POSTERS - FALL ABSTRACTS

Bohlen, W.F., M.M. Howard-Strobel, D.R. Cohen, K. Larkin and P. Tebeau, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT 06340
MYSound - STILL MONITORING YOUR SOUND

The MYSound network of monitoring stations, funded by the EPA as part of the EMPACT Program, has entered its third year of providing real-time water quality data to a broad user community of educators, scientists, students and recreational users of Long Island Sound. The original network of four stations (Eastern Sound Offshore, Lower Thames River, Bridgeport Harbor, and Western Sound) measured temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen at the surface and near bottom of the water column. We have retrofitted two of these stations (Eastern Sound Offshore and Western Sound) with additional sensors to measure suspended material concentrations (SMC). Additional funding this year from EPA has enabled us to deploy a new buoy in Central Long Island Sound (CLIS) equipped with meteorological instruments and a non-directional wave module for determining wave height and period, in addition to the water quality parameters and SMC at surface and bottom. Unlike the previous monitoring stations, this buoy is using satellite technology to beam the data to a central server from which the data is retrieved, increasing reliability. The CLIS Buoy fills the gap that existed in the Central Sound between our already established Eastern Sound Offshore Buoy and the Western Long Island Sound Buoy. Concurrent SMC data from these three axial buoys is presented showing the response of these three buoys to Sound to wind and wave events. We also examine this past summer’s dissolved oxygen record from the Western Long Island Sound data buoy, originally deployed to record the occurrence and duration of anoxic conditions that may have impacted local fisheries resources.

Curci, L. A., M.E. Fitzgerald, L.B. Hughes and P.A. Morgan, University of New England, Biddeford, ME 04005.
SURVEYING SALT MARSH VEGETATION: A COMPARISON OF THE BRAUN-BLANQUET AND POINT INTERCEPT METHODS

Salt marsh vegetation is often surveyed to investigate changes over time that occur after restoration efforts or environmental perturbations. Two methods used for salt marsh vegetation monitoring are the Braun-Blanquet cover scale method and the Point Intercept method as described in Monitoring Salt Marsh Vegetation (Roman et al 2001). Researchers may select one method over the other depending on such factors as time limitations, the need for accuracy, and simplicity. In this study, vegetation from nine fringing marshes along Casco Bay, Maine was studied and the two methods were compared. We examined how much time each method required in the field, and how often the results obtained using the Point Intercept method coincided with those obtained using the Braun-Blanquet cover scale method. Depending upon the purpose of your study, you may find our research helpful in determining the vegetation monitoring method that is right for you.

Fitzgerald, W.F., C.R. Hammerschmidt, P.H. Balcom*, P.T. Visscher, C.H. Lamborg, C-M. Tseng and M.Z. Chung, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT 06340
Methylmercury Cycling and Production in the Coastal/Estuarine Waters of Long Island Sound and its River-Seawater Mixing Zones

Consumption of marine fish (e.g., tuna) is the principal pathway of human exposure to the very toxic organo-mercurial, monomethylmercury (MMHg). There is an urgent need for increased understanding of marine biogeochemical cycling of MMHg. Our reaction-process focused investigations in LIS are designed to allow results to be applied in other marine waters that are repositories for riverborne/watershed (Connecticut River, East River) derived substances such as mercury (Hg). Aqueous production of elemental Hg (Hg⁰) competes for reactant (i.e., labile/ionic Hg) with the in situ biological synthesis (methylation) of MMHg. Hg inputs (230 kg/y, >70% anthropogenic origin) to LIS are remobilized via Hg⁰ evasion (approx. 35%). Hg⁰ levels are constant during the spring, but a general increase in both flux and supersaturation occurs during warmer months due to enhanced bacterial activity, photoreduction and the availability of labile Hg. Organic matter is the major control on the behavior and fate of Hg in seawater. A small fraction of natural dissolved organic matter ("ligand"; terrestrially derived) is able to bind Hg, lowering the lability and bioavailabilty of Hg. Hg complexing agents are present in the dissolved-phase at ca. <1-30 nN, with log conditional stability constants (log K_D) in the range of 22-25, indicating that the majority of ionic Hg dissolved in freshwater (>99%) and seawater (>50%) is associated with organic complexes. In situ sedimentary production (sulfate-reducing bacteria) and mobilization is the primary source of MMHg to the waters and biota of LIS, and may account for up to 75% of MMHg in fish . Rates of ²⁰⁰Hg methylation were greatest in sandy, low organic LIS sediment. Availability of dissolved ionic Hg substrate (speciation in sulfidic pore waters) controls the methylation rate in LIS sediment. Maximum net methylation occurs in redox transition zones where uncharged Hg-sulfide complexes (bioavailable Hg) predominate.

