West Pond Research Articles

The effect of land cover type and structure on evapotranspiration from agricultural and wetland sites in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, California

Water is a limited and valuable resource in California. A large proportion of the fresh water for southern California is supplied by the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. With recent efforts to restore large areas of land in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta region from farmland to managed wetlands, it is important to investigate the effect of wetland restoration on the local water cycle. We measured evapotranspiration using the eddy covariance method over six different sites in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta from 2013 to 2016. The three restored wetlands sites differed in time since restoration and wetland structure, i.e. the area of open water compared to closed vegetation. The three agricultural sites were a flooded rice field, an alfalfa field, and a grazed cattle pasture. In most years, annual evapotranspiration was significantly lower at the drained agricultural sites, with 652 ± 131 mm (2 year average ± standard deviation, SD) for the pasture and 901 ± 24 mm (3 year average ± SD) for the alfalfa field, compared to the two open water wetlands, with 1091 ± 144 mm (4 year average ± SD) for the Mayberry wetland and 1140 ± 67 mm (3 year average ± SD) at the East End wetland. Annual evapotranspiration at the flooded rice site (975 ± 50 mm, 4 year average ± SD) or the closed vegetation wetland (West Pond wetland, 996 ± 63 mm, 4 year average ± SD) was not significantly different from the drained alfalfa site across individual years. Our analysis showed that the structural difference between the wetlands, specifically the fraction of open water compared to closed vegetation, has a large impact on evapotranspiration dynamics. Through analysis of normalized equilibrium evaporation and nighttime evapotranspiration measurements we deduced that evapotranspiration at the wetland with a low fraction of open water surfaces was almost entirely dominated by plant transpiration with very little contribution from evaporation, despite the fact that the site was flooded and water was readily available. Both evaporation and transpiration contributed substantially to evapotranspiration at the two wetlands with larger fraction of open water surfaces. At the closed canopy site evaporation from subcanopy water seemed to be inhibited through two mechanisms: first, the closed canopy prevented heating of the water column and led to significantly cooler water temperatures, which reduced surface vapor pressure. Second, the closed canopy decoupled the water surface from the atmosphere and inhibited turbulent transport of water vapor away from the water surface. Our results provide valuable insights into the water use in California wetlands and can inform decisions on how to maximize water conservation during wetland restoration.

Salt Marsh Monitoring in Jamaica Bay, New York from 2003 to 2013: A Decade of Change from Restoration to Hurricane Sandy

This study used Quickbird-2 and Worldview-2, high resolution satellite imagery, in a multi-temporal salt marsh mapping and change analysis of Jamaica Bay, New York. An object-based image analysis methodology was employed. The study seeks to understand both natural and anthropogenic changes caused by Hurricane Sandy and salt marsh restoration, respectively. The objectives of this study were to: (1) document salt marsh change in Jamaica Bay from 2003 to 2013; (2) determine the impact of Hurricane Sandy on salt marshes within Jamaica Bay; (3) evaluate this long term monitoring methodology; and (4) evaluate the use of multiple sensor derived classifications to conduct change analysis. The study determined changes from 2003 to 2008, 2008 to 2012 and 2012 to 2013 to better understand the impact of restoration and natural disturbances. The study found that 21 ha of salt marsh vegetation was lost from 2003 to 2013. From 2012 to 2013, restoration efforts resulted in an increase of 10.6 ha of salt marsh. Hurricane Sandy breached West Pond, a freshwater environment, causing 3.1 ha of freshwater wetland loss. The natural salt marsh showed a decreasing trend in loss. Larger salt marshes in 2012 tended to add vegetation in 2012–2013 (F4,6 = 13.93, p = 0.0357 and R2 = 0.90). The study provides important information for the resource management of Jamaica Bay.

Dynamic modeling of an autonomous underwater vehicle

The EcoMapper is an autonomous underwater vehicle that has broad applications, such as water quality monitoring and bathymetric survey. To simulate its dynamics and to precisely control it, a dynamic model is needed. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model of the EcoMapper based on computational-fluid-dynamics calculations, strip theory, and open-water tests. We validate the proposed model with the results of the field experiments carried out in the west pond in the Georgia Tech Savannah Campus.

