The nutrient levels showed similar trends between the surface, chlorophyll max, and the bottom levels, with most of the nutrients and detritus accumulating at the bottom. The surface had limited amounts of nitrates, phosphates, and silicates due to the amount of phytoplankton surviving at the surface. The chlorophyll max showed results for station 35 and 38, which had elevated amounts of each nutrient at these stations.

The 5-meter sill at the head of this inlet is a major contributing factor to consider when looking at the water properties for Herbert Inlet. This shallow sill does not allow for adequate flushing of the ocean water like other inlets, so it makes this inlet colder, saltier and therefor denser. The minimum temperature for 2013 was observed at 10°C, with an evenly stratified thermocline. The dissolved oxygen in Herbert Inlet this year showed hypoxic conditions (≤2ml/L) at 30 feet and below. The fluorescence was significant at the surface with a 5 mg/m³ from station 35 to 37. The transmissivity also reflects a high amount of productivity at 80% at the surface between stations 35 and 37, and 90% everywhere else near the surface. The transmissivity also shows higher levels of productivity at the bottom depths from the decaying organisms that help to create nutrients and maintain the ecosystem.

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