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Barnegat Bay Restoration Science Active

By New Jersey Water Science Center March 1, 2023

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and other partners, is conducting an extensive, coordinated study of physical, chemical, and biological processes in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor estuary.  The study integrates findings of teams from the USGS New Jersey Water Science Center and USGS Coastal and Marine Science Centers in St. Petersburg, Florida and Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Results of the study will help inform resource managers as they evaluate plans and actions designed to improve water-quality conditions and restore the estuarine ecosystem. The study is funded primarily by the NJDEP with partial-Federal matching funds.  

Map of the Barnegat Bay area using colors to indicate depth of bay
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Map of Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor estuary and estuarine bathymetry. Red outline indicates the ROMS model domain.

CIRCULATION AND WATER-QUALITY MODELING

Models have been developed to simulate water circulation and water-quality conditions in the estuary.  The USGS Woods Hole team developed a hydrodynamic model based on the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) to simulate water velocities, circulation patterns, mixing and dispersion, temperature, salinity, and density stratification.  The USGS New Jersey Water Science Center team used the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP) to simulate estuarine water quality, including

  • dissolved oxygen
  • oxygen demands
  • nutrient speciation
  • phytoplankton dynamics
  • sediment diagenesis

Output from the hydrodynamic model is used as boundary-forcing conditions for the water quality model. 

FLOW AND WATER-QUALITY MONITORING

Map of preliminary Bathymetric data for northern Barnegat Bay near Mantoloking, NJ
Heat map showing the Bathymetry of Barnegat Bay near Mantoloking, New Jersey(Public domain.)

 

Flow is measured continuously at strategic locations, providing detailed information on freshwater inputs to the estuary and the circulation of brackish water through the estuary.  USGS water-quality monitoring stations measure spatial and temporal variations in water-quality.  The stations are part of a coordinated monitoring network operated by several partner agencies that provide the data needed for modeling water circulation and water-quality conditions in the estuary.

 

BOTTOM CHARACTERIZATION

Map showing the depths and areas of the circulation and water quality model are of Barnegat bay
Map indicating the depth of the models developed for the Barnegat Bay Restoration(Public domain.)

The USGS Coastal and Marine Science Centers in Saint Petersburg, Florida and Woods Hole, Massachusetts conducted comprehensive geophysical surveys of Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor.  Boat-based mapping in deeper parts of the estuary (> 1.5 m) includes

  • Bathymetric sonar
  • Sidescan sonar
  • Subbottom seismic-reflection profiler

Aircraft-based laser topobathmetry in shallower areas (< 1.5 m) utilized Experimental Advanced Airborne Research Lidar (EAARL).  The geophysical data and interpreted bathymetric surface provided the framework for models of estuarine circulation and water quality.

 

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SEDIMENT STUDIES

Sediment plays an important role in the estuarine ecosystem. Studies are being conducted by USGS to quantify

  • sediment chemistry and associated toxicity to benthic organisms
  • sediment transport and resuspension
  • exchange of nutrients between sediment and the estuary water column
  • sediment oxygen demand

 

 

QUANTIFYING NUTRIENT LOADS TO THE ESTUARY

Map of Nitrogen loads to Barnegat Bay
Intensity map of Nitrogen loads entering the Barnegat Bay (Public domain.)

 

Excessive inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus to the estuary contribute to algal blooms, detrimental growth of macroalgae, and other related problems.  Sources of nutrients include fertilizer, septic systems, leaky sewer pipes, animal manure, natural nitrogen-fixation processes, and atmospheric deposition.  The USGS is quantifying nutrient loads to the estuary and working with other partners to understand the relative importance of different nutrient sources and the relations of nutrient loads to biotic responses in the estuary.

 

 

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USGS Barnegat Bay Restoration Science Team

New Jersey Water Science Center

Vincent DePaul, Frederick Spitz, Christine Wieben, Emmanuel Charles, Jon Janowicz

Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

William Danforth, Neil Ganju, Zafer Defne

Saint Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Below are multimedia items associated with this project.

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Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 14

Environmental implications of the use of sulfidic back-bay sediments for dune reconstruction — Lessons learned post Hurricane Sandy

Some barrier-island dunes damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy's storm surges in October 2012 have been reconstructed using sediments dredged from back bays. These sand-, clay-, and iron sulfide-rich sediments were used to make berm-like cores for the reconstructed dunes, which were then covered by beach sand. In November 2013, we sampled and analyzed partially weathered materials collected fro
Authors
Geoffrey S. Plumlee, William Benzel, Todd M. Hoefen, Philip L. Hageman, Suzette A. Morman, Timothy J. Reilly, Monique Adams, Cyrus J. Berry, Jeffrey Fischer, Irene Fisher
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Spectroscopy Lab

Summary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, 2014–15

Scientists and technical support staff from the U.S. Geological Survey measured suspended-sediment concentrations, currents, pressure, and water temperature in two tidal creeks, Reedy Creek and Dinner Creek, in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, from August 11, 2014, to July 10, 2015 as part of the Estuarine Physical Response to Storms project (GS2–2D). The oceanographic and water-quality data quantify sus
Authors
Steven E. Suttles, Neil K. Ganju, Ellyn T. Montgomery, Patrick J. Dickhudt, Jonathan Borden, Sandra M. Brosnahan, Marinna A. Martini
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

An assessment of mercury in estuarine sediment and tissue in Southern New Jersey using public domain data

Mercury (Hg) is considered a contaminant of global concern for coastal environments due to its toxicity, widespread occurrence in sediment, and bioaccumulation in tissue. Coastal New Jersey, USA, is characterized by shallow bays and wetlands that provide critical habitat for wildlife but share space with expanding urban landscapes. This study was designed as an assessment of the magnitude and dist
Authors
Kara Ng, Zoltan Szabo, Pamela A. Reilly, Julia Barringer, Kelly L. Smalling
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Evaluating the potential effects of hurricanes on long-term sediment accumulation in two micro-tidal sub-estuaries: Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, U.S.A.

