[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                                                         Task 40        FINAL PRODUff
                                                                         FY 1993







                                        Final Report for the program entitled:

              Intertidal Oyster Reefs as a Tool for Estuarine Rehabilitation and Rejuvenation of the
                     Virginia Oyster Fishery: Instrumentation for Environmental Monitoring


                                                    submitted to:


                                           The Commonwealth of Virginia
                                        Department of Environmental Quality
                                        Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Programs
                           Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program, P.O. Box 10009
                                                629 East Main Street
                                              Richmond, VA 23240-009
                                              attn.: Ms. Laura McKay
                                            Coastal Projects Coordinator

7-
7-                                                       by
0                         The School of Marine Science and Virginia Institute of Marine Science
14                                        The College of William and Mary
                                             Gloucester Point, VA 23062



                               Investigator: Dr. Roger Mann, Professor of Marine Science

                                     date of report submission: October 26, 1995




             This project was ftinded, in part, by the Virginia Council on the Environment's *Tmo@@%' .9,10
                                                                                         14
             Coastal Resources Management Program through Grant #NA370ZO360-01
             (task #40) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
             Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management Act of 1972 as amended.










             Intertidal Oyster Reefs as a Tool for Estuarine Rehabilitation and Rejuvenation of the
             Virginia Oyster Fishery: Instrumentation for Environmental Monitoring


             Introduction


                      The Virginia Marine Resources Commission Shellfish Replenishment Program began, in
             May 1993, a program to build intertidal oyster reefs in the Piankatank River in an area devoted
             exclusively to shellfish replenishment efforts. In collaboration with the Virginia Institute of
             Marine Science a research and monitoring program was initiated to examine oyster settlement,
             survival, growth, and disease incidence on the constructed reefs in comparison to adjacent,
             subtidal shell plants as used in traditional replenishment efforts. Since construction we have
             proceeded with a long term monitoring and manipulative experimental program to examine
             temporal and spatial recruitment at differing exposure levels/depths. This is accompanied by
             temporal sampling at each station to oyster record growth and eventual destructive sampling for
             examination of disease incidence and intensity. Sampling began in June of 1993 and continues at
             this time. The major biological portion of this program will continue until December 1995 and
             will be the subject of a dedicated final report to the Department of Environmental Quality early
             in 1996. This report addresses a component of the program that was fimded after its initiation
             and as a separate item: namely field instrumentation to more accurately assess tidal and other
             environmental parameters at the experimental site in order to correctly interpret observed data.

             Field instrument description and specification.

                     The purchased instrument package is a comprehensive tide height and environmental
             sensing and recording system. It was deployed by attachment to a major piling adjacent to the
             intertidal oyster reef in the center of the Piankatank waterway at least 100 yards from the
             shoreline and is accessible only by boat. The instrumentation is sufficiently robust and
             protected to function in an environment that typically encounters, over annual deployment,
             temperatures from -20 to +55 C, and winds up to 45 mph. Due to these harsh environmental
             conditions, the cost of a weathertight enclosure and watertight cable entry grips is included in the
             project specification.

                     All component systems, described in detail in the following section in terms of
             specification, are linked to a central datalogger.        Periodicity of data collection is user
             programmable and data downloading is possible to a laptop computer in the field. Appropriate
             software for data downloading was included in the bid price. The lap top computer was not
             purchased with the instrument package, but computer hardware to enable data collection and
             analysis was included in the project budget.










                     The instrumentation package is serviceable in the field in terms of battery replacement.
              Battery power supply is sufficient to provide for a minimum of 14 days unattended monitoring.
              A solar power recharging system is deployed with the instrumentation. This recharging system
              is regulated to prevent over-charging damage to batteries. All electronics included in the data
              collection system operate from this battery/solar recharging unit.             I

                     Component instruments are capable of recording information on tidal height, wind
              velocity and direction, relative humidity, air temperature, water temperature, and net radiation.
              All component instruments are capable of transmitting data for storage in the accompanying
              datalogger. The instruments was delivered as a coherent, compatible package pre-tested by the
              supplier. Final assembly was effected at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science by project
              personnel under direction of a engineer from the supplier.             Appropriate manuals and
              documentation to assist users in deployment and recording were supplied.


