Parameters Measured
Several water quality parameters were measured to determine the health of Patchogue waterways and the survivability of species. A sonde was used to take the measurements. A sonde is an instrument with probes that transmits information about the water quality conditions of the surroundings, in this case water, to a waterproof display for recording.
The sonde measured several parameters that are important for water quality and for species' biological limits that determine where they can survive. We measured the following water quality parameters:
The sonde measured several parameters that are important for water quality and for species' biological limits that determine where they can survive. We measured the following water quality parameters:
Temperature (T) - how warm or cool the water is throughout the season. All species have temperature limitations, with too warm or cool of temperatures affecting species' spawning or migration times or adding stress on the animal and altering their bioenergetics or the energy budget. Increased stress can lead to decreased health and reproduction of that animal and can eventually lead to death.
Salinity (Sal) - the salt content of the water. Species have salinity limits that dictate where an animal can live and thrive. Saltwater fish are acclimated to higher salinities and have special mechanisms to reduce salt content in their body. Adversely, freshwater fish are built for lower salinity environments and have the ability to reduce water accumulation in their bodies. Changes in salinity can stress an animal, altering its bioenergetics, and leading to decreased reproduction, increased respiration (thus decreasing DO), and reduced overall fitness. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) - oxygen levels in the water. DO is important for many aquatic species, like fish and crustaceans, since they breathe DO using gills. Too low of oxygen (hypoxia) can suffocate an animal and make it so animals cannot survive or have lower growth and fitness. Turbidity (Turb) - water clarity as indicated by the presence of suspended particulate matter in the water. Turb can affect the amount of light that can penetrate through the water column for aquatic vegetation on the bottom to perform photosynthesis. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) - chlorophyll is present in algal plant cells, or algae. A measure of Chl-a can estimate how much algae is in the water. Too much algae can decrease light penetration to the bottom, increase temperature of the water, and decrease DO levels when the cells die and are decomposed by bacteria. Grab sampling was used to measure the following: Fecal coliform bacteria - from animal waste and sewage input. High levels can cause shellfish bed and beach closures through the summer. High coliform levels can also affect species residing in the area, thus impacting both the ecosystem and environmental health of the waterways as well as limit the recreational activity that can take place. |
Data was collected using procedures developed by the United Water Study - Long Island Sound Embayment Research, Connecticut Fund for the Environment. Save the Sound designed procedures, working in collaboration with science advisors, monitoring groups, and regulatory agencies. WQW implements these procedures but is a separate program.