Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Concentration Of Selected Priority Organic Contaminants In Fish Maintained On Formulated Diets In Lake Ontario Waters, Joseph Buttner, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Fish were grown in Lake Ontario water under conditions simulating commercial aquaculture and then analyzed for 10 priority organic contaminants. Black bullheads (Ameiurus meias) were grown in cages placed in a bay of Lake Ontario. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were grown in terrestrial raceways served with Lake Ontario water. Yearlings were reared on a commercial ration in these systems, which partially isolated them from the contaminant-laden food web and bottom sediments, to an average weight of 93 g for black bullheads (range, 31-220 g) and 213 g (29-558 g) for rainbow trout. Concentrations of contaminants in skinless fillets of both …

Uptake And Retention Of Mirex By Fish Maintained On Formulated And Natural Diets In Lake Ontario Waters, Joseph Makarewicz, Joseph Buttner, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Fish with no detectable levels of the contaminant mirex were grown in Lake Ontario waters under conditions simulating commercial aquaculture. Benthic black bullheads (Ameiurus me/as) were grown in cages placed in a bay of the lake. Pelagic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were grown in terrestrial raceways served with Lake Ontario waters. Contaminant-free fingerlings were reared to a large size on a commercial ration in these systems, which partially isolated them from the contaminant-laden food web and bottom sediments. Black bullheads fed a mirex-spiked, commercially prepared food had mirex concentrations that exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) action level …

Genesee River Monroe County, New York, Joseph Makarewicz, Matthew Nowak

Joseph C Makarewicz

Originating in Potter County, Pennsylvania, the Genesee River travels 157 miles northward before emptying into the Rochester Embayment at the Port of Rochester on Lake Ontario. The 2,500-mi watershed of the Genesee River is predominately in agriculture and forest until it reaches the suburban urban environment of the City of Rochester, New York. Several wastewater plants, including Eastman Kodak’s industrial waste plant (King’s Landing) and Scottsville, and Honeoye Falls sewage treatment plants, discharge into the river. Just west and east of the outfall of the Genesee River into Lake Ontario are Charlotte and Durand Eastman Beaches that are periodically closed …

Twelvemile Creek Niagara County, New York, Joseph Makarewicz, Matthew Nowak

Joseph C Makarewicz

The east branch of Twelvemile Creek (69 mi2) flows through northern Niagara County to its mouth at Lake Ontario 12 miles east of the Niagara River, near the village of Wilson, New York. From fall through spring, good runs of steelhead and brown trout with the occasional Chinook and Coho salmon occur into the creek. Agriculture, especially row crop farming, is predominant within the watershed, though natural protected land is also plentiful. The Wilson-Tuscarora State Park provides a buffer between the creek and agriculture immediately around the mouth of the creek, while upstream farms directly line the creek. Nuisance algae, …

Niagara River Niagara County, New York, Joseph Makarewicz, Matthew Nowak

Joseph C Makarewicz

The Niagara River carries water from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario and is the major source of Lake Ontario’s water volume. Famous for the immense Niagara Falls, the 36-mile river is used by over 1 million people in the United States and Canada for functions including drinking water, recreation, and hydropower (Niagara Parks 2009). The Niagara River drains the entire upper Great Lake system into the final lake, Lake Ontario, and due to this huge volume of water has a large potential to change Lake Ontario’s water quality. Nuisance algae, bacterial abundance, and algal mat development along the southern shoreline …

Port Bay Wayne County, New York, Joseph Makarewicz, Matthew Nowak

Joseph C Makarewicz

Located midway between Rochester and Oswego, New York, Port Bay is one of southern Lake Ontario’s larger but relatively shallow (<25 feet) embayments. The perimeter of the bay is primarily residential, but portions of the shoreline and watershed are part of the Lake Shores Marshes Wildlife Area. Wolcott Creek is the major tributary of Port Bay and drains ~27 mi² of land that is mostly in agriculture. The bay receives treated effluent from the Village of Wolcott Sewage Treatment Plant. Port Bay suffers from cultural eutrophication and is on the New York State 303d list of Impaired Waters due to an overabundance of phosphorus. Benthic anoxia is a major effect of this eutrophication. Port Bay is impacted by nuisance algae, and harmful algal blooms have been observed (Makarewicz et al. 2009). This short report provides a synopsis of …

