Development of Sediment Development of Sediment Quality Objectives for California Quality Objectives for California

Bays and EstuariesBays and Estuaries

Technical Approach

Steven BaySouthern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP)steveb@sccwrp.org

SQO Development ProjectSQO Development Project Major Components Science

– Understand the system– Improve assessment tools– Focus on benthic community effects

Implementation– Guidance for regulatory activities– Methods manuals

Policy– CEQA process

Primary TasksPrimary Tasks

Planning and technical review Database development Benthic community assessment tool

development Effects assessment and analysis Sediment quality objectives development Implementation program Sediment quality summary

Science TeamScience Team SCCWRP San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) Marine Pollution Studies Laboratory

(MPSL) EXA Data and Mapping Other consultants for specific elements

– Statistical analysis– Bioaccumulation modeling

Planning and Technical ReviewPlanning and Technical Review Workplan development

– Update 1991 workplan– Feasible for budget and schedule

Communication with agencies and public– Agency coordination– Public advisory group– Annual workshops

Scientific Steering Committee (SSC)– Key federal and state agencies– Incorporate best feasible science– Build upon experience of others

SSC MembersSSC Members Dr. Todd Bridges, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ERDC Dr. Dan Dauer, Old Dominion University Tom Gries, Washington Dept. of Ecology Chris Ingersoll, U.S. Geological Survey Dr. Scott Ireland, U.S. EPA, Office of Water Dr. Peter Landrum, NOAA, Great Lakes Environmental

Research Lab Edward Long, ERL Environmental Donald D. MacDonald, MacDonald Environmental Services Gail Sloane, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Database DevelopmentDatabase Development Statewide sediment quality database

– Foundation for analyses to develop and verify proposed SQOs

– Build upon ongoing efforts by CSTF, SCCWRP, other agencies

– Sediment chemistry, toxicity, benthic community, and bioaccumulation data

– Monitoring, dredging permits, special studies Available to public

– Resource for other projects

Database StructureDatabase StructureStudy

Station

Sample Master

Core Event

Grab Event

Core Sample

Dredge Fate

Chemistry Results

Chemistry Batch

BioaccumOrganism

Toxicity Results

Tox Sum Results

Toxicity WQ

Biology Batch

Infauna Results

Data SourcesData Sources

CSTF sediment quality database BPTCP studies EMAP and other regional monitoring data

(e.g. SF Bay RMP) Dredging studies TMDL studies National Sediment Inventory Evaluate studies for data quality prior to

inclusion

Benthic Community Benthic Community Assessment Tool DevelopmentAssessment Tool Development

Benthic macrofauna represent most sensitive aquatic species

Data interpretation is complex and subject to confounding factors– Assessment tools based on multiple

species/metrics needed Approach:

– Refine So. Calif. Benthic Response Index (BRI)– Develop tools for other regions of State– Compare/standardize sampling methods

Effects Assessment and AnalysisEffects Assessment and Analysis Evaluate data quality and completeness Investigate site-specific, geochemical and

biological factors Evaluate performance of existing sediment

quality guidelines – Empirical approaches (e.g., ERM, AET)– Causal approaches (e.g., equilibrium

partitioning) Evaluate fish bioaccumulation models

– Use existing data– Describe predictive ability and limitations

SQO DevelopmentSQO DevelopmentMultiple types of objectives anticipatedNarrative SQOs

– Require “triad” information– Effects-based– Address site-specific concerns or

uncertaintyNumeric SQOs

– Based on predictive relationships– Chemical-specific, toxicity, benthos– Incorporate mixture effects

Different SQOs may be needed for different applications

Numeric SQOsNumeric SQOsAnalysis of California dataApply and evaluate multiple approaches

– AETs, ERMs, regression– Equilibrium partitioning– Benthic community response– Alternative analysis methods

Evaluate performance of existing and California-specific guidelines

– Efficiency– Sensitivity– Specificity

Establish objectives based on application

Bioaccumulation-based SQOsBioaccumulation-based SQOsSQOs based on direct effects may not be

protective for indirect effects from bioaccumulation

– Short-term laboratory exposures– Upper trophic level species may respond

differentlyTechnical challenges are greater for

bioaccumulation SQOs– Multiple exposure pathways– Multiple types of receptors– Site-specific factors are of high importance

Bioaccumulation SQOs are not feasible on statewide basis

Bioaccumulation SQO SupportBioaccumulation SQO SupportFish bioaccumulation model development

– Evaluate/compare various models– Compare predictions to field study results

SQO development case study– Demonstrate objectives development for

selected chemicals/receptors– Use regional data– Develop a framework for SQO development

processResulting framework will identify method

and data needs for future application

Narrative SQOsNarrative SQOs Address uncertainty in numeric SQOs

– Confirmation of predictions from SQOs– Incorporate site-specific factors

Protect against indirect effects– Long-term exposure– Bioaccumulation

E.g., Chemicals shall not bioaccumulate from sediment into organisms to levels that are potentially harmful to human health

Implementation ProgramImplementation ProgramGuidance for use of SQOs

– Assessment (e.g., 303(d) listing)– Discharge regulations– Sediment cleanup– Multiple vs. single lines of evidence

Guidance for monitoring and assessment studies

– Methods manuals for sampling and analysis

Enforcement policy

Sediment Quality SummarySediment Quality Summary

Support policy development Summarize conditions in CA bays

and estuaries (based on existing data)– Chemistry– Toxicity– Benthos

Assessment of impacts based on SQOs

January 2003: Project startWorkplan developmentDatabase creation

June 2003: Adopt workplanBenthic assessment tool developmentData analysesLimited field sampling

August 2005: Draft SQOs for reviewGuidance development

Additional analyses (respond to comments)Summary of sediment quality

February 2007: Adopt SQOs

ScheduleSchedule