Intracoastal Waterway Research Articles

20-year water quality analysis reveals spatial variability and long-term changes at North Carolina's Masonboro Island National Estuarine Research Reserve

Urbanization impacts, especially stormwater runoff and pollutant discharge, pose ecological threats to coastal ecosystems globally. Long-term environmental monitoring datasets and assessments are used to quantify anthropogenic impacts on ecosystem health. This study synthesized twenty years (2002–2021) of water quality data from the National Estuarine Research Reserve System-wide Monitoring Program at the understudied Masonboro Island Reserve (North Carolina, United States) and provided an analytical methodology that can be applied to other Reserves and monitoring programs world-wide. Time series and correlation analyses of biological, chemical, and physical water quality parameters were used to identify spatiotemporal trends of nutrient dynamics and phytoplankton biomass at three stations within a 5-km stretch of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Heterogenous water quality conditions were observed between stations, especially for chlorophyll a, and were influenced by the relative proximity to marine waters, human developments, and urban tidal creeks. Long-term trends indicated significant water quality changes (i.e., increased chlorophyll a, reduced pH and salinity) related to anthropogenic influences. An unexpected and rapid shift in nutrient dynamics occurred around 2007, marked by significantly decreased ammonium and orthophosphate concentrations, which considerably reduced DIN/DIP ratios. This positive change was potentially influenced by sewage infrastructure improvements and stormwater wetland construction, removing waste-derived nutrients that previously entered the ecosystem. Impacts of major storms were also observed with weeks of hypoxia and low salinity following Hurricane Florence. These findings emphasized the value of long-term trend analyses of monitoring program data at multiple sites and provided insights into the significant water quality impacts of urbanization and benefits from wetland protection. This study further encourages the evaluation of long-term water quality monitoring datasets in estuarine environments globally.

Bank erosion drastically reduces oyster reef filtration services in estuarine environments

Oyster reefs near estuarine channels have experienced substantial mortality over the last decades, primarily due to bank erosion, potentially exacerbated by boat activity. Using aerial imagery, we measured bank erosion along the Intracoastal Waterway and its main tributaries in the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas estuary, finding that erosion outweighs progradation. This notably threatens oyster reefs and their filtration capabilities. By modeling the impact of bank erosion on oyster habitats and filtration using hydrodynamic, water quality, and particle tracking models, we observed a 12% filtration reduction due to reef mortality. Erosion results in an exponential decrease in reef area and filtration services, due to the removal of channel-adjacent reefs, which play a critical role in water filtration. If current erosion rates continue, simulations suggest a potential 20% filtration reduction over 100 years, potentially worsening water quality. Our findings highlight the urgency to protect and restore reefs near banks to mitigate erosion and maintain filtration services.

Using vulnerability assessment to characterize coastal protection benefits provided by estuarine habitats of a dynamic intracoastal waterway.

The existence of coastal ecosystems depends on their ability to gain sediment and keep pace with sea level rise. Similar to other coastal areas, Northeast Florida (United States) is experiencing rapid population growth, climate change, and shifting wetland communities. Rising seas and more severe storms, coupled with the intensification of human activities, can modify the biophysical environment, thereby increasing coastal exposure to storm-induced erosion and inundation. Using the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve as a case study, we analyzed the distribution of coastal protection services-expressly, wave attenuation and sediment control-provided by estuarine habitats inside a dynamic Intracoastal waterway. We explored six coastal variables that contribute to coastal flooding and erosion-(a) relief, (b) geomorphology, (c) estuarine habitats, (d) wind exposure, (e) boat wake energy, and (f) storm surge potential-to assess physical exposure to coastal hazards. The highest levels of coastal exposure were found in the north and south sections of the Reserve (9% and 14%, respectively) compared to only 4% in the central, with exposure in the south driven by low wetland elevation, high surge potential, and shorelines composed of less stable sandy and muddy substrate. The most vulnerable areas of the central Reserve and main channel of the Intracoastal waterway were exposed to boat wakes from larger vessels frequently traveling at medium speeds (10-20 knots) and had shoreline segments oriented towards the prevailing winds (north-northeast). To guide management for the recently expanded Reserve into vulnerable areas near the City of Saint Augustine, we evaluated six sites of concern where the current distribution of estuarine habitats (mangroves, salt marshes, and oyster beds) likely play the greatest role in natural protection. Spatially explicit outputs also identified potential elevation maintenance strategies such as living shorelines, landform modification, and mangrove establishment for providing coastal risk-reduction and other ecosystem-service co-benefits. Salt marshes and mangroves in two sites of the central section (N-312 and S-312) were found to protect more than a one-quarter of their cross-shore length (27% and 73%, respectively) from transitioning to the highest exposure category. Proposed interventions for mangrove establishment and living shorelines could help maintain elevation in these sites of concern. This work sets the stage for additional research, education, and outreach about where mangroves, salt marshes, and oyster beds are most likely to reduce risk to wetland communities in the region.

