Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Light absorption properties of the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary

  • Primary Research Paper
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Seasonal and spatial variations of the light absorption coefficient, a(λ), were investigated in the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary (i.e., Jamaica Bay, Hudson/Raritan Bay, and Inner Harbor) from August 2008 through June 2009 to characterize the bio-optical characteristics of the estuary. The nonalgal particles (NAP) made a constant light absorption contribution of 18 ± 6% (mean ± standard deviation) (440 nm) over the entire estuary. Covariation among chlorophyll a, total suspended solid, and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) was not observed, indicating optical complexity of the estuary. Two optical domains were observed: a phytoplankton-dominated regime (Jamaica Bay) and a CDOM dominated regime (Inner Harbor and Hudson/Raritan Bay). Specific absorption coefficient a *ph (λ) decreased with increasing chlorophyll a; this was due to the large cell sizes of diatoms based on package effect analysis. The sources of CDOM and NAP were terrestrial and of in situ origins, respectively. The slopes of CDOM (S CDOM) and NAP (S NAP) of the estuary were reported for the first time. Overall, this study provided the most complete characterization of light absorption for the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary, which will provide critical parameters and insights to build/refine remote sensing models for monitoring water quality in the estuary.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aurin, D. A., H. M. Dierssen, M. S. Twardowski & C. S. Roesler, 2010. Optical complexity in Long Island Sound and implications for coastal ocean color remote sensing. Journal of Geophysical Research 115: C07011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babin, M., D. Stramski, G. M. Ferrari, H. Claustre, A. Bricaud, G. Obolensky & N. Hoepffner, 2003. Variations in the light absorption coefficients of phytoplankton, nonalgal particles, and dissolved organic matter in coastal waters around Europe. Journal of Geophysical Research 108(C7): 3211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagheri, S., S. Peters & T. Yu, 2005. Retrieval of marine water constituents from AVIRIS data in the Hudson/Raritan Estuary. International Journal of Remote Sensing 26: 4013–4027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagheri, S., M. Rijkeboer & H. J. Gons, 2002. Inherent and apparent optical measurements in the Hudson/Raritan Estuary. Aquatic Ecology 36: 559–562.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behrenfeld, M. J., R. T. O’Malley, D. A. Siegel, C. R. McClain, J. L. Sarmiento, G. C. Feldman, A. J. Milligan, P. G. Falkowski, R. M. Letelier & E. S. Boss, 2006. Climate-driven trends in contemporary ocean productivity. Nature 444: 752–755.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Balcom, P. H., C. R. Hammerschmidt, W. F. Fitzgerald, C. H. Lamborg & J. S. O’Connor, 2008. Seasonal distributions and cycling of mercury and methylmercury in the waters of New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary. Marine Chemistry 109: 1–17.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benotti, M. J., I. Abbene & S. A. Terracciano, 2007. Nitrogen Loading in Jamaica Bay, Long Island, New York: Predevelopment to 2005. U. S. Geological Survey.

  • Bidigare, R. R., M. E. Ondrusek, J. H. Morrow & D. A. Kiefer, 1990. In vivo absorption properties of algal pigments. Ocean Optics X. International Society for Optics and Photonics, Orlando: 290–302.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Binding, C. E., J. H. Jerome, R. P. Bukata & W. G. Booty, 2008. Spectral absorption properties of dissolved and particulate matter in Lake Erie. Remote Sensing of Environment 112: 1702–1711.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, T. J. & C. L. Osburn, 2004. Changes in CDOM fluorescence from allochthonous and autochthonous sources during tidal mixing and bacterial degradation in two coastal estuaries. Marine Chemistry 89: 189–210.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bricaud, A., M. Babin, A. Morel & H. Claustre, 1995. Variability in the chlorophyll-specific absorption coefficients of natural phytoplankton: analysis and parameterization. Journal of Geophysical Research 100(C7): 13321–13332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bricaud, A., A. Morel, M. Babin, K. Allali & H. Claustre, 1998. Variations of light absorption by suspended particles with chlorophyll a concentration in oceanic (case 1) waters: analysis and implications for bio-optical models. Journal of Geophysical Research 103(C13): 31033–31044.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bricaud, A., H. Claustre, J. Ras & K. Oubelkheir, 2004. Natural variability of phytoplanktonic absorption in oceanic waters: influence of the size structure of algal populations. Journal of Geophysical Research 109: C11010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bricaud, A., M. Babin, H. Claustre, J. Ras & F. Tièche, 2010. Light absorption properties and absorption budget of Southeast Pacific waters. Journal of Geophysical Research 115: C08009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carder, K. L., F. R. Chen, Z. P. Lee, S. K. Hawes & D. Kamykowski, 1999. Semianalytic moderate-resolution imaging spectrometer algorithms for chlorophyll a and absorption with bio-optical domains based on nitrate-depletion temperatures. Journal of Geophysical Research 104(C3): 5403–5421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, G. C., T. D. Dickey, O. M. Schofield, A. D. Weidemann, E. Boss, W. S. Pegau, M. A. Moline & S. M. Glenn, 2002. Nearshore physical processes and bio-optical properties in the New York Bight. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans 107(C9): 3133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crosset, K. M, 2005. Population trends along the coastal United States: 1980–2008. Government Printing Office.

