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Poster Abstracts
Title: Automated Analysis of Near-Real-Time Surface Water Quality Data
Authors:
David M. O'Donnell, Susan M. Doerr O'Donnell and Anthony R. Prestigiacomo
Upstate Freshwater Institute, Syracuse, NY
Abstract:Central New York's Near-Real-Time Surface Water Quality Network was established in 2000 on Onondaga Lake and the Seneca River. The network has continued to expand and now includes robotic platforms on the three eastern most Finger Lakes (Owasco, Skaneateles and Otisco Lakes), Onondaga Creek, and multiple sites on the Seneca River. Data from these platforms are made available in near-real-time on the project's website (www.OurLake.org). Significant improvements have been made to the website over the past six years including the addition of an automated data analysis section in 2005. Current data analyses include: 1) the determination of thermocline depths for the lakes in the network, 2) estimation of density stratification including density gradients, 3) the prediction of interflows (density currents), 4) estimation of transparency in Onondaga Lake from in situ turbidity measurements, and 5) the calculation of suspended solid loading estimates to Onondaga Lake from Onondaga Creek. This poster highlights some of these analyses.
Title: The Use of Zebra Mussels as a Bio-indicator of Mercury Contamination in Lakes of Central New York
Authors:
In Ae Huh, Svetoslava Todorova and Charles T. Driscoll
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Michael E. Spada and Steven W. Effler
Upstate Freshwater Institute, Syracuse, NY
Abstract:Measurement of the bioaccumulation of toxic materials in indicator organisms may be used to help quantify contamination and evaluate bioavailability. We investigated the use of zebra mussels as a tool to assess mercury bioaccumulation in lakes in Central New York, including a mercury contaminated lake (Onondaga Lake) and three reference lakes (i.e., Oneida Lake, Otisco Lake, Skaneateles Lake). Although reports have demonstrated the utility of zebra mussels in assessing bioaccumulation of a variety of toxic substances, its use for mercury has been inconclusive. We collected zebra mussels in the spring and fall in the four lakes, and examined different size classes. The highest concentrations of mercury in zebra mussels were found in Onondaga Lake (shell size 15-25 mm, MEAN=0.39 g/g, STDEV= 0.18 g/g). Samples in Onondaga Lake were also highly variable depending on site of sample collection. Concentrations of mercury in zebra mussels in the reference lakes showed the highest concentrations in unproductive Skaneateles Lake (shell size 15-25 mm, MEAN=0.17 g/g, STDEV= 0.06 g/g) and lower concentrations in the more productive Oneida (shell size 15-25 mm, MEAN=0.08 g/g, STDEV= 0.01 g/g) and Otisco (shell size 15-25 mm MEAN=0.06 g/g, STDEV= 0.01 g/g) lakes. The pattern of mercury concentrations observed in the reference lakes is consistent with the hypothesis of biodilution of mercury with increases in lake productivity, which has been reported for other aquatic organisms. We also examined factors that would influence the use of zebra mussels as a mercury bio-indicator. We found that depuration is not necessary to examine mercury concentrations in zebra mussels. In spite of their small size, zebra mussels can accumulate such high concentrations of mercury in their soft tissue that the mercury present in their gut at the time of collection is insignificant. We found also some evidence that mercury content increase with zebra mussel size.
