Publications for Maryland Coastal Bays Science Communication Products and Report Cards

IAN is committed to producing practical, user-centered communications that foster a better understanding of science and enable readers to pursue new opportunities in research, education, and environmental problem-solving. Our publications synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques.

Upstream land use affects water quality in Maryland

Upstream land use affects water quality in Maryland's Coastal Bays

Kris Beckert, Ben Fertig, Tim Carruthers, Bill Dennison, Emily Nauman ·
1 August 2008

Coastal lagoon ecosystems across the Delmarva Peninsula are rapidly evolving due to changing land use patterns and shifts towards intensive agriculture, particularly poultry production, and intensive rural-resi­dential development. These changes in the coastal lagoon seascape are especially evident in the northern Coastal Bays watershed of St. Martin River.

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Fine scale patterns of water quality in three regions of Marylands Coastal Bays: assessing nitrogen source in relation to land use (Page 1)

Fine scale patterns of water quality in three regions of Marylands Coastal Bays: assessing nitrogen source in relation to land use

Beckert K, Fertig BM, O'Neil JM, Carruthers TJB, Wazniak C, Sturgis B, Hall M, Jones AB and Dennison WC ·
2 April 2008

Intensive sampling of the Maryland Coastal Bays in May and July of 2007 served to further assess spatial patterns in nutrients, responses of biological indicators, seasons, land use, and nutrient cycling. Trends indicated degraded water quality, high tubidity, increasing total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, high natural isotope abundance (δ15N), and low dissolved oxygen. The abundance of crop agriculture and development of the St.

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Biological indicators enhance water quality monitoring in Maryland

Biological indicators enhance water quality monitoring in Maryland's Coastal Bays

Ben Fertig, Tim Carruthers, Bill Dennison ·
2 March 2007

Nutrient point sources such as wastewater treatment plants and non-point sources including agricultural runoff degrade the water quality of Maryland's Coastal Bays through excessive nutrient loading. Identifying specific sources is difficult due to their variety and mixture. Biological indicators can identify nitrogen sources, integrate nitrogen from these sources over time, and detect biologically important nutrients.

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The role of benthic communities in the health of Maryland

The role of benthic communities in the health of Maryland's Coastal Bays

Caroline Donovan, Tim Carruthers, Bill Dennison ·
2 February 2007

In collaboration with the University of Maryland's Cooperative Extension Service at the Wye Mills Research and Education Center, EcoCheck (NOAA - UMCES partnership) has produced a newsletter on the history and current trends of benthic communities in Maryland's Coastal Bays. Aquatic grasses and shellfish are important components of a healthy ecosystem because they provide a variety of ecosystem services, improve water quality, and are commercially valuable.

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Water quality in four regions of the Maryland Coastal Bays: assessing nitrogen source in relation to rainfall and brown tide (Page 1)

Water quality in four regions of the Maryland Coastal Bays: assessing nitrogen source in relation to rainfall and brown tide

Fertig BM, Carruthers TJB, Wazniak C, Sturgess B, Hall M, Jones AB, and Dennison WC ·
1 November 2006

Monitoring water quality and determining nutrient inputs is essential to assess ecosystem health. Partnering with the Maryland Coastal Bays Program and the Department of Natural Resources, this study focused on four regions in Maryland's Coastal Bays. These regions, St Martins River, Public Landing, Johnson's Bay, and Chincoteague Island, were found to be nitrogen 'hotspots' by the 2004 water quality assessment study.

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A water quality assessment of the Maryland Coastal Bays including nitrogen source identification using stable isotopes (Page 1)

A water quality assessment of the Maryland Coastal Bays including nitrogen source identification using stable isotopes

Jones AB, Carruthers TJ, Pantus F, Thomas JE, Saxby TA and Dennison, WC ·
2 November 2004

This data report details the results of an intensive sampling effort by the Integration and Application Network in the Maryland Coastal Bays. A spatially explicit Water Quality Index was developed from standard water quality analyses and a relatively new stable isotope technique.

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State of the Maryland Coastal Bays 2004 (Page 1)

State of the Maryland Coastal Bays 2004

Wazniak C, Hall M, Cain C, Wilson D, Jesien R, Thomas JE, Carruthers TJB and Dennison WC ·
16 August 2004

This report summarizes monitoring data collected over the past several years for water quality, aquatic living resources, and habitat categories. It utilizes conceptual diagrams for each reporting region to highlight the key ecosystem processes, biota and estuarine health problems.

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