  • Duffy-Anderson, J. T., J. P. Manderson & K. W. Able, 2003. A characterization of juvenile fish assemblages around man-made structures in the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary, USA. Bulletin of marine science 72: 877–889.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durell, G. S. & R. D. Lizotte, 1998. PCB levels at 26 New York city and New Jersey WPCPs that discharge to the New York/New Jersey harbor estuary. Environmental science & technology 32: 1022–1031.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, A. D., L. S. Cleasceri, E. W. Rice & A. E. Greenberg (eds), 2005. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water & Wastewater. Amer Public Health Association, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari, G. M. & S. Tassan, 1999. A method using chemical oxidation to remove light absorption by phytoplankton pigments. Journal of Phycology 35: 1090–1098.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gigliotti, C. L., P. A. Brunciak, J. Dachs, T. R. Glenn, E. D. Nelson, L. A. Totten & S. J. Eisenreich, 2002. Air-water exchange of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the New York-New Jersey, USA, Harbor Estuary. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 21: 235–244.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilerson, A., J. Zhou, S. Hlaing, I. Ioannou, J. Schalles, B. Gross, F. Moshary & S. Ahmed, 2007. Fluorescence component in the reflectance spectra from coastal waters. Dependence on water composition. Optics Express 15: 15702–15721.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gitelson, A. A., J. F. Schalles & C. M. Hladik, 2007. Remote chlorophyll a retrieval in turbid, productive estuaries: chesapeake Bay case study. Remote Sensing of Environment 109: 464–472.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Groom, S., V. Martinez-Vicente, J. Fishwick, G. Tilstone, G. Moore, T. Smyth & D. Harbour, 2009. The western english channel observatory: optical characteristics of station l4. Journal of Marine Systems 77: 278–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heddendorf, B., 2008a. Report of Algal Conditions in New Jersey Coastal Waters Week of August 4, 2008. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heddendorf, B., 2008b. Report of Algal Conditions in New Jersey Coastal Waters Week of August 18, 2008. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heddendorf, B., 2009. Algal Conditions in New Jersey Estuarine and Coastal Waters, Week of June 22, 2009. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hellweger, F. L., P. Schlosser, U. Lall & J. K. Weissel, 2004. Use of satellite imagery for water quality studies in New York Harbor. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 61: 437–448.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Helms, J. R., A. Stubbins, J. D. Ritchie, E. C. Minor, D. J. Kieber & K. Mopper, 2008. Absorption spectral slopes and slope ratios as indicators of molecular weight, source, and photobleaching of chromophoric dissolved organic matter. Limnology and Oceanography 53: 955.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, C., Z. Chen, T. D. Clayton, P. Swarzenski, J. C. Brock & F. E. Muller-Karger, 2004. Assessment of estuarine water-quality indicators using MODIS medium-resolution bands: initial results from Tampa Bay, FL. Remote Sensing of Environment 93: 423–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IOCCG, 2000. Remote sensing of ocean colour in coastal, and other optically-complex, waters. In Sathyendranath, S. (ed.), Reports of the International Ocean-Colour Coordinating Group, No3. IOCCG, Dartmouth.

