RTRM stands for “real-time routine monitoring” and is an apparatus that measures meteorological as well as hydrological data, obtaining data throughout the water column at a point site.  Among the parameters measured are dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll abundance, and PAR (photosynthetically active radiation, a measure of the amount of ambient light of wavelengths optimal for photosynthesis).  For more information and to view data from RTRM stations along the Neuse estuary, visit www.ncsu.edu/wq/NEMP/index.html.