Goebel, N.L., J.N. Kremer, B.L. Reynolds, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, 06340 and C.A. Edwards, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
NEW MEASUREMENTS OF OXYGEN PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION IN LONG ISLAND SOUND

Local new primary production driven by inputs of anthropogenic nitrogen is assumed to be the major source of organic matter responsible for hypoxia of bottom waters in Western Long Island Sound (LIS). To date, various processes that characterize ecosystem responses to nutrient fluxes have been modeled (e.g. HydroQual 1996, 1999; Edwards et al. 2000). Simulated predictions of the rates of primary production and planktonic respiration have been neglected however, at least partly due to a dearth of direct measurements. Primary production and oxygen consumption were measured bi-weekly on four occasions in July and August 2002 at eight stations throughout middle and western LIS. Oxygen production of the surface water was measured across an artificial light gradient in order to characterize the physiological photosynthesis-irradiance function for the phytoplankton community over space and time. This will allow calculations of integrated water column productivity. In addition, the P-I curves will provide a basis for evaluating the photosynthesis formulation of ecological models. These field studies will continue through summer 2003. Ultimately, these data will be useful in the evaluation of LIS's response to recent decreases in nitrogen input as well as in comparison with predictions of new and existing bio-physical models.

Hoffman, T.F., R.L. Davis, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06516; D.T. Osgood, Department of Biology, Albright College, Reading, PA 19612; J. Saiers, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06515 and R.A. Orson, Orson Environmental Consulting, Branford, CT 06405
EFFECT OF PEAT STRUCTURE ON CREEKBANK DRAINAGE IN A REFERENCE AND A TIDALLY RESTORED SALT MARSH

Tide gates have restricted saline waters from inundating many Northeast U.S. coastal marshes, encouraging replacement of Spartina spp. (Spartina) with Phragmites australis (Phragmites). As Phragmites replaces Spartina, peat derived from Phragmites accumulates above existent Spartina peat. Upon tidal restoration, however, Spartina replaces Phragmites and Spartina peat accumulates above Phragmites peat. Consequently, a Spartina-Phragmites-Spartina peat profile develops within the marsh subsurface. Phragmites peat is friable with large rhizomes and may have higher hydraulic conductivity than Spartina peat thereby permitting higher creekbank drainage on ebb tide. Replicate seepage meters were installed in three peat layers (Spartina alterniflora-Phragmites-Spartina patens) along the creekbank of a Restored salt marsh and within the dominant peat layer (Spartina alterniflora) of a nearby Reference marsh in Branford, CT. Meters were sampled on 12 separate tidal cycles in both marshes. Contrary to our hypothesis, drainage was significantly lower in Phragmites peat (43.0 L ‡ m^-2 ‡ 6h^-1) relative to S. alterniflora (90.4 L ‡ m^-2 ‡ 6h^-1) and S. patens (138.9 L ‡ m^-2 ‡ 6h^-1) peat at the Restored marsh. Phragmites peat exported 52.4% and 69.0% less porewater on ebb tide compared with S. alterniflora and S. patens peat, respectively. Drainage was significantly less in S. alterniflora peat at the Reference marsh (48.4 L ‡ m^-2 ‡ 6h^-1) compared with S. alterniflora peat at the Restored marsh. Drainage per 1m² of creekbank at the Restored marsh (122.0 L ‡ m^-2 ‡ 6h^-1) was significantly greater relative to the Reference marsh (48.4L ‡ m^-2 ‡ 6h^-1). It is possible that the interface between Phragmites and S. patens peat is a zone of high conductivity ‡and therefore may be a preferential pathway for creekbank drainage and nutrient export.

Hunter-Thomson*, K.I., Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267; J.E. Hughes, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543 and B.S. Williams, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AK 72035
ESTUARINE—OPEN-WATER COMPARISON OF FISH COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN EELGRASS (ZOSTERA MARINA L.) HABITATS OF CAPE COD

