Abstract

The research topic for Oceanography 441-442 in the 2005-2006 academic year involves constraining the water, nutrients, and salinity budgets in the Hoffler Creek (Portsmouth, VA). To establish these criteria, we surveyed the bathymetry of the creek, obtained water samples, and analyzed sediment core samples. Bathymetric surveys were conducted in October 2005 to obtain the total volume of water and tidal prism in the subtidal creek. We also took water samples to determine the nutrient and salinity concentrations. Phosphate concentrations averaged 1.4uM, while nitrate was 14uM. The N to P ratio was 11:1, which is lower than the Redfield ratio. In November, we took sediment core samples in both the creek and the marshes. The cores will be used to determine the biogeochemical history of the Hoffler Creek ecosystem. Next semester, we will continue working on this topic to further identify nutrient and water reservoirs and the fluxes between them

Light refreshments are served in the Interaction Area (4th floor of the Oceanography/Physics Building) at 4:00 p.m.

All seminars begin at 3:00 p.m. and are held in room 200 of the Oceanography/Physics building.