Estimation of nutrient (N and P) fluxes into Newark Bay, USA

Abstract

This study was conducted in northern New Jersey, USA, to estimate the nutrient fluxes from the Passaic River, the Hackensack River and other sources into Newark Bay and the nutrient residence time in Newark Bay. Bi-weekly total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) and orthophosphate concentration data in the Passaic River, the Hackensack River, and Newark Bay for over 15 years (2004–2019) were collected along with daily river discharge data from the public database. The annual TIN and orthophosphate (ortho-P) loading from the Passaic River ranged from 915 × 103 kg y−1 to 251 × 104 kg y−1 and 94 × 103 kg y−1to 372 × 103 kg y−1, respectively. The annual TIN and ortho-P loading from the Hackensack River ranged from 3.13 × 103 kg y−1 to 234 × 103 kg y−1 and 0.28 × 103 kg y−1 to 6.97 × 103 kg y−1, respectively. Seasonal variation results indicated that hurricane events highly increased TIN and ortho-P loading from riverine input and reduced residence time in Newark Bay.