Deep Learning Applications in Vessel Dead Reckoning to Deal with Missing Automatic Identification System Data

This research introduces an online system for monitoring maritime traffic, aimed at tracking vessels in water routes and predicting their subsequent locations in real time. The proposed framework utilizes an Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) pipeline to dynamically process AIS data by cleaning, compressing, and enhancing it with additional attributes such as online traffic volume, origin/destination, vessel trips, trip direction, and vessel routing. This processed data, enriched with valuable details, serves as an alternative to raw AIS data stored in a centralized database. For user interactions, a user interface is designed to query the database and provide real-time information on a map-based interface. To deal with false or missing AIS records, two methods, dead reckoning and machine learning techniques, are employed to anticipate the trajectory of the vessel in the next time steps. To evaluate each method, several metrics are used, including R squared, mean absolute error, mean offset, and mean offset from the centerline. The functionality of the proposed system is showcased through a case study conducted in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW). Three years of AIS data are collected and processed as a simulated API to transmit AIS records every five minutes. According to our results, the Seq2Seq model exhibits strong performance (0.99 R squared and an average offset of ~1400 ft). However, the second scenario, dead reckoning, proves comparable to the Seq2Seq model as it involves recalculating vessel headings by comparing each data point with the previous one.

Evaluating the Ability of Constructed Intertidal Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Reefs to Address Shoreline Erosion in South Carolina

The application of nature-based solutions to address shoreline erosion and the loss of salt marsh in coastal South Carolina has centered around the creation of intertidal oyster (Crassostrea virginica) reefs that act as natural breakwaters. The installation of such living shoreline materials often results in a rapid accumulation of fine sediments, followed by wild oyster recruitment to suitable materials, and then more gradually the growth of salt marshes (primarily Spartina alterniflora). Leveraging more than two decades of oyster reef restoration and living shorelines research at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, this study quantitatively assessed performance rates for both percent oyster cover and marsh protection in relation to reef age. Determining such rates will serve to inform the expectations of prospective adopters of living shorelines as to the timeframes of some of the biological processes, as measures of performance success, that will occur following material installation. Performance success was investigated in terms of recruitment of oysters to installed materials and the creation of new marsh habitat or protection of existing marsh from erosion. Reef age was an important determinant of reef “success”, with significant relationships between reef age and both performance success metrics. Percent oyster cover reached 40% by two years post-installation and 50% by four years post-installation, indicative of high rates of oyster recruitment. The relative marsh protection rate of living shorelines compared to unprotected reference plots was 0.4 m yr-1 Reef performance differed based on bank substrate firmness, bank width, shoreline morphology, and location relative to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Firmer bank substrate was associated with greater percent oyster cover. Broader bank width was associated with greater marsh protection. Higher percent oyster cover measurements were observed on straight, natural shorelines and reefs located along the ICW. Reefs located on the ICW were also associated with greater marsh protection than reefs at non-ICW sites. Further, this study demonstrates that bagged oyster shell reefs are capable of providing shoreline protection services for more than a decade and can endure multiple intense storm events. The results of this study were also used to facilitate the implementation of new living shoreline regulations in coastal South Carolina in the hope of broadening adoption of this approach to addressing shoreline erosion and salt marsh habitat loss.