              Datalogger:


                     The datalogger is capable of acquiring and storing data from a variety of sensors. The
              datalogger unit has a detachable terminal blocks for ease of system wiring and an integrated
              display and keypad for programming and field testing. The datalogger has a RS-232 port for
              interfacing with a personal computer or external modem, and enough internal non-volatile
              memory to log at least 55,000 time-stamped data samples. The data logger contains the
              following:

                     -Six 0-5 Volt Analog inputs;
                     -Analog to Digital Resolution (at least 12 bits);
                     -Accuracy +/- 2 bits over temperature range;
                     -Precision 5,000 Volt sensor excitation;
                     -Switched battery to sensors;
                     -Programmable warm-up time;
                     -Logging interval programmable from I per minute to I per day;
                     -Two Digital Counters, programmable for either frequency or
                     accumulated count;
                     -Four Open-Collector control outputs, capable of sinking at least 100 mA;
                     -SDI-12 sensor interface;
                     -Internal transient protection on all sensor inputs;
                     -Time keeping: +/- I minute per month.

                     Although our immediate needs do not include a remote sensing component, the data logger
              is able to accommodate the ffiture addition of either line of site radio or GOES satellite telemetry.










              Furthermore, the datalogger is expandable and allows for the addition of one or more analog and
              digital data acquisition circuits.


              Tidal Height Measurement:


                      The water level measurement device is made be of 100% solid state digital low power
              circuitry and incorporates an absolute means of detecting the water surface relative to a fixed
              point. It is preferable for such instruments to be devoid of floats or submerged sensors and be
              electrically isolated from the water. The measurement is automatically and concurrently
              calibrated for ambient temperature and barometric pressure.
                      All measurements is controlled by an integral microcontroller which is programmable on-
              site to produce processed data. The instrument is capable of producing tide data under the
              accepted NOS algorithm, averaging multiple measurements or obtaining single discreet
              measurements, and outputting data in ASCII printable characters. All data is available for either
              automated collection by the datalogger or manual collection by a personal computer. The
              instrument specifications are as follows:


                      Measurement
                              -Range:                20 m
                              -Response:             3 m/sec
                              -Resolution:           I mm or .00 1 ft, selectable
                              -Rate:                 I per second
                              -Average:              I to 255 measurements, selectable
                      Calibration
                              -Accuracy:             99.97%
                              -Linearity:            99.98%
                              -Repeatability:        99.99%
                              -Stability             over time:   100%
                                                     over ternp: +I ppm/deg C
                      Physical
                              -Exposed Sensor:       Less than 100 mm diameter x 200 mm
                              -Material:             100% non-corrosive, UV resistant











             Wind Speed and Direction:


                    The wind sensor is a sturdy, propeller-type instrument capable of measuring both wind
             speed and direction in harsh, corrosive sea air environments. The sensor is mountable to a pipe
             and crossbar and compatible with the data logger unit. The sensor specifications are as follows:
                    -Working range:           0 to 130 mph, 0 to 360 degrees mechanical
                    -Survival range:          winds up to 220 mph
                    -Propeller threshold:     2.2 mph
                    -Vane threshold (10):     2.0 mph
                    -Power:                   switch excitation voltage supplied by datalogger

             Relative Humidity:


                    The relative humidity probe is rugged and compatible with the datalogger. The sensor
             specifications are as follows:
                    -Range:                0 to 100%
                    -Accuracy:             +2%RH(Oto9O%RH), ï¿½3%RH(90tolOO%RH)
                    -Response time:        15 seconds or less


             Air Temperature:


                    The air temperature sensor specifications are as follows:
                    -Range:                 -35 to 50 C
                    -Accuracy:              + .4 C worse case, + .2 C typical
                    -Linearity:             0.3 C


             Water Temperature:


                    The water temperature sensor is submersible, provided with at least 25 ft. of cable, and
             meet or exceed the following specifications:
                    -Range:                 -10 to 40 C
                    -Accuracy:              +.25 C
                    -Linearity:             0.5 C


             Net Radiometer:


                    The net radiometer measures net solar radiation, defined as the total incoming radiation
             minus total outgoing radiation. Incoming radiation consists of short-wave radiation (from direct
             beam and diffuse solar radiation) and ion-wave sky radiation. Outgoing radiation consists of
             reflected solar radiation and terrestrial radiation.











             Accessory instrumentation

                     In addition to purchase and installation of the field instrument the grant also supported
             purchase of computing hardware for data retrieval and analysis, and a color video camera for
             image analysis of time series photographs of oyster populations on the reef as used in generating
             growth and survival data.


             Report of activity.

                     Vitel Inc. of Manassas VA was selected as supplier of the field instrument package after
             invitations for bid. The instrument was delivered as individual sensor units to the Virginia
             Institute of Marine Science and subsequently assembled by project personnel during an on site
             visit by Vitel engineers. The assembled unit was then installed on a piling in the Piankatank
             River immediately adjacent to the constructed reef. The location of installation is given in
             Figures I and 2. The instrument package is illustrated in the accompanying photographs.
             Minor teething problems were experienced with the water temperature sensor (mostly caused by
             ambiguity in the original manufacturer specifications on required immersion depth of the
             thermistor sensor - this has now been rectified and the sensor is to be reinstalled shortly) and
             battery charging system (a loose fuse connection!); however, these have been rectified and are not
             cause for long term concern. Typical raw data output is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 for net
             radiometer data from Julian days 205 through 207 and relative humidity data for Julian days 187
             through 196. The installation has been serviced regularly (with assistance of local travel and boat
             support ftmds provided by this grant) and will continue to be visited as required for data
             collection. We fully expect this to be a long term monitoring station that contributes directly to
             our understanding of reef related processes, but also contributes to a wider network of
             Chesapeake Bay observing stations in that this is the only such comprehensive weather and tide
             station in the Piankatank River.


