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Little Lagoon Preservation Little Lagoon Preservation Society Society
Water Quality InitiativesWater Quality Initiatives
What are we doing ? What are we doing ? Little Lagoon is a unique body of water that all of us enjoy in a variety of Little Lagoon is a unique body of water that all of us enjoy in a variety of
ways. Swimming, fishing and boating are just a few of the activities that ways. Swimming, fishing and boating are just a few of the activities that we enjoy.we enjoy.
But we also have stewardship over a precious resource that needs to But we also have stewardship over a precious resource that needs to be preserved. be preserved.
We have begun to work with the scientists from Dauphin Island We have begun to work with the scientists from Dauphin Island Research Center, as well as some of the NOAA programs, to Research Center, as well as some of the NOAA programs, to understand the challenges and create programs to keep Little Lagoon understand the challenges and create programs to keep Little Lagoon healthy. healthy.
How do we do this ? How do we do this ? We have begun to sample the water in four strategic locations.We have begun to sample the water in four strategic locations. The samples are processed and the data collected is shared with the scientific community. The samples are processed and the data collected is shared with the scientific community. There are two major areas of focusThere are two major areas of focus
– Water Quality (Chemical and Bacteriological)Water Quality (Chemical and Bacteriological)– Phytoplankton and MicroorganismsPhytoplankton and Microorganisms
Once we have baselines, we can clearly spot trends in the quality and make better decisions on Once we have baselines, we can clearly spot trends in the quality and make better decisions on preservation. preservation.
We have Help, and we need to We have Help, and we need to thank some special peoplethank some special people
Dr Hugh MacIntyre and the scientists at Dr Hugh MacIntyre and the scientists at Dauphin Island Sea Lab. He and his team Dauphin Island Sea Lab. He and his team have provided expertise and equipment to have provided expertise and equipment to make this successful. make this successful.
Allison Sill, Program Coordinator, Phytoplankton Allison Sill, Program Coordinator, Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN) who in addition to Monitoring Network (PMN) who in addition to running an excellent class, found a way to get us running an excellent class, found a way to get us a MIC-D a bit out of order ! a MIC-D a bit out of order !
And of course, our And of course, our Volunteers! Volunteers!
Back to school Back to school for Training on for Training on Water Chemistry Water Chemistry and Samplingand Sampling
Training on Training on PhytoplanktonPhytoplankton
Hours of Hours of collection and collection and processing time processing time
Building a base line, Watching Building a base line, Watching for trends for trends
The concept is simple; Create a The concept is simple; Create a baseline of chemical and baseline of chemical and biological information so we can biological information so we can assess the healthassess the health– Samples collected every 2 weeksSamples collected every 2 weeks
– Measurements are taken and Measurements are taken and recordedrecorded
– Samples are filtered and packaged Samples are filtered and packaged for Sea Labfor Sea Lab
– Phytoplankton are identified and Phytoplankton are identified and countedcounted
Once we have baselines, we Once we have baselines, we can make better decisionscan make better decisions
Water Quality Speakers AgendaWater Quality Speakers Agenda
What are we discussingWhat are we discussing Who Leads the Who Leads the DiscussionDiscussion
Time AllottedTime Allotted
Phytoplankton – Finding the Phytoplankton – Finding the Evil Princess or a Tootsie Evil Princess or a Tootsie RollRoll
Lucie NovoveskaLucie Novoveska 1515
Mapping Water Quality in Mapping Water Quality in Little LagoonLittle Lagoon
Kirstin HartzellKirstin Hartzell 1515
Hidden Neighbors - Life Hidden Neighbors - Life under the surface of the under the surface of the LagoonLagoon
Bill DickensonBill Dickenson 1010
An Update from Dr Hugh An Update from Dr Hugh MacIntyre MacIntyre
Dr Hugh MacIntyre 1010
Red Clay : A Pox on our Red Clay : A Pox on our Snow White BeachesSnow White Beaches
Dennis HatfieldDennis Hatfield 1515
Upcoming ActivitiesUpcoming Activities Valerie DickensonValerie Dickenson 55
Phytoplankton – Phytoplankton – Finding the Evil Princess or a Tootsie RollFinding the Evil Princess or a Tootsie Roll
Lucie NovoveskaLucie Novoveska
What are phytoplankton ?What are phytoplankton ?
Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that live in the ocean. There are Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that live in the ocean. There are many species of phytoplankton, each of which has a unique shape. many species of phytoplankton, each of which has a unique shape.
