Delaware (DEL) NERR Meteorological Metadata January 01, 2004 - December 31, 2004 Latest Update: July 7, 2005

Meteorological monitoring is conducted at 26 National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR)
from at least one location within or adjacent to the reserve. Data are collected every 5 seconds
and averages are produced from this data at quarterly (15 minutes), hourly (60 minutes) and
daily (1440 minutes) intervals. The parameters collected within these intervals are: averages,
maximums and minimums of air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed,
wind direction, precipitation and photosynthetically active solar radiation. Research
objectives: The principal objective is to record long-term meteorological data for the St. Jones
component of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve in order to observe any
environmental changes or trends over time. The data are also used for specific research studies
relating to atmospheric deposition of nutrients and pesticides, and nutrient runoff influences
from encroaching urbanization on estuarine systems. The meteorological data also serves a
supporting role for the SWMP water quality and nutrient data sets since meteorological
conditions directly impact these projects.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Associated researchers and projects. The NERR Water Quality Monitoring Project has four stations located at the DNERR. The
principal objective of this study is to record long-term water quality data for St. Jones and
Blackbird watersheds in order to observe any physical changes or trends in water quality over
time. The Blackbird station represents a pristine site while the the three St. Jones River
stations represent impacted sites. Measurements are taken every 30 minutes over roughly two-week
collecting periods. The NERR Nutrient Monitoring Project has five stations located at the DNERR.
The objective of this monitoring program is to provide baseline information on inorganic
nutrient and Chla water quality status in the Delaware NERR while also contributing to baseline
information nationally. Diel and grab samples are collected monthly at each of the five sites.
In addition atmospheric deposition of rainfall events is performed in the DNERR watersheds to
monitor and characterize the nutrient input to the estuary from differing storm events and
seasonally. One sampler is currently positioned in the St. Jones watershed (the additional two
were decomissioned in 2003) and one is located in the Blackbird watershed. Other remarks/notes
a) LiCor: Prior to the installation of the new NERR_4.CSI program on 11/14/2003, all values less
than 0 were altered in the raw data to read 0. These values may indicate an incorrect
multiplier, calibration problems, or a sensor malfunction. Because these values arechanged in
the raw data, we cannot confirm that they are all valid points. b) Relative Humidity: Prior to
the installation of the new NERR_4.CSI program on 11/14/2003, all values over 100% were altered
in the raw data to read 100%. These values may indicate an supersaturated air, calibration
problems, or a sensor malfunction. Because these values are changed in the raw data, we cannot
confirm that they are all valid points.

CURRENTNESS REFERENCE:
Observed

SPATIAL DATA ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:
Indirect Spatial Reference: Site location and character The Delaware National
Estuarine Research Reserve is comprised of two component sites, the St. Jones River and
Blackbird Creek components. Both components are located along the Delaware Bay Coast. The St.
Jones River Component is located in central Kent County Delaware, east of the State capitol
city, Dover. The Blackbird Creek component is located in the unincorporated area of Southern New
Castle County. The meteorological station site, is located in the St. Jones DNERR component. It
is located in a tidal marsh area with a wooded fringe area 100 m to the north, 75 m to east, 75
m to the west and 1+ km to south. The wooded area is of an approximate average height of 16 m.
Position: Latitude 39 degree 05' 20.05" N Longitude 75 degree 26' 12.78" W The unit is mounted
on a 3-meter tower adjacent to the boardwalk that crosses the marsh. The elevations above the
marsh surface are as follows; Barometric pressure - 2.2 m, temperature and relative humidity -
2.9 m , wind and PAR - 4.5 m, highest point on tower (lightning rod) - 4.9 m. The rain gauge is
2.4 m above the surface and 3 m south of the tower. The adjacent boardwalk is 1.1 m above the
surface with a railing height of 1.0 m. A vegetative cover of spartina surrounds the area with
an average height of 1 m. The tower and rain gauge are both 1 m east of the boardwalk. The
weatherstation is located approximately 2 km from the water quality datasonde at Scotton
Landing, approximately 4km from the water quality station at Lebanon Landing, and approximately
10km away from the water quality monitoring station at Division Street.