Remote semi-continuous flow rate logging seepage meter

The movement of groundwater and its associated solutes from upland regions was implicated in the degradation of receiving surface water bodies. Current efforts to directly measure this influx of water incorporate manually operated seepage meters which are hindered by severe limitations. A prototype seepage meter was developed by NASA Langley Research Center and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University that will allow for the semi-continuous collection and data logging of seepage flux across the sediment water interface. The meter is designed to operate at depths to 40 meters, and alleviate or minimize all disadvantages associated with traditional methods while remaining cost effective. The unit was designed to operate independently for time periods on the order of weeks with adjustable sample sequences depending upon hydrologic conditions. When used in conjunction with commercially available pressure transducers, this seepage meter allows for correlations to be made between groundwater discharge and tidal/sea state conditions in coastal areas. Field data from the Chesapeake Bay and Florida Bay systems are presented

Subsurface Hydrodynamics and Nutrient Exchange within an Extensive Tidal Freshwater Wetland

Located between upland and riverine systems, extensive tidal freshwater wetlands are influenced by a variety of recharging water sources and their respective nutrient contents. Conversely, tidal wetlands discharge interstitial waters and solutes to surface waters during periods of aerial exposure. Geohydrologic and model simulation methodology were utilized in order to aid in the understanding of wetland subsurface flow dynamics, its influence upon pore water nutrient chemistry, and its role in nutrient exchange with adjacent surface waters. Interstitial water nutrient chemistry was monitored along three transects extending from the uplands to the creekbank edge. Surface waters were also monitored throughout the 13 month study period. Measurements of soil dry bulk density, percent organic matter, fiber content, and horizontal hydraulic conductivity were conducted along a 118 meter transect from the creekbank edge to the high marsh/upland interface. Results indicate vertical and lateral heterogeneity of these physical and hydraulic soil properties within the upper one meter soil profile. Multivariate statistical techniques best described the transect as four separate soil types. General regions of soil types followed wetland elevational regions, these include: the creekbank, levee, low marsh flat, and high marsh regions. Fiber content was identified as the measured parameter which best explained variations in wetland soil permeability. Vertical and horizontal hydraulic head fluctuations were monitored utilizing piezometer/well arrays along the 118 meter transect. Direct measurement of interstitial water seepage flow from the subaquaeous portion of the creekbank to adjacent surface water was determined. Model simulation of subsurface hydrodynamics were made in order to provide water table fluctuations, estimates of horizontal seepage, and pore water budgets along the transect. Field measurements of marsh surface elevations and hydraulic soil properties were incorporated into the model to allow for comparison between simulated and observed results. Spatial variations in soil properties, and subsurface hydrodynamics indicate that an extensive tidal freshwater wetland cannot be considered as a homogeneous unit. It may be described more accurately as three distinct, yet interactive regions (creekbank, low marsh flat,and high marsh), with varying potentials for surface and interstitial water exchange. The creekbank, experiencing large water table oscillations and hydraulic gradients, was the most dynamic and tidally influenced region. These hydrodynamic characteristics resulted in substantial subsurface water transport and dilution of interstitial waters by recharging surface waters within the creekbank region. Due to extremely low hydraulic gradients and ponding of water, horizontal seepage was minimal within the low marsh flat. Moderate hydraulic gradients in conjunction with highly permeable soils were conducive for significant horizontal seepage within the high marsh. Hydrologic evidence indicates a potential for nutrient rich shallow groundwater recharge within the high marsh region. Sensitivity analysis within the creekbank region indicates that aquifer depth exhibits the largest influence on interstitial water discharge followed by soil permeability and specific yield properties of the aquifer respectively. Inverted results, as those found within the creekbank region, were obtained for the high marsh region. Interstitial water nitrogen and total phosphorus levels were variable and a function of depth, location, and time. However, several generalities and patterns appeared relatively consistant. Creekbank pore waters were relatively enriched with oxidized inorganic forms of nitrogen relative to low and high marsh regions. Creekbank ammonium, total nitrogen and phosphorus interstitial pools were intermediate, whereas, dissolved organic nitrogen levels was the lowest of the three regions sampled. The low marsh flat was inorganic nitrogen poor, and intermediate with respect to dissolved organic nitrogen, relative to creekbank and high marsh regions. Pore waters within the low marsh were significantly enriched with dissolved total phosphorus as compared to the creekbank and high marsh regions. High marsh interstitial waters displayed reduced levels of nitrate and nitrite, while levels of ammonium, dissolved organic and total nitrogen were elevated in relation to the creekbank and low marsh flat. Interstitial total phosphorus levels within the high marsh were significantly lower than the low marsh and approximately equal to the creekbank region. The role and influence of subsurface hydrodynamics upon pore water nutrient concentrations and spatial variations are discussed. Spatial and temporal potential patterns of nutrient exchange between surface water and pore waters of various wetland regions are identified. Dissolved oxidized inorganic forms of nitrogen were imported throughout the sampling period by the creekbank, low marsh flat, and high marsh regions. Ammonium flux, due to seepage , was predominantly from the wetland to surface waters; the high marsh exhibited a greatest potential for ammonium export. The high marsh was a source of dissolved organic nitrogen throughout the study, while the low marsh flat and creekbank regions may best be characterized as sources during winter, spring, and summer months, and potential sinks during the fall. The high marsh exhibited the potential to export dissolved total nitrogen throughout the year, whereas, the low marsh flat and creekbank exhibit export potential during spring and summer months. Patterns of total phosphorus exchange were from high marsh, and low marsh regions throughout the year, while exchange between creekbank and surface waters was minimal and temporally variable. Hydrodynamics within each wetland region must be considered in conjunction with pore water chemistry, in order to fully understand nutrient and solute transport potentials

