Collaborative Research: The Estuarine Chlorophyll a Maximum as an Ecosystem Integrator and Indicator of Contemporaneous Nutrient and Climatic Perturbations

河口生态系统中浮游植物的初级生产力通常集中在不同的区域，在这些区域，高营养负荷与浮游植物生长的最佳条件相吻合。这些区域被称为叶绿素最大值，并为河口食物网产生不成比例的碳。这些地区具有高度的生态重要性，因为它们可以作为河口条件和功能的指标。我们的研究重点，纽斯河口（NRE），有一个明确的叶绿素最大值在春季和秋季。NRE受到人类活动的高度影响，特别是来自农业和城市地区的过量营养输入。 这项研究的结果将提供有关这些地区在未来养分管理、水文（例如，河口是地球上最具生产力的生态系统之一，但也是受影响最大的生态系统。叶绿素最大值是一个重要的位置，在许多温带河口世界各地，因此我们的研究结果将适用于我们的研究系统以外，纽斯河口。进一步了解这一重要特征的行为将提高我们更好地管理受影响严重的河口生态系统的能力。该项目将为将开发独立研究项目的研究生提供多样化的教育机会。在UNC-CH和教育代表性不足群体的区域大学，NSF支持的夏季研究生前研究体验计划（SPGRE）将为学生提供夏季实习机会。最后，高中学生和教师将在夏季实习期间被聘为实习生，为他们提供一系列新发现的经验和知识，以带回课堂。

Phytoplankton primary production in estuarine ecosystems is often concentrated in distinct zones where high nutrient loads coincide with optimal conditions for phytoplankton growth. These zones are called chlorophyll maxima and produce a disproportionate amount of carbon for estuarine food webs. These areas are zones of high ecological importance because they can be used as indicators of estuarine condition and function. The focus of our study, the Neuse River Estuary (NRE), has a well defined chlorophyll maxima during the spring-fall. The NRE is highly affected by human activities, in particular excess nutrient input from agricultural and urban areas. The results of this research will provide baseline information about how these areas behave under future nutrient management, hydrologic (e.g., droughts, storms) and altered food web scenarios.Estuaries are among the most productive, yet highly impacted ecosystems on Earth. The chlorophyll maxima is an important location in many temperate estuaries worldwide, thus our result will be applicable beyond our study system, the Neuse River estuary. Further knowledge of the behavior of this important feature will enhance our ability to better manage highly impacted estuarine ecosystems. This project will provide diverse educational opportunities for graduate students who will develop independent research projects. The NSF-supported Summer Pre-graduate Research Experience Program (SPGRE) at UNC-CH and regional universities educating under-represented groups will provide students for summer internships. Finally, high school students and teachers will be employed as interns during the summer field season, giving them a range of newfound experiences and knowledge to bring back to the classroom.