M ethods

        Water column vertical profiles were collected on-site by measuring water temperature, turbidity, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen at the surface, mid-depth, and one foot from the bottom.  These measurements were taken using a YSI Model 6920 multiparameter water quality sonde and Model 610 display unit.  Calibration and checks of the YSI instrument were performed using North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) approved calibration, sampling, and record keeping protocols.  Current velocities were taken at surface, mid-depth and one foot from the bottom using a Marsh-McBirney Flo-Mate flow meter.

        Surface water samples were analyzed for nitrate+nitrite nitrogen, total phosphorus (TP), total suspended solids (TSS), fecal coliform bacteria and chlorophyll a.  Chemical samples, fecal coliform bacteria, and suspended solids analyses were performed by a State-certified contract laboratory, except for February 2003, when all samples were analyzed at the UNC Wilmington Center for Marine Science.  Chlorophyll a was analyzed on all occasions at UNCW using an EPA-approved fluorometric method.