Historical News
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at four locations in the Providence River estuary on November 9. Trace precipitation was recorded at TF Green throughout the 5 days leading up to the survey. Secchi depth averaged 3.5 meters, compared to 2.5 meters on the previous survey (November 2). The lowest clarity this week (2.6 meters) was measured at Point St. Bridge, while the greatest clarity (4.2 meters) was measured at Bullock Reach. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week.
R/V Monitor's Blog
On Wednesday, November 9th, the crew of the R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay collecting bacteria samples, taking Secchi Disk water clarity measurements, conducting water column profiles using an EXO1 sonde,, and conducting real-time surface mapping of water quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, water temperature, salinity, and pH, all in an effort to document water quality improvements associated with NBC construction projects. In the afternoon, the crew serviced the Bullock's Reach buoy. Sara captained the boat while monitoring professionals Amanda, Daryll and Jeff collected the samples and data. It was partly cloudy and chilly with a light chop on the water. The featured photo taken was a tug boat observed at ProvPort.
R/V Monitor's Blog
On Wednesday, November 2nd, the crew of the R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay collecting nutrients and plankton samples, taking Secchi Disk and Par sensor water clarity measurements, conducting water column profiles using the Seabird instrument, and conducting real-time surface mapping of water quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, water temperature, salinity, and pH, all in an effort to document water quality improvements associated with NBC construction projects. Jeffrey captained the boat while monitoring professionals Daryll, Steven and Michael collected the samples and data. The day was sunny and warm with a light breeze and calm waters. The featured photo shows a cargo ship unloading gravel at ProvPort.
Surface Mapping
Data were collected on November 9, 2022, while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting bacteria samples and swapping sondes in the Providence River estuary. The average chlorophyll concentrations were good in the areas surveyed. From north to south, average chlorophyll concentrations were as follows: Upper Providence River (0.58 µg/L), Edgewood Shoals area (0.80 µg/L), Pawtuxet River area (0.84 µg/L), and Lower Providence River (1.12 µg/L). Overall, chlorophyll ranged between 0.21 and 2.74 µg/L with an overall average of 0.95 µg/L. The chlorophyll data from this date are presented in the map below:
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at six locations in the Providence River estuary on November 2, 2022. Rainfall totaling 0.05 inches was recorded at TF Green in the five days prior to the survey. Secchi depth averaged 2.5 meters, compared to 3.0 meters on the previous survey (October 27). The lowest clarity this week (1.5 meters) was measured at Pawtuxet Cove, while the greatest clarity (3.9 meters) was measured at Bullock Reach. There was no clear north-to-south gradient in water clarity among the sites this week.
