Field Photos for:

Delaware River Estuary Bioaccumulation Field Study. Ashley, Baker, Secor and Velinsky (2001-2002) Delaware River Basin Commission ($243,492).

and 

Spatial and Temporal Variability in Food Web Structures in the Delaware River Estuary. Horwitz, Ashley and Velinsky. (2001-2002). Environmental Associates of Philadelphia. ($40,300).

In collaboration with University of Maryland's research scientists Drs. Joel Baker and Dave Secor, Patrick Center researchers (Drs. Ashley and Velinsky) will assess the concentration of PCBs in biota and sediment within the Delaware River Estuary. Shown in this picture, scientists haul in otter trawl nets in hopes of collecting representative species within various zones of the estuary.

A concurrent research project, funded by some members of the Academy of Natural Sciences' "Environmental Associates", allows our Fisheries Department (Dr. Rich Horwitz, Mr. Paul Overbeck, and Mr. Kevin O'Donnell) to perform lavage (or gut purging) on collected channel catfish and white perch.   This will allow us to access dietary similarities and differences within different regions of the estuary.  This information will be critical when DRBC's forumulates its bioaccumulation model.