Lake Ontario Coastal Initiative Action Agenda, Joseph Makarewicz, Betsy Landre, Stephen Lewandowski, John Terninko, Elizabeth Thorndike

Joseph C Makarewicz

The mission of the Lake Ontario Coastal Initiative (LOCI), encompassing all New York State North Coast stakeholders from the Niagara River to the St. Lawrence River, is to enlist and retain broad public commitment for remediation, restoration, protection, conservation and sustainable use of the coastal region. This mission will be accomplished by securing funds and resources to achieve scientific understanding, educate citizens, and implement locally supported priorities, programs and projects as identified through this Initiative.

Sodus Bay Wayne County, New York, Joseph Makarewicz, Matthew Nowak

Joseph C Makarewicz

Sodus Bay is one of Lake Ontario’s major embayments separated from the lake by a 7,500-foot long barrier beach. The bay is located in Wayne County, New York, and is 4.4 miles in length and 2.4 miles across. This major point of access to Lake Ontario contains 12 marinas, 13 waterfront restaurants, 2 public access sites, a public beach, and a sailing school. The 46-mi² Sodus Bay watershed is composed of land that is 30% agriculture, 4% developed land, 61% forest, and 4% wetlands. First Creek, Second Creek, Third Creek, Sodus Creek West, Sodus Creek East (Glenmark Creek), and …

Cape Vincent Harbor: Summer Data Report To The Army Corps Of Engineers Buffalo District, James Haynes, Joseph Makarewicz

Joseph C Makarewicz

Fish, benthos, macrophytes and birds were collected or observed over two days (16 July through 17 July 1979) at Cape Vincent Harbor, New York, to evaluate the potential biological impact of dredging on the harbor. Figure 1 is a map of the harbor area indicating the location of sampling sites. Observed fishing pressure and boat traffic were minimal during the two-day sampling trip. This is a preliminary data report. The final report will include both our analysis and interpretation of the data regarding potential impacts of dredging.

Epilimnetic Phytoplankton And Zooplankton Biomass And Species Composition In Lake Ontario, 1986 To 1992., Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis, Paul Bertram

Joseph C Makarewicz

Results of the Food Web Workshop II (Hartig et al. 1991) indicated that Lake Ontario may be the next Great Lake after Lake Michigan to demonstrate the effects of changing nutrient levels and food web controls. Total phosphorus loads into the lake declined by 80% since 1972 and have approached the target loading set by the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreements between the United States and Canada. Spring total phosphorus levels declined from 25 to 14 IlglL between 1971 and the late 1980s and are currently below 10 Ilg/L. Although declines in chlorophyll-a were relatively low and transparency has not …

New York’S North Coast A Troubled Coastline: Lake Ontario Embayments Initiative, Joseph Makarewicz

Joseph C Makarewicz

The North Coast of New York State stretches over 140 miles through seven counties from the Niagara River in the west to the St. Lawrence River in the east creating a boundary between the Province of Ontario in Canada and New York State. The bays, river and creek mouths, wetlands, and ponds, generally called the embayments in this report, are the subject of this initiative. Located on the south shore of Lake Ontario, they are of vital importance to the economic well-being of the area and are threatened by pollution. The embayments are suffering from many impairments that significantly limit …

Water Quality Of The Coastal Zone Of Lake Ontario- Loci Revisited, Joseph Makarewicz

Joseph C Makarewicz

No abstract provided.

