Previous work by the Dr. Wells has demonstrated that organically bound aggregates of mineral grains are relatively common to estuarine water along the N. Carolina coast. These aggregates (>500 microns) are a food source for marine organisms, affect chemical distributions, and may be responsible for a substantial part of the vertical mass flux in shallow water. Few workers have been able to either observe or recover this "marine snow". Using techniques developed in their previous NSF award, Dr. Wells and his collaborator Dr. Luettich will analyze the in situ characteristics of these aggrregates. Transects of stations across Cape Lookout Bight will be re-occupied every 3 months for 2 years, vertical profiles will be re-occuppied every 3 months for 1 year, and moorings will be left in place for the duration of 3 "northeaster" storms. Photographs of aggregates, in situ measurements of aggregate settling velocities, and sensors recording a variety of water column propoerties on moorings and tethered cables will: 1) yield details about the size, shape and abundance of large aggregates in Cape Lookout Bight and Barden Inlet; 2) investigate the effect of currents on large aggregates; 3) provide settling velocities of aggregates; and 4) provide insight into the reponse of large aggregates to storm events and other seasonal phenomena.
