An Analysis of Dissolved Carbon Dioxide and pH along the Jersey Shore

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the effects of CO2 emissions, and consequently, ocean acidification along New Jerseys coast.
Abstract North New Jersey Average Dissolved Carbon Dioxide
Dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) and pH are water quality parameters that vs. South New Jersey Average Dissolved Carbon
4.40
Dioxide
affect the process of ocean acidification. Fossil fuels and greenhouse gas

Dissolved Carbon Dioxide (mg/L)

4.30 P-value > 0.05
emissions increase the amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere, 4.20
which the ocean absorbs. The carbonic acid formed as a result of the ocean 4.10
water and carbon dioxide reacting negatively impacts the oceans 4.00
ecosystem. These anthropogenic effects include weakening the shells of
3.90
mollusks, which are crucial to many coastal economies. The fluctuations also
3.80
affect the biological processes and alter chemical reactions that occur in the
3.70
ocean. Data was collected on November 23, 25, 26, and 27, 2016. The
3.60
results suggest significant differences between average dissolved carbon
3.50
dioxide and pH and sample site location. The results also suggest that
3.40
dissolved carbon dioxide is greater in Northern New Jersey near urban 1 2
areas. Since this study analyzes dissolved carbon dioxide and pH data, the
results may indicate the effects of ocean acidification along the coast of New Figure 13: A comparison of the average dissolved carbon dioxide
Jersey. values between the north New Jersey sites (Sandy Hook to Island
Beach State Park) and the south New Jersey sites (including Island
Beach State Park to Cape May) from the data collected on November
23, 25, 26, and 27, 2016 for all sample sites. The P-value (>0.05)
result of the t-test does not suggest a significant difference.

North New Jersey Average pH vs. South New Jersey

Average pH
P-value < 0.05
8.60

8.40

8.20

8.00

pH
7.80

7.60

Figure 1: The sample team on the beach Figure 2: The New York City Line seen 7.40

in Manasquan, NJ. Sampling occurred on at Sandy Hook, NJ. Sampling occurred 7.20
November 27, 2016. on November 27, 2016.
7.00
1 2

Figure 14: A comparison of the average pH values between the North

Introduction New Jersey sites (Sandy Hook to Island Beach State Park) and the
Ocean acidification: the process that changes the chemistry of the ocean South New Jersey sites (including Island Beach State Park to Cape
May) from the data collected on November 23, 25, 26, and 27, 2016
that occurs as the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) from the
for all sample sites. The P-value (<0.05) suggests a significant
atmosphere (NOAA 2012). difference.
The water (H2O) from the ocean and the carbon dioxide (CO2) from the
atmosphere combine to form carbonic acid:
CO2 (aq) + H2O H2CO3 (aq) Discussion and Conclusion
pH: the amount of hydrogen (H+) ions are present in water seawater The results are compared to energy usage; energy related CO2 emissions
with a greater quantity of hydrogen ions is more acidic (low pH levels). account for over 80% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.
pH is measured on a logarithmic scale: small changes in pH are Net summer capacity: the maximum output (in megawatts) that certain
astronomical changes to the oceanic ecosystem. generating equipment can as demonstrated by a multi-hour test at the
Amount of H+ ions from lower pH levels force the chloride and sodium time of peak demand.
ions out of the cell, disturbing the homeostasis of an organism; if pH Total net summer capacity of northern NJ: 11357.9 MW (Figure 11)
fluctuates too much, organisms will die. Total net summer capacity of southern NJ: 7004.5 MW (Figure 12)
Dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2): a measurement of the amount of carbon Northern sites were more impacted by natural gas emissions, while
dioxide dissolved in a water body. Aquatic plants rely on carbon dioxide Southern Sites were more impacted by nuclear emissions (Figures 11 &
for photosynthesis, and organisms rely on the oxygen released through 12). Nuclear power plants are a renewable energy source and prevent
photosynthesis to survive. average of 64 gigatons of CO2 emissions.
The Jersey Shore is at a high risk for ocean acidification. Carbonic acid New York City alone produces on average 5.8 metric tons of CO2
weakens the shells of several species: leading to a population decrease. emissions annually. The northwesterly winds transfer the CO2 from these
Since shelled mollusks are the primary source of revenue in the emissions in a southern direction, toward the northern study sites and
aquaculture industry, ocean acidification poses a significant threat to New then eventually toward southern NJ (Figure 9).
Jerseys (NJ) economy. As a result of the large difference in energy consumptions of northern and
southern NJ, the t-test between the average pH of the 9 northernmost
sites and the 9 southernmost sites showed a significant difference (P-
value < 0.05) (Figures 9 &13).
A significant difference between northern and southern NJ dissolved CO2
averages was expected, but not found: possibly due to temperatures
relationship with dissolved gases or the small range of sample sites (P-
value > 0.05) (Figures 9 & 14).
The regression test suggested a weak correlation (Figure 10). This could
be a result of certain areas on the coast receiving more or less
CO 2 emissions due to prevailing winds. The strong winds
characteristically experienced during the fall and winter could lead to
lower pH values as carbon dioxide gets blown out of the area.
This study shows that sample site location affects each parameter,
especially in close proximity to areas with greater amounts of carbon
emissions: cities, natural gas plants, etc. The information from this study
could be used in understanding the effects of ocean acidification on a
greater scale; perhaps the entire east coast of the United States.