Phytoplankton grow abundantly in oceans around the world and are Phytoplankton grow abundantly in oceans around the world and are the foundation of the marine food chain. the foundation of the marine food chain.
Phytoplankton depend upon certain conditions for growth and they are Phytoplankton depend upon certain conditions for growth and they are a good indicator of change in their environment. a good indicator of change in their environment.
For these reasons, and because they also exert a global-scale For these reasons, and because they also exert a global-scale influence on climate, phytoplankton are of primary interest to influence on climate, phytoplankton are of primary interest to oceanographers and Earth scientists around the world.oceanographers and Earth scientists around the world.
Moving up the Food ChainMoving up the Food Chain
Problems at the bottom of the food chain, affect the top, Problems at the bottom of the food chain, affect the top, but magnified by 10but magnified by 10
Knowing the condition of the Phytoplankton will help us Knowing the condition of the Phytoplankton will help us identify a changeidentify a change
Red TideRed TideFish Kill Caused by Fish Kill Caused by Karenia brevisKarenia brevis
Toxin: BrevetoxinToxin: Brevetoxin
http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/illness/illness.html
Human Illness Associated with Human Illness Associated with Harmful Algae Harmful Algae
• Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP) Brevetoxin Karenia brevis
• Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) Domoic acid Pseudo-nitzschia sp.
• Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) Ciguatoxin/Maitotoxin Gambierdiscus toxicus
• Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) Okadaic acid Dinophysis sp.
• Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) Saxitoxins Alexandrium sp.
Mahogany Tide:Mahogany Tide: Hypoxia Caused by Hypoxia Caused by Prorocentrum BloomProrocentrum Bloom
Density: 1.4 billion cells/liter
What causes these blooms?What causes these blooms?
LightTemperatureNutrients
Eutrophication- increasing nutrients in a system– Pollution
– Agricultural runoff- high nitrogen containing fertilizers
The increased input of nutrients leads to an enrichment of nitrogen and phosphorus relative to silica. This decreases the Si/N ratio favoring Pseudo nitzschia blooms (Bates et al, 1998)
ASP-Domoic Acid PoisoningASP-Domoic Acid Poisoning• Toxin produced by diatom Pseudo-nitzschia
• Both gastrointestinal and neurological disorder • In humans symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and dizziness, headache, seizures, disorientation, short-term memory loss, respiratory difficulty, coma, and death
• In seal lions, birds, and dolphins- vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, disorientation, scratching, seizures, coma, and death
Episodes of human, marine mammal, and sea bird mortality events
1987- human poisoning event, Prince Edward Island, 107 people ill and four dead
1988- toxin traced to Pseudo-nitzschia
1991 and 1992- bird kills, Pelicans and Cormorants in Monterey Bay
1991 and 1992- contamination of Washington razor clams and Dungeness crab in California
1998- Sea lion deaths in central California
2002- Santa Catalina Island- Sea Lion deaths
Abundance of Pseudo-nitzschia in Little Lagoon Pass
0
500000
1000000
1500000
2000000
2500000
3000000
3500000
Oct-04
Nov-04
Jan-0
5
Mar-0
5
Apr-05
Jun-0
5
Aug-05
Sep-05
Nov-05
Jan-0
6
Feb-0
6
Apr-06
Jun-0
6
Jul-0
6
Sep-06
Oct-06
Dec-06
Feb-0
7
Mar-0
7
May-0
7
Jul-0
7
# c
ell
s p
er
lite
r April 29, 2005
September 16, 2005
Southeast Phytoplankton Monitoring NetworkSoutheast Phytoplankton Monitoring NetworkNorthern Gulf of Mexico RegionNorthern Gulf of Mexico Region
SEPMN is an outreach program with the ultimate goal of linking laboratory scientists to the general public. Traditionally scientists rarely interacted with the public they serve.
