Historical News
Surface Mapping
Data were collected on October 24, 2019 while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence River estuary. The chlorophyll concentrations were good. From north to south, average chlorophyll concentrations were as follows: Upper Providence River (1.48 µg/L), Edgewood Shoals area (1.50 µg/L), Pawtuxet River area (1.74 µg/L), and Lower Providence River area (1.54 µg/L). Overall, chlorophyll ranged between undetectable and 3.90 µg/L with an overall average of 1.56 µg/L. The chlorophyll data from this date are presented in the map below:
R/V Monitor's Blog
The crew of the R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay twice this week. First on Tuesday, October 22nd, the crew was out collecting bacteria samples in the morning. In the afternoon, the Bullock's Reach buoy was serviced in an effort to repair a faulty data modem. Jeff captained the boat while monitoring professionals Bekki and Sara collected the data and worked on the buoy. It was a cool partly sunny day with a mild breeze out of the north-northeast. The waters were relatively calm. On Thursday, October 24th, the crew was out 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. In the afternoon, the temporary buoy located near Bullock's Reach was serviced. Jeff captained the boat while monitoring professionals Bekki, Steve and Mike collected the samples and data, and serviced the buoy. It was a sunny day, starting brisk but quickly warming up. There was little wind and very calm waters. The photo featured below was taken at Sabin Point showing a crane on a barge preparing to install artifical reef balls constructed of concrete. The purpose of the reef installation is to bring back fish stocks by providing habitat for them.
Bacteria Sampling
Twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers on October 16, 2019. Five stations were also sampled for enterococci. Within the five days prior to sampling, light rainfall of 0.14 inches occurred.
The geometric mean of fecal coliform results for all sites was 13 MPN/100 mL; counts were higher at the Seekonk River sites than the Providence River sites (geometric means of 60 MPN/100 mL and 7 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Division St. Dock site. Results from the Providence River were within state primary contact and shellfishing standards. Results from the Seekonk River exceeded state standards for primary contact and shellfishing.
The geometric mean of enterococci samples increased slightly from the previous sampling event on October 2, from 15 MPN/100 mL to 20 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci results ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at Gaspee Point and Conimicut Point to 86 MPN/100 mL at Point St. Bridge. These enterococci results were within state standards for primary contact.
Please note: the results of NBC's fecal coliform and enterococci monitoring are for informational/research purposes only and are not intended to suggest official state compliance with bathing or shellfishing standards.
Surface Mapping
Data
were collected on October 16, 2019 while the R/V Monitor was underway
collecting bacteria samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries. The chlorophyll concentrations were good. From north to south, average chlorophyll
concentrations were as follows: Seekonk River (2.84 µg/L), Upper Providence
River ( 2.29 µg/L), Edgewood Shoals area (3.17 µg/L), Pawtuxet River area (3.64
µg/L), and Lower Providence River area (3.50 µg/L). Overall, chlorophyll ranged
between 0.90 and 5.60 µg/L with an overall average of 2.90 µg/L. The
chlorophyll data from this date are presented in the map below:
R/V Monitor's Blog
The R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay twice this week. First, on Tuesday, October 15th, the crew conducted video transects of the benthic community using the NBC designed and built camera sled. A total of three transects were conducted this day. Benthic videos are regularly conducted and over time, these videos will help evaluate health improvements of the benthic community resulting from water quality improvements in the upper Bay. Jeff captained the boat while monitoring professionals Bekki, Fern and Gerard operated the equipment. It was a perfect day for this work, as it was sunny and windless with very calm waters. On Wednesday, October 16th, the crew was out collecting bacteria samples, taking Secchi Disk and Par sensor water clarity measurements, 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. Jeff captained the boat while monitoring professionals Fern, Mike and Gerard collected the samples and data. The day started sunny and calm, but the wind, and waves, picked up considerably by noontime. Today's photo features the I-195 Iway bridge as seen from the south.
