There is a debate going on about Barnegat Bay in NJ, and whether eutrophication, specifically nitrogen, is causing algal blooms and increased plant growth, which are ostensibly causing documented secondary detrimental side effects (i.e., anoxia, loss of submerged aquatic vegetation, increase in jelly fish, decreases in fish and crab populations, etc).

The debate revolves around the fact that Barnegat Bay has historically been poorly drained and that what we may see as current eutrophication affects is only a part of natural conditions exacerbated by current nitrogen loading. In addition, there are negative human affects coming from other stressors such as increased boat and Jet Ski traffic, bulkhead increases, water intake impacts on fisheries from the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, and the loss of freshwater flows due to regionalization of upstream river sewerage treatment plants and their loss through ocean outfalls.

To educate and inform departmental staff to the technical aspects of this situation, the NJDEP Office of Science hosted an in-house seminar on July 14, 2010 in the NJDEP Public Hearing Room, Trenton. The goal of the seminar was to inventory the scientific work done to date related to the health of Barnegat Bay. The focus of this workshop was to review the science including land use trends, hydrology, biology, ongoing NJDEP research and monitoring, as well as a background review of the biology behind Oyster Creek’s NJPDES permit. Presenters included Dr. Richard Lathrop (Rutgers), Dr. Robert Nicholson (USGS), Dr. Michael Kennish (Rutgers), Bob Connell (NJDEP), Susan Rosenwinkel (NJDEP) and Dr. James Vasslides (Barnegat Bay Partnership). Their presentations can be accessed at the links below:

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Richard Lathrop (Rutgers) Land Use Trends

Robert Nicholson (USGS) Hydrology

Michael Kennish (Rutgers) Biology

Robert Connell (DEP) NJDEP Research and Monitoring

Susan Rosenwinkel (DEP) Background on Oyster Creek NJPDES Permit

James Vasslides (BBP) National Estuary Program Ongoing Research

Related Links

Division of Science and Research- Coastal Research

This web page provides links to research topics such as Brown Tide, Pfisteria research, Barnegat Bay hydrographic study, mercury concentration in fish from New Jersey waterways, perceived impacts of fish consumption advisories and the New Jersey coast.