The Helicopter Monitoring Report
a Report of the New York Bight Water Quality
2002
From the Harbor...
to the ocean...
to the back bays...
EPA's Coastal Crusader monitoring the water.
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
Division of Environmental Science and Assessment
2890 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08837
www.epa.gov/region02/desa/nybight/
EPA 902/R-03-001
May 2003
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THE HELICOPTER MONITORING REPORT
a Report of the
NEW YORK BIGHT WATER QUALITY
2002
"The Bight Report"
Prepared By:
Helen Grebe, Regional Coastal Monitoring Coordinator
Monitoring Operations Section
Approved By:
Randy Braun, Chief
Monitoring and Assessment Branch
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
Division of Environmental Science and Assessment
2890 Woodbridge Avenue
Edison, New Jersey 08837
May 2003
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The Helicopter Monitoring Report
a Report of the New York Bight Water Quality
2002
Abstract
The Division of Environmental Science and Assessment of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 2, has prepared this report to disseminate environmental data collected for the
New York Bight. From May 23, 2002 through September 6, 2002, water quality monitoring and
surveillance activities were carried out using a helicopter. The monitoring program is comprised
of three separate networks; the beach station network, the perpendicular station network, and the
floatable surveillance network.
Results were as follows:
A total of 709 samples were collected and analyzed for fecal coliform and enterococcus
bacteria from stations along the Long Island and New Jersey coastal beach station
network. Low seasonal geometric means were observed at all stations for 2002.
The dissolved oxygen semi-monthly averages for the New York Bight and New Jersey
coast perpendicular station network followed a typical dissolved oxygen sag curve. The
lowest semi-monthly dissolved oxygen average, 4.0 mg/1, occurred in late August,
followed by a steady increase to 6.5 mg/1 in early September.
There were no ocean beach closures in New Jersey due to floatable debris in 2002. Only
one beach closure incident occurred due to floatable debris along Long Island coastal
waters.
Based on the data collected, the New York Bight Apex, and the New Jersey and Long Island
coastal waters had good water quality in 2002.
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INTRObUCTION
The Division of Environmental Science and Assessment of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Region 2, has prepared this report to disseminate environmental data for the
New York Bight. Specifically, data coverage includes the New York Bight Apex, the New
York/New Jersey Harbor Complex, and the coastal shorelines of New York (NY) and New
Jersey (NJ).
This report is the twenty-fourth in a series and reflects data collected from May 23 to
September 6, 2002.
The New York Bight Water Quality Monitoring Program (The Helicopter 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. This program was initiated in
1974 and incorporated the use of a helicopter in 1977.
Presently, a modified Twin Star helicopter is used (pictured below).
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SAMPLING AND SURVEILLANCE
Purpose, Procedures and Locations
Water quality monitoring and
surveillance activities were carried out
using a helicopter. While the helicopter
hovered over the surface, sampling
was accomplished by lowering a one
liter Kemmerer sampler into the water.
Details of the analytical and sampling
procedures can be found in the Quality
Assurance Project Plan for the New
York Bight Summer Monitoring
Program (available upon request). The
raw data can be found in EPA's
computerized database for STOrage
and RETrieval (STORET).
The monitoring program is composed
of three separate networks.
The beach station
network is sampled to gather
bacteriological water quality
information on swimmability for
comprehensive public health
protection.
Samples are collected once a week at
twenty-six Long Island coastal (LIC)
stations extending from the western tip
of Rockaway Point eastward to
Shinnecock Inlet (Figure 1) and at
forty-four New Jersey coastal (JC)
stations from Sandy Hook to Cape
May (Figure 2). All samples are
collected just offshore in the surf zone
at one meter depth.
Analyses for fecal coliform and
enterococcus bacteria densities are
conducted at the EPA Region 2 Edison
Laboratory.
The perpendicular station
network is sampled to monitor for
bottom dissolved oxygen
concentrations and temperature. These
parameters are used for early detection
of anoxic conditions and trend
analysis.
Nine New Jersey coast (JC)
perpendicular transects extend east one
nautical mile to nine nautical miles off
the coast between Long Branch and
Hereford Inlet, and one New York
Bight (NYB) Apex perpendicular
transect extends east from the southern
end of Sandy Hook (Figure 3).
New Jersey coast perpendicular
stations were sampled at 1, 3, 5, 7, and
9 nautical miles offshore. Historical
New York Bight Apex stations, NYB
20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, were sampled
approximately 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8 nautical
miles off the southern end of Sandy
Hook.
