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

河口生态系统的浮游植物初级生产通常集中在高营养负荷与浮游植物生长的最佳条件相吻合的特定区域。这些区域被称为叶绿素最大值，为河口食物网产生不成比例的碳量。这些地区具有很高的生态重要性，因为它们可以作为河口状况和功能的指标。我们研究的重点是新河河口（NRE），在春季和秋季有一个明确的叶绿素最大值。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投入。这项研究的结果将提供关于这些地区在未来营养管理、水文（如干旱、风暴）和改变的食物网情景下如何表现的基线信息。河口是地球上最具生产力，但受影响最大的生态系统之一。叶绿素最大值在世界上许多温带河口都是一个重要的位置，因此我们的结果将适用于我们的研究系统之外的新泽河河口。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到高度影响的河口生态系统的能力。这个项目将为研究生提供多样化的教育机会，他们将开发独立的研究项目。由美国国家科学基金会支持的北卡罗来纳大学和教育弱势群体的地区大学的暑期研究生研究体验计划（SPGRE）将为学生提供暑期实习机会。最后，高中学生和教师将在夏季实地考察期间被聘为实习生，为他们提供一系列新发现的经验和知识，并将其带回课堂。

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.