    Google Scholar 

  • IOCCG, 2006. Remote sensing of inherent optical properties: fundamentals, tests of algorithms, and applications. In Lee, Z.-P. (ed.), Reports of the International Ocean-Colour Coording Group, No 5. IOCCG, Dartmouth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffrey, S. W., R. F. C. Mantoura & S. W. Wright (eds), 1997. Phytoplankton Pigments in Oceanography: guidelines to Modern Methods. UNESCO, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D. R., J. Miller & O. Schofield, 2003. Dynamics and optics of the Hudson River outflow plume. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans 108(C10): 3323.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Komada, T., O. M. E. Schofield & C. E. Reimers, 2002. Fluorescence characteristics of organic matter released from coastal sediments during resuspension. Marine Chemistry 79: 81–97.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Le, C., C. Hu, D. English, J. Cannizzaro, Z. Chen, C. Kovach, C. J. Anastasiou, J. Zhao & K. L. Carder, 2013. Inherent and apparent optical properties of the complex estuarine waters of Tampa Bay: what controls light? Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 117: 54–69.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leong, S. C. Y. & S. Taguchi, 2006. Detecting the bloom-forming dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense using the absorption signature. Hydrobiologia 568: 299–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magnuson, A., L. W. Harding Jr, M. E. Mallonee & J. E. Adolf, 2004. Bio-optical model for Chesapeake Bay and the Middle Atlantic Bight. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 61: 403–424.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuoka, A., V. Hill, Y. Huot, M. Babin & A. Bricaud, 2011. Seasonal variability in the light absorption properties of western Arctic waters: parameterization of the individual components of absorption for ocean color applications. Journal of Geophysical Research 116: C02007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuoka, A., A. Bricaud, R. Benner, J. Para, R. Sempéré, L. Prieur, S. Bélanger, M. Babin & E. Boss, 2012. Tracing the transport of colored dissolved organic matter in water masses of the Southern Beaufort Sea: relationship with hydrographic characteristics. Biogeosciences 9: 925–940.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuoka, A., S. Hooker, A. Bricaud, B. Gentili & M. Babin, 2013. Estimating absorption coefficients of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) using a semi-analytical algorithm for southern Beaufort Sea waters: application to deriving concentrations of dissolved organic carbon from space. Biogeosciences 10: 917–927.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Millie, D. F., O. M. Schofield, G. J. Kirkpatrick, G. Johnsen, P. A. Tester & B. T. Vinyard, 1997. Detection of harmful algal blooms using photopigments and absorption signatures: a case study of the Florida red tide dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium breve. Limnology and Oceanography 42: 1240–1251.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, B. G., M. Kahru, J. Wieland & M. Stramska, 2002. Determination of spectral absorption coefficients of particles, dissolved material and phytoplankton for discrete water samples. Ocean optics protocols for satellite ocean color sensor validation, Revision 3: 231–257.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morel, A. & A. Bricaud, 1981. Theoretical results concerning light absorption in a discrete medium, and application to specific absorption of phytoplankton. Deep Sea Research Part A, Oceanographic Research Papers 28: 1375–1393.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morel, F. M. M., R. J. M. Hudson & N. M. Price, 1991. Limitation of productivity by trace metals in the sea. Limnology and Oceanography 36: 1742–1755.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muñoz, G. & M. Panero, 2008. Sources of suspended solids to the New York/New Jersey harbor watershed. New York Academy of Sciences, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, N. B., B. Prezelin & R. Bidigare, 1993. Phytoplankton light absorption and the package effect in California coastal waters. Marine Ecology Progress Series 94: 217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program, 2012. The State of the Estuary 2012: environmental Health and Trends of the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary.

  • NYCDEP, 2009. New York Harbor water quality report. New York City Department of Environmental Protection: New York, NY. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/hwqs2009.pdf.

