NAWQA: Nutrient Enrichment Effects Team (NEET)
NEET Objectives
The primary objective of NEET is to determine how biological communities and processes respond to varying levels of nutrient enrichment among agricultural streams from contrasting environmental settings. In order to accomplish this, NEET will select a range of agricultural settings that contain a gradient of nutrient conditions from non-point agricultural activities. Environmental factors to be considered in site selection will include hydrology, water source, geology, soils, and other major features that influence nutrient conditions and biological response.
- Objective 1: Biological Community (Algae and invertebrates)
- Objective 2: Biological Processes (Whole stream metabolism)
- Objective 3:Chemical Processes (Nitrogen)
- Objective 4: Regionalization
Twenty seven (27) sites were sampled for the NEET study in the PODL study unit: 19 in Delaware and 8 in Maryland, watershed area range between 12-40 Km.; 19 sites were wooded and 7 were open ditches. Sites were selected based on a gradient of nitrate/nitrite (Figure 1). Water samples from each site were also analyzed for other nutrients and are presented in Figure 2. All data are preliminary.
Sampling for the project began in mid-May 2004 with work for the objective 3, portion of the study conducted at Morgan Creek (Kennedyville, Md). Sampling for biological community (invertebrates and algae - Objective 1) and metabolism (Objective 2) began June 1, 2004.
Data Collected
- Water quality and nutrients
- Invertebrates
- Algae (species and biomass)
- Continuous Temperature
- Metabolism (Dissolved Oxygen)
- Light
- Habitat
Plans for the project include analysis of data and report completion beginning in 2005 and ending in 2007. For more information about the NAWQA NEET Study, contact Holly S. Weyers, USGS Biologist at: hsweyers@usgs.gov.
Figure 1
Figure 2
