A changing estuary: Understanding historical patterns in salinity and fecal coliform levels in the May River, SC

The May River, South Carolina watershed has undergone rapid increases in population and development from 1999 to 2017. This study aimed to understand the factors that influence salinity and fecal coliform levels in this estuary and how these levels changed from 1999 to 2017. This analysis revealed that salinity levels decreased in the headwaters, while variability increased. Additionally, fecal coliform increased from 1999 to 2017 throughout the hydrological network, with drastic changes occurring in the headwaters. Salinity and fecal coliform were influenced by spatial (distance from the mouth of the river), temporal (year, season, and tidal cycles), environmental (El Nin similar to o Southern Oscillation and rainfall), and anthropogenic parameters (population). This analysis suggests that the synergistic nature of climate change, resulting in more intense and frequent El Nin similar to o events, and watershed development may lead to further decreases in salinity and increases in fecal coliform levels in the May River estuary.

Automated summary

The study revealed that salinity decreased and fecal coliform levels increased in the May River, South Carolina watershed from 1999 to 2017, influenced by spatial, temporal, environmental, and anthropogenic factors. The analysis predicts further decreases in salinity and increases in fecal coliform levels due to the synergistic effects of climate change and watershed development.