Samples are collected one meter above
the ocean floor, eight to ten times
during the critical summer period. The
dissolved oxygen analyses are
conducted at the EPA Region 2 Edison
Laboratory.
The floatable surveillance
network encompasses overflights
of the New York/New Jersey Harbor
Complex six days a week during the
summer months. This surveillance is
in response to the Short Term Action
Plan for Addressing Floatable Debris,
(USEPA 1989) developed by the
Interagency Floatable Task Force. The
plan was initiated after extensive
garbage washups and beach closures
occurred in 1987 and 1988. The plan's
objectives are to improve water
quality, protect the marine
environment, and prevent the
occurrence of beach closures due to
floatables debris. This is accomplished
by sighting slicks and determining the
most efficient coordinated cleanup
effort possible. Approximate size or
dimension, contents, relative density,
location, possible sources and time of
sighting of significant floatable debris
are recorded. The information is
reported to a central communication
response network, specifically
established to coordinate cleanup
efforts. Cleanup efforts are conducted
via skimmer boats or vessels by the
Corps of Engineers or the New York
City Department of Environmental
Protection.
For purposes of this report, the New
York/New Jersey Harbor Complex is
defined as the following five
waterbodies: 1) the Arthur Kill; 2)
Newark Bay, as far north as the New
Jersey Turnpike Bridge; 3) the Kill
Van Kull; 4) the Upper New York
Harbor, including the lower portions of
the Hudson River and the East River as
far north as Central Park, New York;
and 5) the Lower New York Harbor
including Gravesend Bay, and the
shoreline of Coney Island as far east as
the Marine Parkway Bridge (Figure 4).
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Shinnecock Inlet East(LIC28)
Shinnecock Inlet West (LIC27)
Tiana Beach (LIC26)
West Hampton Beach (LIC25)
oriches Inlet East(LIC24)
Moriches Inlet West (LIC23)
Smith Point County Park (LIC22)
Bellport Beach (LIC21)
Water Island (LIC20)
Cherry Grove (LIC19)
Great South Beach (LIC18)
Long
Island
Figure 1
Long Island Coast
Station Locations
Beach Sampling Locations
Robert Moses State Park (LIC17)
Cedar Island Beach (LIC16)
Gilgo Beach (LIC15)
East Overlook (LIC14)
Jones Beach (LIC13)
Short Beach (LIC12)
Point Lookout (LIC10)
Long Beach (LIC09)
Long Beach (LIC08)
Atlantic Beach (LIC07)
Far Rockaway(LICOS)
Rockaway(LIC04)
Rockaway(LIC03)
Rockaway(LIC02)
Rockaway Point (LIC01)
05
'11
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Figure 2
New Jersey Coast Station Locations
New Jersey
Sandy Hook (JC01A)
Sandy Hook (JCdS)
Sandy Hook (JC05)
Sea Bright (JCOS)
Monmouth Beach (JC11)
Long Branch (JC13)
Long Branch (JC14)
Asbury Park (JC21)
Bradley Beach (JC24)
Shark River lnlel(JC26)
Belmar(JC27)
Spring Lake (JC30)
Spring Lake(JC33)
North Manasquan In let (JCSS)
South hJlanasquan Inlet(JC37)
Bay Head (JC41)
Mantoloking (JC44)
Silver Beach (JC47A)
La¥allette(JC49)
Seaside Heights (JC53')
Island Beach State Park (JC55)
Island Beach State Park (JC57)
Island Beach State Park (JC59)
Barnegatr;jC61)
Harvey Cedars (JC63)
Ship Bottom (JC65)
Beach H aven Terrace (JC67)
Beach Haven Heights (JC69)
Brigantine (JC73)
Absecon Inlet (JC74)
Atlantic City (JC75)
Ventnor City (JC77)
Longport(JC79)
Ocean City (JC81)
'Peck Beach (JC83)
'Strathmere (JC85)
Sea Isle CJty(JC87)
' Avalon (JC89)
'Hereford Inlet (JC92)
'WilduyoodCJC93)
Beact Sampliig Locatloif
• Two Mile Beach rJC95)
'Cape May lnlet(JC96)
Cape May (JC97)
Cape May Point(JC99)
10
20 Miles
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V .A T
Figure 3
New Jersey and New York Bight Apex
Perpendicular Stations
New Jersey
NYB 20's
JC14 - Long Branch
JC27 - Belmar
JC41 -Bay Head
JC53 - Seaside Heights
JC61 - Barnegat
JC69 - Beach Haven
£>© JC75-Atlantic City
JC85 - Strath mere
JC90 - Hereford Inlet
0 4 8 12 16 20 Miles
A
-5-
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Figure 4
New York Bight Apex
New York/New Jersey Harbor Complex
Long Island
Rantan Bay
Historic Area
Remed iation Site
(H AR S')
Former 12 mile
Sludge Site
Former
Mud
Dum p
Site
(MDS)
Shrewsbury River
New Jersey
New York Bight Apex
10 Miles A
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THE BEACH STA TION NETWORK
Guideline, Criteria and Standards
By determining the bacteriological water quality, one can estimate potential health risks associated with ocean
recreational activities. Epidemiological studies have attempted to assess the incidence of illness associated with bathing
in water containing fecal contamination. Evidence exists that there is a relationship between bacterial water quality and
transmission of certain infectious diseases (Cabelli, 1979).
