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Nitrogen Pollution: A Danger to Long Island Waters

Nitrogen Pollution: A Danger to Long Island Waters. By Billy Schutt. Original Goals. Become a part of a scientific research lab. Joined Chris Gobler’s lab at the Southampton campus of SUNY Stony Brook The plan: get involved with different projects until I found something suitable. .

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Nitrogen Pollution: A Danger to Long Island Waters

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  1. Nitrogen Pollution: A Danger to Long Island Waters By Billy Schutt

  2. Original Goals Become a part of a scientific research lab. Joined Chris Gobler’s lab at the Southampton campus of SUNY Stony Brook The plan: get involved with different projects until I found something suitable.

  3. The Western Bays Project Goal Examine the effects of the Bay Park sewage treatment plant on Hewlett Bay and surrounding waters

  4. Western Bays

  5. Hewlett Bay Significant nitrogen influx from nearby sewer treatment plantcauses large and frequent algal bloomsin Hewlett Bay.

  6. Data Collection Algal biomass observations

  7. Eutrophication • Defined as “an increase in the rate of supply of organic matter to an ecosystem.” • Scott W. Nixon

  8. Eutrophication In Layman’s Terms Organisms, such as phytoplankton, are able to grow and reproduce more quickly. Usually in response to heightened nutrient levels in the water.

  9. Eutrophication Cont. Algal bloom grows so large that it consumes all available nutrients, leading to the starvation and mass die off of the population. Dead algae sinks to the bay floor.

  10. Eutrophication Cont. Cells are decomposed by aerobic bacteria, resulting in depletion of dissolved oxygen. Once oxygen depletion becomes severe, it suffocates marine organisms.

  11. Data Collection Vertical Profiles

  12. A Challenging Next Step What to do with the data (lots of it)? Hewlett Bay swimmers provide the clue

  13. A New Goal • Write a general readership report addressing: • Eutrophication in Hewlett Bay as a case study • A history of algal blooms in Suffolk County • Nitrogen-related eutrophication in Suffolk County • Possible ways to alleviate the problems

  14. Suffolk County Algae (Photo by Tom Iwanejko)

  15. Suffolk County Nitrogen Sources Many of Suffolk County’s bays suffer from eutrophication due to excess nitrogen. Much of this nitrogen comes from septic systems. ~80% of Suffolk County residences use septic systems.

  16. Great South Bay

  17. What Is Being Done? Suffolk County Fertilizer Reduction Initiative But that’s not enough Septic systems require more attention

  18. Challenges The learning curve… Steep

  19. Challenges The editing process

  20. Skills Acquired Worked in a professional lab setting Acquired field experience Learned research techniques Became a better reader Improved my writing ability

  21. Future Plans • Pursue scientific research • Become more environmentally conscience.

  22. Acknowledgements Hugh McGuinness Chris Gobler Ryan Wallace The rest of the lab at SUNY Stony Brook Southampton Patty Lein Dale Scott My parents The Ross School

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