Figures 3-6; Various sample sites along the coast of New Jersey on November
23, 25, 26, and 27, 2016.

Methodology
Procedure
Eighteen sample sites: along the New Jersey Shore, nine in northern New
Jersey and nine in southern New Jersey, throughout four days (November
23, 25, 26 and 27, 2016) Figure 15: Research team member sampling Figure 16: View of Atlantic City at sampling
GPS Garmin 72 units: collected UTM coordinates for each sampling site in the surf zone in Asbury Park, NJ. Sampling site in Ocean City. Sampling occurred on
occurred on November 27, 2016. November 26, 2016.
Three water samples from the surf zone were collected to obtain data:
o LaMotte titration kit: dissolved carbon dioxide (mg/L)
o YSI-85 multimeter: salinity (ppt), conductivity (mS/cm), conductance
(mS/cm), water temperature (C), and dissolved oxygen (mg/L). A Figures 7-9 (left to right then down): (7): The locations of the sampling sites along the coast of New Jersey from November 23, 25, 26, and 27, 2016 (n=18). The GPS locations (UTM) are 18 T 0585266 4480507 (Sandy Hook), 18 T 0587272 4466256 (Monmouth Beach), 18 T 0585434 4453821 (Asbury Park), 18 T 0504516 4449931 (Bradley
Acknowledgements
Beach), 18 T 0582453 4440394 (Manasquan), 18 T 0581827 4436698 (Point Pleasant), 18 T 0580505 4429208 (Brick), 18 S 0579801 4424753 (Lavallette), 18 S 0579467 4421733 (Seaside Heights), 18 S 0578261 4411813 (Island Beach State Park), 18 S 0577075 4400892 (Barnegat Light), 18 S 0571305 4389602 (Surf City), 18 S We would like to thank Dr. John Wnek and Mr. Jason Kelsey for their
o Sper Scientific pH probe: pH
Statistical Analysis 0563531 4376033 (Holgate), 18 S 0547981 4355869 (Atlantic City), 18 S 0538028 4347 (Ocean City), 18 S 0525435 4330960 (Sea Isle City), 18 S 0515932 4314199 (Wildwood), and 18 S 0508054 4309176 (Cape May). (8) Energy source type throughout all of New Jersey. They include: biomass, coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, petroleum, guidance and assistance regarding this study.
nuclear, solar, and wind. The gray region delineates northern New Jersey and the blue region symbolizes southern New Jersey. (5) The pH values, are shown by choropleth regions, for each sampling location in Northern New Jersey. The dissolved carbon dioxide (mg/L) values, are symbolized by green graduated symbols, and from
T-tests and regression test November 25 and 27, 2016. For the pH choropleth, the darkest color (dark yellow) represents the most acidic value (lowest pH) and the lightest color (white) represents the most basic value(highest pH). For the dissolved carbon dioxide, the size of the green symbol signifies the value of dissolved CO2 valuelarger symbol, greater value and
An alpha of 0.05 or less and error bars of 5% standard deviation from the
mean were used to analyze the data.
vice versa. (n=9)(N=27). (9) The dissolved carbon dioxide (mg/L) values, represented by green graduated symbols, and the pH values, represented by choropleth regions, for each sampling location in Southern New Jersey (n=9) from November 23 and 26, 2016. For the pH choropleth component, the darkest color (dark yellow) represents Selected References
the most acidic value and the lightest color (white) represents the most basic value. For the dissolved carbon dioxide component, the size of the green symbol corresponds with the dissolved CO2 value: larger symbol, greater value and vice versa. Karecha, P., & Hansen, J. (2013, April 23). Coal and gas power are far more harmful
Graphical Analysis than nuclear power. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
ArcMap ESRI 10.2.2 software: created four maps displaying sampling Table 1: The dissolved CO2 (mg/L) and pH values measured in this study from Lehigh University. (2011). Organisms and pH Tolerance. Retrieved January
locations, New Jerseys energy sources, pH and dissolved CO2 data for Cape May to Sandy Hook along the New Jersey Shore Coastline from November 12, 2017.
23, 25, 26, and 27, 2016. (n=18)
Dissolved Carbon Dioxide vs pH Northern New Jersey Energy Use (MW) Southern New Jersey Energy Use (MW)
northern New Jersey, and pH and dissolved CO2 data for southern New National Resources Defense Council (2015, February). New Jersey is at
6 High Risk for Economic Harm Due to Ocean Acidification. Nrdc.org.
Jersey were created.
Sampling Loca-on Dissolved CO2 (mg/L) Avg. Dissolved pH Avg. pH Retrieved 10 January 2017.
Data downloaded from the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Dissolved Carbon Dioxide (mg/L)

