Historical News
Water Column Clarity
Water clarity was measured at three stations in the Providence River on November 18, 2020; additional sites were abandoned due to rough conditions. Moderate rainfall occurred over the five days prior to the survey, with a total of 0.65 inches recorded at TF Green. Secchi depth was lowest, 2.37 m, at Pawtuxet Cove, representing a slight decline in clarity compared to the prior survey on November 4 (2.70 m). Clarity at Edgewood Yacht Club increased slightly since November 4, from 2.70 m to 2.97 m in the current survey. The greatest water clarity this week was observed at Edgewood Shoal, at 3.10 m; this site was not visited during the prior survey in November. Overall, clarity averaged 2.81 m this week.
R/V Monitor's Blog
On Wednesday, December 2nd, the crew of the R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay collecting nutrients 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. Sara captained the boat while monitoring professionals Fern, Steve, Daryll and Jeff collected the samples and data. It was a chilly day with a mix of sun and clouds and a few sprinkles of rain. There was a slight breeze from the southwest and calm waters. The featured photo this day is of Conimicut lighthouse.
Surface Mapping
Data were collected on December 2, 2020 while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples and performing vertical profiles in the Providence River estuary. The chlorophyll concentrations were low in the areas surveyed. From north to south, average chlorophyll concentrations were as follows: Upper Providence River (3.24 µg/L), Edgewood Shoals area (2.94 µg/L), Pawtuxet River area (3.59 µg/L), and Lower Providence River area (2.19 µg/L). Overall, chlorophyll ranged between 0.30 µg/L and 5.50 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
On Wednesday, November 25th, the crew of the R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay collecting 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 Karen and Fern collected the samples and data. It was a cool and cloudy day with no wind and dead calm waters. The featured photo of some rowers was taken in the Seekonk River near India Point.
Surface Mapping
Data
were collected on November 25, 2020 while the R/V Monitor was underway
collecting bacteria samples in the Seekonk and
Providence River estuaries. The chlorophyll concentrations were good in the
areas surveyed. From north to south, average chlorophyll concentrations were as
follows: Seekonk River (2.66 µg/L), Upper Providence River (2.00 µg/L),
Edgewood Shoals area (2.04 µg/L), Pawtuxet River area (1.93 µg/L), and Lower
Providence River area (2.14 µg/L). Overall, chlorophyll ranged between 0.10
µg/L and 4.90 µg/L with an overall average of 2.27 µg/L. The chlorophyll data
from this date are presented in the map below: