The University of Georgia Marine Extension Service Water Quality Team has completed a yearlong study on the Altamaha River. Five sampling locations were chosen from Altamaha Sound to Two-Way Fish Camp marina for physical, chemical and biological monitoring. Hydrolab Datasonde Multiprobe recorders were deployed near our easternmost station and at a mid-river location (station 3) to collect temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen measurements.
Surface and bottom water samples were collected from each site monthly during low tide and from sites 1, 3 and 5 during selected high tides from April 2002 through March 2003. We are investigating nutrient concentrations, salinity levels, total and fecal coliform bacteria levels, ATP, biological oxygen demand, total suspended solids, currents, and other valuable information.
Dr. Changsheng Chen of The University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, will use this information to help develop a predictive computer model of the river. This model will enable sound scientific decisions to be made to protect this complex river system. Future work on the Altamaha River will include another yearlong study during which the channels and sounds providing salt and fresh water exchange into the system will be investigated.
During phase I, each station was visited monthly at low tide and additionally at selected high tides. We investigated nutrient concentrations, salinity levels, total and fecal coliform bacteria levels, Enterococcus faecalis, ATP, BOD, TSS , chlorophyll-a, currents, and other information.
Phase II was designed to assess the exchange of salt and fresh water between the river and its associated sound systems. Two stations were carried over from year one and three new stations were added along the Mackay River .
Phase III efforts began in August 2004 and a Troll 9000® Multi-parameter instrument (Intermountain Environmental, Inc.) was trawled slowly behind the research vessel recording pH, temperature, salinity, pressure, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen in 2-minute intervals along seven transects including Doboy Sound, South River, North River, Altamaha Sound, Mackay River , St. Simons Sound , and the Frederica River . Time, depth, and GPS were recorded as well. Readings were taken with the Quanta unit every six minutes for comparison. Samples were collected periodically along these transects for determination of fecal coliform bacteria, Enterococcus fecalis, TSS , nutrients, total carbon, inorganic carbon, and total nitrogen.
