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Synthesis of SWMP Data for ASSETS Eutrophication Assessment of the North Atlantic Region National Estuarine Research Reserve Systems

Synthesis of SWMP Data for ASSETS Eutrophication Assessment of the North Atlantic Region National Estuarine Research Reserve Systems

Abstract

Nutrient related water quality problems have recently been identified as one of the greatest challenges to US coastal waterbody health. The purpose of this project is to apply the NEEA eutrophication assessment method with recent quantitative improvements to the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) System Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) data to assess eutrophic conditions within the North Atlantic Region NERRs. Data from 2001 to present will be used to develop the first assessment of nutrient related eutrophication for each of the North Atlantic NERRs systems. Together with ancillary and complementary data (eg. from the North East Region NEPs) a regional picture will also be developed. This assessment will serve as a baseline for periodic future assessments from which trends can be tracked and the success of nutrient management measures within the north east NEERs can be evaluated. One specific objective of the project is to explore the possibility of developing a capability for automatic synthesis of the SWMP data that will also be automatically entered into the online survey data collection tool. This is a prototype for this capability that will be applied to IOOS program data once IOOS becomes operational, which will help ensure the success of future national estuarine and coastal waterbody eutrophication assessments. It will also provide key information and data for development of effective nutrient management plans.

Objectives

Project objectives are consistent with the mission of CICEET to develop innovative transferable technologies to prevent and track contamination in coastal waters. This work also fulfills NOAA’s mission: To Protect, Restore, and Manage the Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources through an Ecosystem Approach to Management, as well as NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science’s goal to provide coastal managers with scientific information and tools needed to balance society’s environmental, social and economic goals.

Project objectives include:

  • Application of the NEEA/ASSETS eutrophication assessment method to the SWMP data for the Northeast NERRs systems;
  • Modification of the method as necessary to ensure methodological accuracy, given the limited spatial distribution of the SWMP data loggers, and transferability to other regions;
  • Development of an automated data synthesis and automatic entry into the NEEA Update survey tool at http://ian.umces.edu/neea, a capability that will be applied to national IOOS data once the program is operational;
  • Investigation/consideration of appropriate management measures that might be applied individually or regionally that will be used as a first step toward development of a regional, and potentially national, nutrient watershed management strategy;

This assessment will be the first attempt at synthesis of the SWMP nutrient data with results highlighting the value of this data for development of practical solutions to manage nutrient inputs and nutrient related water quality problems in the region’s NERRs and estuaries.

Time Frame

2006.

For More Information

Project Manager:
Suzanne Bricker
1305 East West Highway
SSMC-IV, N/SCI-1
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-713-3020 x139