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Long term Water Quality Trends Long‐term Water Quality Trends in the Delaware Estuary from the DRBC Boat Run Database Y. Voynova and J.H. Sharp College of Marine and Earth Studies College of Marine and Earth Studies University of Delaware
DRBC Boat Run • 1967 ‐ present Sampling: • Sampling: – March ‐ November – at slack water (1 day) ( y) – 1‐3 times a month
• Extensive array of y water quality parameters
University of Delaware • 1978 ‐ present • Sampling: Sampling: – irregular – multiple day cruises multiple day cruises – 1‐13 cruises per year
• Additional parameters, sampling is guided by research aim
Combined, these databases form a long Combined, these databases form a long‐term term continuous reliable record of the Delaware continuous reliable record of the Delaware Estuary water biogeochemistry and can be extremely valuable for researchers.
DRBC Boat Run Sampling Stations Upper River
Disttance Upstream (km)
Urban River
Turbid. Max.
Mid Bay
Lower Bay
DRBC Boat Run at EPA STORET Database • Legacy STORET (1967‐1998) – Data available via Delaware State archives in “None Assigned” folder Assigned folder
• Modern STORET (1999‐2008) – Data Data available by email; requires knowledge of available by email; requires knowledge of Organization ID, station name/number, specific routine parameter
• WQX (2008‐present) WQX (2008 present) – Newest data reporting system
• Future improvements: Future improvements: – One website for the entire database – Editing to convert it to a more user‐friendly format
Changes in Regular Sampling Stations Station ID 332068 332061 332064 332058 892080 892077 892070 892071 892065 332052 892062 332049 332046 91011 91008 91005 91002 91015 91017 91020 91023 91026 91028 91030
Station Name Biles Channel (RM 131.04) Channel (RM 131 04) Fieldsboro (RM 127.5)
River Mile Primary Type Latitude Longitude 131 04 131.04 River/Stream 40 18 40.18 ‐74 75 ‐74.75 127.5 River/Stream 40.14 ‐74.87
Florence Bend (RM 122.4)
122.4
River/Stream
40.12
‐74.83
Burlington Bristol Bridge (RM 117.8) Torresdale (RM 110.7) Betsy Ross Bridge (RM 104.75) Benjamin Franklin Bridge (RM 100.2) Navy Yard (RM 93.2) Paulsboro (RM 87.9) ( ) Eddystone (RM 84.0) Marcus Hook (RM 78.1) Oldmans Point (RM 74.9) Cherry Island (RM 71 0) Cherry Island (RM 71.0) New Castle (RM 66.0) Pea Patch Island (RM 60.6) Reedy Island (RM 54.9) ( ) Liston Point (RM 48.2) Smyrna River (RM 44.0) Ship John Light (RM 36.6) Mahon River (RM 31.0) Elbow of Crossledge Shoal (RM 22.75) South Joe Flogger Shoal (RM 16.5) South Brown Shoal (RM 6.5)
117.8 110.7 104.75 100.2 93.2 87.9 84 78.1 74.9 71 66 60.6 54.9 48.2 44 36.6 31 22.75 16.5 6.5
River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream / River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream Estuaryy Estuary Estuary Estuary Estuary Estuary Estuary
40.08 40.04 39.98 39.95 39.88 39.85 39.85 39.80 39.77 39 72 39.72 39.65 39.59 39.51 39.46 39.38 39.30 39.21 39.17 39.08 38.93
‐74.87 ‐74.99 ‐75.07 ‐75.14 ‐75.18 ‐75.26 ‐75.34 ‐75.43 ‐75.47 ‐75.51 75 51 ‐75.55 ‐75.56 ‐75.55 ‐75.56 ‐75.47 ‐75.38 ‐75.36 ‐75.28 ‐75.19 ‐75.10
• Stations 332055, 892074 and 892068 and 91014 abandoned.
UD and DRBC Database Comparison: Nutrients 250
Nitrate
50
Phosphorus DRBC Total P
Phosphorus s (µM P)
Nitrate (µ µM)
150
100
30
20
10
50 DRBC
0 1965
1975
1985
U Del
DRBC Trend
1995
0 1965
2005
Ammonium
1975
1985
2005
Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Oxygen DRBC Trend
Dissolved Oxygen (µg-at O/L) D
U Del
200
150
100
50
600
400
200 DRBC
0 1965
1995
800 DRBC
Ammonium (µµM N)
DRBC Trend
40
200
250
U Del PO4
1975
1985
1995
2005
0 1965
1975
1985 Date
U Del
1995
DRBC Trend
2005
Database Comparison: Chlorophyll Spring
Summer
Fall
Average Parameter Plots: Focus on 4 Regular Sampling Stations Fieldsboro/Florence Bend
Paulsboro
Reedy Island
Mouth of Mahon River
Average Parameter Plots ‐ Nitrate
Nitrate is lower in the upper river region (Fieldsboro), increases in the urban region (Paulsboro) and is still high near Reedy Island (at the beginning of the salinity gradient), but is diluted in the mid and lower estuary regions (Mahon River).
