Browsing by Author "Ruppel, Bruce"
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Item An Analysis of the Feasibility of Using Fertility Control to Manage New Jersey Black Bear Populations: Research Project Summary(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology, 2006-10-30) Buchanan, Gary; Ruppel, BruceThe Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) is responsible for managing black bears and developing comprehensive management strategies for the control of the state’s growing black bear population. DFW requested an assessment of the current status of, and feasibility of using fertility control agents as a method of population control. The Division of Science, Research and Technology (DSRT) provided technical support to DFW and funded this project to conduct this independent literature review.Item Assessment of Fish and Crab Responses to Human Alteration in Barnegat Bay(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health, 2013) Able, Ken; Jivoff, Paul; Grothues, Thomas M.; Hagan, Roland; Belton, Thomas; Ferko, Marc; Ruppel, Bruce; Buchanan, Gary; Muffley, BrandonItem Assessment of Fish and Crab Responses to Human Alteration in Barnegat Bay(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health, 2014-03-28) Able, Ken; Jivoff, Paul; Grothues, Thomas M.; Hagan, Roland; Belton, Thomas; Ferko, Marc; Ruppel, Bruce; Buchanan, Gary; Muffley, BrandonItem Assessment of Fish and Crab Responses to Human Alteration in Barnegat Bay : Barnegat Bay Final Report(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health, 2015-09-29) Able, Ken; Jivoff, Paul; Grothues, Thomas M.; Hagan, Roland; Belton, Thomas; Ferko, Marc; Ruppel, Bruce; Buchanan, Gary; Muffley, BrandonItem Comprehensive Estuarine Fish Inventory Program : Great Bay Mullica River: Research Project Summary(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2021-04) Able, Kenneth W.; Grothues, Thomas M.; Ruppel, BruceEstuaries are important spawning, nursery, and harvest areas for fish and invertebrates of recreational, commercial, and ecological importance along coastal New Jersey. Data about these systems is in increasing demand by many segments of the public. Resource managers, as well as recreational and commercial fishermen at all levels, are beginning to play a larger advisory role where fish habitats and fish survival are concerned. Fish constitute one of the largest portions of animal biomass and thus they are important to estuarine ecosystems. Data were collected between 2016 and 2018 to determine the spawning and nursery areas of fishes and crabs with emphasis on those of commercial, recreational, and ecological importance in the Mullica River – Great Bay estuary. The researchers evaluated how changes in water quality and habitat contribute to the distribution and abundance of fishes, as well as ecologically important invertebrates such as crabs and jellyfishes. The variation in habitat use of fishes and crabs were noted across life history stages with focus on larvae, juveniles, and adults using a variety of gear types.Item Damage Assessment Report on the Effects of Hurricane Sandy on the State of New Jersey's Natural Resources: Final Report(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science, 2015-05) Bilinski, Joseph; Buchanan, Gary; Frizzera, Dorina; Hazen, Robert; Lippincott, Lee; Procopio, Nick; Ruppel, Bruce; Tucker, Terri; New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Office of ScienceIn coordination with efforts to restore coastal and lowland communities, and to rebuild New Jersey’s infrastructure following Hurricane Sandy, damage to specific natural resources was inventoried and rapidly assessed for degree of impact by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).Item Investigation of Levels of Perfluorinated Compounds in New Jersey Fish, Surface Water, and Sediment(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research, and Environmental Health, 2019-04-09) Goodrow, Sandra; Ruppel, Bruce; Lippincott, Lee; Post, Gloria B.Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) are used in the manufacture of useful products that impart stain resistance, water resistance, heat resistance and other desirable properties. PFAS are also used in various Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF) that are used in fire-fighting. These substances are in wide use today, found at industrial sites that use or manufacture them and at military bases, airports and other areas known for fire-fighting activities. A subset of PFAS, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), have fully fluorinated carbon chains as their backbone, and their extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds makes them very resistant to degradation. When released to the environment, PFCs persist indefinitely and can travel distances from their source in surface water, groundwater, or in the atmosphere. PFAS are considered “emerging contaminants” because additional information on their presence and toxicity to ecosystems and humans continues to become available. The Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health (DSREH) performed an initial assessment of 13 PFAS, all of which are perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), at 11 waterways across the state. Fourteen surface water and sediment samples and 94 fish tissue samples were collected at sites along these waterways. The sites were selected based on their proximity to potential sources of PFAS and their likelihood of being used for recreational and fishing purposes. The sampling sites are located within Passaic, Middlesex, Ocean, Burlington, Gloucester, and Salem Counties.Item Investigation of Levels of Perfluorinated Compounds in New Jersey Fish, Surface Water, and Sediment: Research Project Summary(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2019-09) Goodrow, Sandra M.; Ruppel, Bruce; Lippincott, R. Lee; Post, Gloria B.The Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health (DSREH) performed an initial targeted assessment of 13 PFAS, all of which are perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), at 11 waterways across the state. Fourteen surface water and sediment samples and 94 fish tissue samples were collected at sites along these waterways. All surface water samples contained detectable levels of at least four PFAS. The lowest total PFAS in surface water was in the Cohansey River, with Horicon Lake and Echo Lake having the second and third lowest total PFAS, respectively. The highest total level of PFAS was found in Little Pine Lake, near the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, with Mirror Lake and Pine Lake ranking the second and third highest, respectively. Consistent with the known characteristics of preferential partitioning of longer chain PFCs to sediment and shorter chain PFCs to the water column, the PFAS detected in surface water were those with a carbon chain length of nine carbons or less. Ten of the 14 sites where sediment samples were collected had detectable levels of at least one, and up to eight, PFAS. Pine Lake had the highest total PFAS concentration (30.93 ng/g) in the sediment, with the majority being perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), the eight-carbon chain sulfonate. Echo Lake (West Milford in Passaic County), often used as a New Jersey “background” site, had no detectable levels of PFAS in the sediment, but had fish tissue concentrations that required a low-level consumption advisory. In all but one species at one site (channel catfish in the Cohansey River), the average levels of PFOS in fish tissue generated some level of fish consumption advisory, based on the draft preliminary fish consumption triggers included in this report. Additionally, PFUnA, which has a higher bioaccumulative potential than PFOS, was detected in all but one species at one site (common carp at Forge Pond), with a range of 0.75 ng/g in white catfish at the Raritan River to 27.20 ng/g in largemouth bass at Woodbury Creek).Item An investigation of two marinas as sources of pollution in Barnegat Bay, N.J. / prepared by Helene Boettcher ; sponsored by N.J. Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research.(Trenton, N.J.: Department of Environmental Protection, Divisions of Science and Research, 1988) Boettcher, Helene; Moser, Fredrika; Ruppel, BruceItem New Jersey’s Coastal Estuaries Inventory – Project Years 1-3(Galloway, NY : Stockton University, 2021) Sullivan, Mark; Evert, Steve; Ruppel, Bruce; Buchanan, GaryElements frequently omitted from traditional fisheries surveys in an undergraduate setting include the collection of standardized, multi-seasonal data and meaningful stakeholder involvement. This project engaged Stockton University faculty and staff, students, as well as a local commercial fisher to collect year-round haul seine (10 sites, 2x month, May-Oct.; 1x month Nov.-Apr.) and seasonal fyke net (3x week, 1x month, Nov.–Apr.) data over a 3-year period (May 2016–Apr. 2019) in the Mullica River-Great Bay (MRGB) Estuary (NJ). In total, 485 haul seine (100’ x 6’ x ¼” mesh) samples inventoried 170,375 individual finfish (and select invertebrates) from 95 species. During the winter/spring, 212 fyke net (150’ x 4’ x 2.5” mesh leader; 25’ x 4’ x 2.5” wings; 25’ x 2.5’ x 2.5” mesh hoops) samples collected by a commercial partner inventoried 14,667 individuals from 39 species.Item New Jersey’s Coastal Estuaries Inventory – Project Years 1-3: Research Project Summary(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2021-04) Sullivan, Mark; Evert, Steve; Ruppel, BruceThis project engaged Stockton University faculty, staff, and students to collect year-round haul seine data and a local commercial fisher (stakeholder) to supply seasonal fyke net data over a 3-year period (2016–2019) to record the aquatic species present in the Mullica River-Great Bay (MRGB) estuary (NJ) for the NJDEP Marine Fisheries program. In total, 485 haul seine samples were collected, and 170,375 individual finfish/invertebrates were inventoried representing 95 unique species. During the winter/spring sampling efforts, 212 fyke net samples collected by a commercial partner inventoried 14,667 individuals from 39 species leading to a comparison of the sample method effectiveness for generating a more comprehensive inventory survey. The dominant species collected were