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. When many indicator organisms are present, the likelihood of
pathogens being found is far greater. EPA has issued guidelines for the following indicator organisms:
EPA Guidelines/Criteria
Fecal Col if or m
A fecal coliform bacterial guideline for primary contact
recreational waters was recommended by the EPA in 1976,
and subsequently adopted by most of the States. The EPA
guideline states that fecal coliforms should be used as the
indicator to evaluate the suitability for swimming in
recreational waters, and recommends 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
00 fecal coliforms/100 ml, nor shall more than 10% of
the total samples during any 30-day period exceed 400
fecal coliforms/100 ml (USEPA, 1976).
Enterococci
In 1986, EPA 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 water is a single sample
maximum of 104 enterococci/100 ml, or a minimum of not
less than five samples taken over not more than a 30-day
period, shall not exceed a log mean of 35/100 ml (USEPA
1986). The Beaches Environmental Assessment, and
Coastal Health Act of 2000, requires coastal States to
adopt the 1986 criteria by April 2004.
NJDEP Surface Water Quality Standards
New Jersey has adopted the standard of 200 fecal coliforms/100 ml.
Local officials may close a beach on the basis of a single sample. Local
discretion is allowed up to the point of two consecutive exceedances,
when closure is required by New Jersey State law (NJDEP, 1998).
'SDEC Surface Water Quality Standards
New York State, for its primary contact recreational coastal waters, allows
the local permit issuing official to choose one of two standards as follows:
1) a thirty day, five-sample log average of 200 fecal coliforms/100 ml, or
2) a thirty day, five sample log average of 2400 total coliforms/100 ml
(NYSDEC, 1999).
Any exceedances oj
these criteria are
immediately reported
to the proper state
and local authorities.
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BACTERIOLOGICAL RESULTS
Each of the 26 Long Island coastal stations
and the 44 New Jersey coastal stations was
sampled five to thirteen times in 2002. A
total of 337 samples was collected along
the Long Island stations, and 372 samples
were collected at the New Jersey stations.
Samples were collected approximately once
per week from late May to early
September, and analyzed for fecal coliform
and enterococcus densities.
Individual Fecal Coliform Counts
Only one individual fecal coliform count
for the Long Island coastal stations
exceeded the federal guideline of 200 fecal
coliforms per 100 ml. The exceedance, 820
fecal coliforms per 100 ml, occurred at
Rockaway Point (LIC01), on August 27,
2002.
All in,
M^-,,7 1
:
ndividual fecal coliform counts for the
New Jersey coastal stations were below the
federal guideline of 200 fecal coliforms per
100 ml. The highest value for the year, 144
fecal coliforms per 100 ml, occurred at
Bradley Beach (JC24), on August 28, 2002.
ndividual Enterococcus Counts
All individual enterococcus counts for the
Long Island coastal stations were below the
federal single sample maximum of 104
enterococci per 100 ml. The highest value
for the year, 68 enterococci perlOO ml,
occurred at Smith Point County Park,
(LIC22), on July 30, 2002.
Two enterococcus counts exceeded the
federal single sample maximum of 104
enterococci per ml at the New Jersey
coastal stations. The exceedances, 115 and
240 enterococci per 100 ml, occurred at
Long Branch (JC14) on July 24 and
Mantoloking (JC44) on August 28,
respectively.
Bacteriological Trends
Seasonal geometric means were calculated for each coastal station.
