Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The influence of episodic events on transport of striped bass eggs to the estuarine turbidity maximum nursery area

  • Published:
Estuaries Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) is an important nursery area for anadromous fish where early-life stages can be retained in high prey concentrations and favorable salinities. Episodic freshwater flow and wind events could influence the transport of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) eggs to the ETM. This hypothesis was evaluated with regression analysis of observational data and with a coupled biological-physical model of a semi-idealized upper Chesapeake Bay driven by observed wind and freshwater flow. A particle-tracking model was constructed within a numerical circulation model (Princeton Ocean Model) to simulate the transport of fish eggs in a 3-dimensional flow field. Particles with the sinking speed of striped bass eggs were released up-estuary of the salt front in both 2-d event-scale and 60-d seasonal-scale scenarios. In event scenarios, egg-like particles with observed specific gravities (densities) of striped bass eggs were transported to the optimum ETM nursery area after 2 d, the striped bass egg-stage duration. Wind events and pulses in river discharge decreased the number of egg-like particles transported to the ETM area by 20.9% and 13.2%, respectively, compared to nonevent conditions. In seasonal scenarios, particle delivery to the ETM depended upon the timing of the release of egg-like particles. The number of particles transported to the ETM area decreased when particles were released before and during wind and river pulse events. Particle delivery to the ETM area was enhanced when the salt front was moving up-estuary after river pulse events and as base river flow receded over the spawning season. Model results suggest that the timing of striped bass spawning in relation to pulsed events may have a negative (before or during events) or positive (after river flow events) effect on egg transport. Spawning after river flow events may promote early-stage survival by taking advantage of improved transport, enhanced turbidity refuge, and elevated prey production that may occur after river pulse events. In multiple regression analysis of observed data, mean spring freshwater flow rates and the number of pulsed freshwater flow events during the striped bass spawning season explained 71% of the variability in striped bass juvenile abundance in upper Chesapeake Bay from 1986 to 2002. Positive parameter estimates for these effects support the hypothesis that pulsed freshwater flow events, coupled with spawning after the events, may enhance striped bass early-stage survival. Results suggest that episodic events may have an important role in controlling fish recruitment.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Albrecht, A. B. 1964. Some observations on factors associated with survival of striped bass eggs and larvae.California Fish and Game 50:100–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartsch, J. andS. H. Coombs. 2001. An individual-based growth and transport model of the early life-history stages of mackerel (Scomber scombrus) in the eastern North Atlantic.Ecological Modelling 138:127–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, W. A., W. J. Kimmerer, andJ. R. Burau. 2002. Plasticity in vertical migration by native and exotic estuarine fishes in a dynamic low-salinity zone.Limnology and Oceanography 47:1496–1507.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergey, L. L., R. A. Rulifson, M. L. Gallagher, andA. S. Overton. 2003. Variability of Atlantic coast striped bass egg characteristics.North American Journal of Fisheries Management 23: 558–572.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blumberg, A. F. andG. L. Mellor. 1987. A description of a three-dimensional coastal ocean circulation model, p. 1–16.In N. Heaps (ed.), Three-dimensional Coastal Ocean Models, Volume 4. American Geophysical Union, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boynton, W. R., W. Boicourt, S. Brant, J. Hagy, L. W. Harding, E. Houde, D. V. Holliday, M. Jech, W. M. Kemp, C. Lascara, S. D. Leach, A. P. Madden, M. Roman, L. P. Sanford, and E. M. Smith. 1997. Interactions between physics and biology in the estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) of Chesapeake Bay, USA. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea CM 1997/S:11.

