Science Advisory Board Reports
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The Science Advisory Board, at the request of the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, provides independent peer review and advice on scientific and technical issues relevant to the DEP's mission.
The Board delivers its findings and recommendations to the Commissioner through the DEP's Division of Science and Research, which also serves as a liaison with the Commissioner, DEP staff, and the public.
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Item Microplastics in the aquatic environment: Sources, occurrences, and currently known risks(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2023-04) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Ad Hoc Microplastics Work GroupItem New Jersey Ocean Acidification Charge Question(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2015-08-12) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board.The increasing use of fossil fuels since the start of the Industrial Revolution has increased the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, some of which dissolves in the oceans. Carbon dioxide dissolved in the ocean forms carbonic acid, which releases H+ ions causing the water to become more acidic. Ocean acidification (OA) is occurring very rapidly. Adverse effects on shell formation are seen in calcifying animals such as corals and shellfish. Harmful effects are also seen in the development and behavior of many species unrelated to effects on shell formation. Since effects on developing oysters have already been seen on the West Coast, commercial shellfisheries in New Jersey and all along the eastern seaboard are at risk. While the long term solution is reducing global emissions of CO2, other localized approaches may be possible when we include coastal and estuarine waters within the scope of OA Since excess nitrogen and phosphorus in coastal waters and estuaries (eutrophication) also contributes to elevated CO2 levels and acidification, (as well as reduced oxygen) in deeper waters as algal blooms undergo decay, it is possible to mitigate local coastal acidification by reducing effluents and runoff of nutrients from land-based sources.Item Bayesian Inference: Application To Environmental Management And Decision-Making(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2014-04-25) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Ecological Processes Standing CommitteeImplementation of GIS based Bayesian inference into New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) environmental monitoring “toolkit” has the potential to substantially improve monitoring efficiency and reduce long-term monitoring costs while simultaneously improving prediction capacity. In this context, the Scientific Advisory Board, Ecological Processes Standing Committee (EPSC) was tasked with addressing the overarching question: should the NJDEP evaluate and/or test Bayesian-based statistical analysis methods with the potential to substantially improve monitoring efficiency and outcomes in the near future? If so, what alternative methods should be evaluated?Item Horizontal Directional Drilling(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2021-10) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Water Quality & Quantity Standing CommitteeHorizontal directional drilling (HDD) is a trenchless construction process for drilling boreholes and installing pipe without disturbing the surface and area under which the pipeline is needed. HDDs are often used to cross sensitive areas or difficult to construct areas that involve, for example, roads, wetlands, and waterbodies (CenterPoint Energy, 2013). This methodology has distinct advantages in not disturbing surface conditions. However, as is the case with any type of construction, the HDD process requires developing a sound plan that includes contingencies for any potential problem encountered and an approach for preventing long-term environmental impact.Item Submerged Aquatic Vegetation and Habitat : Survey and Mapping Methodologies Review(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2021-07) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory BoardSubmerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), consisting of approximately 60 species worldwide (Green & Short 2007), is found in marine, estuarine, and freshwater ecosystems. SAV populations are composed of rooted, vascular, flowering plants that live and grow primarily below the water surface and include seagrass species found globally in shallow marine and estuarine environments. These submerged communities contribute to one of the most productive ecosystems in the world (Havel 2018), supporting biogeochemical cycling, physical stabilization of sediments, and life cycle habitat needs of multiple aquatic species (Green & Short 2007). SAV provides a nutrient source, nursery area, and critical habitat for commercially and recreationally important fish, benthic, and marine mammal populations (de Boer 2007), including threatened and endangered species.Item Vernal Pool : Review of Mitigation Approaches(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2021-04) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Ecological Processes Standing CommitteeItem The Status and Future of Tidal Marshes in New Jersey faced with Sea Level Rise(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-08) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory BoardItem Review of Proposed EPA Maximum Contaminant Level for Perchlorate(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-08) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Public Health Standing CommitteeItem Peer Review- New Jersey Scientific Report on Climate Change(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-04-22) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Climate and Atmospheric Sciences Standing CommitteeItem Approaches for Addressing Drinking Water and Wastewater Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in a Broader Context : Identification, Ranking and Treatment Removal(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-04-22) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory BoardItem Outdoor Food Waste Composting(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-04-22) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory BoardItem Climate Change and Water Resources(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-04-22) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Climate and Atmospheric Sciences Standing CommitteeItem Evaluation of the Observed or Potential Impacts to Ocean Resources from Underwater Seismic Testing(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-03-05) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Ecological Processes Standing CommitteeItem Citizen Science at NJDEP(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-03-04) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory BoardItem Review of the Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health Draft Guidance for the Development of Human Health Risk Assessment Documents(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2017-03-02) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Public Health Standing CommitteeItem Arsenic Mobilization Due to Pipeline Installation(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-01-06) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Water Quality and Quantity Standing CommitteeItem Peer Review - CHANJ (Connecting Habitat Across New Jersey) Initiative(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2019-03-26) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Ecological Processes Sub-CommitteeItem Review of Site Remediation & Waste Management Short Term Issue : Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) commonly known as asphalt millings(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2019-03-26) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory BoardItem Dredging : A Review of the Documented Impacts of Dredging on the Coastal Ecosystems of New Jersey(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2018-06-12) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Ecological Processes Standing CommitteeItem The Long Term Effects of Eutrophication(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2018-06-01) New Jersey. Department of Environmental Protection. Science Advisory Board. Water Quality and Water Quantity Working Group