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Aquatic Ecology Research

CURRENT PROJECTS

Lower Cape Fear River Program
Since 1995 our laboratory has regularly collected data on numerous physical, chemical and biological parameters at 35 locations (see map) throughout the Cape Fear River watershed. Our data is sent to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality where it is entered into the EPA STORET national water quality database. Comprehensive reports are issued to interested parties annually. Current and recent research projects in this watershed include analysis of animal waste lagoon spills, effects of hurricanes and storms on water quality, factors controlling phytoplankton production in the estuary and tributary rivers, factors contributing to BOD loads in the Cape Fear watershed, and the effect of nutrient loading on the biota and metabolism of blackwater streams. In conjunction with the water quality sampling, benthos is analyzed by the UNCW Benthic Ecology Lab (Benthic Ecology Laboratory).

The City of Wilmington Watersheds Project
In the fall of 1997 we began a project assessing water quality in each of the City of Wilmington’s watersheds. Environmental Reports are published annually, several of which are available online (2006-2007, 2008, 2009). This includes collecting baseline data on pollutants such as nutrients, fecal coliform bacteria, turbidity, and other parameters, analyzing effectiveness of large stormwater detention ponds and constructed wetlands, runoff from golf courses, and effect of loadings on adjacent waterways. Current efforts also include a comprehensive study of nutrients, BOD and algal blooms in Greenfield Lake, and an analysis of the pollutant removal capacity of the new Bethel Road wetland.   This project is funded by and designed in cooperation with the City of Wilmington Engineering Department and its Stormwater Services Program.

PREVIOUS PROJECTS

Bethel Wetlands Project
In late 2007, the City of Wilmington finished construction of a dual-purpose recreation area and stormwater treatment wetland at 3500 Bethel Rd.  The park was inaugurated as the James E.L. Wade Park in January 2009 and serves as a popular destination for visitors and wildlife.  This 12 acre stormwater wetland is designed to reduce a variety of pollutants from the inflowing water entering from the western boundary.  At the eastern edge of the wetland, treated water is discharged and eventually flows into Hewlett’s Creek.  The Aquatic Ecology lab was contracted by the city to determine the efficacy of the wetland at removing pollutants including heavy metals, hydrocarbons, fecal bacteria, suspended sediments and nutrients.   Additionally, the lab will be measuring physical and chemical parameters such as flow rates, dissolved oxygen levels and chlorophyll concentrations.  With increasing urbanization occurring in SE NC, such wetlands may be an important method to mitigate disturbances to our coastal areas.  For more information please visit the Wilmington's brochure on James E.L. Wade Park.

Motts and Barnards Creeks
The UNCW Aquatic Ecology Laboratory began a project in the fall of 2008 monitoring the water quality of Motts and Barnards creeks in New Hanover County North Carolina. This project is funded by the Newland Corporation (Newland Group) which is spearheading a new "green" multi-use development flanked by these creeks called River Lights. Motts and Barnards creeks both drain into the Cape Fear River Estuary.

Assessing Fecal Bacteria Sources at Wrightsville Beach, NC Wrightsville Beach is a popular vacation destination for boaters, swimmers, surfers, and beach lovers. Periodic elevated fecal bacteria counts in some of the inland channels prompted the Town Wrightsville Beach to contract with our laboratory to determine the sources of these bacteria. In collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. B. Song (UNCW Center for Marine Science) we are collecting samples for fecal coliform bacteria and Enterococcus and utilizing PCR based techniques to determine the sources of the pollutants (human, canine or ruminant). Optical Brighteners are being analyzed as well to determine the possibility of sanitary sewage inputs. This study has recently been funded for a second year (Progress report for 2008).

Ecology of the New River Estuary
Our laboratory has an ongoing research project studying water quality, algal bloom formation, and nutrient limitation in the New River Estuary, North Carolina currently funded by the USMC at Camp Lejeune. We have published results of damage caused by a major swine waste spill to the New River and its estuary, results of nutrient limitation experiments in the estuary, as well as eutrophication reversal after sewer plant upgrades. Research on the New River Estuary has also been the subject of several presentations and posters at national water quality conferences.

