NJDEP's Office of Science - Update on Current and Recently Completed Research Pro

1. Gary A. Buchanan, Ph.D. Manager Office of Science NJDEP October 12, 2012 NJDEP's Office of Science - Update on Current and Recently Completed Research Projects

2. Regulations that are balanced, incorporate science, provide flexibility and accurately evaluate potential impacts including cost‐benefit analyses. We must make permitting and inspection of individuals, businesses, governmental bodies and other organization both timely and predictable, basing our decisions on science, data, facts and cost‐benefit analyses. Science‐based decisions based on input from our Science Advisory Board and the State’s colleges and universities. NJDEP Vision Statement

3. Provide the department with, and access to, expertise and information that supports its technical, program and policy needs. Act as liaisons to the Science Advisory Board and Standing Committees that will help provide the Department with outside expertise on scientific issues. Perform research to meet the information and problem-solving needs of the department, and to identify and understand emerging issues that require the department's attention and response. Advocate and integrate the multi-disciplinary perspective into the department's identification, analysis and resolution of environmental issues. Office of science Goals:

4. Office of Science • Program Support • Technical Support • Research Support • Science Advisory Board • Multidisciplinary • Sound Science - Basis for Decisions

5. Experience –Science Based Support • Air Monitoring/Modeling • Fish Monitoring & Consumption Advisories • Human Health Risk Assessment • Standards Development • Data Analysis & Interpretation • Literature Reviews

6. Experience –Science Based Support • Spatio-temporal Modeling/GIS Mapping • Environmental Trends Analysis • Water Quality Indicators • Method Development (e.g., analytical) • Emission Inventory Development

7. Science Advisory Board

8. Staff Expertise • Toxicologists/Risk Assessment • Biologists/Ecologists • Air Quality/Modeling Specialists • Water Quality Specialists • GIS • Chemist • Statistician • Microbiologist • Environmental Scientists

9. Variety reflects scope of NJDEP programs Drinking Water Unregulated Contaminants: e.g., Pharmaceuticals and PCPs Hexavalent Chromium Oil Spill Barnegat Bay Research

10. Crumb Infill and Turf Characterization for Trace Elements and Organic Materials New Jersey Private Well Testing Act – Results by County/Municipality (June 2012) Ocean Wind/Power Ecological Baseline Studies Recent Research

11. Ocean/Wind Power Ecological Baseline Studies • 2 Year $7M Study • Birds, Marine Mammals & Sea Turtles • Environmental Suitability for Renewable Energy

12. Activities & Photos conducted under NMFS Permit No. 10014-01

13. Barnegat Bay Other Studies Active Research

14. Barnegat Bay

15. Governor’s Comprehensive Plan of Action • 10 point plan http://www.nj.gov/dep/barnegatbay/ • Plan 9: Producing more Comprehensive Research • Support water quality improvement (nutrient criteria) • Establish the baseline conditions of the bay • Fill in critical data gaps • Advance habitat restoration on the Bay

17. Benthic Invertebrate Community Monitoring and Indicator Development Gary Taghon, Judy Grassle, Charlotte Fuller, Rosemarie Petrecca Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences

18. Barnegat Bay Nutrient Inference Model Mihaela Enache, Don Charles; Patrick Center for Environmental Research Marina Potapova; Center for Systematic Biology and Evolution Academy of Natural Sciences

19. Benthic-pelagic coupling:Hard clams as indicators of suspended particulates in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor (BB-LEH) estuary V. Monica Bricelj,John Kraeuter, & Gef Flimlin

20. Barnegat Bay Phytoplankton and Harmful Algal Blooms Ling Ren & Donald Charles Patrick Center for Environmental Research ANSP

21. BASELINE SURVEY OF • ZOOPLANKTON OF • BARNEGAT BAY • September 29, 2011 • Mr. James Nickels, Marine Scientist, Urban Coast Institute* • Dr. Ursula Howson, Assistant Professor* • Dr. Thomas Noji, NOAA, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Director,* * • Dr. Jennifer Samson, NOAA, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Chief, Marine Chemistry Branch** * MonmouthUniversity ** James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory, Sandy Hook

24. Assessment of Fishes and Crabs Responses to Human Alteration – K. Able, T. Grothues, Rutgers University & Paul Jivoff, Rider University Assessment of the Distribution and Abundance of Stinging Sea Nettles (Jellyfishes) – Paul Bologna and Jack Gaynor, Montclair State University Ecological Evaluation of Sedge Island Marine Conservation Area – Paul Jivoff, Rider University Barnegat Bay Research

25. OFFICE OF SCIENCE Other research

26. Delineation of a Potential Gaseous Elemental Mercury Emissions Source in Northeastern NJ • Goal: Determine source of periodic increased concentrations of Hg. July 2011 - 2012. • Principle investigators: John Reinfelder, Rutgers University and William Wallace, College of Staten Island (CSI) • Hg0 data are being collected with Tekran unit at CSI, will be augmented by near-field measurements with Lumex unit • Initial analyses started, will include comparison with weather data

27. Elizabeth site, elemental >= 3.0 ng/m3

28. Radionuclides in Northern New Jersey Fractured-Rock Aquifers, Geological and Geochemical Indicators of Variability, and Regional Implications U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with N.J. Dept. Environmental Protection ZoltanSzabo, Judith Louis, Steve Spayd

29. Assess natural or reference conditions of NJ lakes to support development of numeric nutrient and other biological criteria Sediment cores – nutrient levels Diatom-based inference models Quantify pre-settlement trophic conditions Quantify change to present Nutrient References Conditions in NJ Lakes

30. Goal to confirm decline of Hg in fish tissue due to elimination & reduction of local Hg sources Examining Hg levels in 2 year old largemouth bass in five lakes in NJ and watershed leaf samples 2007, 2009, 2011 completed 2013 planned Examination of Local Mercury Concentrations during Reductions in Mercury Emissions in New Jersey- Phase II

31. Team Approach: • Catherine Dipietro & George Budd, Black & Veatch • Dr. Judy Louis, NJDEP • Laura Cummings, PVWC • John Dyksen and John Ludington, United Water • Joe Maggio, Brick Township MUA • Investigate the effectiveness of full scale conventional and advanced water treatment processes for removal of organic chemicals REMOVAL OF UNREGULATED ORGANIC CHEMICALS IN FULL-SCALE WATER TREATMENT PROCESSES

32. Environmental Molecular Diagnostics (EMDs) • New tools for site monitoring and management • PCR/qPCR (polymerase chain reaction) • DGGE (Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis) • Sequencing • Publicly funded sites • Use EMDs to direct bioremediation • Support site closure Use of innovative diagnostic tools for site assessment/closure

33. Barnegat Bay – Year 2 Drinking Water Hazardous Waste Emerging Contaminants Future research

34. Gary.Buchanan@dep.state.nj.us • 609-984-6070 • Information and Publications: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/ Office of Science