
M
A
2
0
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
M M
A A
Yv
Y
2 3
4 1
X
X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
u u
NtJ
N
0 0
3 6
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
uuuuuuuuuu
1112200011
0481816825
X XXX
X XXX
X X X 0
X XXX
X XXX
0 X X
X X 0
XXX
XXX
XXX
o ox*
X X X O
X XXX
X XXX
X XXX
0 X X *
X 0X0
X X X O
X X X O
X XXX
0 0 X X
X 0 O X
X X O X
X 0 X X
X XXX
X X X X X
X XX X X
X 0 X * 0
X X 0 0 0
X X * O 0
X X X X X
X X X X *
X X X X *
X X X 0 *
X * X * 0
X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X
X 0 X * *
X XX O X
X X X X 0
X X X X *
X X X X *
X X X O *
u u
1 2
8 9
o
X
X
X
X
*
0
X
X
X
*
o
o
o
o
*
0
o
X
X
X
o
X
X
X
0
o
o
0
o
*
o
u
0
2
X
*
*
X
X
X
*
0
*
*
X
o
*
*
o
o
o
o
*
0
u u
Gf*
u
0 1
9 2
* 0
* 0
0 X
0 0
X X
* *
* X
* X
0 X
X O
* *
0 *
o
o
X
*
*
0 *
* o
0 0
* X
o *
X X
X X
0 X
u
1
6
o
*
*
*
0
0
*
*
0
o
—
-
*
*
*
*
X
X
X
X
u u
Gf*
\3
2 2
3 6
X
*
*
*
X
X
*
*
*
o
X
0
X
*
X
X
*
*
o
0
X
*
o
0
*
o
X
0
0
o
X
X
X
X
X
X
*
X
o
X
0
X
o
X
X
U E
G-D
F
3 0
0 5
0
X
X
X
X
*
X
o
X
X
0
X
o
o
o
X
0
X
X
X
*
o
*
0
0
X
X
*
*
*
X
X
X
X
o
X
X
X
X
0
o
0
o
0
X
S 0
E C
Pm
1
0 1
6 0
X
0
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
*
*
*
0
X
X
0
X
0
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
KEY: X = > 5 mg/1
4-5 mg/1
2-4 mg/1 - = 0-2 mg/1
34
-------
reaeration, and sediment oxygen demand caused by factors
such as microbial degradation of organic materials and
benthic organism respiration. Values usually improve later
in the season when storms and/or increased winds aid
reaeration.
Figures 13 and 14 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 13, the dissolved oxygen values increase
with increasing distance offshore. This trend has been
documented since 1979. Figure 14, shows the reverse was
true for the southern perpendiculars; dissolved oxygen
decreased with increasing distance offshore. The southern
perpendiculars have not demonstrated any consistent trend
over the years with respect to dissolved oxygen
distribution and distance offshore. The lower dissolved
oxygen values found at the northern nearshore stations have
been attributed to the influence of river discharges,
treatment plant effluents, stormwater runoff, benthic
oxygen demand from inlet dredged material disposal sites,
and the Hudson-Raritan River Estuary system.
Dissolved Oxygen Trends
Figures 15 and 16 compare the dissolved oxygen trends
for 1987-1991, for the northern and southern New Jersey
perpendicular stations, respectively. Figure 15 shows that
35
-------
10
o
o
LU
O
V)
O
MAY
FIGURE 13
D = 1 MILE
0=3 MILES
A = 5 MILES
+ = 7 MILES
x = 9 MILES
A
V
JUN
• JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
SHORE-TO-SEAWARD DISTRIBUTION OF BOTTOM DISSOLVED
OXYGEN, 1991. SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES OF ALL NORTHERN
PERPENDICULAR STATIONS (JC14-JC53), AT FIXED
DISTANCES FROM SHORE.
36
-------
10
I
s
o
LiJ
O
U}
O
MAY
FIGURE 14
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
D = 1 MILE
0=3 MILES
A = 5 MILES
+ = 7 MILES
x = 9 MILES
NOV
DEC
SHORE-TO-SEAWARD DISTRIBUTION OF BOTTOM DISSOLVED
OXYGEN. 1991. SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES OF ALL SOUTHERN
PERPENDICULAR STATIONS (JC61-JC85), AT FIXED
DISTANCES FROM SHORE.
37
-------
averages along the northern perpendiculars tended to
fluctuate up and down through the summers, as evidenced by
the occurrence of "double minimas." Overall, 1990 had the
lowest average dissolved oxygen values over the past five
years, while 1987 had the highest. As previously
discussed, dissolved oxygen concentrations have gradually
decreased since 1987, but prolonged periods of depressed
levels have not occurred since 1985.
Along the southern perpendiculars the average
dissolved oxygen concentrations were generally lower in
1990 and 1991 as compared to the previous three years,
Figure 16. Values observed from mid July until mid
September were fairly similar in 1991 and 1990, and lower
than the previous three years during the same time period.
Pronounced "double minimas" were observed in 1987 and 1990.
Figure 17 shows a five year comparison of the
semimonthly averages for the New York Bight Apex stations
for the years 1987-1991. The average dissolved oxygen
concentrations remained above 4 mg/1 throughout the five
year period. Similar to the northern perpendiculars, the
highest dissolved oxygen averages in the Apex occurred in
1987. Pronounced dissolved oxygen "double minimas" were
observed in 1987, 1988, and 1989. Generally, the dissolved
oxygen averages in 1990 and 1991 are approximately 1-2 mg/1
lower than the dissolved oxygen averages in 1987 and 1988.
Figures 18, 19 and 20 display the five year dissolved
oxygen arithmetic mean of all semimonthly averages for the
38
-------
10
1.
o
O
10
MAY
FIGURE 15
••o-
o = 1987
o = 1988
A = 1989
+ = 1990
x = 1991
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY COAST BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN
1987-1991 COMPARISON. SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES OF ALL
JC14-JC53 PERPENDICULAR STATIONS.
DEC
39
-------
10
2 6
I,
o 5
2
O
<£>
o
FIGURE 16
o = 1987
o = 1988
A = 1989
+ = 1990
x = 1991
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY COAST BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN
1987-1991 COMPARISON. SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES OF ALL
JC61-JC85 PERPENDICULAR STATIONS.
40
-------
10
o
o
UJ
>,
t/3
o
FIGURE 17
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NEW YORK BIGHT BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN, 1987-1991
COMPARISON. SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES OF ALL NEW YORK
BIGHT STATIONS.
D = 1987
o = 1988
A = 1989
+ = 1990
x = 1991
NOV
DEC
41
-------
northern New Jersey, southern New Jersey and New York Bight
perpendicular stations, respectively. The general trend
for these areas followed a similar pattern. Dissolved
oxygen levels were fairly high in late spring, and for the
past five years averaged between 7 and 8 mg/1. As the
seasons progressed, dissolved oxygen gradually began to
decline. Generally, lows were reached sometime in August.
Averaged values for the past five years show the lows did
not drop below 5 mg/1. Levels began to recover in
September. Complete reoxygenation probably occurred by
late October or November as cooler weather and storm events
broke down the thermocline. Figure 19 shows that the
dissolved oxygen sag curve for the southern perpendiculars
most closely followed the general pattern for the northeast
United States, as shown in Figure 9. The graph for the
northern perpendiculars, Figure 18, shows a similar pattern
however, averages leveled off for a period before
increasing at the end of the summer. Figure 20 shows there
was more fluctuation in average dissolved oxygen values,
over the past five years, in the Bight. This was possibly
due to localized storm events through the summer periods.
Figure 21 illustrates the percent of bottom dissolved
oxygen values less than 4 mg/1 from 1981 - 1991. Depressed
levels tended to fluctuate greatly, year to year, from 1981
through 1986. In terms of hypoxia, 1985 was the worst year
since 1976. In 1985, an estimated 1600 square miles of
ocean off the New Jersey coast had stressful dissolved
42
-------
10
S
o
(/I
O
FIGURE 18
D = FIVE YEAR AVERAGE
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY COAST BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN,
FIVE YEAR AVERAGE OF THE INDIVIDUAL SEMIMONTHLY
AVERAGES, 1987 TO 1991.
43
-------
10
I
x
o
o
t/J
o
FIGURE 19
D = 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, 1987 TO 1991.