• To monitor area along the coast throughout the year • To identify general trends, such as time and area, where blooms occur • To promote increased awareness and education to the public• To create a working relationship between volunteers and researchers
SEPMN web site: http://www.chbr.noaa.gov/pmn/index.htm
Evil Princess and Tootsie RollEvil Princess and Tootsie Roll
Dinoflagellate- Dinophysis sp, Diatom- Ditylum
LLPS Volunteers Efforts• LLPS monitors 4 sites bi-weekly• water quality• E.coli counts• phytoplankton counts
Phytoplankton in Little Lagoon
Pleurosigma
NitzschiaPseudo-nitzschia
Chaetoceros
GuinardiaProrocentrum
ProtoperidiniumPyrophacus
Water Quality Mapping of Water Quality Mapping of Little Lagoon, AlabamaLittle Lagoon, Alabama
Kirstin HartzellKirstin Hartzell
REU Dauphin Island Sea LabREU Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Baylor UniversityBaylor University
PurposePurpose• To determine spatial characteristics of water To determine spatial characteristics of water
qualityquality• Physical characteristics: Temperature, SalinityPhysical characteristics: Temperature, Salinity• Chemical characteristics: Nitrogen, PhosphorusChemical characteristics: Nitrogen, Phosphorus• Biological characteristics: ChlorophyllBiological characteristics: Chlorophyll
• Infer possible sources of nutrients to the lagoonInfer possible sources of nutrients to the lagoon
• To better understand what is To better understand what is going on in the lagoongoing on in the lagoon
MethodsMethods• 25 transects were taken zig-zagging down the 25 transects were taken zig-zagging down the
lagoonlagoon• 3 sampling trips were completed3 sampling trips were completed• 50 discrete points were taken and analyzed50 discrete points were taken and analyzed
• NutrientsNutrients• Total NitrogenTotal Nitrogen
• ChlorophyllChlorophyll• Total PhosphorusTotal Phosphorus
MethodsMethods
• Continuous data was Continuous data was gathered using a flow- gathered using a flow- through instrumentation through instrumentation (physical and optical) (physical and optical)
• GPS data was gathered GPS data was gathered during the entire cruiseduring the entire cruise
• All data was then imported All data was then imported into ArcGIS and mappedinto ArcGIS and mapped
Temperature & Salinity, 6/27/07Temperature & Salinity, 6/27/07
Total Nitrogen, 6/27/07Total Nitrogen, 6/27/07
• Nitrogen is being highest in the ends of the Nitrogen is being highest in the ends of the lagoonlagoon
• Low values near pass indicate dilution and Low values near pass indicate dilution and flushingflushing
• Nitrogen is high compared to Mobile Bay and Nitrogen is high compared to Mobile Bay and nearshore Gulf of Mexico: 26-77 vs 13-48 nearshore Gulf of Mexico: 26-77 vs 13-48 MM
Total Nitrogen vs Salinity, 6/27/07Total Nitrogen vs Salinity, 6/27/07
• Distinct pattern in TN vs S indicates distinct Distinct pattern in TN vs S indicates distinct water-masses within the lagoonwater-masses within the lagoon
• This indicates poor mixing and flushingThis indicates poor mixing and flushing
Total Nitrogen & Salinity
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
31.2 31.4 31.6 31.8 32.0 32.2 32.4 32.6 32.8 33.0
Salinity
To
tal N
itro
gen
Chlorophyll reflects nitrogen Chlorophyll reflects nitrogen levelslevels
High nitrogen translates to an High nitrogen translates to an accumulation of microalgaeaccumulation of microalgae
• This can only happen in a poorly-flushed systemThis can only happen in a poorly-flushed system• Where the nitrogen levels are high, so are the Where the nitrogen levels are high, so are the
chlorophyll levelschlorophyll levelsChlorophyll & Total Nitrogen
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Chlorophyll
Tot
al N
itro
gen
Summary (preliminary…)Summary (preliminary…)
• Little Lagoon was poorly flushedLittle Lagoon was poorly flushed• Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) were Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) were
highest at the ends of the lagoonhighest at the ends of the lagoon• Algal biomass was highest in areas where Algal biomass was highest in areas where
nutrients were highestnutrients were highest
Microalgal populations in Little Lagoon and adjacent waters
Hugh MacIntyre
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
High diversity in Little Lagoon indicates low mixing/flushing
Contiguous shaded areas: similar at 60% by cluster analysis. Same color shaded areas: similar at 40% by cluster analysis.
Minor exchange through the pass
Contiguous shaded areas: similar at 60% by cluster analysis. Same color shaded areas: similar at 40% by cluster analysis.
…and E-W differences in populations within the lagoon
Contiguous shaded areas: similar at 60% by cluster analysis. Same color shaded areas: similar at 40% by cluster analysis.
