Final Reports and White Papers

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10929/16968

Final reports and white papers published by the Division of Science and Research. Short, 3-5 page research project summaries for many of these reports can be found in the Research Project Summary collection: https://dspace.njstatelib.org/handle/10929/68526

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 172

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-furan (TCDF) in blue crabs and American lobsters from the New York Bight / by Thomas J. Belton ... [et al.].
(Trenton, N.J.: Division of Science and Research, New Jersey Dept. of Environment Protection, 1988., 1988) Belton, Thomas J.
A Pragmatic Approach for Determining Practical Quantitation Levels (PQLs) for Regulatory Purposes
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 1995) Sanders, Paul F.; Lippincott, R. Lee; Eaton, Andrew
A Strategy to Advance Carbon Sequestration on New Jersey's Natural and Working Lands
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2024) Genievich, Heather; Yepsen, Metthea; Blum, Julie; Sinclare, Lauren; McLaughlin, Frank; Colagiovanni, Nina; Rho, Tony; DeFlumeri, Rachel; New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection; New Jersey. Department of Agriculture
Climate change is an existential global crisis informed by clear scientific consensus. It is altering precipitation patterns, temperature, and rates of sea-level rise and will impact nearly all our natural resources and developed areas. A coordinated effort to decrease greenhouse gas emissions locally and globally is needed to slow the rate of global warming. New Jersey has made great strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels for energy generation. The Natural and Working Lands Strategy (NWLS) is our blueprint for enhancing carbon sequestration across New Jersey's diverse landscapes, aiming to boost the capture of carbon dioxide on both public and private lands, including wetlands, aquatic habitats, agricultural areas, and forests. New Jersey is committed to significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. To achieve our goal of an 80% reduction in emissions from 2006 levels by 2050, we not only need to cut emissions but also enhance our carbon sequestration efforts. The NWLS provides a plan to help us reach this goal.
Additional Air Monitoring in Paterson Study (AAMPS) : Final Report to United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science, 2012-01-24) Bonanno, Linda J.; Ma, John; Fan, Zhihua
In anticipation of community concerns regarding approximately two months of elevated levels of p-dichlorobenzene observed during the Urban Community Air Toxics Monitoring Project, Paterson City, NJ (UCAMPP), NJDEP applied to USEPA for funds for an additional year of monitoring in Paterson. Sampling for UCAMPP occurred from November 2005 through December 2006. The elevated levels of p-dichlorobenzene were observed from October 2006 to the first part of December 2006. Levels returned to normal before the end of sampling. The main goal of the Additional Air Monitoring in Paterson Study (AAMPS) was to investigate whether the elevated levels observed during UCAMPP were a one-time occurrence or would recur periodically. A secondary goal was to see if spatial saturation sampling at and around 176 Broadway could identify potential sources of selected air toxics. Sampling with the TO-15 method occurred about every 12 days over a 1 year period from April 2010 to May 2011. TO-15 can measure 60 different VOCs. In addition to the TO-15 method, 5 spatial saturation sampling (SSS) campaigns were carried out over the course of the year of monitoring. For the SSS, Organic Vapor Monitors (OVM) passive badges were deployed for 3 days at 23 locations at and around the main monitoring location. The OVM samples were analyzed for benzene, ethyl benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, tetrachloroethylene, and p-dichlorobenzene. During each saturation sampling campaign, a collocated TO-15 measurement was obtained for the same time period, i.e., 3 days to allow for a comparison of methods. A total of 38 canister samples and 155 badge samples, including quality control samples, were collected during the year of monitoring. All sample results were within the expected values based on UCAMPP and other NJDEP statewide data. In contrast to the sampling in 2006, elevated levels of p-dichlorobenzene were not detected. Spatial saturation sampling did not reveal any patterns that could identify potential sources of the selected air toxics. Seven air toxics (benzene, 1,3-butadiene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, chloromethane, p-dichlorobenzene, tetrachloroethylene) that were measured with the TO15 method were above the health benchmark in Paterson and most were above the health benchmark at NJDEP's other air toxics monitoring stations. Benzene and 1,3-butadiene accounted for the majority of the risk and these air toxics are generated from mobile sources.
Adsorption/Desorption and Transport of Mercury and Arsenic in New Jersey Soils
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 1997-07) Yin, Yujun; Allen, Herbert E.; Huang, C.P.
Adsorption/Desorption and Transport of Mercury and Arsenic in New Jersey Soils : Final Report, August 1993 - January 1995
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy, Division of Science and Research, 1995) Yin, Yujun; Li, Yimin; Allen, Herbert E.; Huang, C.P.
Air Toxics Analysis in New Jersey : Ambient Data Review and Model Validation : Final Report