44
-------
10
3, 6
1
i 5
o
=
FIGURE 20
o = FIVE YEAR AVERAGE
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
NEW YORK BIGHT BOTTOM DISSOLVED OXYGEN, FIVE YEAR
AVERAGE OF THE INDIVIDUAL SEMIMONTHLY AVERAGES,
1987 TO 1991.
45
-------
PERCENT OF BOTTOM DO VALUES BELOW 4mg/I
OFF THE tU COAST OVER THE LAST 11 YEAFB
20 -
1D -
FIGURE 21
1981 | 1983 I 1985 | 1987 | 1999 | 1991
1982 1984 1986 1888 1990
Yoar
oxygen conditions for extended periods of time. Conditions
dramatically improved after 1985. Dissolved oxygen levels
were highest in 1987. Since 1987 the percentage of low
values has gradually increased, but the fluctuation from
year to year has been less severe than the 1981-1986
period. Most low values have generally occurred during
August. These depressed levels, with the exception of
1985, did not persist over prolonged periods.
The dissolved oxygen trend graphs for the New Jersey
perpendicular stations and the New York Bight Apex
stations, show slightly lower dissolved oxygen
concentrations in 1990 and 1991 compared to previous years.
These depressed levels occurred in specific isolated areas
46
-------
and did not remain low for extended periods of time. The
low dissolved oxygen in certain areas of the Bight is
attributed to the combined effects of the respiration of
organisms in organic-rich sediments, the decomposition of
organic materials and dead algal blooms which occur in the
nutrient-rich areas of the Bight, thermal water column
stratification, and no vertical mixing due to a lack of
storm activity. The dissolved oxygen levels increased
considerably in mid September during periods of high winds,
cooler temperatures and local storms.
47
-------
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. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection,
"Operation Clean Shores 1990 Update", 1991.
5. 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
Report—1988, NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/NEC-67,
July 1989.
6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1980", Surveillance and Analysis
Division, Region 2, New York, New York, 1981.
7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1981", Environmental Services
Division, Region 2, New York, New York, 1982.
8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1982", Environmental Services
Division, Region 2, Edison, New Jersey, 1983.
9. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1983", Environmental Services
Division, Region 2, Edison, New Jersey, 1984.
10. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1984", Environmental Services
Division, Region 2, Edison, New Jersey, 1985.
11. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1985", Environmental Services
Division, Region 2, Edison, New Jersey, August 1986.
48
-------
12. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1986", Environmental Services
Division, Region 2, Edison, New Jersey, July 1987.
13. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1987", Environmental Services
Division, Region 2, Edison, New Jersey, July 1988.
14. 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.
15. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1988", Environmental Services /'
Division, Region 2, Edison, New Jersey, July 1989.
16. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "New York Bight
Water Quality Summer of 1989", Environmental Services
Division, Region 2, Edison, New Jersey, August 1990.
17. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Assessment of the
Floatables Action Plan for 1991", Water Management Division,
Region 2, New York, New York, March 1992.
49
-------
APPENDIX A
Weekly Floatables Observations
Summer 1991
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables on
May 15-May 31. . » -
Slicks requiring clean-up were reported on the following days:
May 15, May 17, May 21, May 28, May 29 and May 31. The Army
Corps of Engineers was notified and clean-ups were conducted.
On May 29 and May 30 debris was reported to have washed up on
Monmouth County beaches. The debris consisted of plastics,
wood and vegetation. Observations made on May 29 and May 30
by both EPA helicopters noted the presence of dispersed
materials and algal foam, but no significant slicks were
observed in these areas.
On May 31, a slick was observed from Long Branch to Monmouth
Beach. The slick was approximately 1-2 miles long and 10-15
feet wide. It consisted primarily of reeds and household
debris (plastics and paper) and was moderate in density. The
slick was approximately 100-200 yards offshore, but also in
the surf zone in some areas. The information was reported to
the NY office.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of six times during the period of May 31 through June 6.
The New York Harbor was clear of significant floatables on June
1, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
A moderate to heavy slick was reported in the Newark Bay on May
31. Also on May 31, a light density slick was reported in the
Lower New York Harbor, and a moderate slick was reported in the
Arthur Kill. The slicks primarily consisted of reeds, plastics,
large wood, oil, and tires.
On June 3 Belmar beach was reported closed between the hours of
1-5 PM due to washups of timber and construction debris. Also on
June 3 sporadic reportings of washups of syringes and crack vials
were reported on the Jersey Shore at Belmar, Manasquan, Asbury
Park, Long Beach Island, and several places in Ocean County.
On June 5, dispersed floatables were reported off the Jersey
Shore between Sea Bright and Long Beach Island. The floatables
were mostly plastics, but timbers, tires, wood crates, cardboard
and paper were also present. A stuffed white humanoid dummy was
reported floating in the water off Island Beach State Park. The
dummy was supported by four green garbage bags which were filled
with an unknown material. Also along Island Beach State Park,
two tires and several heavy timbers were reported.
On June 6, several washups, consisting of mostly timber, were
reported on Long Beach Island. There were also a few grease
balls and some trash mixed in with the timber. A cleanup was
being conducted as of June 7 by Operation Clean Shores.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of six tines during the period of June 7 through June 14.
The New York Harbor was clear of significant floatables on June 7,
8, and 11.
On June 10, a heavy slick was reported in both the Newark Bay and
the Upper NY Harbor. A medium slick was reported in the Lower NY
Harbor and the Arthur Kill, on June 12. Also on June 12, a heavy
slick was spotted in the Kill Van Kull.
On June 13, dispersed wood at Bergen Point was reported, and the
Lower NY Harbor a large slick was reported 300 yards long and 20
feet wide which was mostly household debris, plastics, paper and,
wood.
On June 14, Newark Bay reported a slick that was 1/4 to 1/2 miles
long and 10 to 20 feet wide that included wood, reeds, and scum.
West of Governor's Island there was reported a moderate slick that
was 500 to 600 yards in length and 5 to 10 feet wide which
included wood and plastics.
All floatable debris was reported to the Army Corps of Engineers
and cleanups were conducted as necessary.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of seven times during the period of June 15 through June 21.
The New York Harbor Complex was clear of significant floatable
debris on June 18, 19, and 21.
Several heavy slicks were reported in the New York Harbor Complex
on June 15. A heavy slick was reported in Newark Bay, the Kill
Van Kull, and the Lower NY Harbor, all consisting mainly of
plastic, paper, and wood. A light to medium slick was also
reported in the Upper NY Harbor, consisting of plastic, paper,
reeds, styrofoam, and wood.
An extra overflight of the New York Harbor Complex was executed
on Sunday June 16, due to the fact that NJDEP was unable to fly.
Two medium density slicks were found in the Harbor Complex. One
was reported in the Lower NY Harbor and the other in the Kill Van
Kull. Both were composed of mostly wood, paper, and plastics.
On June 17, a heavy slick was reported in Gravesend Bay along the
Belt Parkway. The slick began at the Verrazano Narrows Bridge
and continued for approximately 2 1/2 miles until dissipating.
It was located about 500 ft. offshore and consisted of paper,
plastic, timbers, and several tires.
On June 20, a medium slick was reported in the NY Harbor,
extending from south of Governor's Island to the Narrows. The
slick consisted of timbers, plastic, paper, and reeds.
During floatable surveillance on June 21, the helicopter crew
received a radio message that there was a slick at the Verrazano
Narrows Bridge, which continued for 2 miles out into the Lower
Harbor. Upon proceeding to the area, no slick was visible; a
sweep of the area only revealed scattered floatables. This
information was reported to the NY office.
Scattered floatables were reported five to ten miles off of the
New Jersey coast from Barnegat to Strathmere on June 21.
All floatables were reported to the Army Corps of Engineers and
cleanups were conducted as necessary.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of five times during the period of June 22 - June 28, 1991.
There was no Harbor Overflight on June 24, because the helicopter
was down for maintenance.
The Harbor was clear of significant floatables on June 22 and 25.
On June 26, a light to moderate density slick was reported in the
Upper NY Harbor. It consisted of scum, vegetation, wood, paper,
plastic, and an orange and white construction barrel. The slick
was located approximately one half mile north of the Verrazanno
Narrows Bridge.
A small, light density slick was reported on June 27 in the
Narrows. The slick consisted of scum, reeds, and plastics. It
was located north of the Verrazanno Narrows Bridge, on the
Brooklyn side.
On June 28, a light to moderate slick was reported in the Upper
NY Harbor. The slick was approximately 500 to 600 yards in
length.
All floatables were reported to the Army Corps of Engineers and
cleanups were conducted as necessary.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of five times during the period of July 6 - July 12, 1991.
The NY Harbor was clear of significant floatables on July 6 and
July 10.
On July 8, a small slick was reported in the Upper NY Harbor.
The slick was approximately 30 feet wide and one mile long. It
consisted of plastics, paper, timber, and tires.
A moderate slick was reported on July 9 in the Narrows. The
slick was approximately 100 feet wide and 200 feet long. It
consisted of plastics and paper.
On July 11, a moderate slick was reported in the Upper NY Harbor.
The slick was approximately 300 to 400 yards in length and 10
feet wide and consisted of plastics, paper, and reeds.