Title: Modeling of the Three Easternmost Finger Lakes: Owasco, Skaneateles and Otisco Lakes
Author:
Susan O'Donnell
Upstate Freshwater Institute, Syracuse, NY
Abstract: The Upstate Freshwater Institute and Syracuse University were awarded an EPA Grant to develop an intelligent Environmental Control System (i-ECS). The i-ECS system is being developed to support decisions made to protect ecosystems and protect human health. The i-ECS system includes expanding a robotic water quality network (www.OurLake.org) and the development and application of a "spill-response" model for the drinking water supplies: Owasco, Skaneateles and Otisco Lakes. The robotic network provides managers with up-to-date information on these systems, and the models provide information and insights for managers to respond to a "spill" event. For example, this tool would allow managers to simulate the response of a contaminant entering a lake, and provide information such as contaminant concentrations and time-of-travel to the drinking water intake. A two-dimensional hydrothermal/transport model was setup (CE-QUAL-W2) for these lakes. Bathymetric data were divided into 18, 24, and 19 longitudinal model segments for Owasco, Skaneateles and Otisco Lakes respectively. Model inputs including meteorology, flow budgets, stream temperatures, stream conductivities, and light extinction coefficients were developed for the three lakes. The models were calibrated against temperature profiles from the robotic monitoring buoys, or manual temperature profiles. The model performance was good, capturing the seasonal stratification of the three lakes. "Spill- response" capabilities are demonstrated using a conservative tracer. The effects of "spill" location, meteorological conditions and the stratification conditions on the fate and transport of the spill are demonstrated. These modeling capabilities could be expanded for application to non-conservative materials such as fecal coliform, organic contaminants, phytoplankton or turbidity.
Title: A study of Earthworms on the Solvay Wastebeds, Syracuse, NY.
Authors:
Edward M. Michalenko, Ph.D
Onondaga Environmental Institute, Syracuse NY
Daniel L. Dindal, Ph.D. Emeritus,
SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, Syracuse, NY
Peter K. Ducey, Ph.D.
SUNY at Cortland, Cortland, NY
Rebecca Forrest Pinder
Albany University, Albany, NY
Abstract:Because earthworms play significant roles in healthy soil ecosystems, we are examining their occurrence within, and colonization of, habitats in disturbed ecosystems. The Solvay Wastebeds, created from deposition of waste from chlor-alkali manufacturing over a period of more than 100 years, are ideal sites for the study of soil formation and earthworm colonization. We sampled earthworms in 1985 and 2006 from wastebeds of different ages using formalin extraction and hand sorting techniques. Seven sites were sampled in 1985; the sites were 9, 15, 39, 48, 57, and 83 years post abandonment, and one still active site. The five oldest sites were re-sampled 21 years later, now with age classes of 36, 60, 69, 78, and 104 years post-abandonment. Earthworm colonization occurred between 15 and 36 years post-abandonment. The relationship of earthworm occurrence and wastebed age observed in 1985 suggested that possibly a succession of earthworm communities occurred coincident with changes in pH and redox potential. Species present in 1985 included Aporrectodea turgida (Eisen 1875), Dendrobaena octaedra (Savigny 1826), Lumbricus rubellus (Hoffmeister 1843), L. terrestris (Linnaeus 1758), and Octolasion spp. (Ozley 1885). In 2006, every species captured in 1985 was present although not necessarily at the same sites, and we found Allobophoza chlorotica (Savigny 1826), Aporrectodea tuberculata (Eisen 1874), and Dendrodrilus rubidus (Savigny 1826). The successional patterns suggested by the 1985 data were not supported by the 2006 data. Together the findings suggest that earthworm population establishment is the result of soil formation processes that occur over time plus stochastic events related to colonization of particular sites.
Title: Onondaga Creek Revitalization Plan Project – Preliminary Results from the Community Forums
Authors:
Meredith Perreault
Onondaga Environmental Institute, Syracuse NY
Janet Marsden
School of Engineering Technology-IT, SUNY Canton, Canton, NY
Abstract: The poster on display serves a dual purpose, to communicate project information and present initial results from public meetings held in 2006. The Onondaga Creek Community Forums were intended to provide input concerning goals, dreams and issues for Onondaga Creek. Input obtained at the forums will be used by the Onondaga Creek Working Group to develop the Onondaga Creek Revitalization Plan (OCRP). The poster introduces a preliminary analysis of public input received from five of the seven Community Forums held in April, May and July, 2006. Community Forum participants frequently articulated goals for a clean, naturalized creek with recreation opportunities. Initial analysis shows that participants' concerns about Onondaga Creek revitalization frequently encompass politics, sewage, pollution, safety and community support for revitalization efforts.