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2012-06-04) Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management; Biton, Leiran; Fahey, Kathleen; Sheilds, Laura; Yang, Huiyan
Air toxics are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects. Despite their ubiquity and role in increasing the risks of adverse health impacts, relatively little is known about the ambient levels of air toxics and contribution to health risks. Characterizing air toxics levels remains one of the key challenges to effectively controlling their risks. The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) completed a project to better characterize air toxics levels and to evaluate air quality models for use in assessing policies to reduce levels of air toxics. The purpose of this project is to provide a comprehensive assessment of priority air toxics in New Jersey based on three primary tasks: (1) analyze ambient air toxics data in New Jersey; (2) compare between existing ambient data, air quality modeling, and emission inventories; and (3) evaluate an updated model for use with air toxics. This report describes the activities performed to complete these tasks in order to characterize New Jersey air toxics and to assess the effectiveness of using existing model results for developing strategies that mitigate risks from air toxics.
An Analysis of the Feasibility of Using Fertility Control to Manage New Jersey Black Bear Populations
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2006-10) Fraker, Mark A.; Curtis, Paul D.; Mansour, Marc
Assessing impacts of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on New Jersey forests 2002-2003 : final report year 1
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology, 2003-11) Dighton, John; Tuininga, Amy; Jonsson, Lena; Gray, Dennis; Belton, Thomas
Assessing Impacts of Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition on New Jersey Forests 2002-2003: Final Report Year 1
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology, 2003-11) Dighton, John; Tuininga, Amy; Jonsson, Lena; Gray, Dennis; Belton, Thomas
The project scope was conceptualized at an inter-programmatic meeting within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection including representation by the Divisions of Science Research and Technology, Forestry, Air, Watershed Management and Endangered Species. A consensus was reached that a suite of bioindicators would prove critical in satisfying State management goals to enhance air and water quality; to restore ecosystems, sustain land and natural resource communities; as well as to preserve biodiversity in the state. The immediate goal was to establish unique baseline terrestrial communities of known structure in the Pinelands Ecoregion of New Jersey, then to evaluate the influence of potential environment stressors. Of particular interest were air deposited nitrogen and its measurable biological effects on forest ecosystems for long term trends-assessment. Methods are needed to benchmark nitrogen status in the Pinelands, and other air sheds in New Jersey, to track deposition trends and effects over time; that is, to develop a means to measure Nitrogen dry deposition effects (i.e., using bioindicators such as mycorrhizal fungi). Changes in macro-fungal species composition and abundance have been used in other parts of the world as biological indicators for terrestrial wooded ecosystems.
Assessing the Biological Control of Atlantic Bay Nettles (Chrysaora chesapeakei) by Nudibranchs
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2020-01-08) Bologna, Paul; Gaynor, John; Restiano, Dana
Assessing the impacts of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station and its Closure on Gelatinous Zooplankton and Planktonic Community Structure
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2023-04) Bologna, Paul; Gaynor, John; Meredith, Robert; Schuler, Matthew
For the last decade we have been monitoring and investigating the gelatinous zooplankton community in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey. During this time frame, Barnegat Bay was severely impacted by Superstorm Sandy, which directly impacted the density of the top predator the Bay Nettle (Chrysaora chesapeakei), allowing a more diverse community of gelatinous zooplankton species to flourish after the storm. In addition, the operation of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (OCNGS) has put significant stresses on the health of Barnegat Bay for over 50 years through direct destruction of planktonic organisms, redirection of water flow used in cooling the plant, and a chronic thermal stress. This research looked at determining the changes associated with the closure of the plant on the zooplankton community to assess whether the closure resulted in improved ecological conditions to support the recovery of Barnegat Bay after this chronic stress.
Assessment of clinging jellyfish Gonionemus vertens populations in New Jersey 2016 - 2020
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2022-05-03) Bologna, Paul; Gaynor, John; Restaino, Dena; Rigby, Matthew
