I have worked for the Long Island, NY sub-district office since 2004. Currently I am co-managing a growing network of continuous tide and water-quality monitors throughout Long Island
I began working in the basic data section in the Long Island, NY sub-district office in 2004 monitoring groundwater levels, helping to organize synoptic runs, surveying and doing general maintenance, and spent many summers sampling for NAWQA and other water-quality projects.
Since transferring to the EHI section in about 2008 I have been co-managing a growing network of continuous tide and water-quality monitors throughout Long Island in support of tidal wetland loss investigations, coastal flood warning systems, and improving the health of our bays. I also currently manage a seasonal network of dissolved oxygen monitors to determine the influence of hypoxic conditions on juvenile hard clam recruitment. Another project consists of sampling water and sediment for mosquito insecticides as the local vector control agency tests new materials and methods of application to combat new mosquito species with different behaviors, vector competencies, and emerging diseases. I have also taken on the role of part-time local data manager and help with related tasks as I can.
Other research interests include:
- Water-quality effects on coastal marine organisms/habitat via stormwater runoff and contaminant transport in hyporheic zones
- Seagrass conservation/restoration
- Understanding local causes and effects of harmful algal blooms
- Hydrodynamics and nutrient flux in wetlands.
I am also interested in finding innovative ways to monitor water-quality to further ecological health and conservation goals. I have used the continuous water-quality monitoring network to assist Stony Brook University in characterizing the variability of dissolved oxygen, pH, and CO2 to study ocean acidification as a stressor to marine organisms, especially in the face of climate change. Since using the University’s large, expensive, CO2 sensor; I have been working with a USGS colleague in Reston to develop affordable CO2 sensors that would work with our existing infrastructure and hold up in the marine environment. I was also recently introduced to autonomous underwater vehicle technology by the TX WSC and we used it to gather high resolution spatial data to complement the high resolution temporal data already collected in the network. I want one for our center! Another goal that is partially realized through experiences gained in the seasonal DO network is the development of a rapid-response, distributed water-quality monitoring network similar to SWaTH.
Science and Products
Assessment of fecal contamination sources to Alley Creek, Queens County, New York
Southeastern New York Coastal Monitoring
Using Microbial Source Tracking to Identify Pollution Sources in Pathogen Impaired Embayments in Long Island, New York
Continuous and Spatially Distributed Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring in Long Island Estuaries in Support of Coastal Resource Management.
Monitoring of Waterways for Mosquito Insecticides, Suffolk County, New York
Monitoring Tidal Water Elevation and Water Quality to Assess Tidal Wetland Loss in Four Embayments of Long Island Sound, New York
Science and Products
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Assessment of fecal contamination sources to Alley Creek, Queens County, New York
PROBLEM Alley Creek, a tributary to Little Neck Bay (Queens County, New York; figure 1) has been designated as impaired by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) for primary and secondary contact and included on the 303(d) Impaired Waterways for pathogens related to combined sewer overflow contributions. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCSoutheastern New York Coastal Monitoring
USGS monitoring data for estuary and coastal-ocean sites in the southeastern New York region and links to related projects with more information about coastal flood hazards, water quality, and other topics. The USGS operates the most extensive satellite network of tide-gaging stations in the region, many of which form the backbone of flood-warning systems. The USGS provides current ("real-time")...Using Microbial Source Tracking to Identify Pollution Sources in Pathogen Impaired Embayments in Long Island, New York
Problem The presence of pathogens in Long Island marine embayments and the hazards they pose to marine resources and human health is of increasing concern. Many waterbodies on the New York State Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters have pathogens listed as the primary pollutant that are suspected to originate from urban/storm runoff. There is neither a clear understanding of the relative magnitContinuous and Spatially Distributed Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring in Long Island Estuaries in Support of Coastal Resource Management.
Problem Dissolved oxygen (DO) is an important indicator of water quality that until recently has been cost-prohibitive to monitor extensively in both space and time. Continuous water-quality data, particularly in coastal environments with bidirectional tidal flow, is necessary for resource managers to understand the dynamic changes in water quality that occur tidally, daily, seasonally, and durinMonitoring of Waterways for Mosquito Insecticides, Suffolk County, New York
Introduction Mosquitoes are the principle vector of the West Nile Virus (WNV) which causes infections in humans and animals and has emerged as a public health threat throughout Long Island, NY. The WNV was first detected among birds and mosquitoes by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) in 2000. In response to the public health concern, the USGS in cooperation with the SCDHSMonitoring Tidal Water Elevation and Water Quality to Assess Tidal Wetland Loss in Four Embayments of Long Island Sound, New York
Introduction Recent trends analysis examining the effectiveness of tidal wetland regulations and the regulatory program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) revealed that the regulations and regulatory program were highly effective in stemming the historic "fill and build" activities. However, the trends also revealed that tidal wetlands—specifically, low mars - Multimedia