Estuaries are dynamic environments where complex interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, watershed, ecosystems, and human infrastructure take place. They serve as valuable ecological habitat and provide numerous ecosystem services and recreational opportunities. However, they are modified by physical processes such as storms and sea-level rise, while anthropogenic impacts such as nutrient loading threaten ecosystem function within estuaries. This project collects basic observational data on these processes, develops numerical models of the processes, and applies the models to understand the past, present, and future states of estuaries.
Ogunquit, Maine | We measured hydrodynamics and sediment transport within the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, to quantify the sediment budget of the wetland complex adjacent to the Ogunquit River. |
West Falmouth Harbor, Massachusetts | We have conducted several field and modeling campaigns in this estuary on Cape Cod, to investigate nitrogen loading, eutrophication, and seagrass dynamics. |
Great South Bay, New York | We began studying the water level response in Great South Bay due to Hurricane Sandy, and aim to continue studying this system using observational and modeling approaches. |
Jamaica Bay, New York | As part of the Estuarine Physical Response to Storms (EPR) project, we are collaborating with the USGS New York Water Science Center to estimate sediment supply to the wetlands of Jamaica Bay. The real-time measurement site can be found here: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv?site_no=01311875 |
Barnegat Bay, New Jersey | As part of a NJDEP funded study as well as the EPR project, we have deployed instrumentation and developed models for hydrodynamics, water quality, and sediment transport in this large back-barrier estuary. The Hurricane Sandy Wetland Synthesis project is also focusing on Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, which is largely adjacent to Barnegat Bay. |
Chincoteague Bay, Maryland/Virginia | As part of the EPR project, we deployed instrumentation and developed models for hydrodynamics, water quality, and sediment transport in this large back-barrier estuary. The barrier island is within two DOI-managed units (Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge) and represents a critical natural resource. |
Blackwater NWR, Maryland | Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland, is a prime example of marsh loss due to open-water expansion and sediment export. Two field campaigns, in the spring and fall of 2011, aimed to quantify the sediment availability to two distinctly different areas of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. |
Pacific Coast Tidal Wetlands | To complement our East Coast wetland sites, we deployed instrumentation for sediment fluxes at Pt. Mugu Naval Station and Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge to understand the link between sediment transport and wetland stability. |
Below are publications associated with this project.
Summary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, 2014–15
Summary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, 2014–15
Balanced sediment fluxes in southern California’s Mediterranean-climate zone salt marshes
Quantifying the residence time and flushing characteristics of a shallow, back-barrier estuary: Application of hydrodynamic and particle tracking models
Summary of oceanographic measurements for characterizing light attenuation and sediment resuspension in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor Estuary, New Jersey, 2013
Summary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Wells, Maine, in 2013
Physical and biogeochemical controls on light attenuation in a eutrophic, back-barrier estuary
Modeling future scenarios of light attenuation and potential seagrass success in a eutrophic estuary
Water level response in back-barrier bays unchanged following Hurricane Sandy
Exchange of nitrogen and phosphorus between a shallow lagoon and coastal waters
Inferring tidal wetland stability from channel sediment fluxes: observations and a conceptual model
Summary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements near the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland, 2011
- Overview
Estuaries are dynamic environments where complex interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, watershed, ecosystems, and human infrastructure take place. They serve as valuable ecological habitat and provide numerous ecosystem services and recreational opportunities. However, they are modified by physical processes such as storms and sea-level rise, while anthropogenic impacts such as nutrient loading threaten ecosystem function within estuaries. This project collects basic observational data on these processes, develops numerical models of the processes, and applies the models to understand the past, present, and future states of estuaries.
Study Sites Ogunquit, Maine We measured hydrodynamics and sediment transport within the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, to quantify the sediment budget of the wetland complex adjacent to the Ogunquit River. West Falmouth Harbor, Massachusetts We have conducted several field and modeling campaigns in this estuary on Cape Cod, to investigate nitrogen loading, eutrophication, and seagrass dynamics. Great South Bay, New York We began studying the water level response in Great South Bay due to Hurricane Sandy, and aim to continue studying this system using observational and modeling approaches. Jamaica Bay, New York As part of the Estuarine Physical Response to Storms (EPR) project, we are collaborating with the USGS New York Water Science Center to estimate sediment supply to the wetlands of Jamaica Bay. The real-time measurement site can be found here: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv?site_no=01311875 Barnegat Bay, New Jersey As part of a NJDEP funded study as well as the EPR project, we have deployed instrumentation and developed models for hydrodynamics, water quality, and sediment transport in this large back-barrier estuary. The Hurricane Sandy Wetland Synthesis project is also focusing on Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, which is largely adjacent to Barnegat Bay. Chincoteague Bay, Maryland/Virginia As part of the EPR project, we deployed instrumentation and developed models for hydrodynamics, water quality, and sediment transport in this large back-barrier estuary. The barrier island is within two DOI-managed units (Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge) and represents a critical natural resource. Blackwater NWR, Maryland Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland, is a prime example of marsh loss due to open-water expansion and sediment export. Two field campaigns, in the spring and fall of 2011, aimed to quantify the sediment availability to two distinctly different areas of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Pacific Coast Tidal Wetlands To complement our East Coast wetland sites, we deployed instrumentation for sediment fluxes at Pt. Mugu Naval Station and Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge to understand the link between sediment transport and wetland stability. - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 15Summary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, 2014–15
