NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Combining Dynamic Assessment with Traditional Monitoring Approaches to Improve Understanding of NPS Pollution Impacts William

NWQMC NWQMC San Jose, CASan Jose, CAMay 8, 2006May 8, 2006

Combining Dynamic Assessment Combining Dynamic Assessment with Traditional Monitoring with Traditional Monitoring

Approaches to Improve Approaches to Improve Understanding of Understanding of

NPS Pollution ImpactsNPS Pollution Impacts

Combining Dynamic Assessment Combining Dynamic Assessment with Traditional Monitoring with Traditional Monitoring

Approaches to Improve Approaches to Improve Understanding of Understanding of

NPS Pollution ImpactsNPS Pollution Impacts

William T. StringfellowWilliam T. StringfellowSharon E. BorglinSharon E. Borglin

Gary M. LittonGary M. LittonJeremy S. HanlonJeremy S. HanlonMark S. BrunellMark S. Brunell

University of the PacificUniversity of the PacificEnvironmental Engineering Research Environmental Engineering Research

ProgramProgramStockton, CA Stockton, CA


OutlineOutlineOutlineOutline

San Joaquin RiverSan Joaquin River GeographyGeography

Dissolved oxygen impairmentDissolved oxygen impairment

Scientific Objectives for Scientific Objectives for DO TMDL ProjectDO TMDL Project

Combining Monitoring & ScienceCombining Monitoring & Science

Summary & ConclusionsSummary & Conclusions


San Joaquin River San Joaquin River San Joaquin River San Joaquin River


Highly Highly Engineered Engineered EcosystemEcosystem

Highly Highly Engineered Engineered EcosystemEcosystem


Courtesy of Jones & Stokes

Ecosystem ImpairmentEcosystem ImpairmentEcosystem ImpairmentEcosystem Impairment


6 0 8 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 4 0R i v e r M i l e

0

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 0 0

4 0 0

Ch

loro

ph

yll-

a (

kg

/da

y)

Monitoring Identifies Monitoring Identifies ProblemsProblems

Monitoring Identifies Monitoring Identifies ProblemsProblems

Algal load contributes Algal load contributes to DO impairmentto DO impairment

Low DO barrier to fish Low DO barrier to fish migrationmigration


Research Objectives – DO Research Objectives – DO ProjectProject

Research Objectives – DO Research Objectives – DO ProjectProject

Understand algal growth processes Understand algal growth processes in the San Joaquin River (SJR) in the San Joaquin River (SJR)

Conduct mass balance on algae and Conduct mass balance on algae and nutrients in the SJRnutrients in the SJR

Understand how NPS discharges Understand how NPS discharges influence algal growthinfluence algal growth

Develop scientifically based Develop scientifically based management strategies (best management strategies (best management practices)management practices)


Unlimited HypothesisUnlimited HypothesisUnlimited HypothesisUnlimited HypothesisAlgae growth Algae growth

is essentially is essentially unlimitedunlimited Nutrients are Nutrients are

too high to too high to controlcontrol

Algae grow at Algae grow at constant rate constant rate down riverdown river

Control algal Control algal inoculuminoculum

0 20 40 60 80Retention Time (hours)

0

40

80

120

160

Ch

loro

ph

yll

a (

g/L

)

90 %

90 %


Limited HypothesisLimited HypothesisLimited HypothesisLimited HypothesisAlgae growth is Algae growth is

limited limited Algae reach a Algae reach a

maximum maximum carrying carrying capacity capacity

Reducing Reducing inoculum inoculum ineffective, ineffective, algae grow back algae grow back in riverin river

Control limiting Control limiting factor factor (nutrients) (nutrients)

0 20 40 60 80Retention Tim e (hours)

0

40

80

120

160

Ch

loro

ph

yll a

(g

/L)

90 %

5 %


Research ApproachResearch ApproachResearch ApproachResearch Approach

Traditional monitoringTraditional monitoring Intensive approachIntensive approach

Directed scientific studiesDirected scientific studies Sub-watershed studiesSub-watershed studies

Lagrangian studies (unit flow tracking)Lagrangian studies (unit flow tracking)

Stable isotopes for source identificationStable isotopes for source identification

ModelingModeling Close link to monitoring & studiesClose link to monitoring & studies

