Transcript Slide 1

Green Harbor River Project
Holly Williams
Independent Study
Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
May 2008
The Green Harbor River is currently being studied to see how the
tidal restriction affects the ecosystem. It is important to keep our
rivers clean. You can help us out and take part in a great effort to
protect our local areas.
The dike was built in Green Harbor River in
Marshfield Massachusetts in 1872. Since then
the river has suffered from tidal restrictions.
The Green Harbor Project started in 2003
and is still underway. Reports contain
water quality data including salinity,
turbidity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved
oxygen saturation, and surface pH. In
the past three years a nekton species
survey was taken to compare fish and
crab catches for the harbor and river. I
compiled a complete list of animal
species recorded in the area from the
reports. An example of 2005 data can
be found at the end of this power point.
In the following slides, graphs and
tables of water quality averages of
June, July, and August from 2003-2007
will be presented. I will also point out
what is most relevant and interesting.
What are these graphs and tables for?
The reason for making these tables
was to show the monthly
averages of the data taken in the
past five years. The purpose is to
see if there are any trends
caused by tidal restrictions and
to compare yearly data.
June, July, and August were chosen
because during these months
the river and harbor have been
studied more intensely.
Turbidity in river and harbor
The salinity was determined by using a
YSI-85 digital meter. A Sea Test Full
Range Specific Gravity Meter
manufactured by Aquarium Systems was
also used to compare the data.
Salinity in Harbor
Salinity in River
2003-July
N/A
19.4
2003-August
N/A
6.5
2004-June
N/A
33
2004-July
21.5
13
2004-August
21
20.5
2005-June
21
23
2005-July
29.2
26.2
2005-August
29.9
28
2006-June
25.5
4.5
2006-July
25
6
2006-August
29
25
2007-June
26.5
27.5
2007-July
29.2
25.7
2007-August
29.9
27.4
Summer average 2003-2007
26.7
20.6
Date
During May, June, and July of
2006 mean salinity was the
lowest in the river because
tide gate was not opened up
until June. Then salinity rose
Salinity For Green Harbor Project 2003-2007 gradually. Another variable is
the rain patterns.
35
30
Salinity (ppt)
25
20
Harbor
River
15
10
5
0
2003July
2003August
2004June
2004July
2004August
2005June
2005July
2005August
Date
2006June
2006July
2006August
2007June
2007July
2007August
Rainfall typically lowers the pH in the river.
pH In Harbor
pH in River
2003-July
N/A
8
2003-August
N/A
7.3
2004-June
N/A
7.8
2004-July
7.5
7.7
2004-August
7.3
7.3
2005-June
7.9
7.7
2005-July
8.1
7.9
2005-August
8.1
8.1
2006-June
7.4
6.7
2006-July
7.8
7.1
2006-August
8.2
8
2007-June
8.5
8.4
2007-July
8
8
2007-August
8
8
Summer Average
8
7.7
Date
Surface pH For Green Harbor Project 2003-2007
9
8
7
Surface pH
6
5
Harbor
River
4
3
2
1
0
2003July
2003August
2004June
2004July
2004August
2005June
2005July
2005August
Date
2006June
2006July
2006August
2007June
2007July
2007August
The Secchi Dish shows the depth to which light can penetrate
and is an indicator of the turbidity of the water.
Note: Secchi readings cannot be taken except during slack tide
so there is missing data.
Harbor Secchi Depth
River Secchi Depth
Date
(meters)
(meters)
2003-June
N/A
N/A
2003-July
N/A
1.3
2003-August
N/A
0.3
2004-June
N/A
1.75
2004-July
N/A
0..83
2004-August
N/A
1.3
2005-June
1.5
0.78
2005-July
1.88
1.8
2005-August
2.25
1.95
2006-August
2
1.5
2007-June
1.25
1.1
2007-July
2.75
2
2007-August
1.93
1.75
Summer Average
1.72
1.31
Secchi Depth Monthly Averages For Green Harbor Project
Harbor
River
3
Secchi Disk Depth (Meters)
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
2003-July
2003August
2004June
2004-July
2004August
2005June
2005-July
Date
2005August
2006August
2007June
2007-July
2007August
Turbidity Data: June, July August
Note: On graph, 1 is 2003, 5 is 2007
Yearly Average turbidity chart
Date
Harbor
2003
River
0.8
2004
1.21
0.94
2005
1.88
1.51
2006
2
1.5
2007
1.98
1.62
Turbidity readings in
meters
Yearly Average Turbidity
2.5
2
1.5
Harbor
River
1
0.5
0
1
2
3
Date
4
5
Analyzing Turbidity.

It is no surprise that in 2003 and 2004 the river was
extremely turbid. During June, July, and August the
tide gates were barely open. The river bottom is very
muddy. Any disturbance to the mud such as rain or
water flow disrupts the water making it dirtier. The
river often looks like a brown coffee color. At times,
after rain or when the gates are closed, you can see
two to three meters down in the harbor. The harbor
consistently has clearer water.
The scum on the water may
represent that the water
quality is poor.
Dissolved Oxygen could be better,
but progress has been made to
improve the D.O. by increasing tidal
flow especially in the last 2 years
(2006-2007).
