Storm chasing: Nutrient dynamics in the tidal James River before, during, and after hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee

Abstract

Due to the unpredictable nature of intense storm events, little is known about event-driven impacts on water quality, nutrient dynamics, nutrient demand, and phytoplankton community composition in estuarine and riverine environments such as the James River estuary. In summer 2011 we monitored nutrient concentrations, physical conditions, and conducted nutrient uptake and primary productivity experiments before, during, and after two major storm events to evaluate the extent to which storms can affect phytoplankton communities in the James River. After the storms, we observed changes in phytoplankton community composition, nutrient concentrations, and nutrient uptake. There was an uncoupling between primary productivity and chlorophyll biomass subsequent to storm events likely due to washout of algal communities. Rapid response sampling ("storm chasing") may be key to determining the triggers, sustenance, and demise of algal blooms. With climate models predicting increases in both total precipitation as well as storm frequency, these questions are of growing importance.