3) To assess the response of the sedimented 



phytoplankton (microphj'tobenthos) populations 

 to changes in salinity and nutrient availability. 



METHODS AND APPROACH 

 Study Design 



Water column processes were examined at eight 

 sampUng sites located throughout the upper Nueces 

 Delta (Figure 4-1). At each sampling station, 

 hydrographic data, water samples and mud samples 

 were collected to measure temperature, salinity, 



inorganic nutrient concentrations, phytoplankton 

 pigments and plankton growth (productivity) rates. 

 Samples were collected monthly at most sites during 

 the demonstration period unless extreme flooding 

 prevented access to the stations or they were dry. A 

 total of 493 samples were taken for most of the 

 measurements. TTie eight sampling stations were 

 chosen to represent the various segments within the 

 project area, including one reference site and three 

 treatment sites (upper Rincon Bayou, central Rincon 

 Bayou and Tidal Flats). One other station (68) in the 

 Nueces River near the Nueces Overflow Charmel was 

 used to provide a characterization of the riverine 

 source. 



Northern 

 bluff line 



Like 



Rincon Bayou 



central Rincon Bayou Site 

 (treatment) 



Figure 4-1 : Location of water column sampling stations in the upper Nueces Delta. The four sites included one 

 reference site (Stations 62 and 63) and three treatnnent sites: upper Rincon Bayou (Stations 65 and 66), central Rincon 

 Bayou (Stations 60 and 61) and Tidal Flats (Station 62). In addition to these, one sampling station (Station 68) was 

 occupied in the Nueces River near the Nueces Overflow Channel. 



4-2 



Water Column Pmdudivity 