Average Parameter Plots ‐ Ammonia
Generally, ammonia was higher in all stations before 1980. The high concentration in Mahon River in the 70s is an anomaly.
Average Parameter Plots ‐ Phosphate
The large decrease in phosphate concentrations after the 70s reflects the ban of phosphate detergents.
Nutrient Distributions in Recent Years – UD Data 150
4 NH4
3 100 2 50
• Increase in the urban region • Are subsequently diluted down the salinity gradient yg (turbidity maximum, mid and lower bay regions)
1
0
35
0 0
30
60
30
90 120 150 Distance (km)
180
210
25 Salinity (psu)
• Nutrient concentrations: N ti t t ti
PO4
PO4 (µg-at P/L)
NO3, NH4 (µ µg-at N/L)
NO3
20 15 10 5 0 0
50
100 Distance (km)
150
200
• Salinity: • Is small to zero in the tidal ll h d l river regions, with occasional salt intrusions in the urban region g • Increases linearly in the turbidity maximum, mid and lower bay regions
Average Parameter Plots – Chlorophyll a
The chlorophyll record is not complete and does not show a clear trend.
Average Parameter Plots – Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved oxygen has large seasonal variability and was especially low in the 60s and Dissolved oxygen has large seasonal variability and was especially low in the 60s and 70s in Paulsboro and Reedy Island stations. In recent years, minimum oxygen levels have been higher than 4 mg/L.
Oxygen Distributions in Recent Years – UD Data Oxygen ( % S Saturation)
150
100
50 Fall
0 35
0
50
30
Winter
Spring
Summer
100
150
200
150
200
Distance (km)
Salin nity (psu)
25 20 15 10
5 0 0
50
100 Distance (km)
• Dissolved oxygen saturation: • Large seasonal variability • Generally undersaturated in the urban region and the turbidity maximum • Often supersaturated in the mid and lower bays due to mid and lower bays due to increased primary productivity (spring and summer)
Conclusions • The The DRBC Boat Run Database is a valuable data resource R C oat Run atabase is a valuable data resource for the Delaware Estuary: – Essential for characterizing the Delaware Estuary ecosystem along the main shipping channel along the main shipping channel – Solid record of important water quality parameters – Long‐term water quality trends – Short‐term variability Short term variability
• Database not easily available to users: – EPA STORET website – WQX – No uniform and user friendly website for the entire database No uniform and user friendly website for the entire database
• The DRBC Boat Run record should be continuously maintained and can serve as a platform for additional i t i d d l tf f dditi l and improved future monitoring in the estuary
Acknowledgements • Institute of Soil and Environmental Quality (ISEQ) U i (ISEQ), University of Delaware i fD l • Assistance from our lab group • Data assistance from Edward Santoro, DRBC
DRBC Boat Run • 1967 ‐ present Sampling: • Sampling: – March ‐ November – at slack water (1 day) ( y) – 1‐3 times a month
• Extensive array of y water quality parameters
University of Delaware • 1978 ‐ present • Sampling: Sampling: – irregular – multiple day cruises multiple day cruises – 1‐13 cruises per year
• Additional parameters, sampling is guided by research aim
Combined, these databases form a long Combined, these databases form a long‐term term continuous reliable record of the Delaware continuous reliable record of the Delaware Estuary water biogeochemistry and can be extremely valuable for researchers.
DRBC Boat Run Sampling Stations Upper River
Disttance Upstream (km)
Urban River
Turbid. Max.
Mid Bay
Lower Bay
DRBC Boat Run at EPA STORET Database • Legacy STORET (1967‐1998) – Data available via Delaware State archives in “None Assigned” folder Assigned folder
• Modern STORET (1999‐2008) – Data Data available by email; requires knowledge of available by email; requires knowledge of Organization ID, station name/number, specific routine parameter
• WQX (2008‐present) WQX (2008 present) – Newest data reporting system
• Future improvements: Future improvements: – One website for the entire database – Editing to convert it to a more user‐friendly format
Changes in Regular Sampling Stations Station ID 332068 332061 332064 332058 892080 892077 892070 892071 892065 332052 892062 332049 332046 91011 91008 91005 91002 91015 91017 91020 91023 91026 91028 91030
Station Name Biles Channel (RM 131.04) Channel (RM 131 04) Fieldsboro (RM 127.5)
River Mile Primary Type Latitude Longitude 131 04 131.04 River/Stream 40 18 40.18 ‐74 75 ‐74.75 127.5 River/Stream 40.14 ‐74.87
Florence Bend (RM 122.4)
122.4
River/Stream
40.12
‐74.83
Burlington Bristol Bridge (RM 117.8) Torresdale (RM 110.7) Betsy Ross Bridge (RM 104.75) Benjamin Franklin Bridge (RM 100.2) Navy Yard (RM 93.2) Paulsboro (RM 87.9) ( ) Eddystone (RM 84.0) Marcus Hook (RM 78.1) Oldmans Point (RM 74.9) Cherry Island (RM 71 0) Cherry Island (RM 71.0) New Castle (RM 66.0) Pea Patch Island (RM 60.6) Reedy Island (RM 54.9) ( ) Liston Point (RM 48.2) Smyrna River (RM 44.0) Ship John Light (RM 36.6) Mahon River (RM 31.0) Elbow of Crossledge Shoal (RM 22.75) South Joe Flogger Shoal (RM 16.5) South Brown Shoal (RM 6.5)
117.8 110.7 104.75 100.2 93.2 87.9 84 78.1 74.9 71 66 60.6 54.9 48.2 44 36.6 31 22.75 16.5 6.5
River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream / River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream River/Stream Estuaryy Estuary Estuary Estuary Estuary Estuary Estuary
40.08 40.04 39.98 39.95 39.88 39.85 39.85 39.80 39.77 39 72 39.72 39.65 39.59 39.51 39.46 39.38 39.30 39.21 39.17 39.08 38.93
‐74.87 ‐74.99 ‐75.07 ‐75.14 ‐75.18 ‐75.26 ‐75.34 ‐75.43 ‐75.47 ‐75.51 75 51 ‐75.55 ‐75.56 ‐75.55 ‐75.56 ‐75.47 ‐75.38 ‐75.36 ‐75.28 ‐75.19 ‐75.10
• Stations 332055, 892074 and 892068 and 91014 abandoned.
