The Lower Hackensack River: The Lower Hackensack River: What Does - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Lower Hackensack River: The Lower Hackensack River: What Does Continuous 24 hour What Does Continuous 24 hour Monitoring Tell Us? Monitoring Tell Us?

Joseph Grzyb Joseph Grzyb Environmental Chemist Environmental Chemist Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute

Abstract Abstract

• The lower Hackensack River has a legacy of pollution that goes b

The lower Hackensack River has a legacy of pollution that goes back more than ack more than 100 100

• years. Today, over 20 million people live in its watershed which
• years. Today, over 20 million people live in its watershed which supports one of the

supports one of the highest population densities and industrial infrastructure footp highest population densities and industrial infrastructure footprint in the country. rint in the country. The lower Hackensack River is tidally influenced from Newark Bay The lower Hackensack River is tidally influenced from Newark Bay and by and by freshwater discharges from two water treatment facilities and 20 freshwater discharges from two water treatment facilities and 20 miles upriver miles upriver from the Oradell Dam. These factors, along with industrial and r from the Oradell Dam. These factors, along with industrial and residential runoff esidential runoff during storms, greatly affect the water quality. Understanding h during storms, greatly affect the water quality. Understanding how these factors

• w these factors

impact the spatial and temporal patterns of water quality is cru impact the spatial and temporal patterns of water quality is crucial for managing cial for managing this resource and the wildlife associated with it. The New Jerse this resource and the wildlife associated with it. The New Jersey Meadowlands y Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) operates a distributed network of sensors that Commission (NJMC) operates a distributed network of sensors that continuously continuously monitors the water quality of the lower Hackensack River and mak monitors the water quality of the lower Hackensack River and makes this es this information available in real time. information available in real time. Currently there are water quality monitors Currently there are water quality monitors strategically placed at 4 locations measuring water depth, disso strategically placed at 4 locations measuring water depth, dissolved oxygen, lved oxygen, conductivity, salinity, pH, temperature, and turbidity. This stu conductivity, salinity, pH, temperature, and turbidity. This study will show a few dy will show a few phenomena recorded by the monitoring system that illustrate the phenomena recorded by the monitoring system that illustrate the spatial and spatial and temporal effects on water quality by the man made discharges and temporal effects on water quality by the man made discharges and natural events natural events affecting the estuary. Our monitoring activity has shown for exa affecting the estuary. Our monitoring activity has shown for example that after a mple that after a significant storm or discharge of fresh water from the Dam it ta significant storm or discharge of fresh water from the Dam it takes 1 kes 1 – – 2 weeks for 2 weeks for the river to return to its brackish baseline. Similarly, daily t the river to return to its brackish baseline. Similarly, daily tidal pulses as always idal pulses as always associated with increase turbidity and decrease oxygen levels al associated with increase turbidity and decrease oxygen levels also greatly affected so greatly affected by temperature. Due to the increased temperatures and the unusua by temperature. Due to the increased temperatures and the unusual amount of l amount of rainfall in June and July of 2009, the dissolved oxygen concentr rainfall in June and July of 2009, the dissolved oxygen concentration fell below the ation fell below the criteria a couple times in August and September. Water level on criteria a couple times in August and September. Water level on the other hand is the other hand is significantly affected by freezing temperatures and sea surge ev significantly affected by freezing temperatures and sea surge events from tropical ents from tropical storms. storms.

Objectives Objectives

• Summarize a year of hourly water quality

Summarize a year of hourly water quality measurements from four locations on the Lower measurements from four locations on the Lower Hackensack River. Hackensack River.

• Show seasonal and spatial differences in salinity,

Show seasonal and spatial differences in salinity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. dissolved oxygen, and temperature.

• Show how natural effects (tide cycle) and man

Show how natural effects (tide cycle) and man made effects (dam discharges) affect water made effects (dam discharges) affect water quality of the lower estuary. quality of the lower estuary.

Data points per parameter and site Data points per parameter and site January 2009 and January 2010. January 2009 and January 2010.

