Spencer Bradshaw and Brandon

Johnson
Marine Academy of Technology and
Environmental Science
23 January 2015

Introduction
The Barnegat Bay watershed provides a large amount of the economic
support for the surrounding region and as a result suffers a large amount
of stress from anthropogenic effects. Rapid urbanization over the last
century has severally changed the environment and has aided in the
loss of nearly 25% of the salt marshes in the county (Lathrop & Bognar,
2001). A booming agricultural center and gardening industry as
additionally added excess nutrients and caused eutrophication in the
bay, causing the Sea Nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) to explode and
damaging the ecosystem as a whole (Hunchak-Kariouk & Nicholson,
2001). Through non-point source pollution and runoff, the bay has
experienced a rapid change in chemistry as well, and the difficulty in the
flushing of the bay has only contributed to its decline (Lathrop & Bognar,
2001). As the area becomes more urbanized, the bays condition will
continue to decline due to anthropogenic effects and the economy of the
county will be threatened due to decline in biodiversity.
In addition to concerns with reference to non-point source anthropogenic
pollution, the warming of the ocean due to greenhouse gases to change
the landscape of the region, causing the barrier islands to begin sinking
and causing invasive species to take hold as the salt marshes begin to
disappear (Lathrop & Bognar, 2001). Measuring the temperature
changes in the bay and the resulting changes in salinity in the bay could
indicate Barnegat Bays health and help determine the extent to which
Anthropogenic climate change could have on the estuary (Zampella,
Bunnell, Laidig, & Procopio, 2006). Data with regards to this falls in and
out of funding and causes major gaps in the water quality history of
Barnegat Bay.

An Examination of the Changes in Water

Quality of Barnegat Bay
Abstract

Conclusion

As shellfish are sensitive to various water quality factors, a cartography group

corresponding to the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science
(MATES) evaluated shellfish classification sites according to changes in the recent
decade. By acquiring data observed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (NJDEP), Rutgers University and the NJGIN organization, the group
analyzed temperature and salinity data in each respective municipality of the Barnegat
Bay watershed, focused primarily in Ocean County. As such, the foremost focus of the
research is to spatially demonstrate any recent trends in water quality based upon
data collected in 2005 and data collected in 2012. The differences in Bay water
temperature proved to be extremely significant, with the mean temperatures differing
in approximately 3 degrees Celsius. Additionally, differences in salinity between 2005
and 2012 proved to be have no significant difference, but the data necessary for
further tests must be acquired. Hopefully, better tracking of the water quality of
Barnegat Bay in the future will allow scientists to observe trends in these values and
understand if these effects are anthropogenic in origin.

Initial view of the maps shows the gaps in data due to a lack
of information. When comparing the differences between the
dates of 2005 and 2012, the temperatures in both the fall
(September, October, November) and summer (June, July,
August) seasons was significant. The mean difference
between the two years was approximately 3C for both
seasons, with 2012 proving to be a colder year. Possible
reasons for this could be from storms brought forth with cold
fronts, as Hurricane Sandys arrival occurred in November of
2012. salinity data collected by the DEP and by independent
researchers showed no significant change over the seven
years period, however this could be due to a lack of continuity
in the monitoring of the Barnegat Bays quality of health.
When examining shellfish collection areas, one sees that
temperature and salinity pertain little difference in where
humans are allowed to collect them, and that anthropogenic
effects do not change salinity enough in these regions to
warrant it a factor in the health of local mollusk species.
Further funding for continual monitoring of this water body
should be argued for, so that future researchers can examine
a continuity in the quality of Barnegat Bay and so that trends
can be determined as to truly see how climate change and
thermal pollution would contribute to the health of this system.

Acknowledgements
Figure 2: Map detailing fall temperatures of Barnegat Bay in
2005. Temperature was measured in Celsius (C) (Zampella et.
al., 2006).

Figure 4: Map detailing summer temperatures of Barnegat Bay

in 2005. Temperature was measured in Celsius (C) (Zampella
et. al., 2006).

Figure 6: Map detailing salinity of Barnegat Bay in 2005.

Salinity was measured in parts per thousand () (Zampella et.
al., 2006).

In conclusion, the cartography group would like to commemorate the

Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science for providing
the necessary tools and technology in order to create and utilize the data
provided, as well as support for the creation of the project. As well, the
group recognizes all associating organizations such as the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Science for offering data available for
analysis and observation.

References
Hunchak-Kariouk, K., & Nicholson, R. (2001). Watershed Contributions of
Nutrients and Other Nonpoint Source Contaminants to the Barnegat Bay
Little Egg Harbor Estuary .Journal of Coastal Research, (32), 28-81.
Retrieved January 5, 2015, from Jstor.

Figure 1: Map detailing the classification zones for shellfish collection,

including prohibited areas and seasonal areas (NJDEP).

Kennish, M., Haag, S., & Sakowicz, G. (n.d.). Demographic Investigation

Of Seagrasses In The Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor Estuary With
Assessment Of Potential Impacts Of Benthic Macroalgae And Brown
Tides. 1-366. Retrieved January 15, 2015, from
http://jcnerr.org/research/PDFs/SAV.pdf

Methods
Utilizing available ArcMap data provided by the Marine Academy of
Technology and Environmental Science (MATES), the cartography group
created a continuous digitized raster of the Barnegat Bay Watershed
(WMA #13). By distinguishing data based upon extensions of municipality
boundaries, the data provided by the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and all respective organizations was
sorted and analyzed according to municipalities, strictly those pertaining to
the watershed in question. The data was then separated based upon
yearly parameters, concerning differences in summer and fall
temperatures and yearly salinities. The variables were also compared to
local restrictions and classifications of shellfish harvesting zones as to
show areas of concern and relative hazard. By observing changes in such
variables, the group demonstrates any trends or consistencies in the
variables in question. Beyond limiting the extent to which the data was
significant, no further manipulation of the data was performed.

Lathrop, R., & Bognar, J. (2001). Habitat Loss and Alteration in the
Barnegat Bay Region. Journal of Coastal Research, (32), 212-228.
Retrieved January 20, 2015, from Jstor.

NJDEP New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (2012,

January 1). Retrieved January 18, 2015, from
http://www.nj.gov/dep/barnegatbay/bbmapviewer.htm
Figure 3: Map detailing fall temperatures of Barnegat Bay in
2012. Temperature was measured in Celsius (C) (NJDEP,
2012).

Figure 5: Map detailing summer temperatures of Barnegat Bay

in 2012. Temperature was measured in Celsius (C) (NJDEP,
2012).

Figure 7: Map detailing salinity of Barnegat Bay in 2012.

Salinity was measured in parts per thousand () (NJDEP,
2012).
.

Zampella, R., Bunnell, J., Laidig, K., & Procopio, N. (2006). A Report To
The Pinelands Commission On The Status Of Selected Aquatic And
Wetland Resources. The Barnegat Bay Watershed, 1-141. Retrieved
December 21, 2014, from http://www.nj.gov/pinelands/images/pdf
files/Barnegat Bay Watershed Final Report.pdf