                     The video camera was purchased and is in use for the intended and other projects related
             to continuing investigations of oyster settlement, growth and survival in the Piankatank River
             reef systems (now plural in that three other reefs have been constructed since the first reef was
             completed in 1993).

             Acknowledgments

                     Design, assembly, installation, testing and operation of the field instruments involved a
             steep learning curve for this investigator. Thanks are due to John Koval and Fred Bechert of
             Vitel Inc. for patience in all aspects of this process, and to Ian Bartol and Kenneth Walker for
             many hours of effort in both the laboratory and the field, often under less than ideal conditions.,












             Plate 1: The fmal installation of the tide metef and environmental instrumentation in the
             Piankatank River. The instruments are attached to a large piling at the eastern end of the reef.
             All data is logged on a datalogger housed in a watertight box (a) mounted under a spray roof. The
             box also contains the back up battery power source. The tide meter is housed in a vertically
             mounted PVC tube (b) attached to the piling and extending below the water surface. The water
             temperature sensor is a thermistor on a sealed conductor that is attached behind this tube (it is
             about 6mm in diameter and hidden behind the tube in these photographs.) Wind direction and
             velocity are recorded by the directional propeller / weather vein assembly (c) while air
             temperature and relative humidity sensors are attached to the opposite end of the mounting arm
             in a ventilated "beehive" housing (d). Solar radiation is assessed by a end mounted unit (e). A
             solar panel (f) provides continued charging in daylight hours to the battery power supply.
















                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       c

                                                                                                                         f                                                                                                                                                                   f

                                                         e




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       a






                                                                                                                                    EIMED
                                                                                                                                      G E R

                                                                                                                                REEF




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       7@ @ 4









               Figure 1: Location and description of constructed intertidal reef within the Piankatank River. This is as
               provided to the VMRC, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, and local Wetlands Boards for
               permitting purposes in relation to reef construction. The eventual reef occupies the described location,
               although the exposed surface is not flat as depicted in the bottom graphic.  Rather, it is rounded in response. to
               tidal action and ice scour during the winter of 1993 - 1994.


                                                                           -.0 LIGHT
                                                                                               PUBLIC GROUND No. 5
                                                                                                MATHEWS        COUNTY
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                                                                                     VW.RC SHELL    PLANY..


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                                      Ak
                                       \                  ... ROANE PT@[email protected]%,.
                                                            OANE '92

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                                                                                      274


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                                                                                                   46C5

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                                                                                                        Ir
                                                     REFERENCE:
                                      rit-Ay FT
                                                     USGS; 7.5' TOPO OUADS
                                                     WILTON 8    DELTAVILLE
                                                                                   600
                                                     VMRC OYSTER MAP 435-2
                                                                             SCALE
                                                       PLAN        NOT TO

                                 EAY
                                                                CSSTRuCTION MARK R
                                      'SLAKO                                          E S
                S1
                                                                AS REOUIRED
                                                                                         30,             35' TYP,_

                                                                                                            WHW

                                                                                        ZSHELL 'REEF"             I TYR

                VICINITY         MAP     N.T.S.
                                                                          4LEXISTING BOTTOM-
                                                          SECTION         NOT TO     SCALE

                                                     REEF CORNERS
                F,u%;Fo-zr-0YSTER BROOD STOCK
                        RESEARCH                     I.   LAT. 370 31' 41.645" N.              RESEARCH REEF
                        NAD 27, MLW                       LONG.76* 22'27.066" W.
                   ICE-7 PACPCRTY ow4asts. N/A       2.   LAT. 370 31'40.679"      N.              FIANKATANK RIVER
                                                          LONG. 760 Ze 27.334"     W.          AT ROANE POINT
                                                     3.   LAT. 37* 31' 43.431"     N.
                                                          LONG. 760 22'39.256"     W.          c*vwry Of MATHEWS z-rATc VA.
                                                     4.   LAT 37P 31' 44-396"      N.          ArrLICATiow *vV.M.R.C.
                                                          LONG. 76* 22'38.990'.    W.          FISHERIES MGT. -REPLETION
                                                                                                   StIECT I Of I OATEJAN. 1993








