July 24, 2024

Nutrient samples were collected from eleven river stations and eight bay stations on July 24th. Edgewood Shoal was sampled at the surface and bottom; all other bay stations were sampled at the surface only. In the five days prior to sampling, there were 0.06 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. 

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were observed at Ten Mile River @ Central Ave (TN = 1,940 ppb, TDN = 1,800 ppb, DIN = 1,650 ppb). The lowest TN was observed at Runnins River @ River Rd (742 ppb), while the lowest TDN and DIN were observed at Palmer River @ Rt 6 (TDN = 387 ppb, DIN = 78 ppb).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TN = 1,300 ppb, TDN = 1,100 ppb, DIN = 840 ppb). The lowest surface TN was at India Point Park (600 ppb, average of duplicates), while the lowest surface TDN and DIN concentrations were observed at Conimicut Point (TDN = 280 ppb, DIN = 30 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is August 7, 2024.​

May 29, 2024

​Phytoplankton samples were collected on May 29, 2024 at Bullock Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection.

Sonde data revealed the surface water temperature was 20.1°C,  salinity was 15.49 psu, and chlorophyll a was 12.1 ug/L.

The qualitative tow net sample had a moderate filtration time, and the filtrate was a dark tan/brown color and had particulate matter.

The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 7,565,000 cells per Liter. The most predominant phytoplankton genus was Skeletonema spp. at 7,276,000 cells/L. Other representative genera include Chaetoceros spp. and Leptocylindrus spp. Chaetoceros spp. (see 200x phase contrast image below) is a genus of diatoms found in Narragansett Bay and is one of the most common and most diverse genera of marine planktonic diatoms with over 200 accepted species. Due to its high growth rates, research has been conducted into potential uses of Chaetoceros in biotechnology.

July 10, 2024

Nutrient samples were collected from seven river stations and seven bay stations on July 10th. All bay stations were sampled at the surface and bottom. In the five days prior to sampling, there was no precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. 

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St (TN = 1,350 ppb, TDN = 1,340 ppb, DIN = 995 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Blackstone River @ Slater Mill (TN = 873 ppb, TDN = 794 ppb, DIN = 568 ppb).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface total nitrogen (TN) concentration was observed at Phillipsdale Landing (1,240 ppb); the highest total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were at Pawtuxet Cove (TDN = 1,000 ppb, DIN = 718 ppb, average of duplicates). The lowest surface TN and TDN were at Conimicut Point (TN = 511 ppb, TDN = 261 ppb), while the lowest surface DIN concentrations were observed at Edgewood Yacht Club, Pomham Rocks, and India Point Park (13 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is July 24, 2024.​

June 26, 2024

​Nutrient samples were collected from twelve river stations on June 26th. In the five days prior to sampling, there were 1.44 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. 

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were observed at Ten Mile River @ Central Ave. (TN = 1,335 ppb, TDN = 1,375 ppb, DIN = 1,109 ppb, all averaged with duplicates). The lowest TN and TDN were observed at Runnins River @ River Road (TN = 588 ppb, TDN = 585 ppb), while the lowest DIN was at Palmer River @ Rt. 6. (DIN = 241 ppb).

The next scheduled sampling date is July 10, 2024.

June 17, 2024

The Data Stream had an eventful day while out in the upper bay conducting routine bay bacteria monitoring activities.   A 12-foot Jon Boat appeared to be in distress, as the two youths onboard could not get their motor started. The wind and the current were pushing the boat towards a concrete hurricane barrier.  The Data Stream crew quickly rendered assistance and towed the youths to safety, and brought them to where they launched at the Gano Park Boat Ramp.​

June 12, 2024

Surface chlorophyll data were collected on June 12, 2024 while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good in the Pawtuxet River, poor in the Northern Providence River Channel, and as fair in all other areas. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 1.48 to 44.81 µg/L with an average of 14.44 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.

June 12, 2024

​Nutrient samples were collected from seven river stations and seven bay stations on June 12th. In the five days prior to sampling, there were 0.21 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. 

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad Street (TN = 1,340 ppb, TDN = 1,420 ppb, DIN = 1,148 ppb). The lowest TN and TDN were observed at Woonasquatucket River @ Manton Ave. Bridge (TN = 892 ppb, TDN = 922 ppb), while the lowest DIN was at Moshassuck River @ Footbridge at Mill St. (DIN = 626 ppb).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Pawtuxet Cove (TN = 1,120 ppb, TDN = 976 ppb, and DIN = 762 ppb. The lowest surface TN and TDN were observed at Conimicut Point (TN = 433 ppb, TDN = 232 ppb), while the lowest surface DIN was at Conimicut Point, Edgewood Yacht Club and the Bullock Reach Buoy. (DIN = 13 ppb). Chlorophyll a concentrations at the surface bay stations averaged 11.63 μg/L overall with a maximum of 29.57 μg/L at the India Point Park.

The next scheduled sampling date is June 26, 2024.

May 14, 2024

Phytoplankton samples were collected on May 14, 2024 at Bullock Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection. It was a beautiful day on Narragansett Bay with partly cloudy conditi​​ons and a slight breeze. Sonde data revealed the surface water temperature was 14.67°C, salinity was 21.36 psu, and chlorophyll a was 8.77 ug/L. Secchi disk water clarity was 3.4 m.​ The qualitative tow net sample had a long filtration time, and the filtrate was​​​ dark brown and ​cloudy. 

The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 8,741,000 cells per Liter. The most predominant phytoplankton genus was Skeletonema spp. at 4,912,000 cells/L. Other  representative genera include Thalassiosira spp., Leptocylindrus  spp., and Chaetoceros spp. This week’s featured image (200x phase contrast) shows the diversity of the​​ phytoplankton sample, containing many different genera. Phytoplankton are primary producers and contain chlorophyll to capture sunlight to produce energy.

June 6, 2024

​The Data Stream had some visitors while doing routine sonde swaps at Bullocks Reach.  Below is a picture taken by Tyler, an Environmental Monitoring Supervisor.  Tyler identified the birds as Common Terns.  These birds are seen often hanging around the Bullocks Reach buoy eating fish.

May 29, 2024

​Nutrient samples were collected from thirteen river stations and nine bay stations on May 29th. In the five days prior to sampling, there were 0.37 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. 

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were observed at Ten Mile River @ Central Ave. (TN = 1,380 ppb, TDN = 1,340 ppb, DIN = 948 ppb). The lowest TN and TDN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson Ave. (TN = 658 ppb, TDN = 590 ppb), while the lowest DIN was at Coles River @ Milford Rd. (DIN = 188.6 ppb, average of duplicates).

Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN, TDN and DIN were observed at Phillipsdale Landing (TN = 1,070 ppb, TDN = 931 ppb, DIN = 648 ppb). The lowest surface TN were observed at Bullock Reach Buoy (TN = 698 ppb), while the lowest surface TDN and DIN were observed at Conimicut Point (TDN = 333 ppb, DIN = 165 ppb). Chlorophyll a concentrations at the surface bay stations averaged 1.67 μg/L overall with a maximum of 4.05 μg/L at the Edgewood Shoal.

The next scheduled sampling date is June 12, 2024.

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