Chapter 6.1 Abundance and Frequency of Occurrence of …Maryland’s Coastal Bays: Ecosystem Health...
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Maryland’s Coastal Bays: Ecosystem Health Assessment Chapter 6.1 Chapter 6.1 Abundance and Frequency of Occurrence of Brown Tide, Aureococcus anophagefferens, in Maryland’s Coastal Bays Catherine Wazniak Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment, Annapolis, MD 21401 Abstract Aureococcus anophagefferens, the micro-organism that causes brown tide, was first identified in the United States in 1987 and was discovered in Maryland in 1998, though recent research indicates that it was present before then. Brown tide blooms have been categorized based on their potential impacts to living resources [categories 1 (lowest), 2, and 3 (highest)]. Brown tide is a problem in the Coastal Bays; annually since 1999, at least one of the bay segments has experienced a category 3 bloom. Introduction Brown tide, Aureococcus anophagefferens, blooms can have serious impacts on shellfish populations (scallops, hard clams and mussels) and seagrasses. Brown tides are known from their occurrence in the northeastern United States and western Africa. A. anophagefferens was first identified in the United States in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island in 1987 and discovered in Maryland in 1998 (Gastrich and Wazniak, 2000). Data collected by the National Park Service (NPS) showed A. anophagefferens was present in the Coastal Bays since at least 1993 based on the presence of a pigment unique to this algal species detected in archived NPS samples (Trice et al., 2004). No samples were available for the period prior to 1993. Maryland is currently the southern extent for A. anophagefferens in the United States. Monitoring Since 1999, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Brown Tide (BT) monitoring program has been conducted with a fixed station network of 15 stations throughout the Coastal Bays. Results have revealed that blooms tend to occur in late spring and early summer (May-July). Brown tide has been found in all Coastal Bays segments; however, an area in the Southern Bays from Newport Bay to Public Landing across to Tingles Island consistently has the highest levels. Scientists classify Brown Tide blooms similar to hurricanes Category 1, 2 and 3 (Gastrich and Wazniak, 2000) with 3 having the most serious environmental impacts (Table 6.1.1). 197
Transcript of Chapter 6.1 Abundance and Frequency of Occurrence of …Maryland’s Coastal Bays: Ecosystem Health...
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Maryland’s Coastal Bays: Ecosystem Health Assessment Chapter 6.1
Chapter 6.1
Abundance and Frequency of Occurrence of Brown Tide, Aureococcus anophagefferens, in Maryland’s Coastal Bays
Catherine Wazniak
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment, Annapolis, MD 21401 Abstract Aureococcus anophagefferens, the micro-organism that causes brown tide, was first identified in the United States in 1987 and was discovered in Maryland in 1998, though recent research indicates that it was present before then. Brown tide blooms have been categorized based on their potential impacts to living resources [categories 1 (lowest), 2, and 3 (highest)]. Brown tide is a problem in the Coastal Bays; annually since 1999, at least one of the bay segments has experienced a category 3 bloom. Introduction Brown tide, Aureococcus anophagefferens, blooms can have serious impacts on shellfish populations (scallops, hard clams and mussels) and seagrasses. Brown tides are known from their occurrence in the northeastern United States and western Africa. A. anophagefferens was first identified in the United States in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island in 1987 and discovered in Maryland in 1998 (Gastrich and Wazniak, 2000). Data collected by the National Park Service (NPS) showed A. anophagefferens was present in the Coastal Bays since at least 1993 based on the presence of a pigment unique to this algal species detected in archived NPS samples (Trice et al., 2004). No samples were available for the period prior to 1993. Maryland is currently the southern extent for A. anophagefferens in the United States. Monitoring Since 1999, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Brown Tide (BT) monitoring program has been conducted with a fixed station network of 15 stations throughout the Coastal Bays. Results have revealed that blooms tend to occur in late spring and early summer (May-July). Brown tide has been found in all Coastal Bays segments; however, an area in the Southern Bays from Newport Bay to Public Landing across to Tingles Island consistently has the highest levels. Scientists classify Brown Tide blooms similar to hurricanes Category 1, 2 and 3 (Gastrich and Wazniak, 2000) with 3 having the most serious environmental impacts (Table 6.1.1).
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Table 6.1.1 Brown tide categories and potential environmental impacts. Category Aureococcus concentration Potential Ecosystem Impacts
1
200,000 cells*ml-1
• Water becomes discolored yellow-brown; • Feeding rates of mussels severely
reduced; • Recruitment failures of bay scallops; • No significant growth of juvenile hard
clams; • Negative impacts to eelgrass due to algal
shading; • Copepod production reduced and negative
impacts to protozoa. Status of brown tide bloom activity in the Coastal Bays Bloom intensity and distribution varied annually across the Coastal Bays. The 3-year status of max blooms is presented as a summary (Figure 6.1.1). To learn more about the annual and interannual variability, please visit: http://dnr..maryland.gov/coastalbays/bt_results.html. Table 6.1.2 Flow at USGS Gage on Birch Branch- Annual Mean Discharge (cubic feet per second) by water year.