           Figure 2: General location of all extant oyster reefs and shell plantings (effected by the VMRC Replenishment Program) within the Piankatank River. The location
           of the constructed reef, immediately north of Roane Point, is marked R. The instrument package is at the eastern tip of the reef The remaining reefs, progressing in
           a downstream direction, are A: Ginney Point, B: Island Bar, C: Palace Bar, D: Blands Point, E: Herring Rock, F: Cape Toone, G: Stove Point, H: Cape Toone
           inshore (small lumps). Oyster spatfall monitoring stations are located at Ginney Point, Palace Bar, Burtons Point (labelled I, traditionally used as shell plant on
           hard sand but not a a natural reef), and Three Branches (labelled J in the lee of Gwynns Island on a former shell plant).




                INDEX
                                                                                      +                                      +                   +






                                                                                                                                                            .1  A:

                                                                                                                             --X77
                                                7-32'
                                                                                                                             4@7-32'
                                                                                                                                                              f6    +

                                                                                                                              E





                                                                                                                                 178

                          Z'                    '.4                                                                          F
                          +
                                                                                                                      H

                                                                                                                     Nil-





                                                                                          5-4
                                                                                                                                                +

















                            PIANKATANK RIVER                                        ......





                                                       Figure 3: DEQ Instrumentation document




                                               Piankatank River reef: Raw net radiometer data



               900 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



               800 --------------------------------------------- -       --------------------------------         --------



               700-  ------ ---   ------------------------------- -- - --------------------------------       -- -------



               600 ------ ------   ----------------------------- --- --     -----------------------------     -- - -----



               500 ----- ------- -   -------------------------    ----
                                                                        ----------------------------------    -- ------


                                                                                                                              0 Seriesl
            V
               400 --- -------- --    ------------------------- ---- ---- ----- ---- ----- -- --- - -

            E
            0
               300 - - ------------ -----------------------      ----- ----- ----------------------- ------------ --


            z  200 - --------------- --------------------- ------------          -------------------    -------------- -


               100   --------------- -------------------      ----------------- -----------------------------------


                 0 HHHH HHHHH Hi HHHH H Hi HHHi H1111411RIII117111         ..... ..... HII!....
                                                                                       .............
                                                                                       0 0 0 0 0 0 LO 0 0 0
                      15: 15:       It 15:    It 15: 7t 7@  15:   1@: It it 75: It     15: It 15: 7t 7@ 15: 15: 15: 15:  1@
                   0 W 0 IN V 0 W 0 N 0 N 1,411 0 W 0 IN It 0 W 0 N 0 IN Itt 0 W 0 N                                  0
                   0 0                        N 0 0 0 0 0                              N 0 0 0 0 0


                   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 a 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

                                                                                       0 M LO 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

                                                           Julian day and time: 1995




                                                   Roger Mann, Virginia Institute of Marine Science





                                  Figure 4: DEQ Instrumentation document



                            Piankatank River reef: Raw relative humidity data


          100 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



         90 ------------------ - ----  --------------- -------- ---- - ----- ---- ------------



         80       ------ --- -- ------------    --- - - --- --- --- -- --- -----



         70       --  ----- ----- -----  --- -- ---- ----- ---- - ---- --- --- --

       10
       a,

            ------------- ---------------- -- ------- ----- ------ ------ - ---- -----
       z. 60
       :6.
       E
         50 ------------- ---------------- ----------------------- ------ - ------  ------ ------- Series1l

         40 ------------------------------ - ---------------------------------------- -------------------



         30 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



         20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



         10 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


           06........
            00 0  0 0 LO LO U) to LO to LO LO to LO LO LO LO LO LO U) LO to LO U') LO LO LO LO LO LO
            P'np  In (p '5:715:7'!t 7: '!t !7 '!t '7 '!t 7. "5: 7: '!@ 7: '@: 7: 7t 7: 7: 7@ 7: it 7: '!t
            000 r-. 0 00M   0 'qt Cr) CO V* ce) r- CO00) r@N00) CO C\1 LO 't C\j r- LO
                        0   C\1 0 C\j 0 @ C\j 0 - 0 0 @ 0  0 @ C\1 0 - N 0

            CO (D (D r@ r@ 1,. 00 00 00 CY) 0) 0)000-NNC\1 C) COM'tVIt LO LO LO CO CD
            00 00 CO CO CO CO CO CO 00 CO CO CO a) 0) 0) 0) 0) 0) 0) 0) 0) 0) 0)M0) 0) 0) 0)Ma) 0)

                                           W 0 U) 0 0 0 0 0 0 M 0 0 0 0 0 W

                                     Julian day and time: 1995




                                Roger Mann, Virginia Institute of Marine Science





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