This is a one year conclusion of a large three year interdisciplinary field study of the Chesapeake Bay and adjoining coastal area. During the initial funding period, four scientific cruises collected a wealth of data on the nutrient recycling and microbiology of this coupled estuarine - coastal system. This work offers the most detailed picture yet of the role of marine bacteria and phytoplankton in the assimilative capacity of a coastal region impacted by large population centers. This funding will allow the collaborative scientists to add additional results to their existing base, and produce scientific publications integrating this novel collection of measurements in the coastal environment.
