New Approaches to Water Monitoring in New Jersey

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New Approaches to Water Monitoring in New Jersey

• Bob Connell
• NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection
• Water Monitoring Standards
• Marine Water Monitoring

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Addressing Pathogen NPS

• Use existing, routine monitoring data to target
  impaired areas
• Pollution source survey to ID potential sources
• Design intensive monitoring program
• Implement BMPs
• Perform effectiveness monitoring

Areas (in red) where water quality declines after
rainfall.
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NPS MonitoringSampling Methods
Mobile laboratory -microbiology nutrients
Grab samples from boats at set intervals during
storm events.
Automated flow measurement and sample collection
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Addressing Pathogen NPS

• Weight of Evidence Microbial source tracking
• Coliphage (viral indicator
• Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR)
• Optical Brighteners
• Shoreline Survey

PCR Clean Room
NOAA MAR Panel
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Nonpoint Source Microbial Source Tracking
A high percentage of NJs water quality
impairments are related to pathogens. Microbial
source tracking efforts are becoming increasing
common in NJ surface waters. There are
currently 9 different source tracking efforts
underway in NJ.
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Average E. coli at Initial Sampling
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Elevated coliphage and
antibiotic resistance to penicillin, amoxycillin,
ampycillin
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Ocean Ecosystem Assessment

• National Coastal Assessment providing ecosystem
  assessment for the nations estuarine (bay)
  waters.
• As highlighted in the Ocean Commission Report, a
  similar assessment tool is needed for the
  nations ocean waters
• Partners - NJDEP, USEPA/ORD, USEPA/Reg 2, Rutgers
  University

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Design for August/Sept 2007 Sample Collection
Probabilistic design that incorporates the
strata agreed on by the workshop attendees. Mixi
ng zones were not specifically targeted, but
may be included. Later sampling to be performed
to capture mixing zone effects.
N
S
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Real-time Monitoring

• Internet, real-time connection to the coastal
  environment
• Valuable information on storm impacts, algal
  blooms, temperature, salinity
• Data sondes on buoys with telemetry
• Partners USEPA Reg. 2, NJ Aids to Navigation.

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Continuous Monitoring Locations
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Remote Sensing for Algal Blooms

• Monitoring for toxic algal blooms required by the
  National Shellfish Sanitation Program
• NJ has had significant impacts to recreational
  bathing due to algal blooms

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Approaches to Algal Bloom Monitoring

• Periodic, fixed-station sampling
• Allows species ID, but very limited spatially and
  temporally
• Satellite remote sensing
• Excellent spatial coverage, but no species ID,
  limited by cloud cover, limited resolution for
  small bays
• Visual from boats or aircraft Not all water
  discoloration is a bloom

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Aircraft Remote Sensing

• Hyperspectral scanner on a plane makes passive
  measurement of reflected wavelengths to estimate
  chlorophyll a levels in the surface water.
• Almost daily flights (as wind and visibility
  allow)
• Resolution - 1260 m2 vs 62,000 m2 for satellite
  sensor

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GPS
PC
Spectrometer
Fiber Optic Port
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New Jersey Shelf Observing System (NJ-SOS)
300 X 300 km NJSOS An Integrated Sustained
Observatory
Satellites,
RADAR, Gliders
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Coastal Ocean Observation Lab Observatory Control
Room The COOLroom
CODAR Network
Glider Fleet
X-Band
L-Band
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www.nj.gov/dep/bmw