June 12, 2024
Surface Mapping
Surface chlorophyll data were collected on June 12, 2024 while the R/V Monitor was underway collecting nutrient samples in the Providence and Seekonk River estuaries. The average chlorophyll concentrations were categorized as good in the Pawtuxet River, poor in the Northern Providence River Channel, and as fair in all other areas. Overall, chlorophyll ranged from 1.48 to 44.81 µg/L with an average of 14.44 µg/L. The chlorophyll concentrations from this date are presented in the map below using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation.
June 17, 2024
R/V Monitor's Blog
The Data Stream had an eventful day while out in the upper bay conducting routine bay bacteria monitoring activities. A 12-foot Jon Boat appeared to be in distress, as the two youths onboard could not get their motor started. The wind and the current were pushing the boat towards a concrete hurricane barrier. The Data Stream crew quickly rendered assistance and towed the youths to safety, and brought them to where they launched at the Gano Park Boat Ramp.
June 06, 2024
R/V Monitor's Blog
The Data Stream had some visitors while doing routine sonde swaps at Bullocks Reach. Below is a picture taken by Tyler, an Environmental Monitoring Supervisor. Tyler identified the birds as Common Terns. These birds are seen often hanging around the Bullocks Reach buoy eating fish.
Week of April 29 - May 5, 2024
Fixed Site Network
Phillipsdale Landing
Sondes were swapped this week on the morning of April 30th. Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions included sporadic rain events, with 0.38 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow declined this week, remaining below the 19-year daily median for the week. Salinity at the surface averaged 5.9 ppt and ranged from 1.4 ppt to 19.5 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 15.4 ppt and ranged from 3.0 ppt to 25.1 ppt. Temperatures this week averaged 14.4°C at the surface and 12.4°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 11.8°C to 16.1°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 9.7°C to 15.7°C.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 10.0 mg/L and ranged from 8.5-12.7 mg/L. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 8.9 mg/L and ranged from 7.6 mg/L to 11.5 mg/L. Chlorophyll remained low, averaging 3.5 ug/L at the surface and 4.2 ug/L at the bottom. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached 8.7 ug/L, recorded on the night of May 4th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location.
Bullock Reach
The Bullock Reach Buoy remains out of the water for the winter. EM will coordinate with RIDEM to redeploy the buoy in late spring.
May 22, 2024
Bacteria Sampling
On May 22nd, twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers; five of these stations were also sampled for enterococci bacteria. In the five days prior to sampling, precipitation totaled 0.27 inches as recorded at TF Green. Overall, bacteria counts were higher in both the Seekonk and Providence Rivers than during the previous sampling event on April 24th.
Fecal coliform counts were higher in the Seekonk River sites than in the Providence River sites (geometric means of 135 MPN/100 mL and 52 MPN/100 mL, respectively). The maximum count (430 MPN/100 mL) was measured at Collier Point Park.
Enterococci results had an overall geometric mean of 15 MPN/100 mL. Enterococci counts ranged from <10 MPN/100 mL at Conimicut Point to 85 MPN/100 mL at Phillipsdale Landing.
The next scheduled sampling date is June 5.
The table below lists the Rhode Island bacteria standards for primary contact and shellfishing established by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM). RIDEM defines primary contact as any recreational activities in which there is prolonged and intimate contact with water, involving considerable risk of ingesting water (e.g., swimming, diving, water skiing and surfing). Please note that the RIDEM bacteria standards are provided here for informational purposes only and are not intended to indicate official state compliance with primary contact or shellfishing standards.
Summary of Rhode Island Bacteria Standards for Saltwater Primary Contact and Shellfishing
| Fecal Coliform | Enterococci |
| Primary Contact1 | Geometric mean ≤50 MPN/100 mL
<10% of samples >400 MPN/100 mL
| Geometric mean ≤35 colonies/100 mL
All samples ≤104 colonies/100 mL2 |
| Shellfishing | Geometric mean ≤14 MPN/100 mL
<10% of samples >49 MPN/100 mL3 | NO ENTEROCOCCI CRITERIA
|
1Fecal coliform primary contact criteria applied only when adequate enterococci data are not available;
2Single sample maximum criterion for determining beach swimming advisories at designated beaches as evaluated by the Rhode Island Department of Health;
3For a three-tube decimal dilution