Below is a ten year comparison of the highest individual station
seasonal geometric mean density per year. All seasonal geometric
means were substantially below fecal coliform and enterococcus
guidelines.
The summer of 2000 had the highest individual station (Rockaway
Point) fecal coliform geometric mean, and 1998 had the highest
enterococcus geometric mean (Asbury Park) for New Jersey and
Long Island stations.
Highest Seasonal Geometric Mean Densities (per 100 ml)
1993 - 2002
Vpor
A ^fdl
New Jersey
Station
Geometric
Mean
Long Island
Station
Geometric
Mean
Fecal Coliform Densities
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
JC96
JC53
JC75
JC53
JC26
JC96
JC92
JC26
JC37
JC26
5.13
3.77
2.86
7.34
4.51
9.09
3.85
4.98
3.49
4.44
LIC10
LIC04
LIC16
LIC03
LIC10
LIC04
LIC10
LIC01
LIC01
LIC01
1.99
2.12
2.89
3.45
3.83
4.48
2.87
9.46
6.64
3.34
Enterococcus Densities*
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
JC96
JC96
JC96
JC96
JC27
JC21
JC96
JC75
JC21
JC14
2.70
2.02
2.64
3.67
2.76
11.25
4.15
3.90
4.12
3.84
LIC17
LIC04
LIC10
LIC22
LIC10
LIC01
LIC04,21
LIC01
LIC28
LIC05
1.18
1.38
1.87
2.38
1.81
4.12
1.41
2.20
2.90
1.83
*From 1 992 - 1997, a 48 hour enterococcus test method was used.
From 1998 - 2002, the 24 hour EPA 1600 enterococcus test method was used.
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The Perpendicular Station Network
Dissolved Oxygen Guidelines Discussion and Results
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. As
in previous reports, the following
guidelines will be used (USEPA 1977):
Dissolved Oxygen Guidelines
5 mg/1 - healthy
4-5 mg/1 - borderline to healthy
3-4 mg/1 - stressful if prolonged
2-3 mg/1 - lethal if prolonged
< 2 mg/1 - lethal in a relatively
short time
These guidelines are consistent with
EPA's Ambient Aquatic Life Water
Quality Criteria for Dissolved Oxygen
(Saltwater): Cape Cod to Cape Hatter as,
Nov. 2000 (USEPA, 2000).
In 2002, bottom water samples were collected and analyzed for dissolved
oxygen from early June to early September. Each station was visited five to
seven times for a total of 301 samples at the New York Bight (NYB20, 21,
22, 23, 24) and New Jersey coast perpendicular stations (JC14, 27, 41, 53,
61,69,75,85,90).
For comparison, three years of bottom dissolved oxygen results are
presented in Table 1. In all three years, the majority of the dissolved
oxygen results was greater than the borderline to healthy guideline of 4
mg/1. There were no individual dissolved oxygen concentrations below 2
mg/1 in 2001. In 2000, only one value, or 0.3%, was less than 2 mg/1. The
highest percentage, 5.3%, of values below 2 mg/1 occurred in 2002.
> Bottom Dissolved Oxygen Results
; Total Number of Samples Collected
% greater than 5 mg/1
% between 4-5
; % between 3 -4
j % between 2-3
% less than 2 mg/1
2000
350
54.9
20.6
15.1
9.1
0.3
2001
309
49.2
19.1
18.1
13.6
0
2002
301
49.2
19.9
17.6
8.0
5.3
Figure 5
_' and NYB Perpendiculars,
Semi-Monthly Average of Bottom dissolved Oxygen Concentrations
August September
Semi-Monthly
-9-
Semi-Monthly Averages
The 2000 and 2002 semi-monthly
averages of bottom dissolved oxygen
concentrations for the New York Bight
and New Jersey coast perpendiculars
follow a typical dissolved oxygen sag
curve with lows occurring in early to late
August (Figure 5). In 2001, a low semi-
monthly average dissolved oxygen
concentration occurred in late June, with a
steady increase through early September.
The lowest dissolved oxygen semi-
monthly average over the three-year
period, 3.2 mg/1, occurred in late June of
2001.
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Dissolved
jen Trends
One Mile vs. Nine Miles
With the exception of 1992, average
dissolved oxygen values are 0.3 to 2.2
mg/1 higher nine miles off the coast
than one mile off the coast, from 1992
through 2002 (Figure 6). The lower
values at the one mile offshore stations
can be explained by the oxygen
demand created by the influences of
river discharges, treatment plant
effluents, stormwater runoff, and/or the
plume from the Hudson-Raritan River
Estuary system.
Values Below 4 mg/l
The percent of New Jersey bottom
dissolved oxygen values below 4 mg/1,
ranged from a low of 1.2 percent to a
high of 43.8 percent, during the
sampling period of 1981 - 2002
(Figure 7).
Depressed levels fluctuated greatly,
year to year, from 1981 through 1986.
From 1986 to 1996, fluctuation from
year to year was less severe. The
Figure 6
New Jersey Perpendiculars, 1992 - 2002
Average Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations: One and Nine Nautical Miles off the Coast
8
en
W
tn
vi 5
Nine Nautical Miles off the Coast
One Nautical Mile off the Coast
highest percentage of hypoxic samples
occurred in 1985.
The depressed dissolved oxygen levels
in 1985 were attributed to the
decomposition of the organisms
responsible for the numerous algal
'00 '01 '02
blooms that occurred, the lack of
meteorological events favoring
reaeration, such as substantial winds
and storm activity, and the presence of
a strong thermocline. The below
average dissolved oxygen levels in
1997, 2000, 2001 and 2002 were not as
widespread or persistent as those
encountered in 1985.
Figure 7
Dissolved Oxygen Trends - Percent of Bottom Values Below 4 mg/1
Off the New Jersey Coast, 1981 - 2002
Water Quality
o-
i i i i i i i i i i r
81 '83 '85 '87 '89 '91 '93 '95 '97 '99 '01
'82 '84 '86 '88 '90 '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02
Year
During the summer 2002, few coastal
algal blooms were observed, strong
winds prevailed, water temperature
remained low, there were numerous
storms promoting reaeration, and no
fish kills or adverse effects were
reported.
A trend of decreasing dissolved
oxygen values has been observed for
the past three years. Further
investigation of low dissolved oxygen
off the coast of New Jersey is being
conducted by NJDEP.
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THE FLOA TABLE SURVEILLANCE NETWORK
Observations and Discussion
Floatable surveillance was conducted Monday through Saturday, weather permitting, from May 23, 2002 through August
31,2002.
Guidelines for Reportable Floatable Debris
All floatable observations have been
For cleanup purposes, the Short
Term Action Plan defined a
"slick" as an aggregation of
floating debris of indefinite
width and a minimum length of
approximately 400 meters
(USEPA, 1989). Using this as a
guideline, all slicks have been
divided into three categories
(from largest to smallest):
Size Category
For Floatable Debris/Slicks
Major: any slick greater than 1600 meters in length
Heavy: 800 meters to 1600 meters
Moderate: 400 meters to 800 meters
2002 Floatable
Observations
A total of twelve slicks was observed in
2002 (Table 2). Newark Bay had the
most slicks observed, five, and the Kill
Van Kull with zero slicks observed,
had the least.
placed in one of the three categories
according to the slick's estimated
dimensions, relative density and
other recorded observations. The
categories of slicks are somewhat
subjective. Any slick just short of
the length requirement that has a
relatively heavy density or extensive
width can be moved up a category;
as any slick with a relative light
density or broken pattern can be
moved down a category.
Pie 1: Nine Year Compilation of Total Observed Floatables
by Location, Subdivided per Size Category, 1994 through 2002
Table 2
2002 Floatable
Observations
Newark Bay
Lower NY Harbor
Upper NY Harbor
Arthur Kill
Kill Van Kull
u
1
£
2
1
1
0
0
$
3
2
2
1
1
0
i-H
^O
s
1
1
0
0
0
Upper NV Harbor
Major
Arthur Kill
Moderate
Kill Van Kull
7.7%
Major
Heavy^
Moderate
Compilation
A total of 156 slicks was observed over
a nine-year period, from 1994 through
2002 (Pie 1). With the exception of
the Kill Van Kull, the reportable slicks
observed per size category are similarly
distributed at each location.
Lower NV Harbor
18.6%
Lower NY Harbor
Major
Hew/*
Moderate
Upper NV Harbor
33.3%
•|3 Moderate
Newark Bay
Major
Heavy
Heavy
Moderate
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FLOA TABLE TKENbS
From late May to early September 1989 - 2002, the
NY/NJ Harbor Complex was surveyed for floatables, six
days a week, weather permitting. For comparison, data
from the last nine years will be presented.
