National Estuarine Research Reserve Nutrient Metadata (January 2002-December 2002) Latest Update: July 14, 2004

Nutrient monitoring is conducted at 26 National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR) from
four locations within or adjacent to the reserve on a monthly basis of the following parameters:
orthophosphate, ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, and chlorophyll a. Note: Reserves may collect
additional parameters which are available by searching the Yearly Files directory. Research
objectives a) Monthly Grab Program: 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. The five sites chosen for monitoring
will assist in understanding the impacts of both urban and agricultural impacts on the
watersheds. b) Diel Sampling Program: The objective of this monitoring program is to provide
baseline information on inorganic nutrient and Chla water quality status in the Delaware NERR.
The diel sampling program attempts to capture a more comprehensive view by assessing fluctuating
nutrient amounts throughout a lunar tidal cycle. The site chosen for monitoring will assist in
understanding the impacts of both urban and agricultural impacts on the watersheds.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Associated researchers and projects The DNERR water quality monitoring program
occurs at the corresponding nutrient sample sites. A YSI 6600 datasonde is deployed at each site
measuring: dissolved oxygen, salinity, specific conductivity, water temperature, depth,
turbidity, and pH. Weather data is collected in both the St. Jones River and Blackbird Creek
watershed near nutrient/water quality sites as another portion of the NERRS SWMP program. An
additional stormwater sampling program is underway to analyze the impact of agricultural BMP's
at sites in the Blackbird Creek Watershed, St. Jones River Watershed. Other Remarks a.) The diel
sample taken on August 5/6, 2002 supplements the missed July diel sampling date. On July 22,
2002 equipment failure shut the Isco sampler down and samples were not collected. b.) No grab
samples were taken for the month of August due to staffing limitations and rain delays at the
end of the month. c.) Grab samples collected on November 26, 2002 were subject to a mix-up at
the VIMS analytical laboratory. CHLA analysis was performed during the normal timeframe, but
samples were misplaced at VIMS for other nutrient analyses. In late April 2002 the problem was
identified by the DNERR and the original samples were located at VIMS. Analyses of other
parameters excluding CHLA and PHEA were run in late April once located. d.) Grab samples from
December 10, 2002 were subject to a mix-up at the VIMS analytical laboratory. Chl-A analysis was
performed during the normal timeframe, but samples were discarded at the lab for other nutrient
analyses. In late April 2002 the problem was identified by the DNERR and frozen remnant samples
stored by DNERR were resent for analysis of other parameters excluding CHLA and PHEA. e.) Diel
data set on December 16/17, 2002 is missing three samples (12/17: 0400 EST, 0900 EST, 1130 EST).
These bottles were empty upon sampler retrieval, presumably caused by intake hose freezing. f.)
Rainfall for 2002: January Rain amount (mm) 6 26.416 7 .762 11 10.922 19 13.716 20 4.826 21
2.032 23 1.016 24 3.048 25 3.048 31 1.016 March Rain amount (mm) 2 11.938 3 5.080 10 .762 12
1.778 13 10.922 16 .508 17 4.318 18 18.288 20 23.622 26 17.526 27 6.604 31 17.272 April Rain
amount (mm) 1 2.540 3 4.318 9 12.954 10 6.096 12 7.620 16 4.064 20 .508 21 .508 22 5.588 25
4.318 26 .508 27 2.794 28 57.912 May Rain amount (mm) 2 26.670 4 3.556 5 1.016 7 .254 12 34.798
13 8.128 14 .508 17 1.524 18 22.606 June Rain amount (mm) 4 .254 5 12.446 6 22.352 7 1.778 13
3.048 14 4.826 15 .254 18 .508 19 .762 27 .762 28 .254 July Rain amount (mm) 9 .762 10 4.318 14
2.286 15 .254 23 37.084 24 .762 25 7.366 27 7.620 28 1.016 August Rain amount (mm) 6 1.270 24
13.462 28 24.384 29 41.656 31 .254 September Rain amount (mm) 1 102.362 2 2.286 8 .254 9 .254 15
4.064 16 12.954 23 .254 26 20.574 27 4.826 28 3.048 October Rain amount (mm) 9 .762 10 63.500 11
29.464 12 1.016 13 2.794 15 2.794 16 37.084 17 1.270 18 .254 20 .254 23 .254 25 14.224 26 16.002
28 .508 29 23.876 30 10.160 31 1.270 November Rain amount (mm) 5 14.986 6 10.160 11 8.636 12
26.670 13 6.604 16 57.658 17 20.320 19 .254 21 7.366 22 4.826 27 3.302 30 1.270 December Rain
amount (mm) 5 1.270 6 2.286 7 3.810 8 2.794 11 36.830 13 18.288 20 16.256 22 .254 24 .762 25
19.558 30 .254

CURRENTNESS REFERENCE:
Observed