The ecological condition of Long Island Sound: An estimation using EMAP-Estuaries data
- Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett, RI (United States). Environmental Research Lab.
Based on the EMAP-Estuaries statistical design, completion of the first four years of sampling allows for compiling of estimates of the ecological condition of the Province overall and three large estuaries within the Province (Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay and Long Island Sound, LIS). Sixty-three stations were sampled throughout LIS during 1990--1993, including 16 small estuaries within the Sound. Water column profile measurements were taken at each station including: temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, photosynthetically active radiation, transmissivity and fluorescence. In addition, sediment samples were collected to determine: sediment toxicity using the amphipod, Ampelisca abdita; chemical contaminant concentration (organic and inorganic chemicals); macrobenthic infaunal constituents; and physical characteristics of the sediment. Fish were sampled at each station and noted for species composition, size and enumeration and observed for gross external pathologies. EMAP data are compared with known anthropogenic stressors (e.g., point source discharges, etc.) and demographic patterns (e.g., land use/land cover characteristics, etc.) to help explain the conditions in the Sound. Preliminary results indicate that: dissolved oxygen conditions were reduced to below state standards (< 5.0 ppm) in 48 {+-} 17% of the areal extent of LIS; sediment toxicity and reductions in the benthic index of infaunal species was observed in samples representing approximately 50% of the areal extent of LIS small estuaries. Other indicators are discussed in relation to the anthropogenic stressors on the Sound.
- OSTI ID:
- 40178
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410273--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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