USGS 148471320 2001 5.87 USGS 148471320 2002 1.84* USGS 148471320 2003 15.4 USGS 148471320 2004 12.2 USGS 148471320 2005 9.93 USGS 148471320 2006 4.4 USGS 148471320 2007 8.41 USGS 148471320 2008 4.08 USGS 148471320 2009 8.65 USGS 148471320 2010 19.2 USGS 148471320 2011 4.71 USGS 148471320 2012 6.34 USGS 148471320 2013 16.3
Table Data Source: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/annual/?referred_module=sw&site_no=0148471320&por_0148471320_2=15
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http://dnr..maryland.gov/coastalbays/bt_results.htmlhttp://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/annual/?referred_module=sw&site_no=0148471320&por_0148471320_2=1556908,00060,2,2000,2016&year_type=W&format=html_table&date_format=YYYY-MM-DD&rdb_compression=file&submitted_form=parameter_selection_list
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Maryland’s Coastal Bays: Ecosystem Health Assessment Chapter 6.1
56908,00060,2,2000,2016&year_type=W&format=html_table&date_format=YYYY-MM-DD&rdb_compression=file&submitted_form=parameter_selection_list 2007 The highest concentrations over the 12 year period were observed at Public Landing,
Trappe, and Newport Bay. The bloom continued at many southern sites during May and June. The conditions were generally dry based on the RAWS weather stations. However, no bloom was recorded in the northern bays. Average flow at Birch Branch on the St Martin River. (Figure 6.1.6)
2008 Public Landing and Tingles Island sites were the only two to see a count above the
category 3 threshold in late May. Category 2 blooms were seen in the Northern bay sites as well as Trappe, Newport and Public Landing. (Figure 6.1.7)
2009 No blooms occurred in the northern bays. There was a Category 3 bloom that lasted a
month at Public Landing and Tingles Island sites. (Figure 6.1.8) 2010 No blooms occurred in the northern bays. Wettest year observed at Birch Branch
(Table 6.1.1). There was a Category 3 bloom that covered Green Point, Public Landing, and Tingles Island (lesser bloom at Taylors Landing) in late May/early June. (Figure 6.1.9)
2011 The northern bays had a category 2 bloom in Isle of Wight Bay near Rt. 90 bridge (site
XDN3445) in May reaching cell counts of over 120,000; while the southern bays had widespread blooms in June with lower concentrations than the Isle of Wight bloom. (Figure 6.1.10)
2012 Early June three sites in the southern bays (Newport, Public Landing and Tingles
Island) had category 3 blooms but did not last long due to weather and one site in the northern bays exceeded 200,000 cells/ml (Manklin Creek in late May). (Figure 6.1.11)
2013 No significant blooms were found. (Figure 6.1.12)
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References Gastrich, M.D. and C.E. Wazniak. 2002. A brown tide bloom index based on the potential harmful effects of the brown tide alga, Aureococcus anophagefferens. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 5: 435-441. Trice, T.M., P.M. Glibert, C. Lea, and L. Van Heukelem. In press. HPLC pigment records provide evidence of past blooms of Aureococcus anophagefferens in the coastal bays of Maryland and Virginia, USA. Harmful Algae.
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Figure 6.1.1 Average peak concentration of brown tide cells at fourteen Maryland Coastal Bays station between 2007and 2013.
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Max Brown Tide Counts at Public Landing
0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
1,600,000
1,800,000
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Year
Max
con
cent
ratio
n ob
serv
ed (c
ells
/ml) Polyclonal
Caron, NYMonoclonal(adjusted)Caron, CA
ImmunofluoresceneFlow cytometry
Caron, CA
ImmunofluoresceneGobler, NY
Figure 6.1.2 Maximum annual Aureococcus concentrations at Public Landing (1999-2012). Enumeration methods used for counts are also noted.
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Maximum Brown Tide Counts
0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
1,600,000
1,800,000
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Year
Max
con
cent
ratio
n ob
serv
ed (c
ells
/ml)
Public Landing Trappe Newport Figure 6.1.3 Maximum Aureococcus cell counts at three stations (Public landing, Trappe Creek and Newport Bay (1999-2013)
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RAWs rainfall at Assateague (inches)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Figure 6.1.4 Annual rainfall at Assateague Island Rainfall at Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) rain gage in inches per year (1992-2014).
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Figure 6.1.5 Daily river discharge at the USGS gage on Birch Branch (cubic feet per second) 2000-2010.
