Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons^™

Microbenthic Algal Production Of An Intertidal Sandflat In Little Creek Harbor, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Clayton Barry Shedrow

OES Theses and Dissertations

Estimated annual net microbenthic algal production of an intertidal sandflat on Little Creek Inlet, Virginia Beach, Virginia, was 105 g C/m². Seasonally, primary production was greatest during the summer and fall periods (38 and 49 g C/m², respectively). Productivity was found to vary directly with water temperature and standing crop of benthic diatoms, and inversely with incident solar radiation and standing crops of sedimentary chlorophyll 'a' and 'c'. Orthophosphate and nitrate-N appeared to be limiting factors, nitrate-N more so than orthophosphate. Mean annual net photosynthetic efficiency (based upon total light) for the microphytobenthic community was 0.09%. …

Urbanization And Environmental Change In Lynnhaven Estuary, Don W. Oswalt

OES Theses and Dissertations

The very minimal amounts of available urbanization data demonstrate that the number of residential dwellings in the Lynnhaven drainage basin increased sharply in the late 1950’s and early 1960's, and that the 1970 basin population density value of 1981 people per square mile is larger than all the burrough density values, except for the Virginia Beach burrough. Due to a lack of data, only qualitative changes in Lynnhaven’s marine environment can be noted. There is a strong suggestion of an increase in amounts of urban storm water run-off into Lynnhaven since 1937. A considerable amount of siltation has occurred since …

The Analysis Of Volatile Organic Compounds In The Southern Chesapeake Bay, Virginia By Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, James D. Haluska

OES Theses and Dissertations

Sea-water samples from the Norfolk, Virginia area were analyzed for trace volatile organic compounds by helium sparging. Contents of the trap were injected into a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. Analysis of the trap contents indicated the presence of aliphatic and olef1nic hydrocarbons containing up to six carbon atoms and eight halogenated compounds of up to two carbon atoms in length. The halogenated compounds which were identified were dichlorofluoromethane, trichlorotrifluoroethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, trichloroethane (2 isomers) bromodichloromethane, and chlorotrifluoroethylene. The

relative concentrations of volatile organic compounds generally tended to increase in samples collected from water prone to urban environmental pressures. All eight …

Heavy Mineral Distribution In The Lower Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, Frances Firek

OES Theses and Dissertations

Heavy minerals from 195 bottom sediment samples of the lower Chesapeake Bay, Virginia have been studied. In comparison with other areas such as the Gulf of Mexico, qualitative and qualitative mineralogical variations were subdued, because of the absence of widely divergent source areas. The effect of present-day drainage system on the mineralogical distribution patterns is not clear, largely because of the complex Pleistocene history of the study area.

Seven geographic provinces were defined and treated statistically. An analysis of variance was conducted on the seven provinces. The more significant mineral species from the study area are zircon, hornblende, pyroxene, and …

77-4 Hydrographic And Biological Observations At An Anchor Station Off St. Augustine, Florida (Eastward Cruise E-1g-75), Larry P. Atkinson, Gustav A. Paffenhofer, William M. Dunstan

CCPO Publications

The intrusion of deep, nutrient-rich Gulf Stream water into the shelf waters off the southeastern United States is probably the major source of nutrients in the shelf waters and consequently intrusions have a major impact on the biota. This particular cruise was one of the first to be designed to find the front that represents the interface between intruding Gulf Stream waters and normal shelf water. Once the front was delineated an anchor station was occupied to observe the time change at a particular location as the front moved back and forth past the station.

The methods used and resultant …

Quantitative And Qualitative Seasonal Analysis Of The Surface Zooplankton Of Magothy Bay, Virginia, Malcom E. Browne

OES Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Feeding And Food Preferences By Three Sympatric Species Of Cyprinodontid Fishes, Lawrence J. Baer

OES Theses and Dissertations

The feeding and food utilization by three sympatric species of cyprinodontid fishes was examined using a modified Ivlev Electivity Co-efficient. Results indicated that although Fundulus heteroalitus and Fundulus majalis are sympatric in the area examined,their usage of the available food source varied noticeably. The third investigated species, Cyprinodon variegatus, fed mainly upon a vegetal detritus food source varied by the consumption of invertebrate and vertebrate food items. Slight intra-specific variances of diet between crespuscular periods was also discussed.