  • Brickman, D. andP. C. Smith. 2002. Lagrangian stochastic modeling in coastal oceanography.Journal of Atmospheric and Ocean Technology 19:83–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, C. A., S. A. Holt, G. A. Jackson, D. A. Brooks, andG. J. Holt. 2004. Simulating larval supply to estuarine nursery areas: How important are physical processes to the supply of larvae to the Aransas Pass Inlet?Fisheries Oceanography 13:181–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chao, S.-Y. 1987. Wind-driven motion near inner-shelf fronts.Journal of Geophysical Research 92:3849–3860.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chao, S. Y. 1988. River-forced estuarine plumes.Journal of Physical Oceanography 18:72–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chesney, E. J. 1989. Estimating the food-requirements of striped bass larvaeMorone saxatilis—Effects of light, turbidity and turbulence.Marine Ecology Progress Series 53:191–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cushing, D. 1975. Marine Ecology and Fisheries, 1st edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dauvin, J. C. andJ. J. Dodson. 1990. Relationship between feeding incidence and vertical and longitudinal distribution of rainbow smelt larvae (Osmerus morlax) in a turbid well-mixed estuary.Marine Ecology Progress Series 60:1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dodson, J. J., J. C. Dauvin, R. G. Ingram, andB. Dangeljan. 1989. Abundance of larval rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) in relation to the maximum turbidity zone and associated macroplanktonic fauna of the middle St. Lawrence estuary.Estuaries 12:66–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doroshev, S. I. 1970. Biological features of the eggs, larvae, and young of the striped bass (Roccus saxatilis (Walbaum)) in connection with the problem of its acclimatization in the USSR.Journal of Ichthyology 10:235–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dovel, W. L. 1971. Fish eggs and larvae of the upper Chesapeake Bay. University of Maryland, NRI Special Report No. 4. Solomons, Maryland.

