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The Influence of Salinity on Dissolved Oxygen and Chlorophyll

Abstract
Salinity, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll are three components of water quality that can be
related in estuarine systems. Data was collected for this study from Tuckerton Creek in
Tuckerton, New Jersey on October 18, 2018, where water samples were retrieved from 11 sites.
T-tests, linear regressions, and an ANOVA test were utilized to determine a relationship between
salinity and dissolved oxygen at different depths and sites, as well as a relationship between
salinity and chlorophyll. After analyzing the data, it was determined that the salinity and
dissolved oxygen at surface and bottom locations were statistically different, and that salinity and
dissolved oxygen were negatively correlated for surface samples, but had a strong positive
correlation for bottom samples. Additionally, it was determined that salinity and chlorophyll had
a positive correlation, and that chlorophyll concentrations were significantly different among the
11 sites.

Introduction
Salinity is a defining quality of water bodies and can have an impact on various other
qualities of a system. In estuaries, salinity can vary due to seasonal changes, tidal cycles, and
proximity to the ocean. Between high tide and low tide, the ocean has either a higher or lower
influence on the estuary, causing higher and lower salinity values. Salinity levels are typically
higher near the mouth of a river, and are lower upstream where freshwater sources flow in
(National Ocean Service, 2008). The salinity of a body of water can affect both its aquatic life
and chemistry. Organisms living in the water may have tolerance limits regarding salinity, and
when salinity values are outside of this range it can negatively influence the growth and survival
of these organisms. Salinity can have an influence on many aspects of water quality, including
chlorophyll and dissolved oxygen. Chlorophyll is a water quality parameter that can be used to
indicate the rate of primary productivity of a system. High concentrations of chlorophyll indicate
poor water quality, such as excessive algal production caused by high nutrient concentrations
(State Government of Victoria, 2017). To measure chlorophyll, an AquaFluor fluorometer can be
utilized. A fluorometer exposes the water sample, contained in a small plastic cuvette, to a high-
energy wavelength, which causes chlorophyll, if present, to emit a lower-energy light (Fondriest
Environmental Inc., 2016). The emitted light can then be used to calculate chlorophyll
concentration, which is measured in μg/L. Dissolved oxygen is a key factor in supporting plants
and fish in a body of water (Alken-Murray Corp., 2006). Released by plants after photosynthesis
or diffused from the atmosphere, dissolved oxygen is necessary for the survival of organisms
(Chesapeake Bay Program, 2012). Many organisms require at least 4-5 ppm in order to survive,
while some worms and other macroinvertebrates are tolerant of even lower levels (Chesapeake
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Bay Program, 2012). Oxygen can be depleted from a body of water through organic decay,
excess carbon, and nutrient loading, and even excess oxygen is dangerous for fish (Fondriest
Environmental, Inc., 2013). To measure both salinity (in ppt) and dissolved oxygen (in mg/L), a
YSI-556 probe can be used. As this study involved samples from both the surface and bottom of
an estuary, a Depth Finder was used to determine the depth of each location (in feet). A Depth
Finder uses sonar to emit a pulse that hits the bottom and returns; the time interval and speed of
sound in water is then used to calculate depth. This study will determine a relationship between
salinity and dissolved oxygen in an estuarine system. Additionally, this study will suggest a
correlation between salinity and chlorophyll in an estuarine system.

Methodology
Study Site
This study was conducted at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve
in Tuckerton, New Jersey on October 18, 2018 at around 11 A.M.. The weather was sunny, with
an average air temperature of 13℃ and an average wind speed of 3 mph. Water samples were
collected by the Oceanography Class while kayaking down Tuckerton Creek. GPS coordinates
ranged from 18S 0556630 4383501 UTM to 18S 0556705 4381635 UTM.
Procedure
Water samples were collected from 11 locations on Tuckerton Creek. Salinity (measured
in ppt) and dissolved oxygen (measured in mg/L) were both determined on-site using a YSI-556
probe. The probe was placed just under the surface of the water to retrieve surface
measurements, and was positioned directly above the bottom of the system to retrieve depth
measurements. Chlorophyll concentrations were measured in μg/L using an Aquafluor
fluorometer. A plastic cuvette was rinsed completely with distilled water before being filled with
sample water. Smudges and bubbles in the sample can cause flawed readings, so a Kimwipe was
used to handle the cuvette and no bubbles were present in the samples. The plastic cuvette was
then placed in the chamber of the fluorometer, where chlorophyll concentration was determined.
Because a fluorometer measures chlorophyll relatively, a blank of distilled water was run and
recorded first to establish a base value. The depth of each site was determined (in feet) using a
Depth Finder.
Statistical Analysis
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T-tests were utilized to compare salinity levels between surface and depth samples from
each site, and to compare concentrations of dissolved oxygen between surface and depth samples
from each site. Linear regressions were conducted to determine a correlation between salinity
levels and dissolved oxygen at both the surface and depth of each site, as well as to determine a
correlation between the surface salinity levels and average chlorophyll concentrations at each
site. An ANOVA test was used to compare the chlorophyll concentrations among the sites. An
alpha of 0.05 or less was used for all tests.