Recovery of the NJ marine transportation system in the wake of Superstorm Sandy: A 10-year retrospective

The New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Office of Maritime Resources (NJDOT/ OMR) is responsible for operations and maintenance of more than 200 nautical miles (nmi) of shallow draft navigation channels in the Atlantic coastal region, as well as providing capacity for dredged material management to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to maintain the 117-mile New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway. When Superstorm Sandy made landfall in fall 2012, an estimated $65 million in damage was caused to state infrastructure in the form of severe shoaling, shoreline erosion, and berm loss on confined disposal facilities. In the decade since, the NJDOT/OMR has dredged 1.9 million CY of sediment and beneficially used over half of that in resiliency projects ranging from shoreline stabilization and marsh enhancement to restoration of shallow water habitat at a cost of over $120 million. Another 2.0 million CY of sediment has been dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the same timeframe, with 60% being used in resiliency projects. In addition to these projects, NJDOT also repaired and strengthened five confined disposal facilities, improved storm preparedness, and created a pathway toward a more sustainable maintenance program for New Jersey’s waterways. A summary of these projects is presented, along with lessons learned and considerations for dredging and beneficial-use practitioners.

Striped Bass Movement in a Large Southeastern River System

Abstract Migratory behaviors of coastal Striped Bass Morone saxatilis are diverse and vary by latitude along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Northern populations (e.g., north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina) are anadromous, with spawning occurring in tidal freshwater/brackish rivers and adults leaving spawning locations during the winter to conduct north–south coastal migrations. The central Atlantic comprises a mixture of potamodromous and anadromous types, completing the natural continuum of behavioral modes along latitudinal ecotones. Southern populations (e.g., south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina) are typically resident and potamodromous, completing full life cycles within river systems, and do not migrate along the Atlantic Coast. There are limited studies that have investigated daily movement of Striped Bass in the Southeast and no studies have documented movement of Striped Bass in the Great Pee Dee River, particularly with reference to spawning migrations. The objective of this study was to describe daily movement patterns and centers of attraction (e.g., spawning and resting stages) of Striped Bass in the Great Pee Dee River, South Carolina. We implanted 10 fish with hydroacoustic transmitters between 2013 and 2016. We describe daily movement and behavior using the state-space model with a two-dimensional spatial coordinate system. We recorded a total of 94,857 data points across all individuals and receivers. We observed two movement patterns. One group completed a seasonal migration (i.e., were recorded swimming upstream or downstream) that coincides with spring spawning season. A second group was present in the lower river section and Winyah Bay during the winter for 3 consecutive years but were never observed migrating up the Great Pee Dee River during the spring. One individual was documented swimming 80 river km north in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, suggesting there are important overwintering locations outside their natal river. Additionally, there were significant gaps in observations for all individuals, particularly in the summer. It is possible that fish are leaving the main stem in search of thermal refuge within small tributaries. Identifying these overwintering areas and tributaries that serve as summer refuge is needed to determine stressors and fishing pressure of this important species.

America’s Intracoastal Waterway: Understanding the nation through narratives about infrastructure

Traversing the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States, the Intracoastal Waterway comprises 4828 km of protected canals, with 3218.7 km running from Boston to the Florida Keys, and 1609 km running from Carrabelle, Florida to Brownsville, Texas. Often used by commercial vehicles, especially in the transportation of petroleum and petroleum products, the canal gets understood and discussed within American society in a variety of ways. Reading across different texts, I explore how the Intracoastal Waterway has been narrativised, including within a lineage of settler-colonialism, as an ecologically disruptive infrastructure project and as a space for life-affirming encounters. Among these texts I find two dominant modes of narrativising this infrastructure project, each of which impact our understanding of it and, by extension, the nation. Hegemonic narratives emphasise the canal’s place within a nation-wide history of colonisation, while local narratives emphasise the ecology, history, and people surrounding the canal. Altogether, by considering these different approaches we get a complicated understanding of how America gets understood, both locally and at the national level, through the stories told about its infrastructure.