A small to moderate slick was also reported in Newark Bay on the
same day. The slick was approximately 100 feet by 100 feet.
There were dense patches of large wood pieces, plastics, reeds,
and paper throughout the slick.
On July 12, a light slick was reported in the Upper NY Harbor.
The slick was approximately one half to one mile long. The slick
consisted of wood and plastics. A small slick was also reported
in Newark Bay on the same day. The slick was approximately one
to one and a half miles long. The slick consisted of wood,
plastics, and reeds.
All floatables were reported to the Army Corps of Engineers and
cleanups were conducted as necessary.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of six times during the period of July 13 - July 19, 1991.
The NY Harbor was clear of significant floatables on July 13, 14,
16, 17, and 18.
On July 15 a small slick was reported in Newark Bay. The slick
contained reeds, wood and plastic. Also a slick was reported in
the Kill Van Kull. it consisted of large pieces of wood, tires,
scum and plastic.
On July 19 a small, highly dense patch of wood was reported in
the Kill Van Kull.
All floatables were reported to the Army Corps of Engineers and
cleanups were conducted as necessary.
A special overflight was conducted on July 19 to look for
floatable debris along the Long Island coastal waters. Two dozen
syringes washed up on Rockaway Beach on July 17 and eleven
syringes and .crack vials washed ashore on Suffolk County beaches
on July 18. No floatables were observed in the water. The area
covered was from Rockaway Point to Great South Beach.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of four times during the period of July 20 - July 26, 1991.
The New York Harbor Complex was not monitored on July 25 and 26
due to helicopter mechanical repairs and unsafe weather
conditions.
The NY Harbor was clear of significant floatables on July 20, 22,
23 and 24.
On July 24, a light density slick was observed north of the
Verrazano Bridge. The slick was approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of a
mile long and consisted of some wood, leaves, and plastic. All
information was telephoned into the New York office for
appropiate action.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of six times during the period of July 27 - August 2, 1991.
The NY Harbor was clear of significant floatables on July 30 and
August 2.
On July 27f a light density slick was reported in Newark Bay.
The slick consisted of wood, reeds, and plastic. Two slicks were
reported in Newark Bay on July 29: a light slick, consisting of
reeds and plastic; and a moderate slick, consisting of large
wood, reeds, and plastic. Also on July 29 a large patch of reeds
and plastic was observed in the Upper NY Harbor.
A moderate density slick, consisting of oil, paper and plastic,
was reported in the Narrows on July 31. On August 1 four slicks
were reported. Two light slicks were reported in the Upper NY
Harbor, a .light slick was reported in the Arthur Kill and a
moderate slick was reported in the Lower NY Harbor/Narrows. All
slicks consisted mostly of paper and plastics with some timbers
and tires scattered throughout.
The NJDEP reported large wood and trash washing up on Sandy Hook
beach, on July 28. Also on July 28, a large amount of eel grass
was reported on Long Beach Island beaches. No beaches were
closed due to these occurrences.
All floatables were reported to the Army Corps of Engineers and
cleanups were conducted as deemed necessary.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of six times during the period of August 3 - August 9, 1991.
The NY Harbor was clear of significant floatables on August 4, 5,
and August 8.
On August 3, a light density slick was reported in the Upper NY
Harbor approximately 2 miles long consisting of paper, plastics,
and scum.
On August 7, two light density slicks were reported in the Upper
NY Harbor one slick was approximately 500 yards long and 10 to 20
feet wide, and the second slick was 100 yards long and 100 yards
wide. Both consisted of plastics, debris, and scattered timbers.
A medium density slick, approximately three miles long, was
reported on August 9, in the Lower NY Harbor. It consisted of
wood, household debris, and reeds.
On August 8, the Clean Waters was used to inspect the marine
transfer stations along the west side of lower Manhattan.
All floatables were reported to the Army Corps of Engineers and
cleanups were conducted as necessary.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of five times during the period of August 10 through August 16.
The New York Harbor was clear of significant floatables on
August 12 and 16. The August 15 overflight was canceled due to
poor weather conditions. i
A large slick was reported in Newark Bay on August 10. The slick
extended from the marina in Bayonne, northwest across the bay.
Estimated width was 10-30 feet. The slick consisted of paper,
plastics and wood debris. A large patch, approximately 200 x 200
feet, of similar materials was observed in lower Newark Bay.
On August 11, dense materials were observed in Newark Bay between
buoys 2 and 4, east to the shoreline. Debris consisted of paper,
plastics, timbers and tires.
A moderate density slick was reported in Newark Bay on August 13.
It was located north of buoy 7, off Port Newark and ran south to
Bergen Point. The slick was approximately 1 mile long and 10-20
feet wide. It consisted of wood, plastics and vegetation.
On August 14 a moderate density patch was observed approximately
1/4 mile north of the Verrazano Bridge (Brooklyn side). The
patch was approximately 30 x 30 feet and consisted of wood, scum,
paper and plastics.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of five times during the period of August 17 - August 23, 1991.
The NY Harbor was clear of significant floatables on August 17,
20 and 23.
On August 21, a small dense slick was reported in the Arthur
Kill. The slick consisted pf wood, vegetation and plastic and
was approximately 50 feet x 200 feet. A light density slick was
observed in the Upper Harbor. The slick was approximately 20
feet x 500 feet and consisted of plastics and small timbers.
A dense slick was reported on August 22 in the Narrows. It was
located 1/2 mile west of the Navy Pier on the Staten Island side.
The slick consisted of timbers, plastics and vegetation; and was
approximately 50 feet x 1000 feet.
On August 23, a moderate density patch of floatables, consisting
of household debris, was observed 1 mile north of the Verrazano
Narrows Bridge.
All floatables were reported to the Army Corps of Engineers and
cleanups were conducted as necessary.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of five times during the period of August 24 - August 29, 1991.
The NY Harbor was clear of significant floatables on August 24,
28 and 29.
On August 26, a medium density slick was reported in the Upper
Harbor, 2 miles north of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. The slick
was approximately 25 feet x 200 feet.
A light density slick was reported on August 27, by the fort at
Governors Island. The slick consisted of small timbers, a
plastic drum, plastics and a tire. It was approximately 20 feet
x 200 feet.
All floatables were reported to the Army Corps of Engineers and
cleanups were conducted as necessary.
-------
Floatables
The New York Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables a total
of five times during the period of August 30 - September 5, 1991.
The NY Harbor was clear of significant floatables on August 31,
September 3, 4 and 5.
On August 30, a medium density slick was reported in the Lower
Harbor, south of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge off Brooklyn. The
slick was approximately 30 feet wide and 1/4 to 1/2 mile long.
All floatables were reported to the Army Corps of Engineers and
cleanups were conducted as necessary.
-------
APPENDIX B
Microbiological Water Quality
New York Bight
Summer 1991
-------
Introduction
A study of the density* of fecal coliform and enterococcus
organisms was conducted in 1991 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
aeruqinosa. Klebsiella. Salmonella, and Shicrella 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 roost 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:
Enterococcus faecalis; Enterococcus faecalis. subspecies
liquefaciens? Enterococcus faecalis. subspecies zymogenes; and
Enterococcus faecium. Enterococcus faecalis. one of the group D
streptoccal species, grows in broth containing 6.5% NaCl,
hydrolyzes arginine and utilizes pyruvate (2-4). Enterococcus
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.
Enterococcus durans is located occasionally, and Streptococcus
equinus is found rarely (5).
The taxonomy and nomenclature of the streptococci have undergone
major changes over the past few years. Primarily on the basis of
the results of DNA-DNA hybridization studies two new genera,
Enterococcus and Lactococcus have been proposed to accommodate
the fecal group D and lactic group N streptococci respectively
(15).
-------
-3-
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).
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.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A Pathogenic Indicator Bacteria
Pseudomonas aeruqinosa is a non-fermentive gram negative aerobic
bacillus capable of producing water soluble pigments. It is one
of the species of Pseudomonas that is pathogenic for man. The
pathogenesis of the Pseudomonas disease is complex and involves a
number of extracellular bacterial products, among which is an
exotoxin. The pathogenicity in man is more or less determined by
the patient's state of resistance. Severe infections can occur
in the compromised host. The organism has been implicated in
infected wounds, urinary infections, eye infections and otitis
externa among swimmers. It has also been known to cause
gastroenteritis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been isolated from
over 90% of samples of sewage, and from 11% of human fecal
specimens (7).
Materials and Methods
Marine water samples were collected by helicopter from May to
September 1991. 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.
-------
-4-
EPA-600/8-78-017, 1978.
Pseudomonas aeruqinosa determinations were conducted according to
the membrane filter procedures described in Standard Methods,
17th edition, 1989, and the formulation described by Brodsky &
Cebin (14).