Figure 1. GPS locations (in UTM) of Sites 1-11 along Tuckerton Creek in Tuckerton, New Jersey. Water
samples were collected on October 18, 2018 at each site.

Results
Surface salinity values ranged from 2.72 ppt to 8.43 ppt, while depth salinity values
ranged from 19.79 ppt to 23.81 ppt. Surface dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged from 7.32
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mg/L to 8.63 mg/L, while depth dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged from 3.5 mg/L to 9.05
mg/L. Concentrations of chlorophyll ranged from 0.412 μg/L to 0.541 μg/L.
The T-test for salinity levels between surface and depth samples for each site determined
a significant difference with a p-value of less than 0.001. Similarly, the T-test for dissolved
oxygen concentrations between surface and depth samples for each site also determined a
significant difference with a p-value of less than 0.001. The linear regression run between
salinity levels and dissolved oxygen concentrations at the surface of each site resulted in an R2
value of 0.6768 and a significance F value of 0.0019. Conversely, the linear regression run
between salinity levels and dissolved oxygen concentrations at the depth of each site resulted in
an R2 value of 0.9391 and a significance F value of less than 0.001. The linear regression run
between surface salinity levels and average chlorophyll levels at each site resulted in an R2 value
of 0.5080 and a significance F value of 0.014. The ANOVA test run among all of the chlorophyll
concentrations at each site determined a statistically significant difference with a p-value of less
than 0.001. After running a Post-Hoc test, it was determined that the main difference lied in the
chlorophyll concentrations of site 9 and site 11, as 7 of the 11 sites were statistically different
from these locations.

Figure 2: Salinity levels (in ppm) for samples collected on October 18, 2018 at
Tuckerton Creek in Tuckerton, NJ. Compares salinity levels at the surface against
salinity levels at the bottom (n=22, a=0.05, p-value<0.001).
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Figure 3: Dissolved oxygen concentrations (in mg/L) for samples collected on

October 18, 2018 at Tuckerton Creek in Tuckerton, NJ. Compares dissolved oxygen
concentrations at the surface against dissolved oxygen concentrations at the bottom
(n=22, a=0.05, p-value<0.001).

Figure 4: Salinity levels (in ppm) and dissolved oxygen concentrations (in mg/L)
for samples collected on October 18, 2018 at Tuckerton Creek in Tuckerton, NJ.
Correlates salinity levels at the surface with dissolved oxygen concentrations at the
surface (n=11, a=0.05, Significance F=0.0019).
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Figure 5: Salinity levels (in ppm) and dissolved oxygen concentrations (in mg/L)
for samples collected on October 18, 2018 at Tuckerton Creek in Tuckerton, NJ.
Correlates salinity levels at the bottom with dissolved oxygen concentrations at the
bottom (n=11, a=0.05, Significance F<0.001).

Figure 6: Salinity levels (in ppm) and chlorophyll concentrations (in μg/L) for
samples collected on October 18, 2018 at Tuckerton Creek in Tuckerton, NJ.
Correlates salinity levels at the surface with average chlorophyll concentrations
(n=11, a=0.05, Significance F=0.014).
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Figure 7: Chlorophyll concentrations (in μg/L) for samples collected on October

18, 2018 at Tuckerton Creek in Tuckerton, NJ. Compares chlorophyll concentrations
at the surface by site (n=33, a=0.05, p-value<0.001).

