REPORTS OF THE TIBOR T. POLGAR FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, 2018 Sarah H. Fernald, David J. Yozzo, and Helena Andreyko Editors A Joint Program of The Hudson River Foundation and The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation December 2020 i ii ABSTRACT Eight studies completed within the Hudson River Estuary under the auspices of the Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship Program during 2018 have been included in the current volume. Major objectives of these studies included: (1) determining the effects of light, nutrients, and temperature on cyanobacterial blooms, (2) quantifying the differences in microplastic concentrations among marsh, tributary, and open water locations in the Hudson River watershed, (3) determining the effect of microplastic size and shape on the uptake ability of the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginia), (4) evaluating the effect of salinity on gametogenesis in Eastern Oysters in the Hudson River, (5) determining the effect of the redox environment on anaerobic biodegradability of personal care products by native microorganisms in anoxic estuarine sediments, (6) comparing Vallisneria americana reproduction modes between sites in the Hudson River and Chesapeake Bay, (7) characterizing habitat use of tidal wetlands by the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), and (8) using core sample analysis to determine the environmental history of Ramshorn- Livingston Marsh. iii iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ............................................................................................................... iii Preface ................................................................................................................. vi Fellowship Reports Controls on Cyanobacteria Growth in the Hudson River Estuary Corey W. Rundquist and Stuart E. G. Findlay ..................................................... I-1 Quantification of Microplastic Content in Surface Water and Sediment within Hudson River Tributaries and Marshes Jason Randall, Zofia Gagnon, and Christopher Bowser ...................................... II-1 Size Does Matter: Exposure and Effects of Microplastics on the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Erika Bernal, Paul A. X. Bologna, and Beth Sharack .......................................... III-1 The Effect of Salinity on Eastern Oyster Reproduction in the Hudson River Estuary Kaili M. Gregory and Matthew Hare ................................................................... IV-1 Bugs on Drugs: The Influence of Redox Environments on the Microbial Degradation of Pharmaceuticals in the Hudson River Watershed Michelle L. Zeliph and Max M. Haggblom ......................................................... V-1 Assessing Mode of Reproduction in Vallisneria americana of the Hudson River, NY, and the Chesapeake Bay, MD Carrie E. Perkins and Maile C. Neel .................................................................... VI-1 Painted Turtle Ecology in a Freshwater Tidal Marsh: Concluding Survey Virginia Caponera and Erik Kiviat ...................................................................... VII-1 Human Impact on Ramshorn-Livingston, A Hudson River Freshwater Tidal Marsh Elizabeth Thompson and Dorothy Peteet ............................................................ VIII-1 v PREFACE The Hudson River estuary stretches from its tidal limit at the Federal Dam at Troy, New York, to its merger with the New York Bight, south of New York City. Within that reach, the estuary displays a broad transition from tidal freshwater to marine conditions that are reflected in its physical composition and the biota its supports. As such, it presents a major opportunity and challenge to researchers to describe the makeup and workings of a complex and dynamic ecosystem. The Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship Program provides funds for students to study selected aspects of the physical, chemical, biological, and public policy realms of the estuary. The Polgar Fellowship Program was established in 1985 in memory of Dr. Tibor T. Polgar, former Chairman of the Hudson River Foundation Science Panel. The 2018 program was jointly conducted by the Hudson River Foundation for Science and Environmental Research and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and underwritten by the Hudson River Foundation. The fellowship program provides stipends and research funds for research projects within the Hudson drainage basin and is open to graduate and undergraduate students. vi Prior to 1988, Polgar studies were conducted only within the four sites that comprise the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, a part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. The four Hudson River sites, Piermont Marsh, Iona Island, Tivoli Bays, and Stockport Flats exceed 4,000 acres and include a wide variety of habitats spaced over 100 miles of the Hudson estuary. Since 1988, the Polgar Program has supported research carried out at any location within the Hudson estuary. The work reported in this volume represents eight research projects conducted by Polgar Fellows during 2018. These studies meet the goals of the Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship Program to generate new information on the nature of the Hudson estuary and to train students in estuarine science. Sarah H. Fernald New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve David J. Yozzo Glenford Environmental Science Helena Andreyko Hudson River Foundation for Science and Environmental Research vii CONTROLS ON CYANOBACTERIA GROWTH IN THE HUDSON RIVER ESTUARY A Final Report of the Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship Program Corey W. Rundquist Polgar Fellow Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Millbrook, NY 12545 Project Advisor: Stuart E. G. Findlay Aquatic Ecologist Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Millbrook, NY 12545 Rundquist, C. W. and S. E. G. Findlay. 2020. Controls on Cyanobacteria Growth in the Hudson River Estuary. Section I: 1-23 pp. In S.H. Fernald, D.J. Yozzo and H. Andreyko (eds.), Final Reports of the Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship Program, 2018. Hudson River Foundation. I-1 ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of light, nutrient and temperature on potential for cyanobacterial bloom formation were tested under simulated Hudson River conditions. The results from this experiment were then compared to actual Hudson River conditions in order to better predict the formation conditions for harmful cyanobacterial blooms. The first experiment measured the effects of temperature as well as nitrogen and phosphorus levels on the cyanobacteria concentration of small scale cultures with natural inoculants. The second experiment tested the variables of elevated nutrient levels and depth under field conditions at Norrie Point in Staatsburg, NY. After the cultures grew for three weeks, the results from the first experiment showed that increased temperature had a significant, positive effect on cyanobacterial concentration. Additionally, the results from the second experiment showed that elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus significantly increased cyanobacterial concentration. The results from this experiment convey that cyanobacteria can quickly grow up to harmful concentrations, in warm, nutrient-rich water. In the Hudson River, these conditions could be found in a relatively stagnant, open section of river, downstream of a sewage treatment plant, in late summer. I-2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ................................................................................................................ I-2 Table of Contents ................................................................................................. I-3 Lists of Figures and Tables .................................................................................. I-4 Introduction .......................................................................................................... I-5 Methods................................................................................................................ I-8 Greenhouse Experiment ........................................................................... I-8 River Experiment ..................................................................................... I-10 Results .................................................................................................................. I-11 Greenhouse Experiment ........................................................................... I-11 River Experiment ..................................................................................... I-14 Discussion ............................................................................................................ I-16 Acknowledgments................................................................................................ I-21 References ............................................................................................................ I-22 I-3 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 – Picture of the experimental setup testing the effects of temperature and nutrients on cyanobacteria concentration. The higher temperature treatment is depicted on the left and the lower temperature is depicted on the right. .......................................................................... I-9 Figure 2 – A picture of the experimental rig testing the effects of nutrients and depth on cyanobacteria concentration, placed in the Hudson River at Norrie Point, Staatsburg, NY. ........................................................ I-11 Figure 3 – Average chlorophyll (µg/L) measurements of four culture treatments grown