Oak Orchard Harbor Summer Data Report To The Army Corps Of Engineers Buffalo District, Joseph Makarewicz, James Haynes

Joseph C Makarewicz

On 8 and 9 July 1979 benthos, fish, macrophytes and birds were collected or observed at Oak Orchard Harbor, New York, to evaluate the potential biological impact of dredging the harbor area. This is a data report. In the final report, our analysis and interpretation of the data collected will be presented. Figures 1 and 2 are maps of the Oak Orchard Harbor area indicating the location of sample sites. Table 1 provides information on bottom characteristics at the benthos sampling sites. Fishing pressure and boat traffic were heavy compared to the usage during the fall 1978 sampling trip. Water …

Final Report: Aquatic Biological Survey, Cape Vincent Harbor, James Haynes, Joseph Makarewicz, Ronald Dilcher

Joseph C Makarewicz

This report evaluates the potential environmental impact of proposed maintenance dredging at Cape Vincent Harbor, New York, by the u.s. Army Corps of Engineers. Field samples were obtained in autumn 1978 and spring and summer 1979. Data reports based on these sampling efforts were submitted earlier to the Buffalo District of the U,.!S. Army Corps of Engineers. In this report, the impact of dredging at Cape Vincent Harbor is considered in relation to physical and chemical conditions, terrestrial vegetation/wetlands, aquatic macrophytes, macrobenthos, phytoplankton and zooplankton, fish, birds, endangered species and toxic chemicals. For each factor considered, sections entitled Existing Conditions …

Nutrient And Sediment Loss From The Watersheds Of Orleans County Year 2: Johnson, Oak Orchard And Sandy Creek Watersheds. June 1998 - May 1999, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

In recognition of the need to acquire a uniform, organized approach to addressing surface water degradation and given the diverse nature of non-point sources of pollution, the Soil and Water Conservation District has recently formed a committee whose specific task is to address water quality issues. Since the reduction of non-point source pollution is likely to occur through the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP's) and changes in land use regulations, this committee provides the necessary foundation for these changes to occur. This committee has become known as the Orleans County Water Quality Coordinating Committee (WQCC). With the combined expertise …

Nutrient And Soil Losses From The Eighteenmile Creek Watershed, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis, Daniel White, Mark Seider, Victor Digiacomo

Joseph C Makarewicz

Determination of sources and magnitude of soil and nutrient losses from a watershed is prerequisite to remedial action and essential to making cost-effective land management decisions as it reduces the likelihood of costly miscalculations based on the assumption of soil and nutrient sources and modeling rather than their actual identification. This process enhances the ability of concerned groups to obtain external funding for demonstration and remedial projects. In July 2003, the Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District (NCSWCD), in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Sciences and Biology at SUNY Brockport, began a monitoring program for Eighteenmile Creek, located …

The Occurrence Of Cyanotoxins In The Nearshore And Coastal Embayments Of Lake Ontario, Joseph Makarewicz, Gregory Boyer, William Guenther, Mary Arnold, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Cyanotoxins are an emerging issue that Great Lakes’ scientists are conducting research on to determine occurrence, spatial and seasonal distribution, monitoring strategies and potential causes in Lake Ontario. Conditions necessary for blooms of Cyanobacteria exist along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. This is especially true in some embayments and rivers as levels of the nutrient phosphorus that stimulates the growth of Cyanobacteria is above New York State Department’s of Environmental Conservation guidelines. Monitoring in 2004 demonstrated that abundance of Cyanobacteria are indeed high in streams, embayments and the nearshore compared to offshore waters of southern Lake Ontario. Initial research suggests …

Oak Orchard Harbor Autumn Data Report To The Army Corps Of Engineers Buffalo District, Joseph Makarewicz, James Haynes

Joseph C Makarewicz

Fish, benthos, and macrophytes samples were collected over four days (30 September through 3 October 1978) at Oak Orchard Harbor, New York, to evaluate the potential biological impact of dredging the harbor area. Figure 1 is a map of the harbor area indicating the location of sample sites. Information on marina development, boat traffic and fishing pressure is included to document the heavy usage of this harbor during the fall salmon run. This is a data report. The final report will include both our analysis and interpretation of the data regarding potential impacts of dredging.

