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PROPOSED
MEASURES: NUTRIENTS, SALINITY, AND TEMPERATURE
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Concentration
of nitrogen and phosphorous. Nitrogen and phosphorous are key plant
nutrients.
(Fig. 1)
Salinity.
In estuaries, areas of different salinity, created by the varying interactions
between salty ocean water and inflowing fresh water, serve as habitat
for different species of fish and shellfish. (Figs. 2,
3)
Sea surface
temperature. Differences in water temperature, caused by natural
cycles and/or climate change, are associated with different levels of
algae growth, different fish species, and other ecological variations.
(Fig. 4)
Dissolved oxygen,
another key measure, is described on the Plant
Growth and Productivity page.
No national statements
can be made using the available data.
| Nitrate
Concentrations (1) Technical
Note |
 |
Nitrogen and
phosphorous are key nutrients for plants and algae. Increased inputs
from rivers, coastal areas, and the atmosphere can cause concentrations
to rise above historical levels. When nutrient levels rise substantially,
algae growth and abundance usually rise also. |
Temperature
and Salinity,
San Francisco Bay (2) Technical
Note |
Temperature
and Salinity, Baltimore Harbor (3) Technical
Note |
 |
 |
| Source:
NOAA, National Ocean Service |
Source:
NOAA, National Ocean Service |
| Salinity
in estuaries varies with tidal flow and with changes in fresh water
from rivers and streams. Many species of fish and shellfish are
adapted to specific levels of salinity, and long-term changes in
salinity levels can alter the amount of available habitat for certain
species. |
| Sea
Surface Temperature (4) Technical
Note |
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|
| Source:
NOAA Coastwatch |
| Satellites
measure sea surface temperature on a daily basis, providing the
capability to detect changes brought about by both major short-term
climatic factors such as El Niño and longer-time-scale factors
such as global climate change. |
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STATUS
OF DATA & OTHER NOTES
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No consistent
and comprehensive national information is available on nitrogen,
phosphorous, or salinity. The salinity data presented here for
Baltimore and San Francisco are examples; they are not from a
national monitoring program.
Consistent
and comprehensive national information on sea surface temperature
is, and should continue to be, available, so trends can be presented
in future reports. However, current satellite remote sensing technology
is of limited use in detecting temperature trends in estuaries.
The temperature data presented here for Baltimore and San Francisco
are examples; they are not from a national monitoring program.
Please see
the Technical
Notes for additional information.
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