Eagle Point Golf Club
Our l aboratory began a poject in January 2009 in partnership with The Coastal Federation, New Hanover County Planning Department, North Carloina State University and Eagle Point Golf Club to study stormwater runoff issues and devise Best Management Practices to control runoff at the golf course located in northern New Hanover County, NC. This study is being funded by the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

The Coastal Ocean Research and Monitoring Program
From 2000-2008, several researchers from UNCW performed a broad scale analysis of the coastal ocean adjacent to southeastern North Carolina, the South Atlantic Bight.  The South Atlantic Bight supports a variety of important resources and uses including hydrocarbons, hard minerals, fisheries, protected species, recreation, navigation and cultural resources.  Two major areas in the South Atlantic Bight were studied including Onslow Bay and the Cape Fear River Plume.  Research involves water quality (Dr. Michael Mallin and Dr. Larry Cahoon), the benthos (Dr. Martin Posey), ichthyological assemblages (Dr. Tom Lankford), zooplankton and phytoplankton assemblages (Dr. Michael Mallin and Dr. Larry Cahoon), sediment analysis (Dr. Lynn Leonard and Dr. Nancy Grindlay), physical oceanography (Dr. Fred Bingham), water spectral characteristics (Dr. Mike Durako), and dissolved organic matter (Dr. Bill Cooper). 

Water Quality of Caswell Beach
We recently completed a study analyzing the pollutant load (fecal bacteria and nutrients) entering, within, and exiting a golf course and major residential area at Caswell Beach, NC. This work was funded by the Town of Caswell Beach (Water quality report 2008).

Assessment of Water Resources and Watershed Conditions in Six Inland National Parks in the Southeastern U.S.
This study was in collaboration with Dr. JoAnn Burkholder and the Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology of North Carolina State University. We analyzed present and previous water quality and quantity conditions in the following parks: Moore's Creek in North Carolina, Congaree Park in South Carolina, Horseshoe Bend in Alabama, and Kennesaw Mountain, Ocmulgee, and Chattahoochee Parks in Georgia. This effort is being funded by the National Park Service, Southeast Coast Network.

Assessment of Coastal National Parks in the Southeastern U.S.The UNC Wilmington Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, in conjunction with Dr. Merryl Alber and associates at the University of Georgia Department of Marine Sciences, was funded by the National Park Service, Water Resources Division, to synthesize what is known about the water resources of National Parks along the Southeast coast.  These water resources are diverse, and include open marine and estuarine waters, marine, oligohaline, and freshwater wetlands, tidal creeks, perennial and temporary pools, and groundwater.  These parks are generally free of point source pollution and agricultural runoff, but nearby marine waters are affected by pollution from major nearby river systems (Cumberland Island, GA), or by local septic system contamination (Cape Hatteras National Seashore).  UNCW has completed reports on Cape Lookout National Seashore and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. These reports have been published by the Park Service and can be downloaded from their website (link to publication).

New Hanover County Tidal Creeks Project
Between 1993 and 2007 we conducted research on bacterial pollution, algal blooms, effect of tides on water quality parameters, nutrient limitation of phytoplankton productivity, and nutrient loading in five tidal creeks in New Hanover County, with annual reports regularly published. A major accomplishment of this project was publication of a set of management recommendations for environmentally-sound coastal development practices. The fecal bactera results fom this study were used to develop stricter coastal development regulations for North Carolina.

Bald Head Creek Environmental Analysis
The Village of Bald Head applied for a permit to dredge the mouth of Bald Head Creek in order to improve shellfishing water quality.  The Aquatic Ecology Laboratory initiated a program to collect pre-dredging and post-dredging water quality data to analyze the success of this estuarine manipulation project.  Data collected included fecal coliform bacteria, nitrate, phosphate, ammonium, chlorophyll a, total suspended solids, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity.  Physical parameters were collected both on site during water sample collection and on a high-frequency basis through diel studies with in-situ instruments.  Because Bald Head Creek has a low level of human development surrounding it, the project location makes an excellent contrast to the highly developed tidal creeks we study under the New Hanover County Tidal Creeks Program.  Click here for Bald Head Creek Environmental Report.

Field Conditions for Pfisteria Growth
Our laboratory worked in coordination with the North Carolina State University Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology to characterize field conditions supporting the growth of the toxic dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida  in the New River Estuary, the New Hanover County Tidal Creeks system, and the Cape Fear River Estuary.

Assessing the Relationship between Phosphorous and Fecal Microbes in Blackwater Stream Sediments
In collaboration with Dr. Larry Cahoon of the UNCW Biological Sciences Department we conducted a study of the sediments of blackwater streams in the Cape Fear River basin.  In this project our primary goal was to assess the ability of these stream sediments to serve as a reserve and potential incubator for fecal pathogen indicator organisms, particularly in terms of sediment nutrient content.  These streams receive nutrient loading and potentially fecal pathogens from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), yet are utilized for recreation by the public.  This research was funded by the Water Resources Research Institute of the University of North Carolina.  

Updated June 18, 2010