Marine And Polar Expeditionary Reports In The Pell Marine Science Library, Judith B. Barnett, Kenneth T. Morse

Technical Services Faculty Publications

A collection of the major oceanographic expeditions since the late 19th century is held by the Pell Marine Science Library, Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island. This detailed listing includes catalog records of the expeditions' reports and of individual volumes. Cross references from ship names and conventional names to catalog entries are provided.

Phycosociology Of The Estuarine Eulittoral Of Smith Island Virginia: A Quantitative Approach To Seasonal Periodicity, William M. Willis

OES Theses and Dissertations

Seasonal periodicity of benthic algae of the estuarine eulittoral of Smith Island, Virginia, (37°07’55” N, 75°55’ W), has been investigated on a qualitative and quantitative basis. Forty-three taxa of benthic eucaryiotic algae were found to be present; of these, twenty-one were quantitatively significant at least once during the course of the study. Five species represent additions to the Virginia flora, and, at the same time, also represent southern extensions of the known U.S. east coast range. The range of three other species has been extended, though they are not new to Virginia.

Review of the literature suggests two models of …

Food And Feeding Of Fishes From Magothy Bay, Virginia, Joseph J. Kimmel

OES Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of The Halocline Structure In Lower Chesapeake Bay, Samuel Bowen Heltzel

OES Theses and Dissertations

A portion of the Chesapeake Bay from 37°20’N latitude to the entrance was investigated to determine the halocline structure, the effects on this structure through the tidal sequence, and seasonal variations. A determination of the stage of slack water during which maximum extension of the halocline occurred was also made. This was accomplished by looking at the salinity distribution at the halocline upper limit, the mean depth to the halocline, and seasonal salinity contours drawn for tidal increments. By comparing salinity/depth gradients and salinity-depth vertical profiles, an attempt was made to relate seasonal and tidal variations to the halocline structure. …

A Seasonal Distributional Survey Of The Epiphytic Diatoms Of The Outer Banks Region Of North Carolina With Respect To Temperature And Salinity, Charles Welles Belin Jr.

OES Theses and Dissertations

This study was initiated to investigate epiphytic diatoms at selected stations along the North Carolina coast and bay region. The relationships between these organisms and the season of the year and salinity and temperature of the water in which they were found are considered. The special affinity between the epiphytic diatoms and their host plants is also discussed. The specific data were analyzed statistically via linear correlation coefficients, graphs of least squares-best fit, and multiple linear regression analysis.

From the statistical tests, it was found that the mean number of epiphytic diatoms shows a significant multiple linear regression with respect …

Effect Of Air Bubble Solution On Air-Sea Gas Exchange, Larry P. Atkinson

CCPO Publications

Recent data on ambient wave generated oceanic bubble spectra (Medwin, 1970) permit the calculation of the influence of bubble solution on air-sea gas exchange. Schulkin's formula is used to estimate the depth variation of bubbles, and a square law is used to estimate the increase of bubble volume with wind speed. Calculations indicate that bubble solution can be a very significant factor in gas exchange. Bubble solution enhances gas input and retards degassing of the water column. Preliminary data show a lag time of about 5 hours in the response of the water column to an atmospheric pressure change.

Air Bubbles In An Oceanic Mixed Layer: Effect On Gas Concentrations And Air-Sea Gas Exchange, Larry P. Atkinson

CCPO Publications

This thesis attempts to determine the effect of air bubbles that are entrapped into the surface layers of the ocean by breaking waves on gas concentrations in the ocean and gas exchange across the air-sea interface. N₂ and Ar data gathered during the Hudson-70 expedition produced indications of the magnitude and nature of the effect. A mathematical model is developed that equates the input of gas via bubble solution with the vertical eddy diffusion. Published values for bubble spectra and solution rates are used and assumptions are made concerning the effect of wind on bubble spectra. The model predicts …

Morphologic Time Series From A Submarine Sand Ridge On The South Virginia Coast, John F. Mchone Jr.

OES Theses and Dissertations

Submarine sand ridges several km long locally merge southward into the U. S. Atlantic coastline. Shallow (< 8m) observations of -such a ridge at False Cape, Virginia, favor a modern hydraulic origin. Time series maps show the ridge to be paralleled by a landward trough of approximately equal volume. Ridge flanks are usually steeper on the trough side.

Northeasterly winds and waves generate a coast-parallel current which funnels southward into the trough scouring it out and providing sediments for ridge aggradation. The current may be organized as a helical flow cell or cells. Bottom currents converge southward along the ridge crest causing landward transport of traction load along the crest. The trough current eventually breaches the confining ridge at the head of the trough, cutting saddles with steeper seaward slopes and producing outlying sediment fans.