While it is generally accepted that eelgrass habitats support diverse and productive fish communities, most of our information about the ecological function of eelgrass habitats comes from estuarine environments. Our study tested whether estuarine and open-water eelgrass habitats support similar fish community structures (abundance, biomass, and number and type of species) and contrasted these fish communities to those of nearby non-eelgrass habitats. Eelgrass habitats in estuaries supported significantly more species than did open-water eelgrass habitats, although both contained similar fish abundance and biomass. Non-eelgrass habitats maintained significantly higher fish abundance and biomass in open-water than in comparable estuarine locations, suggesting that these environments better accommodate living requirements of fish. Estuarine sites with eelgrass harbored significantly higher numbers of species, abundance, and biomass than estuarine sites without eelgrass. Yet surprisingly, open-water eelgrass and non-eelgrass habitats contained relatively similar numbers of species, number of individuals, or biomass. We also tested whether four major categories of life-history classifications (estuarine resident, estuarine spawner, marine spawner, and marine species) were true for the nearshore species we collected. As predicted, abundance of estuarine resident and estuarine spawner species depended upon estuarine eelgrass locations. However, marine spawner species only relied on eelgrass habitats, suggesting eelgrass offers certain ecological benefits (e.g., food protection). Marine species abundance correlated with open-water location, further supporting the similarity between eelgrass and non-eelgrass habitats.

Jonas, S., M. Harris, J. Tait*, T. Van Biersel and J. Fullmer, Department of Earth Sciences, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, 06515
STRATIGRAPHIC CONTROL OF SALT MARSH BANK RETREAT IN THE HOUSATONIC ESTUARY

The wetland complex in the lower-most Housatonic estuary is part of the Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Management Area and the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge and is significant both in terms of its ecology and its size. Portions of the salt marsh complex are undergoing bank retreat at rates locally as high as 1 m/yr. The high marsh habitat is particularly threatened. Bank failure in many areas is driven by erosion of low cohesion, sand-rich layers by a combination of wave and current action, and probably by groundwater sapping and tidal pumping. When the weight of the undercut block exceeds the tensile strength of the overlying material, a block fall occurs with blocks being on the order of 2 m long, 1 m high, and 0.5 m deep. Subsequent wave and current action disaggregates the blocks. The low cohesion, sand-rich strata appear to be storm deposits and have been correlated with historical hurricanes. Age-depth relationships were estimated via comparison with ¹⁴C and ²¹⁰Pb data obtained by researchers from Wesleyan University for a core taken nearby. Significant erosional strata correlate well with the hurricanes of 1783, 1788, and 1821. Another erosion-prone horizon consists of glacial outwash sands that underlie the marsh. Besides the presence of weak horizons in the marsh stratigraphy, other controls on bank erosion appear to be exposure to high-energy wave action, e.g., via boat wakes, and the interaction of tides and sea level change in determining the vertical distribution of energy against the bank.

Lamoureux, D., J. Priest, T. Fleming and C. Coron*, Department of Earth Sciences, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, 06515
ANTHROPOGENIC HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN TIDAL MARSH SEDIMENTS, FLETCHER’S CREEK, MILFORD, CT

Fletcher’s Creek tidal marsh is part of Silver Sands State Park, a 47-acre recreational beach and salt marsh facility along Long Island Sound in Milford, CT. The area had been a dumping site for local inhabitants since the 1920’s, used by the town of Milford as an unregulated landfill since the end of WWII and officially closed in 1977. Anecdotal information indicates that, in addition to regular household waste, hazardous materials including asbestos, lead paint, pesticides, oil, battery acid, freon, toluene, PCB’s and radioactive medical waste were discarded at the site. During restoration of the Fletcher’s Creek tidal marsh channel system in 1999, dredging, boardwalk construction and clearing of Phragmites uncovered bedded debris at the surface. The debris field was mapped, refuse samples taken to be dated, and water samples collected from tidal channels, pools and seeps in 2000, and tested spectrophotometrically for select heavy metals. The affected area was initially determined to be 3.72 square kilometers, lying 242m south of the fenced-off landfill, extending 60-100m beyond the mapped ‘0’ limit of landfill waste, and now projected to underlie the area up to the current strandline. Bedded debris exposed in channels occurs to an average depth of 2 meters. Dated materials exposed on the surface cluster between 1964-1968. XRF analyses (winter 2001) of sediment from the debris field and within tidal channels indicate elevated concentrations of heavy metals (including chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium and zinc) of probable anthropogenic origin. Levels exceed those of tested water samples and are consistently above pre-industrialized background.

Lanier, J.J., Millstone Power Station, Dominion Nuclear, Waterford, CT 06385
Bird Species at Millstone Point from April 2001 through August 2002

Bird species were noted during daily noon walks around Millstone Power Station, which includes forest, riparian, estuarine, seacoast, marsh, industrial, and grassland habitats. A record was kept of species identified each month. A total of 123 species was observed. The number of species observed per month was remarkably stable, with an average of 50 species and a range of 36 (perhaps spuriously low) to 59. Nineteen species were seen regularly year round. Twenty eight were seen regularly in the summer only, while twelve were seen regularly in the winter only. The data suggests that this area has a fairly stable number of niches with a partial seasonal turnover in type of niche from summer breeding opportunities to winter refuges.