Nutrient levels in the lagoon are high for saline waters
This may be cause of high Pseudo-nitzschia numbers at Little Lagoon Pass
Data: DISL, ADPH & ADEM
Hidden Neighbors – Life Hidden Neighbors – Life Under the Surface of the Under the Surface of the
LagoonLagoonBill DickensonBill Dickenson
Looking at Life Under the Looking at Life Under the SurfaceSurface
3 Guests today3 Guests today– SchoolmasterSchoolmaster– Pin FishPin Fish– Brown ShrimpBrown Shrimp
We will discover what they eat. We will discover what they eat. – Simple Rules : “You can tell what they eat, by Simple Rules : “You can tell what they eat, by
their fins and their Teeth”their fins and their Teeth”
School Master – Growing up in Little LagoonSchool Master – Growing up in Little Lagoon
Description:Description: Olive gray on Olive gray on upper sides with yellow tinge, upper sides with yellow tinge, sometimes with reddish tinge sometimes with reddish tinge around head; long triangular around head; long triangular snout; eight pale vertical bars snout; eight pale vertical bars on the side of the body; yellow on the side of the body; yellow fins; blue stripe below eye, fins; blue stripe below eye, becoming interrupted in adults; becoming interrupted in adults; no dark lateral spot. no dark lateral spot.
Where found:Where found: juveniles in juveniles in grassy flats; adults nearshore, grassy flats; adults nearshore, especially around Elkhorn coral especially around Elkhorn coral reefs; large adults sometimes reefs; large adults sometimes found on continental shelf.found on continental shelf.
Size:Size: usually less than 1 usually less than 1 pound.pound.
Conclusion : A hunter who Conclusion : A hunter who needs to turn quickly !needs to turn quickly !
Favorite food:Favorite food: feeds on Shrimp, feeds on Shrimp, Crabs other crustaceans, small Crabs other crustaceans, small fishes.fishes.
So what do you think they eat ?
Hint: Mouth: Bottom with distinct teethFins: Big fins on sides and bottom
Pin Fish – Stealing Bait is my Favorite thing ! Pin Fish – Stealing Bait is my Favorite thing ! (Being bait is not my favorite thing)(Being bait is not my favorite thing)
Description:Description: small mouth with small mouth with incisor-like teeth; distinctive incisor-like teeth; distinctive black spot behind the gill black spot behind the gill cover; body bluish-silver with cover; body bluish-silver with blue and orange-yellow blue and orange-yellow horizontal stripes, yellow fins.. horizontal stripes, yellow fins.. Where found:Where found: seagrass beds, seagrass beds, bridges, piers, marker pilings, bridges, piers, marker pilings, and around natural and and around natural and artificial reefs; spawn offshore.artificial reefs; spawn offshore.
Size:Size: usually less than 8 usually less than 8 inches.inches.
Conclusion : Eat everything I Conclusion : Eat everything I can !can !
Favorite food: Whatever is Favorite food: Whatever is available. I can eat live food, available. I can eat live food, scavenge and even plants. scavenge and even plants.
So what do you think they eat ?
Hint: Mouth: Smaller mouth but still on the bottom with lots of small teeth. Fins: Smaller fins on sides and bottom
Brown Shrimp – From the Lagoon to the World ! Brown Shrimp – From the Lagoon to the World !
Description:Description: Burrowing shrimp, common in Burrowing shrimp, common in Florida waters. Antennae are significantly Florida waters. Antennae are significantly longer than body length. Normally brown to longer than body length. Normally brown to olive-green appearance, though both red and olive-green appearance, though both red and green specimens of this species have been green specimens of this species have been found. Brown shrimp are commonly found in found. Brown shrimp are commonly found in estuaries along coasts. Primary habitats for estuaries along coasts. Primary habitats for these shrimp are muddy bottom areas from these shrimp are muddy bottom areas from the intertidal zone. They have 3 pairs of legs the intertidal zone. They have 3 pairs of legs for eating, 5 pair for walking and 5 pair for for eating, 5 pair for walking and 5 pair for swimming (swimmerts)swimming (swimmerts)
Conclusion : Dig, Eat and Conclusion : Dig, Eat and runaway fast !runaway fast !
Favorite food:Favorite food: An opportunistic An opportunistic omnivore that eats some algae as omnivore that eats some algae as well as small invertebrates, well as small invertebrates, leftover fish, whatever it can findleftover fish, whatever it can find
So what do you think they eat ?
Hint: Mouth: Small “pincers” that tear small pieces. Fins (well; Feet actually): On the bottom, lots of them and a big tail “flipper”
Red Clay: A Pox on our Snow Red Clay: A Pox on our Snow White Beaches! White Beaches!