The ridge and trough rest obliquely …

Determination Of Nutrient Levels And Proposed Predictive Models For Phosphate In The Lafayette River, Norfolk, Virginia, John R. Montgomery

OES Theses and Dissertations

The Lafayette River, an Urban, well-mixed estuarine embayment, was sampled from October, 1970 to January, 1972 for phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, oxygen, water temperature and salinity. The mean values found for these samples were: oxygen saturation from 69% to 106% nitrate from 0 to 4 microgram-atoms per liter, and salinity from 13 ‰ to 24 ‰. The mouth of the Elizabeth River to Hampton Roads as also sampled from May, 1971 to August, 1971. The Lafayette and Elizabeth Rivers were also sampled over a 24 hour period in the summer of 1971 and the Lafayette River again in the winter of …

Phytoplankton Distribution In Waters Off The Northeastern Coast Of The United States, Sharon H. Craft

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Abstract unavailable.

Surface Water Turbidity In The Entrance To Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, James R. Melchor

OES Theses and Dissertations

Seasonal and spatial variations in the surface water turbidity across the entrance to Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, have been monitored with an optical transmissometer for one year. The data indicate a suspended-sediment gradient across the entrance with higher turbidity on the south side. This condition suggests that the flooding and ebbing tidal currents are influenced by Coriolis force. Clearer ocean water is introduced into the bay on the north side; whereas highly turbid water from the major drainage systems exits on the south side. A salinity gradient with18 0/00 on the south side of the bay and approximately 32 0/00 on …

A Physical Hydrographic Study Of The Lafayette River, E. Glenn White

OES Theses and Dissertations

A basic investigation of the physical ~properties, temperature, density and current velocity, in the Lafayette River is presented. Graphs of the observations indicata a difference in salinity, density and current velocity- distributions after moderate to heavy rains from the graphs during a dry period. The changes in distribution indicate a change in the classification of the estuary from a type B/C, partially mixed estuary, to a type D, sectionally homogeneous estuary. The estuary is predominantly a well-mixed or sectionally homogeneous estuary.

Changes in salinity, temperature, density and current velocity over tidal cycles are discussed as well as tidal height data. …

The Influence Of The Summer Thermocline On Estuarine Classification In The Chesapeake Bay Entrance, William G. Weiss Jr.

OES Theses and Dissertations

The temperature, salinity, and sigma-t of 397 oceanographic stations taken in the entrance to Chesapeake Bay were plotted using a simple interpolation formula by the lBM 1130 computer. Each station was catalogued by position, tidal stage, season, and estuarine classification. Results indicated increased stratification during the ebb phase of all entrance stations regardless of season. Partially mixed conditions predominate. The influence of the summer thermocline on the stratification caused a slight increase in the summer stratification mean. However, statistical tests showed this summer increase to be insignificant at the 95% level. Detailed classification of tidal stage by estuarine type for …

History Of Sedimentation In Montsweag Bay, Detmar Schnitker

Maine Collection

History of Sedimentation In Montsweag Bay

by Setmar Schnitker

Bulletin #25, Department of Forestry, Augusta, Maine, 1972.

Contents: Abstract / Introduction / Geographic Setting / Seismic Profiling / Pleistocene Sediments / Holocene Sediments / Actual Sedimentation /. Suspended Sediments / Recent Changes / Outlook / Acknowledgements / References

Hace Un Siglo Que Partió El Barco Oceanográfico Challenger, Aldemaro Romero Jr.

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

A Two-Layer Model Of The North Atlantic Thermocline, P. P. Niiler, Edward R. Simco, R. Larue

Faculty Articles

A two-layer model of mid-oceanic thermocline is developed, and a comparison of the depth and temperature of the thermocline in this model is made with a root-mean-square description of the hydrographic structure of the North Atlantic. It is shown that the Sverdrup balance is maintained within the rms errors, and the entire estimated heat flux from the atmosphere is used to produce the observed density changes along the path of persistent flow.

A Graphic Analysis Of Current Velocity Salinity Density And Temperature During Periods Of Ebb And Flood In The Entrance To Thimble Shoals Channel, Stanley Hecker

OES Theses and Dissertations

A graphic analysis is presented of the observed patterns of longitudinal current velocity, salinity, density and temperature through a group of tidal cycles in Thimble Shoals Channel. Graphs of the properties indicate that this estuary passes through a sequence of estuarine types during a tidal cycle. In spite of this observation, the net non-tidal profiles of salinity are patterns of a partially mixed estuary.