Eighteenmile Creek Watershed: The Location Of Sources Of Pollution, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Eighteenmile Creek is one of the six Areas of Concern (AOC) in New York State (Makarewicz and Lewis 2000). The International Joint Commission (IJC) and the Great Lakes community are working on 42 Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes basin where beneficial uses of a waterbody have been identified as impaired. AOCs include harbors, river mouths, and river segments where Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) have beendeveloped and are being implemented to restore and to protect beneficial uses.Fourteen use-impairment indicators have been applied to define water qualityparameters. Eighteenmile Creek has been polluted by past industrial and municipal discharges, by the …

Eighteenmile Creek Remedial Action Plan Area Of Concern Planktonic Community Study, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

The preponderance of evidence suggests that the plankton community of Eighteenmile Creek is not impacted by contaminants. The summer zooplankton community of Eighteenmile Creek has a similar or higher species richness, a remarkably similar measure of dominance (i.e., evenness) and in July, a comparable abundance to the relatively pollution-free reference sites at Yanty, Buttonwood, and Salmon Creeks. Similarly in June, zooplankton abundance, species richness, and evenness for Eighteenmile Creek were between the values for the reference sites at Yanty Creek and Buttonwood and Salmon Creeks. Further support of this analogous comparison is provided by the phytoplankton data. Species richness, evenness, …

Water Quality Of Long, Cranberry, Buck And Round Ponds 1993 -1994, Joseph Makarewicz, Gregory Lampman

Joseph C Makarewicz

Long, Buck and Cranberry Ponds have very high concentrations of total phosphorus and chlorophyll .a; that is, they have high levels of a nutrient that stimulates the growth of microscopic and macroscopic plants. This results in an overabundance of microscopic plant life as indicated by the exceedingly high chlorophyll levels observed. Long Pond appears to be the most productive followed by Buck Pond and then Cranberry Pond. Round Pond has relatively low chlorophyll and phosphorus levels compared to the other ponds. R.ound Pond does not appear to be impacted by cultural eutrophication. Compared to nearby Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and …

Understanding The Role Of Phosphorus In Lakes, Isidro Bosch, Joseph Makarewicz

Joseph C Makarewicz

We believe it is important to regard the lake proper as two separate habitats, the offshore and the coastal zone. Over the last 15 years conditions along the coastal zone in Conesus Lake have deteriorated significantly, following a trend that has been documented in the Great Lakes and other Finger Lakes after the invasion of zebra mussels. Meanwhile the offshore zone has remained mildly eutrophic over the last 25 years (high in nutrients and algal biomass). While this is an undesirable state in terms of water quality, monitoring data provides no indication that the offshore system is becoming increasingly eutrophic.

Pultneyville, Salmon Creek Wayne County, New York, Joseph Makarewicz, Matthew Nowak

Joseph C Makarewicz

Pultneyville is located between Irondequoit Bay and Sodus Bay, approximately 14 miles east of Irondequoit Bay and 12 miles west of Sodus Bay. Salmon Creek drains into Lake Ontario at Pultneyville where it forms Pultneyville Harbor that boasts a 100-boat marina as well as a yacht club. Agriculture, specifically fruit orchards, dominates the harbor watershed. Little background information is available for this location. Here we report on water quality data collected monthly (May through September) in 2007 and 2009 at Pultneyville Harbor and at lakeside location east of the harbor in Lake Ontario.

Lake Ontario Coastal Initiative Action Agenda 2004, Betsy Landre, Stephen Lewandowski, Joseph Makarewicz, John Terninko, Elizabeth Thorndike

Joseph C Makarewicz

The mission of the Lake Ontario Coastal Initiative (LOCI), encompassing all New York State North Coast stakeholders from the Niagara River to the St. Lawrence River, is to enlist and retain broad public commitment for remediation, restoration, protection, conservation and sustainable use of the coastal region. This mission will be accomplished by securing funds and resources to achieve scientific understanding, educate citizens, and implement locally supported priorities, programs and projects as identified through this Initiative.