Phosphorus fractions and cycling in the sediment of a shallow eutrophic pond

The aim of this study was to quantitatively determine the phosphorus fractional composition of the eutrophicated West Pond sediment using vertical and seasonal changes (positive-upwards and/or negative-downwards) in the phosphorus cycling across the sediment-water, and to examine the most effective potential fraction or fractions on phosphorus release and the pond’s eutrophication process. In this study, mean release values of phosphorus in depths and months representing the seasons (April, July, October, January) varied between 9.19 (January, 0-5 cm) and 119.08 μg m-2 d-1 (October, 0-5 cm) in West Pond sediment which supplies water to the Sakaryabasi Fish Culture and Research Station. The mean negative phosphorus release dependent on months and depths were estimated as 1.25 μg m-2 d-1 (July, 5-10 cm) and 46.45 μg m-2 d-1 (October, 10-15 cm). The distribution of phosphorus fractions in the pond sediment: total organically bound phosphorus fraction (Org≈P) > calcium bound phosphorus fraction (Ca≈P)> carbonate bound phosphorus fraction (CO3≈P) > iron + aluminum bound phosphorus fraction (Fe+Al≈P). In line with research findings the negative phosphorus release dependent on months and depths have revealed quantitatively that West Pond sediment is a sink not a source in terms of phosphorus. In the light of this, conservation of the aquatic macrophytes, role in preventing/suppressing the dissolved inorganic phosphorus release from sediment to overlying water, suggested as the best management technique of West Pond.

Sakaryabaşı (Çifteler-Eskişehir) Balık Üretim ve Araştırma İstasyonu`nun Su Kaynağı Batı Göleti: Sediment Kaynaklı İnorganik Azot Salınımının Araştırılması

The aim of this study was to determine high inorganic nitrogen concentration of eutrophic West Pond which supplies water to the Sakaryabasi Fish Culture and Research Station was originated whether from sediment or not. In the West Pond sediment, inorganic nitrogen (ammonium-nitrate) flux was estimated in the months (April, July, October, January) that represent the seasons. Negative ammonium and nitrate flux (retention) values were changed between 809.48 and 2069.52 /ag.m_2.day1, from 2053.77 to 7718.10 /U,g. muday1, respectively. The minimum and maximum inorganic nitrogen (ammonium-nitrate) flux values were estimated in July and January, respectively. During the decomposition or decay of macrophytes in autumn-winter period, the overlying water's high ammonium values (3.16 - 5.04 mgL-1) showed that macrophytes play an important role in preventing or suppressing the release of mineralized dissolved nitrogen from sediment to the overlying water. The other possible factors on the continuity of the pond eutrophication and the hindered nitrogen flux were no significant differerence at water temperature (18.53 - 21.28°C), no occurrence of anoxic condition in the pond (dissolved oxygen; 5.85 - 7.28 mgL-1) and not a suitable range of pH (7.09 - 7.62) for the nitrification process.

Phytoremediation to remove nutrients and improve eutrophic stormwaters using water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.)