Atlantic Menhaden (n=81,968), Atlantic Silverside (n=41,234), Bay Anchovy (n=15,796), and White Perch (n=14,641). Young-of-the-year (YOY) tracking from length frequency and seasonal “split” timing (spring, summer) data for Bluefish (n=1,252) showed age/size differences. White Perch were tracked from low salinity, shallow nursery grounds in summer (seine nets) to deeper bay environments in winter (fyke nets). Several Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) managed species were collected. Striped Bass (n=272) appeared in both gears and provided YOY-age 1 samples for otolith microchemistry. Winter Flounder (n=740) and Summer Flounder (n=1,244) exhibited similar settlement patterns (inlet-bay, bay-river respectively) and reliably appeared in both gear types. Weakfish (n=3) was almost completely absent from both gear types. Of managed herring species, Alewife (n=426) dominated the winter/spring migration (fyke) and YOY summer recruitment (seine). Surprisingly, seine collections did not reveal an abundance of southern and/or expatriated species. However, winter fyke catches highlighted species that typically out migrate during the fall to offshore water or to warmer waters south, such as Summer Flounder and Atlantic Menhaden, respectively. Data obtained from utilizing fyke nets shows the importance of pairing collection methods and partners to sample suboptimal, data-poor time periods.Item Pfiesteria Monitoring in New Jersey 1998 – 2000(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology, 2007-06-08) Atherholt, Thomas; Ruppel, BruceItem Pilot Study: Chemical Contaminant Concentrations in Juvenile Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) from New Jersey Coastal Estuarine Waters (2009)(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science, 2013) Horwitz, Richard; Zaoudeh, Linda; Schafer, Michael; Ashley, Jeffrey; Velinsky, David; Overbeck, Paul; Davis, Robin; Ruppel, Bruce; Lippincott, R. LeeItem A Pilot Trap Survey of Artificial Reefs in New Jersey for Monitoring of Black Sea Bass, Tautog, and American Lobster: Research Project Summary(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2021-04) Jensen, Olaf P.; Zemeckis, Douglas; Ruppel, BruceThe data generated from this research were used to characterize the seasonal and spatial variation in community composition and relative abundance of structure-associated species on artificial reefs along the coast of New Jersey. These results also provided the information necessary to design a statistically robust trap survey for three targeted recreational and commercial important fish species (Black Sea Bass, Tautog and American lobster). This research provides immediate utility for New Jersey fishery managers through a characterization of seasonal changes in the fish and invertebrate communities inhabiting two existing artificial reefs (Sea Girt and Little Egg Inlet Reefs) and one artificial reef site from pre-construction through construction (Manasquan Inlet Reef). In addition, data on the targeted species and other species (Scup, Jonah crab and rock crab) were generated for a comparison of fish and invertebrate abundance that utilize different artificial reef material, including metal, concrete, and sand. These data are necessary in the development of reliable and efficient trap surveys that can stand up to the rigorous peer review process associated with stock assessments.Item Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Chlordane, and DDTs in Selected Fish and Shellfish from New Jersey Waters 1988 - 1991 : Results from New Jersey's Toxics in Biota Monitoring Program: Research Project Summary(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection and Energy, Division of Science and Research, 1993-12) Baldwin Brown, Alena; Ruppel, BruceThis summary presents the results of monitoring carried out between 1988 and 1991 under the direction of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy’s (DEPE) Toxics in Biota Technical Committee. Data on levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordane, and DDT and its metabolites DDD and DDE (DDTs) in 217 single-fish samples and composite samples from ten species overall show consistency with previous DEPE monitoring data. The results indicate that fish sampled from the Northeast region (Hudson, Raritan, Hackensack and Passaic River drainages) remain the most severely contaminated. However, there is some indication that there is a decrease in contaminant levels, as there were fewer exceedances of FDA action levels than previously observed. All sampled in exceedance of FDA action levels, with three exceptions, are covered by consumption advisories or bans issued by the state.Item Reconnaissance of Surface Water Estrogenicity and the Prevalence of Intersex in Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus Dolomieu) Inhabiting New Jersey: Research Project Summary(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-07) Iwanowicz, Luke R.; Smalling, Kelly R.; Blazer, Vicki S.; Braham, Ryan P.; Sanders, Lakyn R.; Boetsma, Anna; Procopio, Nicholas A.; Goodrow, Sandra; Buchanan, Gary A.; Millemann, Daniel R.; Ruppel, Bruce; Vile, John; Henning, Brian; Abatemarco, John