Use of The Analysis of Variance Model for Investigating Disposition Decisions of Judges and Probation Officers

The Analysis of Variance model was used to investigate differential disposition decisions from least restrictive to most restrictive court placement based on juvenile and family characteristics. Eight Juvenile and County Court Judges in Experiment I and 20 State Juvenile Probation Officers in Experiment II judged six behavioral-emotional signs in various combinations of presence or absence. The results were consistent with previous findings that a linear model more than adequately accounts for the variability of the subjects responses. The high interjudge agreement correlations and test-retest reliability estimates strongly suggest that Judges and Probation Officers can render reliable and consistent judgments, and utilize information in similar ways. Implications for professionals working with the court system are discussed as well as future research directions

Do Degrees Matter? Rethinking Workforce Development for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health Challenges

The global workforce crisis significantly impacts how evidence-based treatment is provided to youth with developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions. Addressing the workforce crisis requires re-examining the long-standing methods of selecting individuals for employment based on academic degrees. This project offers an innovative workforce development option that provides specialized training to staff with advanced education degrees and staff with less education. The participants in this study were employed in a rural area of the USA within the mental health, child welfare, and correctional industries. All participants worked with youth experiencing intellectual disabilities and mental illness. Results indicated that participants improved their knowledge of the population, demonstrated a better understanding of EBPs, and were willing to employ evidence-based approaches regardless of their education or age. Although overall attitudes toward EBPs decreased, diverging attitudes increased, suggesting a need to accommodate treatment strategies when EBP models are unavailable for special populations. Initial knowledge gaps demonstrated by those with a master\u27s degree and those with less education disappeared after the training. This finding supports the application of innovative task-shifting options in mental health, such as diverting more sophisticated care tasks to nonprofessionally trained persons, which can reduce workforce pressure and unmet demand for care. This study demonstrates cost-effective and time-efficient methods of training staff regardless of education by relying less on specific EBP models and more on adaptation

Flow rate logging seepage meter

An apparatus for remotely measuring and logging the flow rate of groundwater seepage into surface water bodies. As groundwater seeps into a cavity created by a bottomless housing, it displaces water through an inlet and into a waterproof sealed upper compartment, at which point, the water is collected by a collection bag, which is contained in a bag chamber. A magnet on the collection bag approaches a proximity switch as the collection bag fills, and eventually enables the proximity switch to activate a control circuit. The control circuit then rotates a three-way valve from the collection path to a discharge path, enables a data logger to record the time, and enables a pump, which discharges the water from the collection bag, through the three-way valve and pump, and into the sea. As the collection bag empties, the magnet leaves the proximity of the proximity switch, and the control circuit turns off the pump, resets the valve to provide a collection path, and restarts the collection cycle

Annotated bibliography of research conducted in the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, VA

This annotated bibliography of research conducted within the Reserves boundaries is a living document and updated periodically as new and past publications become available to the Reserve. It is designed to identify and provide an abstract/summary of research publications conducted within the four component sites of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Virginia system. Selected reference material is also available for Reserve relevant work conducted at multiple sites within the York River system. In order to help facilitate searches, the bibliography is categorized by Reserve components (Goodwin Islands, Catlett Islands, Taskinas Creek, and Sweet Hall Marsh) and by work conducted in Multiple Sites along the York River. In addition, each component is subcategorized into biological, geological, chemical and physical, and cultural and socioeconomic subject headings based on the primary focus of the publication. Publications are listed in alphabetical order by senior author under appropriate headings. Following the reference citation, an abstract or summary of the publication is provided

