| Home: Monterey Bay Sanctuary: Estuaries: Monitoring projects |
MONTEREY BAY SANCTUARY: ESTUARIES
MONITORING PROJECTS |
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Review the list of estuary monitoring projects below. A full description is available for each project. |
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| Understanding the effects of tidal wetland management on estuarine invertebrate assemblages in Elkhorn Slough |
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| We collect benthic invertebrate data from poorly characterized sites feeding into the main channel of Elkhorn Slough (ES) to inform wise management by the ES National Estuarine Research Reserve and the ES Foundation. |
| Fish Surveys at the Moss Landing Power Plant Outfall |
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| This is the first study to characterize the fish assemblage associated with the thermal outfall structure used to discharge heated sea water generated by the Moss Landing Power Plant. |
| Characterization of the Benthic and Planktonic Communities of Elkhorn Slough |
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| Our goal is an ecosystem description of Elkhorn Slough that will serve as a baseline for assessments of the rapid change in this coastal habitat. |
| Analysis of mussels collected near the Moss Landing Power Plant thermal outfall |
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| The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Mussel Watch Program began in 1986 in order to evaluate pollutant load in U.S. coastal waters by sampling concentrations of contaminants in the tissues of mussels and oysters. In 2006, additional sampling sites were added in the Moss Landing Harbor in order to investigate any differences in contaminant concentrations between mussels near the thermal discharge site of the Moss Landing Power Plant and original Mussel Watch sites. Initial findings show that of the 11 heavy metals sampled, only concentrations of Cadmium (Cd) were found to be higher in mussels near the outfall pipe. |
| Erosion monitoring in Elkhorn Slough |
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| ESNERR staff is working with collaborators at CSU Monterey Bay and the Sanctuary to understand habitat changes that have occurred as a result of tidal erosion following the opening of a large artificial mouth to Elkhorn Slough in 1947 by the Army Corps of Engineers. They have documented substantial losses of salt marsh and changes to tidal creek structure. |
| A comparison of discharge plumes from Elkhorn Slough and the Moss Landing Power Plant |
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| This project describes and compares the general flow structure, dynamics and temperature differences between a thermal discharge from an anthropogenic point source (Moss Landing Power Plant) and the natural heat flux between two natural bodies of water, an estuary (Elkhorn Slough) and the open ocean. |
| The influence of varying tidal exchange on the fish and crab assemblages of Elkhorn Slough |
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| This study investigated how assemblage structure, species distribution and the abundance patterns of fishes and crabs are influenced by variation in tidal flow and freshwater input throughout shallow-water habitats in the Elkhorn Slough estuary. |
| The effect of the Moss Landing Power Plant thermal discharge plume on the distribution and behavior of sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis): a preliminary study |
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| Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) have occupied various parts of Elkhorn Slough over the past few decades. Recently, a large raft of otters has been noted just within the Moss Landing harbor entrance. In addition, some otters have been observed within and adjacent to the thermal plume generated by the Moss Landing Power Plant. This project studies sea otter behavior in and adjacent to the plume. |
| Nutritional Constraints on Sea Otters in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary |
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| We are investigating nutritional constraints on southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) by examining the nutrient composition of sea otter prey while coupling these data with studies on otter foraging behavior. |
| Invertebrate Monitoring in Elkhorn Slough |
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| We use baited minnow traps to monitor native and non-native crab species and count burrows of large invertebrates at sites along an estuarine gradient in Elkhorn Slough. |
| Hydrodynamics and sedimentation in Elkhorn Slough |
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The goal of this project is to develop a calibrated 3D circulation model for Elkhorn Slough capable of predicting currents, water levels and transport. It is also intended to be
used to estimate rates of sediment erosion, deposition, and transport. |
| Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) |
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| The LOBO observing system is designed to monitor the flux of nutrients (nitrate, phosphate and inorganic carbon) through the Elkhorn Slough ecosystem. The complete system will include up to eight nodes equipped with nutrient sensors developed at MBARI that are linked to the Internet through a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). |
| NERR System Wide Monitoring Program |
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| The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of state-federal protected areas, representing diverse estuarine ecosystems. Elkhorn Slough NERR has 24 partner reserves that are located on both coasts of the US, as well as the Great Lakes and Puerto Rico. Since 1995 these 25 NERRs carry out consistent system-wide water quality and weather monitoring. |
| Center for Integrative Coastal Observation, Research and Education (CICORE) |
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| The CSU Center for Integrative Coastal Observation, Research and Education (CI-CORE) is a distributed coastal observatory for applied coastal research and monitoring in the nearshore (<100 m water depth) along the entire California coastline. |
| Volunteer Water Quality in Elkhorn Slough |
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| Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve , the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, and the Monterey County Resources Agency have been supporting a volunteer water monitoring program since 1988. Striking differences between sites and seasons were observed but significant long term changes over time are few. |
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