7126 7126 7126 7126 7126 7126 6159 6159 7126 7126 6616 6616 7126 7126 FDU FDU 8762 8762 6851 6851 6796 6796 6366 6366 6794 6794 6089 6089 6885 6885 Mill Creek Mill Creek 8896 8896 9002 9002 8997 8997 8780 8780 8932 8932 5887 5887 8984 8984 Berry Berry’ ’s Creek s Creek 8051 8051 7562 7562 7562 7562 7498 7498 6771 6771 7258 7258 7562 7562 Kearny Kearny Depth Depth Conductivity Conductivity Salinity Salinity Turbidity Turbidity pH pH Dissolved Dissolved Oxygen Oxygen Temperature Temperature Site Site

FDU Mill Creek Berry’s Creek Weather Station Kearny 7.72 km 2.74 km 10.3 km

Average Max, Min, and Median of the parameters measured between Average Max, Min, and Median of the parameters measured between January 2009 and January 2010 for each station. January 2009 and January 2010 for each station.

• 0.99

0.99 3.41 3.41 1.865 1.865 199.25 199.25 8.50 8.50 14.0 14.0 14.705 14.705 Median Median

• 6.81

6.81 0.20 0.20 0.09 0.09 5.10 5.10 7.06 7.06 2.02 2.02

• 0.1

0.1 Min Min 4.83 4.83 6.62 6.62 3.64 3.64 393.40 393.40 9.94 9.94 25.8 25.8 29.51 29.51 Max Max

• 0.04

0.04 1.43 1.43 0.73 0.73 48.66 48.66 7.95 7.95 8.11 8.11 15.88 15.88 Average Average Depth Depth Conductivity Conductivity Salinity Salinity Turbidity Turbidity pH pH DO DO Temperature Temperature FDU FDU 0.43 0.43 13.44 13.44 8.24 8.24 300.05 300.05 7.68 7.68 10.34 10.34 17.08 17.08 Median Median

• 4.23

4.23 1.508 1.508 1.12 1.12 5.30 5.30 6.62 6.62 2.02 2.02 0.85 0.85 Min Min 5.08 5.08 25.37 25.37 15.36 15.36 594.80 594.80 8.73 8.73 18.35 18.35 33.31 33.31 Max Max 0.35 0.35 9.65 9.65 5.53 5.53 86.51 86.51 7.39 7.39 5.21 5.21 17.28 17.28 Average Average Depth Depth Conductivity Conductivity Salinity Salinity Turbidity Turbidity pH pH DO DO Temperature Temperature Mill Creek Mill Creek 0.68 0.68 14.437 14.437 8.76 8.76 249 249 7.50 7.50 11.92 11.92 14.435 14.435 Median Median

• 3.77

3.77 2.004 2.004 1.01 1.01 4.70 4.70 6.43 6.43 2.01 2.01

• 0.98

0.98 Min Min 5.14 5.14 26.87 26.87 16.50 16.50 493.30 493.30 8.57 8.57 21.83 21.83 29.85 29.85 Max Max 0.46 0.46 12.21 12.21 7.01 7.01 44.06 44.06 7.36 7.36 5.58 5.58 13.11 13.11 Average Average Depth Depth Conductivity Conductivity Salinity Salinity Turbidity Turbidity pH pH DO DO Temperature Temperature Berry Berry’ ’s Creek s Creek 0.71 0.71 20.71 20.71 12.77 12.77 88.65 88.65 7.76 7.76 8.53 8.53 15.31 15.31 Median Median

• 4.71

4.71 6.78 6.78 3.72 3.72 3.60 3.60 7.30 7.30 3.01 3.01 1.17 1.17 Min Min 6.13 6.13 34.64 34.64 21.82 21.82 173.70 173.70 8.21 8.21 14.04 14.04 29.45 29.45 Max Max 1.63 1.63 19.31 19.31 11.89 11.89 17.84 17.84 7.63 7.63 7.39 7.39 15.64 15.64 Average Average Depth Depth Conductivity Conductivity Salinity Salinity Turbidity Turbidity pH pH DO DO Temperature Temperature Kearny Kearny

Seasonal Patterns of Temperature Seasonal Patterns of Temperature

Berry's Creek Temperature

Seasons Winter Spring Summer Fall Temperature (C)