Blue Infrastructures: An Exploration of Oceanic Networks and Urban–Industrial–Energy Interactions in the Gulf of Mexico

Urban infrastructures serve as the backbone of modern economies, mediating global exchanges and responding to urban demands. Yet, our comprehension of these complex structures, particularly within diverse socio-political terrain, remains fragmented. In bridging this knowledge gap, this study delves into “boundary objects”—entities enabling diverse stakeholders to collaborate without a comprehensive consensus. Central to our investigation is the hypothesis that oceanic infrastructural developments are instrumental in molding the interface of urban, industrial, and energy sectors within marine contexts. Our lens is directed at the Gulf of Mexico, which is distinguished by its industrial depth and expansive marine grid. We highlight the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway’s (GIWW) paramount role in regional movement and the ecological facets of practices such as dredging, which is vital for transport and coastal conservation. A striking revelation of our study is the transformation of offshore structures in the Gulf into vibrant marine habitats. Emphasizing the intertwined nature of marine infrastructures, we denote oceans as pivotal platforms for impending urban expansion, especially as land resources wane. Our research aspires to validate the role played by oceans as a nexus in the urban–industrial–energy fusion.

Development of an Unmanned Mobile Current Turbine Platform

A prototype low-flow (~0.5 m/s) marine current turbine for deployment from a small unmanned mobile floating platform has been developed at Florida Atlantic University for autonomously seeking and harnessing tidal/coastal currents. The support platform is an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) in the form of a catamaran with two electric outboard motors and with capabilities for autonomous navigation. An undershot water wheel (USWW), aided by a custom flow concentrator, has been selected as the basic design for the marine current turbine, which is mounted on the stern of the USV. The concept of operation is that the unmanned surface vehicle would navigate to a designated marine current resource, autonomously anchor at the location, align itself in the current, and deploy the USWW turbine using a custom cable-lift deployment mechanism. As the USWW harnesses the local current, an onboard power-take-off (PTO) device converts the harnessed mechanical energy to electricity which is stored in onboard batteries. The selected PTO utilizes a spur drivetrain/gearbox coupled with a NuVinci Ball-continuously variable transmission (CVT). It is estimated that the small prototype turbine system will produce over 12W power for currents over 0.5 m/s. The automated anchoring system consists of an electric winch, a Rocna anchor, anchor chain/rode and a line locking mechanism designed to aid in taking tension off the winch. Preparations have been made to test and demonstrate the application of the platform in harnessing tidal currents in the Intracoastal Waterway in South Florida and coastal currents at locations off Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The preparations include obtaining the necessary environmental permits for conducting in-water testing; developing required mitigation measures in protecting local wildlife and their habitats; and identifying potential in-water test sites and surveying them for their suitability in terms of current resource, bottom type, water depth and local boat traffic. Application of the marine current turbine platform to serve as an unmanned mobile floating recharge station for small aerial drones will be demonstrated. For this purpose, the USV includes a flight deck for landing and takeoff of small aerial drones whose batteries would be recharged via a wireless direct-contact recharging pad powered by the onboard batteries. Modeling in support of turbine design and parametric studies in support of optimization of the performance of the system will be discussed. Scaling of the prototype system in terms of size and capacity will be discussed.

ADVANCING SEDIMENT SOLUTIONS IN THE SEVEN MILE ISLAND INNOVATION LABORATORY

In 2019, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Philadelphia District partnered with the State of New Jersey, The Wetlands Institute, and the USACE Engineer Research and Development Center to launch the Seven Mile Island Innovation Laboratory (SMIIL). The initiative is designed to advance and improve dredging and marsh restoration techniques in coastal New Jersey through innovative research, collaboration, knowledge sharing and practical application. SMIIL efforts are enhancing the science and engineering that supports dredging and beneficial use placement practices by clearing shoals from the federal New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway for navigation and innovatively placing that sediment on multiple sites described herein. Regional Sediment Management and Engineering with Nature principles and practices serve as a strong foundation for SMIIL actions. Efforts are successfully evolving the practice and advancing techniques for beneficial use of dredged channel sediments with innovative placements that support coastal resilience for habitats and communities.

