Slicks & Harmful Algae Update

Since 1999, USEPA has monitored "floatables" through their Helicopter Monitoring Program.  Excess flows from combined sewage overflows around the New York/New Jersey Harbor often contain floating debris ("floatables") including both street litter (paper, plastics, bottles, etc.) and toilet-generated waste (hygiene products). When discharged to the Harbor waters, floatables tend to congregate in large groupings, or slicks, that can exit the Harbor and wash up on beaches depending on wind and tidal conditions.

The New York/New Jersey Harbor Complex was monitored for floatables six times from August 3 - 9.  The Harbor was clear of significant floatables on August 3, 5, 7 and 8.

Here are the results:

• On August 6, two floatable slicks, each approximately 400 to 500 yards long by 1 - 2 yards wide, were reported in Newark Bay.  A floatable slick, approximately 400 yards long by 2 yards wide was reported in the Kill Van Kull.
• On August 9,  a floatable slick, approximately 750 yards long by 2 yards wide was reported in Gravesend Bay.  An oily sheen, approximately one and a half mile long with varying widths was reported in the Arthur Kill.  The oily sheen was reported to the US Coast Guard.
• All floatable debris slick consisted of wood, plastic and paper, were reported to the Army Corps of Engineers, and cleanup was conducted as necessary.

"Algal blooms" in coastal waters and estuaries may be caused by greatly increased amounts of nutrients entering an aquatic ecosystem from sewage systems, agricultural and residential fertilizers, and the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuels and may occur naturally due to upwelling along the coast.

Algae forms the base of the food web that marine life depends on.  Excessive growth of the algae and certain harmful types of algae, however, can negatively impact other marine life and pose a human health risk. Chlorophyll levels more than 12 ug/l are not necessarily harmful to human health or shellfish for consumption but do give NJDEP information on where to target more intensive boat sampling.   Algae that die and sink to the bottom stimulate growth of bacteria that uptake oxygen in the decomposition process.  If large amounts of algae sink and decay, the depletion of oxygen in the deeper water layers can occur negatively affecting seafloor life and fish.

The interactive map at this link (See here) shows data of algal chlorophyll levels taken from NJDEP's coastal surveillance plane. August 8 data shown.  

Phytoplankton samples were collected along the New Jersey coast, in Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook Bay, Barnegat Bay, Great Bay, Great Egg Harbor and Delaware Bay, on August 7.  Samples were given to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring Leeds Point Laboratory for analysis.  These samples help fulfill NJDEP's commitments to the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. Results, as reported by NJDEP are as follows:

The waters of Raritan and Sandy Hook Bay showed a bloom of Skeletonema menzelii with cell counts reaching 148,000 cells/mL.
NJDEP has implemented an aircraft remote sensing program for estimating chlorophyll levels in NJ's coastal waters.  This program provides a valuable perspective on algal conditions and trends.  To view these maps please visit the website.  http://www.nj.gov/dep/bmw/remotesensing.htm

No samples collected in the New Jersey Coastal Waters were found to contain the Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning species Alexandrium spp.

NJDEP has implemented an aircraft remote sensing program for estimating chlorophyll levels in NJ's coastal waters.  This program provides a valuable perspective on algal conditions and trends.  To view these maps please visit the website. http://www.nj.gov/dep/bmw/remotesensing.htm