Of the three fluorescent species associated with man, Pseudomonas
aeruqinosa. Pseudomonas fluorescence and Pseudomonas putida.
Pseudomonas aeruqinosa is considered the primary pathogen and
consequently its differential recognition is important (11).
Levin & Cabelli (12) devised M-PA Agar as a selective membrane
filter medium for the isolation of Pseudomonas aeruqinosa. A
further modification was made by Dutka and Kuan (13), and
designated M-PA-B. Brodsky & Ciebin (14), made some additional
changes and enhanced the recovery to further selectively isolate
these organisms and quantitatively recover Pseudomonas aeruqinosa
within 24 hours. Our laboratory undertook the initiative to test
this ability to recover Pseudomonas aeruqinosa using M-PA-C from
the marine environment.
Results and Discussion
Fecal Coliform - New Jersey
Along the New Jersey Coast, fecal coliform densities equal to or
greater than 50/100 ml occurred on five occasions at station JC-
26 (Shark River Inlet). JC-36 (Manasquan Inlet, off of Third
Avenue), JC-37 (Point Pleasant, south of Manasquan Inlet), JC-92
(Hereford Inlet), and JC-96 (Cape May Inlet) (Tables 1 & 2 and
Figure 1).
Fecal Coliform - Long Island
Fecal coliform densities greater than 50/100 ml occurred on three
occasions (Table 3 & 4 and Figure 2) at station LIC-05 (Far
Rockaway, off the foot of B41 Road), LIC-12 (Short Beach (Jones
Beach) off West End 2 Parking Lot), and LIC-23 (Moriches Inlet
West).
Enterococci - New Jersey
Enterococci densities exceeding the standard of 35/100 ml (10)
(Tables 5 & 6 and Figure 3) were observed on two occasions at
station JC-92 and JC-96.
-------
-5-
Enterococci - Long Island
Enterococci densities exceeding the standard of 35/100 ml (Tables
7 & 8, Figure 4) were observed on six occasions at station LIC-03
(Rockaway, off the foot of B129 Road), LIC-04 (Rockaway off the
foot of B92 Road), LIC-10 (Point Lookout, off of Hempstead public
beach), LIC-12, LIC-13 (Jones Beach), and LIC-17 (Robert Moses
State Park).
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 2.
Geometric mean densities for enterococci' along the New Jersey and
Long Island Coastal Stations were some what lower. These
profiles are visually evident in Figures 3 and 4.
Numerous studies addressing the disappearance of fecal coliform
and enterococci in marine waters show extremely varied results.
Bacterial survival is affected by numerous physical and
biological parameters (16).
Cabelli, V. J. et al (17) suggested that Pseudomonas aeruqinosa
has advantages over coliforms as a fecal pollution indicator
because it is primarily associated with human feces and has
better survival characteristics than the coliform groups.
Pseudomonas aeruqinosa when used in conjunction with fecal
coliform could be valuable in developing standards for detecting
low pollution levels.
Tables 9 & 10 and Figure 5 illustrate the mean comparative
densities of Pseudomonas aeruqinosa isolated along the New Jersey
Coast. It is quite clear from the data presented that these
organisms were isolated in spite of the fact that fecal coliform
and enterococci were not present on dates the samples were
collected (Table 10).
Along the New Jersey coast 17.8% of the samples analyzed for
Pseudomonas aeruginosa were positive.
Tables 11 & 12 and Figure 6 also illustrate and compares the mean
comparative densities of Pseudomonas aeruqinosa isolated along
the Long Island Coast.
Along the Long Island coast 14.0% of the samples analyzed for
Pseudomonas aeruqinosa were positive.
-------
-6-
The Pseduomonas results observed during this sampling season
suggest that this organism may be a more appropriate indicator of
pollution than the traditional indicators in marine waters where
fecal coliform and enterococci densities were not evident.
Future research needs to be conducted using this organism and a
water quality standard developed.
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.
-------
-7-
11. Brodsky, M.A. 1973. Rapid Method for the Detection of
Pseudomonas aeruainosa on MacConkey Agar Under Ultraviolet
Light. Appl. Microbiol. 26:219-220.
12. Levin, M.A. & V.J. Cabelli. 1972. Membrane Filter Technique
for Enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruqinosa. Appl. Microbiol.
24:864-870.
13. Dutka, B.J. & K.K. Kwan. 1977. Confirmation of the Single-
step Membrane Filtration Procedure for Estimating
Pseudomonas aeruqinosa Densities in Water. Appl. Environ.
Microbiol. 33:240-245.
14. Brodsky, M.H. & C.B. Ciebin. 1978. Improved Medium for
Recovery and Enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruqinos From Water
Using Membrane Filters. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 36:36-
42.
15. Schleifer, K.H. 1984. Transfer of Streptococcus faecalis
and Streptococcus faecium to the genus Enterococcis nom.
rev. as Enterococcus faecalis comb. nov. and Enterococcus
faecium. Comb. nov. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriolog 34:31-34
16. Bonnefont, Y.P. et al. 1990. Experimental Studies on the
Survival of Fecal Bacteria from Urban Sewage in Seawater
Wat. Res. 24:267-273.
17. Cabelli, V.J. et al. 1976 Pseudomonas aeruqinosa Fecal
Coliform Relationships in Estuarine and Fresh Recreational
Waters. J. Water Pollution Control Federation. 48:367-376.
-------
OBS
TABLE 1
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF FECAL COLIFORM DENSITIES
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
STATION
MEAN
MINIMUM MAXIMUM
N
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
01A
03
05
08
11
13
14
21
24
26
27
30
33
35
36
37
41
44
47A
49
53
55
57
59
61
63
65
67
69
73
74
75
77
79
81
83
85
87
89
91
92
93
95
96
97
99
1.0548
1.1125
1.4251
1.4452
1.3469
2.1559
1.9037
1.5484
1.4066
2.4126
2.0900
1.4776
1.4061
1.2990
3.0154
1.6749
1.2490
1.2490
1.1125
1.1938
1.8582
1.1125
1.3511
1.1225
1.5651
1.1225
1.0650
1.1769
1.1050
1.3538
1.8926
1.5386
1.3277
1.5280
1.2211
1.2211
1.2081
1.0650
1.1769
1.3350
10.3140
1.7866
1.3351
2.7620
1.3350
1.7952
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
10
20
8
12
22
7
10
680
11
10
7
5
116
204
6
3
2
5
35
4
10
4
9
2
2
6
3
7
31
11
5
9
9
3
4
2
6
12
320
37
18
76
12
26
13
13
13
13
13
12
13
13
12
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
12
12
12
11
11
11
11
11
12
12
12
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
10
10
11
11
-------
TABLE 2
FECAL COLIFORM DENSITIES > 50 PER 100 ML
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
OBS STATION DATE VALUE
1 JC 26 08/21/91 680
2 JC 36 08/21/91 116
3 JC 37 08/21/91 204
4 JC 92 07/03/91 320
5 JC 96 08/21/91 76
-------
FIGURE 1
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF FECAL COL1FORM DENSITIES
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
,A
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eeaei i i e c e a
I CI.Cl.Cl.C(.C>. CCCCCCCCCLCCCC
331<'«'<55S566O6
-------
TABLE 3
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF FECAL COLIFORM DENSITIES
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
DBS STATION MEAN MINIMUM MAXIMUM N
11 14
12 14
13 14
12 14
56 14
2 14
13 14
10 14
8 14
57 14
8 14
5 14
2 14
17 13
9 13
23 12
12 12
13 12
19 12
16 12
84 11
1 11
15 11
6 11
2 11
32 11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
01
02
03
04
05
07
08
09
10
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
1.
1.
2.
1.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
1.