U.S. Geological Survey scientists and technical support staff measured oceanographic, waterquality, seabed-elevation-change, and meteorological parameters in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, during the period of August 13, 2014, to July 14, 2015, as part of the Estuarine Physical Response to Storms project (GS2–2D) supported by the Department of the Interior Hurricane Sandy recovery prograAuthorsSteven E. Suttles, Neil K. Ganju, Sandra M. Brosnahan, Ellyn T. Montgomery, Patrick J. Dickhudt, Alexis Beudin, Daniel J. Nowacki, Marinna A. MartiniSummary 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 susAuthorsSteven E. Suttles, Neil K. Ganju, Ellyn T. Montgomery, Patrick J. Dickhudt, Jonathan Borden, Sandra M. Brosnahan, Marinna A. MartiniBalanced sediment fluxes in southern California’s Mediterranean-climate zone salt marshes
Salt marsh elevation and geomorphic stability depends on mineral sedimentation. Many Mediterranean-climate salt marshes along southern California, USA coast import sediment during El Niño storm events, but sediment fluxes and mechanisms during dry weather are potentially important for marsh stability. We calculated tidal creek sediment fluxes within a highly modified, sediment-starved, 1.5-km2 salAuthorsJordan A. Rosencranz, Neil K. Ganju, Richard F. Ambrose, Sandra M. Brosnahan, Patrick J. Dickhudt, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Glen M. MacDonald, John Y. Takekawa, Karen M. ThorneQuantifying 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 controAuthorsZafer Defne, Neil K. GanjuSummary of oceanographic measurements for characterizing light attenuation and sediment resuspension in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor Estuary, New Jersey, 2013
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, measured suspended-sediment concentrations, currents, waves, light attenuation, and a variety of other water-quality parameters in the summer of 2013 in Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. These measurements quantified light attenuation and sediment resuspension in three seagrass meadows.AuthorsPatrick J. Dickhudt, Neil K. Ganju, Ellyn T. MontgomerySummary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Wells, Maine, in 2013
Suspended-sediment transport is a critical element controlling the geomorphology of tidal wetland complexes. Wetlands rely on organic material and inorganic sediment deposition to maintain their elevation relative to sea level. The U.S. Geological Survey performed observational deployments to measure suspended-sediment concentration and water flow rates in the tidal channels of the wetlands in theAuthorsEllyn T. Montgomery, Neil K. Ganju, Patrick J. Dickhudt, Jonathan Borden, Marinna A. Martini, Sandra M. BrosnahanPhysical and biogeochemical controls on light attenuation in a eutrophic, back-barrier estuary
Light attenuation is a critical parameter governing the ecological function of shallow estuaries. In these systems primary production is often dominated by benthic macroalgae and seagrass; thus light penetration to the bed is of primary importance. We quantified light attenuation in three seagrass meadows in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, a shallow eutrophic back-barrier estuary; two of the sites wereAuthorsNeil K. Ganju, Jennifer L. Miselis, Alfredo L. AretxabaletaModeling future scenarios of light attenuation and potential seagrass success in a eutrophic estuary
Estuarine eutrophication has led to numerous ecological changes, including loss of seagrass beds. One potential cause of these losses is a reduction in light availability due to increased attenuation by phytoplankton. Future sea level rise will also tend to reduce light penetration and modify seagrass habitat. In the present study, we integrate a spectral irradiance model into a biogeochemical modAuthorsPilar del Barrio, Neil K. Ganju, Alfredo L. Aretxabaleta, Melanie Hayn, Andrés García, Robert W. HowarthWater level response in back-barrier bays unchanged following Hurricane Sandy
On 28–30 October 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused severe flooding along portions of the northeast coast of the United States and cut new inlets across barrier islands in New Jersey and New York. About 30% of the 20 highest daily maximum water levels observed between 2007 and 2013 in Barnegat and Great South Bay occurred in 5 months following Hurricane Sandy. Hurricane Sandy provided a rare opportunityAuthorsAlfredo L. Aretxabaleta, Bradford Butman, Neil K. GanjuExchange of nitrogen and phosphorus between a shallow lagoon and coastal waters
West Falmouth Harbor, a shallow lagoon on Cape Cod, has experienced a threefold increase in nitrogen load since the mid- to late 1990s due to input from a groundwater plume contaminated by a municipal wastewater treatment plant. We measured the exchange of nitrogen and phosphorus between the harbor and the coastal waters of Buzzards Bay over several years when the harbor was experiencing this elevAuthorsMelanie Hayn, Robert W. Howarth, Neil K. Ganju, Peter Berg, Kenneth H. Foreman, Anne E. Giblin, Karen McGlatheryInferring tidal wetland stability from channel sediment fluxes: observations and a conceptual model
Anthropogenic and climatic forces have modified the geomorphology of tidal wetlands over a range of timescales. Changes in land use, sediment supply, river flow, storminess, and sea level alter the layout of tidal channels, intertidal flats, and marsh plains; these elements define wetland complexes. Diagnostically, measurements of net sediment fluxes through tidal channels are high-temporal resoluAuthorsNeil K. Ganju, Nicholas J. Nidzieko, Matthew L. KirwanSummary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements near the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland, 2011
Suspended-sediment transport is a critical element governing the geomorphology of tidal marshes. Marshes rely on both organic material and inorganic sediment deposition to maintain their elevation relative to sea level. In wetlands near the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland, portions of the salt marsh have been subsiding relative to sea level since the early 20th century. Other portionAuthorsNeil K. Ganju, Patrick J. Dickhudt, Ellyn T. Montgomery, Patrick Brennand, R. Kyle Derby, Thomas W. Brooks, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Marinna A. Martini, Jonathan Borden, Sandra M. Baldwin