Megargle, C.E., Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton CT
Flushing Time of the Pawcatuck River Estuary

The Wood-Pawcatuck River begins in central Rhode Island and drains into the Pawcatuck River estuary on the CT-RI border, eventually into Little Narragansett Bay, Westerly, RI. With many houses and marinas along the river, eutrophication and pollution are major concerns. Further, future development may reduce the fresh water input altering the estuarine habitat. Detailed CTD surveys were completed in the estuary, to delimit the present estuarine habitat, and to compute flushing. River flows from the USGS HCDN stations in Westerly and Wood River Junction, RI, were pro-rated to estimate the total inflow entering the estuary. Flows were near historical lows. CTD profiles were contoured, and salinity cross sections at low and high tide portray the extent of estuarine habitat for these river flows. Flushing time is more illusive. Dyer's Estuaries: A Physical Introduction (1973) describes several methods of determining flushing rate. Bathymetric area was calculated from a US Navigational Chart of Fisher's Island Sound (13214), at mean lower-low water. The flushing time is the time it takes for the incoming river-water to replace the existing fresh water in the system. Utilizing the Fractional Fresh Water Method, the Pawcatuck estuary has a flushing time of 2.3 days. The Tidal Prism Method includes only tidal exchange, assuming water entering at high tide will displace the volume of the river. Multiplying the surface area of the river by the tidal amplitude yielded a tidal exchange of 3.57 tidal cycles, or 1.8 days. While rapid, an exchange of 2-3 days is reasonable for shallow coastal estuaries.

Millman*, M.L., M. Teichberg, P. Martinetto and I. Valiela, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, Boston University Marine Program, Woods Hole, MA, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina, Boston University Marine Program, Woods Hole, MA
RESPONSE OF SHRIMP POPULATIONS TO LAND-DERIVED NITROGEN IN WAQUOIT BAY

Land-derived nitrogen impacts estuarine communities by increasing phytoplankton and macroalgae populations which alter the habitat and food web structure. We looked at the response of estuarine shrimp to different N loads by determining the abundance, species composition, growth rate and reproduction. Four estuarine shrimp species, Palaemonetes pugio, Palaemonetes vulgaris, Crangon septemspinosa and Hippolyte zostericola were collected by seining in estuaries of Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts, USA with different N loads. We found that the abundance of P. pugio was significantly higher in the higher N loaded estuaries and the species composition was dominated by P. pugio in relation to increased N load. Growth rates of the two cohorts were found for P. pugio. The growth rate of Cohort 1 was unaffected by N loads, but cohort 2 decreased slightly. Land-derived nitrogen had no affect on the percent ovigerous females. These results suggest that P. pugio and H. zostericola may be useful indicator species for increased N loads and pristine estuarine conditions, respectively.

Mylon*, S.E., H. Hu and G. Benoit, Yale School of the Environment, New Haven, CT 06511
QUANTIFICATION OF VOLATILE REDUCED SULFUR COMPOUNDS IN CONNECTICUT SURFACE WATERS INFLUENCED BY LONG ISLAND SOUND

Volatile reduced sulfur compounds (VRSCs), such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), carbonyl sulfide (COS), carbon disulfide (CS₂), methyl sulfide (MS), methyl disulfide (DMS), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), are important in the cycling of sulfur and in global climate regulation. These VSCs have been recognized as a significant source of atmospheric sulfur. In addition, organic sulfides can affect fate and bioavailability of trace metals by serving as strongly bound complexing agents. The ambient concentrations of most VRSCs are typically below conventional limits of detection in fully oxygenated surface waters, but can be quantified by methods that we have developed. In addition, they can accumulate in the hypolimnia of tidal ponds and deep water basins to much higher levels. We will present data from studies where we concentrate VRSCs on a chemical trap after purging samples taken at several sites along the mixing zone of two Connecticut river estuaries, the Saugatuck and the Norwalk. Separation, identification and quantification of these compounds can be realized using gas chromatography coupled with pulsed flame photometric detection (PFPD). In addition, we will present a vertical profile of VRSCs from Frash Pond, a tidal basin in Stratford, CT. Biological production has been identified as an important source of VSCs in the ocean and coastal marine environments. Therefore, we will also present chlorophyll a concentrations taken in situ at each sampling site in order to illustrate the relationship that may exist between biological productivity and VRSCs.