Over the nine-year period, a total of 156 slicks was
observed (Figure 8). The sighting of slicks was variable
from year to year with the most number of slicks, 46
slicks, reported in 1995. The least number of slick
sightings, six slicks, was reported in 1998.
Figure 9
Trends of Floatable Observations by Locational Subdivision
NY/ NJ Harbor Complex, late May - early September, 1994 - 2002
t-
cs)
V)
_Q
o
V)
o
£_
_Q
E
a '94
a'95
a'96
H '97 D '00
O '98 • '01
• '99 D '02
20
15
10
± 0
igure
s of Floatable Observations in the NY/NJ Harbor Complex
late May - early September, 1994 - 2002
a
15
Arthur Kill Kill Van Kull Lower NY Harbor
Newark Bay Upper NY Harbor
Locational Subdivision
Cleanup
Locational Subdivision
The Upper New York Harbor had the greatest number
of slicks, 52, observed in the nine-year period. The
Kill Van Kull, with 12 slicks, had the least number of
slicks observed (Figure 9).
Size Category
For the nine-year period, the majority of slicks
observed, 53.8 percent, were in the moderate category,
31.4 percent were in the heavy category, and 14.7
percent were in the major category (Figure 10). A
downward trend over time can be seen in all size categories.
The inter-agency monitoring and cleanup
program, the initiation of beach and litter cleanup
activities, such as the Clean Streets/Clean
Beaches campaign, and Operations Clean Shores
have contributed to a decrease in beach closures
due to floatable debris, and a significant decrease
in the number of slicks observed, as compared to
the extensive washups in 1987 and 1988. More
information on cleanup activities can be found in
the Floatable Action Plan Assessment Report
2002 (USEPA, 2002a).
In 2002, there were no New Jersey coastal beach
closures due to floatable debris. Only one beach
closure incident occurred in Long Island. Due to
an unknown substance washing ashore, all 47
Suffolk County beaches were closed on June 12
and reopened on June 13.
Figure 10
Trends of Floatable Obervations by Size Category
NY/NJ Harbor Complex, late May - early September, 1994 - 2002
D '94 D '97 D '00
D '95 U '98 U '01
a '96 a '99 a '02
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PROMOTING PARTNERSHIPS
The Helicopter Monitoring Program afforded EPA the unique opportunity to promote partnerships by assisting other
federal and state agencies in the real time collection of water quality data. With a little extra coordination, EPA assisted
other agencies in collecting data to complement or maintain objectives for the following national/state programs:
New Jersey Shellfish
During the data collection for the New Jersey beach station sampling network, additional samples were collected for
phytoplankton analyses along the New Jersey coast, and in Raritan/Sandy Hook Bay, Barnegat Bay, Great Egg Harbor
and Delaware Bay. Phytoplankton identification, quantification and chlorophyll a enumerations were completed by the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP) Aquatic Biomonitoring Laboratory of the Bureau of
Water Monitoring. This sampling provides early warning of noxious algal blooms and complements NJDEP's
commitment to the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
Subsets of the phytoplankton samples collected in Barnegat Bay were provided to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service for the identification of the brown tide organism, A. anophagefferens,
in 1999 and 2000. In 2001 and 2002, NJDEP arranged for the identification of A. anophagefferens.
Long Island Shellfish
During the data collection for the Long Island beach station sampling network, additional samples were collected at each
station for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The NYSDEC's Division of Fish
and Wildlife and Marine Resources Bureau of Marine Resources analyzed the samples for total and fecal coliforms.
These samples help fulfill NYSDEC's commitment to the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
New Jersey Nutrients
As part of EPA's Performance Partnership Agreement with NJDEP, surface water samples were collected three to four
times each year at 41 stations from Sandy Hook to Cape May, and in Delaware Bay. The samples were analyzed by
NJDEP for chlorophyll, salinity, nitrate, nitrite, ortho-phosphate, ammonia, total nitrogen, and total suspended solids.
Temperature was recorded in the field and dissolved oxygen analyses were conducted by the EPA Edison Laboratory.
The 41 stations are part of NJDEP's 200 Station Network.
Delaware Estuary Nutrients
At the request of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), surface water samples were collected at low slack tide
at four sites along the Delaware River three times during the summer. This sampling started in 2001 and continued in
2002. All samples were analyzed by a contract laboratory for bacteria, algae, metals, dissolved oxygen and organic
carbon. This sampling enhanced DRBC's longstanding water quality sampling program in the Delaware Estuary.
DEFGHLOPSY
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REFERENCES
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