  • Geyer, W. R. andR. P. Signell. 1992. A reassessment of the role of tidal dispersion in estuaries and bays.Estuaries 15:97–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Govoni, J. J. andL. J. Pietrafesa. 1994. Eulerian views of layered water currents, vertical distributions of some larval fishes, and inferred advective transport over the continental shelf off North Carolina, USA, in winter.Fisheries Oceanography 3:120–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, L. W., A. E. Pinkney, L. O. Horseman, andS. E. Finger. 1985. Morality of striped bass larvae in relation to contaminants and water-quality in a Chesapeake Bay tributary.Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 114:861–868.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hare, J. A., J. A. Quinlan, F. E. Werner, B. O. Blanton, J. J. Govoni, R. B. Forward, L. R. Settle, andD. E. Hoss. 1999. Larval transport during winter in the SABRE study area: Results of a coupled vertical behaviour-three-dimensional circulation model.Fisheries Oceanography 8:57–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heath, M. R. andA. Gallego. 1998. Bio-physical modelling of the early life stages of haddock,Melanogrammus aeglefinus, in the North Sea.Fisheries Oceanography 7:110–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinckley, S., A. J. Hermann, K. L. Mier, andB. A. Megrey. 2001. Importance of spawning location and timing to successful transport to nursery areas: A simulation study of Gulf of Alaska walleye pollock.ICES Journal of Marine Science 58: 1042–1052.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinrichsen, H. H., U. Bottcher, F. W. Koster, A. Lehmann, andM. A. St. John. 2003. Modelling the influences of atmospheric forcing conditions on Baltic cod early life stages: Distribution and drift.Journal of Sea Research 49:187–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iles, T. D. andM. Sinclair. 1982. Atlantic herring: Stock discreteness and abundance.Science 215:267–633.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jassby, A. D., W. J. Kimmerer, S. G. Monismith, C. Armor, J. E. Cloern, T. M. Powell, J. R. Schubel, andT. J. Vendlinski. 1995. Isohaline position as a habitat indicator for estuarine populations.Ecological Applications, 5:272–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kane, A. S., R. O. Bennett, andE. B. May. 1990. Effect of hardness and salinity on survival of striped bass larvae.North American Journal of Fisheries Management 10:67–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimmel, D. G. andM. R. Roman. 2004. Long-term trends in mesozooplankton abundance and community composition in the Chesapeake Bay: Influence of freshwater input.Marine Ecology Progress Series 267:71–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimmerer, W. J., J. R. Burau, andW. A. Bennett. 1998. Tidally oriented vertical migration and position maintenance of zooplankton in a temperate estuary.Limnology and Oceanography 43:1697–1709.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lal, K., R. Lasker, andA. Kuljis. 1977. Acclimation and rearing of striped bass larvae in sea water.California Fish and Game 63: 210–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laprise, R. andJ. J. Dodson. 1989. Ontogenetic changes in the longitudinal distribution of two species of larval fish in a turbid well-mixed estuary.Journal of Fish Biology 35:39–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lasker, R. 1975. Field criteria for survival of anchovy larvae: The relation between inshore chlorophyll maximum layers and successful first feeding.Fishery Bulletin, 73:453–462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansueti, R. J. 1958. Eggs, larvae, and young of the striped bass,Roccus saxatilis. Maryland Department of Research and Education, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Solomons, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGovern, J. C. andJ. E. Olney. 1996. Factors affecting survival of early life stages and subsequent recruitment of striped bass on the Pamunkey River, Virginia.Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 53:1713–1726.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mellor, G. L. 1998. User's guide for a three-dimensional, primitive equation, numerical ocean model, p. 44. Program in Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mellor, G. L. andT. Yamada. 1974. A hierarchy of turbulence closure models for planetary boundary layers.Journal of Atmospheric Science 31:1791–1806.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, R. P., V. J. Rasin, andR. L. Copp. 1981. Temperature and salinity effects on development of striped bass eggs and larvae.Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 110:95–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • North, E. W., S.-Y. Chao, L. P. Sanford, andR. R. Hood. 2004. The influence of wind and river pulses on an estuarine turbidity maximum: Numerical studies and field observations in Chesapeake Bay.Estuaries 27:132–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • North, E. W. andE. D. Houde. 2001. Retention of white perch and striped bass larvae: Biological-physical interactions in Chesapeake Bay estuarine turbidity maximum.Estuaries 24: 756–769.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • North, E. W. andE. D. Houde. 2003. Linking ETM physics, zooplankton prey, and fish early-life histories to white perch (Morone americana) and striped bass (M. saxatilis) recruitment success.Marine Ecology Progress Series 260:219–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • North, E. W. andE. D. Houde. 2004. Distribution and transport of bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) eggs and larvae in Chesapeake Bay.Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 60:409–429.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olney, J. E., J. D. Field, andJ. C. McGovern. 1991. Striped bass egg mortality, production, and female biomass in Virginia rivers, 1980–1989.Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 120:354–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raudkivi, A. J. 1990. Loose Boundary Hydraulics, 3rd edition. Pergamon Press, Oxford, U.K.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robichaud-LeBlanc, K. A., S. C. Courtenay, andA. Locke. 1996. Spawning and early life history of a northern population of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in the Miramichi River estuary, Gulf of St. Lawrence.Canadian Journal of Zoology 74: 1645–1655.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roman, M. R., D. V. Holliday, andL. P. Sanford. 2001. Temporal and spatial patterns of zooplankton in the Chesapeake Bay turbidity maximum.Marine Ecology Progress Series 213:215–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rothschild, B. J. andT. R. Osborn. 1988. Small-scale turbulence and plankton contact rates.Journal of Plankton Research 10:465–474.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rulifson, R. A. andK. A. Tull. 1999. Striped bass spawning in a tidal bore river: The Shubenacadie estuary, Atlantic Canada.Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 128:613–624.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutherford, E. S. andE. D. Houde. 1995. The influence of temperature on cohort-specific growth, survival, and recruitment of striped bass,Morone saxatilis, larvae in Chesapeake Bay.Fishery Bulletin 93:315–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutherford, E. S., E. D. Houde, andR. M. Nyman. 1997. Relationship of larval-stage growth and mortality to recruitment of striped bass,Morone saxatilis, in Chesapeake Bay.Estuaries 20:174–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanford, L. P., W. C. Boicourt, andS. R. Rives. 1992. Model for estimating tidal flushing of small embayments.Journal of Waterway Port Coastal and Ocean Engineering-ASCE 118:635–654.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanford, L. P., S. E. Suttles, andJ. P. Halka. 2001. Reconsidering the physics of the Chesapeake Bay estuarine turbidity maximum.Estuaries 24:655–669.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute Inc. 1997. SAS/STAT Sofware: Changes and Enhancements through Release 6.12. Cary, North Carolina.

  • Schiller, L. and A. Naumann. 1993. Über die grundlegenden Berechnungen bei der Schwerkraftaufbereitung. Zeitschrift d. V.D.I. 77.

