One of the major uncertainties in studying eutrophication in Barnegat Bay and other estuaries is nitrogen flux through the ocean-estuary boundary. Barnegat Inlet is the primary opening through which water and material are exchanged between the ocean an Barnegat Bay. To quantify relative nitrogen loadings to Barnegat Bay and to develop an eutrophication model for the bay, the nitrogen flux through Barnegat Inlet must be quantified. Nitrogen may be re-suspended from the bottom during ocean upwelling and enter the bay. In addition, nitrogen discharged to near shore coastal waters, from ocean outfalls of sewage treatment plants, may enter the bay. To detect the variability of nitrogen flux, water flow and nitrogen concentration at Barnegat Inlet are measured simultaneously on a continuous basis. The water flow is measured by a current meter. The nitrogen concentration is measured by an in situ nutrient analyzer, which is essentially an underwater, miniature wet chemistry laboratory. Newly measured results will be presented. Factors influencing the flux, such as nitrogen sources and hydrodynamic forces, will also be examined.
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