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2007 Brown Tide (immunofluorescene)
0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
MKL0
010
TUV0
011
XDN3
445
XDN5
737
XDN7
261
XDN7
545
Ferry
Land
ing
Gree
n Poin
t
New
port B
ay
Pub
lic La
nding
Sinn
ickso
n
Taylo
rs La
nding
Ting
les Is
land
Trap
pe C
reek
A. a
noph
agef
fere
ns (c
ells
ml-1
)
Ocean City InletN S
5/15/20075/28/20076/10/20076/24/200707/16/07
Figure 6.1.6 2007 Brown Tide, Aureococcus anafagefferens, cell counts at 14 stations.
2008 Aureococcus counts (immunoflorescence- flowcytometer)
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
500,000
MKL0
010
TUV0
011
XDN3
445
XDN5
737
XDN7
261
XDN7
545
Ferry
Land
ing
Gree
n Poin
t
New
port B
ay
Publi
c Lan
ding
Sinn
ickso
n
Taylo
rs La
nding
Ting
les Is
land
Trap
pe C
reek
April wk2April wk3April wk4May wk2May wk3may wk4June wk1June wk2June wk4July wk 1July wk2AugSept
Ocean City InletN S
Figure 6.1.7 2008 Brown Tide, Aureococcus anafagefferens, cell counts at 14 stations.
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2009 Brown Tide (immunofluorescence)
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
500,000
MKL0
010
TUV0
011
XDN3
445
XDN5
737
XDN7
261
XDN7
545
Ferry
Land
ing
Gree
n Poin
t
New
port B
ay
Pub
lic La
nding
Sinn
ickso
n
Taylo
rs La
nding
Ting
les Is
land
Trap
pe C
reek
4/16/20095/4/20095/13/20095/27/20096/11/20096/23/20097/9/20097/21/2009
Ocean City InletN S
Figure 6.1.8 2009 Brown Tide, Aureococcus anafagefferens, cell counts at 14 stations.
2010 Aureococcus counts (NY flow cytometry)
0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
MKL0
010
TUV0
011
XDN3
445
XDN5
737
XDN7
261
XDN7
545
Ferry
Land
ing
Gree
n Poin
t
New
port B
ay
Publi
c Lan
ding
Sinn
ickso
n
Taylo
rs La
nding
Ting
les Is
land
Trap
pe C
reek
4/21/20105/6/20105/24/20106/2/20106/16/20106/29/20107/12/2010
Ocean City InletN S
Figure 6.1.9 2010 Brown Tide, Aureococcus anafagefferens, cell counts at 14 stations.
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2011 Aureococcus counts (NY flow cytometry)
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
MKL0
010
TUV0
011
XDN3
445
XDN5
737
XDN7
261
XDN7
545
Ferry
Land
ing
Gree
n Poin
t
New
port B
ay
Pub
lic La
nding
Sinn
ickso
n
Taylo
rs La
nding
Ting
les Is
land
Trap
pe C
reek
Location
cells
/ml
Aprilearly Maylate Mayearly Junemid Junelate June - early Julymid Julylate Julymid Septlate Sept
Ocean City InletN S
Figure 6.1.10 2011 Brown Tide, Aureococcus anafagefferens, cell counts at 14 stations.
2012 Aureococcus counts (NY flow cytometry)
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
MKL0
010
TUV0
011
XDN3
445
XDN5
737
XDN7
261
XDN7
545
Ferry
Land
ing
Gree
n Poin
t
New
port B
ay
Pub
lic La
nding
Sinn
ickso
n
Taylo
rs La
nding
Ting
les Is
land
Trap
pe C
reek
Location
cells
/ml
early aprillate Aprilearly maymid-late Mayearly Junemid-June
Ocean City InletN S
Figure 6.1.11 2012 Brown Tide, Aureococcus anafagefferens, cell counts at 14 stations.
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2013 Aureococcus counts (NY flow cytometry)
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
MKL0
010
TUV0
011
XDN3
445
XDN5
737
XDN7
261
XDN7
545
Ferry
Land
ing
Gree
n Poin
t
New
port B
ay
Pub
lic La
nding
Sinn
ickso
n
Taylo
rs La
nding
Ting
les Is
land
Trap
pe C
reek
Location
cells
/ml
early aprillate Aprilearly maymid-late Mayearly Junelate-JuneJulySeptember
Ocean City InletN S
Figure 6.1.12 2013 Brown Tide, Aureococcus anafagefferens, cell counts at 14 stations.
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Chapter 6.1Abundance and Frequency of Occurrence of Brown Tide,Aureococcus anophagefferens, in Maryland’s Coastal BaysCatherine WazniakAbstractMonitoringStatus of brown tide bloom activity in the Coastal Bays References