Nicholson*, R.O. and V.T. Breslin, Department of Science Education and Environmental Studies, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, 06515.
SEDIMENT METAL CONTAMINATION IN THE WEST RIVER MEMORIAL PARK

This research was designed to examine sediment metal contamination in the West River Memorial Park, New Haven, CT. The 200-acre West River Memorial Park was a salt marsh prior to the introduction of tidal gates in 1920. There is interest in removing the tidal gates to restore tidal flushing within the currently degraded urban marsh habitat. Seventeen surface (0-6 cm) sediment samples were collected during the Spring 2001 from within the river using a ponar grab from a canoe. Sediment samples were then examined for composition (sand/silt/clay), total organic matter (loss on ignition) and metals. Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) contents of the sediments were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry following extraction using a nitric acid-hydrogen peroxide digest technique. Results show that sediment metal concentrations were highly variable and ranged from 43-609 mg/kg for Zn, 34-430 mg/kg for Pb, 6-47 mg/kg for Ni and from 36-197 mg/kg for Cu. Higher metal concentrations were associated with finer-grained sediment with high organic matter contents. Metal concentrations within the West River Memorial Park ranged from 1.1 to 17.9 fold greater than metal concentrations expected from weathering of crustal material within the West River watershed.

Olsen*, C., M. Lyman, M. Parker and Y. Li*. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Management, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LONG ISLAND SOUND AMBIENT WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM: EXHIBIT OF ACTIVITIES AND DATA

Since 1991, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP) has been monitoring the water quality of Long Island Sound (LIS). The primary goal of this monitoring program is to develop a long-term data base from which the effectiveness of management actions to reduce nitrogen inputs to the Sound may be evaluated. Sampling is conducted year round. Monthly sampling includes monitoring surface and bottom waters for nutrients, chlorophyll a, biological oxygen demand, and water column profiles of temperature, salinity, irradiance and dissolved oxygen. Results have revealed clear annual patterns in many parameters and significant trends in several. Additional biweekly summer sampling at 25-35 stations provides data on the recurrent low dissolved oxygen condition known as hypoxia. Twelve years of data show areal and temporal variability in the development and persistence of this low dissolved oxygen condition. With additional funding from EPA's Long Island Sound Office and National Coastal Assessment, the program has recently expanded to include monthly phytoplankton (begun in 2001) and zooplankton (begun in 2002) monitoring. National Coastal Assessment participation has also involved sediment monitoring throughout LIS and water quality and sediment monitoring in nearshore locations (harbors and tidal river sections). The CTDEP encourages the research community to make use of the monitoring program and the resultant data base as an aid to complementary research and assessment efforts in Long Island Sound and elsewhere.

Paskevich, V.F and L.J.Poppe, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole, MA 02543 and R.S. Lewis and M.L. Digiacomo-Cohen, Long Island Sound Resource Center, Connecticut DEP, Groton, CT 06340
GEOLOGIC FRAMEWORK DATA FOR LONG ISLAND SOUND, 1981 – 1990: A DIGITAL DATA RELEASE

Since 1982, the USGS and the Connecticut DEP have maintained a cooperative agreement to investigate the geological framework and surficial processes of Long Island Sound (LIS). As part of this agreement during the 1980's, a regional set of high-resolution seismic-reflection profiles and vibratory cores were collected to interpret the stratigraphy of the LIS basin. These unique seismic records and coring logs, which are still under great demand, were irreplaceable, fragile, existed only in analog form, and were becoming ragged from frequent use. To preserve these data, they were converted into digital form, and the files were organized into a GIS product on DVD-ROM media that would allow the data to be more readily accessed and disseminated. The seismic records are provided in two resolutions: reduced images for rapid browsing to provide an overview of the data, and images for full-scale plotter reproduction. Images of these records can be accessed through links with both tables and maps. Information on the vibratory cores includes visual descriptions, core photographs, and maps showing station locations. Associated seismic navigation and core location data have been converted to GIS compatible formats and are listed in the data catalog with FGDC metadata. All available ancillary reports from the seismic and coring programs have been included to supply additional background and to broaden the perspective and understanding of the user. A gallery of photographs showing the equipment and procedures from the geophysical and coring programs and the personnel who conducted these operations is also provided for general interest.

Pellegrino, P.E., Biology Department, Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515 and T.A. Randall, US Army Corps of Engineers, 696 Virginia Road Concord, MA 01742
THE INVISIBLE WORLD OF THE SEASHORE: AN INTERACTIVE GUIDE TO THE PLANKTON COMMUNITIES OF LONG ISLAND SOUND

The Invisible World of the Seashore is a digital interactive guide to shallow water planktonic communities. This computer driven DVD program incorporates live video footage of organisms along with detailed biological descriptions. It will allow students to learn in a dynamic and interesting way about the ecological importance of these communities and to appreciate the beauty of these microscopic organisms. Students will be able to explore these bizarre invisible worlds and study life forms that would otherwise have remained completely hidden. This program will allow students to jump quickly in a non-linear fashion from phytoplankton to holoplankton to meroplankton. They will view the many truly bizarre but beautiful larval forms such as the pilidium, actinotroch, cyphonautes, bipinnaria, ophiopluteus, zoea, megalops, and many others. This program is also a valuable teaching resource providing instructions with instant access to a living reference collection of life forms that are extremely difficult to obtain.

