
ROCK CREEK STUDY
Rock Creek of Pasadena, MD is a highly eutrophic tidal estuary that experiences a number of symptoms of water quality issues including hypoxia (low dissolved oxygen), poor clarity, fish kills and sulphur smells. In an effort to decrease some of these symptoms, an Aeration System was installed in 1988 that pumps atmospheric air into the water. This causes forced mixing and destratification of the water column.
The Harris Lab has been working with the Anne Arundel County government to coordinate sampling while the aerators are both on and off. It is a unique opportunity to perform comparative experiments in a highly oxygenated eutrophic system; an unusual combination for coastal systems. At Rock Creek, the Harris Lab is measuring:
- Nutrient Concentrations
- Photosynthesis and Respiration Rates
- Water Clarity
- Dissolved Oxygen concentrations
- Biogeochemical Cycling rates