Water quality impairment by nutrient enrichment from agricultural activities has been a concern worldwide. Phytoremediation technology using aquatic plants in constructed wetlands and stormwater detention ponds is increasingly applied to remediate eutrophic waters. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness and potential of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) in removing nutrients including nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from stormwater in the constructed water detention systems before it is discharged into the St. Lucie Estuary, an important surface water system in Florida, using phytoremediation technologies. In this study, water lettuce (P. stratiotes) was planted in the treatment plots of two stormwater detention ponds (East and West Ponds) in 2005-2007 and water samples from both treatment and control plots were weekly collected and analyzed for water quality properties including pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, suspended solids, and nutrients (N and P). Optimum plant density was maintained and plant samples were collected monthly and analyzed for nutrient contents. Water quality in both ponds was improved, as evidenced by decreases in water turbidity, suspended solids, and nutrient concentrations. Water turbidity was decreased by more than 60%. Inorganic N (NH(4) (+) and NO(3) (-)) concentrations in treatment plots were more than 50% lower than those in control plots (without plant). Reductions in both PO(4) (3-) and total P were approximately 14-31%, as compared to the control plots. Water lettuce contained average N and P concentrations of 17 and 3.0 g kg(-1), respectively, and removed 190-329 kg N ha(-1) and 25-34 kg P ha(-1) annually. Many aquatic plants have been used to remove nutrients from eutrophic waters but water lettuce proved superior to most other plants in nutrient removal efficiency, owing to its rapid growth and high biomass yield potential. However, the growth and nutrient removal potential are affected by many factors such as temperature, water salinity, and physiological limitations of the plant. Low temperature, high concentration of salts, and low concentration of nutrients may reduce the performance of this plant in removing nutrients. The results from this study indicate that water lettuce has a great potential in removing N and P from eutrophic stormwaters and improving other water quality properties.

A PERSONAL HOMENAJE TO PHIL WEIGAND

Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale was “the” place to be for anyone interested in North or West Mexican studies. J. Charles Kelley, Carroll “Cal” Riley, Campbell Pennington, and Basil Hedrick constituted the cadre of scholars who specialized in the region but also served as mentors and models for what anthropological archaeology could be, even in the pre-Binfordian days. Walter Taylor also was there as an icon of theoretical archaeology. All of these scholars not only believed but also demonstrated that the subdisciplines of anthropology were intimately connected. To pursue one perspective to the exclusion of the other subdisciplines was deemed artificially limiting. Into this milieu came Lewis and Sally Binford during the summers of 1962 and 1963, working on the Carlyle Reservoir project in southern Illinois, which included excavations at Hatchery West, Toothsome, and Galley Pond. At about the same time, they began publishing archaeological theory and methodology that revolutionized the discipline. Only Lew and Sally can say how their time in Carbondale shaped their perspectives but, for me, I'd like to think that the Carbondale experience positively influenced their interdisciplinary work. I well remember discussions with Kelley regarding the new archaeology that he learned under Clyde Kluckhohn at Harvard before and during WWII, in comparison to the other “new” archaeology championed by the Binfords. Riley, Pennington, and Hedrick provided students with opportunities to integrate the archaeological perspective with the ethnographic and historical in material culture studies. The graduate students, including Weigand, Joe Mountjoy, and others, kept the discussion alive.

Estimation of phosphorus release from the Sediment in Sakaryabaşı West Pond (Turkey).

Estimation of phosphorus release from the Sediment in Sakaryabaşı West Pond (Turkey).

The application of an integrated biogeochemical model (PnET‐BGC) to five forested watersheds in the Adirondack and Catskill regions of New York

AbstractPnET‐BGC is an integrated biogeochemical model formulated to simulate the response of soil and surface waters in northern forest ecosystems to changes in atmospheric deposition and land disturbances. In this study, the model was applied to five intensive study sites in the Adirondack and Catskill regions of New York. Four were in the Adirondacks: Constable Pond, an acid‐sensitive watershed; Arbutus Pond, a relatively insensitive watershed; West Pond, an acid‐sensitive watershed with extensive wetland coverage; and Willy's Pond, an acid‐sensitive watershed with a mature forest. The fifth was Catskills: Biscuit Brook, an acid‐sensitive watershed. Results indicated model‐simulated surface water chemistry generally agreed with the measured data at all five sites. Model‐simulated internal fluxes of major elements at the Arbutus watershed compared well with previously published measured values. In addition, based on the simulated fluxes, element and acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) budgets were developed for each site. Sulphur budgets at each site indicated little retention of inputs of sulphur. The sites also showed considerable variability in retention of NO3−. Land‐disturbance history and in‐lake processes were found to be important in regulating the output of NO3− via surface waters. Deposition inputs of base cations were generally similar at these sites. Various rates of base cation outputs reflected differences in rates of base cation supply at these sites. Atmospheric deposition was found to be the largest source of acidity, and cation exchange, mineral weathering and in‐lake processes served as sources of ANC. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Water Quality Characterization and Mathematical Modeling of Dissolved Oxygen in the East and West Ponds, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