Gonionemus vertens (Clinging Jellyfish) is a species of small hydrozoan native to the Pacific Ocean. In 2016, it appeared in New Jersey with the first individual being documented from the Manasquan Canal and subsequent individuals collected in the Shrewsbury River Estuary. Research regarding the distribution of G. vertens was conducted during the summers of 2016 and 2017 in northern Barnegat Bay, the Manasquan River, and the Shrewsbury River Estuary. While the first individual G. vertens confirmed was from the Manasquan Inlet, no other individuals were ever collected from this region nor in the northern reaches of Barnegat Bay. All individuals, including recruiting polyps, were identified from the Shrewsbury River Estuary (54 individual G. vertens medusae were collected in 2016 and 218 collected in 2017). In both years, individual polyps were collected on JADs (Jellyfish Attracting Devices), but no large-scale larval recruitment of polyps was observed, as only one single individual polyp was on a JAD during 2016 and 2017. Subsequent laboratory observations of polyp development from larvae suggest it often takes 3 to 4 months for polyps to fully develop, so it is probable that the polyps from the field JADs likely had merely climbed onto the JAD surface and were not actively recruiting there. It is clear that a well-defined population exists in the Shrewsbury River and continued blooms in the late spring and early summer are expected in the future. Since no other individuals were collected in the Manasquan and Barnegat Bay estuaries after the first individual was observed, it is unclear as to whether that observation was anomalous or whether another population remains in this area, but is not actively blooming. During surveys of the Manasquan River a large, viable eelgrass (Zostera marina) bed was identified near the original collection site of the first G. vertens, so the preferred habitat for G. vertens is present, however the abundant populations in the Shrewsbury River are using macroalgae as habitat, so both algae and seagrass are viable habitat for G. vertens.
Assessment of historical and current trends in mercury deposition to New Jersey aquatic systems through analysis of sediment/soil cores : final report
(New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research, and Technology, 2002) Kroenke, Amy E.; Shuster, Edward L.; Bopp, Richard F.
Assessment of PCBs, Selected Organic Pesticides and Mercury in fishes from New Jersey, 1998-1999 Monitoring Program
(Philadelphia, Pa. : Patrick Center for Environmental Research, Academy of Natural Sciences, 2000-12-12) Ashley, Jeffrey; Horwitz, Richard J.
Asthma outreach and education initiative: waterfront south, Camden, NJ / final report to NJ DEP, submitted by Camden AHEC.
([Camden, N.J.]: Camden Area Health Education Center, 2006., 2006) Boclair, Linda
Beneficial Use of Dredged Material to Enhance Salt Marsh Habitat in New Jersey : Monitoring and Project Assessment
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection and Energy, Division of Science and Research, 2023-01) Yepsen, Metthea; Wilburn, Brittany; Woollard, Jaclyn
This report summarizes monitoring conducted at three pilot beneficial use of dredged material to enhance salt marsh projects in New Jersey. Constructed between August 2014 and April 2017, these projects tested sediment addition techniques that included thin-layer placement (TLP) of dredged material on the platform of vegetated, stressed marshes (Ring Island, Avalon, and Fortescue) and the filling of degraded and expanding pool-panne complexes with dredged material on the surrounding stressed marsh platform (Avalon). The objectives for the three marsh pilot projects were (1) to increase and maintain the optimal tidal elevation (hydroperiod) for native salt marsh species, (2) to increase the cover and health of native salt marsh vegetation, and (3) to return all other metrics to baseline (i.e., pre-implementation) conditions (unless they were expected to change due to habitat conversion). Topographic surveys indicated that 1) on average sites reached target elevations, but the placement was uneven, 2) all sites initially gained elevation, but it was challenging to measure small elevation changes, 3) the higher the final elevation, the slower vegetation grew back, and 4) sites gained resilience against 10- to 27-years’ worth of sea-level rise. As of 2021, none of the salt marsh sites had increased plant cover from baseline conditions or established the targeted Spartina patens habitat. However, several sites matched control site conditions, and much was learned about how to increase the rate of plant recovery. Soil makeup, benthic infauna communities, and epifaunal macroinvertebrates did not return to baseline conditions by 2021, but water chemistry returned to control conditions. Nekton and avian use were variable and results were dependent on changes to vegetation and elevation. These findings suggest that both thin- and thick-layers of sediment addition to existing tidal marshes led to large initial changes in the habitat, from which the ecosystems rebounded/are rebounding at different rates.
Beneficial Use of Dredged Material to Enhance Salt Marsh Habitat in New Jersey : Project Summary and Lessons Learned
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2021-08) Doerr, Patricia; Pecchioli, Joel A.; Yepsen, Metthea
The Beneficial Use of Dredged Material to Enhance Salt Marshes : Project Monitoring Protocalls
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2017-10) The New Jersey Chapter of The Nature Conservancy
Bioassessment integration study : systems ecology evaluation of US EPA rapid bioassessment protocols in New Jersey (macroinvertebrates, Periphyton, fish, and habitat)
(Philadelphia, PA : Patrick Center for Environmental Research, Academy of Natural Sciences, 2006-03-06) Horwitz, Richard J.; Flinders, Camille

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