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Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Katey Zimmerman was in the field last week, tracking down algal bloom data with N.C. State and East Carolina universities partners.

“Dr. Astrid Schnetzer, the director of NCCCAPE (NC Center of Coastal Algae, People and Environment), is doing research on algal bloom toxins in the Pamlico estuary and how they affect shellfish and fish — where they’re showing up, how frequently and their impacts,” Katey said.

Partnering in the research is ECU’s Water Resources Center’s Coastline and People program. Katey met up with both teams last week at the North Carolina Estuarium, then they split up to track down data.

“They’re hosting joint sampling days for a bunch of sites on the north- and southside of the Pamlico, getting YSI meter readings like pH and dissolved oxygen, and collecting water samples for nutrient analysis,” Katey said, adding that part of the process includes deploying/collecting SPATTs, or Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking devices, which are resin discs that collect and measure algal toxins dissolved in water.

Katey, Mike O’Driscoll, associate professor for ECU’s Department of Coastal Studies, and research tech Emory Gardner with NCCCape tackled the north side of the Pamlico, collecting data at the Estuarium on the Washington waterfront, Havens Gardens, Goose Creek State Park, Bonner Point in Bath and the Bayview-Aurora ferry terminal.

“It was really a great opportunity to go out and see what they do, as well as get out in the field,” Katey said.

Katey said next steps could include sharing data through Sound Rivers’ new Water Watch dashboard, potentially tracking algal blooms on the Pamlico River.

“Astrid was very jazzed about Water Watch and is interested in exploring if NCCCAPE could add their data to the dashboard, where all our Water Watchers will be uploading their observations,” Katey said.

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