Discussion
In estuaries, the circulation of saltwater and freshwater can be used to classify the system.
In a well-mixed estuary, strong tidal currents prevent the sinking of saltwater below freshwater,
providing a uniform salinity from the surface to the bottom of the estuary (National Ocean
Service, 2017). In partially mixed estuaries, saltwater and freshwater mix at all depths, but the
deeper water tends to have a higher salinity than surface water. In a salt wedge, slow tidal
currents cause the complete stratification of saltwater and freshwater, where the two water
masses only mix at the boundary (National Ocean Service, 2017). In Figure 2, the salinity levels
from the surface to the bottom of each site have a range of approximately 15 ppt, with higher
levels corresponding to bottom samples. In general, deeper estuaries are those that have a
partially mixed stratification, which conflicts with this dataset as the deepest recorded depth was
only 8 feet (University of Rhode Island, 2001). Thus, this area has most likely experienced a salt
wedge due to tidal flow. It is interesting to note that in Figure 2, salinity levels are increasing
from Site 1 to Site 11 and that in Figure 3 dissolved oxygen levels are increasing in bottom
waters from Site 1 to Site 11. Salinity can influence the level of dissolved oxygen in a system, as
the solubility of dissolved oxygen decreases as salinity increases (Virginia Institute). In Figure 4,
there is a negative correlation between surface salinity levels and surface dissolved oxygen
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readings, which corresponds closely with this established relationship. However, in Figure 5,
there is a strong positive correlation between bottom salinity levels and bottom dissolved oxygen
readings, where the parameters increase directly. This could be attributed to the increase in
chlorophyll concentrations at Sites 9-11, where dissolved oxygen levels for surface and bottom
samples were close in value. As primary productivity increased, dissolved oxygen should also
increase as oxygen is produced during photosynthesis (Lake Access, 2006). Although in many
cases salinity has a negative effect on primary productivity, a specific range of salinity levels can
increase chlorophyll concentrations (Maricle et. al., 2007). Based on a study conducted in
Sweden, it was determined that the ratio of chlorophyll to phosphorus was at a minimum from at
salinities from 2-5 ppt, and that the ratio steadily increased up until a salinity of 10 ppt
(Håkanson & Eklund, 2010). As shown in Figure 6, the concentrations of chlorophyll were
clustered at a lower value at salinities between 2 and 4 ppt, and that as salinity increased below
10 ppt, chlorophyll concentrations also increased. If surface salinity levels had reached above 10
ppt, it is expected that chlorophyll concentrations would have been reduced (Håkanson &
Eklund, 2010). In Figure 7, chlorophyll concentrations are displayed by site. Several sites were
statistically different from Site 9, including Sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Additionally, several sites
were statistically different from Site 11, including Sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8. This outcome was
a result of a higher mean chlorophyll concentration at both Sites 9 and 11, indicating that these
locations had a greater rate of productivity. Productivity is dependent upon nutrients and
sunlight, which could be added to or taken away from by coastal development (Sigman & Hain,
2012). As shown in Figure 1, Site 9 is located in a developed area, while Site 11 is in a more
natural and open location. If Site 9 lost sunlight to infrastructure, the excess nutrients from
human development may still increase primary productivity (Sigman & Hain, 2012). Similarly,
Site 11 would have exposure to more sunlight, but may not have the same amount of nutrients as
Site 9. It is compelling to note that Site 5, also located in an undeveloped area, was not found to
be statistically different from Site 11, indicating that location may be the answer to the
statistically different chlorophyll concentrations.

Conclusion
After comparing salinity and dissolved oxygen from surface and bottom samples, it was
determined that the concentrations were statistically different from one another. Salinity and
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dissolved oxygen had a negative correlation for surface samples, but had a strong positive
correlation for bottom samples. It was also determined that salinity and chlorophyll had a
positive correlation, and that chlorophyll concentrations were significantly different among the
11 sites. The positive correlation for bottom samples of salinity and dissolved oxygen can be
attributed to an increase in primary productivity, which was attained by meeting the threshold of
salinity and chlorophyll tolerance. Additionally, the difference in chlorophyll concentrations
among the sites can be based on the location of each site.

References
Alken-Murray Corp. (2006). Interpreting Water Analysis Test Results. Retrieved from
http://www.alken-murray.com/TESTS01.htm
Chesapeake Bay Program. (2012). Dissolved Oxygen. Retrieved from
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/bayecosystem/dissolvedoxygen
Fondriest Environmental, Inc. (2013). Dissolved Oxygen. Retrieved from
http://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-
quality/dissolved-oxygen/#8
Fondriest Environmental, Inc. (2016). Algae, Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll. Retrieved from
https://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-quality/algae-
phytoplankton-chlorophyll/#algae30
Håkanson, L. & Eklund, J.M. (2010). Relationships Between Chlorophyll, Salinity, Phosphorus,
and Nitrogen in Lakes and Marine Areas. Journal of Coastal Research: 26 (3), 412 – 423.
Retrieved from http://www.jcronline.org/doi/abs/10.2112/08-1121.1?journalCode=coas
Lake Access. (2006). Dissolved Oxygen in Lakes. Retrieved from
http://www.lakeaccess.org/russ/oxygen.htm.
Maricle, B.R., Lee, R.W., Hellquist, C.E., Kiirats, O. & Edwards, G.E. (2007). Effects of salinity
on chlorophyll fluorescence and CO2 fixation in C4 estuarine grasses. Photosynthetica:
45(3), 433-440. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11099-007-
0072-7
National Ocean Service. (2008). Salinity. Retrieved from
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http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/estuaries/media/supp_estuar10c_salinity.html
National Ocean Service. (2017). Salt-wedge Estuaries. Retrieved from
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/estuaries/media/supp_estuar05d_mixed.html
Sigman, D. M. & Hain, M. P. (2012). The Biological Productivity of the Ocean. Nature
Education Knowledge 3(10):21
State Government of Victoria. (2017). Environmental Water Quality Indicators. Retrieved from
https://yarraandbay.vic.gov.au/report-card/environmental-water-quality-indicators
University of Rhode Island. (2001). Partially Mixed Estuary. Retrieved from
http://omp.gso.uri.edu/ompweb/doee/science/descript/partmix.htm
Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Physical Characteristics: Salinity. Retrieved from
http://web.vims.edu/bio/shallowwater/physical_characteristics/salinity.html

Nice job Bella. See some comments, but the format was excellent and your discussion was
strong. Your stats were good and I want to show you how to display the post hoc values.
Overall 39.5 out of 40 points