Barge-driven resuspension facilitates sediment bypass in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Louisiana, USA)

Barge-driven resuspension facilitates sediment bypass in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Louisiana, USA)

Vessel Wake Impact Forces on Marsh Scarps

Priestas, A.M.; Styles, R., and Bain, R., 2023. Vessel wake impact forces on marsh scarps. Journal of Coastal Research, 39(2), 207–220. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. A common morphological feature of high-energy coastal plain salt marshes is an erosive scarp separating the marsh platform from the abutting tidal flat. A noted deficiency in the understanding of scarp erosion is a lack of direct wave impact measurements to better constrain the physical processes driving material loss. To measure wave impact forces, load cells were embedded into a scarp face along the Intracoastal Waterway in northern Florida, which is frequented by shallow-draft vessels. The largest impact forces occurred when the mean water surface elevation was just below the midpoint of the scarp and decayed as the mean depth either increased or decreased. Early wave breaking around low tide reduced the direct impact on the scarp, whereas wave reflection around high tide reduced wave breaking and the associated maximum impact force. The sensitivity of impact force to tidal stage suggests that wave energetics (breaking vs. reflection) and scarp morphology (ramp vs. near-vertical surface) combine to produce a force pattern that favors maximum impact around midtide. Regression analysis indicated that the impact pressures were positively correlated with wave power and dynamic pressure, which are primary metrics used to model shoreline erosion. This study argues that the critical threshold for erosion may be refined by evaluating the relationship between impact pressures and marsh resistance, since wave exposure alone does not necessarily initiate erosion.

Change and stasis of distinct sediment microbiomes across Port Everglades Inlet (PEI) and the adjacent coral reefs.

Deep water ports are human built coastal structures that by definition welcome ship traffic and disturbance. Evidence is accumulating that enhanced port activities such as dredging or deepening have negatively affected nearby natural habitats. Port Everglades Inlet (PEI) is a large active South Florida cargo port for over two million people and lies adjacent to coral reefs, dwindling mangroves, and recreational beaches. In this study, the microbial communities of PEI and adjacent reef sediments were characterized to serve as indicators for change due to dredging and assess anthropogenic influence on these sensitive ecosystems by sequencing the V4 region of 16S rRNA ahead of a large-scale port deepening event. For the first time, this study established baseline bacterial community characterizations and their patterns of diversity prior to and after a maintenance dredging event. PEI samples were collected for two consecutive years 2020 (Phase I, before maintenance dredging) and 2021 (Phase II, after maintenance dredging) from PEI sediments and adjacent coral reef sediments. In spite of their proximity and tidal connections through the PEI, reef and PEI sediment microbial communities were distinct. Changes in microbial diversity within the intracoastal waterway (ICW), a route for community exchange or transfers, were the greatest after maintenance dredging occurred. Microbial diversity in reef sediments also changed after dredging, indicating potential influence from resuspended sediments due to an associated increase in trace metals and decrease in cyanobacterial diversity. Sediments were identified as a possible source of human and coral pathogens, although dredging did not affect the relative abundances of these indicator microorganisms. This study highlighted the utility and relative ease of applying current molecular ecology methods to address macroscale questions with environmental management ramifications.

Marina Observation of Sea Turtles: Establishing a Database of Intracoastal Waterway Green Sea Turtles in Northeast Florida.

As conservation efforts regarding green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, continue, it is imperative to document behaviors and foraging habits/habitats of understudied populations. We have conducted an 18-month study dedicated to photographing the local population feeding alongside floating docks within the Guana Tolomato Matanzas estuary to determine the capability of matching head scale patterns efficiently through a pattern matching program: HotSpotter. To date, 195 unique sea turtles have been identified between two different marinas located in St. Augustine, FL. Of these, 98 were spotted more than once, with 39 of them being "tracked" for longer than a year. Temperature trends were also monitored in conjunction, showing that more individuals appeared during the warmer months of the year. The evidence, overall, indicates that these locations host a resident population of green sea turtles, leading to the need for a discussion on potential threats originating from the usage of these marinas by humans.

