Characterization of Phytoplankton Community Changes in Barnegat Bay Related to the Closure of Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, Combining Next Generation Sequencing and Microscopic Analyses : Final Report

Abstract

Following Exelon Inc.’s announcement that the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (OCNGS) would cease operation ahead of planned decommissioning in 2029, the NJDEP engaged with researchers to begin an investigation to determine what impacts to marine biota (i.e., phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, fish, and crabs) may occur because of the plant shutdown. Our project was designed specifically to examine the influence on phytoplankton community composition and dynamics. This report comprises a comprehensive analysis comparing all three years of OCNGS post-closure (2018-2021) phytoplankton data to baseline data collected between 2012-2017 as part of the Barnegat Bay Comprehensive Research Initiative, thus in effect the “final report” for this study (see NJDEP| Division of Science and Research | Barnegat Bay). This report also contains the analysis and interpretation of data generated in Year 3 (2020-2021) of the OCNGS project effort.