Date of Award
2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Oceanography
Department
Oceanography
First Advisor
Chris Kincaid
Abstract
The presence and abundance of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi A. Agassiz, 1865 in Narragansett Bay (RI, USA) has been highly variable since monitoring first began in 1972. The aim of this study was to determine if precipitation was a driving factor behind this variability using data collected from 2001 - 2019. The hypothesis was that increased autumn precipitation flushed M. leidyi from its overwintering locations, which led to later bloom arrivals and lower overall abundances the following spring and summer. This was tested with a data analysis as well as a numerical modeling study. The data analysis found that large amounts of precipitation in both autumn and spring were correlated with later M. leidyi bloom arrivals, and large amounts of precipitation in autumn and summer were correlated with lower total yearly M. leidyi abundances. The modeling study further investigated the effects of autumn precipitation on two known M. leidyi overwintering locations, Apponaug Cove and Greenwich Cove. It found that while precipitation was the main driver of flushing in Apponaug Cove, the direction of the wind had more of an influence in Greenwich Cove.
Recommended Citation
Flecchia, Nicole M., "ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE POPULATION OF THE CTENOPHORE MNEMIOPSIS LEIDYI IN NARRAGANSETT BAY, RI" (2024). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 2554.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/2554