A Framework for Measurement Feedback to Improve Decision-Making in Mental Health

The authors present a multi-level framework for conceptualizing and designing measurement systems to improve decision-making in the treatment and prevention of child and adolescent mental health problems as well as the promotion of well-being. Also included is a description of the recommended drivers of the development and refinement of these measurement systems and the importance of the architecture upon which these measurement systems are built. The authors conclude with a set of recommendations for the next steps for the field

Australian private practice metropolitan telepsychiatry during the COVID-19 pandemic: analysis of Quarter-2, 2020 usage of new MBS-telehealth item psychiatrist services

Objective: The Australian Commonwealth Government introduced new psychiatrist Medicare-Benefits-Schedule (MBS)-telehealth items in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to assist with previously office-based psychiatric practice. We investigate private psychiatrists’ uptake of (1) video- and telephone-telehealth consultations for Quarter-2 (April–June) of 2020 and (2) total telehealth and face-to-face consultations in Quarter-2, 2020 in comparison to Quarter-2, 2019 for Australia. Methods: MBS item service data were extracted for COVID-19-psychiatrist-video- and telephone-telehealth item numbers and compared with a baseline of the Quarter-2, 2019 (April–June 2019) of face-to-face consultations for the whole of Australia. Results: Combined telehealth and face-to-face psychiatry consultations rose during the first wave of the pandemic in Quarter-2, 2020 by 14% compared to Quarter-2, 2019 and telehealth was approximately half of this total. Face-toface consultations in 2020 comprised only 56% of the comparative Quarter-2, 2019 consultations. Most telehealth provision was by telephone for short consultations of ⩽15–30 min. Video consultations comprised 38% of the total telehealth provision (for new patient assessments and longer consultations). Conclusions: There has been a flexible, rapid response to patient demand by private psychiatrists using the new COVID-19-MBS-telehealth items for Quarter-2, 2020, and in the context of decreased face-to-face consultations, ongoing telehealth is essential

Spatiotemporal distribution of phycotoxins and their co-occurrence within nearshore waters

Harmful algal blooms (HABs), varying in intensity and causative species, have historically occurred throughout the Chesapeake Bay, U.S.; however, phycotoxin data are sparse. The spatiotemporal distribution of phycotoxins was investigated using solid-phase adsorption toxin tracking (SPATT) across 12 shallow, nearshore sites within the lower Chesapeake Bay and Virginia\u27s coastal bays over one year (2017-2018). Eight toxins, azaspiracid-1 (AZA1), azaspiracid-2 (AZA2), microcystin-LR (MC-LR), domoic acid (DA), okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1), pectenotoxin-2 (PTX2), and goniodomin A (GDA) were detected in SPATT extracts. Temporally, phycotoxins were always present in the region, with at least one phycotoxin group (i.e., consisting of OA and DTX1) detected at every time point. Co-occurrence of phycotoxins was also common; two or more toxin groups were observed in 76% of the samples analyzed. Toxin maximums: 0.03 ng AZA2/g resin/day, 0.25 ng DA/g resin/day, 15 ng DTX1/g resin/day, 61 ng OA/g resin/day, 72 ng PTX2/g resin/day, and 102,050 ng GDA/g resin/day were seasonal, with peaks occurring in summer and fall. Spatially, the southern tributary and coastal bay regions harbored the highest amount of total phycotoxins on SPATT over the year, and the former contained the greatest diversity of phycotoxins. The novel detection of AZAs in the region, before a causative species has been identified, supports the use of SPATT as an explorative tool in respect to emerging threats. The lack of karlotoxin in SPATT extracts, but detection of Karlodinium veneficum by microscopy, however, emphasizes that this tool should be considered complementary to, but not a replacement for, more traditional HAB management and monitoring methods

Chesapeake Bay Dune Systems: Monitoring

This project is aimed at developing an understanding of detailed beach and dune change. During the course of this monitoring, Hurricane Isabel impacted the coastal plain of Virginia and significantly altered almost all Bay shorelines to one degree or another in September 2003. This is particularly true of shorelines facing north, east, and south since the winds shifted as the storm passed. This event provided an opportunity to measure the changes to natural dune systems around the Bay due to the storm as well as their recovery after the event