Upload
tranliem
View
215
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Agricultural Run-off Bioswale Project
Research Team
Jake Constans, Jonah Horn, Bobby
Nuvolini
In conjunction with
Aquatic Chemistry of Eutrophication
• Phosphorus and nitrogen are limiting nutrients for algal growth in bodies of water, therefore when in greater abundance of their soluble forms, they stimulate excessive algal growth.
Process of Eutrophication
• 1. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus levels rapidly stimulate algae growth.
• 2. Algae grows far past the point that can be consumed by other organisms and natural processes.
• 3. Excess abundance of algae sucks up available oxygen in water as they decompose, which could be otherwise utilized by other fish and organisms.
Phosphorus as a major contributor • In order to test specific causes
eutrophication, scientists used a curtain to separate two sides of a Canadian lake. Nitrogen and carbon were added to both sides while phosphorus was added to only one side. A large algal bloom and consequent eutrophication can be seen on the side where carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus were added.
• large-scale experiment called the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA).
• Study can be seen on http://www.lakescientist.com/learn-about-lakes/water-quality/eutrophication.html
Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone
• Largest dead-zone of the world in 2007 at 7,903 square miles.
• Due to large influx of nitrogen and high flows from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers.
• A NOAA supported study done by Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium and LSU predicted the dead-zone could reach a record 8,800 miles in 2008.
Local Issues
• Study done by OSU scientists
• Hypoxia: really low oxygen levels that cannot support most fish and other species
• Since 2002, hypoxia has occurred every summer off of Oregon coast.
• Map shows data from 2006 and 2007
What is causing excess Eutrophication?
• Main sources for excess nitrogen and phosphorus in watersheds: commercial agriculture and farming.
Factory Farming
• Excessive amounts of nitrogen from animal feces leeches into groundwater and streams.
• Considered a non-point source pollution, which is unregulated.
Commercial Crops
• Traditional fertilizing methods • In the U.S. alone over
20,000,000 nutrient tons of fertilizer is used each year
• Less sustainable practice economically
• Fast nutrient release, leeches into groundwater and streams, depletes soil quality over time
• Major contributor to the nations “dust bowls” of the 20th century
• 0.7% of U.S. crops are certified organic
Bioremediation Systems
• Bioswales: used as natural filtration, pollutant and sediment capture before reaching streams and rivers.
• Buffer Zones: riparian areas along streams, native vegetation. Regulate nutrient, pollutant, pH, and temperature effects run-off has on watersheds.
Water Testing
• We will be taking water samples over the course of roughly 3 years.
• 1st year samples = prior to construction • 2nd year samples = after construction • 3rd year samples = after vegetation has been more
established
Scirpus validus (Soft-stem Bulrush)
Source: Oak Ridge National Library
www.esd.ornl.gov
Scirpus microcarpus (Small-fruited Bulrush)
Source: calphotos.berkeley.edu Matt Below (2008)
Channel Vegetation
“Bulrushes are very tolerant of high nutrient levels.” (OregonDEQ)
Side Slope
Cornus stolonifera (Redosier Dogwood)
Salix scouleriana (Scouler Willow)
Source: quizlet.com & Van-vliet.org
Special Thanks to:
● Portland State University's Institute for Sustainable
Solutions
● Angela Hamilton
● Dr Heejun Chang
● Jim Baggenstos
● Jered Kinnear
● Cam Jones of OSU's CCAL
● Tualatin River Watershed Council
● Willamette Partnership
● Clean Water Services
References • NOAA Predicts Largest Gulf of Mexico ‘Dead Zone’ On Record. • ScienceDaily (July 16,2008) • http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715114149.htm • Eutrophication • Jeremy Mack, Miami University. • http://www.lakescientist.com/learn-about-lakes/water-quality/eutrophication.html • Dead Zones: Webcast • National Science Foundation • http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/deadzones/webcast.jsp • New Ways of Taking Pulse of Oregon’s “Dead Zones” • National Science Foundation • http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/deadzones/glider.jsp • USDA Economic Research Service • United States Department of Agriculture • http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/organic-production.aspx • USDA Economic Research Service • United States Department of Agriculture • http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fertilizer-use-and-price.aspx
• Willamette Partnership Eco-crediting Protocol • Willamette Partnership • http://www.willamettepartnership.org