Historical News
Nutrients Sampling
On January 31, 2018, thirteen local and border river stations were sampled for nutrients. In the three days prior to sampling, there were small amounts of rain/snowfall in the area. Bay samples were unable to be taken on this day due to unsafe weather conditions.
Among the river stations sampled, the highest total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), total nitrogen (TN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed at the Ten Mile River at Central Ave location with results of 2,420 ppb for TN, 2,465 for TDN. The lowest nitrogen values were measured at two different sampling locations with the lowest TDN and DIN measured at the border river station of the Cole’s River with results of 770 ppb and 407 ppb, respectively. The lowest TN was measured at the Moshassuck River at Higginson Ave location with a result of 826 ppb. Please note, as of November 2017, the NBC has ceased sampling at the Ten Mile River at Omega Pond due to accessibility issues. This site may be sampled again in the near future, but for now has been replaced with the Ten Mile River at Central Ave location.
Results from nutrient sampling completed on February 14 are pending analysis from the NBC Laboratory. The next anticipated nutrients sampling data is February 28, 2018.
Bacteria Sampling
Twenty stations were sampled for fecal coliform bacteria in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers on February 21, 2018. Five of these stations were additionally sampled for Enterococci bacteria. A total of 0.86 inches of rain fell during the five days prior to sampling.
R/V Monitor's Blog
The R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay twice this week. First, on Tuesday, February 20th, the crew was out conducting benthic video monitoring. In the morning, a transect was performed at Edgewood. In the afternoon, transects were performed at Bullock's Reach as well as Sabin Point. Jeff captained the boat in the morning while monitoring professionals Mike and Heather operated the underwater video equipment. In the afternoon, Sara joined the crew and captained the boat. The weather was cloudy in the morning but the clouds broke up by the afternoon, allowing for sunny weather, which warmed the air temperature into the 60s. On Wednesday, February 21st, the crew of the R/V Monitor was out 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. Sara captained the boat while monitoring professionals Bekki and Mike collected the samples and data. It was a cold and foggy day. There was no wind and very calm waters. The below photo of a couple of tugboats was taken this day.
Nutrients Sampling
On January 17, 2018, thirteen local and border river stations were sampled for nutrients. Heavy precipitation fell in the week prior to sampling with over 3.3 inches of rain on the 12th – 13th, with trace amounts of rain just before sampling. Bay samples were unable to be taken on this day due to unsafe weather conditions.
Among the river stations sampled, the highest total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and total nitrogen (TN) were observed at the Ten Mile River at Central Ave location with results of 1930 ppb for TN and 1920 for TDN. The highest dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was observed at the Pawtuxet River location with a result of 1532 ppb. The lowest nitrogen values were measured at three different sampling locations; the lowest TDN was measured at the border river station of the Palmer River with a result of 863 ppb; the lowest TN was measured at the Blackstone River at the Rt. 116 Bikepath location with a result of 816 ppb, and the lowest DIN concentration was measured at the Coles River with a result of 373 ppb.
Results from nutrient sampling completed on January 31 and February 14 are pending analysis from the NBC Laboratory. The next anticipated nutrients sampling date is February 28, 2018.
Fixed Site Network
Phillipsdale
The sondes at Phillipsdale were deployed back at the site on February 20th. Data revealed good water quality over the course of the week. There was approximately 0.40 inches of rain that fell over the course of the week. Surface salinity was relatively steady over the course of the week, though quite low with an overall surface salinity average of 2.7 psu and ranged from 1.0 psu – 7.8 psu. Bottom salinity increased slightly throughout the week with daily fluctuations due to tidal influence, and had an average salinity of 10.2 psu and a range of 1.3 psu – 25.8 psu. Both surface and bottom temperatures were increased slightly over the course of the week with surface temperatures averaging 7.4oC and a range of 5.7oC – 9.3oC; bottom temperatures had an average of 6.2oC and ranged between 4.0oC – 8.8oC. Surface chlorophyll was relatively low with an average of 2.9 ug/L. Dissolved oxygen (DO) for the week was good at the surface and the bottom; surface DO was very good with an average of 11.8 mg/L and a range of 10.9 mg/L – 12.7 mg/L. Dissolved oxygen in the bottom waters had a weekly average of 10.8 mg/l and ranged from a minimum of 9.2 mg/L to a maximum of 12.3 mg/L. Note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flow greatly influence bottom DO, temperature and salinity at this location.
Bullocks Reach
The sondes ay Bullocks Reach were removed for the season in November 2017. It is anticipated that the station will be operational again for the season in June 2018