86878
62088
02033
47916
49859
05076
26203
50987
50987
83176
28089
17877
10409
08328
18414
29861
23008
23831
27809
25992
65314
00000
27914
25345
13431
37035
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-------
TABLE 4
FECAL COLIFORM DENSITIES > 50 PER 100ML
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
OBS STATION DATE VALUE
1 LIC 05 07/30/91 56
2 LIC 12 08/13/91 57
3 LIC 23 07/30/91 84
-------
FIGURE 2
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF FECAL COLIFORM DENSITIES
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
L
I
1
*•
I
I
•*- *• '
X
I
I
-^ * ft-
i i <
i i i
i i
i i
— -ft * W ' -n —
i i i I I
i i i i t
— « 1, a —
i i e
i e a
-fl o —
4 S 6
W ^
r 8
s 1 n nuns
D D D noxinun
-------
TABLE 5
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF ENTEROCOCCUS DENSITIES
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
OBS STATION MEAN MINIMUM MAXIMUM N
0 3 13
0 4 13
0 1 13
0 1 13
0 3 13
0 6 12
0 5 13
0 2 13
0 5 12
0 2 13
0 9 13
0 3 13
0 6 13
0 1 13
0 20 13
0 5 13
0 1 13
0 8 13
0 4 13
0 1 13
0 3 13
0 1 13
0 2 13
0 1 12
0 6 12
0 4 12
0 1 11
0 4 11
0 6 10
0 1 10
0 3 10
0 4 11
0 1 11
0 1 11
0 4 11
0 1 11
0 1 11
0 2 11
0 1 11
0 1 11
0 36 11
0 3 11
0 2 10
0 68 10
0 1 11
0 3 11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
JC
01A
03
05
08
11
13
14
21
24
26
27
30
33
35
36
37
41
44
47A
49
53
55
57
59
61
63
65
67
69
73
74
75
77
79
81
83
85
87
89
91
92
93
95
96
97
99
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
.08818
.11253
.00000
.00000
.21064
.45497
.29905
.05477
.14353
.05477
.35913
.14778
.14778
.00000
.98024
.25916
.00000
.23773
.11253
.00000
.18414
.00000
.05477
.00000
.16104
.12246
.00000
.13431
.19623
.00000
.24573
.20809
.00000
.00000
.13431
.00000
.00000
.06504
.00000
.00000
.62231
.10503
.07177
.49956
.00000
.25345
-------
TABLE 6
ENTEROCOCCUS DENSITIES > 35 PER 100 ML
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
OBS STATION DATE VALUE
1 JC 92 07/03/91 36
2 JC 96 07/10/91 68
-------
FIGURE 3
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF ENTEROCOCCUS DENSITIES
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
o so
Q
\ / \ Q / X
r~&—*—t^&^^Qd—*—»-y—
e c c c
o e e o
i ? » e
i i
I 3
z e
« «
c c i: c c
33334
3 S 6 T 1
SIB i ions
B-Q-Q
-------
TABLE 7
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF ENTEROCOCCUS DENSITIES
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
OBS STATION MEAN MINIMUM MAXIMUM N
1 LIC 01 1.16013 0 8 14
2 LIC 02 1.16013 0 4 14
3 LIC 03 1.59991 0 40 14
4 LIC 04 2.10148 0 260 14
5 LIC 05 1.47916 0 10 14
6 LIC 07 1.00000 0 1 14
7 LIC 08 1.05076 0 2 14
8 LIC 09 1.00000 0 1 14
9 LIC 10 1.95031 0 60 14
10 LIC 12 1.66402 0 104 14
11 LIC 13 1.38950 0 100 14
12 LIC 14 1.21901 0 16 14
13 LIC 15 1.47189 0 14 14
14 LIC 16 1.05477 0 2 13
15 LIC 17 1.48581 0 43 13
16 LIC 18 1.54980 0 24 12
17 LIC 19 1.30322 0 12 12
18 LIC 20 1.16104 0 3 12
19 LIC 21 1.38071 0 24 12
20 LIC 22 1.28357 0 20 12
21 LIC 23 1.00000 0 1 11
22 LIC 24 1.26261 0 13 11
23 LIC 25 1.00000 0 1 11
24 LIC 26 1.39843 0 20 11
25 LIC 27 1.50079 0 29 11
26 LIC 28 1.13431 0 4 11
-------
TABLE 8
ENTEROCOCCUS DENSITIES > 35 PER 100ML
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
OBS STATION DATE VALUE
1 LIC 03 07/09/91 40
2 LIC 04 07/09/91 260
3 LIC 10 07/09/91 60
4 LIC 12 07/09/91 104
5 LIC 13 07/09/91 100
6 LIC 17 06/11/91 43
-------
FIGURE 4
GEOMETRIC MEANS OF ENTEROCOCCUS DENSITIES
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
a f a —
I I l
O "O~Q nn
-------
TABLE 9
SIMPLE MEANS
PSEUDOMONAS, FECAL COLIFORM, ENTEROCOCCUS
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
OBS STATION PVALMN FVALMN EVALMN PVN FVN EVN
1 JC 01A 2.000 0 0200
2 JC 03 4.000 0 0200
3 JC 05 3.000 0 0200
4 JC 11 48.000 0 0200
5 JC 13 5.000 0 0200
6 JC 14 8.000 0 0200
7 JC 21 22.000 0 0100
8 JC 24 9.000 0 0200
9 JC 26 432.000 0 0100
10 JC 30 6.000 0 0100
11 JC 33 2.000 0 0100
12 JC 35 18.000 0 0200
13 JC 36 36.000 0 0500
14 JC 55 2.000 0 0100
15 JC 61 2.000 0 0 100
16 JC 73 2.000 0 0100
17 JC 74 2.000 0 0100
18 JC 75 5.000 0 0 200
19 JC 77 6.000 0 0100
20 JC 87 2.000 0 0100
21 JC 89 2.000 0 0100
22 JC 91 2.667 0 0300
23 JC 95 2.000 0 0100
24 JC 96 7.333 0 0300
25 JC 97 2.000 0 0100
-------
TABLE 10
MEAN COMPARATIVE DENSITIES
PSEUDOMONAS, FECAL COLIFORM, ENTEROCOCCUS
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
OBS STATION DATE PSEUDO COLIFORM ENTEROC
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
JC 01A
JC 01A
JC 03
JC 03
JC 05
JC 05
JC 11
JC 11
JC 13
JC 13
JC 14
JC 14
JC 21
JC 24
JC 24
JC 26
JC 30
JC 33
JC 35
JC 35
JC 36
JC 36
JC 36
JC 36
JC 36
JC 55
JC 61
JC 73
JC 74
JC 75
JC 75
JC 77
JC 87
JC 89
JC 91
JC 91
JC 91
JC 95
JC 96
JC 96
JC 96
JC 97
07/17/91
08/14/91
08/07/91
08/14/91
08/14/91
08/21/91
08/14/91
08/21/91
07/17/91
08/21/91
08/14/91
08/21/91
08/21/91
08/14/91
08/21/91
08/21/91
07/10/91
07/03/91
07/17/91
08/21/91
07/03/91
07/10/91
07/17/91
08/07/91
08/21/91
08/21/91
08/14/91
08/14/91
07/17/91
07/17/91
08/21/91
08/21/91
07/17/91
08/14/91
08/07/91
08/14/91
08/21/91
08/07/91
07/10/91
08/07/91
08/21/91
08/14/91
2
2
4
4
2
4
4
92
4
6
2
14
22
6
12
432
6
2
4
32
6
20
2
2
150
2
2
2
2
4
6
6
2
2
2
2
4
2
2
4
16
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
- 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-------
FIGURE 5
MEAN COMPARATIVE DENSITIES
PSEUDOMONAS. FECAL COLIFORM, ENTEROCOCCUS
NEW JERSEY COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
DOB CITCROC
-------
TABLE 11
SIMPLE MEANS
PSEUDOMONAS, FECAL COLIFORM, ENTEROCOCCUS
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
OBS STATION PVALMN FVALMN EVALMN
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
LIC
01
02
03
04
05
07
08
10
12
14
15
16
17
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
27
2.
2.
20.
4.
4.
5.
2.
3.
2.
2.
2.
2.
4.
6.
2.
8.
5.
4.
2.
10.
2.
4.
12.
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
0000
6667
0000
0000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-------
TABLE 12
MEAN COMPARATIVE DENSITIES
PSEUDOMONAS, FECAL COLIFORM, ENTEROCOCCUS
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
OBS STATION DATE PSEUDO COLIFORM ENTERO
20 0
20 0
20 0
20 0 0
40 0
20 0
60 0
40 0
60 0
20 0
40 0
20 0
20 0
20 0
20 0
20 0
40 0
60 0
20 0
80 0
2 0 0
80 0
4 0 0
20 0
40 0
16 0 0
20 0
20 0
40 0
60 0
20 0
12 0 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
LIC 01
LIC 02
LIC 02
LIC 03
LIC 04
LIC 05
LIC 05
LIC 07
LIC 07
LIC 08
LIC 10
LIC 10
LIC 12
LIC 14
LIC 15
LIC 16
LIC 17
LIC 19
LIC 20
LIC 21
LIC 22
LIC 22
LIC 23
LIC 24
LIC 25
LIC 25
LIC 26
LIC 26
LIC 26
LIC 27
LIC 27
LIC 28
08/13/91
07/16/91
07/30/91
07/30/91
07/30/91
07/16/91
07/23/91
08/13/91
08/27/91
07/16/91
07/16/91
08/06/91
08/13/91
07/30/91
07/09/91
07/30/91
07/30/91
07/30/91
08/06/91
07/30/91
07/30/91
08/27/91
07/30/91
07/30/91
07/30/91
08/27/91
06/25/91
07/30/91
08/27/91
07/30/91
08/27/91
07/30/91
-------
FIGURE 6
MEAN COMPARATIVE DENSITIES
PSEUDOMONAS. FECAL COLIFORM. ENTEROCOCCUS
LONG ISLAND COAST STATIONS
SUMMER 1991
H-Q-S t n T t
-------
APPENDIX C
Summary of Phytoplankton Blooms and Related Conditions
in New Jersey Coastal Waters
Summer 1991
-------
ANNUAL SUMMARY OF PHYTOPLANKTON BLOOMS
AND RELATED CONDITIONS
IN NEW JERSEY COASTAL WATERS
SUMMER OF 1991
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENERGY
ENFORCEMENT
WATER MONITORING MANAGEMENT
BUREAU OF WATER MONITORING
BIOMONITORING UNIT
-------
ANNUAL SUMMARY OF PHYTOPLANKTON BLOOMS
AND RELATED CONDITIONS
IN NEW JERSEY COASTAL WATERS
SUMMER OF 1991
INTRODUCTION
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy
(DEPE) each summer monitors phytoplankton assemblages and red
tide blooms in its coastal waters and major estuaries with regard
to water quality conditions. This information, obtained
cooperatively with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Region II, is summarized for the 1991 season. These results
complement the dissolved oxygen and sanitary bacteriological data
also gathered during their annual New York Bight Water Quality
Survey [1] and the Coastal Cooperative Monitoring Program (CCMP)
involving DEPE and the shore county health agencies [2].