Barnegat Bay, located along the eastern shore of New Jersey, was significantly impacted by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed a multidisciplinary study of sediment transport and hydrodynamics to understand the mechanisms that govern estuarine and wetland responses to storm forcing. This report details the physical and chemical characteristi
Authors
Marci E. Marot, Christopher G. Smith, Alisha M. Ellis, Cathryn J. Wheaton
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sediment data collected in 2014 from Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

In response to the 2010 Governor’s Action Plan to clean up the Barnegat Bay–Little Egg Harbor (BBLEH) estuary in New Jersey, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) partnered with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in 2011 to begin a multidisciplinary research project to understand the physical controls on water quality in the bay. Between 2011 and 2013, USGS scientists mapped the geo
Authors
Julie Bernier, Chelsea, A. Stalk, Kyle W. Kelso, Jennifer L. Miselis, Rob Tunstead
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sediment chemistry and toxicity in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey: Pre- and post-Hurricane Sandy, 2012–13

Hurricane Sandy made landfall in Barnegat Bay, October, 29, 2012, damaging shorelines and infrastructure. Estuarine sediment chemistry and toxicity were investigated before and after to evaluate potential environmental health impacts and to establish post-event baseline sediment-quality conditions. Trace element concentrations increased throughout Barnegat Bay up to two orders of magnitude, especi
Authors
Kristin M. Romanok, Zoltan Szabo, Timothy J. Reilly, Zafer Defne, Neil K. Ganju
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, New Jersey Water Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Evolution of mid-Atlantic coastal and back-barrier estuary environments in response to a hurricane: Implications for barrier-estuary connectivity

Assessments of coupled barrier island-estuary storm response are rare. Hurricane Sandy made landfall during an investigation in Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor estuary that included water quality monitoring, geomorphologic characterization, and numerical modeling; this provided an opportunity to characterize the storm response of the barrier island-estuary system. Barrier island morphologic respons
Authors
Jennifer L. Miselis, Brian D. Andrews, Robert S. Nicholson, Zafer Defne, Neil K. Ganju, Anthony S. Navoy
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Quantifying the residence time and flushing characteristics of a shallow, back-barrier estuary: Application of hydrodynamic and particle tracking models

Estuarine residence time is a major driver of eutrophication and water quality. Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor (BB-LEH), New Jersey, is a lagoonal back-barrier estuary that is subject to anthropogenic pressures including nutrient loading, eutrophication, and subsequent declines in water quality. A combination of hydrodynamic and particle tracking modeling was used to identify the mechanisms contro
Authors
Zafer Defne, Neil K. Ganju
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Marine geophysical data collected in a shallow back-barrier estuary, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

In 2011, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, began a multidisciplinary research project to better understand the water quality in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey. This back-barrier estuary is experiencing degraded water quality, algal blooms, loss of seagrass, and increases in oxygen stress, macroalgae, stinging nettles, and brown tide. T
Authors
Brian D. Andrews, Jennifer L. Miselis, William W. Danforth, Barry J. Irwin, Charles R. Worley, Emile M. Bergeron, Dann S. Blackwood
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Estuarine bed-sediment-quality data collected in New Jersey and New York after Hurricane Sandy, 2013

This report describes a reconnaissance study of estuarine bed-sediment quality conducted June–October 2013 in New Jersey and New York after Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 to assess the extent of contamination and the potential long-term human and ecological impacts of the storm. The study, funded through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 (PL 113-2), was conducted by the U.S. Geologic
Authors
Jeffrey M. Fischer, Patrick J. Phillips, Timothy J. Reilly, Michael J. Focazio, Keith A. Loftin, William Benzel, Daniel Jones, Kelly L. Smalling, Shawn C. Fisher, Irene J. Fisher, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Kristin M. Romanok, Darkus E. Jenkins, Luke Bowers, Adam Boehlke, William T. Foreman, Anna C. Deetz, Lisa G. Carper, Thomas E. Imbrigiotta, Justin E. Birdwell
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

EAARL-B submerged topography: Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, pre-Hurricane Sandy, 2012

These remotely sensed, geographically referenced elevation measurements of lidar-derived submerged topography datasets were produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg, Florida.   This project provides highly detailed and accurate datasets for part of Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, acquired pre-Hurricane Sandy on October 18, 22, 23, an
Authors
C. Wayne Wright, Rodolfo J. Troche, Emily S. Klipp, Christine J. Kranenburg, Xan Fredericks, David B. Nagle
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

EAARL-B submerged topography: Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, post-Hurricane Sandy, 2012-2013

These remotely sensed, geographically referenced elevation measurements of lidar-derived submerged topography datasets were produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg, Florida. This project provides highly detailed and accurate datasets for part of Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, acquired post-Hurricane Sandy on November 1, 5, 16, 20,
Authors
C. Wayne Wright, Rodolfo J. Troche, Christine J. Kranenburg, Emily S. Klipp, Xan Fredericks, David B. Nagle
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Below are partners associated with this project.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)