The current study was undertaken to characterize the East and West Ponds and develop a mathematical model of the effects of nutrient and BOD loading on dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in these ponds. The model predicted that both ponds will recover adequately given the average expected range of nutrient and BOD loading due to waste from surface runoff and migratory birds. The predicted dissolved oxygen levels in both ponds were greater than 5.0 mg/L, and were supported by DO levels in the field which were typically above 5.0 mg/L during the period of this study. The model predicted a steady-state NBOD concentration of 12.0–14.0 mg/L in the East Pond, compared to an average measured value of 3.73 mg/L in 1994 and an average measured value of 12.51 mg/L in a 1996–97 study. The model predicted that the NBOD concentration in the West Pond would be under 3.0 mg/L compared to the average measured values of 7.50 mg/L in 1997, and 8.51 mg/L in 1994. The model predicted that phosphorus (as ) concentration in the East Pond will approach 4.2 mg/L in 4 months, compared to measured average value of 2.01 mg/L in a 1994 study. The model predicted that phosphorus concentration in the West Pond will approach 1.00 mg/L, compared to a measured average phosphorus (as ) concentration of 1.57 mg/L in a 1994 study.

Environmental Variables and Planktonic Communities in Two Ponds of El Hondo Wetland (SE Spain)

The annual cycle of physical and chemical variables and plankton dynamics was studied in two shallow ponds (East and West Ponds) of the El Hondo wetland, an ecosystem of international importance. Water conductivity increased up to 31-49 mS cm -1 as water level decreased due to high evaporation and minimal water inputs. Initially considered mesohaline, the waters were reclassified as polyhaline during the hot season. EP was subject to successive desiccation-flooding cycles, and flooding of the dried sediment caused the release of high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, which quickly depleted. The algal species composition was typical of eutrophic ecosystems, and the chlorophyll content indicated that EP was eutrophic and WP mesotrophic. Phytoplanktonic species richness and diversity were low in both ponds. Algal assemblages, in terms of biovolume, were mainly dominated by Dinophyceae in EP and by Cryptophyta in WP. The zooplankton community was dominated by Rotifers (Brachionus and Hexarthra), although Copepods and Ciliates were also important. Different water inputs to the ponds, partial drying in EP during the warm season with the subsequent higher increment of salinity, and the presence of dense populations of submerged macrophytes in WP, explain the differences in plankton communities found between the two ponds.

Application of an index of biotic integrity for dunal, palustrine wetlands: emphasis on assessment of nonpoint source landfill effects on the Grand Calumet Lagoons

Using a newly modified index of biotic integrity for assessing biological integrity of fish communities in dunal, palustrine wetlands, we assessed the non-point source influence of an industrial landfill on the Grand Calumet Lagoons. The landfill is primarily an iron and steel manufacturer's slag waste. No sensitive species, hybrids, headwater species, and either few or no simple lithophilic spawning species were collected from any of the sites in the Grand Calumet Lagoons. Species catch-per-unit of effort varied significantly between reaches in the Middle Lagoon and the West Lagoon. The most disturbed areas were adjacent to the industrial landfill and along the southern shore near the outflow from the West Lagoon. Near- and far-field stations possessed similar numbers of species and relative abundance. The near-field stations showed an increase in tolerant species, a higher proportion of omnivores and carnivores, and a lower environmental quality rating of ‘poor-very poor’. The far-field sites were classified as having ‘fair’ biological integrity and showed an increase in relative abundance, proportion of sensitive species, and an increase in simple lithophils. The loss of biological integrity in the West Pond was not accurately predicted using the modified index of biotic integrity, even though it was rated as extremely degraded by the biological diversity indices. Fish communities were negatively impacted by proximity to the landfill.