Routine helicopter surveillance and sample collections in coastal
waters of the New York Bight commenced in 1977 following the
massive offshore Ceratium tripos bloom, which was associated with
oxygen depletion and consequent widespread fish mortalities [3].
Prior to this, beginning in 1973, the NJDEP and the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Sandy Hook Laboratory conducted
an intensive phytoplankton survey of the New Jersey northern
estuarine and coastal area [4]. Red tides caused by a few
species of phytoflagellates have been recurrent in this region
since the early 1960's. The blooms often extended from the
Hudson-Raritan estuary southward along the N.J. coast, sometimes
as far as Shark River or beyond. The blooms have been associated
with hypertrophication in the region [5]. Adverse effects were
usually only aesthetic in nature, albeit occasional fish kills
via hypoxia or complaints by bathers of minor irritation did
occur. Gonyaulax tamarensis. causative species of paralytic
shellfish poisoning within the northwestern Atlantic region, has
been found in New Jersey, but only in very low concentrations. A
history of bloom events in New Jersey waters, and the
phytoplankton species involved, is given in previous reports [1].
The dinoflagellate green tides of 1984-85 were the first serious
blooms along the southern New Jersey coast [7]. Also in 1985,
yellowish - brown water caused by the chlorophyte, Nannochloris
atomus, became conspicuous in the Barnegat Bay system and has
recurred each subsequent summer [8]. Following these events,
routine surveillance was expanded southward from Island Beach to
Cape May. In more recent years major phytoflagellate red tides
have been confined primarily to the Hudson-Raritan estuary.
These have usually occurred in early summer followed by blooms of
several diatom species both in the major estuaries (with the
exception of Barnegat Bay) and, to a lesser degree, along the New
Jersey coast [1].
-------
METHODS
The current survey encompasses the entire New Jersey coastal
region including the major estuaries at the northern and southern
extremes. Thirteen stations selected from the USEPA New York
Bight - N.J. beach network (Figure 1) were sampled for
phytoplankton concurrently with bacteriological sampling. In
1991, several locations were changed from those sampled the
previous year: RBI was substituted for RB57; RB51A added as a
routine station; JC13 substituted for JC14; JC67 substituted for
JC65; GE2 added as a routine station; JC81 substituted for JC83;
JC92 substituted for JC91. The Barnegat Bay area again was
sampled as part of a separate study by NJDEPE; these results are
included under stations NM, HP WT and SM (Figure 1, Table 3) in
the present report.
Field collections via helicopter were made as in previous years
by members of the USEPA, Region II Monitoring and Surveillance
Branch (Edison NJ). Sampling frequency was weekly from May to
September, weather and logistics permitting. Samples were taken
at a one meter depth using a Kemmerer sampler. Coastal stations
were sampled just outside the surf zone. Water aliquots for
phytoplankton species composition/chlorophyll a were retained in
brown plastic, 500 ml bottles and stored in an ice chest. If
analyses could not be performed within 24 hours of collection,
samples for species composition were preserved with Lugol's
solution; those for chlorophyll a remained iced, to be analyzed
within 48 hours of collection. All procedures were in accordance
with DEPE standard field methods [9]. Phytoplankton
identification, cell counts, and chlorophyll a analysis were
performed according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the
DEPE Aquatic Biomonitoring Laboratory.
-------
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
1991 Highlights
A chronology of our observations is presented in Table 1.
Major phytoflagellate red tides, as in the past few years, were
confined to the Hudson Raritan estuary. In 1991, however, the
dominant species was Prorocentrum minimum, which had been
subdominant in previous years; Katodinium rotundatum. the
principle red tides species for several years prior, was
conspicuously not abundant in 1991. The P. minimum blooms
occurred somewhat earlier (late May to early June) than the K.
rotundatum blooms of previous years; notably, P. minimum was also
present at other New Jersey locales southward to Cape May. Red
tides of this species have been previously reported in nearby
Long Island (NY) south shore embayments. The Sandy Hook Bay
south shore area again appeared as the focal point, or seed area,
of the bloom(s), with brown floe from algal decomposition evident
in shoreline sections (especially Ideal Beach, Keansburg, to
Atlantic Highlands). In Shark River, extensive red tides have
not been common. Their localized incidence in 1991, however, is
reminiscent of more extensive blooms which occurred in 1968 and a
few subsequent summers in the adjacent coastal waters of Monmouth
County; these were dominated by Prorocentrum micans and were
associated with complaints by bathers of respiratory discomfort.
As occurred the previous few years, following the late spring
phytoflagellate bloom (for the balance of the summer) the
phytoplankton community was dominated by diatoms of several
species, especially Skeletonema costatum. This included the
major estuaries as well as coastal waters. In Barnegat Bay,
however, the chlorophyte Nannochloris atomus continued its
summer-long dominance, reflecting the lack of circulation and
eutrophic condition of this barrier island embayment [8]. In
Delaware Bay, the profusion of species, especially diatoms, was
again apparent; this has been a species assemblage rather
distinct from that characterizing the Hudson-Raritan estuary and
most of the New Jersey coast. Although this is a highly
productive system, phytoplankton blooms in this estuary have been
largely benign, providing sustenance for the viable oyster
fishery in this area.
Phytoplankton Species Composition
A list of major phytoplankton species showing seasonal succession
is presented in Table 2. Species considered dominant occurred
often in cell concentrations greater than 1000/ml; blooms
occurred with densities approaching or exceeding 10,000/ml.
Concentrations of this magnitude tend to impart visible
coloration to the water, i.e. cause "red tide". During the major
bloom in the Hudson-Raritan estuary, maximum counts of P. minimum
in Sandy Hook Bay exceeded 25,000 cells/ml. Maximum diatom
species counts of S. costatum and Chaetoceros sociale in the same
area approached or exceeded 50,000/ml., but without producing
conspicuous coloration. Notably, out of a total of 46 species in
Table 1, 20 (or almost 44%) were diatoms. For Nannochlorisf
because of its minute size (<5 um) the criterion for blooms is an
-------
order of magnitude higher than that for the larger species.
Although N. atomus has been abundant (>100,000 cells/ml) in the
other estuaries and adjacent coastal waters, its maximum
densities in Barnegat Bay (>1,000,000 cells/ml) have well
exceeded those, at times to the virtual exclusion of other
species.
Biomass Measurements
As opposed to species differential cell counts, chlorophyll a
measurements are reflective of total phytoplankton biomass. In
1991, seasonal variation, as well as highest levels, again were
greatest in the major estuaries at northern and southern extremes
of the New Jersey coast (Table 3, Figure 2). This is attributed
in part to tidal fluctuations, but more so to the intense bloom
pulses in these estuaries. Delaware Bay again had the highest
overall value, >80 mg/1 on July 18. During most of summer (the
period of diatom abundance), peak values at coastal stations
occurred simultaneously or soon after blooms in the major
estuaries (Figure 2). Barnegat Bay again sustained moderately
high chlorophyll a levels (10 to >20 mg/1) through most of summer
due to the persistence of N. atomus. Although cell densities have
been considerably greater in Barnegat Bay than in the other
estuaries, the minute size of the dominant species (<5um)
represents considerably less biomass. Mean chlorophyll a levels
for the entire season are shown for each station on Figure 3.