Reynolds*, B.L., University of Connecticut, 1084 Shennecossett Road, Groton, CT 06340
DIEL VARIABILITY IN GROSS COMMUNITY PRODUCTION RATES FOR WESTERN LONG ISLAND SOUND

The bottom waters of Western Long Island Sound (WLIS) experience hypoxic conditions during summer months. This condition arises due to the formation of a strong pycnocline, which prevents atmospheric oxygen from reaching the deeper waters of WLIS. Introduction of excess nitrogen from human land usage also magnifies the hypoxia problem through eutrophication. A first time study was conducted during the summer of 2002 on the rates of gross community production and respiration throughout the water column in WLIS. The measurements of these rates will be used to create a new bio-geo-physical model of LIS. This model will provide a better understanding of how biology and physics affect hypoxic conditions in WLIS. All eight stations used in the study could not be sampled simultaneously; therefore they were sampled at various times of day. It was not known how physiological diel variation would affect the PI (photosynthesis vs. irradiance) curve throughout the day. I conducted an experiment to offer insight on if and how community production rates varied throughout the day. A 20 L seawater sample was collected from one station to do three sets of light/dark incubations and chlorophyll samples at various times of day. The seawater was incubated in the same manner as the aformentioned experiment using an artificial light gradient in a seawater bath. Titrations were then conducted at the Avery Point lab using a computer controlled titrator. PI curves for the sets of incubation were then compared. The experiment has been conducted three times thus far and the first two experiments show two contrasting patterns. The third set of incubations is currently being analyzed to confirm any effect/non-effect of diel variability.

Rozsa*, R., CT Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Long Island Sound Programs, Hartford, CT 06106 and R.S. Warren, Connecticut College, Department of Botany New London, CT 06320
TIDAL WETLAND LOSS IN WESTERN LONG ISLAND SOUND: A REFLECTION OF RECENT SEA LEVEL RISE?

In the late 1980’s the CT DEP received reports of a “dying” salt marsh in western Long Island Sound (LIS) along the Five-mile River, Darien, Connecticut. The wetland was polyhaline low marsh wherein the normally tall (i.e., 1.8 m) and dense Spartina alterniflora was stunted, less than 0.3 m tall, sparse, and with praemose leaf tips. Today mud flat has replaced more than half the vegetated area of ca. 1970. Similar patterns of low marsh loss have since been documented in other western LIS, high tidal range (ca.2 m) systems. The largest single area of documented LIS tideland loss is in the mid-estuary position of the Quinnipiac River where over 80 ha of mesohaline marsh, dominated by Typha angustifolia and Phragmites australis (haplotype M), are converting to peat flat. Various causal factors that could drive such changes, ranging from chemical spills to goose eat-out, have been eliminated. Here we propose that a key factor contributing to these losses is an imbalance between marsh accretion and recent sea-level rise, which has increased hydroperiods beyond the limits tolerated by S. alterniflora, T. angustifolia, and P. australis. Characteristics of submerging LIS marshes, rates of marsh loss, and sea level trends over the past quarter century are also presented. An array of sediment erosion table stations, the first of a proposed Sound wide network, have been installed at Barn Island to assess elevation change and sediment accumulation rates.

Schoepfer*, V.A., Fields Memorial School, 145 Lake Road, Bozrah, CT 06334
NITRATE AND PHOSPHATE CONCENTRATIONS IN SALT AND FRESH WATER

Nitrate and Phosphate are limiting nutrients needed by salt and fresh water organisms. My experiment showed several factors influence concentrations of nutrients in salt and fresh water. I hypothesized that both nutrients would have higher concentrations in salt water than in fresh and there would be more nutrients present at ebb than flood tide. Salt water tests were conducted during August, with a Hach Colorimeter. Samples were taken six times on four different dates at ten stations. This determined that areas with lower salinities closer to fresh water sources, such as the head of the river and the cove had higher Nitrate concentrations. Ebb tide samples contained more Nitrate, possibly because the tide leaches some of this nutrient out of beach and marsh sediments. After rainfall, the amounts of both nutrients spiked possibly a result of runoff. Phosphate isn't as common in salt water especially in the New England area because of its source - erosion from rocks. Most samples in this study had 0 mg/L as a concentration of Phosphate regardless of the variables tested. Fresh water was tested in December and January using a LaMotte colorimeter, and later retested using a Hach for comparative results. Fifteen stations were tested on seven dates. Nitrate was present in most samples. The highest amount was 1.76mg/L at Main's Store. It may have been high due to waste disposal from a nearby chicken farm. Phosphate readings in fresh water were low or nonexistent. After precipitation, the nutrient levels were also higher in fresh water samples. Although the levels of nutrients were low in fresh water because of the rain, there was insufficient data to make a conclusion about impact of rainfall on fresh water nutrient load.