Seasonal And Vertical Distribution, Food Web Dynamics And Contaminant Biomagnification Of Cercopagis Pengoi In Lake Ontario, Joseph Makarewicz, Elizabeth Damaske, Corey Laxson, Hugh Macisaac, Ivan Grigorovich

Joseph C Makarewicz

During the early growth season of 1999 to 2001, Cercopagis abundance in offshore waters of Lake Ontario remained low (less than 30 individuals/m3). From late July, its abundance increased rapidly until it peaked during August. After first appearing in 1998, maximum offshore abundance in Lake Ontario decreased each year since 1999 (1999:1759/m3; 2000: 679/m3; 2001: 355/m3). Cercopagis appears not to migrate below the thermocline and is restricted to the epilimnion. A comparison of pre- and post-invasion average abundance of Daphnia retrocurva, Bosmina longirostris and Diacyclops thomasi suggests that Cercopagis is having a major effect on zooplankton composition and abundance in …

Oswego River Oswego County, New York, Joseph Makarewicz, Matthew Nowak

Joseph C Makarewicz

The Oswego River is the second largest river flowing into Lake Ontario, draining 5,100 square miles of land. The watershed includes all of Seneca County, most of Onondaga, Cayuga, Tompkins, Schuyler, Yates and Ontario Counties, and large portions of Oswego, Oneida, Madison and Wayne Counties in New York State. Most of the New York Finger Lakes are in the drainage basin of the Oswego River, and land use ranges from heavy agriculture in the Finger Lakes region to urban development in Oswego. The Oswego River Harbor is the largest Oswego County embayment and is vital to the shipping industry due …

Oak Orchard Creek Watershed The Location Of Sources Of Pollution, Annual Loss Of Nutrients And Soil To Lake Ontario, And A Test Of Effectiveness Of Zone Tillage As A Best Management Practice, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Oak Orchard Creek is on New York State’s “303(d)” (1972 Clean Water Act) list of impaired water bodies. Waters designated as 303(d) do not meet water quality standards that states, territories, and authorized tribes have set for them, even after point sources of pollution have installed the minimum required levels of pollution control technology. A 303(d) designation may require the eventual development of Total Maximum Daily Loading (TMDL) for a watershed as a mechanism of managing nutrient losses from a watershed. Funding was received by the Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District from the Environmental Protection Agency to implement …

Long Pond Monroe County, New York, Joseph Makarewicz, Matthew Nowak

Joseph C Makarewicz

Long Pond, located on Lake Ontario near Rochester, New York, is surrounded by a mix of residential development, state park, and protected wildlife areas. Land use within the watershed is a mix of suburbia, including the Village of Spencerport, and agriculture. The waters of Long Pond are considered hypereutrophic, meaning it is very productive due to high nutrient loading. This productivity is likely due to nonpoint sources and the point source represented by the Spencerport Sewage Treatment Plant which releases advanced secondary sewage effluent into a tributary of Long Pond (Makarewicz 2000). Nuisance algae, bacterial abundance, and algal mat development …

Braddock Bay Monroe County, New York, Joseph Makarewicz, Matthew Nowak

Joseph C Makarewicz

Braddock Bay, located just west of Rochester, NY, is one of Lake Ontario’s larger embayments. The bay is open to wave action from Lake Ontario, differentiating it from several other embayments such as Port and Sodus Bays. Braddock Bay is located in the 2,500-acre Braddock Bay Fish and Wildlife Management Area; is a major waterfowl and migratory bird nesting, resting, and feeding habitat; has 541 boat slips; and is a major access point to the lake from the southern shore. The Braddock Bay watershed contains a mix of residential development, state park, and protected wildlife areas. Nuisance algae, bacterial abundance, …

Oak Orchard Harbor Spring Data Report To The Army Corps Of Engineers Buffalo District, Joseph Makarewicz, James Haynes

Joseph C Makarewicz

Between 20 April 1979 and 20 May 1979, benthos, fish, and birds were collected or observed at Oak Orchard Harbor, New York, to evaluate the potential biological impact of dredging the harbor area. This is a data report. In the final report, our analysis and interpretation of the data collected will be presented.

Figures 1 and 2 are maps of the Oak Orchard Harbor area indicating the location of sampling sites. Table 1 provides information on bottom characteristics at the benthos sampling sites. Fishing pressure and boat traffic were light compared to the usage during the fall 1978 sampling trip.