The most noteworthy observation in this study was that longitudinal velocity was essentially constant throughout the water column at any increment of a tidal cycle as well as in the net non-tidal profile of the water …

Observations On The Hydraulic Regime Of The Ridge And Swale Topography Of The Inner Virginia Shelf, Barry W. Holliday

OES Theses and Dissertations

The Virginia inner shelf is dominated by southwest-trending sand ridges. Wavelengths are 2 to 4 km; amplitudes are up to 10 m; crests can be traced for up to 10 cm, Nearshore ridges trend southwest into the shore face and merge with it at depths as shoal as 5 m. The ridges have been examined by bathymetric mapping, grab sampling, coring, seismic profiling, SCUBA diving, and current monitoring. They are hemi-cylindrical sand bodies of recent age, resting on a pre-recent substrate. In troughs a thin, medium- to coarse-gained, pebbly lag veneers the substrate. Crests consist of a better sorted, medium- …

Analysis Of Littoral Transport By Wave Energy: Cape Henry, Virginia To The Virginia, North Carolina Border, Zvi Henry Weinman

OES Theses and Dissertations

An investigation of the rate of littoral transport by an analysis of wave energy for the area from Cape Henry, Virginia to the Virginia, North Carolina border is made. Wave refraction diagrams are done by digital computer. Total upcoast (northerly) transport is determined to be 2.05 x 10⁶ yds³/year. Total downcoast (southerly) transport is determined to be 1.07 x 10⁶ yds³/year. Net transport is determined to be 9.8 x 10⁵ yds³/year in an upcoast (northerly) direction. The values obtained are compared with those of similar areas. The general efficacy of the …

Recent Sediments Of Humboldt Bay, Eureka, California, Robert Wayne Thompson

Special Collections Archived Publications

Humboldt Bay is a coastal lagoon, 14 mi. long and a maximum of 4 mi. wide. The bay has three distinct segments, South, Entrance, and Arcata Bays, each of which occupies the seaward end of one or more stream valleys cut into Plio- Pleistocene paralic sediments. The segments are linked by narrow tidal channels which are bounded by a barrier spit on the west and by high valley interfluves on the east. Climate of the area is rainy temperate . Tides are of the mixed type with a mean range of 6.5 ft.

Textural variations of the surface sediments in …

Nutrient-Density Relationships In The Western North Atlantic Between Cape Lookout And Bermuda, Unnsteinn Stefánsson, Larry P. Atkinson

CCPO Publications

A study of the nutrient-density relationships of Sargasso Sea water reveals a close correlation; Gulf Stream waters are anomalously higher and more variable in nutrients for a given density. Nutrient anomalies can be used in the same way as oxygen anomalies to map the distribution of Caribbean water in sections across the Gulf Stream. They show that contributions of Caribbean water to the Gulf Stream vary greatly from time to time. Oxidative ratios of ΔO : ΔN : ΔP = (−233) : 16.3 : 1.0 were derived from the correlation between oxygen anomalies and nutrients anomalies of Gulf Stream water …

An Evaluation Of An Electromagnetic Current Meter For Study Of Water Particle Motion, George Milton Hecker

OES Theses and Dissertations

A new sophisticated electromagnetic current meter was laboratory and field tested in a wide variety of applications, ranging from measurement of net bottom currents (primarily tidal origin) on the continental shelf, to horizontal and vertical components of wave induced orbital motion of waves with periods as small as one second.

These tests indicate that this instrument is capable of performing to at least the following specifications, subject to the comments which follow:

Speed range: Accuracy: Threshold: 0 to + 5 knots + 0.2 knots + 0.02 knots Response time: 0.25 sec. Direction: -+ 7 degrees Depth: '0 to 42 feet …

Erasure Of Sediment Surface Features By Mellita Quinquiesperforata (Leske), Walter Richard Boehmer

OES Theses and Dissertations

Erasure of sediment surface features by individuals of the species, Mellita guinguiesperforata, observed in this study suggests that all members of the sub-order, Scutellina, are able to erase sediment surface features. Sweep time, the time needed to erase the surface features of an area, depends on the population density, individual size, and speed of movement of the sand dollars. Assuming their pattern of movement as random, the following equation can be used to determine sand dollar sweep time,

T - 3.2 N^-0.76 (W / S) (A/ W² )^1.21

where T is sweep time, N is the …