UD and DRBC Database Comparison: Nutrients 250
Nitrate
50
Phosphorus DRBC Total P
Phosphorus s (µM P)
Nitrate (µ µM)
150
100
30
20
10
50 DRBC
0 1965
1975
1985
U Del
DRBC Trend
1995
0 1965
2005
Ammonium
1975
1985
2005
Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Oxygen DRBC Trend
Dissolved Oxygen (µg-at O/L) D
U Del
200
150
100
50
600
400
200 DRBC
0 1965
1995
800 DRBC
Ammonium (µµM N)
DRBC Trend
40
200
250
U Del PO4
1975
1985
1995
2005
0 1965
1975
1985 Date
U Del
1995
DRBC Trend
2005
Database Comparison: Chlorophyll Spring
Summer
Fall
Average Parameter Plots: Focus on 4 Regular Sampling Stations Fieldsboro/Florence Bend
Paulsboro
Reedy Island
Mouth of Mahon River
Average Parameter Plots ‐ Nitrate
Nitrate is lower in the upper river region (Fieldsboro), increases in the urban region (Paulsboro) and is still high near Reedy Island (at the beginning of the salinity gradient), but is diluted in the mid and lower estuary regions (Mahon River).
Average Parameter Plots ‐ Ammonia
Generally, ammonia was higher in all stations before 1980. The high concentration in Mahon River in the 70s is an anomaly.
Average Parameter Plots ‐ Phosphate
The large decrease in phosphate concentrations after the 70s reflects the ban of phosphate detergents.
Nutrient Distributions in Recent Years – UD Data 150
4 NH4
3 100 2 50
• Increase in the urban region • Are subsequently diluted down the salinity gradient yg (turbidity maximum, mid and lower bay regions)
1
0
35
0 0
30
60
30
90 120 150 Distance (km)
180
210
25 Salinity (psu)
• Nutrient concentrations: N ti t t ti
PO4
PO4 (µg-at P/L)
NO3, NH4 (µ µg-at N/L)
NO3
20 15 10 5 0 0
50
100 Distance (km)
150
200
• Salinity: • Is small to zero in the tidal ll h d l river regions, with occasional salt intrusions in the urban region g • Increases linearly in the turbidity maximum, mid and lower bay regions
Average Parameter Plots – Chlorophyll a
The chlorophyll record is not complete and does not show a clear trend.
Average Parameter Plots – Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved oxygen has large seasonal variability and was especially low in the 60s and Dissolved oxygen has large seasonal variability and was especially low in the 60s and 70s in Paulsboro and Reedy Island stations. In recent years, minimum oxygen levels have been higher than 4 mg/L.
Oxygen Distributions in Recent Years – UD Data Oxygen ( % S Saturation)
150
100
50 Fall
0 35
0
50
30
Winter
Spring
Summer
100
150
200
150
200
Distance (km)
Salin nity (psu)
25 20 15 10
5 0 0
50
100 Distance (km)
• Dissolved oxygen saturation: • Large seasonal variability • Generally undersaturated in the urban region and the turbidity maximum • Often supersaturated in the mid and lower bays due to mid and lower bays due to increased primary productivity (spring and summer)
Conclusions • The The DRBC Boat Run Database is a valuable data resource R C oat Run atabase is a valuable data resource for the Delaware Estuary: – Essential for characterizing the Delaware Estuary ecosystem along the main shipping channel along the main shipping channel – Solid record of important water quality parameters – Long‐term water quality trends – Short‐term variability Short term variability
• Database not easily available to users: – EPA STORET website – WQX – No uniform and user friendly website for the entire database No uniform and user friendly website for the entire database
• The DRBC Boat Run record should be continuously maintained and can serve as a platform for additional i t i d d l tf f dditi l and improved future monitoring in the estuary
Acknowledgements • Institute of Soil and Environmental Quality (ISEQ) U i (ISEQ), University of Delaware i fD l • Assistance from our lab group • Data assistance from Edward Santoro, DRBC