CO2 (mg/L)
5 NOAA. (2012, September 24). Study finds that ocean acidification is
Protection and the U.S. Energy Information Administration Sandy Hook 4.70 4.80 5.20 4.90 7.90 7.91 7.90 7.90
Biomass: 168.8 (1.5%)
accelerated in nutrient-rich areas. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
Coordinate System: NAD 1983 StatePlane New Jersey FIPS 2900 Monmouth Beach 4.60 4.70 4.80 4.70 7.90 7.91 7.92 7.91 Biomass: 60.6 (0.9%) Ocean Portal Team. (2016). Ocean Acidification (J. Bennett, Ed.).
Asbury Park 3.90 3.80 3.70 3.80 7.97 7.95 7.96 7.96 4 Coal: 632.0 (5.6%)
Coal: 761 (10.9%) Retrieved September 19, 2016.
Bradley Beach 4.00 3.70 3.80 3.83 7.96 7.96 7.96 7.96 Hydroelectric: 12.3 (0.1%)
Hydroelectric: 0.00 (0.0%) Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist. (2017). Retrieved January 24, 2017.
Manasquan 3.50 3.60 3.70 3.60 8.00 7.99 7.98 7.99 3 Natural Gas: 10243.8 (90.1%) Pasion, C., Amar, M., & Zhou, Y. (2016, April). Inventory of New York City Greenhouse
Point Pleasant 4.00 4.10 3.90 4.00 7.95 7.94 7.93 7.94 Petroleum: 6.00 (0.1%)
Natural Gas: 1852.80 (26.5%)
View the Story Gas Emissions. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
Petroleum: 31.5 (0.45%)
Brick 3.10 3.00 3.40 3.17 7.87 7.88 7.88 7.88
2 y = 0.7787x - 2.2031 Nuclear: 0.00 (0.0%) Map for this
LavalleGe 3.60 3.70 3.50 3.60 7.89 7.90 7.90 7.90 R = 0.0038 Nuclear: 4146.30 (59.2%)
Seaside Heights 3.50 3.40 3.50 3.47 7.93 7.93 7.94 7.93 F = 0.6559 Solar: 294.9 (2.6%)
Solar: 144.80 (2.1%)
research for
Island Beach State 3.80 3.90 3.90 3.87 8.02 8.00 8.00 8.01 1 Wind: 0.00 (0.0%)
Wind: 7.50 (0.1%)
more pictures!
Park
Barnegat Light 3.70 3.70 3.80 3.73 8.00 8.01 8.01 8.01 0 Total Northern Energy (MW):
Surf City 3.90 3.50 3.80 3.73 7.95 7.96 7.95 7.95 7.86 7.88 7.9 7.92 7.94 7.96 7.98 8 8.02 8.04 Total Southern Energy (MW): 7004.50
11357.9
Holgate 3.70 3.60 3.50 3.60 7.99 8.00 7.99 7.99 pH
Atlan-c City 4.50 4.60 4.70 4.60 7.99 8.00 8.01 8.00 Figure 10: The relationship between dissolved carbon dioxide (mg/L) and Figure 11: The sources of energy and their corresponding amounts (MW) Figure 12: The types of energy sources and their corresponding
Ocean City 4.90 4.90 4.70 4.83 7.95 7.96 7.97 7.96 pH along the coast of New Jersey from November 23, 25, 26, and 27, in northern New Jersey. Natural gas is the greatest contributor, 90.1%,
Sea Isle City 4.50 4.30 4.50 4.43 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 2016. The linear trend line and regression test, R2 value (0.0038) and amounts (MW) in southern New Jersey. Nuclear energy is the greatest
comprising 10,243.8 MW of 11, 357.9 MW total amount of energy used in
Wildwood 3.90 4.10 4.20 4.07 7.94 7.95 7.94 7.94 critical F value (0.6559), show a weak correlation between dissolved source, 59.2%, (4.146.3 MW of the total 7,004.5 MW used in southern
northern New Jersey.
Cape May 3.90 3.90 3.90 3.90 7.94 7.93 7.94 7.94 carbon dioxide and pH (n=54). New Jersey.