Title: Cooperative Monitoring of New York State Lakes through the CSLAP Program
Authors:
Gina Quaring, , Paul Brown, Jen Aicher, Chris Hoy, Michael Miller, Melanie Overy, and Steven W. Effler
Upstate Freshwater Institute, Syracuse, NY
Scott Kishbaugh
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany NY
Abstract: New York State is blessed by a large (7,861 and counting!) number of lakes. While few programs are in place to monitor the condition in all of these water bodies, the Citizen's Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) is one of the most comprehensive. Overseen by both NYSFOLA and NYSDEC, CSLAP utilizes volunteers from local Lake Management Associations to collect field measurements, water samples, and make basic water usability observations. Water samples are sent to UFI for analysis. Field and laboratory results are compiled in interpretative summaries, written by DEC, available for utilization to state and local governments, researchers, and participating lake associations. The comprehensive nature of the program enables individuals to access the overall health of their lake, and its relationship to others in their region, as well as statewide. Measurements taken from Otisco Lake and Onondaga Lake by UFI are plotted in comparison to regional systems.
Title: An Integrated Monitoring/Modeling Framework for Assessing Human-Nature Interactions in Urbanizing Watersheds: Onondaga and Wappinger Creeks
Authors:
Karin E. Limburg, Myrna H. Hall, Bongghi Hong, Giorgos Mountrakis, Karla Hyde, Lori Luo
SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, Syracuse, NY
Peter Groffman
Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY
Abstract:Urbanization and sprawl rank among the most serious threats to watershed ecosystems, water quality, and biotic integrity. In this project we will develop a state-of-the-art integrated assessment method that: i) detects land use change using satellite imagery, ii) establishes a hydrological model with algorithms to relate land use to water, sediment, and nutrient loading to streams; and (iii) incorporates socioeconomic indicators and tests their relationships to land use change and hence to water quality. We will develop a decision support system (DSS) with full capability of scenario evaluation and uncertainty analysis. We will develop and test the model and DSS in Wappinger and Onondaga Creek watersheds, both of which are experiencing rapid land use change. Watershed managers, urban and regional planners, educators, as well as the research and business community would be among the beneficiaries as they would gain insight into decisions to support environmental sustainability.
The aforementioned work is supported through a CARTI grant from the Syracuse Center of Excellence.
Title: Patterns of Bacterial Contamination in Onondaga Creek
Authors:
Donald J. Hughes
Onondaga Environmental Institute, Syracuse NY
Abstract:Bacterial contamination is of concern in waterbodies where recreation occurs. I examined temporal and spatial patterns of fecal coliform bacteria density in Onondaga Creek in Syracuse, NY. The creek watershed (~300 km2) progresses from mixed forests, agricultural (row crops and orchards) to tract housing and heavily urbanized land uses. Water quality has been monitored biweekly by, among others, Onondaga County at Dorwin Avenue (D) and Spencer St./Kirkpatrick St. (S/K), which are upstream and downstream, respectively, of numerous combined sewer overflows (CSOs) within the city of Syracuse. Fecal coliform data were examined over a period of 12 years (1993-2004). Geometric monthly mean densities (units/100 ml) averaged 120 (D) and 1740 (S/K), representing a 14-fold increase from upstream to downstream. The New York State standard for fecal coliforms (200 units/100 ml) was exceeded in 14% of months at D, and 89% of months at S/K. A moderate degree of seasonality was observed, with fecal coliforms reaching a minimum in April. Potential causative factors were examined by correlating fecal coliform density with (a) prior rainfall, as an indicator of recent CSO events; (b) temperature; (c) flow; and (d) suspended solids. No individual correlations were found with either flow or temperature. Rainfall on the sampling date and preceding two days was found to be poorly correlated with fecal coliforms, suggesting that CSO discharges are not the major determinant of bacterial densities in the water column. Correlation with suspended solids was also poor (r2 < 0.12) at both sites. Further work is underway to understand the interactions among these variables.
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