Recent Trends of <i>Zostera marina</i> (Eelgrass) in a Highly Eutrophic Coastal Lagoon in the Mid-Atlantic Region (USA)

Abstract

Spatial and temporal characteristics of Zostera marina (eelgrass) in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor Estuary are compared before (2004-2011) and after (2012-2013) major fertilizer legislation (Fertilizer Law A2290) was enacted in New Jersey (USA) to reduce nutrient inputs from fertilizers to water bodies in the state. A significant decrease of Z. marina biomass and areal cover occurred in this eutrophic estuary between 2004 and 2011 concomitantly with increasing nitrogen and phosphorus loading from the watershed. The rate of decline in aboveground and belowground biomass was significantly sharper during 2004-2006 than during 2008-2010. In 2010, Z. marina biomass dropped to a very low level (mean aboveground biomass = 7.7 g dry wt m −2 ; mean belowground biomass = 27.0 g dry wt m −2), persisting through the last sampling period (October-November) in 2013. Biomass and areal cover of Z. marina decreased even further after Fertilizer Law A2290 was enacted in January 2012, with the lowest values recorded from August to November each year. These low values are the result of ongoing eutrophication of the system. More seagrass monitoring and research are necessary in future years to determine if the fertilizer law will have a positive effect on Z. marina condition in the estuary over the long term.

Indicators of nutrient pollution in Long Island, New York, estuarine environments

“…Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has developed an innovative incentive-based N-trading program that has led to substantial reductions in N loading to Long Island Sound from Connecticut, which could improve water quality along Long Island's northern coast (Bennett et al 2000). In nearby New Jersey, home fertilizer use has been restricted, with the goal of improving aquatic ecosystem health (Kennish et al 2016). In response to recent reports documenting continued water quality declines (Suffolk Co. 2014), and major water quality issues associated with impacts of Superstorm Sandy in 2012 (Buxton et al 2013), additional state programs, incentives, and infrastructure developments to improve water quality are proposed.…”

Tidal Flushing Rather Than Non-Point Source Nitrogen Pollution Drives Nutrient Dynamics in A Putatively Eutrophic Estuary

“…Nitrogen enrichment has been associated with a number of negative effects, including algal growth, harmful algal blooms, high turbidity, bacterial pathogens, and impacts to fisheries, seagrass, and shellfish beds [ 19 ]. Wastewater has been discharged 1.6 km offshore since the 1980s [ 38 ], and in 2011, the nation’s strongest fertilizer bill was passed in New Jersey, which set limits on fertilizer content, requires application by a certified landscape professional, and restricts N application ( Figure 1 ; [ 46 ]).…”

Development of a submerged aquatic vegetation growth model in the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST v3.4) model

“…The growth of SAV is dependent upon light availability at the leaf surface, which is a function of light attenuation in the water column and the biomass of epiphytic algae growing on SAV stems. During the last several decades, the loss of SAV has accelerated due to anthropogenic pressures (Kennish et al, 2016) or natural causes such as storms (Hamberg et al, 2017). One of the dominant factors of SAV loss is eutrophication through nutrient loading, exemplified by increased phytoplankton growth and epiphytic growth on vegetation.…”