Again the major estuaries exhibited considerably greater values
than the coastal sites, Delaware Bay capeshore (DB1) being the
highest (>40 mg/1). Among the coastal sites, Ocean County
(Island Beach) again exhibited the lowest value, while Monmouth
and Atlantic - Cape May Counties were slightly higher reflecting
the estuarine influence in these areas.
Environmental Factors
Given the ample nutrient supply of the inner New York Bight
[5,10], it is surprising that major phytoflagellate blooms have
not been more frequent in recent years, particularly in coastal
areas (the last being in 1985). For the past few summers, major
red tides have been confined principally to the Hudson-Raritan
estuary; these have occurred primarily in early summer, preceded
and often followed by blooms of diatom species [1]. In view of
the fact that diatoms are normally dominant during the cooler
months, the early to midsummer shift from flagellate to diatom
dominance (as occurred in 1991 and prior years) may have been
weather induced. This is supported by the fact that the same
diatom species were abundant simultaneously in both the estuary
and adjacent coastal waters. The abundance of diatoms in the
bays may reflect a contribution from ocean waters via wind and
tidal currents. The nearshore waters of the New York Bight are
subject to considerably greater turbulence and slower warming.
than the sheltered estuaries and embayments. Sustained
southwesterly or northeasterly winds can promote upwelling or
downwelling (respectively), and thus water column mixing, along
the New Jersey coast [10]. National Weather Service regional
data indicate that conditions such as these have persisted in
varying degrees during the past several summers. Conversely,
flagellate blooms, or red tides, in the coastal waters have
-------
typically developed under conditions of quiescence and warmth,
which promote water column stratification [1,3,7,10]; likewise,
the same conditions have prolonged the blooms in the estuaries
and bays. Current meteorological and oceanographic data (i.e.
wind direction and velocity, precipitation and sunlight, water
column temperature and salinity), thus could aid considerably in
prediction of red tide blooms in areas where they have
historically occurred.
-------
REFERENCES
1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1978-1991
(inclusive). New York Bight water quality, annual reports,
Summers of 1977-1990 (inc.). Region II, Surveillance and
Monitoring Branch, Edison, NJ.
2. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy.
1988-1991 (inc.). The Cooperative Coastal Monitoring
Program, 1987-1990 (inc.), annual reports. Div. of Water
Res. Bur. of Monitoring Mgt. Trenton.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Cohn, M.S., P. Olsen, J.B. Mahoney and E. Feerst. 1988.
Occurrence of the dinoflagellate, Gonyaulax tamarensis.in New
Jersey. Bull. N.J. Acad. Sci. 33:43-49.
7. 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.
8. 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. 189-211.
E.M. Cosper, E.J. Carpenter and V. M. Bricelj eds. Coastal
and Estuarine Studies. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
9. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
1987. Field procedures manual for water data acquisition.
Division of Water Resources., Trenton, 106 pp. and
Appendices.
10. 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, New York, 156 pp.
-------
Figure 1. New Jersey coast station locations,
Sandy Hook to Cape May.
-------
Table 1.
Algal conditions in New Jersey coastal waters, summer of 1991
Dates Locale Observation/Condition
May 20
June 1
Hudson-Raritan estuary
May 29-
June 5
Sandy Hook Bay; NJ
coast to Atlantic
City
Barnegat Bay
June 5
- 12
June 17
Raritan-Sandy Hook
Bay; NJ coast to
Ocean City
Raritan to Sandy
Hook Bay; NJ coast in
Atlantic City area
June 26- Barnegat Bay
July 18
Raritan-Sandy Hook
Bay; Monmouth County
coast
dense red tide of the
dinoflagellate Prorocentrum
minimum; maximum density
25,000 cells/ml in Sandy Hook
Bay south shore; brown floe
formation in latter area
P. minimum bloom peak in
estuary; abundance of the
species in coastal waters
start of annual bloom of the
chlorophyte Nannochloris
atomus; cell densities
> 100,000/ml, chlorophyll a
>15 mg/1
abundance of the diatom
Rhizosolenia delicatula;
maximum 15,000 cells/ml
(bloom) in Sandy Hook Bay,
10,000 along Monmouth
County coast (to JC33)
abundance of the flagellate
Eutreptia lanowii (euglenoid);
bloom (>10,000 cells/ml)
in Raritan Bay
N. atomus bloom peak(s);
maximum approaching
1,000,000 cells/ml,
chlorophyll a > 20 mg/1
in southern portion of bay
(as in previous years)
peak abundance (blooms)
of several diatom species
including Skeletonema costatum.
Chaetoceros sociale.
Thalassiosira nordenskioldii.
Cy1indrotheca closterium; max.
Sandy Hook Bay, chlorophyll a
> 50 mg/1, S. costatum
and C. sociale dominant;
> 50,000 cells/ml each
in
-------
Table 1
Dates
Continued
Locale
Delaware Bay
capeshore area
July 25 - Sandy Hook Bay
August 1 southshore area
(Leonardo- Atlantic
Highlands)
Shark River at the
Plaza (near inlet)
and back bay
August 7 Barnegat Bay
14-21
entire NJ coast
Sept.
7
Raritan-Sandy
Hook Bay
Observation/Condition
peak abundance of several
diatom species: Asterionella
glacialis. C. closterium.
Nitzschia sp., Thalassiosira
spp. and S. costatum; max
chlorophyll a. > 80 mg/1;
S. costatum and Nitzschia sp.
dominant in blooms
(25,000 to 50,000 cells/ml)
dense concentrations (blooms)
of diatoms: T. nordenskioldii
dominant, (50,000 cells /ml)
Chaetoceros sp. and
Leptocy1indrus minimus; brown
floe accumulations near shore
abundance of several flagellate
and few diatom species causing
green water; Prorocentrum spp.,
Katodinium rotundatum
and Navicula sp. dominant in
Plaza area; Thalassiosira sp.
(bloom) and Euglena sp. in back
bay; Chroomonas and Gyrodinium
sp.in both locales.
start of decline of N. atomus
bloom; chlorophyll a < 15 mg/1
peak abundance of S. costatum;
blooms (>10,000 cells/ml) in
Sandy Hook Bay, Atlantic City
coastal and back by area, and
Delaware Bay capeshore; bloom
also of C. sociale (40,000
cells/ml) in Sandy Hook Bay
diatom blooms persisting;
Thalasssiosira gravida
and S. costatum > 10,000
cells/ml; several other
species abundant
-------
Table 2. List of Major phytoplankton species at represent*!ive locations in the 1991 survey of New
Jersey coastal and estuarine waters. Members in each column indicate the amount of times
(out of a total of thirteen samplings) th« species appeared at each location. Letters denote
time periods, or sampling sequences, as follows: Aa - late spring (May 22 - June 12),
Bb = early summer (June 17 - July 10), Cc = midsummer (July 17 - August 7), Od = late summer
(August 14 - September 3). A capital letter indicates dominance (>103 cells ml'1); an
asterisk following a capital letter indicates a bloom (>10* cells ml"1). For Nannochloris,
because of its minute size, these criteria are increased by a factor of ten.
Species
RB51A
RB15
JC13
JC33
JC57
JC75
JC81
PB1
diatoms
LeptocyTindrus danicus
L. minimus
* Skeletonema cost at urn1
Cyc Tote 7 la sp .
Thalassiosira sp.
T. gravid*
*T. nordenskioldii
T. rotula
Hemiaulus sinensis
Cerataulina pelagica
Chaatocoroa sp.
*C. foci* 1»
Rhizosolenia deTicatula2
K. fragilissitta
Aster i one T la glacial is
Thalaseion+ma nitz&chioides
Navicula sp.
*Phaeodactylu*> tricornutuH
Hitzechia sp.
*CyTindroth0ca closterium
dinoflagellatea
* Prorocontru* minlaum3
P. trieetinum (rodfioldi)
Gymnodinium sp.
G. dan i cane
Cyrodinlua sp.
Katodiniun rotunda tun*
Heterocapsa triquetra
Ob?M rotunda
Protoperldinium sp.
P. trochofdeuw
other ohytoflaoe Hates
OHethodiocus luteus
Ca lycoaonas sp .
Chryaochromulin* sp.
ChTamydomonas sp.
Pyranimonas sp.
P. micron
Tftrase Imil graci 7 1a
Euglona proxima
Eutrtpt ia lanowi i
Chrootnonas sp.
