Multi-year distribution patterns of nutrients within the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina

Abstract

Spabal and temporal patterns of nutnent dlstnbutions m the Neuse h v e r Estuary, North Carol~na were assessed from a 4 yr study lnvolvlng 82 longitudinal transects of the estuary T h s major nver-dominated estuary receives water from a 16 000 km2 dralnage basin and 1s connected to the Atlantic Ocean by Pamhco Sound Concentratlons of nltrogen and phosphorus species and chlorophyll a were measured in assoclabon u l t h environmental factors Intrastahon d ~s t r l b u t ~o n s of variables were generally non-normal and interstat~on dlstrlbutlon patterns vaned considerably between specles measured Concentrations of d~ssolved species decreased down-estuary although lnternal sources of both ammonlum and filterable reachve phosphorus were apparent Particulate specles demonstrated maxlma in the upper estuary associated with autochthonous production The relat~ve isolation of the Neuse k v e r Estualy from ocean inputs and long flushlng tlmes of freshwater provide an environment whlch promotes nonconservahve m w n g of nutrient species The average flushlng time for the estuary was 51 d providing an extended period w t h l n the estuary for substantial recycling Thus I s t n b u t l o n patterns reflect the dominance of biolog~cal and chemical achvlty except when large freshets cause r a p ~d movement of water to the lower estuary and out Into Pamhco Sound