Endogenous, Regime-Switching Hedonic Estimation of Commercial Waterway Water Quality Impact on Home Values in the Alabama Black Belt

We are the first researchers to investigate the impact of the water quality of a commercial marine waterway on the housing market. We use housing data for properties in proximity to the major waterways and minor tributaries of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in the Alabama Black Belt. Research shows a positive relationship between water quality and the value of waterfront properties. We use waterway impairment as a proxy to measure water quality to conduct a counterfactual analysis based on a unique endogenous regime-switching hedonic price model. We find significant empirical evidence that properties in proximity to the Black Belt’s major waterways could depreciate by approximately 22% compared to the counterfactual case of properties located on or near minor tributaries. A possible implication might be that homeowners prefer properties on or near minor tributaries of the Alabama Black Belt because of perceptions that the water quality is better than on major commercial waterways.

Haulover sandbar dredging controversy

Bakers Haulover Inlet in Miami-Dade County, Florida, is an important waterway for recreational boaters connecting Biscayne Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. The dredging of the Haulover sandbar (properly termed the flood tidal delta) by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is very controversial because it has become a major attraction for boaters. This narrow inlet was artificially created for non-commercial watercraft in 1925 to provide access to the Atlantic Ocean, but it also helps promote flushing of Biscayne Bay, which is presently having pollutant problems. Maintenance dredging has occurred every three to five years since the 1960s, with the last project completed in 2017. The Corps of Engineers is providing 100% funding of the forthcoming dredging project in order to provide maintenance of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and beach nourishment for the downdrift beach of Bal Harbour. Haulover sandbar parties are advertised by Trip Advisor among others as a Miami hot spot for outdoor recreation, drawing hundreds of boats and thousands of people during low tide, especially during the weekend.

Effective use of thin layer sediment application in Spartina alterniflora marshes is guided by elevation-biomass relationship

Thin layer application (TLA) of dredged sediments has emerged as an adaptive management option for marshes that are not increasing in elevation fast enough to keep pace with local relative sea level rise. While there have been multiple previous demonstrations of TLA, there is limited pre-and post-application monitoring data available from past projects to develop guidance concerning optimal siting, design and implementation of projects. To address this gap, we conducted a controlled TLA experiment in a Spartina alterniflora marsh adjacent to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in central North Carolina. The project was informed by the results of a long-term marsh monitoring and research program which had identified the project area as particularly vulnerable to sea level rise. The experimental design included triplicate meso-scale (24m2) treatment and control cells and quarterly (during the first year) to annual monitoring efforts to document trends in marsh surface elevation and vegetative biomass. In addition, sampling was conducted to characterize porewater chemistry and sediment characteristics. Thin layer application of dredged sediments resulted in an average elevation gain of 6 cm in treatment plots. Monitoring results indicate that the gains in elevation achieved by TLA have been maintained over five growing seasons. The response of vegetative biomass to the added elevation was well-predicted by the elevation-biomass relationship of the surrounding marsh platform. Treatment cells exhibited continued increases in surface elevation after placement, while control cell elevation remained constant. These data illustrate the potential of TLA as a tool for increasing the resilience of low-lying marshes to sea level rise and illustrate the value of the surface elevation-marsh biomass relationship for providing guidance for its use in S. alterniflora-dominated marshes.

