Principal Investigator(s):
Jane M. Caffrey, Hans Jannasch, Mark Silberstein
Work Accomplishments
A. Tasks for the period
The tasks scheduled for completion in year 2 include: Continuously monitor nitrate, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, etc. at two locations in Elkhorn Slough. Process and analyze data in a timely fashion. Adapt phosphate chemistry to analyzer. Make necessary changes to manifold (e.g., add heater) and electronics/software. Purchase parts and assemble four more analyzers. Test phosphate analyzers in Elkhorn slough. Begin deployments at other NERR sites. Present preliminary results at National meeting.
B. Work Plan to Accomplish Tasks.
Nitrate, temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen have been continuously monitored at the Azevedo Pond YSI deployment site in Elkhorn Slough. Dr Thomas Chapin has increased the efficiency of power usage by the Digi-Scanners. Currently, the instrument has been deployed for over 2 weeks and we anticipate being able to deploy it for as long as a month. Materials have been purchased and construction has begun for 5 new Digi-Scanners. The phosphate Digi-Scanners is ready for assembly and testing will begin imminently.
Some preliminary results from this project were presented at the American Geophysical Union conference in Washington, DC May 28-June 2, 2000 during an oral presentation by Jane Caffrey.
Caffrey has also had several discussions with the Research Coordinators at Weeks Bay and Apalachicola Bay and other local scientists about the timing and location of the upcoming deployments in the Reserves.
C. Concerns or Difficulties.
D. Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives in Scheduled Project Period.
With our one-year no cost extension and the third year of funding, we anticipate meeting the project objectives.
E. Preliminary data
Nitrate concentrations at the Azevedo Pond site showed high peaks during winter runoff events (Figure 1,2). Concentrations in March decreased throughout the month and showed a distinct tidal signature (Figure 3). During the summer months, concentrations ranged between the detection limits of 0.3 µM and 17 µM, with concentrations still showing a distinct tidal signature (Figure 4).
Figure 3 - NO3-, temperature, and salinity in Azevedo Pond during March 2000.
Tasks and Activities for the Next Report Period.
A. Tasks for the Next Report Period.
The tasks for the next report period include continued testing of the phosphate Digi-Scanners in Elkhorn Slough. Deployments in other Reserves will begin this winter starting in Weeks Bay as well as Apalachicola Bay with the third year of funding. We will continue processing and analyzing data in a timely fashion. Further results will be presented at a National meeting. If feasible, we anticipate collaborating with Ed Scholkovitz at WHOI and deploying a Digi-Scanner in Waquoit Bay next summer in the water column adjacent to his pore water samplers.
B. Work Plan to Accomplish Tasks.
For the next 6-month period, we will continue working on the adaptation of phosphate chemistry for the Digi-Scanners. Testing of phosphate Digi-Scanners in Elkhorn Slough will begin.
Results from this project will be presented at the NERRA conference this October in Virginia. Dr. Jane Caffrey will travel to MBARI this fall for training and use of Digi-Scanners so that they can be deployed in Weeks Bay and Apalachicola Bay.
C. Concerns or Difficulties
Expenditures