• 5

5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Berry's Creek Temperature (C)

Mill Creek Temperature

Seasons Winter Spring Summer Fall Temperature (C) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Mill Creek Temperature

FDU Temperature

Seasons Winter Spring Summer Fall Temperature (C)

• 5

5 10 15 20 25 30 35

FDU Temperature (C)

Kearny Temperature

Seasons Winter Spring Summer Fall Temperature (C) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Kearny Temperatures (C)

Seasonal Patterns of Salinity Seasonal Patterns of Salinity

*Summer rainfall was 7-8 inches more than normal in 2009.

Kearny Salinity

Season Winter Spring Summer Fall Salinity (ppt) 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24

Kearny Salinity

Berry's Creek Salinity

Seasons Winter Spring Summer Fall Salinity (ppt) 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

Berry's Creek Salinity

FDU Salinity

Seasons Winter Spring Summer Fall Salinity (ppt) 1 2 3 4

FDU Salinity

Mill Creek Salinity

Seasons Winter Spring Summer Fall Salinity (ppt) 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

Mill Creek Salinity

Seasonal Patterns of Dissolved Oxygen Seasonal Patterns of Dissolved Oxygen

FDU DO mg/L

Season Winter Spring Summer Fall DO mg/L 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28

DO mg/L

Mill Creek DO mg/L

Season Winter Spring Summer Fall DO mg/L 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28

DOmg/L

Berry's Creek DO mg/L

Season Winter Spring Summer Fall DO mg/L 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28

DOmg/L

Kearny DO mg/L

Seasons Winter Spring Summer Fall DO mg/L 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28

Kearny DO mg/L

Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Oxygen

Average of all Stations Between January 2009 and January 2010 Average of all Stations Between January 2009 and January 2010

Aquatic Stress Level (5.0 mg/L) Criteria Level (4.0 mg/L)

Average DO mg/L

Stations Kearny Berrys Creek Mill Creek FDU DO mg/L

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28

DO mg/L

Effects of Tidal Amplitude on Turbidity Effects of Tidal Amplitude on Turbidity

(1 month, Dec 14 (1 month, Dec 14 – – Jan 14) Jan 14)

T i d e a n d T u r b i d i t y

D a t e 1 2 /1 4 /0 9 1 2 /2 1 / 0 9 1 2 /2 8 /0 9 1 /4 / 1 0 1 / 1 1 /1 0 Turbidity (NTU) 2 0 4 0 6 0 8 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 Depth (ft)

• 8
• 7
• 6
• 5
• 4
• 3
• 2
• 1

1 2 3 4 5 6

T u r b i d i t y ( N T U ) K e a r n y D e p t h ( f t ) 5 F e e t 4 F e e t 7 F e e t

Turbidity relationship between Kearny Turbidity relationship between Kearny and FDU and FDU

K e a r n y v s F D U T u r b id it y

D a t e

1 2 / 7 / 0 9 1 2 / 1 4 / 0 9 1 2 / 2 1 / 0 9 1 2 / 2 8 / 0 9 1 / 4 / 1 0 1 / 1 1 / 1 0

Kearny

2 0 4 0 6 0 8 0 1 0 0

FDU

5 0 1 0 0 1 5 0 2 0 0

K e a r n y T u r b i d i t y F D U T u r b i d i t y

• Up river, the turbidity is always higher than near the Newark Ba

Up river, the turbidity is always higher than near the Newark Bay. y.

• Both Kearny and FDU follow the same pattern, but FDU has twice t

Both Kearny and FDU follow the same pattern, but FDU has twice the turbidity. he turbidity.

Oradell Dam and FDU Station Oradell Dam and FDU Station

• The FDU Station

The FDU Station is 8 kilometers is 8 kilometers away from the away from the Oradell reservoir Oradell reservoir and it is the and it is the station most station most affected by the affected by the discharge. discharge.

Oradell Dam and Reservoir FDU station ~ 8 km

During strong rain events Oradell Dam may Discharge 1600 cubic feet per second for several hours or days

The Effects of the Oradell Dam Discharge on The Effects of the Oradell Dam Discharge on Several Water Quality Parameters Several Water Quality Parameters December 2009 December 2009– – January 2010 January 2010

Temperature Temperature

Oradell Discharge Effects on Temperature

Date 12/14/09 12/21/09 12/28/09 1/4/10 1/11/10 1/18/10 1/25/10 Oradell Discharge cubic ft/sec 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Temperature (C)

• 2

2 4 6 8 10 Oradell Discharge Water Temperature

Turbidity Turbidity

Effects of Oradell Discharge on FDU Turbidity

Date 12/14/09 12/21/09 12/28/09 1/4/10 1/11/10 1/18/10 1/25/10 Oradell Discharge 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Turbidity (NTU) 100 200 300 400 Oradell Discharge Turbidity

pH pH

Effects of Oradell Discharge on FDU pH

Date

12/14/09 12/21/09 12/28/09 1/4/10 1/11/10 1/18/10 1/25/10

Oradell Discharge

200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

pH

7.6 7.8 8.0 8.2 8.4

Oradell Discharge pH

Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Oxygen

Effects of Oradell Discharge on FDU Dissolved Oxygen

Date

12/14/09 12/21/09 12/28/09 1/4/10 1/11/10 1/18/10 1/25/10

Oradell Discharge

200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

DO mg/L

9 10 11 12 13

Oradell Discharge Dissolved Oxygen mg/L

Salinity Salinity

Effects of Oradell Discharge on FDU Salinity

Date

12/14/09 12/21/09 12/28/09 1/4/10 1/11/10 1/18/10 1/25/10

Oradell Discharge

200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

Salinity (ppt)

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4

Oradell Discharge Salinity (ppt)

Conclusions Conclusions

• Only stations near water treatment

Only stations near water treatment facilities had DO below or barely above facilities had DO below or barely above criteria during the summer months criteria during the summer months

Conclusions (cont.) Conclusions (cont.)

• Higher than average precipitation (7

Higher than average precipitation (7-

• 8

8 inches above normal) had a significant inches above normal) had a significant effect in lowering the overall salinity of the effect in lowering the overall salinity of the estuary during the summer months of estuary during the summer months of 2009 2009

Conclusions (Cont.) Conclusions (Cont.)

• Tidal amplitude was greatly correlated

Tidal amplitude was greatly correlated with turbidity with turbidity

• High energy Oradell Dam discharge has a

High energy Oradell Dam discharge has a significant effect on all water quality significant effect on all water quality parameters measured and may contribute parameters measured and may contribute to the re to the re-

• suspension of legacy

suspension of legacy contaminants in the lower estuary contaminants in the lower estuary

Conclusions Conclusions

• The distance from the source of discharge or tidal source

The distance from the source of discharge or tidal source (The Newark Bay) has huge effects on water quality (The Newark Bay) has huge effects on water quality parameters. parameters.

• Tidal amplitude, whether it is a spring tide or a neap

Tidal amplitude, whether it is a spring tide or a neap tide, has major effects on the turbidity of the river. tide, has major effects on the turbidity of the river.

• Sensor location can effect the data and results. Berry

Sensor location can effect the data and results. Berry’ ’s s Creek is shaded and Mill Creek is in full sunlight. Both Creek is shaded and Mill Creek is in full sunlight. Both Mill Creek and Berry Mill Creek and Berry’ ’s Creek Sensors are not located s Creek Sensors are not located within the center of the river causing different results. within the center of the river causing different results.

• By knowing the distances between stations and applying

By knowing the distances between stations and applying the data, we can calculate and assume the water quality the data, we can calculate and assume the water quality at any point and time on the river. at any point and time on the river.

Questions? Questions?

• Water Quality Data for the Hackensack

Water Quality Data for the Hackensack River in the Meadowlands is available in River in the Meadowlands is available in real real-

• time at:

time at:

• http://merigis.njmeadowlands.gov/vdv/index.php

http://merigis.njmeadowlands.gov/vdv/index.php

• joe.grzyb@njmeadowlands.gov

joe.grzyb@njmeadowlands.gov