Metadata

Description
Dissolved and total nutrient analyses-Samples for total analyses were kept on ice and transported to the lab where they were refrigerated at 4 degrees C then analyzed within 28 days of collection (TOC, TN, TP, Tsi). Samples for dissolved constituents (NH4 NO3, NO2, N+N, DOC, SRP) were immediately processed in the lab as well as samples for Chl a, direct counts of bacteria, total nutrients (TOC, TN, TP), APA, and bacterial production. A sample for PAM analysis was set aside for a 10 hr dark acclimation period. Microbial Analyses-We collected duplicate samples at each sampling interval, processed and analyzed them to determine bacterial abundance, algal energetics and chl a by phytoplankton guild, enzyme activity, and heterotrophic bacterial production. Samples for microbial analyses were collected in washed, acid-rinsed, ADDIH2O rinsed, then sample rinsed brown, 250 ml, Nalgene bottles. Depth of sampling was 10 cm below the water surface. Bacterial abundance was determined through epifluorescence microscopy using DAPI DNA stain after preservation with 2% bacterial free phosphate buffered formalin and dark storage. Slides were made within 14 days of collection and counted immediately after they were prepared. Algal dynamics were determined through PAM (pulse-amplitude modulation) fluorescence within 24 hours of collection. Algal energetics samples were analyzed using PAM fluormetry for Chl a content and productivity-irradiance curves. Heterotrophic bacterial production was determined using tritiated thymidine uptake within 24 hours of collection. We incubated each of the duplicate samplings per site with 3 replicates and one blank of 10 ml for each sample. The blank was killed with BFF to a final concentration of 4%. Stock tritiated thymidine was made with 2.58 mCi radioisotope with 30 ml of filter sterilized (0.2 um) water from Shark River. Each replicate and blank received 1.72 uCi ml-1 and was incubated at 22 degrees C for one hour. We stopped the incubation period with TCA to final concentration of 5% then put the samples on ice for 15 to 45 minutes before filtering the sample onto nitrocellulose filters. A series of 3 rinses with 5% TCA and 80% ETOH of 1 ml each and filters were placed in scintillation vials. We added liquid scintillation cocktail and counted the samples after 24 hours with a Beckman liquid scintillation counter (Model 3801).

Instrumentation
Zeiss microscope autoclave laboratory balance PAM desktop model fluorometer Gilford V Spectrofluorometer Beckman liquid scintillation counter (Model 3801) Hydrolab Probe Meter 4A Mini Sonde datasonde