Algal growth & water quality modelAlgal growth & water quality model



Measurements - Grab Measurements - Grab Sample Sample

Measurements - Grab Measurements - Grab Sample Sample

Chlorophyll Chlorophyll BODBOD1010

CBODCBOD NBODNBOD TOC/DOCTOC/DOC Ammonia nitrogenAmmonia nitrogen Nitrate nitrogenNitrate nitrogen Total nitrogenTotal nitrogen o-Phosphateo-Phosphate Total phosphateTotal phosphate Total ironTotal iron

Total suspended solidsTotal suspended solids Volatile suspended solidsVolatile suspended solids AlkalinityAlkalinity pHpH Turbidity (NTU)Turbidity (NTU) Incident lightIncident light Dissolved oxygenDissolved oxygen Specific conductivitySpecific conductivity TemperatureTemperature Algae cell countsAlgae cell counts Stable isotopesStable isotopes LipidsLipids


Monitoring Identifies Areas for Monitoring Identifies Areas for InvestigationInvestigation

Monitoring Identifies Areas for Monitoring Identifies Areas for InvestigationInvestigation

6 0 8 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 4 0R i v e r m i l e

- 1 0

0

1 0

2 0

3 0

4 0

Ch

loro

ph

yll-

a lo

ad

(k

g/d

ay)


Algae Growth in Sub-Algae Growth in Sub-Watershed Watershed

Algae Growth in Sub-Algae Growth in Sub-Watershed Watershed

0 20 40 60 80Retention Tim e (hours)

0

40

80

120

160

200

Ch

loro

ph

yll-

a (

g/L

)

N o = 7.62K = 157.7ro = 0.119n = 21 r2 = 0.946


Correlation Between Correlation Between VariablesVariables

Correlation Between Correlation Between VariablesVariables

0 10 20 30Distance (mile)

0

40

80

120

160

200

To

tal s

us

pe

nd

ed

so

lids

(m

g/L

)

0 .00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

So

lub

le o

-ph

os

ph

ate

(m

g/L

)TSSo-Phosphate


Mechanistic Model Mechanistic Model Mechanistic Model Mechanistic Model

0 20 40 60 80 100R etention tim e (hours )

40

80

120

160

200

Chl

oro

phy

ll a

(g/

L)

J u lian D ay 195D ataM odel

))((12

12 ttgeXX

max)()( LfTf

max)()( gZfTfg

smKM

MMf

)(

spKP

PPf

)(

scKC

CCf

)(

snKN

NNf

)(

szKX

XZf

1

1)(


Sub-Watershed Study Sub-Watershed Study ResultsResults

Sub-Watershed Study Sub-Watershed Study ResultsResults

Nutrients and grazing are most Nutrients and grazing are most important non-seasonal factorsimportant non-seasonal factors Carbonate can be limiting Carbonate can be limiting

Nitrogen not limitingNitrogen not limiting

Suspended minerals are a source of Suspended minerals are a source of limiting nutrients for algal, independent limiting nutrients for algal, independent of phosphatesof phosphates

Results suggest removal of sediments Results suggest removal of sediments would limit suspended algae growthwould limit suspended algae growth

Management based on unlimited model Management based on unlimited model not recommendednot recommended


Apply Lessons to Ecosystem Apply Lessons to Ecosystem Level StudiesLevel Studies

Apply Lessons to Ecosystem Apply Lessons to Ecosystem Level StudiesLevel Studies

New emphasis on zooplankton grazing New emphasis on zooplankton grazing impactsimpacts Lipid signature and traditional (microscopic) Lipid signature and traditional (microscopic)

methodsmethods

Improved measurement of inorganic Improved measurement of inorganic carboncarbon Stable isotope analysis and increased samplingStable isotope analysis and increased sampling

Incorporation of pilot model parameters Incorporation of pilot model parameters into larger river water quality modelinto larger river water quality model Mineral solids and inorganic carbonMineral solids and inorganic carbon


Summary & ConclusionsSummary & ConclusionsSummary & ConclusionsSummary & Conclusions

Monitoring data identified problem Monitoring data identified problem areasareas Provided little useful information for Provided little useful information for

institution of improvements institution of improvements

Scientific studies & modeling identifies Scientific studies & modeling identifies cause & effectcause & effect

Results from studies & modeling used Results from studies & modeling used to improve monitoringto improve monitoring Additional measurementsAdditional measurements


Documents

NWQMC San Jose, CA May 8, 2006 Combining Dynamic Assessment with Traditional Monitoring Approaches to Improve Understanding of NPS Pollution Impacts William