Sellers*, A.M. and J.A. Tyler, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA, 01609 and J.M. Jech, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF GEORGES BANK FOR ATLANTIC COD

We determined the environmental quality of Georges Bank and the Gulf of Maine, as well as the ability of this environment to support Atlantic Cod (Gadus Morhua) populations by means of Growth Rate Potential (GRP) analyses. GRP is the amount of growth predicted for fish with known prey availability and environmental conditions. Prey availability data was collected during systematic acoustic surveys of Georges Bank in the fall of 2000 aboard the NOAA research vessel FR/V Delaware II. The target sizes and fish densities were measured using an EK500 echo sounder operating at 38 kHz. We processed these data using the DEVIS computer software to determine abundance and distribution of Atlantic Cod’s prey, consisting of Atlantic Herring (Clupea Harengus). Finally, using the processed acoustic data, along with water temperature data, also obtained in the field, we computed the GRP of Atlantic Cod with help of the GRP Map Maker computer software. Our results show in six of the seven transects studied that contained the 25 meter contour and shallower water, 25% to 45% of the environment supported positive growth for Atlantic Cod. For the remaining transect, 15% of its environment showed positive growth for Atlantic Cod. These results suggest that Georges Bank can still support a sizable fishery.

Thalhauser*, J.E., Manhasset Bay Protection Committee, Manhasset, NY, 11030
EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION THROUGH AN INTER-MUNICIPAL PARTNERSHIP

Challenges that accompany ecosystem restoration projects often include one or more of the following: assessing and prioritizing restoration needs, securing funding, utilizing the project as an educational tool, monitoring the success of the restoration project, and protecting the restored system. Only a few of these challenges are essential to the “construction” of a project, but all are critical to the ultimate success of a project. The Manhasset Bay Protection Committee’s inter-municipal approach to restoration addresses all of these challenges and more as it gathers the necessary resources from member municipalities, their communities, and related community organizations. Future inter-municipal agreements throughout the Long Island Sound region may be the key to more successful habitat restoration projects.

Titus*, T.M. and V.T. Breslin, Department of Science Education and Environmental Studies, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, 06515
DISTRIBUTION OF SEDIMENT METAL CONTAMINATION IN BRIDGEPORT HARBOR, CT

Bridgeport Harbor is one of the largest ports of entry in Connecticut and plays a pivotal role in the transportation infrastructure and future economic development of the state. Bridgeport Harbor has been historically characterized by industrial development and is urbanized throughout its watershed. Sources of metals to the harbor include the Pequonnock River, industrial discharges, municipal wastewater and atmospheric deposition. During June 2002, thirty two surface (0-6 cm) sediment samples were collected from thirteen stations (6 inner harbor, 5 outer harbor and 2 external to the harbor) to define a high-resolution spatial distribution of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) contamination. Sediment metal concentrations within the harbor varied widely and ranged from 31-340 mg/kg for Pb, 43 to 520 mg/kg for Zn, 7.9 to 180 mg/kg for Ni, 28 to 500 mg/kg for Cu and 0.71 to 9.6 % for Fe. Highest sediment metal concentrations were measured at the inner harbor stations, particularly in the lower reaches of the Yellow Mill Channel. Sediment metal contents were highest in the fine-grained, inner harbor sediment and were lowest in the coarse-grained sediment located outside the mouth of the harbor in Long Island Sound. Copper, Zn and Pb contents were highly correlated with both the iron and organic carbon content of the surface sediment (coefficients of determination > 0.73). Mean sediment metal concentrations of the inner harbor were 3.1 (Fe) to 5.8 (Cu) times their respective concentrations at stations located outside the mouth of the harbor.

