Page 48: of Marine Technology Magazine (November 2014)

These rapid changes are very easy to 2012. Nitrate sensors on small streams The following information was extract- miss with traditional water-quality mon- and large rivers throughout the Missis- ed directly from the U.S. Geological itoring approaches. sippi River basin are improving our abil- Survey (USGS) report. For full details

However, hourly information on nitrate ity track where the pulses are coming and references, please visit: levels improves the accuracy and reduc- from and forecast when they will arrive http://ca.water.usgs.gov/pubs/ es the uncertainty in estimating nitrate at the Gulf. 2014/PellerinEtAl2014.pdf loads to the Gulf of Mexico, especially The USGS, in cooperation with nu- during drought and ? ood years. merous local, state, and other federal Abstract –

This high frequency data also provides agencies, currently operates over 100 Accurately quantifying nitrate (NO ) 3 new insights into timing and magnitude real-time nitrate sensors across the Na- loading from the Mississippi River is of nitrate ? ushing from soils during wet tion. important for predicting summer hy- and dry conditions. Real-time nitrate monitoring is sup- poxia in the Gulf of Mexico and target-

For instance, the high frequency data ported by the USGS National Stream ing nutrient reduction within the basin. revealed high nitrate concentrations dur- Quality Accounting Network, Coopera- Loads have historically been modeled ing the spring and early summer of both tive Water Program, and the National with regression-based techniques, but 2013 and 2014 following the drought of Water-Quality Assessment Program. recent advances with high frequency

USGS in (Fresh Water) Action

What: RC Boat

When: 9/16/2014

Where: Gardiner, ME, USA

Details: On September 16, 2014 the USGS

Maine Of? ce took a remote controlled boat to the Kennebec River in Gardiner to get ex- perience operating the boat in “real world” conditions. This boat is used with an ADCP to measure stream? ow or conduct bathy- metric surveys. The RC boat is operated from shore, and can get into places that a regular manned boat can’t.

Credit: U.S. Geological Survey

Department of the Interior/USGS

U.S. Geological Survey/photo: Mike Beardsley

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