Dissolved Oxygen (Mg/L) Harbor
Dissolved Oxygen (Mg/L) River)
2003-July
N/A
7.6
2003-August
N/A
4.2
2004-June
9
N/A
2004-July
7.5
7.7
2004-August
7.3
7.3
2005-July
9.1
6.8
2005-August
8.5
7
2006-June
6.2
4.5
2006-July
7.7
6.7
2006-August
8
7.6
2007-June
9.7
9.8
2007-July
7.6
6.9
2007-August
7.7
6.6
Summer Average
8
6.9
Date
Allowing more water into the river would
significantly improve Green Harbor’s dissolved
oxygen. On September 2, 2004 tide gates were
closed so there was zero tidal induction until the
next summer when one gate was blocked open.
Dissolved Oxygen (ppm) For Green Harbor Project 2003-2007
12
Dissolved Oxygen (ppm)
10
8
Harbor
6
River
4
2
0
2003July
2003August
2004June
2004July
2004August
2005July
2005August
Date
2006June
2006July
2006August
2007June
2007July
2007August
Harbor D.O is higher on average than in the river.
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation in Harbor
D O Saturation in River
2005-July
122.3
98.6
2005-August
106.9
84.6
2006-June
88
58
2006-July
102.7
83.8
2006-August
102.5
108.5
2007-July
96.5
88.8
2007-August
99.8
89.7
Summer Average
102.7
87.4
Date
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation For Green Harbor Project 2005-2007
Harbor
River
140
Dissolved Oxygen %
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
2005-July
2005-August
2006-June
2006-July
Date
2006-August
2007-July
2007-August
Dissolved Oxygen data: June, July, August
DO average
10
Date
Harbor
River
2003
5.9
2004
7.9
2006
8.8
6.9
2007
7.3
6.3
DO levels ppm
DO Average chart
8
6
Harbor
4
River
2
0
1
2
3
Dates
4
Analyzing Dissolved oxygen
Dissolved oxygen levels were probably low during the summer months
in 2003 and 2006 because the water was extremely turbid with a
brownish/red color which was most likely caused by the limited tidal
flow. Suspended sediments block out sunlight that vegetation needs
to photosynthesize: Without photosynthesis the oxygen levels will be
low. Also, the warmer the water, the less oxygen there will be, and the
temperatures were high because there was less mixing of cool ocean
water in the river due to limited tidal induction.
The brownish coloration of the water absorbs radiation at a higher rate
then clearer waters which can cause the temperatures to rise.
Dissolved oxygen was also effected because there is little rainfall in July
and August. The gates were also barely open, allowing slight inflow of
water.
Animal Survey for the Green Harbor River
Project
All species that have been recorded in the river
and harbor
Fish
Mollusks
American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) R
Periwinkles (Littorina littorea) H R
Banded Killifish (Fundulus diphanus) R
Mussel juveniles (Mytilus edulis) H R?
Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) H R
Softshell Clam juveniles (Mya arenaria) H R
Tautog (Tautogo onitis) H
Winter Flounder juveniles (Pleuronectes americanus) H R
Jack Family (Carabgudae) H
Pumpkin Seed Sunfish (Cepomis gibbosus) R
Three Spine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) H R
Worms
Four Spine Stickleback (Apeltes quadrucus) H R
Polychaetes H R
Atlantic Silverside (Menidia menidia)) H R
Sea Worm; Nereid H R
Northern Pipefish (Syngnathus fuscus) R
Nematodes R
Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) H
Annelids R
White Perch (Morone americanus) R
Sculpin (Scorpawniformes sp.) H
Birds
Great Blue Heron (Florida caerulea) R
Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) H R
Double Crested cormorant (Phalacroc oraz auritus) H R
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) H R
Swan R
Swallow R
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) R
Red winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) R
Pigeon (Columba livia) R
Gulls (Larus sp.) R
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) R
Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) R
Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis) R
Robin (Turdus migratorius) R
American wood cock (Scolopax minor) R
Little blue Heron (Florida caerulea) R
Green Heron (Butorides striatus) R
Plankton ( RIVER)
Copepods (Calanus sp)
Crab zoea and Mysis-zoea
Ctenophore
Barnacle cyprid and molts
Ciliates
Amphipod Corophiid
Amphipod Gammarid
Hydroid
Diatoms; Navicula
Cladospherans; Daphnia
Rotifer
Tunicates
Veligers (Clam Larvae)
Ostracod
Mosquito molts
Damselfly larva in water
Algae (BOTH)
Cladophora sp. - Algae that forms thick greenish/brown floating mats.
Sea lettuce Ulva (Came in with tide; Growing on river bottom)
Filamentous Green Algae- Wharf Creek- attached to bottom covered with brown algae
Brown Algae (Phaeophyta)
Golden algae (Prymnesium parvum)
Tube Weed (Enteromorpha sp.)
Fucus- (came in with tide- not growing on river side).
Insects (RIVER)
Dragon Fly
Damselfly
Horsefly
Water boatman
Beetle
Mosquito
Tiny flies
Crustacea
Green Crab (Carcinus maenas) H R
Asian Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus sarguinus) H
Grass Shimp (Palaemonetes sp.) H R
Sand Shrimp (Crangon septemspinosa) H R
Amphipods (Corophiid and Grammarid) H R
Northern Rock Barnacles (Semibalanus balanoides) H R
Horse Shoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) H