  • Schubel, J. R. 1968. Turbidity maximum of northern Chesapeake Bay.Science 161:1013–1015.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schubel, J. R., W. Cronin, andG. Schmidt. 1974. Some observations on the sizes and settling velocities of fish eggs. The Johns Hopkins University, Chesapeake Bay Institute. Baltimore, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schubel, J. R. andD. W. Pritchard. 1986. Responses of upper Chesapeake Bay to variations in discharge of the Susquehanna River.Estuaries 9:236–249.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Secor, D. H. 2000. Spawning in the nick of time? Effect of adult demographics on spawning behavior and recruitment in Chesapeake Bay striped bass.ICES Journal of Marine Science 57: 403–411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Secor, D. H. andE. D. Houde. 1995. Temperature effects on the timing of striped bass egg-production, larval viability, and recruitment potential in the Patuxent River (Chesapeake Bay).Estuaries 18:527–544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Secor, D. H., E. D. Houde, andD. M. Monteleone. 1995. A mark-release experiment on larval striped bassMorone saxatilis in a Chesapeake Bay tributary.ICES Journal of Marine Science 52:87–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Setzler-Hamilton, E. M., W. R. Boynton, J. A. Mihursky, T. T. Polgar, andK. V. Wood. 1981 Spatial and temporal distribution of striped bass eggs, larvae and juveniles in the Potomac estuary.Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 110: 121–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Setzler-Hamilton, E. M. andL. Hall, Jr. 1991. Striped bass,Morone saxatilis, p. 13-11–13-31.In S. L. Funderburk, S. J. Jordan, J. A. Mihursky, and D. Riley (eds.), Habitat Requirements for Chesapeake Bay Living Resources. Chesapeake Bay Program, Annapolis, Maryland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simenstad, C. A., C. A. Morgan, J. R. Cordell, andJ. A. Baross. 1994. Flux, passive retention and active residence of zooplankton in Columbia River estuarine turbidity maxima, p. 473–482.In K. R. Dyer and R. J. Orth (eds.), Changes in Fluxes in Estuaries: Implications from science to management. Olsen and Olsen, Fredensborg, Denmark.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sirois, P. andJ. J. Dodson. 2000. Critical periods and growth-dependent survival of larvae of an estuarine fish, the rainbow smeltOsmerus mordax.Marine Ecology Progress Series 203:233–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uphoff, J. H. 1989. Environmental effects on survival of eggs, larvae, and juveniles of striped bass in the Choptank River, Maryland.Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 118:251–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Visser, A. W. 1997. Using random walk models to simulate the vertical distribution of particles in a turbulent water column.Marine Ecology Progress Series 158:275–281.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waldman, J. R., K. Nolan, J. Hart, andI. I. Wirgin. 1996. Genetic differentiation of three key anadromous fish populations of the Hudson River.Estuaries 19:759–768.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Werner, F. E., B. R. MacKenzie, R. I. Perry, R. G. Lough, C. E. Naimie, B. O. Blanton, andJ. A. Quinlan. 2001. Larval trophodynamics, turbulence, and drift on Georges Bank: A sensitivity analysis of cod and haddock.Scientia Marina 65:99–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Werner, F. E., R. I. Perry, R. G. Lough, andC. E. Naimie. 1996. Trophodynamic and advective influences on Georges Bank larval cod and haddock.Deep-Sea Research 43:1793–1822.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winger, P. V. andP. J. Lasier. 1994. Effects of salinity on striped bass eggs and larvae from the Savannah River, Georgia.Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 123:904–912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winkler, G., J. J. Dodson, N. Bertrand, D. Thivierge, andW. F. Vincent. 2003. Trophic coupling across the St. Lawrence River estuarine transition zone.Marine Ecology Progress Series 251:59–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, P. O. Box 775, 21613, Cambridge, Maryland

    E. W. North, R. R. Hood, S. -Y. Chao & L. P. Sanford

Authors
  1. E. W. North
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. R. Hood
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. -Y. Chao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. L. P. Sanford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. W. North.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

North, E.W., Hood, R.R., Chao, S.Y. et al. The influence of episodic events on transport of striped bass eggs to the estuarine turbidity maximum nursery area. Estuaries 28, 108–123 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02732758

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02732758

Keywords

Search

Navigation