Research Intern Quantifies Carbon Cycling and Oxygen Flux in Huron, Ohio Estuary

A recent research internship at the Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in Huron, Ohio, has yielded critical data regarding the metabolic rates of aquatic life and the estuary's role in global carbon cycling. Bryn Fleming, a 2025 Hollings scholar studying chemical oceanography at North Carolina State University, conducted a study focused on quantifying primary productivity within this freshwater estuary. The research involved measuring oxygen production rates across various plants and phytoplankton species, specifically utilizing American water lotus (*Nelumbo lutea*), as well as calculating overall oxygen flux using large time-series datasets from water quality monitoring stations. The study highlights the vital connection between local ecosystem health and atmospheric carbon levels. By analyzing oxygen availability and flux, the research aims to determine whether the estuary acts as a carbon sink or source. This is particularly significant because hypoxic (low oxygen) or anoxic (no oxygen) conditions can lead to mass die-offs of aquatic animals, while the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂) contributes to the volume of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. To support these findings, Fleming participated in weekly nutrient analyses, testing water samples for silica, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and conducted field assessments including crayfish capture and electrofishing. The project was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Education through the Hollings Scholarship program. Fleming noted that the autonomy to design and implement her own experimental procedure, such as deploying light and dark bottles to measure metabolic rates in-situ, significantly increased her confidence in conducting novel research. The internship also provided opportunities for site surveys of urban and rural beaches and collaboration with fellow Hollings scholars. **Sources:** * NOAA Office of Education, "Quantifying primary productivity in a freshwater estuary in Huron, Ohio," https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship/stories/quantifying-primary-productivity-in-freshwater-estuary-in-huron-ohio * NOAA Office of Education, "Hollings Scholarship," https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship * NOAA Office of Education, "2026 Interns," https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship/stories/quantifying-primary-productivity-in-freshwater-estuary-in-huron-ohio **References** NOAA Office of Education. (2026, November 4). *Quantifying primary productivity in a freshwater estuary in Huron, Ohio*. https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship/stories/quantifying-primary-productivity-in-freshwater-estuary-in-huron-ohio NOAA Office of Education. (n.d.). *Hollings Scholarship*. https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship NOAA Office of Education. (n.d.). *2026 Interns*. https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/hollings-scholarship/stories/quantifying-primary-productivity-in-freshwater-estuary-in-huron-ohio #NexSouk #AIForGood #EthicalAI #ScienceInAction #EstuaryHealth