Historical News
Nutrients Sampling
Nutrient samples were collected at seven local river stations on June 3, 2020. Border river stations and bay sampling were not conducted this week in order to comply with local health and safety guidance regarding social distancing as part of the ongoing COVID-19 response. In the five days prior to sampling, conditions were mostly dry with only 0.02 inches of total precipitation recorded.
Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen concentrations occurred at two sites, Blackstone River at Slater Mill and Ten Mile River at Roger Williams Avenue. For the Blackstone River at Slater Mill site, concentrations of total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were 1,145 ppb, 1,100 ppb, and 849.3 ppb, respectively (average of duplicates). For the Ten Mile River at Roger Williams Avenue site, concentrations of TN, TDN, and DIN were 1,210 ppb, 1,110 ppb, and 723.3 ppb, respectively. The lowest TN (623 ppb), TDN (627 ppb), and DIN (334.9 ppb) concentrations all occurred at the Moshassuck River at Higginson Avenue site.
Results from sampling on June 17 and July 1 are pending analysis. The next scheduled data of sampling is July 15.
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at seven locations in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers on June 24, 2020. On the day of the survey there was 0.11 inches of recorded rainfall, with no recorded rainfall in the three days prior. Water clarity increased slightly compared to the previous survey day. Overall, sites surveyed averaged 1.69 m Secchi depth, compared to 1.26 m on June 17. The lowest clarity (1.53 m) was measured at the Phillipsdale Landing site. While the greatest clarity was measured at the Bullock's Reach site (1.90 m). Overall, a slight gradient of increasing clarity from north to south was observed among the sites.
Bacteria Sampling
Twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers on June 24, 2020. Five of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. Conditions leading up to the June 24 sampling day were mostly dry, with only 0.11 inches of rainfall recorded over the five days prior.
The geometric mean of fecal coliform results for all sites was 24 MPN/100 mL, with Seekonk River sites having higher counts than Providence River sites (geometric means of 69 and 15 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at the Division Street Dock site in the Seekonk River. The enterococci results ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at Phillipsdale Landing, Gaspee Point, and Conimicut Point to 10 MPN/100 mL at Point Street Bridge and South FP East sites. The overall geometric mean for enterococci results across all sites was 10 MPN/100 mL. The Seekonk River had fecal coliform results that exceeded state shellfishing and primary contact standards but had enterococci results that were within state primary contact standards. The Providence River also had fecal coliform results that exceeded state shellfishing standards but had fecal and enterococci results that were within state primary contact standards.
Please note: the results of NBC's fecal coliform and enterococci monitoring are for informational/research purposes only and are not to intended to suggest official state compliance with bathing or shellfishing standards.
R/V Monitor's Blog
The R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay twice this week. First, on Tuesday, June 23rd, the crew was out at Bullock's Reach buoy servicing the sondes. There have been some data collection and communications issues and staff continue to troubleshoot the system. Jeff captained the boat while monitoring professionals Sara and Bekki worked on the sondes. It was a warm and partly cloudy day with a light breeze. On Wednesday, June 24th, the crew was collecing bacteria samples, taking Secchi Disk 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 Gerard and Mike collected the samples and data. It was a foggy start to the day, warm, humid and a bit breezy. It became partly sunny later that morning. The water was slightly choppy. The featured photo was taken from the north side of the hurricane barrier.
R/V Monitor's Blog
The R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay three times this week. On Tuesday, June 16th, the crew was out servicing the Bullock's Reach buoy. A sonde swap out with newly calibrated sondes was performed this day. Jeff captained the boat while monitoring professionals Sara and Bekki performed the buoy work. It was mostly sunny with low humidity and a light breeze from the east. On Wednesday, June 17th, the crew of the R/V Monitor was out collecting nutrients samples, taking Secchi Disk 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 and Steve collected the samples and data. It was a sunny, dry and calm day with a very light breeze. On Friday, June 19th, the crew returned to the Bay to service the Bullock's Reach buoy. The buoy was experiencing some data collection and communication issues and staff are working with the vendor to resolve them. Sara captained the boat while monitoring professionals Steve and Gerard serviced the buoy. It was a mostly cloudy day with a breeze out of the southwest. The featured photo was taken on the 17th while the crew was sampling by the Bullock's Reach buoy.
