Projects

To support a study to characterize the fate of benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) in the watershed areas of the Quinnipiac and Mill Rivers which empty into Long Island Sound in an effort to study the fate of BBP on the behavior of aquatic organisms.

To support the first phase of a riparian buffer research project designed as a public waterfront demonstration park.

To support the assessment of the condition of macrofaunal communities in New Haven Harbor relative to selected environmental factors and the structure of the Harbor's benthic habitats. A comparison of the results will be made to available previous information to assess any long-term changes.

To support investigations into the causes and implications of marsh drowning in the Quinnipiac River.

To continue to work on scientifically validated Stream Team assessment program, to redesign the program to use a larger poll of personnel who will learn to perform rapid assessment  in the field to collect baseline and annual data, develop a bioassessment protocol for the salt marsh in the lower river that can be performed by teams, and enlarge citizen "eyes on the river," the Adopt-the-River program, but reorganizing adopters so that they are convened together at least once per year to learn skills of river protection and restoration and to report progress to officials.

To test the hypothesis that Cytec is discharging into the Quinnipiac a large amount ot polymeric formaldehyde which a) has not been accounted for in the permitting process; b) becomes bioavailable over time; c) has great potential to accumulate in sediments and organisms.

To analyze and report on a comparison of effluent monitoring data to permit requirements for industrial National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit holders in the Quinnipiac River Watershed.

To support the project entitled Comparison of Sediment Contaminants in the Branford River and the Quinnipiac River and their effects on the Benthic community.  This proposed research is an investigation of the sediment contaminant load of five sites in the Quinnipiac River and three sites within the Branford River.