This week a submerisible vehicle, an autonomous Slocum glider,
was released off the New Jersey coast to collect important data on the health of
the water. EPA, DEP and Rutgers have teamed up to conduct these high-tech
monitoring efforts. Clean Ocean Action
called for and has supported more data collection along the coast and is glad
to see that these efforts that continue to evaluate marine life health by documenting dissolved oxygen conditions.
“The
glider, resembling a yellow torpedo with swept-back wings, will zigzag as it makes
its way south to Cape May, taking rapid-fire readings of dissolved oxygen,
salinity and temperature at various depths. The data will be analyzed by DEP
scientists, as the agency works to better understand why the ocean off New
Jersey tends to have low levels of oxygen, particularly in the summer.”
Last year, the glider observed stratification of the water
column, with warmer waters overlying cold waters below. Coastal upwelling and a massive algal bloom also
occurred that was eventually broken up after the passage of Hurricane Irene which
mixed the water layers.
This year gliders have documented more mixed waters in June than seen last year, and unusually warm waters earlier this spring. For the full story, click
here.
Check on the http://maracoos.org/
main page too for science updates on the New York/New Jersey Bight. There is real-time data for the
Mid-Atlantic Bight, research updates, and a blog that explains some of the
research and events that occur. Plus a
new app for rip tides along parts of the Jersey Shore has been posted by Stevens
Institute, so you can enjoy the waters and stay safe!
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