Vaudrey, J. M. P., B. Branco and J. N. Kremer, Department of Marine Science, University of Connecticut, 1080 Shennecossett Road, Groton, CT 06340.
MUMFORD COVE: A SYSTEM IN REBOUND

Mumford Cove, a small (0.5 km²) Connecticut estuary, has a history of changing nutrient inputs and corresponding eutrophication over the last 57 years. Unlike most sites currently under investigation, the anthropogenic nutrient load to Mumford Cove has been greatly reduced, resulting in a shift from an algal dominated community to one dominated by a vascular plant (Zostera marina). From 1945 to 1987, a wastewater treatment facility discharged into the cove. At the time of the facilityês removal, the cove supported a near monoculture of the green algae Ulva lactuca (320 g d.w. m^-2). Applied Science Associates monitored the cove during 1988 and 1989, reporting a return to low nutrient levels and a reduction in the biomass of U. lactuca. They also predicted the return of Z. marina, based on the observation of a few seedlings. The site was revisited in 1999. Ruppia maritima, a vascular plant, was present at 2 of the 4 originally monitored sites (18 and 97 g d.w. m^-2). Z. marina was present at a third site (158.73 g d.w. m^-2). Additional methods were used to document the extent of macrophytes, resulting in a map and further estimates of biomass. In 2002, vegetation in Mumford Cove was surveyed once again. In a survey of 21 stations, Z. marina was present at all but one station. Biomass ranged from 2 to 1037 g d.w. m^-2 with an average of 330 g d.w. m^-2. At the original 4 stations surveyed in 1988, Z. marina was present at 3 of the stations (7, 116, and 210 g d.w. m^-2). Within 15 years after a reduction in anthropogenic nutrient loading, the physical characteristics of Mumford Cove allowed the system to recover from 40 years of disturbance to what we theorize was the initial trophic status of the bay.

Waliser, D.E., R. Wilson, T. Wilson, T. Baggett*, J. Giannotti, Marine Sciences Research Center, SUNY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794; D. Codiga, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT 06340 and M. Reynolds, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
A FERRY-BASED MARINE AND ATMOSPHERIC OBSERVING SYSTEM FOR LONG ISLAND SOUND

A recent agreement between scientists at SUNY and the Port Jefferson Ferry Company along with a research grant from NY Sea Grant has resulted in the opportunity to collect measurements of several significant environmental parameters during the ferry's routine crossing. This tremendous opportunity provides the means to uniquely address a number of regional scientific, environmental and societal issues. These involve:
* the understanding of circulation and stratification of the LIS and their relationship to water quality and the development of hypoxia in the Sound,
* the development of a historical record of climate forcing for the LIS spanning nearly 100 years,
* the role each of the above may have played in the periodic poor-yield Lobster years, of which 1999 was catastrophic to the local fishing community,
* determining the relative contributions to circulation and stratification variability in the LIS from synoptic weather events and low-frequency climate variability.
Moreover, it provides the project's partners the needed observational platform to:
* develop and validate a state-of-the-art coastal modeling and observation system for the LIS,
* contribute sorely needed observational resources to the NWS which has no means to obtain over-water observations of the LIS.
The agreement and funding also provide for the installation of an educational system on the ferry which will display and describe the data being collected to the passengers and educate the audience on the pertinent environmental issues being addressed by the project. In addition, there will be a web site developed to provide the data so that other researchers and educators can take advantage of this tremendous opportunity.

Williams*, B.S., University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AK 72035, J.E. Hughes, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543 and K. Hunter-Thomson, Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267

INFLUENCE OF EPIPHYTIC ALGAL COVERAGE ON FISH PREDATION RATES IN SIMULATED EELGRASS HABITATS

We conducted laboratory experiments to determine how increased canopy structure due to epiphytic algal growth in eelgrass beds affected fish predation rates on invertebrates. The mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus was used as the predator and the amphipod Gammarus mucronatus was used as the prey species. Experiments were conducted in 38-l glass aquaria. Coverage groups consisted of no vegetative cover, 300 blades of eelgrass, 300 blades of eelgrass + low epiphytic biomass, 300 blades of eelgrass + high epiphytic biomass. Epiphytic cover of the blades was qualitatively determined by adapting the methods used for field assessment of percent coverage of eelgrass wasting disease. The epiphytic cover was quantified by taking a random sample of 20 blades from each coverage category and measuring the wet biomass of the epiphytic algae. The low epiphytic cover group had a biomass of 0.11 g/blade (+/- 0.02 g) Three hundred blades that had been sorted by epiphytic coverage category were placed together in clusters of 10 and evenly distributed in the sand at the bottom of the aquaria. The overall density of the blades was calculated to be 2307.7 m^-2. The predation rate was measured as the number of G. mucronatus consumed/fish/h, and was calculated as an indicator of foraging efficiency. The predation rate was found to be the highest in the no vegetative cover group, in which the amphipods had no refuge from the predators, and lowest in the high epiphytic cover group. Canopy structure had a highly significant effect on the predation rate.