Increased levels of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) during Hurricane Dorian on the east coast of Florida

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals commonly found in everyday consumer products and are an emerging concern due to their ubiquitous presence in ecosystems around the world. PFAS exposure, which often occurs through contaminated water, has been linked to several adverse health effects in humans and wildlife. PFAS can be transported in surface water and storm runoff in the nearshore environment. Episodic events, such as hurricanes, are projected to increase in frequency and intensity, and a critical unanswered question is: how do episodic events influence the concentrations and distributions of emerging contaminants, such as PFAS, in coastal systems? Here, we investigated the impact of the 2019 Hurricane Dorian on the Florida coast to assess how natural disasters, such as hurricanes, influence the fate and transport of PFAS in surface water. Water samples collected throughout the St. Augustine Intracoastal waterway before, during, and after the storm were analyzed and compared with baseline concentrations. Ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was used in the detection and quantification of 23 and 17 PFAS, respectively. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was the compound with the highest concentration across all sampling sites. Mean PFOS levels showed the highest increase of 177% during the hurricane and returned to baseline levels after two days. Our findings highlight the need for continued research focused on understanding how large storms near all coastlines can impact the transport of environmental pollutants, such as PFOS, that can have adverse effects on human and environmental health. Further monitoring of PFAS in coastal systems is necessary to identify potential PFAS hotspots, investigate the impacts of episodic events on PFAS transport, develop mitigation practices capable of reducing the risk of PFAS exposure.

Oceans Away

Oceans Away David Gessner David Gessner, essay, ocean, Miami ________ The dolphins cut back and forth in front of our bow, rolling and jumping and twisting. They spotted our boat and began to chase it as we chased false albacore, and before we knew it a half dozen of them had caught up with us and were darting through the slipstream of our bow. The three of us on the boat are laughing and smiling and pointing. The dolphins seem like sleek packages of exhilaration. Joy embodied. It is November 2, 2021, and this is the first stop in a trip south to Florida that I am taking with my frequent traveling companion and old friend Mark Honerkamp. Hones, as I have forever called him, lives to fish and today he is in heaven. We launched from the dock in front of my friend Douglas's house. Douglas Cutting, a former student of mine and former fishing guide, is part owner of an old but beautifully restored wooden house that stares out at the Intracoastal Waterway in McClellanville, South Carolina, a small fishing village about three hours south of Wilmington, North Carolina, where I live. Before the day is over Hones and Douglas will have caught spotted sea-trout, red snapper, black sea bass, gag grouper, pinfish, and an oyster toadfish. The fish they don't catch, the false albacore, or albies, will provide them the most excitement, rippling the surface with their sleek backs as they devour pods of baitfish, but refusing to take the lures we offer. Even I, a nonfisherman, get into the pursuit of the albies, standing up as the lookout in the crow's nest as I scan the waters with my binoculars. On top of all the fish we are treated to the sight of bald eagles, a loggerhead turtle, and a vast variety of birds from scoters to little blue herons. But for me it is the sight of the dolphins bowriding that will remain the day's highlight. When we first moved to Wilmington, I told people that I felt like I had moved onto the set of Flipper. One of the best things about moving south was suddenly having dolphins as neighbors. It turned out that my new home was not just the center for a large community of dolphins, but a hotbed of dolphin research. One of the most exciting discoveries was recently made by three scientists, [End Page 9] one of whom, Laela Sayigh, lived only a twenty-minute paddle from me when I first moved South. Laela coauthored a paper that concluded that bottlenose dolphins convey identity information with individually distinctive signature whistles. This may not seem particularly eye-opening until you stop and think that this is just a fancy scientific way of saying that they call each other by name. There are those who deny the world beyond the human. But face to face with dolphins it is harder. ________ I have spent the last year traveling to places where the climate crisis has hit hard, and have been writing as I go, but have somehow failed to mention the large, wet elephant in the room. That is, I have mostly ignored the three-quarters of the globe that is covered by water. Thematically there is no excuse for this, but stylistically there is. I have tried to make climate small and personal, and what is larger and less personal than an ocean? But if the ocean's story is large and impersonal, it is also vital. And if we are overheating the world, this is where most of the heat is going. The heat and acidification of our ocean waters do not get the big headlines. Yet. Dolphins, I suppose, are one way of making the watery and vague more specific. But if the oceans go, so do they. After Douglas has docked and cleaned the boat, we stand around the kitchen island and drink cold beer while feasting on the fish we have caught and on the stone crabs he has prepared. We are joined by Greg, another of the house's co-owners, and his friend Drew, who has served as Greg's...