  • Odermatt, D., A. Gitelson, V. E. Brando & M. Schaepman, 2012. Review of constituent retrieval in optically deep and complex waters from satellite imagery. Remote Sensing of Environment 118: 116–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prieur, L. & S. Sathyendranath, 1981. An optical classification of coastal and oceanic waters based on the specific spectral absorption curves of phytoplankton pigments, dissolved organic matter, and other particulate materials. Limnology and Oceanography 26: 671–689.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roesler, C. S. & E. Boss, 2008. In Situ Measurement of the Inherent Optical Properties (IOPs) and Potential for Harmful Algal Bloom Detection and Coastal Ecosystem Observations. UNESCO Publishing, Paris: 153–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roesler, C. S., M. J. Perry & K. L. Carder, 1989. Modeling in situ phytoplankton absorption from total absorption spectra in productive inland marine waters. Limnology and Oceanography 34: 1510–1523.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roy, S. R. S., F. B. F. Blouin, A. J. A. Jacques & J. C. T. J. Therriault, 2008. Absorption properties of phytoplankton in the Lower Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (Canada). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 65: 1721–1737.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sasaki, H., T. Miyamura, S. I. Saitoh & J. Ishizaka, 2005. Seasonal variation of absorption by particles and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in Funka Bay, southwestern Hokkaido, Japan. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 64: 447–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sindermann, C. J., 2006. Coastal pollution: effects on living resources and humans. CRC/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, R. G., K. D. Butler & G. R. Aiken, 2012. Dissolved organic carbon and chromophoric dissolved organic matter properties of rivers in the USA. Journal of Geophysical Research 117: G03001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, N., D. J. Suszkowski, L. Clark, & J. Way, 2004. Health of the Harbor. The first comprehensive look at the State of the NY/NJ Harbor estuary. A report to the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program. New York, NY: Hudson River Foundation.

  • Stuart, V., S. Sathyendranath, T. Platt, H. Maass & B. D. Irwin, 1998. Pigments and species composition of natural phytoplankton populations: effect on the absorption spectra. Journal of Plankton Research 20: 187–217.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tassan, S. & G. M. Ferrari, 2002. A sensitivity analysis of the ‘transmittance-reflectance’ method for measuring light absorption by aquatic particles. Journal of Plankton Research 24: 757–774.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Totten, L. A., P. A. Brunciak, C. L. Gigliotti, J. Dachs, T. R. Glenn IV, E. D. Nelson & S. J. Eisenreich, 2001. Dynamic air-water exchange of polychlorinated biphenyls in the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary. Environmental Science & Technology 35: 3834–3840.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vähätalo, A. V., R. G. Wetzel & H. W. Paerl, 2005. Light absorption by phytoplankton and chromophoric dissolved organic matter in the drainage basin and estuary of the Neuse River, North Carolina (USA). Freshwater Biology 50: 477–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, B., L. Axe, Z.-H. Michalopoulou & L. Wei, 2012. Effects of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn on brown tide alga Aureococcus anophagefferens growth and metal accumulation. Environmental Science & Technology 46: 517–524.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, S. W., S. W. Jeffrey, R. F. C. Mantoura, C. A. Llewellyn, T. Bjørnland, D. Repeta & N. Welschmeyer, 1991. Improved HPLC method for the analysis of chlorophylls and carotenoids from marine phytoplankton. Marine Ecology Progress Series 77: 183–196.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xie, H., C. Aubry, S. Bélanger & G. Song, 2012. The dynamics of absorption coefficients of CDOM and particles in the St. Lawrence estuarine system: biogeochemical and physical implications. Marine Chemistry 128–129: 44–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, W., Y. Q. Tian, Q. Yu & B. L. Becker, 2013. Using Hyperion imagery to monitor the spatial and temporal distribution of colored dissolved organic matter in estuarine and coastal regions. Remote Sensing of Environment 134: 342–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. SBE-0547427 through the ADVANCE program at New Jersey Institute of Technology. We are grateful to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission for their assistance in water sampling. We also thank Dr. Jun Xu and Ms. Ming Lou for their assistance in the statistical analyses.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Bin Wang

    Present address: EMSL Analytical, Inc., 200 Route 130 N, Cinnaminson, NJ, 08077, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA

    Bin Wang & Lisa Axe

  2. Department of Mathematical Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA

    Zoi-Heleni Michalopoulou

  3. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA

    Richard E. Riman & Mei Chee Tan

  4. Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA

    Liping Wei

Authors
  1. Bin Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lisa Axe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zoi-Heleni Michalopoulou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Richard E. Riman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mei Chee Tan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Liping Wei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bin Wang.

Additional information

Handling editor: K.W. Krauss

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, B., Axe, L., Michalopoulou, ZH. et al. Light absorption properties of the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary. Hydrobiologia 766, 173–188 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-015-2453-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-015-2453-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation