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.
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.
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.
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 conditions 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.
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.
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.
Today a new MET Sensor Assembly was installed on the recently deployed Bullocks Reach Buoy. The assembly includes a weather station that can monitor wind speed, humidity, air pressure, and temperature. The buoy was deployed on May 14th and staff have been diligently working to get the buoy up and running for the 2024 Fixed Site Monitoring Season.
Nutrient samples were collected from seven river stations on May 15th and seven bay stations on May 14th. In the five days prior to sampling, there were 0.1 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green.
Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TN = 855 ppb, DIN = 687 ppb), while the highest total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) were observed at Moshassuck River @ Footbridge at Mill St. (TDN = 907 ppb). The lowest TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson Ave. (TN = 525 ppb, TDN = 530 ppb, DIN = 308 ppb).
Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN were observed at India Point Park (TN = 926 ppb), while the highest surface TDN and DIN were observed at Phillipsdale Landing (TDN = 804 ppb, DIN = 620 ppb). The lowest surface TN and TDN were observed at Conimicut Point (TN = 396 ppb, TDN = 160 ppb), while the lowest surface DIN was at Bullock Reach Buoy (DIN = 13 ppb). Chlorophyll a concentrations at the surface bay stations averaged 9.45 μg/L overall with a maximum of 27.95 μg/L at Pomham Rocks.
The next scheduled sampling date is May 29, 2024.
Phytoplankton samples were collected on May 1, 2024 at Bullock Reach and analyzed in the laboratory shortly after collection. It was a cold and breeze day on Narragansett Bay with cloudy conditions. The qualitative tow net sample had a long filtration time, and the filtrate was a reddish brown and slightly cloudy.
The analysis of the quantitative whole water sample revealed a total of 4,006,000 cells per Liter. The micro flagellates were found at 24,000 cells/L. The most predominant phytoplankton genus was Skeletonema spp. at 1,646,000 cells/L. Other representative genera include Thalassiosira spp., Leptocylindrus spp., and Chaetoceros spp. This week’s featured image is Eucampia spp. (200x phase contrast), a type of diatomic phytoplankton that is often found in the North Atlantic Ocean. This genus is often found in a curved form and in helical chains. This diatom is yellow-brown in color with numerous green chloroplasts.
Nutrient samples were collected from thirteen river stations on May 1st. In the five days prior to sampling, there were 0.13 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 = 1,340 ppb, TDN = 1,260 ppb, DIN = 946.2 ppb). The lowest TN and TDN were observed at Moshassuck River @ Higginson (TN = 530 ppb, TDN = 436 ppb, each being duplicate samples taken at the site). The lowest DIN were observed at Coles River @ Milford Rd. (DIN = 58 ppb).
Among the bay stations sampled, the highest surface TN, TDN, and DIN were observed at Phillipsdale Landing (TN = 1,000 ppb, TDN = 836 ppb, DIN = 663 ppb). The lowest surface TN were observed at Conimicut Point (TN = 544 ppb), while lowest surface TDN and DIN were observed at Edgewood Shoal (TDN = 124 ppb, DIN = 17 ppb). Chlorophyll a concentrations at the surface bay stations averaged 19.62 μg/L overall with a maximum of 35.12 μg/L at the Bullock Reach Buoy.
The next scheduled sampling date is May 14, 2024.