C. mi nut a
Cryptononas sp.
cent i nued
3ab
3ac
9AB*CD*
1C
3Abd
4CD*
3bC
2b
2a
3aBc
6A»B*C*D*
1A*
2A
2ab
1d
4abc
3B
3A*b
Sab
2a
1a
3ab
1*
3abc
1d
Sabd
la
2d
2b
3ab
3Ab
Sabd
CaBCd
3 be
4ab
4aCd
11aB*cD*
4 Be
2bO
3D
5B*CD
4bC
3abc
1ac
4AB
6B*C»D*
6A*bd
4Ab
2b
Sab
1b
6B*cD
5A*B
3bc
3ab
1a
1b
2ab
2ab
3cd
Sabcd
2B
2d
2ab
2cd
7aBd
4aB
4aBc
6abcd
4 be
Id
4acd
6ABcD
1Ad
1A
20
2b
2 Ad
3ACd
4Abd
2ad
1b
2ac
1b
2ab
1C
1a
la
1a
1b
2a
1a
1b
2ab
ib
3ac
4AD
2 Ac
6aBO
4 Abe
2Ab
1D
1C
2 Ad
2bd
2ab
5A*bc
1b
3bc
4ab
3bc
4Ad
1C
1a
1a
1C
2d
1b
1a
1b
3ab
la
3aC
2aD
4AfcC
2Bc
2bc
2c
la
ib
12
1d
2bd
4ABc
4Ab
1b
2bc
2bd
1C
4 Abe
1C
2b
U
la
la
id
id
ib
1b
4abd
1b
2a
2c
3bc
2bc
3ad
1b
1C
1d
4aCD*
4ABd
3Ac
1D
2ab
4bD
1C
4Ab
1a
3cD
2bc
SAB
1C
7aBcd
3bc
SAB
1C
1a
Ib
2ab
1b
1b
2ab
6abcd
1C
2ab
2A
3aB
3a
4abc
1b
id
3bd
3abO
4abC
1a
!b
4bD
SABc
1a
3bO
1C
6abCd
1b
7abCD
8abcD
3ab
1d
1a
1a
2ad
1C
2ab
2b
3bd
1b
3ab
6aBD
10AB*D*
7 Bed
4ABD
2D
6aBCD*
3aB
2ab
3aB
1C
1b
1b
SaBCD
3aO
BabcD
6aB*C*D
lOaBCD
BaBCO
4aB
3bd
1a
3bcd
3a
1a
1d
1d
1b
1a
3ab
2a
4bd
1b
2Cd
2bd
2a
3ad
-------
Table 2. (.
continued)
Species
nonsxatile chloroohvtes
CMor«77« sp.
C. MI 7 ina
*Nannochlorit ftoaus5
blue-green
Joh«nn*st>*pti*t* p*77ucrc
total occurrences
total samples
frequency index'
RB51A
1C
SabCd
10ABC*D
1a (f)
230
13
17.69
RB15
11aBcD
10ABCD
154
12
12.83
JC13
4AbcD
2a
6ABcD
61
12
5.08
JC33
2Ad
1b
8ABCD
1A
71
11
6.45
JC57
16
4acd
10ABCD
1A
83
12
6.92
JC75
4ABd
3bc
7ABC*D
la
98
12
8.17
JC81
3bC
1b
6AB*D
1C
80
11
7.27
DB1
10
Sabd
6A*B*D*
139
11
12.64
Footnotes:
- indicates species which bloomed; cell concentrations approaching or exceeding the bloom
criterion (104ml ) tend to impart visible coloration to the water (i.e. cause "red tide")
1 - common most of season throughout survey region; early season abundance in Raritan/Sandy Hook
Bay, Monmouth and Ocean County coast and Delaware Bay with blooms on both major estuaries;
late season abundance throughout with blooms again in Sandy Hook and Delware Bays
2 - eoanon in early season in Raritan/Sandy Hook Bay and along most of the Hew Jersey coast with
blooms in Sandy Hook Bay and off the Monoouth County coast
3 - common in early season throughout the survey region with dense red tide in the Sandy Hook Bay
south shore area (the only phytoflagellate bloom of note during the 1991 season)
4 - responsible for dense red tides the previous few scorers in the Hudson/Raritan estuary; present
although conspicuously not abundant in 1991
5 - ubiquitous throughout the survey region; abundant through Most of the season at all locales but
with blooms only in Sandy Hook Bay, Atlantic City/Ocean City coastal area (mid season) and in
Delaware Bay (early and late season)
' - number of occurrences/number of samples
-------
Figure 2. Seasonal changes in chlorophyll "a" concentrations for the 1991 New Jersey
coastal and estuarine phytoplankton survey. Lines represent composite
values for the major segments of the survey region.
i i
l i
05/22 05/29 06/05 06/12 06/17 06/26 07/03 07/10 07/18 08/07 08/14 08/21 09/03
-»- H/RE -
-B-BB
-»- MCC -*- OCC
X- A/CMC -A- DB
HR/E = Hudson Rarltan estuary (RB57, 51 A, 15)
MCC = Monmouth County coast (JC13, 33)
OCC = Ocean County coast (JC57, 67)
BB = Barnegat Bay (NM, HP, WT, SM)
A/CMC = Atlantic/Cape May Co. coast (JC75, 81, 92)
DB = Delaware Bay (DB1, 2)
-------
Figure 3. Mean chlorophyll "a" values for New Jersey coastal and estuarlne
stations, north to south, for the 1991 summer season.
RB57 RB51A RB15 JC13 JC57 JC67 SM JC75 GE2 JC81 JC92 DB1 DB2
NORTH <— STATION > SOUTH
-------
Ttble 1. Chlorophyll a lug/L) for the 1991 Nev jersey coastal and estuarine pnytcplankton survey.
LOCATION1 5/22 5/29 6/5 6/12 6/1? 8/26 7/3 7/10 7/11 1/13 7/23 8/7 8/14 8/21 8/28 5/3 REMi
H/RE
RB57
RB51A
FEU
KCC
JC13
JC33
OCC
JC57
JC67
DO
DD
NH
HP
KT
SK
A/CKC
JC75
GE2
JC81
JC92
no
Uo
OBI
DB2
MEAN
HR/E
KCC
OCC
BB
A/CKC
OB
14.87
70.80
2.55
2.78
1.80
3,86
8.44
2.21
.37
1.96
15.48
21.57
42.84
2.67
2.83
3.25
18.53
53.66
12.83
19.85
7.68
8.66
6.57
1.32
5.47
2.93
2.93
13.81
4.19
1.17
1.24
2.18
33.21
13.63
28.78
8.17
3.95
6.29
2.20
23.42
39.27
85.26
45.46
20.95
13.94
8.21
7.38
7.13
2.80
57.00
17.45
7.80
4.97
19.37 33.64 10.69 15,62 6.21
30.53 8.49 45.03 39.94 48.25
8.81 36.86 36.29 3.66 38.72
3.98 4.30 28.60 10.93
2.93 5.71 2.02 1,40
3.74 4.59 3.28 3.22
5.14 5.64 5.95 7.99 1.70
4.9c 8.59
1.50 9.72
6 9.61
16.65 21.64
11.44 9 7.99 7.46 5.06
4.34 1.02 2.75 2.93 5.06
7.69 4.84 8 6.46 6.23
5.54 4.11 4.48 1.64 2.48
17.63 21.74 68.41 45.12 60.20
21.01 18.89 43.24 16.94 31.46
19.57 26.33 30.67 19.74 31.06
3.98 2.93 5.01 15.31 6.17
5.14 4.69 5.27 5.64 2.46
7.38 12.39
7.25 4.74 5.81 4.62 4.71
19.32 20.32 55.83 31.03 45.83
19.52
52.
46.
1.
1.
1.
6.
14.37
10.54
6.38
17.76
6.
19.
13.
7.
81.
35.
39.
1.
4.
12.26
11.
58.
.88
90
78
42
62
59
16.35-
9.67
8.36
16.89
20
26
91
29
19
53
77
(0
11
12.82
67
36
30.34
27.12
11.68
1,92
1.63
.91
2.91
13.19
6.30
4.80
12.07
5.26
6.27
5.93
7.67
52.54
36.88
23.05
1.78
1.91
9.09
6.28
44.71
21.81
31.31
77.01
5.85
.01
.82
11.98
16.44
8.74
i.98
55.26
27.10
43.38
5.86
.42
11.29
41.18
4.74
20.10
7.98
5.8S
7.53
4.31
7.84
17.41
11.48
15.64
5.28
19.13
27.43
10.94
6.71
6.08
12.45
23.28
8.13
34.78
22.59
2.02
3.49
2.27
10.28
7.82
21.83
2.76
2.27
9.05
20. ;3
33.58
23.73
1.83
4.43
3.23
4,76
IC.iS
6.9?
5.05
16.41
7.7t
6.13
7.15
4.42
41.31
24.74
30.38
6.18
4.04
9.90
6.60
34.71
* H/fiE - Hudson/Raritan Estuary
KCC - Konnouth County Coast
OCC - Ocean County Coast
A/CKC - Atlantic/Cape Nay Counties
BE - Barnegat Bay
NK - Kantoloking
HP - Holly Park
KT - laretonn
SK - Kanahavkin
DB - Delaware Bay
------- |