Application of an index of biotic integrity for dunal, palustrine wetlands: emphasis on assessment of nonpoint source landfill effects on the Grand Calumet Lagoons

AbstractUsing a newly modified index of biotic integrity for assessing biological integrity of fish communities in dunal, palustrine wetlands, we assessed the non-point source influence of an industrial landfill on the Grand Calumet Lagoons. The landfill is primarily an iron and steel manufacturer’s slag waste. No sensitive species, hybrids, headwater species, and either few or no simple lithophilic spawning species were collected from any of the sites in the Grand Calumet Lagoons. Species catch-per-unit of effort varied significantly between reaches in the Middle Lagoon and the West Lagoon. The most disturbed areas were adjacent to the industrial landfill and along the southern shore near the outflow from the West Lagoon. Near- and far-field stations possessed similar numbers of species and relative abundance. The near-field stations showed an increase in tolerant species, a higher proportion of omnivores and carnivores, and a lower environmental quality rating of ‘poor–very poor’. The far-field sites were classified as having ‘fair’ biological integrity and showed an increase in relative abundance, proportion of sensitive species, and an increase in simple lithophils. The loss of biological integrity in the West Pond was not accurately predicted using the modified index of biotic integrity, even though it was rated as extremely degraded by the biological diversity indices. Fish communities were negatively impacted by proximity to the landfill.

Avian community structure and habitat use in a Southern New England estuary

The habitat use of 126, 566 birds observed in a 158-ha tidal pond/salt marsh complex in southeastern Massachusetts was recorded during 218 fixed-width transect and 241 remote-count censuses conducted year-round over 5 years (June 1985–May 1990). The most abundant bird groups overall were waterfowl, gulls, shorebirds, and songbirds. Overall avian abundunce was greatest in the fall and winter. Avian richness ranged from a mean of 15 species in winter to 26 in summer; 131 species were sighted overall. Waterfowl, shorebirds, and gulls used tidal pond habitats (including flats) to a greater extent than marsh habitats; use of marsh habitats increased with tidal stage for each of those groups. Wading birds were more abundant in marsh habitats than in pond habitats, and songbirds used marsh habitats exclusively. The permanently flooded (subtidal) west pond segment was used to the greatest extent by cormorants and diving ducks and least by shorebirds and wading birds. Tidal stage influenced abundance patterns of shorebirds and gulls and activity patterns of shorebirds, gulls, and waterfowl. Time of day influenced abundance patterns of gulls. All macrohabitat types (intertidal and subtidal pond, emergent marsh) were used to a substantial degree by multiple bird groups indicating that the loss or disturbance of any type could negatively affect the estuarine avifauna.

The brackish ponds at Killingholme, Humberside, UK

Abstract1. The National Power site at Killingholme, on the Humber Estuary, contains three brackish ponds at the northeast corner, adjacent to Killingholme Haven. The ecology and conservation importance of these ponds were surveyed as part of a Nature Conservancy Council lagoon research programme in 1986 and by National Power staff in 1990 and 1991.2. The north and west ponds were found to be saline, and both supported the nationally rare polychaete worm Alkmaria romijni. The east pond was fragmenting, owing to the incursion of the reed Phragmites australis, and predominantly freshwater.3. A total of nine characteristic lagoonal species was present in the system.4. In 1990 the saline ponds had been allowed to dry out extensively, which was detrimental to the lagoonal species.5. The surveys concluded that the system of ponds is of national importance for conservation on account of its invertebrate community, particularly with the diversity of lagoonal habitat it offers. Optimum management of the system for conservation is discussed.

Excavation of an early eighteenth-century garden pond: the West Pond, Castle Bromwich Hall, West Midlands

This paper deals with the excavation of an 18th-century ornamental garden pond sited on a principal vista of a large walled garden belonging to Castle Bromwich Hall, the ancestral home of the Bridgeman family. The pond was made with substantial clay walls and a clay base to enable it to hold water on a sandy hill-top site. It contained an early example of a sophisticated exit sluice that enabled the pond to be drained down for maintenance. The pond was thought to have been constructed about 1745 but had been backfilled by 1802, ensuring its almost perfect survival as a rare unaltered example of its type.