Dennis Hatfield, President LLPSDennis Hatfield, President LLPS
How did our beaches get so How did our beaches get so
white?white? Our beaches are special! 99.97% snow white, pure quartz Our beaches are special! 99.97% snow white, pure quartz
sand, with no natural clay, and a very small (.03%) sand, with no natural clay, and a very small (.03%) percentage of dark iron and titanium rich heavy minerals percentage of dark iron and titanium rich heavy minerals
The source materials for the “Miracle Strip” are quartz and The source materials for the “Miracle Strip” are quartz and feldspar rich granites from the Appalachians feldspar rich granites from the Appalachians
The quartz sand rich Miracle Strip is a “mature” product of The quartz sand rich Miracle Strip is a “mature” product of numerous repeated episodes of erosion, and deposition. numerous repeated episodes of erosion, and deposition. Physical transport and chemical weathering have removed Physical transport and chemical weathering have removed all less resistant minerals and left only the quartz all less resistant minerals and left only the quartz
Microscopic examination of individual sand grains tells a Microscopic examination of individual sand grains tells a story. The sand is well sorted, and each grain is almost story. The sand is well sorted, and each grain is almost perfectly rounded, frosted, polished, and pitted perfectly rounded, frosted, polished, and pitted
A “River of Sand” brings us our A “River of Sand” brings us our Sand From Apalachicola Sand From Apalachicola
Mobile Bay delivers a tremendous volume Mobile Bay delivers a tremendous volume of distinctly different sediment to our of distinctly different sediment to our coast compared to “Miracle Strip” coast compared to “Miracle Strip” sediments derived from Flasediments derived from Fla
A “river of sand” flows from Apalachicola A “river of sand” flows from Apalachicola to the mouth of Mobile Bay to the mouth of Mobile Bay
The Fort Morgan Peninsula forms a barrier The Fort Morgan Peninsula forms a barrier which effectively separates Mobile Bay which effectively separates Mobile Bay sediments from “Miracle Strip” sediments sediments from “Miracle Strip” sediments
Red Clay on the Miracle Strip is Red Clay on the Miracle Strip is like a “Road Alligator”like a “Road Alligator”
If we want Lagoon waters to remain relatively clear, and lagoon and If we want Lagoon waters to remain relatively clear, and lagoon and beach sand to remain unique/special/white we have to say no to beach sand to remain unique/special/white we have to say no to importing any and all red/yellow materials onto Pleasure Islandimporting any and all red/yellow materials onto Pleasure Island
Clay is both a textural and mineralogical term-clay minerals and sized Clay is both a textural and mineralogical term-clay minerals and sized particles are 1/256 MM and smaller particles are 1/256 MM and smaller
Sediments turn yellow or red because the iron contained in them is Sediments turn yellow or red because the iron contained in them is “oxidized”“oxidized”
Oxidized clay sized sediment is very mobile-easily transported by Oxidized clay sized sediment is very mobile-easily transported by water and windwater and wind
A small amount of oxidized iron rich material can stain a large A small amount of oxidized iron rich material can stain a large amount of pure white sand for a long time, and once it is in our amount of pure white sand for a long time, and once it is in our special pure white quartz sand environment, it can do damage over special pure white quartz sand environment, it can do damage over and over again and over again
Red Clay is Illegal along the Fort Red Clay is Illegal along the Fort Morgan RoadMorgan Road
Uses: Uses: – Inexpensive (short term) road bed and house pad material Inexpensive (short term) road bed and house pad material – Inexpensive (short term) fill and grade material Inexpensive (short term) fill and grade material
Gulf Shores recently passed ordinance prohibiting colored Gulf Shores recently passed ordinance prohibiting colored materials for use south and in large areas north of the Fort materials for use south and in large areas north of the Fort Morgan Hwy Morgan Hwy
Code enforcement is currently lacking, numerous examples Code enforcement is currently lacking, numerous examples exist of code violations since new code passedexist of code violations since new code passed
We (LLPS) can help by educating/understanding code, We (LLPS) can help by educating/understanding code, reporting code violations and following up to see that code is reporting code violations and following up to see that code is enforced, and violations punished enforced, and violations punished
Future Plans – Future Plans – And what you can do to help ! And what you can do to help !
Valerie DickensonValerie Dickenson
Future InitiativesFuture Initiatives We can always use more volunteersWe can always use more volunteers
– We can teach you what you need toWe can teach you what you need to– No special skills except a willingness to follow a process to the endNo special skills except a willingness to follow a process to the end
Three volunteer activitiesThree volunteer activities– Collecting water samplesCollecting water samples– Filtering waterFiltering water– Identifying planktonIdentifying plankton
Other ways to helpOther ways to help– Expand our Membership! We need more people involved and Expand our Membership! We need more people involved and
interested to help preserve Little Lagoon! interested to help preserve Little Lagoon! – Educate your neighbors!Educate your neighbors!
